WHY MOMS MAKE GREAT ADVOCATES Read more on page 1B
A N O N P R O FIT, IN D EP EN D EN T N E W S S O U R CE TO I N F O R M , I N S P I R E , E D U C AT E A N D CO N N E C T T H E S T. LO U I S J E W I S H CO M M U N IT Y.
S T L J E W I S H L I G H T.O R G
10 I Y YA R , 5 78 2
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VO L . 75 N O. 10 Photographer Luigi Toscano prepares to photograph Holocaust survivor Rachel Miller during Toscano’s recent visit to St. Louis.
PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
Holocaust remembrance project links to St. Louis survivors
BY BILL MOTCHAN
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
As a boy growing up in Mainz, Germany, Luigi Toscano was fascinated by World War II. But he was frustrated by a lack of detail about a dark period in the country’s history: the Holocaust. His history teacher offered little information, and his textbook contained only a couple of photographs. So Toscano did his own research and eventually visited Auschwitz to learn more. “I was shocked,” said Toscano, 50. “I remember standing in front of this whole mountain of kinder shoes, and I cannot believe that that happened.” That haunting experience motivated Toscano to launch an ambitious Holocaust remembrance project
eight years ago. Now a noted filmmaker and photographer who was named an Ambassador of Goodwill last year by UNESCO, Toscano’s “Lest We Forget” is a series of more than 400 images of sur-
Luigi Toscano
vivors that has been exhibited around the world. Last week, Toscano spent several days in St. Louis photographing 12 local survivors. He and Dee Dee Simon, chair of the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, also met with Washington University to discuss a public art exhibition of his photographs on campus, which may happen in October. Toscano would oversee the installation. Three years ago, he took his work to Kansas City. That exhibition featured seven survivors from the area including Sonia Warshawski, a Prairie Village, Mo., tailor who grew up in Miedzyrzec, Poland, and whose story was told in the 2016 documentary “Big Sonia.” During his visit here last week, Toscano received assistance and introductions to
Nominations open for Unsung Heroes! The Jewish Light is now requesting nominations for its 13th annual Unsung Heroes awards. Roughly six to eight honorees will be celebrated in the Light’s newspaper and on its digital platforms, as well as at a special event on Wednesday, Nov. 2 This year, nominations will be accepted online at w w w.stljewishlight.org/
unsung. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, July 8. Heroes will be notified by the end of July. The Light solicits nominations of volunteers making a major impact through their work without seeking substantial public recognition for their efforts. Honorees can be individuals or groups who are either Jewish or non-Jewish mak-
ing a difference within the Jewish community and/or Jewish individuals or groups making a difference in the community-at-large. To learn about past Unsung Heroes honorees and watch their video stories, go to www.stljewishlight.org/heroes.
survivors from the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and Marci Rosenberg, former chair of the museum who has worked with Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation. The Jewish Light accompanied Toscano during his visit to two survivors to see a master of portraiture in action. Rachel Miller and Oskar Jakob have shared their stories before. But being photographed by a non-Jewish, German-born artist was a new experience. Toscano travels light and works fast. His gear consists of a black drape for a background, a simple ring light and a sophisticated digital camera. The actual photo shoot takes all of two or three minutes. Most of the time he spent with his subjects See SURVIVORS on page 10A
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May 11, 2022
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NEWS & SCHMOOZE
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Kevin Johnson has been teaching fitness classes at the J for 26 years.
JOHN BRENNAN CIA Director 2013–2017
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‘People just want to be around Kevin and Lynda’
October 25, 2022
MARIA RESSA
Meet two fitness instructors at the J who have spent decades connecting with their students I learned long ago that many of the best story ideas come from readers. So when someone calls or stops me to say, “Hey, I’ve got a good story for the Light,” I listen. Sure, some stories don’t pan out or live up to the hype, but the flip side is that some are much better than advertised. A few weeks ago, when I saw her at a Jewish Federation event, Sherri Weintrop mentioned two group fitness instructors at the Jewish Community Center — Kevin Johnson and Lynda Anderson — each of whom have been teaching there for roughly 20 years. Actually, in Johnson’s case it’s longer; he’s been teaching at the J for 26 years while Anderson has been there for 19. Of course, I had no way of knowing if teaching fitness classes for that many years is anything out of the ordinary. “It’s unheard of,” said Patrick McKee, director of fitness and membership at the J. “Typically, instructors jump around a lot, changing format and changing places (to teach). The fitness industry as a whole has a high turnover. There is a lot of burnout. They are an anomaly.” Johnson says he’s been teaching the J’s Sunday morning Step class for “at least the past 20 years,” adding, “I’ve taught in different capacities throughout my years at the J — hi-lo aerobics, spin, boxing. But I’m still teaching Step.” In fact, it’s the only class he now teaches. And his devotees, dubbed (by me) the “Step Moms” — never (as in hardly ever) — miss a class. Not even on Mother’s Day. “The only time you’re allowed to miss is for a funeral,” said Weintrop, 62, jokingly, but not really. “We’re like a family. Many of us have been taking the class together for decades. If someone doesn’t show up, we want to know where they are if they haven’t told us.” Added Susan Nunez,
NEWS & SCHMOOZE News and Schmooze is a column by Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman. Email Ellen at: efutterman@ stljewishlight.org
55, another longtime Step Mom, “If I miss more than one class I’ll get a text from one of my friends (in Step) asking, ‘Is everything OK?’” Johnson, 58, initially began taking aerobics classes at the YMCA to help with his own weight loss. “It started 30 years ago, when I lost 100 pounds,” he said, chuckling, “and over the last 15 years, I put it all back on.” After six months of taking classes, the fitness director at the Y asked Johnson if he ever thought about teaching. Eventually, he became a certified aerobics instructor and taught at various gyms locally before landing at the J in 1996. “For me, it’s a job without really having a job because I enjoy it so much,” said Johnson, who has a master’s degree from Washington University in health care services and whose “day job” is as a mortgage lender. “I enjoy the creativity of coming up with the choreography for the class. “And it’s the students. My perspective has always been that exercise should be fun, so I try to make it fun for them. I think that’s why they keep coming back.” His students agree — Johnson’s 85-minute Step class is a lot of fun — but it’s also a lot of hard work. Trust me, I have the muscle soreness to prove it. His routines involve various step patterns, done on an elevated platform, that need to be executed precisely, and the pace is fast. As in rapid fast. As in needed-a-water-break-every-five-minutes fast. Talk about shivitzing up a storm. “I watch a lot of online videos to get ideas and then change them so they work for my class,” Johnson explained. “Normally, it takes a couple of hours to do. I procrastinate, which is why I spend my Saturday nights pretty much doing choreography.” According to his students, Johnson’s affability, likeability and preparation keep the class from ever getting boring. They also delight in giving him grief when he messes up demonstrating a routine. “He used to do new choreography every single week, but when (theSee SCHMOOZE on page 7A
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May 11, 2022
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From left: A soldier’s helmet on stage during the Yom Hazikaron ceremony; the Horah Gil Israeli Folk Dance Troupe looks on before taking the stage; Alison Fox sings “Keshehalev Boche.”
Community marks Israel’s Memorial Day STORY & PHOTOS BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Americans celebrate Memorial Day every year with outdoor family barbecues, concerts and parades. Like the U.S. version, the Israel memorial day Yom Hazikaron acknowledges the sacrifice of fallen soliders, but the occasion is far more solemn. Businesses are closed and Israelis spend the day attending memorial services. A large local gathering commemorated Yom Hazikaron at the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex May 3, the eve of the holiday (which ran until sundown May 4). The program included readings in Hebrew and English, songs and a dance performed by the Hora Gil Israeli Folk Dance Troupe. The program began with a torch lighting performed by a Major in the Israel Defense Forces. It concluded with “Hatikvah,” sung by Israeli scouts and led by Rabbi Ronald Eichaker, cantor at United Hebrew Congregation. Tali Stadler, program director of the event, said she wanted the attendees to get as close as possible to the experience of being in Israel, a small country that must always be on guard and defend itself. “Some of the highlights are the songs and a video presentation that’s very touching, when everybody stands up for the siren for two minutes,” Stadler said. “When they hear the siren, it’s accompanied by a slide presentation for them to see what it’s like in Israel.” The air raid siren pierced the air at the J gathering as everyone stood in silence. It was not unlike the experience of many Israelis on May 4, said Bruce Michelson, who offered opening remarks. “In Israel, the whole country stops everything they’re doing when the air raid signal sounds,” Michelson said. “Every car and bus stops and passengers stand solemnly for two minutes of painful memories to show their gratitude for the ongoing price paid by young soldiers. “On Yom Hazikaron in Israel, theaters, cinemas and places of entertainment are closed,” Michelson said. “On this day, the entire country, including family members, gather at military ceremonies and cemeteries for memorial services, which are all conducted at the same time. In a small country with a heroic military record, the glory of victory has never been considered an adequate consolation for the loss of life.”
Above, Cantor Ronald Eichaker of United Hebrew leads Israeli scouts singing “Hatikvah” at the Yom Hazikaron community commemoration at the Jewish Community Center on May 3. At left, the crowd listens in. Below left, Snir Ben Avraham and Sagi Ben Avraham read “Just Like Dad.” Below right, Rabbi Moshe Shulman of Young Israel of St. Louis speaks as Rabbi Carnie Rose of Congregation B’nai Amoona looks on. MORE ONLINE For more images from the community’s Yom Hazikaron commemoration and the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, visit stljewishlight.org/multimedia.
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May 11, 2022
JEWISH LIGHT
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Volunteers help immigrants get ‘up to speed’ with English BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
The phrase “spill the beans” is a uniquely English idiom. So is “once in a blue moon.” You could translate these into another language, but it would be a literal translation and most likely lose the intent. We English-speaking Americans often pepper conversation with phrases like “learning the ropes” and “hit the road” that are immediately understood. For a non-native English speaker, they can be confounding. That’s the situation in which many recent immigrants to the United States find themselves. Even ordering deli turkey at Schnucks can be an ordeal. (“Would you like it sliced ‘paper thin?’ ”) A nonprofit St. Louis organization is offering much needed support for people who are new to the English language. The Immigrant Home English Learning Program (IHELP Stl) focuses its efforts on empowering foreign-born adults with in-home English education. It also provides them with tools to navigate the intricacies of daily life in the community. Funding for IHELP comes from private donors and grants, but it receives no government assistance. Several members of the St. Louis Jewish community are IHELP Stl volunteers. Jessica Lefton, a new board member for the organization, said she wanted to get involved because the mission is close to her heart. “I spent several years overseas in countries where English was not especially prevalent,” Lefton said. “IHELP offers that opportunity for learning and connection to our immigrant and refugee neighbors here in St. Louis in such a compassionate and personal way. All of this is done at no charge. Services are free to students, which is of course made possible by the
support of donors and volunteers. And as the St. Louis region continues to see an influx of new arrivals, we know our services are going to continue to be in high demand.” The program is especially useful for adult immigrants or refugees who have challenges attending regular English classes in a classroom setting because of a job schedule or a lack of child care or transportation. IHELP provides a no-cost alternative. Two Jewish St. Louis volunteers, Colleen Isele and Dana Garner, described the rewards of volunteering as English tutors. Isele, 48, found her student through the Nextdoor app last August. The student is from Jordan, and her native language is Arabic. “She was looking for some assistance learning English, so I reached out and said, ‘I can try to help you,’ ” Isele said. “I was trying to make it up on my own, and I brought some kids books. That didn’t work. I tried some nursery rhymes but, you know, if you don’t know English, the nursery rhymes are lost on you anyway.” Eventually, Isele found the IHELP Stl program, which provides a more structured learning program. Isele had never taught English as a second language, so the books and IHELP Stl tools came in handy. Isele speaks some Hebrew — she was a bat mitzvah in 2015 — and it turns out there are some Hebrew and Arabic words that are similar. “She had already been in the states for four or five years,” Isele said. “She already knew some English. It was more of a confidence thing. She had some goals to meet, and she’s met those goals, like to be able to fill out a medical form. And to go to urgent care with her children without an interpreter or help. Now she has the confidence and she understands what information they’re asking.”
Lizzie Warner, IHELP program manager, Jessica Lefton, Dana Garner and Colleen Isele PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
Isele, who attends Congregation Shaare Emeth, said the rewards of the experience have been immense, watching the student’s comfort level with English improve. “She ended up injuring herself and got rushed to the hospital,” Isele said. “When she came home from that, she told me that she was able to answer all the questions and fill out all the forms. So I got to see this progression of ‘I can’t do this!’ ” Dana Garner entered the IHELP Stl program as a volunteer with a bit more knowledge of foreign languages. “I studied Arabic in Morocco and Yemen for a while,” said Garner, 38. “I’ve been with my current student for four years. She had been in the U.S. for a while, and her English was really good to start with for a baseline. So, I’ve only seen her grow.” Garner, a member of Congregation Kol Rinah, also focuses much of her teaching in practical knowledge, like filling out forms. It may seem mundane, but it’s one of those tasks we all face, from getting a driver’s license to checking boxes on a form to get a COVID vaccination. “When we first started, her daughter
was 2 years old,” Garner said. “Now she’s 5, and she’s grown into her language abilities as well. I think having her mom able to speak English at a higher level is helping her, too.” Isele and Garner both chose to volunteer as English teachers because they had the time and wanted to give back to the community in a concrete way. Garner’s student is Palestinian, which initially gave her pause only because successful student-teacher pairs must form a bond. “I actually verified with my student that it would be OK before we started, and it’s not been a problem at all,” Garner said. Isele’s student has quickly evolved from student to friend. “It happened pretty quickly, but it wasn’t the goal,” Isele said. “My goal was to be her teacher. I didn’t expect that I would be her friend or be like a family member. When I arrive, her son comes downstairs to unlock the door and he gives me a big smile and a hug.” More information on volunteering as an English language teacher for IHELP Stl is available at ihelpstl.org/contact.
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LOCAL NEWS
May 11, 2022
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made me sad to think dad and other patients were lonely or bored.”
Honoring his father
The Abeles family wrapped in Eli’s tallit that he wore on his bar mitzvah 30+ years ago. PHOTO: SPOONFUL OF SUGAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Aaron Abeles honors his dad with special bar mitzvah project BY JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER
Aaron Abeles has experienced losses no 13-year-old boy should ever know. He also has the maturity, at his age, to understand how to take those tough experiences and turn them into something good and beautiful. “It probably won’t surprise anyone that I chose cancer as the focus of my mitzvah
project because of my dad,” wrote Aaron in a message to friends and family before his bar mitzvah this past weekend at Kol Rinah. “I was sad not to be able to visit my dad when he was at Siteman on chemo/ transfusion days; kids aren’t allowed in the treatment areas. My mom snuck us to the waiting area, but she got in trouble, and we didn’t get to go back. I always wondered if my dad had anything to do or play with while he was there for so many hours. It
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No one who knew Aaron’s dad, Eli Abeles, should be surprised in the least at his son’s mitzvah project. Abeles, described by his wife as the “ultimate mensch,” died in 2018 at the age of 40 after battling renal cancer. Bob Cohn, editor-inchief emeritus of the Jewish Light, wrote of Eli: Listening to friends, family and St. Louis Jewish community leaders talk about Eli M. Abeles, it is clear that he and his boundless energy made an indelible impression on all who knew him during his 40 years. Lynn Wittels, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center, said that everyone associated with the J was deeply saddened over the passing of Mr. Abeles. “Eli served in a variety of leadership positions at the J,” Wittels said. “He was instrumental on the Camp Sabra Committee, chair of the Audit Committee, assistant treasurer of our Finance Committee, and ultimately vice chair of our board.” “Eli was a trusted adviser and mentor, but most of all, he was a friend,” she continued. “He was wise beyond his years. He had a sharp wit and a big heart.” Despite his young years, Eli Abeles was well established as a Jewish communal leader who did not allow even his final illness to deter him from keeping up with organizational activities, providing wise advice and counsel to the groups in which he was active and supporting and working for others. Aaron has now taken over his father’s mission.
Aaron’s mitzvah project Battling cancer isn’t easy for anyone, but when Aaron, a seventh grader at The Miriam School, learned from his mother, Stacy, that because of COVID, the rules became even stricter for visiting cancer patients, especially older and young patients, he knew what had to be done. “Hospitals and cancer are scary enough, but even more so for kids who can’t see their family or friends due to a weakened immune system and the risk of the coronavirus. This made me really sad. I decided I
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wanted to collect fun things for kids in treatment, so they don’t feel so alone,” said Aaron. Stacy Abeles quickly moved into action. Not wanting to collect things no one needed or would use, she reached out to the pediatric oncology team at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and they helped create a wish list of items, they knew their patients would want. The next step was to spread the word. Stacy Abeles used the power of social media and email to alert family and friends all over the country, and soon the donations began rolling in.
Aaron’s mitzvah project comes together “Friends here in town began dropping off toys, wigs, stuffed animals and everything from the list, while friends from camp, college and out of town, as well as friends and family, donated more than a $1,000 for us to purchase items,” said Stacy Abeles. Soon, her dining room was filled with items from the list, and shortly, everything on the list will be delivered to Siteman Kids. “Ever since he was very little, Aaron has been empathetic to the needs of others whether it was wanting to share his toys or gift groceries/money to a homeless person in the street,” said Stacy Abeles, who in addition to Aaron has another son, Jonah, 9. “It didn’t surprise me that he was deeply concerned that Eli might be hurting or feeling isolated as he was undergoing chemo treatment or when I had to give him IV fluids at home. His selection of Siteman Kids as the beneficiary of his mitzvah project made complete sense as a tribute to Eli and his desire to help others, especially kids, who might be in pain or feeling alone. Like his dad, Aaron is a mensch, and I’m so very proud.” Aaron is also donating some of his bar mitzvah money to the Camp Sabra Scholarship Fund to help provide children with the opportunity to go to sleepaway camp and to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Emergency Fund to assist Jews in Ukraine and refugees in eight surrounding countries with transportation, food, medical care and shelter.
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The Jewish Community Center’s New Jewish Theatre will continue its 24th season in June with the romantic comedy, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” from June 9 to 26. “I am so pleased to present the regional premier of Ken Ludwig’s sweet and earnest love story,” said NJT artistic director Eddie Coffield. The production will be directed by Sharon Hunter, artistic director of Moonstone Theatre Company, and is making her NJT directorial debut. The show will feature a two-person cast, NJT veteran Ryan Lawson Maeske as Jack
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and Molly Burris, who will be making her NJT debut, as Louise. The creative team is comprised of Dunsi Dai on scenery, David LaRose on lighting, Amanda Were on sound and Michele Siler on costumes. “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” is inspired by the playwright’s parents romance as pen pals during World War II. The play chronicles the romance that spans the duration of the war between a young military doctor, stationed in Medford, Ore., and other places, and a budding young actress whose career hopes have taken her all the way from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Given the distance between them, the only way they can conduct, let alone evolve, their relationship is through letters, exchanged at times at breakneck pace and at other times with frustrating, worrisome slowness The show will premiere at The J’s Wool Studio Theatre at 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Individual tickets are $47-$54. Season tickets and flex passes, which feature a five-ticket package customized to the ticket holder’s preference, are available through the box office, by phone 314-4423283 or online at newjewishtheatre.org. Masks must always be worn properly covering the nose and mouth during all NJT productions.
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May 11, 2022
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Schmooze: Two decades (or more) teaching fitness classes at the J CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3A class) returned to the J (last fall), he went to every other week,” said Weintrop, who owns a wealth management firm and belongs to Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community. “It’s because we’re all getting older, and the steps are still complicated and our ability to move as much as we used to is lessening. Every other week gives us a little more time to learn the steps and still keeps the class challenging.” When the J closed because of COVID, the Step Moms came up with a Plan B. They brought their own equipment and with Johnson at the helm, did step routines on the parking lot of Weintrop’s business every Sunday morning. When it got too hot there, they moved to
another parking lot that had an overhang providing shade. When it got too cold, they moved to a home with a six-car garage, where they social distanced and wore masks while working out. “Kevin didn’t ask for any payment, but every so often we would surprise him with gift cards,” said Lisa Deutsch, 51, who has been taking Johnson’s Step class since the Clinton administration. Deutsch, like Nunez and Weintrop and so many others at the J, are also bigtime Lynda Anderson fans. The 55-year-old University of Texas graduate had wanted to be a dancer, but her mother nixed that idea for something practical — like (get this!) journalism. Today, while Anderson still pursues her passion for dancing — word on the street:
Fitness instructor Kevin Johnson is surrounded by participants in a recent class at the J.
she’s a killer salsa dancer — she found a niche teaching fitness, which she did for years at a corporate level at Emerson Electric. The company also paid for her various certifications, including a prestigious one through the American College of Sports Medicine. When Anderson left Emerson and made her way to the J, Nunez followed. The two had met at Emerson, where Nunez, an attorney, also worked. “We became, and are, very good friends,” said Nunez, adding that Anderson’s husband’s band played at Nunez’s wedding in 2002. “I honestly first joined the J to take Lynda’s classes. She is amazing. She never pushed me to where I’d get hurt but definitely knows how to motivate.” Anderson has taught Zumba, boot camp, Step and other high-impact-aerobic classes at the J but is currently teaching yoga and Pilates both in-person and virtually. Like Johnson, she enjoys working there for a multitude of reasons.
ABOVE: Lynda Anderson has been teaching fitness classes at the J for 19 years. PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN
“It’s the people and the fact that I’ve known many of them for almost two decades. I like helping people to get healthy, fit and strong,” said Anderson, whose sister, Denise, (fun fact) used to be married to Cardinals great Ozzie Smith. “The J’s facilities are great, we have great coordinators that really help us out and support from upper management. I also like that there’s babysitting, because I need that when I teach on weekends and bring my nieces.” Said Nunez: “I’ve been athletic since high school and have worked out with many different trainers. Lynda and Kevin are by far, my favorite. They really care about each individual person and treat them with the utmost respect. “People just want to be around Kevin and Lynda.”
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LOCAL NEWS
May 11, 2022
BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE
LIGHTER SIDE
FEATURING
SHULA NEUMAN
EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO The Lighter Side is an ongoing feature highlighting people who work and live in the St. Louis Jewish community. To make a suggestion for a future Lighter Side, please contact Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman at efutterman@stljewishlight.org.
Shula Neuman was named executive editor of St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU in 2016. She manages the newsrooms’ reporters, producers, and editors. Can you describe your job in three sentences or less? I manage a newsroom of 28 journalists. This means I set the vision for our journalism, work with the editors to determine coverage and do a lot of bureaucratic stuff to keep the newsroom humming. Occasionally, I get to edit or report stories, too. I understand you started your career as a print journalist. Why the switch to radio? Originally, I think I was attracted by the mystique of NPR-style journalism. But I stayed because it upped the ante for how creative I could be while still doing the work of journalism, which is my first love. What’s the best part of your job? I get so much satisfaction from hearing and reading the great stories the St. Louis Public Radio newsroom puts out. We may be a radio station, but I’m especially proud of our website. Our strategy has been to invest heavily in making our digital stories robust and engaging and it’s really paid off.
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How do you like to relax when you’re not working? I think I’m a pretty simple person. I love sharing meals with friends, going on an occasional hike and reading great books … usually while snuggling with my dog. I also love baseball and can happily spend a Sunday with my dad (Sanford Neuman) watching the Cardinals on TV, or going to the ballpark. And of course, there’s cycling. I’m a bit of a cycling nut. I heard you’re a cycling enthusiast and have taken several cycling vacations. Is there one that stands out and why? My brother and I did a 10-day cycling trip across the Pyrenees a few years ago. It started by the Atlantic Ocean in France and ended by the Mediterranean in Spain. It was by far the hardest cycling I’ve ever done because it’s rather hard to train for mountains when you live in Missouri. But it was so gratifying. Plus the food was fantastic. Now that we are getting back to in-person events, is there anything this summer that you are looking forward to attending that you missed during the pandemic? I’m still pretty careful about large indoor events because I have to look out for my dad’s well-being. But, I really missed the Whitaker Music Festival at the Botanical Gardens, so I’m glad that’s come back.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST. LOUIS 120 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
SCHOLARSHIPS
THANK YOU to our generous donors who provided 25 educational scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year, representing nearly $180,000! THE LENTIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THE CYNTHIA AND GARRY SELTZER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to high school juniors and seniors demonstrating financial need who have completed secondary school and are enrolling in full-time undergraduate degree programs or vocational programs at accredited nonprofit colleges or universities. Preference given to applicants of any faith connected to the Jewish community and first-generation college students.
Established by Cynthia and Garry Seltzer
THE BENJAMIN D. & MIRIAM PESSIN EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FUND
THE RUTH GREENBERG MEMORIAL FUND FOR RABBINICAL TRAINING
Established in memory of Benjamin D. Pessin and Miriam Pessin by members of their immediate family
Established by the late Ruth Greenberg
Established by Scott Lentin
Provides $2,500 scholarships to qualified Jewish students demonstrating scholastic achievement and financial need pursuing a business degree.
THE SAM A. KESSLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Established by friends of the late Sam A. Kessler
Provides a $1,000 scholarship for a local law school student demonstrating financial need and a willingness to contribute their time and talent to the Jewish community. Applicants must have resided in the St. Louis metropolitan area for no less than 10 years.
THE RICHARD L. LEVIS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND Established in memory of Richard L. Levis, Jr. by his widow, Barbara Rosen
Provides up to $1,000 in scholarship money to Missouri area college or university students demonstrating scholastic achievement and financial need.
Provides a $10,000 scholarship for a student enrolled in a four-year, undergraduate bachelor’s program based on financial need, academic merit, and demonstrated leadership skills. Renewable from previous year.
Provides $2,500 scholarships for rabbinical training for St. Louis residents demonstrating financial need and intent to pursue a career in the rabbinate.
THE BLANCHE AND IRVING MILLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND Established through a bequest from the estate of Blanche and Irving Miller
Provides $1,000 scholarships to deserving and qualified students enrolled in accredited colleges or universities who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in professional fields.
THE L. ALLEN ZORENSKY FINE ARTS LOAN FUND Awards interest-free loans to students pursuing an education in fine arts or other arts at a post-secondary level at a recognized accredited academic institution. Loan recipients must sign a promissory note in which the recipient agrees to repay the loan, in full, within five years of graduation.
Grants available to Jewish organizations for ‘Anything’
Applications for Anything Grants from the Staenberg Family Foundation are now open and are due by Jun. 22. The Foundation will distribute grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to Jewish organizations. Each grant will total one half of the applicant organization’s project budget, and grantees will be responsible for raising the remaining dollars needed to complete their projects. Eligible grant applications could be, as the name says, for anything, including things like hiring a nonprofit consultant; purchasing technology; staff or board professional development; building beautification or improvement; or one-time programmatic needs. For more information, visit JFedSTL. org/Anything-Grants. For more information about the application process, contact Marla Guggenheimer at MGuggenheimer@JFedSTL.org.
JProStL plans campthemed ‘S’more than a Feeling’ year-end event JProStL’s annual end of year event, S’more than a Feeling, will take place in-person on Tuesday, May 17, from 3 to 4:30 pm at The J’s Staenberg Family Complex Outdoor Day Camp Pavilion. Participants will network, practice team building skills, get creative and enjoy being together. Choose from a variety of activities, including icebreakers, outdoor games, making friendship bracelets and more. Grab bug juice and a snack from the canteen table and gather around the fire pit for s’mores. Outgoing and incoming JProStL board members will also be recognized and celebrated. The program is open to all staff who work at nonprofits affiliated with the St. Louis Jewish community. JProStL is a program of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. For information and to register, go to JFedSTL.org/JProSmore or contact Marci Mayer Eisen at MEisen@ JFedSTL.org. JProStL is made possible by support from Mont & Karen Levy and the LubinGreen Foundation, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation of St. Louis.
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JEWISH LIGHT
May 11, 2022
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Odd Couples Housing, a roommate pairing service, wasn’t odd at all BY BETSY SCHMIDT JEWISH LIGHT CEO
I don’t remember where I first read about Odd Couples Housing– St. Louis Magazine or the Post-Dispatch? It was a new company that served as a matchmaker for young (mostly) students with “older” folks who had extra room in their homes. I immediately sparked to the concept and sent a query in online. As a single 50-something at the time, I was living in a three-bedroom home with two cats and a dog, and lots of quiet. So I filled out the extensive questionnaire and didn’t think much about it. At the end of summer 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, the company reached out to me and said I had matched with a young Namibian woman. Did I want to meet her? Sure. Why not? As soon as we met, I knew it was a good match and she moved in the next weekend. I have had young students live with me twice before and was interested in trying it again. I had found those students myself via a housing board at Washington University, although neither turned out to be Wash U students. This random method yielded one good situation, and one that ended poorly. Just like dating, I guess matching between strangers isn’t always the most reliable method. I was on the other side of the equation as a young student living abroad, during both high school and college, as an exchange student in Spain. In addition, my family hosted an exchange student from Austria
in the 1970s, so this wasn’t a foreign concept to me (pardon the pun!). The experience of getting to know others as “regular people” and sharing meals, walks and stories, is one of the most healing things I think we can do to build bridges between our cultures. My Namibian roommate Ndinalao, who goes by Dina, was charming and polite. We agreed on many lifestyle issues including no smoking, partying or loud music. She was in St. Louis attending graduate school in public policy and had been a nanny before that. Mostly she studied or went to work. It was such a great experience, and we became true friends. She helped introduce me to her culture but also to some new social media apps like Clubhouse and Tik Tok. She came fully prepared with her own tripod and ring light to create videos to post online and spent hours working on them. I loved having her young energy around and learning about today’s online culture. Sure, I asked her to take on a couple chores, most notable hauling the garbage cans to the street every Tuesday night – an easy task but one I detest. If I cooked dinner, I’d make extra for her and sometimes bring it to her when she was in an evening class on Zoom. I was happy to help her get through the long hours and stress of grad school. She loves my pets and home like I do and brought a lot of love to us all. Were there negative aspects? Of course, but very minor. Like when she cooked Namibian food it often involved whole fish -- eyes and all -- which stank and kind of
Stay in Your Home as You Age “My experience with Odd Couples Housing was so uplifting and helpful. Especially since we were all quarantined- it was great having a young person in the house with me. I cant recommend it enough!” Betsy Schmidt Chief Executive Officer The St. Louis Jewish Light
We match older and younger adults to live together and share expenses.
Betsy Schmidt (left) with roommate Dina freaked me out. So she cooked this when I wasn’t home and enjoyed herself with joyful abandon. Or sometimes she’d be on the phone on Clubhouse all weekend speaking mostly in her native tongue well into the night. Sometimes I just wanted it to be still in the house. But overall, I loved having her here, especially because of the quarantine and lack of contact with hardly anyone else. Her young, helpful, hopeful energy lifted me up and reminded me that connecting with another person like this was healing and important to vitality.
A few weeks ago, Dina turned 30 and finished graduate school. We had a steak dinner and raised a glass to her next chapter as she heads to London for an internship there. She may not ever return to St. Louis, but we are forever connected. If you’re wondering if Odd Couples Housing is for you, I’d say if you have an open bedroom and an open heart for a new friend, you will never look back. For more information, go to oddcoupleshousing.com.
MYTH BUSTERS - ARTHRITIS SHOULDN'T SLOW YOU DOWN! FREE COMMUNITY TALK: ARTHRITIS & AGING BY: DR. BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST
If you're like many people living with arthritis, you're always looking for better ways to control your pain. Nobody loves the idea of taking pain pills every day, or waiting months to get painful injections that don't always work. Maybe you're trying to put off a joint replacement because you really don't want surgery. Or you've waited too long and now you are no longer a surgical candidate and feel doomed to live with arthritis pain the rest of your life. If you feel this way, you're not alone. What if there was another way? A way to manage your arthritis without pain pills, injections and surgery? What if you could reduce your pain and get your strength and independence back? Or avoid losing it in the first place. The good news is you have options. The first step in being able to successfully manage your arthritis long-term is to have a better understanding of what causes arthritis in the first place and what makes it worse. Unfortunately, there is so much misinformation out there about arthritis pain and this often leads to not knowing about all of your treatment options. If you're ready to learn more about the causes and treatments for your arthritis pain,
I invite you to attend our upcoming FREE workshop “Arthritis & Aging". During This Workshop You'll Learn: What osteoarthritis is and what actually causes it. The myths of arthritis that keep you from enjoying life. The most highly recommended treatment options for arthritis. Why "wear and tear" should be replaced with "wear and repair". Is it safe to do an exercise that is painful? And More! When: Friday, May 20th at 1:30pm Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd, 63125 *Attend in-person or join us online from your home. Call (314) 9391377 to register. Space is limited. I look forward to seeing you there, Dr. Beth At HouseFit, we help adults 55+ maximize their independence and fitness, so they can continue to enjoy a full and active life.
HouseFit
38 09 L e m a y F e r r y R d. S a i nt L o ui s , M O 6 31 25 ( 31 4) 93 9- 13 77 i nf o @ ho us e fi t s t l . c o m w w w . ho us e fi t s t l . c o m
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Survivors: Holocaust remembrance project linked to St. Louisans CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A consisted of just sitting with them, learning their stories and talking. After showing his work to Miller, she thanked Toscano, and the two spontaneously embraced. Jakob also carefully reviewed photographs Toscano has taken of other survivors, some of whom may have been with him at Auschwitz or Bergen-Belsen in 1944. “Lest We Forget” began after Toscano completed another major portrait project that featured refugees who immigrated to Germany. Many of them were mistreated and attacked. Some had their homes burned. “I was sitting in my home office watching the news, and I wondered what a Holocaust survivor would think about the (atrocities),” he said. “I thought I could use the same concept. There was a small former concentration camp near my home in Mannheim. And every year, survivors came for visitors to celebrate their liberation. I told the director of the institution about my idea, and he said, ‘Luigi, you can meet them in the hotel lobby and you can speak with them, but I cannot promise you that they are willing to let you take their pictures.’ ” Toscano hung his refugee portraits on the wall, and a group of survivors came to see the exhibit. One of them looked at the photographer’s work and said he wanted to participate on the new project. With that, Toscano began searching for other survivors around the world. In addition to his traveling exhibit, the work is featured online at www.luigi-toscano.com. Click on the faces on the website to learn more about their stories. Following his St. Louis visit, Toscano returned to his home base in Mannheim, then went to Paris to prepare for an exhibition, then to a school in Austria. Since he began “Lest We Forget,” the exhibition has traveled the world to big and small venues, but he especially wants to reach curious children in the classroom. “We bring this exhibition to schoolyards, especially in Germany,” he said. “In the last couple of months, I showed this exhibition 10 times, and more and more schools ask us to bring it.” The exhibition is an important tool to make sure the lessons of the past aren’t lost to time. Research in recent years shows many adults lack awareness of the Holocaust. “Luigi’s visit comes just as the Missouri Legislature is considering H.B. 2000, a new bill that would require local school districts to designate ‘Holocaust Education Week,’ ” said Simon, of the Holocaust commission. “We’re going to support our educators, and when we got involved, the
legislators gave us a seat at the table. And I’m very appreciative for Rep. Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles, sponsor of the house bill) for his support and for listening to us.” The Missouri legislative session ends May 13, so time is limited for legislators to finalize the bill, Simon said. If it passed, the law would probably go into effect in August. Toscano considers his project an important part of documenting history. He has formed lasting relationships with many of the survivors he’s photographed, including one of his first subjects, a woman named Ana who lives in Ukraine. “She’s a beautiful woman,” Toscano said. “She was an experimental child of Josef Mengele,” he said, referring to the Nazi SS officer and physician who became infamous for experimenting on Jews at Auschwitz. “She came to Auschwitz with her parents, and her parents were killed by the Nazis. Then she survived Mengele for one and a half years. I have a special relationship to Ana. Since the war broke in Ukraine, we text every day. I offered her to come to Germany, where I could get an apartment for her and for her daughter. You know what she said to me? ‘No, I don’t leave Kyiv. I survived Hitler, and now I will survive Putin.’ ”
Above, Luigi Toscano prepares to photograph Holocaust survivor Oskar Jakob during Toscano’s visit to St. Louis last week. Below, Holocaust survivor Rachel Miller looks at a book of Toscano’s photographs. ALL PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN
Oskar Jacob and Rachel Miller Oskar Jakob and Rachel Miller are two of the St. Louis area survivors photographed last week by Luigi Toscano for his “Lest We Forget” Holocaust remembrance project. Miller was born in Paris in 1933. When she was 7 years old, her father and uncle were taken away by the German SS and French police. The following year, they received injections in a French hospital and within hours both died. Miller’s mother sent her out of the country and told her to assume the name Christine to hide her identity. The last time Miller saw her mother and brothers and sister was July 13, 1942. They were taken to Auschwitz where they perished. After liberation, Miller immigrated to the United States and lived in five foster homes. Oskar Jakob was born in 1930 in Simlul, Romania. His family moved to Dobra, where they were the only Jewish family in 1944 when Hungarian Nazis deported the family to Auschwitz, Dora, Nordhausen and Bergen-Belsen. They faced hard labor, beatings and a severe lack of food and water. On April 15, 1945, the British Sixth Army liberated Jakob from the Bergen-Belsen camp. It was far from a joyous moment because prisoners were extremely malnourished. In fact, after the British soldiers gave them bread, many died because their bodies couldn’t digest food. — Bill Motchan
Rachel Miller
Oskar Jakob
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JEWISH LIGHT
Jewish soldiers are buried under crosses around the world. This nonprofit is changing that. BY RON KAMPEAS JTA
Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter was visiting the cemetery for U.S. soldiers in Normandy when something struck the professor of Jewish history at Yeshiva University as odd: There seemed to be too few non-Christian graves. That insight in 2014 resulted in a nonprofit project that tracks down the graves of Jewish U.S. servicemen mistakenly buried under crosses, to give them Star of David headstones. Operation Benjamin has so far replaced the headstones of 19 U.S. Jewish servicemen, including seven who underwent the ceremony last week in cemeteries in France, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Military Times reported. The group’s first successful identification was Private First Class Benjamin G a r a d e t s k y, bor n Bor uch Reigorodeczki in Ukraine, who was killed in 1944 in a Luftwaffe bombing after landing in France during the D-Day offensive. Garadetsky’s marker in Normandy was changed in 2018, and his name lent itself to the nonprofit, which does not take money from the families of the dead soldiers. It solicits donations through its website. The group coordinates with the A merican Battle Monuments Commission, the government agency responsible for overseas graves. The placement of crosses was often the result of administrative error in war times, or of soldiers obscuring their Jewish identities during a war in which Nazis summarily executed Jews. Operation Benjamin is working on another 22 names. The organization has a single full-time researcher, and it will often contact photographers in countries where there are American gravesites to further their research. In a 2020 essay for The New York Jewish Week, Schacter explained that mistakes were often made in the chaos of battle, and Jewish soldiers would often remove from their dog the capital letter “H” that identified them as “Hebrew,” in case they fell into enemy hands. “These Jews died so we could remain alive — and free. Remembering them for who they were is the least we can do,” he wrote. “Being involved in this chesed shel emet, a ‘true kindness,’ is a matter of hakarat hatov — recognizing the good they did for us, and being appreciative of their sacrifices.” Scachter’s co-founder is Shalom Lamm, son of the late Rabbi Norman Lamm, the longtime president of Yeshiva University. Lamm described to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency a typical ceremony, in this case, of Second Lieutenant Kenneth Robinson, buried at Ardennes in Belgium. Attending the ceremony last week were members of Robinson’s family, including his half-sister Mariellen Miller. “When the headstone is replaced, Rabbi Schacter repeats a line for each soldier which has become iconic,” Lamm said. “‘Second Lieutenant Robinson, on behalf of the citizens of America, we thank you for your service, and Kenny, on behalf of the Jewish people, we welcome you home.’ It just sums it all up perfectly. We are there as a grateful nation, and we are there as a proud people.”
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Number of antisemitic incidents surged in 2021, according to latest ADL tally BY ASAF SHALEV JTA
The number of antisemitic incidents recorded by the Anti-Defamation League in the United States in 2021 reached an all-time high, according to a new report by the group. The 2,717 incidents identified in news articles by the ADL or reported to the ADL directly in 2021 represent a 34% increase from the 2,024 incidents of antisemitism tallied by the group in 2020. Previously, the 2,107 incidents in 2019 were the highest total since the ADL began publishing annual counts in 1979. ADL’s Heartland Region, comprising Missouri, Eastern Kansas, and Southern Illinois, had 16 incidents, with 15 in 2021 coming from Missouri, increasing from three in 2020. Anything from a slur to a terror attack can be included in the tally. For the second straight year, 2021 saw no fatal incidents tied to antisemitism in the United States, but the ADL counted 88 antisemitic assaults, a 167% increase from the 33 assaults in the 2020 count. The group cited several reasons for the high numbers — including what the ADL said was “improved reporting” because of partnerships with multiple Jewish organizations. The partnerships — with several Jewish organizations including the Community Security Initiative, Community Security Service, Hillel International, Secure Community Network, Union of Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism — were responsible for identifying 494 incidents, or 18% of the total. The ADL also documented a surge in incidents linked to the May 2021 round of deadly clashes between Israel and Hamas, many of which made national headlines at the time. “Jews were being attacked in the streets for no other reason than the fact that they were Jewish, and it seemed as if the working assumption was that if you were Jewish, you were blameworthy for what was happening half a world away,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. The 297 incidents that took place during the fighting in May represent an increase, but the ADL recorded other spikes later in the year, without a similar trigger.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt speaks at the group’s 2018 National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. PHOTO: MICHAEL BROCHSTEIN/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES
More than any single factor, Greenblatt said the overall increase in antisemitic incidents can be linked to political instability and polarization. “When it comes to antisemitic activity in America, you cannot point to any single ideology or belief system, and in many cases, we simply don’t know the motivation,” Greenblatt said. “But we do know that Jews are experiencing more antisemitic incidents than we have in this country in at least 40 years, and that’s a deeply troubling indicator of larger societal fissures.” Nearly 20% of the incidents the ADL tallied last year were attributable to rightwing actors, according to the report, which notes a sharp rise in the distribution of antisemitic pamphlets by groups such as the Goyim Defense League. A man set fire to a synagogue last October in Austin, Texas, shortly after the group held a rally there. The Anti-Defamation League has lately faced criticism over both its overall strategy and its specific efforts to tally antisemitic incidents. Right-wing critics have charged that the group has abandoned its focus on Jewish security and, in the course of doing so, has grown concerned
INFOGRAPHIC: ADL
only with antisemitism on the right. Meanwhile, left-wing critics have argued that the group too easily conflates Israel criticism and antisemitism, leading to an inflated measure of hatred against Jews. In a field where a number of newer entrants have adopted a combative approach to identifying and fighting antisemitism, the ADL has said that it remains committed to applying traditional research methods to its work. When it announced the Hillel partnership last year, for example, the group emphasized that it would not automatically count Israel criticism as evidence of antisemitism, and that it would seek to independently verify incidents of antisemitism reported to it. Last month, the group announced that it had developed an algorithm to track antisemitism on social media — a project that it had taken on because social media companies had not, ADL officials said.
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NEWSMAKERS Newsmakers is a compilation of the Jewish community’s newsworthy professional and academic accomplishments. Submit your news to news@stljewishlight.org. Call 314-743-3669 for more information. Published the first edition of each month. Newsmakers is compiled by Elise Krug.
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BROUGHT TO YOU THIS MONTH BY:
Howard Rosen is the new board chair of Covenant Place. Rosen is a Vice President Strategic Planning and Programming at Stifel Financial Corp. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Rosen has served on the Covenant Place board and Finance Committee for 10 years. Cantor Seth Warner of Shaare Emeth has been elected president of the American Conference of Cantors. He will be installed June 8 at the group’s annual convention in Chicago. Warner’s presidency takes effect Aug. 1. Adam Siffer won first place in November for his two piano solos at the Missouri Music Teachers Association Missouri State Competition, Young Artist Performance Grade 8. Adam is the son of Renee and Mark Siffer and attends Parkway Northeast Middle School and Congregation Temple Israel. Sam Dorshow recently graduated from the IHM Academy of EMS and passed national certification exams while serving as a full-time emergency medical technician. He is continuing his employment with Abbott Ambulance as a fulltime paramedic. Dorshow attends Congregation B’nai Amoona. Former St. Louisan Claire Lazaroff Deane has been selected as Teacher of the Year at King William High School in King William, Va. A graphic-design teacher, she has been at the school for five years.
TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Howard Rosen, Cantor Seth Warner, Adam Siffer, Sam Dorshow and Claire Lazaroff Deane. SECOND ROW: Bonnie Laiderman, Amanda Packman Stein, Darien Arnstein, James Singer and Steven E. “Ed “Musen. Veterans Home Care’s Bonnie Laiderman has been honored as a Remarkable Woman by St. Louis television stations FOX 2 and KPLR 11 (Nexstar Media Inc.). Remarkable Women is a nationwide initiative that is part of Nexstar’s celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. It is designed to honor the influence that women have on public policy, social progress and the quality of life in the United States. Locally, Laiderman was chosen as one of four St. Louis finalists from more
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than 180 nominations. Laiderman attends United Hebrew Congregation. Amanda Packman Stein and Darien Arnstein will receive two of the three Social Change awards to be given May 16 at the National Council of Jewish Women national meeting in Washington, D.C. Stein, vice president of NCJWSTL, is the recipient of the Elissa Froman Inspiring Leader Award. She is a member of Temple Israel. Arnstein, a past president of NCJWSTL and member of Kol Rinah, is being honored with the inaugural Nancy K. Kaufman Enduring Leader Award. James Singer received the Owners’ Council of America’s Crystal Eagle Award in January in recognition of the time and commitment he displayed in bringing to the public’s attention the story of Dr. Howard Phillip Venable. More than 60 years ago, Creve Coeur officials, motivated by racial prejudice, pressured Venable to sell his property to the city, which was then used for a public park (read more about the story online at bit.ly/Venablestory). The award is given annually to an individual who has made a substantial contribution toward advancing private property rights. Singer is a lawyer with Schuchat, Cook & Werner and a member of Shaare Emeth. Steven E. “Ed “Musen has published a book that chronicles his 45 years as a marketing and advertising professional, including how to create and implement
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local and regional advertising campaigns. The book, “Marketing Beyond Compare: How I Built Imo’s and Other Iconic Brands,” sells for $12.95 and is available at media4mediastl.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis. Musen attends Shaare Emeth. Mikaela Snitzer is one of nine Parkway students to receive a Gold Key award from the Missouri Scholastic Art & Writing program for her essay titled “Evil With a Smile.” This program recognizes student achievement in the visual and literary arts in 28 categories. A senior at Mikaela Snitzer Parkway Central High School, Mikaela is the daughter of Amy and Brad Snitzer and attends United Hebrew. She will attend the University of Wisconsin in the fall, majoring in psychology. David Charak received the Founders’ Award from Craft Alliance last month. The award honors an individual who embodies the mission of Craft Alliance and shares the belief that craft feeds the human spirit, enhances the community and transforms lives. Continued on opposite page
stljewishlight.org
STL
NEWSMAKERS
JEWISH LIGHT
May 11, 2022
Page 13A
Philip Taxman, senior vice president and wealth adviser at Merrill Lynch, has been named a Forbes magazine Best-inState Wealth Advisor for 2022. Taxman is a member of Shaare Emeth. Sheldon Harber has joined the University of Missouri-Columbia department of personal financial planning industry advisory board. Harber is a wealth management adviser at Visionary Wealth Advisors and attends Shaare Emeth.
LER SHADESDavid Gutwein has joined the law firm
of McMahon Berger as an associate. He represents the interests of management in all areas of labor and employment law.
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April 13– June 24, 2019
his longtime service to the organization, which includes being a past president of JCRC and past chair of the Newmark Institute. Friedman will receive the Michael and Barbara Newmark Emerging Leader Award for his leadership. He is vice president of North American sales and business development at Entegral. A special tribute will be given to Schupp for her years of public service as she com- State Sen. Jill Schupp pletes her time in the Missouri General Assembly. Schupp attends Shaare Emeth.
cacy on behalf of patients and their physicians. Hruza is a candidate for Missouri Senate in the 24th district in St. Louis County. He will face Brett Schenck in the Republican primary Aug. 2. Other announced candidates for the 24th district are Democrat Tracy Dr. George Hruza McCreer y and Libertarian candidate LaDonna Higgins.
American Academy of Dermatology Association Advocate of the Year award at its annual meeting in Boston for his advo-
second grade at the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School and is the son of Rabbis Karen and Daniel Bogard of CRC.
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Page 14A
May 11, 2022
OPINIONS
STL
& DANA SANDWEISS ACCESS MO
On May 2, our lives were upended, especially in Missouri, with the leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guarantees a constitutional right to abortion. Despite consistent polling showing that 69% of Missourians oppose the government forcing people to be pregnant and give birth, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed HB126, an abortion ban, into law in 2019. The Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act includes language that reads, “In recognition that Almighty God is the author of life,” and a section that declares the “life of an individual human being begins at conception.” HB126 was blocked from implementation in 2019 by U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs in Kansas City; his action was upheld by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals last year. But the law remains on the books and Missouri would easily become one of 13 states with such a “trigger law” that would make abortion a felony if Roe fell. There would be no legal exception for rape or incest in our state, nor consideration of what would be best for the health and well-being of the pregnant individual. Rabbi Daniel Bogard of Central Reform Congregation and Tana Senn, a state representative in Washington and a member of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, recently wrote in a national op-ed: “Limiting access to abortion is an imposition of governmental Christianity on us all, and it infringes on the religious liberty of every American Jew.” The Torah and the Talmud provide that “for Jews, it is no exaggeration that access to abortion services isn’t just tolerated, it is a religious requirement and had been for thousands of years,” they wrote. In addition, the Missouri’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act states that “a gov-
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ABOUT THE OPINIONS SECTION Viewpoints expressed in letters, commentaries, cartoons and other opinion pieces reflect those of the writer or artist, and not those of the Light. We welcome submissions of letters and commentaries to: news@stljewishlight.org
The Fall of ‘Roe’ would also be an attack on religious liberty BY STACEY NEWMAN PROGRESSWOMEN
JEWISH LIGHT
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
eerily reminiscent of human trafficking. As longtime proponents of civil and equal rights, we are greatly alarmed about additional constitutional rights that will be in jeopardy if this majority draft opinion stands and is issued in a ruling in June. Alito’s opinion states that “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. … The Constitution makes no reference to aborStacey Newman (at left), a retired Missouri state tion and no such right is implicitly protected legislator, is the executive director of Progressby any constitutional provision.” Women, a statewide social justice group focused The Constitution, a 4,400-word document on justice and equality issues. Dana Sandweiss (at creating a foundation of fundamental laws right) is a board member of ACLU of Missouri and that was crafted by 55 white men in 1787, co-founder of Access MO, a statewide political also does not mention women or the word action committee inspired by Jewish values that “she” or even suggest that the authors embraces and advocates for reproductive freeregarded women as part of “We the People.” dom and health care. Most women then did not legally exist as ernmental authority may not restrict a per- people, could not vote and were not part of son’s free exercise of religion unless demon- the ratifying conventions in the 13 states. strating that the restriction is essential to Alito’s draft opinion disregards the right further a compelling governmental interest.” to privacy as derived from the 14th A ban on abortion in Missouri violates Amendment’s concept of personal liberty. If our freedom as Jews to control our bodies this draft became law, Alito could set in in a way that is consistent with our religious motion constitutional challenges to addibeliefs. As Jews, we understand religious tional unenumerated rights derived from persecution very well. the 14th Amendment, including same-sex Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion is marriage, interracial marriage and even also deeply troubling because it reveals his contraception. disturbing view of pregnant people as mere Abortions have been part of pregnancies birthing vessels, citing that the “domestic since time began, and restrictions in the supply of infants is too low.” early 1800’s were designed to protect Justice Amy Coney Barrett pointed out in against fraudulent poisoning and untrained oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson practitioners. Abortion was commonplace Women’s Health Organization that current into the 21st century, practiced and visible, safe haven laws, which allow babies to be mostly among upper-class Protestant legally abandoned, allow individuals to safe- women who could afford physician care. It ly give up their children with no repercus- wasn’t until the mid-1970s that abortion sions. These views totally ignore that the became a Christian evangelical tool to furmaternal mortality rates in the United States ther the right wing conservative political movement. rank last among industrialized countries. We know that banning abortions will not CDC data from 2014-2018 shows that the national case-fatality rate for legal induced stop abortions, only safe abortions. People abortion in the United States was 0.41 will die. We believe that none of us should stand deaths per 100,000 compared with 17.4 per 100,000 per live birth. In the view of both silently by while our highest court attacks justices, the lives and bodily autonomy of our sacred religious liberties, attempting to pregnant people should be sacrificed in render us mute from the control over our favor of infant market demands that are own bodies and basic human dignity.
Email letters to news@stljewishlight.org
Community’s rabbis deserve utmost respect I enjoyed the Ohr Chadash Teen Page article April 27 regarding the retirement, after 25 years, of Rabbi Ze’ev Smason from Nusach Hari B’nai Zion, even more so the online version of the article. In fact, I enjoy most of the Jewish Light articles, and I feel that the Light plays a critical role in helping to bind the St. Louis Jewish community together through the sharing of news articles, editorials, events and informational columns. I do, however, take exception to how the Light refers to Rabbi Smason in the article. I strongly resent the fact that he is referred to by his last name only. He is introduced as Rabbi Ze’ev Smason, but then he is referred to simply as “Smason” six other times. Imagine an individual approaching Rabbi Smason, and saying, “Hey Smason – you did a great job as rabbi.” This would be so outrageously disrespectful that it transcends the bounds of civility, yet this is basically how the rabbi is referred to. I never was a fan of this journalistic affectation, and I cringe every time I see a person of prominence referred to by last name only. Rabbi Smason has made immeasurable contributions to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Synagogue, to the rabbinical world and to the Jewish community at large, and he deserves all the respect he is due. Kenneth Bressler, President Nusach Hari B’nai Zion
D’VAR TORAH — PARASHAT EMOR
Talk to one another with love, respect and holiness BY RABBI CARNIE SHALOM ROSE
This Shabbat, we will read Parashat Emor from the Book of Leviticus. Like many of the other Parshiot in this section of the Chumash, Emor highlights the special responsibilities and obligations placed upon the Kohanim, the Priestly Class of Ancient Israel. One of the major questions, which has occupied the attention of our Sages for centuries, is why the Torah in this particular Parashah choses to utilize the word “Emor” rather than more common Hebrew word “Vayedaber” when describing the communication between Almighty and Moses and then the subsequent transmittal of God’s messages from Moses to his brother, Aaron the High Priest’s progeny, the ancient Kohanim? As the Torah shares: “The LORD said to Moses: Speak (“Emor”) to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them (“VeAmarta”): None of you shall defile
yourself for any [dead] person among your kin.” (Leviticus 21:1) Our teacher, Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Z’L, who celebrated both his first and second bar mitzvah on Shabbat Parashat Emor, and was a master orator as well as a keen student of Torah, once pointed out to me a Midrash from the collection known as the Tanchuma to Parashat Tzav. This Midrash posits that the difference between these two terms is predominantly a difference in “inflection and tonality.” It considers the word “VaYedaber” as a harsh or strident way of communicating and “Amar” as a softer, gentler approach to the sharing information. Thus, the term “Daber” connotes an intentional distancing between the speaker and those being addressed, while “Amar” endeavors to underscore a closeness, a kind of intimacy, between the parties. Clearly, the relationship between the words “Daber” and “Amar” is complex and nuanced. And this, of course, should
come as no surprise to us as the whole arena of communication, which is the cornerstone of all human relationships, is convoluted. Thus, our Torah in its infinite wisdom and its profoundly deep understanding of the human condition, provides us with a series of varied terms to describe our interactions with one another and with our Divine Parent. Each term in our Holy Writ helps us better appreciate the challenges and opportunities presented to us in our quest for healthy, constructive and fruitful interactions. As we know, we the Jewish People are referred to as a “Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation”. Thus, especially in this day and age as we desperately quest for the numinous and the transcendent, each of us is a Kohen. And as such, each of us must consider the best modality in which to share thoughts, ideas, feelings and insights. Moreover, we must communicate to those around us how we ourselves need to be communicated with. Whether we employ a
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, D.Div., is The Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Senior Rabbinic Chair at Congregation B’nai Amoona and a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Light. “Daber” or an “Amar” modality, let us do so with love, respect and most especially with a sense that we are participants in sacred and holy interactions — with one another and with the Almighty. If we can achieve this lofty goal, we will surely be moving towards our aspiration to be “a holy nation and a kingdom of priests.” With love blessings for a Shabbat Shalom — a Shabbes filled with healthy and productive communication.
stljewishlight.org
STL
OPINIONS
JEWISH LIGHT
May 11, 2022
Page 15A
OTHER VIEWPOINTS Voices on Jewish topics from St. Louis and beyond
The challenge of interracial adoption: “Is he with you?” BY LEA-RACHEL KOSNIK
“You should be a mother,” was what my own mother said to me the week before she died. I held her thin, weakened hand across the hospital bed and nodded. I was in my early 20s, and children seemed a far away possibility in an unlikely land that included marriage, mortgages and other such responsibilities. But over the years my mother’s words stuck with me. More than a decade later I found myself married, with a mortgage, and starting to think about adopting a child with my husband, Logan, through the foster system in St. Louis. We took the required courses, received our certification and when the call came one day that a baby had been abandoned in the hospital and needed a home, we rushed to the NICU and found a tiny human asleep in a blanket. We stared at his pinched face and full head of hair, and immediately agreed to take him home with us. Adoption has been a journey, an unusual one, because it is interracial (my son, Vincent, is Black, my husband and I are white). But how unusual is hard to say. It is difficult to come up with recent, relevant statistics on interracial adoptions in the United States. One source (Statista Research) has composite statistics on the ethnicities of adopted children in recent years and from this we know that 17% of all adopted children were categorized as Black or African American. But the same agency does not report demographic information on the adoptive parents, so it is impossible to know how many of the total adoptions reported (of Black children or any others) are interracial. Another study dating back to 2007 found that, at that time, over 40% of adopted children nationwide were of a different
Lea-Rachel Kosnik with her husband, Logan, and their son, Vincent. race, culture, or ethnicity than their adoptive parents. Though this seems high, note that only 2% of American households have actually adopted, so that even if 40% of those are inter-cultural, the final numbers still only constitute a small proportion of the overall U.S. population. That said, there is anecdotal evidence, from the proliferation of support groups and websites to be found on the topic, that interracial adoption may be increasing. As the white mother of an adopted Black son, I can report that our familial experience feels uncommon, though not completely isolated. We do not get outright stares, as I’ve been told used to happen in earlier decades to families like ours, but we do often get double-takes, confusion and profoundly ignorant questions, from all categories of people: young, old, women, men, white, Black, biracial.
Just a few weeks ago, for spring break, Logan, Vincent and I got on a plane to take our first vacation in more than two years. We were excited to travel somewhere warm and sunny and Vincent, now 12, boarded the plane and quickly claimed the middle seat of our row, in-between his father and myself. When the mixed-race flight attendant came down the aisle shutting the overhead bins and checking the floor for in-the-way bags, she stopped abruptly at our row and with pointed finger asked, “Is he with you?” I was certain she wouldn’t have asked that question had we all been the same color. I replied that yes, we were together, and the flight attendant moved on without another word. This was a small incident at the start of an otherwise lovely vacation, but the point is that what happened — this questioning of our belonging to each other,
The UN’s antisemitism problem won’t be solved by simply ignoring it BY JONATHAN S. TOBIN JNS
For decades, supporters of Israel have debated what to do about the United Nations. Should they ignore it as a talking shop that makes a lot of noise but can’t impact events on the ground in the Middle East? Or should they treat its growing efforts to smear Israel as an “apartheid state” a genuine threat to the Jewish state? Many Israelis, including those in the government, have trouble taking the United Nations seriously. Israel’s first prime minister and founding father, David Ben-Gurion, famously dismissed the concerns of Moshe Sharrett, who served as his foreign minister and initial successor, about the importance of the world body. Using the Hebrew acronym for the U.N. (UM), Ben-Gurion disputed the idea that without U.N. backing in the 1947 Partition Resolution, the Jewish state wouldn’t have been founded. “Not at all, Ben-Gurion responded. “Only the daring of the Jews founded this country and not some Um-shmum resolution.” That sentiment expressed his admirable philosophy that the actions of the Jews were far more important than the opinions of the non-Jewish world. Several decades later, it still accurately sums up the way many Israelis feel about the United Nations, which is even more hostile to their
nation than it was in Ben-Gurion’s time. The world body’s bias against the Jewish state is baked into the cake due to the dominance of Islamist, Marxist and Third World nations that buy into the lie that Zionism is racism. That bias has been expressed in many ways over the years— from the General Assembly’s passage in 1975 of the infamous “Zionism is racism” resolution to its role in convening the 2001 Durban Conference on Racism, which
became an anti-Semitic hatefest. The United Nations and its various agencies are a ticker tape of reports, programs and resolutions aimed at undermining the Jewish state’s security and bolstering the Palestinians’ century-old war on Zionism. The U.N. Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) is solely focused on ensuring that the descendants of Palestinian Arabs who fled the country during Israel’s 1948 War of Independence
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) building in the southern Gaza Strip on July 26, 2018. PHOTO BY ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90
Lea-Rachel Kosnik, who belongs to Central Reform Congregation, holds a doctorate in economics from UCLA and since 2004 has been a professor of economics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In her free time, Kosnik is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. She is working on a semi-autobiographical novel on inter-racial adoption that she is sharing in serial fashion at https://beforefergusonbeyondferguson.org/ seeking-forgiveness/ my Black son and his white parents — isn’t at all uncommon, and as Vincent gets older, he’s noticing it. In elementary school, Vincent was taunted with the epithet “orphan-boy” after his white parents picked him up from aftercare and the other children there didn’t believe we could possibly be his parents. A few years later, I took Vincent to a pediatric dentist in Clayton but never made it past the receptionist. Before she would let us see the doctor, she insisted I prove that my son was my own — as if white women were stealing unaccompanied Black children around St. Louis and taking them for free dental care. More than once, with Vincent standing within earshot, I’ve been asked if I had any real children, too. Such incidents have to be affecting my son. I have by now gotten the usual, “You’re not my mother!” that all adoptive parents get at some point in their lives when their children are upset and trying to win an argument. But Logan and I also sometimes hear, “You don’t know what it’s like to be Black!” usually said by my son in a desperate attempt to avoid bedtime. I tell him that he is right, I do not know what it is like to be Black, but that he still has to go to bed at a decent time on a school night. Every year on Mother’s Day I recognize the blessing that is my son, but my enormous gift was another mother’s outsized loss. When we talk with Vincent about his birth mother this Sunday, we will tell him that life can be inexplicably painful, but that by the grace of God there is also love in this world and that he, Vincent, had the great good fortune of being loved by multiple different mothers and fathers.
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate). Follow him on Twitter at: @ jonathans_tobin.
remain stateless refugees to be used as propaganda to delegitimize the existence of a Jewish state. Still, it is the Human Rights Council—a body whose membership is composed of some of the worst human-rights defenders on the planet—that has become the principal source of anti-Israel invective via biased reports that distort the truth about the conflict, as well as the reality of a democratic country that has been forced to defend itself against terrorist, military and even nuclear threats every day of its existence. It is particularly important now since the U.N. General Assembly voted to fund a Commission of Inquiry run by the UNHRC about human rights in Israel and the administered territories. Much like the biased and anti-Zionist attacks on the Jewish state from international leftist groups that masquerade as advocates for human rights, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, the COI is set up to deliver a verdict about Israel’s conduct. It is one that has little to do with a theoretical peace agreement in which the Palestinians have no interest but rather is aimed at demonizing the very idea of a Jewish state and to delegitimize See TOBIN on page 16A
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May 11, 2022
OPINIONS
STL
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Tobin: UN’s antisemitism problem won’t be solved by ignoring it CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15A its right of self-defense. Given an open-ended mandate that allowed Israel’s enemies to go back in time to indict it for supposed crimes dating back to the period before there was a Jewish state, the commission invited submissions from the Palestinians and others to prove their case. Aptly characterized as a “kangaroo court,” it is set up to deliver a report later this year that will bolster the “apartheid state” lie. This presents both Israel and groups that monitor the United Nations and the fraudulent human-rights community with a difficult choice. The government of Israel chose not to engage with the commission. It thought that doing so would legitimize a process that is utterly lacking in objectivity since everything the UNHRC and the commission have done has been aimed at building a case that treats the Jewish state’s existence as a crime against humanity. The staff at the UNHRC’s headquarters in Geneva don’t care what the Israelis might have to say about the war in their country. Still, many organizations that deal with this issue were determined that this bogus process would not go unanswered. The result was an unprecedented effort to remind the world body that their tunnel vision ignored the suffering of Jews and Israelis during the course of the Arab and Muslim war on Zionism. If the United
Nations and the human-rights community wanted to count victims, they can start by contemplating the millions of Jews who were victimized by anti-Zionist policies and actions. That includes the Jews who died in the Holocaust as a result of efforts to prevent their escape to Palestine or as the result of anti-Zionist rhetoric, or the subsequent wars and terrorism attacks launched against Israel by its enemies. The total of those whose plight deserves attention also includes the approximately 800,000 Jews who were forced to flee their homes in the Arab and Muslim world due to the antisemitic hate, discrimination and violence directed against them by anti-Israel Arab governments and movements. Gathering these names was a herculean task that required a great deal of difficult research and work. Led by Professor Anne Bayefsky head of Human Rights Voices and the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, groups like Palestine Media Watch, the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise and the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA) all contributed to the task of compiling names of Jewish victims and refugees. Altogether, they have made submissions of more than 2 million names of Jews who were killed or hurt by anti-Zi-
onist Jew-haters. It’s true that the commission is unlikely to pay much attention to the list of Jewish victims since they haven’t yet even acknowledged receipt of these submissions. Their only purpose is to discuss the grievances of Palestinians and the alleged injustice that the regaining of sovereignty by Jews over their ancient homeland has done to the world. Still, it is a vital reminder that the real injustice is the unwillingness of the world to fully acknowledge
military power, it is not immune to the efforts of the international community to stigmatize it. Even in the United States, where most Americans remain solidly pro-Israel, support for intersectional ideology and critical race theory that labels Israel as an oppressor “white privilege” state is widespread in the Democratic Party’s vocal left-wing. And the more that such bodies with the imprimatur of international legitimacy embrace lies about Israel and Zionism, the more precarious
With the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry set to smear Israel as an “apartheid state,” the Jewish state’s supporters need to realize that this threat is more than mere talk crimes committed against the Jewish people because of a desire to keep them powerless and homeless. It’s also important because as much as the United Nations lacks legitimacy, it isn’t disappearing any time soon. In a more just world, such a corrupt and antisemitic body that serves the interests of tyrants would be abolished. It should be replaced by a world body overseen by democracies and tasked with the defense of human rights rather than undermining them. But we don’t live in such a world. The United Nations is, unfortunately, here to stay. Although Israel has thrived and grown into an economic dynamo and regional
the position of defenders of Israel will be. The United States ought to withdraw from the UNHRC and defund it. That’s something the Trump administration did but which was reversed by the Biden administration, whose foreign-policy team remains infatuated with multilateralism and diplomacy for its own sake. That’s why an UM, shmum attitude is a luxury that Israel and its friends can no longer afford. The response to the COI was a good start, but it must be followed up by a renewed concern about the threat from the United Nations. The world body’s lies can do real damage to Israel and the Jewish people if they go unanswered.
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St. Louis author hopes to empower, inspire others to become advocates BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
If you’ve ever signed a petition, written a letter to the editor or marched for a cause you believe in, you participated in a form of advocacy. It’s an act of free speech that can help call attention to important issues. Cynthia (Cindy) Changyit Levin has made advocacy her life’s work. Levin, a mother of two teenage girls and a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, began her advocacy work in 2003 after her first child was born. Breastfeeding proved difficult, and her daughter wasn’t getting enough food. Her doctor told her to start using a bottle, which worked. “It was pretty simple, but it got me thinking about moms around the world who don’t have access to clean water or extra formula, and it just kind of opened up a whole host of things that I hadn’t thought about before,” said Levin, 50. Levin got involved with the hunger and nutrition advocacy group Bread for the World (online at bread.org) where she learned the basics of writing letters to Congress. That evolved into making calls to lawmakers, writing letters to the editor and, eventually, lobbying. “There are organizations that can teach you how to sit down and talk about these important nonpartisan issues in a very civil way,” Levin said. “And I got this notion that there are other moms who would find empowerment and fulfillment doing that if I could write a book and talk about it more.” That was the genesis of Levin’s first book, published this month. It’s called “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started.” The book, available on Amazon.com, is a how-to for nascent advocates who are passionate about an issue and willing to make their voices heard. “My book is designed with discussion questions at the end of each chapter, so that moms can use it alone for reflection or gather and talk together about advocacy and what kinds of issues they would like to affect in the world,” Levin said. “My goal is to empower moms to move from thinking, ‘I can’t change the world. I’m just a mom,’ to ‘I can change the world because I’m a mom!’”
Prior to motherhood, Levin was an engineer with a career at General Motors. Her natural analytical side came in handy when she started working on advocacy projects that required talking to members of Congress about numbers and statistics. Levin said it’s essential for citizens to tell elected officials what’s on their mind. “We have the right and the power as constituents to do that,” she said. “In the book, I talk about my nonpartisan and relational approach to advocacy. The kind of advocacy I promote is when you get to know the person on the other end of the line. For instance, with (Missouri U.S.) Sen. Roy Blunt, we don’t agree on everything. In fact, I’ve never met a member of Congress that I’ve agreed on every single thing with, but (Blunt’s) aide knows who I am. She knows my See CINDY LEVIN on page 10B
Author event WHAT: A discussion aboutways to be an advocate with Cynthia “Cindy” Changyit Levin (above), author of “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started.” WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 15 WHERE: Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road HOW MUCH: Free but register at https://bit.ly/Levin-May15
AMY FENSTER BROWN
Ahh nostalgia—when life tasted better and hurt less BY AMY FENSTER BROWN
It’s likely not at the top of your mind, but I didn’t have a column in this paper for the past couple of issues. Did you miss me? Is it true that absence makes the heart grow fonder? I love to say that abstinence makes the heart grow fonder, but my husband doesn’t find it funny. I was sort of at a loss for words, which is especially alarming if you know me at all. I missed having something to say. Of course, that made me think about other things I miss. And people I miss. Obviously, I miss my dad, my grandma, my husband’s grandma, one of my lifelong besties and others who are no longer with us. Good memories are fun and leave us feeling comfort and nostalgia, and some longing for those times. You always hear people say they enjoyed the days when things were simpler, especially childhood. Maybe it’s because we had less stress and fewer responsibilities. Or does nostalgia play a lovely trick on us, giving us selective memory and block-
ing out those negative feelings? What is it about the pull of nostalgia, taking you back to fun times and great memories? There are so many things to choose from — the quirky, the funny, the delicious, the entertaining. During their heyday, we probably didn’t appreciate some of those nostalgic things we want back now. Take, for random example, Yogos. I thought Yogos snacks would be around forever. They were like yogurt covered raisins except the inside was way tastier than a boring raisin, which in my opinion only belongs in oatmeal you get at breakfast in the lobby of value hotels that include the morning meal in your room rate. I’m not angry at raisins. It’s just that the inner part of Yogos were not raisins. They were some sort of fake, chewy, fruity substance that appa rently were so unhealthy and horrible, Yogos were removed from our lives forever, leaving us
longing for the glory days of their alleged dangerous deliciousness. Those controversial little orbs of goodness were a fun treat. Scientists can put a man on the moon but they can’t come up with a yogurty fruity snacko we can eat without potentially knocking on death’s door. Natalie, Tootie, Blair and Jo, along with Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marcia, Jan and Cindy, rile up my nostalgic emotions. Where are fun sitcoms with seemingly huge problems that get solved in 22 minutes (30 with commercials, including ads for Yogos)? Reality TV, bingeable series and game shows are all fantastic, but I miss the clasColumnist Amy Fenster Brown is married to Jeff and has two teenage sons, Davis and Leo. She volunteers for several Jewish not-for-profit groups. Fenster Brown is an Emmy Award-winning TV news writer and counts time with family and friends, talking and eating peanut butter among her hobbies.
sic sitcom, don’t you? Reboots can suck it. I want the original, cringeworthy, cheesy goodness, laugh track and all. I miss the days of running around outside, playing until I was worn out and sweaty. Now, taking a walk in nice weather is a win, but it’s really just because we want to get our steps in for the day. My knees didn’t hurt when I goofed around with my friends, climbing on jungle gyms unconcerned about how I would get down, or jumping on trampolines without the lower body sensation that Depends are in my not-too-distant future. We rode our bikes and roller-skated fast and furious, without helmets or pads. These days, you don’t do those things without a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, sometimes even a maxi pad. Aaaand … I’m officially old. The fact that I could go on and on with sentences that begin with “back in my day” proves it. So does the fact that what I really miss most of all, probably more than anything, is my favorite childhood memory: not having back pain.
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Truman bio offers balanced perspective on presidency BY ROBERT A. COHN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS
In his superbly written new biography, “The Trials of Harry S. Truman,” Jeffrey Frank, a Presidential historian, avoids both adulation and harsh judgment of the Man from Missouri. For admirers and skeptics of HST, Frank, who previously wrote about Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon, presents a rigorously researched description of the man who took over the presidency on the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945. After taking the oath, the “pale and shaken” Truman asked White House correspondents to “pray for me” stating that he felt like, “the sun and moon and all the planets had crashed down on me.” Frank recounts how Truman, who earned his political chops in the Kansas
City machine controlled by boss Thomas George C. Marshall. Pendergast, had overnight gained the Truman did not have a college degree but presidency from FDR, who only months was a self-taught student of history. He was before had won a fourth term. Truman fated to bring World War II to a successful has been described as “a child conclusion; his momentous decion a toboggan sled,” having had sions included dropping atomic only one or two conversations bombs on Hiroshima and with Roosevelt before being Nagasaki, forming the North thrust into the presidency. Atlantic Treaty Organization, In addition to his background entering the Korean War and as a product of the Pendergast firing the immensely popular machine, Truman partnered General Douglas MacArthur as with his World War I buddy Commander of the United Eddie Jacobson — who was Nations in Korea. born to Jewish immigrants Frank’s excellent new book from Lithuania — in a Kansas should be read in tandem with “The Trials of Harry City haberdashery, which went the Pulitzer Prize winning 2003 S. Truman,” Simon & bankrupt. Jacobson would later biography “Truman” by David Schuster, 528 pages play a crucial role in Truman’s McCullough. Both McCullough $32.50 decision to promptly recognize and Frank agree on most of the the Jewish state of Israel despite severe crucial events of Truman’s career – includpushback from his own Secretary of State, ing the role that Truman’s one-time busi-
JEWISH CELEBRITIES
The return of ‘Hacks,’ Andrew Garfield as a Mormon detective and a new Israeli series BY NATE BLOOM SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
The acclaimed HBO Max comedy series “Hacks” premieres its second, 10-episode season on May 12. Two episodes will be shown on the 12th, and two episodes will be shown each following week. “Hacks” is well-written, well-acted, funny and touching. Here’s a brief first season re-cap to encourage everyone to check it out: Jean Smart co-stars as Deborah Vance, an aging stand-up comedy legend with a biting sense of humor. In her heyday, she frequently appeared on TV and toured the country, playing nightclubs. In more recent years, she did a nightly show at a major Las Vegas casino. She pretty much did the same comedy set night after night, year-after-year. Vance hires Ava ( H A NNA H EINBINDER, 26), an unemployed comedy writer, to write jokes for her. Ava constantly urges Vance to update her act. This updating, Ava says, should include personal anecdotes about the difficulties that female comics faced, and often still face. Vance resists this advice until the casino she works for fires her. They want someone “fresher.” The firing prompts Vance to “let go” in her final casino appearance and use the personalized material that Ava wrote for her. A video of that set goes viral, and Vance is a hot comic once again. As the first season concludes, Ava and Vance’s very prickly relationship has morphed into mutual respect for one another. But “out there” is an e-mail that could destroy their relationship. I won’t spoil what it is in it for those who haven’t seen the first season yet. The e-mail will come up in the second season. As Vance, Smart won an Emmy (lead actress, comedy) and Eidbinder, the daughter of SNL star LAR AINE NEWMAN, was Emmy-nominated (supporting actress, comedy). The second season trailer reveals this: Vance decides to do a national tour of comedy clubs and will be accompanied by Ava. But before touring, Vance insists on hiring a “really good tour manager.” She hires Alice, who is played by Laurie Metcalf (“Roseanne,” “The Connors”). As the trailer concludes, we hear Vance questioning whether doing a tour is the right thing. I like Einbinder in “Hacks,” and I liked her even more when I saw her on a YouTube video entitled “Recipe for Change: Standing Up to Anti-Semitism.” She was one of (about) 30 persons who gathered around dinner tables in New York and Los Angeles to eat and talk.
ness partner Jacobson played in getting a reluctant HST to agree to one last meeting with Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the Zionist leader who would soon become the first president of the Jewish state in 1949. Truman, whose job approval rating had fallen to 36%, was widely expected in 1948 to lose to Republican candidate Thomas Dewey of New York. The scrappy Truman traveled the nation by train giving his opponents “hell.” When all the votes were counted a smiling Harry S. Truman held aloft a front page of the Chicago Tribune with the premature headline: “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” The Man from Missouri, whose career is splendidly chronicled in Frank’s riveting new book, never gave up on himself. Truman, who had been derided as the “Accidental President,” is now ranked by historians in the top-tier among his fellow past presidents.
Satirical novel ‘The Netanyahus’ wins Pulitzer BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL JTA
ABOVE: Hannah Einbender (left) and Jean Smart in ‘Hacks.’ PHOTO: HBO MAX RIGHT: Andrew Garfield stars in ‘Under the Banner of Heaven.’ PHOTO: MICHELLE FAYE/FX Dinner guests first discussed Jewish culture and identity, and then talked about antisemitism and how to deal with it. The guests included prominent actors, rabbis, and chefs. The program was quite good and is certainly novel. It’s received 900K views since it was posted last month. Here’s a list of the most famous showbiz celeb guests: BRYAN GREENBERG, IDINA MENZEL, RACHEL DRATCH, MICHAEL IAN BLACK and ILANA GLAZER. vvv On May 20, Netflix will release the “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” an award-winning Israeli TV series. “Beauty Queen,” a 10-episode series, is based on a best-selling novel by SARIT YISHAI-LEV, 75. It follows a Sephardic family through the Ottoman Empire (before 1918), the British Mandate (1919-1948), and the Israeli War of Independence (1947-49). Variety says, “[The series] is lush with mysterious powers, forbidden loves, and Israeli history.” Worth noting: I read that the characters curse in Ladino, the “Sephardic Yiddish” (it’s a mixture of medieval Spanish and Hebrew)—and the series stars MICHAEL ALONI, 38, the lead actor in “Shitsel,” the hit Israeli series. vvv The six-part Hulu series, “Under the Banner of Heaven,” began streaming on April 28 with a two-episode premiere. It’s based on a true story. In 1984, a young Mormon mother and her infant daughter, who lived near Salt Lake City, were found
stabbed to death. I won’t spoil it for you— suffice it to say that the murders involved a tiny sect that had split-off from the mainstream Church of Latter Day Saints. The series, which has gotten good reviews, is based on a true-crime book of the same name by JON KRAKAUER, 68. He’s the secular son of a Jewish father and a Unitarian mother. ANDREW GARFIELD, 38, co-stars as a devout Mormon detective who co-heads the murder investigation. WYATT RUSSELL, 35, has a big role as Dan Rafferty, a member of the sect. Garfield clearly likes to take film roles in which he plays very religious persons in unusual circumstances. In 2016, he starred in “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Silence.” In “Hacksaw” he played Desmond Doss, a (real) religious pacifist who became a U.S. Army WWII medic and won the Medal of Honor. In “Silence,” he played a 17th century Catholic priest who was tortured by anti-missionary Japanese officials. In 2021, he played disgraced TV evangelist Jim Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Bakker.”
The 2022 Pulitzer Prize in fiction went to “The Netanyahus,” a scathing, satirical novel by Brooklyn writer Joshua Cohen that imagines a visit by the family of the former Israeli prime minister to an American college town in the early 1960s. The prize committee called the novel “a mordant, linguistically deft historical novel about the ambiguities of the Jewish-American experience, presenting ideas and disputes as volatile as its tightly-wound plot.” Cohen, 41, based the novel on a reallife visit by Benzion Netanyahu, a historian and the father of Benjamin Netanyahu, to Cornell University, where the elder Netanyahu served as a professor of Judaic studies from 1971–1975. Cohen said the story of the Netanyahus’ initial visit to the campus was related to him by the late literary critic Harold Bloom. In the novel, the assimilated Jewish narrator hosts the family and bristles at Benzion’s fiercely nationalist worldview. “I wanted to write something about the identity politics and the campus politics that are around us,” Cohen told Hey Alma, JTA’s sister site. “There’s a lot in Benzion Netanyahu that’s really about the tribalism that happens when these large ethnic or racial collectives collapse — these empires collapse, and they collapse into tribalism.” Reviews were largely positive for the novel; The Guardian called it “a comic historical fantasia — a dizzying range of bookish learning and worldly knowhow is given rich, resourceful expression.” The novel won the Jewish Book Council’s fiction award for 2021. But there were detractors. Jewish Currents criticized the novel for being derivative of both Philip Roth and Saul Bellow, and the Jewish Review of Books said that the novel includes “a capsule history of Zionism that is so blatant a distortion that I just gave up.” “The Netanyahus” is Cohen’s sixth novel. One of the finalists for the fiction prize was “Monkey Boy,” by Francisco Goldman, based in part on Goldman’s own background as the son of a Jewish father and a Guatemalan Catholic mother.
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NANCY KRANZBERG — THE ARTS IN ST. LOUIS
It bears repeating: St. Louis art and culture is rich and wide For more of Nancy Kranzberg’s commentary, listen to KWMU (90.7) St. Louis on the Air the first Friday of each month at approximately 12:50 p.m. She also hosts a weekly Arts Interview podcast for KDHX (88.1), available at artsinterview.kdhxtra.org.
BY NANCY KRANZBERG
Lately, I’ve been spending more time than ever in museums and cultural institutions. I really believe that St. Louis is the most culturally rich city in the country. We are not New York or Chicago but, per capita, we’re culturally at the top of the heap. A couple of thoughts keep moving through my brain as I visit and ponder art and culture in our city. The first thought is that we think of the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Symphony and the Missouri History Museum and tend to not include other very important city institutions in the mix. A wonderful example of a very important institution that gets overlooked is the St. Louis Mercantile Library, located at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. It is the oldest library west of the Mississippi. The library was founded in 1846 and recently celebrated its 175th anniversary. It was founded as an athenaeum, and scholars, scientists and explorers came there from all over the country to do research, congregate and hear lectures. Scholars still do their research at this gem, which houses all kinds of special collections. The library concentrates on Westward Expansion and the history, development and growth of the St. Louis region, and of the American rail and river transportation experiences. Its art collection includes such luminaries as George Caleb Bingham, Harriet Hosmer, Oscar Berninghaus and Thomas Hart Benton. It houses ancient and more contemporary works, such as Chuck Berry’s scrapbooks. Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sunset Hills also attracts visitors from all over the world. One of the first sculpture parks in the country, Laumeier is also one of the largest and is accredited by the American Alliance of
Alexander Liberman’s sculpture ‘The Way’ at Laumeier Sculpture Park. PHOTO: @HENSKECHRISTINE/FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS
Museums and operates in partnership with St. Louis County Parks. Laumeier not only has an incredible collection of outdoor works, it displays works in the Aronson Museum on the grounds, which allows artists to display their works indoors as well. The most recent exhibition (through May 15) fits into this year’s theme at Laumeier of health and wellness and is called Salutary Sculpture. According to the park’s website, salutary means “promoting health and wellness.” The site also explains how these artists used various media, including sculpture, photography, video and performance, “to explore art’s capacity as a therapeutic tool for adaptation, recovery and rehabilitation. Many of the artists gathered came to their current work through a process of their own physical and/or psychic recovery.” The list of high quality art institutions is
endless. MOCRA, the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art based at St. Louis University, and downtown’s International Photography Hall of Fame were both on my trek around arts institutions and venues in recent weeks. Another thought that keeps whirling around in my head is the frequency of visits I make to an exhibition. For example, someone asked me if I’d seen “St. Louis Sound,” an exhibition at the Missouri History Museum that runs through Jan. 22. I’ve been to it about five times. I’ve been making myself return to exhibitions to get the full value of what they have to offer. “St. Louis Sound” explores the diverse music that has helped define the city from the earliest recordings all the way to today. Visitors learn about famous pillars of St. Louis music such as Scott Joplin, Miles Davis, Josephine Baker and Nelly. The
exhibition has a playlist of 100 songs that can be accessed through a QR code. If all you have time for is one walk through, it’s better than nothing, but the more you can come and observe, the happier you’ll be. Judith Mann, senior curator of European art to 1800 at the St. Louis Art Museum, has brought world attention to St. Louis for “Paintings on Stone: Science and the Sacred 1530-1800.” It is on display until May 15. This stunning exhibition took Mann 15 years to put together and can be seen as simply an exhibition of beautiful works — or any way you choose to view it. Everyone loves a good story, and the mythological stories are thrilling. Or one could concentrate on the portraits, or landscapes, or look at religious themes, or techniques of painting on different surfaces of all kinds of stones, from slate to amethyst. Anyway, I’ve been to the exhibition six times and attended two lectures at the museum. I also saw the musical “Hamilton” at the Fox Theatre for the third time. When I go to the symphony or the Muny and revisit a work for the umpteenth time, I often leave the production having heard or seen something I hadn’t before. The point of this somewhat rambling commentary is that we’ve got art and culture of the highest quality in our fair city for us to enjoy over and over again.
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2021-2022 Ohr Chadash Teen Page Staff Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Eisen Staff members: Idan Lerner Molly Levine Poppy Orchard Noah Sentnor Daniel Shanker Katie Silver Ryan Silver Avital Vorobeychik Advisor: Caroline Goldenberg
Introducing non-Jewish students to Judaism JCRC program turns Jewish teens into peer educators BY AVITAL VOROBEYCHIK YESHIVAT KADIMAH HIGH SCHOOL, FRESHMAN
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is an organization that seeks to enhance cooperation among religious, racial, ethnic and civic groups. Student to Student is one of the JCRC’s premier programs. Lauren Abraham is the director of the Student to Student program. “Student to Student is a program of JCRC that goes into schools and teaches (non-Jewish students) about Judaism; our Jewish lives as teens,” said Abraham. Many local teachers whose classes are studying Judaism or the Holocaust, contact the Student to Student program in order to have Jewish teens come to their school and talk to various classes about their daily lives as Jewish teens. “They could be learning multicultural literature, or world religions, or geography, or world history. There are a number of different classes that we talk to,” said Abraham. One of the main goals of Student to Student is to demonstrate to others that Jewish kids are just like any other kids. “If they see a Jew, and then they hear a mean Jewish joke on Instagram, or they hear someone talking smack about the Holocaust, then those kids can say, ‘Well I met some Jewish kids,’ and they can stick
Participants in JCRC’s Student to Student program go into schools to introduce non-Jewish students to Judaism. up for us,” said Abraham. Student to Student also informs kids about Jewish traditions that they may be unfamiliar with including Jewish life cycle events, Shabbat, kashrut, etc. The students are encouraged to ask questions and to get to know the Jewish students who come to speak to them. “The goal is not that they could get 100 on a test about Judaism, but the goal is that they see real Jewish teens,” said Abraham. A topic many schools discuss is the
Holocaust. It is intriguing for teenagers to hear perspectives of other teenagers who may have had family members experience the events of the Holocaust or knew people who did. Often times, Student to Student will go to schools and present about Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Rememberance Day) and light a candle in the classroom. In lockdown during the pandemic, the JCRC stood strong and even conducted Student to Student presentations online.
“Students would watch it, at home or in class, and we would come onto Zoom and answer questions, continuing to dialogue about Judaism,” said Abraham. Student to Student is a very impactful program that demonstrates how Jewish teens are just as “normal” as any other teen. Even though some of us might observe Shabbat and keep kosher, we are still normal kids, too.
Hillel connects students to Jewish life on campus BY MOLLY LEVINE MARQUETTE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR
Graduating from high school and leaving behind all things familiar can be a daunting transition for many teenagers. However, there are several different opportunities and organizations that help students ease the transition between high school and college, including Hillel. Hillel International is the largest Jewish student organization internationally, as it works to build connections among young adults at more than 550 colleges and universities throughout the world. Prior to beginning college, Demi Fine, a sophomore at the University of Kansas, was highly involved in Jewish organizations in St. Louis. From being an active member in United Synagogue Youth (USY) to attending a Jewish camp each summer, Fine has taken part in a variety of different Jewish youth programs and activities. When she began college, Fine decided to get involved in Jewish organizations by attending the Hillel on her college campus. “I decided to do Hillel because it reminded me a lot of the experiences I had at my synagogue at home and also with USY and camp,” said Fine, who graduated from Eureka High School and attends
Demi Fine (second from left), a sophomore at the University of Kansas, attends a Hillel-sponsored event on her college campus. Congregation B’nai Amoona. “Also, my mom, way back when, was the president of KU Hillel. She was like, ‘Oh, you should do it,’ and I ended up liking it. It was familiar to me, so that was also something that
drew me in.” The family’s involvement in Hillel not only had a profound effect on Demi but also her brother. Throughout his high school career, Ethan Fine, a sophomore at
the University of Minnesota, was involved in BBYO as well as USY. When he began college, Ethan was also encouraged by his mom to join the Hillel on his university campus. “When I first got to campus, I didn’t really know where to start with meeting people and making friends and how to get involved with the community,” Ethan Fine explained. “My mom, being so involved when she was in college, said, ‘Hillel is a great place to start, and it’s a great place to meet people.’ That pushed us, both Demi and me, to put ourselves out there with Hillel and start meeting people.” Both agreed that by joining Hillel, they were able to foster many new friendships within the campus Jewish community. Through these relationships, both college students were able to strengthen their connections with Judaism. “I honestly think that I am closer with my friends at Hillel,” Ethan said. “It’s kind of like having camp friends where, even though you don’t see them as much, you’re closer with them because you connect on a deeper level than you do with other friends who you maybe just have classes with. You share the fact that you’re in the same religion, you grew up with the same See HILLEL, continued on opposite page
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A taste of Jewish St. Louis: Kohn’s and Protzel’s BY IDAN LERNER PARKWAY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR
In the Jewish community, delicatessens are a staple, allowing easy access to a variety of meats, in some cases kosher, and Jewish foods. We visited two delis in the St. Louis area, Kohn’s and Protzel’s. The first thing to note about Kohn’s is its location. Being within walking distance from the Jewish Community Center is an appropriate place for a kosher deli, whose customers are primarily Jewish. The deli/ grocery is also noticeable and easy to find. The inside itself has a communal atmosphere to it, with a seating area barely separate from the shopping section. Kohn’s is reflective of a larger Jewish community in this way, and because of this, it’s likely that you will see someone you know when you’re there. There was no wait for us to order, and it took only a short time to prepare our food. We ordered pastrami and schnitzel sandwiches ($8.99 and $7.99, respectively). We would have ordered the corned beef, the most popular menu item, but there would have been a two-hour wait to make it. The pastrami itself was good, despite the sandwich having a little too much mustard. The schnitzel, on the other hand, had less flavor, and overall wasn’t special. If ordering schnitzel, consider adding condiments and vegetables. It’s worth mentioning that my family often buys deli meats and other products from Kohn’s. I do enjoy the corned beef, roast beef, pastrami and more, and these items greatly bolster the reputation of the store in my opinion. Protzel’s, a Jewish deli that is not kosher,
HILLEL CONTINUED FROM OPPOSITE PAGE traditions and the same culture. I think that definitely brings us closer together than other relationships.” Through attending a variety of Hillelsponsored events, Jewish college students have been able to develop these connections with one another in friendly and warm environments. The Hillel building located on college campuses offers students a place to spend time, hang out with friends and engage in Judaism. “We do a lot of different Jewish programming; we pretty much do Jewish learning fellowships every week,” Demi Fine said. “The past couple months we have been doing a Jewish cooking class, which has been really fun. We switch off between Friday night Shabbat dinners and Saturday morning Shabbat brunches. “We also do Passover seders, we do ser-
is in the heart of Clayton, reasonably close to many of the Jewish neighborhoods in University City. The deli is a little more difficult to find than Kohn’s, but definitely doable if you keep an eye out for it. Unfortunately, however, there is limited parking and minimal indoor seating. Like Kohn’s, patrons can order food to eat in or take home. However, Protzel’s is smaller than Kohn’s and didn’t have as developed of a shopping area. There was also no wait to order here as well. Most of the sandwiches at Protzel’s come in three sizes — small, regular and large — with the price roughly $4-5 more between the small and large sizes. We ordered regular roast beef and corned beef (both $9.50) sandwiches. The
vices for Rosh Hashanah and we do something for Yom Kippur. It gives students a place to be Jewish on campus. I think of it as kind of like my escape to be able to be with all of my Jewish friends in an actual place.” Jessica Goldberg, a junior at Purdue University who was previously involved in NFTY and BBYO, has also enjoyed participating in numerous activities provided by the Hillel on her college campus. At Purdue, members of the Hillel enjoy celebrating a multitude of different Jewish holidays throughout the year, one being Passover. “I had probably the most incredible Passover seder of my life this past year at Hillel. It was just really cool to be around other Jews my age,” said Goldberg, who graduated from Parkway North High school and attends Congregation Shaare Emeth. “I think when it comes to things like Passover, it can be hard because, in rural Indiana, there is not a large Jewish community here, so there are not really a
deli meat was delicious and flavorful, but the vegetables, in particular the tomato, were just OK. Overall, both deli restaurants provide a meeting place for the Jewish community as well as food that instills a strong sense of home.
lot of Passover foods. Having any community at all makes a world of difference.” Alongside celebrating usual Jewish holidays throughout the year, the Purdue Hillel offered a new program called the Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF). Hillel International chooses Hillel houses from a select number of college campuses to participate in the Jewish learning program over a 10-week period. During this time, Jewish college students take part in an experiential and conversational cohort to further their personal understanding of Judaism. Goldberg was among the group of Jewish students to take part in JLF. “This is the first year that they have done [JLF], but we meet on Mondays generally, and we talk about the Torah portion for the week,” Goldberg said. “We talk about things that have been happening, and we connect it to modern day life and our own lives. They also offer a scholarship upon completion.” Hillel houses across the world have pro-
Top: Kohn’s pastrami sandwich Below: The inside of Kohn’s, at left and the Protzel’s counter at right. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
vided Jewish college students with a vast array of diverse opportunities. From simply creating new friendships among students to encouraging thought provoking religious studies, Hillel have played an important role within the lives of Jewish college students. “It’s definitely impacted my college experience in a positive light,” Demi Fine said. “I’ve made a lot of friendships that I don’t know if I would have necessarily made on my own or without Hillel. They have given me a lot of leadership opportunities which is something that I am always looking for. I also have a really good support system at Hillel, and I am excited to go whenever I get the chance.” Hillel International continues to offer programs to Jewish college students across the world in order to strengthen individual connections with Judaism, promote Jewish learning and create a welcoming and accepting environment for all.
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May 11, 2022
CHAILIGHTS
STL
MAY
Y O U R C A L E N D A R O F S T. L O U I S J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S
JProStL’s Annual End of Year Event, S’more than a Feeling, will take place in-person from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 at The J’s Staenberg Family Complex Outdoor Day Camp Pavilion.
THURSDAY | MAY 12 St. Louis Chapter of Hadassah plans online event
From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12 the St. Louis Chapter of Hadassah is having a free virtual-only program with Rabbi Jessica Shafrin, called Journey of Second Chances, for Pesach Sheni, the second chance to celebrate Passover. The program will feature guests sharing stories about second chances leading to new opportunities, redemption, freedom and hope. One guest will be a past national president of Hadassah who will talk about Hadassah’s youth villages in Israel that are resettling children fleeing from Ukraine. Jerri Livingston will be the emcee for the evening. For more information, contact Cheryl Whatley at cherylzwhatley@gmail.com or 314-8788807.
SATURDAY | MAY 14 NHBZ discussion “How Can You Capture the ‘Wow’ in Life?”
If you are feeling uninspired, you may be surprised to learn that you have the ability to create joy and excitement in everything you do. Find out how by attending NHBZ Rabbi Ze’ev Smason’s discussion “How Can You Capture the ‘Wow’ in Life?” at 10:15 a.m. This talk is part of NHBZ’s weekly “Starting Points: Wisdom for Daily Living.” NHBZ membership is not necessary to attend and RSVPs are not required. For more information, call 314-991-2100, ext. 2.
SUNDAY | MAY 15 Jews in science series looks at Jewish genealogy
Experienced genealogists Monroe Ginsburg and Gary Kodner will present the basic strategies for discovering your Jewish genealogy. They will demonstrate best practices on researching and documenting one’s relatives, family stories and images. RSVP at kolrinahstl.org. For more information, email gkodner@gmail.com.
Jewish War Veterans meeting
Jewish War Veterans Post 644 meetings will take place via Zoom for the foreseeable future at 10 a.m. the third Sunday each month. For more information contact Post 644 Commander Ellis Frohman at 636519-7512.
What would you change about the world if you could?
At 10 a.m., join Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Library Committee and KeSHEr in person in Shaare Emeth’s Kehillah Center as they welcome congregant Cynthia Changyit Levin, who will discuss her book, “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started.” Read more about Levin and her book on page 1B. Register for free at https://bit.ly/moms-change-the-world.
TUESDAY | MAY 17 JProStL plans camp-themed event JProStL’s annual end of year event, S’more than a Feeling, will take place in-person from 3 to 4:30 pm at The J’s Staenberg Family Complex Outdoor Day Camp Pavilion. Participants will network, practice team building skills, get creative and enjoy being together. Outgoing and incoming JProStL board members will also be recognized and celebrated. The program is open to staff who work at nonprofits affiliated with the St. Louis Jewish community. JProStL is a program of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. For more informa-
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
tion and to register, go to JFedSTL.org/ JProSmore or contact Marci Mayer Eisen at MEisen@JFedSTL.org.
WEDNESDAY | MAY 18 Lag B’Omer in Shaw Park
Join Kol Rinah for a Lag B’Omer celebration at 5 p.m. at Shaw Park. Families should bring their own dinner and enjoy a complimentary ice cream treat. There will be a bonfire, music, games and a chance for families to celebrate and play together. RSVP online at www.KolRinahStL.org.
What to consider when choosing a caregiver
At 3 p.m. Jewish Family Services Older Adult Services Director Bethany Goff and St. Louis NORC Manager Sarah Levinson, will give guidance about what to consider when hiring a caregiver for yourself or a loved one. This program is co-sponsored by JFS, St. Louis NORC and the Mirowitz Center. Free. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter, 314-733-9813, or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
Sharsheret’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group via Zoom
This monthly group provides support, connection and education to women in the St. Louis Jewish community who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and are anywhere along their treatment path – before, during, or post-treatment. Facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker, this group meets from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday via zoom until further notice. Free but pre-registration is requested to Debbi Braunstein at 314-442-3266 or dbraunstein@jccstl.org.
THURSDAY | MAY 19 Dishing with Diane
Jewish and interfaith individuals and couples are invited to take part in Temple Israel’s upcoming virtual cooking demonstration, “Dishing with Diane,” with recipes for Lag B’Omer & Shavuot. Take part in the Zoom event for the final cooking and learning session of the “Dishing with Diane” series, led by TI member and professional baker and caterer Diane Packman. The event will be 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. via Zoom. Free. RSVP by Monday, May 16 by visiting www.ti-stl.org/Dishing.
NCJWSTL Lunch & Learn: 2022 Legislative Recap
The Missouri Legislature will wrap up its 2022 session on May 13. NCJWSTL’s May lunch and learn will feature Emily Manley, the chief capitol bureau reporter at Fox 2 News St. Louis. The lunch and learn starts at noon. For more information and to RSVP visit: https://bit.ly/May22LLncjwstl.
Tech Tutor: Exploring podcasts At 2 p.m. Jessica Mirowitz, marketing manager at Purina, will lead an online pre-
sentation about finding and accessing podcasts, part of the Mirowitz Center’s Tech Tutor program, which is supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. Free. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter, 314733-9813, or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
FRIDAY | MAY 20 A spiritual unpacking of the Book of Ruth
From 10-11:15 a.m., join the Jewish Mindfulness Center in preparation for Shavuot for an exploration of the themes of grief and accompaniment, loyalty and love found in one of the most beautiful books of the Hebrew Bible. This class will take place in person, outdoors under the pavilion at Congregation Shaare Emeth, weather permitting. To register visit https://bit.ly/book-ofruth.
SATURDAY | MAY 21 NHBZ discussion: ‘Finding Your Sense of Purpose in Life’
NHBZ Rabbi Ze’ev Smason will lead a discussion on “Finding Your Sense of Purpose in Life” at 10:15 a.m., part of NHBZ’s weekly “Starting Points: Wisdom for Daily Living” series. NHBZ membership is not necessary to attend. For more information, call 314-991-2100, ext. 2.
The Challah Bowl: An epic tournament of Jewish foods
All 20-and 30-somethings are invited to The Challah Bowl, which combines two iconic Jewish experiences: eating and arguing. Bring your appetite and competitive spirit to this contest for the ages. This March Madness-style bracket competition pits all of your favorite Jewish foods against each other until one emerges victorious and is crowned the Best Jewish Food. Join in person at 6 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth. Registration is required — choose to bring one of the foods or pay $10 – and predict which “team” you think will prevail: https://bit.ly/challahbowl.
SUNDAY | MAY 22 Aish, Shaare Emeth plan blood drive in memory of Ari Dougan
Aish HaTorah and Shaare Emeth are co-sponsoring a blood drive in memory of Ari Dougan, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road (in the Simcha Room). For an appointment, call 1-800-7332767 or go to redcrossA blood drive will be blood.org. Arianna “Ari” held May 22 in memDougan was diagnosed ory of Ari Dougan with neuroblastoma at the age of 3. Ari received more than 200
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units of blood during her eight-year battle with cancer. She believed in random acts of kindness, and her family wants to inspire others to give blood.
MONDAY | MAY 23 Focus on African American art
From 10 to 11 a.m. join Dale Sharon, a docent at the St. Louis Art Museum and an exhibited artist, for a look at African American art, as represented in the museum’s permanent collection. Free. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter, 314-733-9813, or email skemppainen@ mirowitzcenter.org.
TUESDAY | MAY 24 Coffee talk with SnL
At 8:30 a.m., join NCJWSTL for its virtual monthly coffee talks hosted by Past President Susan Katzman, and Vice President of Membership Lisa Gubernik. This coffee talk will feature Maxine Clark, NCJWSTL member and Chief Inspirator of the Delmar DivINe initiative. She will talk about her vision and why the neighborhood around Delmar Boulevard and the old St. Luke’s Hospital is important for revitalization. For more information and to RSVP visit: https:// bit.ly/May22ncjwstlCT.
WEDNESDAY | MAY 25 NCJWSTL plans ‘Abortion All Over?: The Personal is Political’
At 6:30 p.m., join NCJWSTL for a free, virtual panel discussion with Stacey Newman, former Missouri State Representative, Rabbi Andrea Goldstein of Shaare Emeth, and Dana Sandweiss, attorney and founder of AccessMO. The guest speakers will discuss the implications of the impending Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, expected to be finalized June 2022. Learn more about abortion from a Jewish perspective, the legal ramifications this likely judicial finding will have in Missouri, and the actions NCJWSTL will take. To RSVP, contact Jen Bernstein at jbernstein@ncjwstl. org or call the office at 314-993-5181.
THURSDAY | MAY 26 NCJWSTL’s installation and award presentation
At 5:30 p.m., join NCJWSTL for wine and appetizers at the organization’s 2022 Installation of Office, Board Members, and Presentation of Section Awards at Congregation Shaare Emeth. Free, but RSVPs required by May 20. For more information and to RSVP visit: https://bit.ly/2022ncjwstl.
The Kabbalah of Shavuot
From 2 to 3 p.m. Rabbi Michael Alper of Congregation Temple Israel will lead an online Mirowitz Center program exploring the Kabbalah (mysticism) of Shavuot. Free. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter, 314-733-9813, or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
ONGOING The Schmooze with NHBZ rabbi
Calling all kids ages 4th grade and up: Come schmooze with NHBZ Rabbi Avi Okin and enjoy an evening of fun and food. The Schmooze program happens every Sunday evening from 6 to 7 p.m., and includes dinner, fun raffles and an interesting Torah learning discussion with Okin. There is no charge for this program, and kids (and families) need not be members of NHBZ to attend. To ask questions, please call 314991-2100, ext. 2.
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May 11, 2022
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SIMCHAS BIRTHS
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BAT MITZVAH: HARLOW HASTINGS
PHOTO BY YANA HOTTER, SPOONFUL OF SUGAR PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Harlow Hastings (Hebrew name: Aviva Zerah) became a bat mitzvah April 30 at United Hebrew Congregation. Harlow is the daughter of Michelle and Jay Hastings of St. Louis. She is the granddaughter of Annette Vacketta, Glen Richard Hastings, Judith Hastings, Suzan Stafford, Larry Stafford, and the late Stephen Thompson. She is the great-granddaughter of Gloria Sayre and the late Dale Sayre, Patricia (Nonna) Vacketta and Henry Vacketta. Harlow has one sibling, Josephine (Josie) Hastings, who is 9. A seventh-grade student at Sperreng Middle School, Harlow has been part of the gifted LEAP program in the Lindbergh School District since kindergarten. She loves exploring new things, from learning piano and cello, to playing basketball and exploring her artistic side and drawing self-portraits. Her summers at GUCI (Goldman Union Camp Institute) have helped her learn more about what it means to live a Jewish life: finding community, creating a spiritual foundation and planting seeds to promote social justice. Harlow has been described by her friends and family as being incredibly empathic and having a sensitive spirit; she hopes to use these gifts in the future toward helping others.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: OLIVIA BRACHA BROMBERG Olivia Bracha Bromberg was born on March 9, 2022 in Chicago, Ill. to parents Yehuda and Rebecca (Kaiser) Bromberg. Grandparents are Bob and Joni Kaiser and Leo and Michele Bromberg. Great-grandparents are Eleanor Kaiser (of blessed memory), Lionel Kaiser (of blessed memory), Carolyn Koppel, Martin and Sylvia Mintzer, Morris Bromberg (of blessed memory), Gertrude Bromberg (of blessed memory), Fred Simon (of blessed memory) and Blanche Simon (of blessed memory).
TRIBUTES IN HONOR OF ELLIS GREEN In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Ellis Green! - Robert Steiner -
ALVIN AND ALICE REDLER CELEBRATE 65TH ANNIVERSARY Alvin and Alice (Feldman) Redler of Creve Coeur recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. Alice and Al started dating after meeting at a party when she was 16 and he 19. On April 14, 1957, they married when she was 19 and he 22 in her parents’ home by Rabbi Jerome Grollman of United Hebrew. They have lived their entire lives in St. Louis, raised three children here, ran a family insurance business here (and have had the same telephone number for 57 years!). Family means everything to them and they love when their children and grandchildren, some of whom are out of town, come in to visit. They love to see the sights of St. Louis, play with
JORDAN PALMER Great job with all of your hard work! - Stephanie Altman their cat, go out with their friends, watch the birds and squirrels in the bird feeders, watch their tomato plants come alive and Alice absolutely loves to cook for Al. Alice and Al are the parents of Jodi Redler, Vicki Redler Chervitz (Marc Chervitz) and Craig Redler. They are the grandparents of Sammy, Sophie and Nathaniel Chervitz, and Cameron and Olivia Redler.
MOOSE & JENY ITICOVICI - Silvian Iticovici MAXINE GILNER Celebrating 60 years of Motherhood! - Frank Gilner NANCY WEINREICH - Steven Weinreich MILA & THEO NYKIN Honoring my St. Louis Grandkids!! - Anonymous BONNIE LEVENS - Phillip Levens -
IN MEMORY OF JUDY AND SIDNEY SIEGFRIED CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY Judy and Sidney Siegfried are celebrating their 70th anniversary this month. has three children, Ida, Elaine and Louis, as well as Introduced by Sidney’s younger brother, who dated four grandchildren. Judy first, the couple has enjoyed many memorable Judy and Sidney celebrated their anniversary (May decades including the twists and turns. The couple 3, 2022) quietly with family.
CAROLYN MATULEF “In Loving Memory.” - Robert & Penny Steiner DISHKE FORSTOT “In memory of my mother Dishke Forstot z”l.” - Robert Forstot-
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May 11, 2022
OBITUARIES
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SHEPARD A. ELLIS, May 5, 2022 Beloved husband of the late Faith (Kusmer) Ellis; dear father of Terry Izraelevitz (David) of Los Alamos, NM, Karolyn Ellis of Canyon City, CO, and L. Scott Ellis (Carol) of Lake Saint Louis, MO; grandfather of Joseph Izraelevitz (Lauren Hosek), Jacob Izraelevitz (Leah Mendelson), Adam Izraelevitz (Christine Santiago), Jen Leifheit (Andy), Steven Ellis (Anya); greatgrandfather of Nathan, Audrey, Winnifer, Mia, Emma, Sarah, Grace, and Sam; son of the late Samuel and the late Lottie (Satz) Ellis; dear brother of the late Phillip Ellis (late Doris) (late Gloria); dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many. A graveside service was held Monday, May 9 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Memorial contributions in Shep’s memory may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service RYNA J. HART, April 30, 2022 Beloved wife of the late Max “Mutt” Hart; devoted mother to Michael and David Hart; loving mother in-law to Stacia Hart; doting grandmother to her dear little Max and Alexander; daughter of the late Meyer and Rose Averbuch; dear aunt, cousin and friend. A graveside service was held Tuesday, May 3 at Beth Hamedrosh
Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ryna’s honor preferred to the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, 4255 N Honore Street, Suite 209, Chicago, IL 60613, www.rolfefoundation.org. The service was livestreamed at www.bergermemorialchapel. com. Berger Memorial Service ANDREW AARON KAGAN, PhD, May 3, 2022 Beloved husband of Jayne Kagan; dear brother and brother-in-law of Nina Radman (Phillip); dear uncle of Marci Bluestone (Dr. Ken) and Matthew Radman (Norma); dear great-uncle of Madeline and Charlotte Bluestone; dear friend. A private family service will be held. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service DOROTHY A. MAER, May 3. 2022 Beloved wife of the late Dr. Stanley Maer; dear mother and mother-in-law of Peter Maer (Elizabeth), Craig Maer (Helane) and Steven Maer (Anne); loving grandmother of Jonathan Maer (Michelle), Beth Magden (Harley), Melissa Maer, Jill Meyer (Emily), Ma t t h ew Mi l t e r (Christina), Courtney Larson (Chad), and Alyssa Jaroenngarm (Anthony); dearest great-grandmother of Joshua Maer, Levi Maer, Orli Maer, Shira Magden and Talia Magden; dear sister of the late David Steinberg (Peggy) and Paul Steinberg (the late Bettye); dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to so many. A funeral service was held Thursday, May 5 at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road, 63141. Interment followed at B’nai
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Amoona Cemetery, 930 North and South Road, 63130. Memorial contributions preferred to United Hebrew Congregation or the charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel. com for more information. Berger Memorial Service ROBERT SIMON MENDELSOHN, MD, 94, passed away on April 28, 2022 after an exceptionally accomplished and rich life. Born in 1928 in Cincinnati, he grew up in a tight-knit, loving family alongside three brothers and four cousins, Mendelsohn and Schwab family members who survived the Depression together through mutual support. He remained closely connected to his large family throughout his life. Challenged by polio as a teenager, he was nonetheless physically active and athletic, as well as an excellent student. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1950 from Washington and Lee University, after which he attended Washington University School of Medicine on a full scholarship; there he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha society, honoring those who showed distinction in academics and leadership. After completing his medical degree in 1954, he interned at Barnes Hospital, spent two years at the NIH in hematology research and then returned to St. Louis for a storied career in clinical academic medicine and private practice at Washington University School of Medicine, Jewish Hospital, and Barnes Hospital. Robert was also beloved by his many patients for an extraordinary capacity to diagnose and his warm, caring manner. He lived by and epitomized the approach described in the famous phrase of Francis W. Peabody, MD, “for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.” For more than 70 years, he
attended and actively participated in the Department of Medicine’s Grand Rounds. His love of his patients and teaching was recognized by creation of the annual Robert S. Mendelsohn lectureship, which his four children and extended family established in 2018 with the support of the Department and many former patients and colleagues. An avid reader of American history, Robert widened his interest to literature on retirement, eventually making his way through James Joyce’s Ulysses, for which he co-taught a course at the Washington University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He also loved to fly-fish, including in the Grand Tetons area of Wyoming and repeatedly in Rockbridge, Missouri with his wife of 35 years, Susan. He was an avid golfer as well, and was passionate about Shakespeare, gardening and tending roses, classical music, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Robert was first married for nearly 25 years to Ruth Rosen, with whom he raised Michael, James, Nancy, and Thomas Mendelsohn. He is survived by his wife, Susan Kenny Mendelsohn; his children, Michael (Vivienne) Mendelsohn, James Mendelsohn, Nancy (Jay Horvath) Mendelsohn, and Tom (Julia Gittleman) Mendelsohn; his stepchildren Melissa (Matt) Sauter and Cynthia (Bill) Berne; by eleven grandchildren, Erika, Elizabeth, Daniel, Maggie, Nathan, Rose, Sam, Brent, Mary Jane, Nikki, and Eric; and by his three great-grandchildren, Mo, Adalynn, and Barrett. Memorial contributions preferred to The Ted Delaney ‘85 Scholarship Endowment www.wlu. edu/give/, Missouri Botanical Garden www. missouribotanicalgarden.org/donate.aspx, St. Louis Symphony https://secure.donationpay. org/slso/ and Action St. Louis https://actionstl. org/donate. For more information and to view the livestream of the Memorial Service visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com. Berger Memorial Service Obituaries continue on opposite page
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DEATHS ELSEWHERE
Neal Adams, 80, a comic book legend who championed Holocaust awareness Neal Adams poses in his office in New York in 2008.
BY RAFAEL MEDOFF
JANICE GOLDENBERG MINTZ, May 3, 2022 Beloved wife of the late Sidney Goldenberg and the late Irv Mintz; dear mother and motherin-law of Jack Goldenberg (Erin), Dr. Joe Goldenberg (Zeena), Gwen Rubin (Jon) and Kim Leemon (Mark); dear step-mother of Steven Mintz (Dee), Andrew Mintz (Robin) and Patricia Neiberg (Jerry); dear grandmother and stepgrandmother of Beth and Scott Goldenberg, Allison O’Shea (Chris), Lindsay Rubin (Seth Jacobson-Swanson), Tracy and Daniel Leemon, Rachel Tarabar (Jacob), Caryn Mintz, Jeffrey Mintz (Molly), Leslie Friedenthal (Jon), the late Brian Neiberg and Lauren Neiberg; dear great-grandmother of Hunter O’Shea, Mason Tarabar and Iris Friendenthal; dear sister of the late Eugene Cohn (late Helen), the late Clarence Cohn (late Miriam) and the late Robert Cohn (late Marilyn); our dear aunt, cousin, and friend to so many. A private service was held. Memorial contributions preferred to the National Council of Jewish Women, Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service JORDAN “SONNY” RUDOLPH of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on May 2, 2022 at the age of 87 after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Elaine Shevitz Rudolph for 69 ½ years. Dear father of Larry (Christy) Rudolph, Steve (Karen) Rudolph, Don (Eve) Rudolph, Debbie (Frank) Pulley, and Brian (Marissa) Rudolph. Loving grandfather of Samantha (Jared), Philippa (Adam), Alyssa (Adam), Jason, Zachary (Kaila), Kayla (Kevin), Carly (John), Adam (Megan), Lindsay (Ryan), Blake (Maddie), and AJ. Doting great grandfather of Exton, Oden, Clayton, Lochlan, Austin, Kate, Grant, Olive, Lincoln, Emma, Nathan, Alex, Amelia, Morgan, Baby Rudolph (September), and Baby Daniel (October). Dear brother of Jacqueline Rudolph, Helen (late Bob) Hayes, Harvey (Lauretta) Rudolph and the late Gerald (Donna) Rudolph and Joyce Rudolph. Beloved son of the late William and Rose Mary Rudolph. Dear brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, cousin and friend. Jordan retired from Warner Lambert after 24 years of service. He was an avid bowler highlighted by a 300 game at the age of 72. He immensely enjoyed attending all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s events throughout the years of his life. A funeral service was held Friday, May 6 at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road, followed by interment at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 28566, Saint Louis, MO, 63146 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. A Rindskopf-Roth Service
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Comic artist Neal Adams, who passed away at age 80 in New York City on April 28, is best known for having revolutionized Batman and other iconic comic book characters for both the DC and Marvel brands. But Adams himself was also a fearless crusader: He battled comics publishers for the rights of artists and writers, rescued Superman’s Jewish creators from abject poverty and campaigned for a Holocaust survivor to regain portraits she painted in Auschwitz. Adams, who was born in New York City in 1941 and spent much of his childhood on a U.S. military base in postwar Germany where his father was stationed, was not Jewish. But he had a strong interest in the Holocaust, both because of his childhood memories from Germany and because his mother-in-law was a Jewish refugee from Nazioccupied Poland who helped the Polish Embassy in Morocco design counterfeit documents for other Jews fleeing from the Nazis. In school, “they showed us some pretty harrowing stuff — newsreel footage of what the Allied troops found when they liberated the camps, severely emaciated prisoners, huge piles of dead bodies,” he later recalled. “It was very hard for a 9-year-old to take. I came home from school and wouldn’t speak to anyone for days.” Those memories would influence his interest in Holocaust education many years later. After graduating from the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan, Adams worked for an advertising agency where he created artwork based on copying photographs. The technique helped him develop an uncannily realistic art style which would prove revolutionary for comic books. In 1967, Adams began drawing for DC Comics, the publisher of Batman and Superman and, a few years later, for Marvel Comics, home of Spider-Man and the X-Men. Under Adams’ pen, superheroes who previously were drawn in exaggerated, cartoonish ways, took on a new, powerfully realistic appearance. Sales of Adams-drawn comics skyrocketed. Adams’s rendering of Batman in particular was a game-changer. He transformed the Caped Crusader — by then best-known from the campy 1960s television series — into the grim and gritty Dark Knight character that came to dominate Batman comics and more recently movies. Adams also drew groundbreaking comic stories of the superheroes Green Lantern and Green Arrow which dealt with social issues such as racism, drug abuse and pollution.
PHOTO: NICHOLAS ROBERTS/ AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Adams’s first dive into public controversy came about by accident. During a visit to the DC production room in 1969, he chanced upon a staff member cutting up pages of original comic book art. “I could not believe they were destroying this beautiful artwork,” Adams said later. He launched a campaign to convince DC to recognize the art as the property of the artists and return it to them after publication. After seven years of protesting, lobbying and cajoling, both DC and Marvel gave in to Adams’s demand. The sale of original art has since become an important supplementary revenue stream for traditionally lowpaid comic book artists. Jewish artists, writers and editors have played major roles in the comic book industry from its earliest days, starting with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Jewish teenagers from Cleveland who created Superman in 1938. They sold the rights to the Man of Steel to DC (then National Periodicals) for $130 and a 10-year work contract. When Adams met them in 1971, Siegel was working as a clerk and Shuster, nearly blind, was sleeping on a cot in a relative’s apartment. Shocked to hear that Superman’s creators could not even afford tickets to see the Broadway play based on their character, Adams led a campaign to pressure DC “to just do the right thing already,” as he put it. The publicity he generated eventually convinced the publisher to give Siegel and Shuster a modest pension and health care coverage. In 2006, Adams took up the cause of Dina Babbitt, a Czech Jewish artist seeking the return of portraits that she had been forced to paint in Auschwitz by the infamous “Angel of Death,” Dr. Josef Mengele. The Auschwitz-Birkenau museum, which acquired eight of the portraits after the war, claimed ownership. “The fundamental principle that art
belongs to the artist who created it is recognized everywhere except in totalitarian countries,” Adams and other comic book figures wrote in a petition, which echoed Adams’ earlier fight for the return of comic book art. “Mrs. Babbitt has suffered enough. We implore you to do the right thing and give her back her paintings.” Adams helped mobilize more than 450 comic book artists and writers to sign the petition. “Sadly, despite Neal’s best efforts, the museum never returned the paintings,” said comics creators advocate J. David Spurlock, who worked with Adams and former Marvel Comics chief Stan Lee on the campaign. Adams drew a comic strip about Babbitt’s plight, which was published by Marvel Comics, and then later adapted into an animated short for a DVD of Holocaust-related stories created by Disney Educational Productions. Subsequently Adams, together with comics historian Craig Yoe and myself, coauthored a book, “We Spoke Out: Comic Books and the Holocaust,” which showed how comic book stories about the Nazi genocide played a pioneering role in Holocaust education in the 1950s and 1960s. In the course of my collaboration with Adams on these projects, we had the opportunity for many conversations about comic books as a vehicle for Holocaust education, something that Adams strongly advocated. He said his Holocaust-related efforts were “some of the most meaningful work [he] ever did.” Considering the breadth and impact of Adams’s career, that was saying a lot. Rafael Medoff is founding director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and author of more than 20 books about Jewish history and the Holocaust.
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Cynthia Levin: Author hopes to inspire others to become advocates CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B name, she knows me by sight.” Levin said Blunt understands issues like global health, and he sits on the Senate Committee on Appropriations. “He is one of our allies when it comes to understanding things about polio, HIV/ AIDS and COVID,” she said. “So it’s nice to know that when I send things up to his aide, she knows who I am.” Lawmakers benefit from hearing from advocates, Levin said, because they don’t always have time to research the nitty gritty of every issue. An advocate like her is doing it out of a sense of service to the community, unlike lobbyists, who also earn a paycheck for their efforts. A big part of advocacy is creating awareness of emerging issues, such as COVID was two years ago. Because Levin is committed to global health, she was trying to raise awareness at the outset of the pandemic. “I was on Capitol Hill for a Shot@Life
conference, and I was sitting in (Missouri Republican) congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer’s office with him, talking about how bad I thought COVID-19 was going to be,” she said. “Then everything went into shutdown, but that’s one of the things that I think is great about being an activist, when you’re highly involved and something happens. At least I could put my head on the pillow and say, ‘I did everything that I could, and I was in there talking to the decision-makers.’ ” Levin has also mentored other advocates, among them Sarah Borgstede, a Belleville mom who was new to advocacy before meeting Levin in 2016. She subsequently became Levin’s co-leader of the RESULTS St. Louis group working on global poverty. Borgstede said, “Working with Cindy inspired me to start a group in my hometown because I wanted to find more advocates who live in the same state and congressional district that I do. Members of Congress want to hear from their own
constituents. “Cindy taught me to be persistent, to understand that advocacy is something that you undertake over time as lots of small actions come together to create powerful influence. And Cindy taught me how to use my own experiences in life to speak powerfully about public policy. I’m so glad she’s written her book so that more people out there can have the kinds of transformative advocacy experiences that I have had.” Borgstede eventually started her own RESULTS chapter in Belleville. She works for ACTION, an organization advocating for global tuberculosis programs. Levin said, “The most rewarding part is when I can bring somebody else in to advocate, and that means that the movement is growing. When I can see, my actions have a greater impact than just what I’m personally able to do.” Another advocate who got his start with Levin is Raj Jaladi, a student at Parkway West High School, who directs classmates
and adults in taking action. “I have been advocating with Cindy since sixth grade,” Jaladi said. “I’m now in 10th grade, and I am the group co-leader for RESULTS St. Louis. The biggest thing I love about Cindy is that she gives us high school and middle school students the opportunity to jump in and do various advocacy activities irrespective of our age or our experience. She gives everyone equal opportunity to lead and dive into leadership roles such as media leader, fundraising leader, point person to a member of Congress, and even as a group co-leader. “I have learned from Cindy to be bipartisan, keeping my political inclinations on the sidelines, avoiding the heat of a partisan discussion and staying laser-focused on the problem and the solution. The policies and bills we advocate for, be it tax credits or vaccine supply, our talking points are exactly the same if we are meeting with a congressional member who is a Democrat or Republican.”
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RIGHT: From left are Barbara Newmark, Leslie Litwack and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham at the Aurelia Konrad Interfaith Community Seder, held April 26.
Rev. Darryl Gray takes part in the interfaith seder. He is flanked by Rabbi Howard Kaplansky of United Hebrew Congregation (left) and Cantor Seth Warner of Congregation Shaare Emeth.
INTERFAITH
SEDER ALL PHOTOS BY BILL MOTCHAN The Aurelia Konrad Interfaith Community Seder was held April 26 at the Jewish Community Center’s Arts and Education Building. The last in-person (pre-COVID) version of the seder was held in 2019. Approximately 125 representatives attended the 2022 event. According to Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of JCRC, “It’s exciting you feel the energy in the room, it’s really great.” Among the seder facilitators was Cantor Seth Warner from Congregation Shaare Emeth, who said, “It’s hard to have Passover without people, it’s hard to tell the story, so this is lovely opportunity to be able to be present with a community that values the interfaith idea of celebrating each other while celebrating ourselves.” The seder is presented by The Aurelia Konrad Charitable Foundation and the Newmark Institute for Human Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis.
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PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to news@stljewishlight.org. VIEW MORE ONLINE: stljewishlight.org/multimedia LEFT: Michael Newmark takes part in the Aurelia Konrad Interfaith Community Seder, held April 26 at the J. RIGHT: Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh (left) looks on as Dr. Marsha Staples speaks.
LEFT: Erin Fisher participates in the seder.
RIGHT: Carlotta Burton raises a cup of wine during the seder.
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We're going to keep fighting for reproductive rights. By now you have most likely heard about the DRAFT Supreme Court opinion leaked to POLITICO that would overturn Roe v. Wade. First and foremost, abortion is still legal in all 50 states, including Missouri. In addition, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis will continue the work to make sure that all Missourians control when and how they have children.
It's time for you to act too. Rally with us May 14th. Saturday | May 14th | Kiener Plaza | 500 Pine Street | 12 PM CT Cheryl Adelstein – Susan Allison – Ellen Alper & Family– Tamara Arnow – Darien Arnstein – Alissa Arst Barbara Barnholtz – Eve Bensky – Dede Berg – Lise Bernstein – Holly Bernstein – Jennifer Bernstein Judge Susan Block – Dr. Nanci Bobrow – Susan Botts – Teri Brandvein – Margie Burstein – Debra Canamore Lee Arlen Chaleff – Linda Cohn – Gloria Cotlar – Linda Dahl – Reva Davis – Susan Dertke Hendin – Susie G. Edelstein Gail Eisenkramer – Rabbi Amy Feder – Ellen Feinstein – Amy Fenster Brown – Barbara L. Finch Dianna & Dick Fine – Marci Fine & Laura Tishey – Susan Fisher – Wendy Flusser – Judy Freeman Cynthia Frohlichstein – Amy Gallant – Deborah Gilula – Jessa Glick – Marjorie Gold – Sherri Goldman Jo-Ann Goldstein – Jessica Goltzman – Jill Gubin – Carol Gusdorf – Robin Gutmann – Zoe Hahn Marlene & Harley Hammerman – Amy & Zach Hammerman – Lynn Harris – Myrna Hershman – Hillary Hinz Debbie Igelnik – Randee Jacobs – Maureen Jordan – Felice Joyce – Betty Kagen – Sally Katzif – Jackie Kleban Barb Kramer – Judy Kramer – Mary Kutheis – Barbara Langsum Shuman – Judith Levens Kramer – Marilyn Lipman Gay Lipman – Nancy Litz – Cynthia Lloyd – Lorie Long - Lynn Lyss – Sarah Wood Martin & Jake Hummel Deborah Matson – Hon. Tracy McCreery - Julia Mendelow –The Merry Widows: Ilene Horenstein, Fran Axelbaum, Debee Alex, Marilyn Cohn, Linda Sher, Sharon Summers, Suzie Broddon, Sally Tofle, Myra Levine, Nadine Schneider and Farilyn Hale – Myrna Meyer – Gail Mielziner – Barbara Newmark – Sherri Newstead Ilene Ordower - Judy Pass – Marilen Pitler – Judy Putzel – Marci Ranger - Marilyn Ratkin – Diana Rothbarth Joellen B. Rubenstein – Jane Rubin – Debbie Sachs – Dana Sandweiss - Carolyn Satz – Hon. Jill Schupp Miriam Schwab – Joanne Schwartz - Lee Scissors – Valarie Shapiro – Barbara Silver Hon. Heather & Ross Silverman – Christy Singer – Vicki Singer – Ruth Siteman – Nancy Siteman – Rosalie Stein Roberta Stolz – Karen Tabek – Sandy Taryle - Elaine Tenzer – Patti Teper - Jillian Thomadsen Pamela Toder – Stacy Wagerman - Amy Wallerstein – Gail Wechsler – Sherri Weintrop Enid Weisberg-Frank – Esther Weltman - Judy Willett – Susan Witte – Carol Wofsey (Red-Advocate Plus, Bold-Advocate)
For more information about the rally, becoming a member, and other actions you can take, go to ncjwstl.org NCJWSTL is inspired by Jewish values to advance social and economic justice for all women, children, and families. @ncjwstl
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