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Healing touch
Touch therapy dogs dispense love, care without judgment BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
On a recent afternoon in the Jewish Community Center’s Adult Day Center, the staff was overseeing a trivia game, but Oliver Samuels commanded most of the attention. He worked the room, schmoozing with each visitor, often by planting his furry head in their lap. Oliver is a touch therapy dog. He visits the J once a week to spread joy. Therapy dogs are specially trained and screened to provide therapeutic benefits for people. Oliver, a 7-year-old golden retriever, was accompanied by his human, Stephanie Samuels, who explained why she signed him up for the assignment. “We went to Duo Dogs for training when he was a puppy,” said Samuels, who is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. “He was certified when he was 3, and we started four years ago. A friend of mine had been doing it, and she really liked it. I got really motivated because I’m always looking for something to volunteer for, and I’ve done lots of work at the J. In fact, I chaired the Adult Day Services committee for four years. “I think what’s been the most rewarding to me is the one-on-one. When you go into a hospital or when you come here at the J and you talk to the people individually, they give me back as much as Oliver gives them.” In addition to his weekly visit to the J, Oliver visits the Missouri Baptist Hospital Cancer Infusion Center on Fridays. “It’s bone density infusions and other kinds of infusions,” Samuels said. “It’s a big room, and there are cubicles with curtains you can pull. I basically go around to
Stephanie Samuels with therapy dog Oliver.
At right, Maxine Mirowitz and therapy dog Moxie spend time with students at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. e a c h cubicle and ask the person if they’d like a visit from Oliver. And usually they say yes.”
Paws for reading
At right, therapy dog Oliver gets some love during a visit to the Jewish Community Center’s Adult Day Center.
At Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, two fourALL PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN legged visitors checked in at the front desk in the middle of the school day. Bexley, a 10-year-old Australian shepherd, and Moxie, a 2-year-old border collie, are therapy dogs. Their human companion is Maxine Mirowitz, a 2018 Jewish Light Unsung Hero. Like Oliver, when the Mirowitz dogs don their Duo Dog vests, they are ready to work. They visited Mirowitz school for the Paws for Reading kindergarten story time. Maxine Mirowitz was the reader. The dogs took turns sitting with the kindergarten class — and being petted — while learning about the many important roles dogs play, from rescue to crisis response to support for people with disabilities. The kids listened intently, asking questions about dogs, about Bexley and Moxie and their habits. They were so focused on the special visitors, few seemed to notice my camera documenting the class. He’s been a “hospital helper” “My dogs are very calm and relaxed,” spreading his good vibes to Mirowitz said. “They make you feel at ease. children at Mercy Hospital. Dogs don’t judge you, they just are there to Recently, he took on a new role listen. And some of the little kids were at the hospital, offering therapy just pouring out their hearts about how to the harried doctors and nurses much they missed their dogs. I think in their break room. there’s so many levels to healing.” “We go to the ICU unit not to be Maxine Mirowitz was one of the with the patients, but with the staff, first Duo Dog volunteers when “Mirowitz said. “We go at 8 p.m. because she attended therapy dog trainthat’s when they needed help. It’s an ing. Her dog at the time was not intense time. There’s an instant love. an ideal fit. Not every dog has Everyone seems at ease and comfortable the personality and temperaand relaxed and calm. And that’s what ment to not be rattled by our job is. Basically, it’s just to help them chaos around it, like a kinderrelax and take off some of their worries garten class or medical equipbecause they have high stress jobs.” ment in a hospital setting. Bexley and Moxie are both rescue dogs. Several badges dangle from Their calm demeanor makes both perfect Bexley’s vest. One is a Mercy for their volunteer assignments. Medical Center volunteer ID. “Any dog with a sweet temperament can
do it, but some dogs, like mine, just thrive,” Mirowitz said. “This is what they were built for. I think some dogs are just innately given this ability to love that interaction of touch. And if your dog is even close to that category, any dog breed can enjoy it. The core foundation is a dog who is at ease and with their handler and also with strangers.”
Elevating spirits A touch therapy dog generally visits settings such as schools, senior centers, hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities. Their primary job is to brighten the day of everyone they encounter. Some have specific See HEALING TOUCH on page 14
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July 27, 2022
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Lately, I’ve been thinking about legacies — how they happen, what they mean, how we hope to be remembered, how we actually are remembered. Maybe these thoughts have something to do with the realization that I have lived many more years than are likely left — not that I’m going anywhere soon, at least I hope not — but mortality is a fact of life. Most of us would like to leave this earth feeling as if we made a positive difference in the world, and certainly in the lives of those who matter most to us. Lindsey Rae Marglous certainly made a huge difference in the lives of her nephew Sawyer Merlin, 15, and niece Lila Merlin, 12. To explain, let’s rewind to March 2020, when COVID became a worldwide pandemic and Sawyer, Lila, their parents, Rob and Melissa Merlin, and Aunt Lindsey were supposed to travel to Israel for Sawyer’s bar mitzvah. The trip, as you might have guessed, was canceled. By October of 2020, Sawyer and Lila had decided to join forces to celebrate their b’nai mitzvah together at Temple Emanuel with Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh. The first person they called to help them with their mitzvah project was Aunt Lindsey, knowing her creativity and flair for fun would make whatever they did special. About a week after that call, Lindsey started feeling poorly. At the time, she was at her dad’s home in Miami, quarantining with him there. “We spoke to her on Saturday, Oct. 24th,” recalled Lindsey’s sister, Melissa Merlin. “On Sunday, the 25th, she said she couldn’t talk because she was going on a date. On Monday, the 26th, she said she couldn’t get out of bed.” Her plan all along was to come to St. Louis to spend the upcoming Halloween weekend with her niece and nephew. But she was feeling so unwell that her broth-
NEWS & SCHMOOZE News and Schmooze is a column by Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman. Email Ellen at: efutterman@ stljewishlight.org
Page 3
er-in-law Rob Merlin flew to Miami to bring her back to St. Louis. On Nov. 2, 2020, Lindsey was diagnosed with cancer; eventually it was determined she had Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. She had 17 brain tumors when it was discovered. She passed away 28 days later — on Nov. 30 of that year — at the age of 38. “We spent a lot of time after her passing trying to figure out how to incorporate her spirit into the b’nai mitzvah,” said Rob Merlin, when we spoke over the weekend. “After my wife and maybe even before me, Lindsey was their favorite person.” Both Sawyer and Lila considered Aunt Lindsey a second mother. She was vivacious and smart, holding dual master’s degrees in psychology, and she adored cycling and spinning. Sawyer, too, a rising sophomore at MICDS, shares a love of cycling with Lindsey and his uncle (Lindsey and Melissa’s brother) Matt Marglous. In fact, as a freshman, Sawyer won a silver medal in his age group at the Cyclocross State Championships. So he and his sister, with their parents’ help, connected with Pedal the Cause, which raises money for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and for Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This year’s Pedal the Cause cycling event will be held on Sept. 25, a few weeks after Sawyer and Lila’s b’nai mitzvah. Since its inception in 2009, the organization has raised nearly $37 million for cancer research, and all those dollars stay in St. Louis. “I think Aunt Lindsey would be proud of us and what we are doing, wanting to help other people with cancer,” said Sawyer. He and Lila know its ambitious, but they have organized a cycling team — Merlin Mitzvah Riders — with the goal of raising $25,000 for cancer research here. As of this writing, they have raised more than $14,000. They’re urging all of us to participate and help pay tribute to their beloved Aunt Lindsey’s legacy by either joining their cycling team, spinning in person at Chesterfield Mall or from afar in Lindsey’s Spin Zone (a virtual ride you can do at home) and/or making a donation at https://bit.ly/Lindsey-team. Says Sawyer: “When I think of my Aunt Lindsey, I think of someone who is caring and loving and artsy. When she was at
Lindsey Marglous, center, with her nephew Sawyer Merlin, left, and niece Lila Merlin, hamming it up at Candytopia, a candy-themed pop-up in New York City in 2018. our house, she always wanted to do something with us like a project or activity.” Sawyer said he still has a congratulatory sign pinned up in his room that Lindsey made when he graduated from elementary school. He also hangs on to a note she wrote after she got sick, saying how much she wanted to see him and Lila when she got better.” Melissa Merlin says her sister’s optimism, can-do attitude and free spirit
nature all added to her allure. “She had a wonderful heart. She wanted everyone to pursue their passion and she encouraged others to follow their own path, and not necessarily the straight and narrow. She also had such empathy for others.” Added Sawyer: “When I think of her, what comes to mind is a legacy of lovingness.”
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July 27, 2022
LOCAL NEWS
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Multiple medals for St. Louis’ Maccabiah athletes From left, St. Louis teen athletes Joie Sandler, Jake Brown and Branson Appelman were part of Team USA in the 2022 World Maccabiah Games in Israel.
BY JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER
Three Jewish teens are back home in St. Louis with much-deserved medals after representing Team USA at the 2022 World Maccabiah Games in Israel. Joie Sandler, 14, who will be a freshman at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in the fall, is coming home with two medals after competing as a member of the USA U16 Girls’ Gymnastics Team. Joie is bringing home a silver team medal and bronze for the balance beam. “We are so proud of her,” said her mom, Angela Sandler. “To have this amazing experience to represent your home country is priceless. I’m proud of her every day-but today to see her smiling and persevering after scrapes, blisters, cuts and injuries- is super special.” Jake Brown, 17, who will be a senior this fall at John Burroughs School, is now a Maccabiah Games Silver Medalist after competing on the U18 Boys’ Hockey team. Team USA played itself into the gold medal game against Team Canada, but fell in overtime 5-4. Fellow teammate and goalie, Branson Appelman, 17, who will be a senior this fall at Kirkwood High School, says the entire experience was one of connection. “Connection with Israel, connection
with the sport of hockey, with Jewish athletes from around the world and my Judaism,” said Branson. “The connection with Israel is built with bonding with both the people and the country. Connection with my sport comes from playing at an international level, along with playing with and against Jewish people.”
And that is really the point of the games. Also known as the “Jewish Olympics,” its main goals are to bring young Jewish athletes from all over the world to Israel while maintaining the highest levels of the sport. The games also aspire to strengthen the connection of the participants to the state of Israel and the
Jewish people. “While in Israel I bought a Star of David, which I will wear with pride knowing that it’s not just me wearing it, it’s 10,000 athletes, it’s 7 million Israeli Jews wearing it, and it’s millions around the world wearing it with me,” said Branson.
Upcoming NCJWSTL event will provide back-to-school essentials to 2,000 children
At NCJWSTL’s 2021 Back to School! Store, volunteers stand with College Hunks moving company employees who helped transport school supplies. FILE PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis will be hosting its Back to School! Store on Sunday, July 31. Socially distanced and contactless delivery will take place as NCJWSTL volunteers deliver 2,000 prefilled backpacks to partner agencies that will distribute the backpacks to their clients and members. The agencies have pre-registered their children so that deliveries are age/size specific for each child. The Back to School! Store reduces absenteeism by ensuring students have fewer barriers to attending school. Families have had to prioritize spending on food and necessities, so these school supplies are
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even more important as now, more than ever, St. Louis families’ resources are stretched. NCJWSTL is thrilled to be providing supplies to 2,000 children. While the event may not look the same, elementary students will still get everything they need to officially start the school year. Ellen Alper, CEO of NCJWSTL explains the impact of the Back to School! Store, and how the community can get involved: “NCJWSTL is very proud of the Back to School! Store program. Over the past 22 years, this program has provided over 24,000 children with the new clothing and school supplies that they need to begin the school year on a positive note. In an abundance of caution, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCJWSTL is implementing the same, proven model utilized the last two summers. More than 400 volunteers have come together to pack and deliver supplies. We are coordinating contactless delivery of 2,000 filled backpacks to 70+ partner agencies that will arrange for pickup by families. Students and families are referred through our partner agencies – this program is only possible with the incredible collaboration and support of community members and partners.” Back to School! Store items are always new and include: a winter coat, hat and glove set, personal care items like a dental kit, comb and hairbrush, Bombas socks, book, folders, glue sticks, markers, pens, pencils and much more. Alper explained that NCJWSTL will continue to distribute coats, shoes, uniforms and personal care items later this fall/winter in partnership with schools through the Kids Community Closet program. There are 28 Kids Community Closets serving 32 schools in St. Louis City and County. Children who attend a participating school may access a Closet at any time and receive the new clothing that they need to be able to attend school. To learn more about the Back to School! Store and how to get involved visit: https:// www.ncjwstl.org/back-to-school-store.
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Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine will keynote 2022 Jewish Book Festival Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will be the keynote author kicking off the 2022 St. Louis Jewish Book Festival. The Jewish Community Center will host the 44th annual book festival from Nov. 6-13. At 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Yovanovitch will be joined at the J’s Performing Arts Center by Professor James Wertsch of Washington University to discuss her new book, “Lessons from the Edge: A Memoir.” “We are so honored that Ambassador Yovanovitch will be our keynote of the 44th St. Louis Jewish Book Festival,” said Rabbi Brad Horwitz, director of Jewish Engagement and Adult Programs at the J. “We invite the entire St. Louis region to join us at the J to hear from this true American hero who has dedicated her professional career to the service of our country and the fight for democracy, truth and freedom for all, even under the most trying and challenging circumstances.” In addition to Yovanovitch, the festival will offer a diverse lineup of bestselling authors, investigative journalists, Netflix stars, nationally known chefs, true crime events and more. Highlights include: • Author Charles Bosworth Jr. and local criminal defense attorney Joel Schwartz, who will take the stage on Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. to discuss their book, “Bone Deep Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case,” which is the true story behind NBC’s mini-series, “The Thing About Pam.” • Investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gregory Zuckerman on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. to speak about his newest book, “A Shot to Save The World: The Inside Story
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will speak at the opening keynote event of the 2022 St. Louis Jewish Book Festival. of the Life-Or-Death Race for a COVID19 Vaccine.” • Star of the Netflix reality show, “My Unorthodox Life,” Julia Haart, who will discuss her Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling book, “Brazen,” on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. In addition to the weeklong festival in November, the book festival will host a bookend event with James Beard award-winning author Michael Twitty. He will discuss his book, “Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew” on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. This event is being held in conjunction with the Sababa Arts & Culture Festival on Sept. 18. A full lineup of over 25 festival authors will be announced in August. Masks will be required for all audience members at all book festival events. For more information on the Jewish Book Festival, visit stljewishbookfestival.org.
July 27, 2022
Page 5
CEO Lynn Wittels plans to leave the J in early 2024 Lynn Wittels, CEO and president of the Jewish Community Center, has decided that her current contract, which runs through early 2024, will be her last. Not that she is retiring, exactly. As she explains in a letter to the J board: “I am excited about what comes next for me – maybe I’ll do something different, maybe I’ll spend more time with family, maybe I’ll work on my golf game, maybe all three. I know you know, however, that I am 100% invested in the success of this agency and will support the transition as best as I can.” Wittels has been at the J for nearly 17 years and in that time, has helped to create and open the Staenberg Family Complex, update the Marilyn Fox building, invest in many updates and new pro-
grams at Camp Sabra and host the JCC Maccabi Games in 2016, welcoming 1,200 teen athletes to St. Louis. Wittels is ultimately responsible for overseeing more than 200 programs annually at the J, ranging from early childhood education to Adult Day Care, from the Jewish Book Festival to the Jewish Film Festival. Lynn Wittels Under her direction, the J has nearly doubled the size of its operations, growing from a $12 million organization in 2005 to a $22 million in 2019 (pre-COVID).
The J to host Used Book Sale The St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s biannual Used Book Sale returns from Aug. 28-Sept. 1 with offerings in every genre, including mysteries, general fiction, nonfiction, children’s books and more. Preview day is Sunday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with a $10 admission and free admission begins on Monday. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and on Thursday customers can fill a bag for $5 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Masks are required for entry. Thousands of books will be available for sale at the Annual J Used Book Sale. Stock up on your reading material.
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Cultural Arts Department. For updated and complete information visit jccstl.com/programs/used-booksale/.
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July 27, 2022
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THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
From turtles to green spaces, the Glassbergs and Greensfelders left their love BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
A half dozen large concrete turtles — and one snake — sit along Oakland Avenue south of the St. Louis Zoo. Turtle Park, which opened in 1996, was designed and sculpted by Bob Cassilly, the founder of downtown’s City Museum. Each turtle is identified by a small plaque. The names include Adam, Antonio and David after the grandchildren of Sonya “Sunny” Glassberg.
Sunny (left) and Myron (right) Glassberg PHOTO: PROVIDED BY GLASSBERG FAMILY
Glassberg helped fund the park. She and her husband, Myron, were philanthropists who preferred to work behind the scenes but contributed to parks and conservation efforts in the St. Louis area. Support for the environment ran in the Glassberg family. Myron Glassberg’s uncle Albert Greensfelder was also a frequent donor who favored the outdoors. The Greensfelders and Glassbergs were responsible for a number of significant efforts, some of which were implemented without accolades, said Dick Glassberg, Sunny and Myron’s son. “My dad did everything anonymously,” said Glassberg, 80. “One of those things I learned about after he passed away. He anonymously funded a lawsuit that stopped gravel mining along the Meramec River. It probably saved the river. I found out about it years later from a friend of his.” T h e Glassberg n a m e appears in a few public spaces in addition to the turtle park. The Sonya and M y r o n Glassberg
Family Conservation Area is just south of Eureka. And the Myron Glassberg Pavilion fittingly sits in Greensfelder Park in west St. Louis County. The Greensfelders also provided the land for Rockwoods Reservation, the adjacent recreation area. Greensfelder Shelter at Creve Coeur Park bears Albert Greensfelder’s name, as does the Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park. A number of Washington University chairs and professorships are also named for the two families. Although both made an impact with their contributions, neither felt it necessary to seek credit. That may explain why so many institutions were supported by the Greensfelders and Glassbergs, but without their names attached.
Greensfelder Park and ‘Uncle Albert’ One of the crown jewels among St. Louis County recreational areas is Greensfelder Park, a 1,734-acre area with playgrounds, campsites and trails. The land for the park was donated to St. Louis County in 1963 by the trustees of the St. Louis Regional Planning and Construction Foundation. The foundation was established in 1939 by Albert Greensfelder. Albert Preston Greensfelder was born in 1879 in St. Louis. He was a Washington University graduate and spent most of his career at the construction firm FruinColnon Corp., rising to the rank of presi-
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Blanche and Albert Greensfelder from Jan. 24, 1944. FAMILY PHOTO dent and chairman. Greensfelder married Blanche Younker in 1909. She earned a master’s degree in English from Washington University. Although the Greensfelders had no children, they became de facto grandparents to nieces and nephews, including Jane Young, who, like her cousin Dick Glassberg, refers to Albert Greensfelder as Uncle Albert. She remembers going to Albert and Blanche Greensfelder’s home for holiday dinners. She also recalls Uncle Albert being a stern man. “I have one memory that will illustrate how dramatic they were,” Young said. “If my uncle didn’t want you to talk anymore, he would put his hand up like ‘That’s enough!’ ” Young also remember another unusual property where she visited Uncle Albert. “They owned a place called Rockwood in south St. Louis,” she said. “I used to go there frequently. It was a fabulous round house on top of a knoll, in the Buckminster Fuller style. It was an architectural gem, and someone in their meanness set fire to Continues on opposite page
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Continued from opposite page the house.” Greensfelder served as vice chairman of the Missouri Conser vation Commission. He was a member of the Missouri, St. Louis County and University City planning boards, and was a member of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. He also served on the board of trustees for Creve Coeur Memorial Park, which he helped St. Louis County establish as the first county park. Albert Greensfelder died Sept. 17, 1955, at the age of 76.
Myron and Sunny Glassberg and the World’s Fair Pavilion Myron Glassberg was the son of Blanche Greensfelder’s sister, who died when he was 8 years old. Albert and Blanche became his guardians, and Uncle Albert became Myron’s role model. That extended to his interest in parks and nature. Myron Glassberg was an engineer who founded the General Installation Co., serving as its chairman and CEO from 1972 to 1980. Sunny Glassberg came to St. Louis at the age of 21 and married Myron. The Glassbergs were members of Temple Israel. Sunny was committed to philanthropy, a trait she inherited from her physician father. Like Myron and Uncle Albert, Sunny favored projects that involved the outdoors, but she also volunteered and raised funds for the Missouri Historical Society, YMCA and the League of Women Voters. She helped begin the Switching Post retail store that benefits the Miriam School. Perhaps one of Sunny Glassberg’s most lasting and significant contributions is the restoration of the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, said Jim Mann, former executive director of Forest Park Forever. “She used to talk about saving the pavilion,” Mann said. “She said, ‘We have to save this gem, this old lady who is down on her luck in the park.’ ” The pavilion was built in 1909, after the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the formal name of the World’s Fair. But the original building costs were covered by proceeds from the fair. Time and the elements had taken a toll on the structure and, by the late 1990s, much of the brickwork had disintegrated. In 1998, Forest Park Forever took on the pavilion as one of its first major capital improvement projects. It was a public-private funded initiative that raised $1.1 million, thanks in large part to Sunny Glassberg. She didn’t just help raise money. Sunny took an active interest in checking out the restoration progress, Mann said. “On occasion, she used to bring doughnuts to the construction workers,” he said. “There were times where, in a very soft voice, she would ask a question of the workers like ‘Are you sure you got that spot painted correctly?’ They treated her like their mom. They were happy to see her, and she was very proud of it when it was done, which made me feel really good. “One day she asked me to meet her at the pavilion. A school bus showed up, and a group of kids got off the bus. They were going to have lunch. Their teachers said they read about it and wanted to see it. That was really part of Sunny’s vision, this kind of informal place where you’re out riding your bike and you can sit on the steps and see this beautiful view. A little boy came up to her and said to her, ‘Who are you?’ “I said, ‘Well, young man, this is Mrs. Glassberg, and she really made this possible.’ And he looked at her and he said, ‘Oh, OK, cool.’ Sunny asked, ‘Did you set this up?’ and I said, ‘Sunny, I couldn’t have dreamed this.’ She was so tickled that these kids were just showing up and eating their lunch, having a great time.” Myron Glassberg died in 1991 and Sunny continued her philanthropic efforts until her death in 2013.
LOCAL NEWS
July 27, 2022
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St. Charles Jewish Festival set for Aug. 14 The St. Charles Jewish Festival is returning on Sunday, August 14th from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. outside the Foundry Art Centre and will showcase and celebrate the local Jewish community, as well as bring the sights and sounds of Jewish life from around the world to St. Charles. The festival is organized by the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County and its St. Charles Jewish Family Network. “We’re gearing up for an extra fun and joyful experience for all, with a special track for young families,” said Bassy Landa, who, together with her husband Rabbi Chaim Landa, directs the St. Charles County Chabad. “After all, that’s our motto — Jewish. Done Joyfully! — and we’re preparing to double, and possibly triple last year’s 1,200-person attendance.” Attendees will receive a “passport,” which will enable them to take a trip around the Jewish world without ever leaving St. Charles County, as they’ll encounter characters dressed in costume representing Jewish communities worldwide who will share their history, and stamp visitors’ passports. Entertainment includes 8th Day, a Hasidic pop-rock band from the West Coast; Shakshuka, which performs Israeli
Hasidic pop-rock band 8th Day (right) will be one of the musical performers at the second annual St. Charles Jewish Festival on Aug. 14. Above, a file photo from the 2021 festival. and Sephardic music laced with jazz, and children’s entertainer Bobby DooWah. Radio personality and self-proclaimed “lover of matzah ball soup” John Carney will lead a team of local volunteers grilling up a massive kosher cookout available for purchase. For more information and to get free tickets, visit: www.JewishStCharles.org/ Festival
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July 27, 2022
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NEWSMAKERS
JEWISH LIGHT
stljewishlight.org
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.
Laura Wildman was one of 23 graduates who received their Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute. She is the director of Elementary Education & Engagement at United Hebrew Congregation, where she and her family attend. R abbi R achel Bearman, of Congregation Shaare Emeth, was installed as the networking vice president of the Women’s Rabbinic Network. Her election to this position is especially meaningful during the 50th anniversary of Rabbi Sally Priesand’s ordination. The Women’s Rabbinic Network is the organization of Reform female-identified rabbis, supporting and advocating for their members and the values they uphold to positively impact women in the Jewish community.
Harrises, who attend Congregation Temple Israel, support a variety of organizations including those with a focus on health care, civic development, sciences and the arts.
The Visionary of Honor award will be TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Laura Wildman, Rabbi Rachel Bearman, Harvey & Judy Harris presented to Leslie Wolf for her service BOTTOM ROW: Leslie Wolf, Hedva Barenholtz Levy, Shelley Hoffman Dean, Dr. Dan Cohen, Clifford L. Tager to Temple Israel’s Jack & Ellen Deutsch Family Education Stacy G. Blum has joined Yoon Center at their Tu B’av Gala. The event will Crown Center for Senior Living wel- Dermatology. She is a board-certified dertake place on August 13 at the Chandler comes three new board members: Dr. Dan matologist specializing in treating skin Hill Winery. Wolf, a member of both Cohen, a radiologist with Radiologic conditions for patients of all ages. Blum Temple Israel and Kol Rinah, was the Imaging Consultants and department will practice out of at their Fenton and director of Family Education from 2009- chairman for SSM Health St. Joseph Wentzville locations. Harvey and Judy Harris received the 2021. Hospital - St. Charles, and attends United 2022 Jack Galmiche Pioneer Spirit Award Hebrew; Clifford L. Tager, an attorney Faith Berger, of Faith Berger Art by Nine PBS at its Geriatric pharmacist Hedva Barenholtz and a member of U. City Shul; and Jody Consultants, added a children’s line to her M i d s u m m e r Levy was installed as president of the Waldman, a community volunteer who custom paintings. They are a gouache Celebration in the ASCP, a non-profit association of pharma- attends Shaare Emeth. medium and silver leaf on paper with silP ubl ic Me d i a cists and pharmacies that manage the ver frames. Berger is a member of Commons on June medications of older people and the mediRon Rubin was awarded an honorary Congregation B’nai Amoona. 24. They were hon- cally complex. She founded HbL doctorate by Sonoma State University ored for their sup- PharmaConsulting, a community-based School of Business and Economics in recYosef Granillo, a 12-year-old 11th gradport to the station senior care pharmacy practice in St. Louis ognition of his leadership to Sonoma er, published his first manuscript with and the St. Louis to promote the safe and effective use of County and his advocacy, advice and sup- Guillermo Goldsztein, Ph.D., professor community. The medications among older adults, caregiv- port for the university. Rubin, a Shaare and director of undergraduate studies in ers, and others serving the older adult Emeth member, is the board of directors’ mathematics at Georgia Tech University: community. Levy is also an adjunct president for Sonoma State University’s Machine Learning as a Tool to the instructor at St. Louis College of Pharmacy Wine Business Institute as well as owner Diagnosis of Diabetes in the Journal of and is a member of Kol Rinah. of Ron Rubin Winery and Republic of Tea. Student Research. After scoring a 5 in AP Computer Science A, Yosef is doing work Shelley Hoffman Dean is the North Rabbi Lynn Goldstein, formerly of St. in machine learning at St. Louis University America director of marketing and Louis and Congregation Kol Am, is the Parks College of Engineering Aviation and recruitment for Livnot U’Lehibanot new rabbi at Temple B’rith Shalom in Technology under the Students and (Hebrew for “to build and be built”). Based Springfield, Ill. She is a member of the St. Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS) in Tzfat Israel, Livnot is a program that Louis Rabbinic and Cantorial Association. program. Previously first violin in the strengthens Jewish Webster Community Music School Young identity through Rabbi Andrew Terkel is the CEO of Be People’s Symphony Orchestra, Yosef will hiking, experiential the Narrative, the new national parent also be an alternate for the St. Louis education, commu- organization of the Student to Student pro- Symphony Youth Orchestra in the coming nity service and gram. While the Student to Student pro- year. Yosef is the son of Dr. Carole and meaningful interac- gram is currently in 13 cities around the Tony Granillo and attends Nusach Hari tions with local country, Be The Narrative plans to expand B’nai Zion. Israelis. It is open to into more towns and create new programs men and women in the future. Terkel and his wife, Hannah Mindy Grossmann is the new program ages 21-32 years old. Rubin Schlansky, are members of Shaare coordinator of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Emeth. Schlansky joined Washington program at CHADS Coalition. Her responUniversity’s Hillel as the assistant director. sibilities include the presentation of suicide awareness/prevention training across St. Dr. Daniel Goldberg, professor of Louis/St. Charles County schools, train molecular microbiology at Washington trainers to give effective and interactive University School of Medicine, was elected presentation on suicide awareness and to the National Academy of Sciences, a other mental health issues, present signs/ nonprofit society of distinguished schol- symptoms of anxiety/depression and suiars. This is considered one of the highest cide and how to help youth dealing with honors that can be awarded to a U.S. sci- these issues to school staff and parents, entist or engineer. Goldberg’s work cen- and to develop programs and outreach ters on the biochemistry of the parasite events to expand the message about suiTOP ROW: Jody Waldman. SECOND ROW FROM LEFT: Ron Rubin, Rabbi Lynn Goldstein that causes malaria. cide and mental health among the youth. THIRD ROW: Rabbi Andrew Terkel, Hannah Rubin Schlansky, Dr. Daniel Goldberg FORTH ROW: Stacy G. Blum, Faith Berger, Yosef Granillo, Mindy Grossmann
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July 27, 2022
LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Last week, two Missouri representatives presented Burt Newman (seated) with a House resolution honoring his work to raise awareness of the Holocaust. Pictured from left are Abby Decklue, director of clinical services at Parc Provence, Drew Newman (son of Stacey and Burt Newman), Stacey Newman, Burt Newman (shown holding a photo of his grandmother, Sophie Neumann, a Holocaust survivor), Rep. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis County, and Rep. Adam Schwadron, R-St. Charles.
Burt Newman honored by Missouri House for lifetime of achievements BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Burt Newman, a longtime St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum docent, was recognized on July 21 for his efforts to raise awareness of the Holocaust. Newman received a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring his lifetime achievements. The presentation was made by Missouri Reps. Ian Mackey, D-St. Louis County, and Adam Schwadron, R-St. Charles. Schwadron was the sponsor of the Holocaust education legislation that was signed into law on July 1 by Governor Mike Parson. Newman’s wife Stacey, a former member of the Missouri House, offered testimony on her husband’s
behalf at a Jan. 25 hearing on the bill. Burt Newman’s grandmother Sophie Neumann, escaped from Russelsheim Germany in 1939 but her eight sisters and their husbands and children perished at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. The resolution noted Newman’s career achievements, including serving as the editor of the Missouri Law Review and as an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law. It concluded with the statement “Be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives 101st General Assembly, join in extending the most hearty appreciation to Burt Newman for his lifetime achievement and in further wishing him continued success in all future endeavors.”
New choir forming for Jewish children in grades 3-7
Legislators hold forums to discuss childhood literacy
Attention youngsters who enjoy singing. Shir Emeth Youth Choir, which is open to all 3rd-7th graders in the St. Louis Jewish community, will officially get underway next month. Although it will be based at Congregation Shaare Emeth, any child from any congregation, or any child who is unaffiliated, is welcome. “I have ‘soft launched’ the program as a chug (elective) at Camp Emeth this summer and it has been super successful,” said Lucy Greenbaum, director of youth engagement and musician-in-residence at Shaare Emeth. “The goal of this group is to allow kids a space to have fun, get to know each other and make music together,” Greenbaum explained, adding that she’s “flexible” if choir members must miss a few practices, though she’d like them to let her know as soon as possible. The group’s first rehearsal is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. The choir will continue to meet at that time every other Tuesday, with breaks for holidays and winter vacation, until May 2. Auditions aren’t necessary. “No prior experience is needed either,” said Greenbaum. “Just a good attitude.” The cost to join the choir is $18 for Shaare Emeth members and $36 for non-members. The fee will help cover the cost of T-shirts, musical materials and more. An optional dinner will be provided from 6 to 6:20 p.m., before each practice, and cost a total of $100 for all 18 sessions. Practice will then take place from 6:20 to 7 p.m. For more information and to register, go to bit.ly/ShirEmeth or contact Greenbaum at lgreenbaum@sestl.org.
Missouri’s women state senators are inviting educators, parents and concerned members of the community to participate in a public forum focused on childhood literacy and efforts to ensure that all Missouri children entering the fourth grade can read at grade level. State senators, including area Sens. Karla May, Angela Mosley and Jill Schupp, will lead a discussion about the importance of reading competency and potential legislative solutions at two public events scheduled for Aug. 5. At 1:30 p.m., Aug. 5, the senators will host a childhood literacy discussion at the Emerson Performance Arts Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. That event will be followed by another, at 4 p.m., at the Jennings High School Auditorium, 8850 Cozens Ave. The public forums are part of a campaign to improve childhood literacy spearheaded by all 11 women currently serving in the Missouri Senate. Early in 2021, the group joined together to write a book aimed at young readers, “You Can, Too! Journey to the Missouri Senate: 36 Women Senators Share Their Stories.” During the 2022 legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly passed a comprehensive education measure, Senate Bill 681, which requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop guidelines for reading intervention programs in elementary schools. This legislation will be discussed at both Aug. 5 events. For more information, and to reserve a spot, contact Schupp at jill.schupp@senate.mo.gov or call 314-517-6505.
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OPINIONS
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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
Destruction of second Temple is a loss felt through centuries BY MIMI DAVID
Yael was a recent college graduate looking for her first teaching job in Israel. She finally found a position she thought she would enjoy, teaching beginner Hebrew skills to new Israeli immigrants in an ulpan. Nervous but confident in her creative classroom ideas, Yael began her first Hebrew lesson to a class of students of various ages and ethnicities. Because her job was to literally start from the beginning, teaching the letters and sounds of the Alef Bet, Yael prepared a series of poster boards with pictures. For each letter, she showed the class, she then presented pictures of items and common words that began with that letter. Starting with the letter alef, Yael presented a picture of an abba (father), an aviron (airplane) and others. Moving on to the letter bet, she showed the class posters with things like a booba (doll), bayit (house) and banana (no explanation necessary!). Her final picture was a beautiful sketch of the Beit Hamikdosh, the second Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. A little boy, an Ethiopian immigrant no more than 9 years old, sat in the back of the classroom. Looking at the picture of the temple he called out, “Have you seen it?” Yael was a little confused about the
question. “Of course not,” she replied, and continued with her lesson. A few minutes later the same boy called out, “Why haven’t you seen it?” “Because it is gone!” Yael responded. The boy was quiet for a few minutes and then he piped up again. “What happened to it?” he demanded. Now Yael was getting a little frustrated. “The Romans destroyed it almost 2,000 years ago!” she exclaimed. “Liar, you’re a liar,” the little boy shouted, and he ran out of the room. Yael was shocked, and very confused. She finished the lesson, gathered her things and headed out the door to go home. To her surprise, waiting for her outside her classroom was an entire Ethiopian family — grandparents, parents, children, and cousins — all dressed in their ancient tribal garb. The little boy who ran from her classroom was among them. The grandfather, who seemed to be the patriarch of the family, stepped forward. “Why did you lie to my grandson?” he demanded in a stern voice. “I am so sorry I made him upset,” Yael said. “But I did not lie to him. I simply told him the truth, that the Romans destroyed our second Temple 2,000 years ago.” “You lie again,” the grandfather declared.
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Yael was at a loss. “I promise you. I am not lying. The Temple was destroyed, a very long time ago, and that’s the truth.” As the words left her mouth, Yael witnessed the most incredible thing. The entire Ethiopian family, from oldest to youngest, began to cry. Tears streaming down their faces, they sat down on the floor in grief. The reality of what just happened hit Yael like a brick. Incredibly, living in their remote village in Ethiopia, this family had never heard the news of the destruction of the Temple. So many generations had passed in which their family knew about the Temple and yearned to see it themselves. But, living in such isolation, they had never received news of its destruction. Now, the news from Yael had plunged them into mourning, and they truly felt the pain of the loss. Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, is the anniversary of the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. The saddest day of the year, it is marked by fasting for 25 hours and other signs of mourning, such as not bathing and not wearing leather shoes. This year Tisha B’Av falls on a Saturday, which, because of Shabbat, means it gets pushed off to Sunday, Aug. 7. Why are we sad that we don’t have a
Mimi David is Director of Women’s Education at Aish St. Louis and she has been a longtime teacher at Esther Miller Bais Yaakov of St. Louis. She is also a certified Mikvah Mentor and a professional dating coach. Temple anymore? Picture one synagogue, one shul, in which every Jew felt comfortable. Imagine a place of prayer to which every Jew belonged. Sounds impossible, and it is nearly so. That is what the Temple was. A shul, a place of prayer and community for every Jew. That is what we are missing today, and we mourn the 2,000-year loss of unity. Our sages tell us that any generation in which the Temple has not been rebuilt must feel as if it has been destroyed in their time. This means that although it was physically destroyed so long ago, because we have not yet merited the rebuilding of the Temple, it is as if it was destroyed again this year. Tisha B’Av should be a day of true mourning for us, feeling as if the news of its destruction has just reached us, and our reaction should be one of real sadness and grief. Like the family from Ethiopia, the loss of our Temple should feel current and real. May this year be the last one of mourning for us, and may we merit the rebuilding of the Temple soon.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Submit letters to news@stljewishlight.org
Crown Center’s roots as NCJWSTL project
Two perspectives on upcoming primary
It is gratifying to see the progress of the Crown Center construction in your July 13th edition, and the important community role that it plays. As a past President of National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, we take particular pride in the fact that Crown Center began as a NCJWSTL project (then known as The Delcrest), which was organized, funded and managed by NCJW for many years until becoming an independent non-profit. The volunteer power of NCJW and its leadership was instrumental in identifying the need for affordable senior housing and services, and the process and organization of applying for HUD grants, private fundraising and concepts for The Delcrest were due to the tireless efforts of numerous NCJW volunteers. We at NCJW are proud of our 127-year history in St. Louis, with our mission of improving the lives of women, children
We are pro-Israel leaders in the St. Louis City and County. We come from different backgrounds and religions. We are united by our advocacy for the safety and security of the state of Israel, the only Jewish state and the only democratic ally of the United States in the Middle East. Support for the Jewish state is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It’s not a progressive or conservative issue. And it’s certainly not a racial issue. It is an essential part of what America stands for – working with and protecting our allies around the world, those who share our fundamental values of equality, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Sadly today, there is a fringe group of members of Congress who reject this vision of America – and of Israel. They shout antisemitic lies about Israel and work to delegitimize its very right to exist.
An artist’s rendering of the revamped Crown Center campus. IMAGE: CROWN CENTER and families and want to recognize our role in the Crown Center from its very beginnings. We wish them much
strength for the future.
Darien Arnstein Past President, NCJWSTL
Continued on opposite page
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July 27, 2022
OPINIONS
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Woman Senators of Missouri unite to advance literacy across the state. BY JILL SCHUPP
With so much that divides us — healthcare, education, guns, abortion, taxes, and with so many ways to close the door — along party lines, along the spectrum of conservatism or liberalism, based on citizenship status, immigration status, religious differences, inter-religious differences (two Jews, three opinions) . . . it’s no wonder so many of us feel disconnected from one another. But there is at least one area that Missouri’s bipartisan group of all 11 currently serving women senators have found agreement. The subject is literacy, and the belief is that we need to do more to make sure all children can read, and minimally, can read on grade level. As you might have heard before, up through third grade, children are learning to read; beginning in fourth grade, children are reading to learn. What happens to those young people who fall behind? Are they stigmatized? Do they experience feelings of embarrassment or worthlessness? Do they give up on reading, and without intervention, fall behind in other subject areas? Do they eventually leave the education system, dropout? Are they discarded as part of the pipeline to prison?
Think of the possibilities when the opposite is true. The world is filled with ways to pursue your interests when reading is part of your foundation. Your innate curiosity can more easily be satisfied, your quest for knowledge and understanding, your deep immersion in stories about people like you, and your fascination about those not like you. Your amazement over exploration, and your heartache over fights for independence. Your ease of access to community Jill Schupp is a Demevents and world ocratic member of events, theories on the Missouri Senate, the solar system, reli- representing the gious philosophies, 24th district consistcultures, famous ing of the western people, infamous suburbs of St. Louis. people – there are limitless ways to feed and fuel your mind, heart and hopefulness by simply being able to read. Our full contingent of Missouri women senators joined together in support of advancing literacy because we believe in giving children the hope they need and
deserve for the future. None of us is willing to give up on a 9- or 10-year olds and we believe we are in good company. That is why we are traveling the state to have a conversation about the topic of literacy, and see if we can broaden our interest, and work together with educators, community leaders, parents, caregivers and YOU to make Missouri a stronger state through its educated and education-ready students. When books and reading devices are available and part of everyday experiences, and readers like you and me are showing our joy in learning even by picking up a book and reading it to kids during haircuts, doctor appointments, visits to see family and friends, it becomes part of what is seen as normal and valued. Please join us during our Literacy Tour of the state of Missouri. Maybe you have some ideas, or some questions. Maybe you want to hear from others. Our events include panelists who bring their informed perspectives to help all of us engage, think and learn. We have an opportunity to work together to build on children’s growth, and create a better future for them, and for each of us. Please get involved. Let’s learn and improve together.
State Tour to Promote Literacy When: Friday, Aug. 5 1:30-3:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Where: Emerson Performance Center at Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. (early session) and Jennings High School Auditorium, 8850 Cozens Road (later session) How much: Free More info: Visit https://bit.ly/schuppevent or email Jill.Schupp@senate.mo.gov, noting which session you would like to attend.
Lack of proper definitions hamper response to gun violence BY MARTY ROCHESTER
Dozens of mass shootings have occurred in the United States in recent years, with numerous calls for policy responses that would address the problem. I am not talking here so much about terrorism — that is, politically motivated killing — but rather more general criminal behavior committed due to a variety of motives. One reason the problem persists is that it remains ill-defined, with the two sides of the political spectrum disagreeing over the nature of the phenomenon. For example, take the mass violence that occurred recently over the Fourth of July weekend. There were really two dimensions of the problem. Liberals seemed to be most vocal over
the mass murder that occurred in Highland Park, Ill., a suburb of Chicago with many Jewish residents, where seven people were killed and more than 30 injured while watching a parade. Conservatives were quick to focus on mass murder of another sort in Chicago that same weekend: eight people killed and 60 wounded in 51 shootings. (As bad as the latter statistics were, the level of violence was actually lower than July 4, 2021, down 14%. See WTTW News, “68 People Shot, 8 Killed Across Chicago Over July 4th Weekend,” July 5.) Both episodes of mass murder involved gun violence. However, liberals and conservatives differed on the causes and the potential solutions. In the wake of the Highland Park shootings, where a lone 21-year-old gunman
LETTERS CONTINUED FROM OPPOSITE PAGE Cori Bush is one of these members. After terrorists indiscriminately fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israelis civilians last year, Cori Bush was one of the very few who chose to vote against replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. She showed the voters of Missouri, and the American people, what she stands for: As our ally was facing terrorist attacks, Bush decided to jeopardize our ally’s security for her own political benefit. It was a political stunt that risked the lives of innocent civilians for her own political gain. And it wasn’t the first time. Whenever there has been any conflict reported between Israelis and Palestinians, Bush’s default reaction has been to attack Israel. She ignores the fact that Israel, unlike the terrorists that surround it, takes every possible measure to protect innocent Palestinians who could be in harm’s way. Bush knows this, and knows that Hamas targets innocent Israeli civilians and uses innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields – but you never hear her acknowledge that. Instead, she attacks our ally Israel, and warmly embraces and aligns herself with people like Neveen Ayesh, who has tweeted that she wants to “set Israel on fire with my own hands & watch it burn to ashes along with every
J. Martin Rochester, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, is the author of 10 books on international and American politics. named Robert Crimo III used a high-powered rifle to fire more than 70 rounds from a rooftop, liberals immediately blamed the incident on the proliferation of guns, particularly military-style weapons with huge magazines that enable large-scale carnage, and called for more stringent gun control, including a ban on such weapons as well as
Israeli in it.” This is the company Bush keeps. While she has done very little to improve the lives of her constituents in Missouri’s 1st congressional district, Bush has done quite a bit to draw attention to herself in the hopes of weakening the U.S.-Israel relationship. Cori Bush’s vicious attacks on our ally Israel are an embarrassment to the people ofMissouri, the House of Representatives, and everything America stands for. We urge the voters in Missouri District 1 to send a message to the anti-Israel radicals and vote her out of office. Linda and Nathan Cohen Leslie and Barry Yoffie Richard and Marcy Cornfeld Jill Mogil Mike Rovinsky Moshe Shulman Michael and Alana Minoff Robert Kaiser Richard and Cathy Wieder Carol Katzman Howard Oppenheimer Traci Goldstein Gregg Keller Joni Kaiser Last week, State Senator and Congressional candidate Steve Roberts reached a new low in his campaign, publishing an “open letter” defaming Congresswoman Cori
stronger background checks and other limits on gun purchases generally. Conservatives said the state of Illinois already had one of the toughest gun control regimes in the country, and Highland Park had a ban on the sale of assault rifles — neither of which prevented the incident. Liberals retorted that Crimo was able to obtain his weapon elsewhere and, hence, there was a need for a nationwide ban. Conservatives argue that, precisely because of the epidemic of random criminal violence seen in Chicago and other cities during the Fourth and throughout the year, law-abiding citizens need the protection provided by the Second Amendment that the U.S. Supreme Court has said allows them to carry guns. See ROCHESTER on page 19
Bush. In conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, Roberts harms Jews by distorting conceptions of antisemitism. Roberts also attempts to discredit Bush through her association with Neveen Ayesh, a Palestinian and outspoken human rights advocate. Roberts’ letter was fed to Canary Mission, a website condemned by the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), which targets and smears Palestinian human rights advocates. The letter contains clear dog-whistles to extremist Israel nationalists. Roberts claims to stand against bigotry and hate while his slanderous pandering to extremist and Islamophobic audiences endangers two women of color. The harmful implications of these actions call for religious and community leaders to condemn Roberts immediately. Ayesh, Roberts’ ex-girlfriend, has been attacked for 2014 tweets with gruesome language about Jews and Israelis. Ayesh lived under Israeli occupation, a context that should not be overlooked, and apologized and took accountability for the tweets. Bush remains steadfast in her commitment to human rights, both against antisemitism and for Palestinians. Bush and Ayesh exemplify much more dignity and trustworthiness in rejecting bigotry and hate. Jeni Hollander and Hannah Rosenthal on behalf of Progressive Jews of St. Louis (ProJoSTL)
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July 27, 2022
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FEATURES ARTS AND CULTURE
FOOD
HOLIDAYS
LIFESTYLES
JEWISH LIGHT
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Leonard Cohen, in ‘Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song.’ PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEONARD COHEN FAMILY TRUST / SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Hallelujah: Film tells fascinating story of Leonard Cohen and his miracle song BY CATE MARQUIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
L
eonard Cohen the artist has long been hailed as a musical giant, but the man has been something of a mystery. The Jewish singer/ songwriter’s most famous composition, “Hallelujah,” started out as a sacred song about King David but became a pop music perennial, covered by a dizzying array of singers. Both the singer and the song are the subject of the excellent documentary “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song.” The film is billed as a “definitive exploration” of Cohen’s life and career, and indeed it is, offering insights into the man, his deep connection to his Jewish faith and his process as a writer. The film also is a kind of double biopic on the life of the songwriter and the story of his most famous song, both of which had a rocky journey to fame. Co-directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine structure the documentary as three acts, beginning with a more familiar biopic of Cohen’s early life and career, switching to a “biography” of the song (how it was written, its many versions and its slow, unexpected rise to fame), and then returning to Cohen’s journey, including how the unexpected success of the song affected his later life. Using archival stills, extensive interview footage of Cohen, live performances and interviews with those who knew him, this documentary dives deep into Cohen’s life and work as a poet and a songwriter. The path of his career is balanced with his explorations of his Jewish identity and faith, his interest in Kabbalah, his long sojourn into Zen Buddhism, and then his return to Judaism. Interview subjects range from musicians such as Judy Collins, Rufus Wainwright and Glen Hansard to important figures in Cohen’s life, such as Rabbi Mordecai Finley, who led the synagogue Cohen attended in his final decade. Cohen was born in Canada to a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family in Quebec. His Lithuanian-born mother was the daughter of a rabbi and Talmudic scholar, and prominent figures in Jewish life were on his father’s side as well. Cohen came to music a bit late, at age 30, when he was already a novelist and a poet acclaimed in literary circles. His writing and later his song lyrics were honest and open rather than comforting, with a knowing, dark humor. When he turned to music in the late ’60s, he was
The eventual success of “Hallelujah,” which was released in 1984 on Cohen’s album “Various Positions,” gave Cohen a late-in-life career boost until his death at age 82 in 2016. What about that song? Cohen worked on “Hallelujah” for more than seven years, and it is thought to have had as many as 180 draft verses. Around the time he was writing the song, Cohen had been exploring Kabbalah and Jewish belief. The song started as something sacred, about King David composing a song, set to a 6/8 time signature evoking waltz and gospel music. Cohen recorded a sacred version on “Various Positions,” which his label, Columbia Records, disliked and declined to release in the United States (although an independent label did release it). As Cohen toured, the lyrics evolved from sacred to secular, with some verses frankly sexual. Meanwhile, other musicians took note of the song. John Cale recorded a cover of it in 1991, combining verses from the sacred and secular versions, which was followed by Jeff Buckley’s recording of that version in 1994. A music producer working on the animated movie “Shrek” (2001) took the Buckley version, sanitized the lyrics, and included it in the soundtrack. A phenomenon was born. The documentary follows the song’s long and winding road, which takes some very surprising turns, and we hear Cohen reflect with a kind of paternal pride on the impact the song had on his later life. One intriguing aspect of the film are excerpts from Cohen’s songwriting journals, giving a rare glimpse into his process. Interviews also support this focus, delving embraced by Collins, Bob Dylan and other folk-rock deep into Cohen as a poet/songwriter and Jewish spiritual greats, and he developed a cult following. Wider fame explorer. A long period of living at Zen monastery is foleluded him, however, even as other musicians loved his lowed by a return to Judaism and life as a musician. songs and their poetic, deeply thoughtful lyrics that Unlike another recent film about Cohen, “Marianne & didn’t always fit into neat categories. Leonard: Words of Love,” this documentary Collins, who scored a hit with her version focuses more on Cohen’s artistic life than ‘Hallelujah: of Cohen’s “Suzanne,” speaks in the film Leonard Cohen, his love life, although it does note Cohen’s about the deep influence of Cohen’s Jewish reputation as a “ladies’ man.” Interview foota Journey, a Song’ age with French photographer Dominique upbringing on his work. Cohen is asked whether he had consid- Documentary fillm opens Issermann, who was in a long relationship ered changing his name, as Bob Dylan and Friday, July 29, at with Cohen while he was writing others had done by dropping more Jewish- Landmark’s Plaza “Hallelujah,” has her talking more about the sounding surnames. Cohen slyly replies, Frontenac Cinema song and songwriting than the affair. deadpan but with a glint in his eye, that, There is so much that is surprising, yes, he considered changing his first name to something intriguing and deeply insightful about Cohen’s life in this more Jewish, as his last name was already Jewish film, and co-directors Geller and Goldfine do a marvelous enough, cleverly undercutting the question and display- job of bringing all that out and weaving it all into a very ing his quick wit. enjoyable and informative experience.
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FEATURES
AMY FENSTER BROWN
July 27, 2022
Page 13
BOOK REVIEW
Historian takes deep You rock, Daddio — it’s time to ‘honor’ the fathers look into friends, foes of Israel’s independence BY AMY FENSTER BROWN
In a previous column I created an awards ceremony for moms, but we shouldn’t get all the attention. Dads deserve to be the butt of the joke … I mean, dads deserve praise, too. They should be awarded for all they do, especially when it’s ridiculous and embarrassing. Let’s call the award the Daddio. It will be a statue of a man asleep at his child’s piano recital. Let’s take a look at the Daddio’s most popular categories.
BY ROBERT A. COHN
‘Israel’s Moment: International Support for and Opposition to Establishing the Jewish State, 19451949,’ by Jeffrey Herf Cambridge, 500 pages, $39.99
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS
The Don’t Do-It-Yourself Award The nominees in this category: The man who hires someone to do a difficult task like building a retaining wall and stands nearby the entire time Amy Fenster Brown’s husband, Jeff, manages to catch with his hands on hips “super- some Z’s in public, with 300 kids screaming around him. vising.” The dad who runs to the grocery store friends come over before homecoming and ends up calling his wife every single but can’t get over how short and inapprotime to ask things like, “Do we buy the priate the girls’ dresses are and cannot pink milk or the blue milk?” It’s as if he believe that’s what the kids are wearing these days. doesn’t even live in your house. The man who always takes pictures, The father who attempts to fix the faucet because the guy on YouTube made it stands in everyone’s way saying, “Wait, look easy, but it wasn’t, and now he basi- one more, one second,” and gets 15 shots cally pays the plumber’s kids’ college of the same thing, yet none of them is actually good. tuition. If you know any dads in any of these categories, be sure to congratulate them Most Creatively Frugal Father on their achievements as a contender for The nominees in this category: the Daddio. The guy who has not one, not two, but three gasoline pricing apps on his phone and uses all three to find the cheapest Columnist Amy Fenster gas, then drives an extra 10 miles to go Brown is married to there for a fill-up (honestly though, who Jeff and has two teenage sons, Davis could blame him these days). The father who goes to the drugstore and Leo. She voland uses long-ago expired coupons unteers for several because he never bothers to check the Jewish not-fordate, then asks the clerk if he can use it profit groups. Fenster Brown is anyway. The dad who loves fitness but won’t an Emmy Award-winning TV news writer and pay for a personal trainer, so he copies counts time with family and friends, talking the exercises from a few feet away, and eating peanut butter among her hobbies. stalking a guy who legitimately paid for a personal trainer.
The Night Night in the Day Day Award
The modern Jewish state of Israel marked its recent 74th anniversary of independence in a subdued and troubled mood. Israel’s fragile year-old coalition had lost its one vote majority in the Knesset. Israeli nationalists encountered violent Palestinian protests in Jerusalem near the Western Wall of the Second Temple, located in the Old City, a site called the Noble Sanctuary by Muslims. Considering all of the above challenges, Israel enters its 75th year with as many or more obstacles than faced Zionist founders David Ben-Gurion and Chaim Weizmann when the former read out Israel’s Proclamation of Independence on May 14, 1948. That is when the British Mandate over Palestine ended. In his compelling new book, “Israel’s Moment,” Jeffrey Herf, distinguished professor of modern European history at the University of Maryland, meticulously documents the countless obstacles Israel faced in the crucial period from 1945, when the Nazi death camps were liberated, and 1948, when the first independent Jewish entity was founded in biblical Israel in 2,000 years. By 1945, the staggering reality that 6 million Jews had been murdered in the Holocaust could no longer be denied or minimized. The Soviet Union, whose army liberated Auschwitz and other death camps, supported the creation of Israel at the United Nations. Herf gives great weight to speeches given by leading Soviet diplomat Andrei Gromyko that strongly supported statehood for Israel. Herf also is clear-eyed that Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was motivated not by the Holocaust but by his desire for the USSR to displace the United Kingdom as the dominant power in the Middle East, which did not happen. Great Britain, whose wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill had been an outspoken supporter of Zionism, was turned out in 1945. He was replaced by the Labour Party’s Clement Attlee as prime minister. Attlee and vehemently
anti-Israel Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin were more concerned with assuring Britain’s access to Arabian oil than with humanitarian or Big Power dominance of the Middle East. Herf takes a deep dive into the background of the eventual support and recognition by the United States of the Jewish state in 1948. Both President Harry Truman and his 1948 Republican opponent, Thomas E. Dewey, supported Israel, as did major figures on the American left. But the Arabist faction in Washington pulled out all the stops to kill support for the Zionist cause. Secretary of State George C. Marshall, a World War II hero and architect of the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, feared that an independent Jewish state could quickly become a “Soviet base.” That fear proved to be unfounded as Stalin abruptly turned against not only Israel but against the large Soviet Jewish population. Herf’s analysis proves the dictum that there are “no permanent friends” among nations but there are “permanent interests.” Fortunately for the infant state of Israel, the United States, led by Truman who overcame Marshall’s opposition, and the USSR, which wrongly feared British dominance of the Middle East, saw it to be in their interests to support the modern miracle of Israel. Herf’s book is both a good read about behind the scenes diplomacy and a valuable compendium of information about the birth of Israel.
d i e l m a n n s o t h e b y s . c o m | 0. 3 14 .7 2 5 .0 0 0 9
The nominees in this category: The father who parks himself on the couch to watch the game, zonks out snoring before there is even a score, but wakes up the second you try to change the channel. The man who consistently snores like a boy band made up of grizzly bears but denies it, saying he sleeps like a baby and if he snored, he would hear it. The dad who happily takes his kids to the children’s museum, sits down for one minute and then falls blissfully asleep while dozens of scurrying youngsters scream in delight all around him. * See photo of my Baby Daddy excelling at this scenario in what was the loudest museum on earth.
Most Embarrassing Sideline Performance The nominees in this category: The sports spectator dad who yells orders to the team because he watches that sport on TV so he knows better than the actual coach. The father who lets his daughter’s
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FEATURES
July 27, 2022
Healing touch: Therapy dogs dispense love without judgment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tasks, like serving as a motivational tool during physical therapy sessions. In St. Louis, Duo Dogs has approximately 250 active touch teams that visit 120 facilities each year. Another local therapy dog organization is CHAMP, with 90 therapy dog teams that visit 80 locations. CHAMP also has one therapy cat. Rachel Green-Smith is one local CHAMP supporter. Green-Smith, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona, is quite familiar with the value of touch therapy dogs. She is a licensed mental health counselor and certified clinical trauma professional who first experienced therapy dogs at a rehab facility. “I have seen the amazing difference therapy dogs have made,” Green-Smith said. “Like patients who have to learn how to move again. Sometimes they have the dog a little bit ahead and the person takes a step and get a pet … then takes another a step and get another pet. To see a therapy dog walk in there and just have that unconditional love, it brings chills when I think about it. “Therapy dog day was always the best day because spirits were lifted. Sometimes people would get super emotional. Maybe they had a beloved dog when they were young and they haven’t connected to any people like they connected to the dog. There were so many just beautiful ways that these therapy dogs elevated spirits, helped people.”
Comfort and emotional connection The most important benefit of the touch therapy dog program is simply to provide
Maxine Mirowitz and Bexley at Duo Dog Gala. comfort to people who are sick or scared or lonely, Mirowitz said. “But they also provide confidence to the dog, and the trainer-owner,” she said. “Everyone experiences this uplift. I’ve never had a negative experience. You always walk out knowing that moment of that second when the person connected with your dog was the true essence of the program.” There is a unique emotional connection between a dog and person that makes touch therapy work so well, Green-Smith said. “Dogs don’t judge or correct,” she said. “In a library reading program, the dog isn’t going to pronounce the word for you. The dog’s just going to stare at you with loving eyes and wait for you to be able to pronounce the word on your own. It’s
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Wheelchair-bound athlete is glad she has some Moxie Moxie Harris is a bit like a butler. She is frequently scurrying around, bringing Katie Harris her phone or shoes. Moxie will eagerly open and close doors, pick up trash and perform many other tasks. Moxie happens to be a goldendoodle. The 4-year-old service dog is a devoted companion to Harris, a Jewish St. Louis social worker. Harris, 41, once a nationally ranked tennis player and elite athlete, was diagnosed in 2015 with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels and organs. It left her in a wheelchair, depressed and unable to do many of the things she always had previously. “Moxie also helps me mainly physically, like when I can’t bend down without passing out, she’ll pick things up for me,” Harris said. “I decided I needed to stop focusing on all these things I can’t do anymore and find something that I can do, which is helping other people get service dogs.” In addition to serving Harris with her daily needs, Moxie is a goodwill ambassador for service dogs. She accompanies Harris to schools, where they create awareness about the importance of service dogs for people with disabilities. They’ve also helped
unconditional acceptance. That’s why dogs are so great.” The Jewish volunteers in touch therapy teams said it’s a situation in which everyone benefits, including the dog. Oliver knows that when his vest goes on, it’s time to work. It’s in a dog’s nature to want to please. For the volunteer, the rewards are
Katie Harris and goldendoodle service dog Moxie. raise money to help veterans and others obtain service dogs through their nonprofit organization, “Moxie’s Mission.” Service dogs undergo many hours of specialized training, and a fully certified service dog can cost as much as $40,000. Moxie Harris is also a celebrity— she is a semifinalist to be a national hero dog. You can learn more about Moxie’s story by visiting www.adventureswithmoxie.com. — Bill Motchan
immeasurable, Samuels said “I get more out of it than the people Oliver and I visit,” she said. You walk out after bringing a smile to their faces and you think, ‘I am really a lucky person — when you love your dog as much as I do, and to work with your dog and have a real bonding experience.’ ”
Meet Ivy: The dropout Service dogs are unlike therapy dogs because they provide constant aid for a person who has a disability. The service dog may need to pick up items for an individual in a wheelchair or provide an alert to sounds. As a puppy, Ivy Schankman had a bright future as a service dog. After completing training, however, she became a service dog dropout. “We call them release dogs,” said Ivy’s human, Andrea Powers Schankman, a member of Congregation Temple Israel. “They are dogs that have been released from the program.” Ivy was deemed too social to be an effective service dog. She has the professional qualifications but lacks the focus the job demands. “She has the skill, but not the will,” Schankman said. “It’s all about her.” In most ways, Ivy is the perfect pet. She’s friendly, a good companion and can perform any number of service dog tasks. But only when she feels like it. Ivy was bred and trained by Duo Dogs, which offers therapy dog services. These dogs undergo a strict training regimen from birth. “There is a very specific trajectory and a way of raising an animal,” Schankman said. “They are bred for physical health and temperament. The breeding is very selective and, immediately after birth, they are supervised
Ivy until they are whelped. I was a ‘whelper helper.’ ” Whelper helpers watch over the pups as they go through their paces. They become acclimated to noises and sudden movements. Thunder and lightning don’t bother them. At 8 weeks of age, they are turned over to their puppy raisers, who are responsible for raising them correctly to be service dogs. Ivy would have been quite good at the skill part of the job, but Schankman says she sometimes can be a bull in a china shop. “She can do many things a service dog can do except be still and gentle,” she said. “I like to say she’s exuberant.” — Bill Motchan
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July 27, 2022
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JEWISH CELEBRITIES
Nothing funny about finding the right ‘Funny Girl’ to reprise the musical that Streisand made famous BY NATE BLOOM SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
I rarely do a whole column on one subject. But I’ve long wanted to write about the “Funny Girl” odyssey. Breaking news last week made me do finally do that. On July 11, it was announced that BEANIE FELDSTEIN, 29, the star of the current Broadway revival of “Funny Girl,” would leave the show “early” and would be replaced by Lea Michele, the former “Glee” star. I kind of saw this coming. Reviews of the revival were tepid and it got just one Tony nomination. There are reports that the show will be rewritten for Michele, who was raised Catholic, like her mother, though her father is a Sephardic Jew. I doubt Michele or the re-write will make a difference. The truth is that “Funny Girl” had a bad script when it premiered in 1964. The revival producers brought in Tony-winner HARVEY FEINSTEIN, 68, to re-write parts of the revival. But he couldn’t make a fundamentally flawed musical into a winner. Fanny Brice, the actress who is the subject of “Funny Girl,” was largely forgotten by 1964 because her heyday was in the 1920s and on the stage. She made a few, long forgotten movies. Theatergoers in 1964 had to depend on the musical show to tell them who Fanny Brice was. Sadly, the musical, original and revival, mostly made-up Brice’s biography, had only one fully developed character–Fanny Brice. The 1964 musical had one irreplaceable asset: BARBRA STREISAND. A very good YouTube channel, “Staged Right,” has a 30-minute video that masterfully weaves together the real story of Fanny
Above: Beanie Feldstein
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
At left, Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif in ‘Funny Girl.’ PHOTO: FLICKR USER JONATHAN TOMMY/ CREATIVE COMMONS
Brice with the story of Streisand as Brice. This is what Staged Right says about Streisand as Brice: “Some roles become immortalized by the people that first played them. Such instances can only be described as a unique moment where a role and performer meet so perfectly in creating an excitement that it can never be repeated.” Here’s the backstory: FRANCES BRICE, Fanny’s daughter, wanted a movie made about her mother. Her husband, top producer RAY STARK, was persuaded by Broadway star Mary Martin to make a stage musical instead. Martin wanted to play Brice. The problem was that Martin was nothing like the “very Jewish” Brice. Stark hired STEPHEN SONDHEIM to co-write the songs. When Sondheim learned that Martin would play Brice, he quit. While not an observant Jew, Sondheim could recognize absurd casting.
He insisted that a Jewish actress had to play Brice. The show was in limbo for a while and Martin took herself out of contention. Then Carol Burnett was asked to play Fanny. To her credit, she said, “I’d love to do the part, but you really should get a Jewish girl.” Starting in 1960, Streisand began performing in New York clubs and got a lot of buzz. Staged Right says: “No one had heard anything like her. Her power and expressiveness could easily be compared to Judy Garland and Lena Horne. But her phrasing and intonation were so uniquely hers–and her street smarts and quirkiness made audiences fall in love with her.” Streisand got a supporting role (1962) in the musical “I Can Get It For You
Wholesale” over the objections of “Wholesale” producer DAVID MERRICK, who said, ‘I don’t hire ugly girls.” She was a smash and got a Tony nomination. After “Wholesale,” she became a favorite for the Brice role, but she had to overcome the opposition of Frances Brice to get it. Streisand got the role because she had the goods–she could be funny, touching and could knock audiences out as she sang a lot of hard-to-sing songs. She endured as directors and songwriters came-and-went and the script changed almost every day. The musical got so/so reviews, but everyone loved Barbra. Bette Davis, on the game show, “What’s My Line,” gushed about Streisand days after the “Funny Girl” opening. Two weeks later, Streisand was the “mystery guest” on the show and Random House founder BENNETT CERF, a panelist, told her, “It was one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen on Broadway.” Beanie Feldstein recently said that Fanny Brice was the person who really broke the barriers for Jewish actresses. She was wrong. The real Brice just wasn’t well known enough to do that. Streisand as Brice, and in other roles, was the woman who broke down huge roadblocks for Jewish actresses. She showed the world you could be openly Jewish, “look Jewish,” and “be funny” Jewish. She even showed that a woman with these attributes could be sexy, too. I like Beanie Feldstein, but following Streisand was almost impossible. I don’t think that Michele will do any better.
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BROUGHT TO YOU THIS WEEK BY:
Healthwatch is a monthly feature focusing on a health- or fitness-related topic with a Jewish angle. The feature is published the second edition of each month. Have a suggestion for a potential Healthwatch subject? Email news@stljewishlight.org.
Groups launched to help Jewish couples with IVF face an uncertain landscape after Roe reversal or Minnesota, where surrogacy and termination laws are more lenient. But then the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending abortion rights in the United States. Suddenly, Ohio prohibited abortion after just six weeks, and the prospect of new restrictions in other nearby states grew more real. So with the support of Hasidah, a nonprofit that gives grants and guidance to Jewish families dealing with infertility, Kristin and Shai decided to seek a surrogate in Canada instead. “It just made the most sense to protect
JACKIE HAJDENBERG JTA
Kristin had been trying to conceive for two years before learning that she had two blood-clotting conditions that increased her risk of miscarriage and could make pregnancy and childbirth dangerous, even fatal. So she and her husband Shai moved to a contingency plan: seeking a surrogate to carry their baby. The Jewish couple assumed they would work with someone near their home state of x Ohio, like Illinois Jlight: 1/2pg, 7.73”W 10.6”H;
the safety of a surrogate who’s doing this wonderful thing, this beautiful gift for us and making sure that her life can be protected above the life of a fetus or a clump of cells that is not even a child yet,” Kristin told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. She asked that her last name be withheld for her privacy. The family’s change of plans represents just one of many scenarios that Jewish infertility-support organizations are encountering as Americans adjust to a post-Roe reality. Those organizations are largely aimed at helping to create preg-
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“We moved for all the modern conveniences.” —Ken Alexander and Jerry Calcaterra The couple relocated from another community. “We liked the location. More urban. More modern. Phenomenal staff and the new amenities are state-of-the art. Everything here is truly top-notch.”
nancies, not end them. But with anxiety high about whether the new legal landscape could pose threats to assisted reproductive technologies, especially in vitro fertilization, the Dobbs ruling is throwing their work, and their clients, into turmoil, too. “If you’re having an infertility experience, the concept of this is scary enough,” said Rabbi Idit Solomon, Hasidah’s CEO and founder. “For them, it’s reality: ‘I am in the process of doing this, what happens if?’” Hasidah is one of several groups that have emerged in recent years to help Jews fulfill the biblical mandate to be fruitful and multiply. Animated by concerns about fertility, Israel will pay for any infertile couple to have two children through IVF, no matter how many rounds it takes; the country is the world’s leader in IVF use. But in the United States, the process can cost on average $20,000 per round, making it financially burdensome for many families. Hasidah, the Jewish Fertility Foundation, Puah America and a handful of other groups defray the costs while providing support during the grueling process. First used successfully in 1978, IVF brings eggs and sperm together in a laboratory to create embryos outside of the womb. The embryos can then be monitored for several days to assess which ones are most likely to result in a successful pregnancy. It is also possible to screen the embryos for genetic diseases so that only healthy embryos are transferred into carriers of those diseases — a boon for Jewish couples from Ashkenazi backgrounds, who are more likely to be carriers of a host of genetic diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, a degenerative condition that leads to death in childhood. In addition to being at higher risk for genetic diseases, non-Orthodox Jews may have a higher-than-average rate of infertility overall, research by the Jewish Fertility Foundation has found. Exactly why is not understood, but one theory is that Jewish couples tend to pursue higher education at higher rates, making them older on average when they start having children. (Orthodox Jews start having children an average of five years earlier than non-Orthodox Jews and typically have more children, according to a Pew study from 2021.) Embryos outside of a womb are not subject to restrictions under any of the state laws limiting abortion that the Dobbs decision greenlighted, according to multiple analyses by news organizations and advocacy groups. But there is worry that they could be in the future as laws are revised and as advocates for the idea that life begins at conception are empowered. A couple of concerns stand out. Since the goal of IVF is to create as many embryos as possible, then transfer the healthiest into the womb, it often results in many more fertilized eggs than can be used. Some opponents of abortion say they want those embryos to be donated, not destroyed. Kristin said she and her husband planned to store their embryos in Canada out of fear that a “nightmare scenario” could arise in the United States where she would lose autonomy over what amounts to their own DNA. Continued on opposite page
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That scenario may be unlikely for now, but the question of what to do with unused embryos can be significant for Jews who use IVF. While Jewish law is still developing around IVF, most rabbinic opinions agree that embryo donation is problematic according to halacha, or Jewish law, because of the outside possibility that it could result in unintended incest in the future. They also tend to agree that passively allowing embryos to be destroyed, such as by not refrigerating them, is permissible. IVF also results in multiple pregnancies more often, which are more dangerous than pregnancies of a single fetus. Sometimes, doctors will advise selectively aborting one or more fetuses to create healthier conditions for those that remain, as well as for the person who is pregnant. Because Jewish law permits and even requires ending a pregnancy when the life of the mother is at stake, reduction is a scenario where many traditional rabbinic authorities would permit abortion. But in the states where abortion has been banned or severely restricted, selective abortions may no longer be possible or easy to obtain. The high costs of IVF — financially, emotionally and physically — coupled with new risks may deter some Jewish families from undergoing the process in states with many restrictions on abortion, Solomon said. “If there’s that much riding on it, you don’t want to be in a place where any kind of care could be questionable,” she said. “You want to minimize risk as much as possible.” Orthodox Jewish groups have expressed more comfort with the Dobbs ruling than non-Orthodox Jews, many of whom have argued that Jewish law supports unfettered abortion access. But even fertility groups catering to Orthodox Jews say they recognize that the landscape has changed for some of the families they work with. Puah America, a Jewish fertility and women’s health organization that works with Orthodox couples, has not made any changes as a result of the Dobbs ruling. But its rabbinic director, Elan Segelman, said he could anticipate adjustments to the group’s support in the future if the right course according to Jewish law for a family conflict with the law in their state. “Of course as American Jews and law-abiding Jews, we would never ever tell someone to do something illegal,” Segelman said. But, he added, “The halacha is the halacha. The question is carrying it out. It may just be more complicated, based on where the people are.” For the Jewish Fertility Foundation, based in Atlanta, the Dobbs decision comes a year after a grant allowed the group to expand its operations to two new states — Alabama and Florida, both of which are among the 23 states to face restrictions on abortion as a result of Dobbs. Now it is carefully monitoring how its clients will be affected in their quest to have babies and even offering time set aside during regular group support sessions to discuss the implications of the ruling. But the organization — which is not an advocacy group and follows guidance from non-Jewish fertility support organizations such as RESOLVE — says nothing has changed on the ground, and their clients will continue with their fertility treatments as usual. “We don’t know what’s going to happen and each state could be different,” said Rachel Loftspring, an attorney and board member who was instrumental in bringing the group to her home state of Ohio several years ago. “So we’re sharing what we know.” The Jewish groups that are supporting fertility are now being joined by specifically Jewish groups aimed at supporting abortion access. The National Council of Jewish Women and Rabbis for Repro announced in May that they would be partnering with the National Abortion Fund to raise money to help pay for travel, abortion procedures, and the NAF’s hotline.
HEALTHWATCH
July 27, 2022
Page 17
ABOVE: American Jews undergoing fertility treatments worry that the Supreme Court decision to roll back abortion protection may affect their access to care. (Getty)
Minimally-Invasive Heart Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and serious valve disease problems. It accounts for more than 200,000 cases in the US per year. But what is aortic stenosis, the symptoms you may experience and treatment options? Aortic stenosis is the narrowing of the aortic valve that separates the bottom chamber of the heart, called the left ventricle, from the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel that distributes blood throughout our body. When the aortic valve becomes narrowed, it does not fully open, which restricts blood flow and makes the heart work harder. Aortic stenosis ranges from mild to severe and usually progresses over time. You can have aortic stenosis for many years and not experience any symptoms. Your physician may hear a murmur, which can be a sign of a narrowed aortic valve. As it becomes more severe, you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, episodes of lightheadedness or even fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention. The St. Luke’s cardiovascular team creates a treatment plan for patients based on the severity of their aortic stenosis. In the past, the only treatment option was surgical aortic valve replacement, which is performed through an open-heart surgery. In 2011, the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, was
approved by the FDA. TAVR is an innovative, minimally-invasive procedure of placing a new valve inside the diseased valve through small openings in the leg or neck arteries. Recovery is easier and patients usually spend less time in the hospital after TAVR as compared to surgery. The St. Luke’s valve team consists of physicians, including cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists, and nurses who work together to decide the best treatment options for patients with aortic stenosis. In April 2022, we performed our 500th TAVR procedure. We are also proud to be a recipient of a 3-star rating from the TVT RegistryTM which tracks patient safety and outcomes related to the procedure. Only 8% of TAVR programs in the country receive a 3-star rating. St. Luke’s has the added advantage of being in alliance with the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. This collaboration means our patients benefit from world-class care close to home. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a heart condition that needs a first diagnosis or a second opinion, trust the heart specialists at St. Luke’s Heart & Vascular Institute. Contact us at 314-205-6801 or visit stlukes-stl.com/hearthealth. Same-day cardiology appointments are available.
Mark Gdowski, MD St. Luke’s Hospital
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MCKEAGUE-HIRSCHFELD WEDDING Matthew Hirschfeld and Kaitlin McKeague were married April 2, 2022 at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Chicago. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Linda and Tom McKeague. Matthew is the son Adrienne and Mark Hirschfeld. Lucie Seitalski was Maid of Honor. Serving as bridesmaids were Kelly Holmes, Lauren Broderick, Lisa Goetzke, Larissa Erickson and Charlotte Van Duch. Tony Agusti served as Best Man. The groomsmen were Brad Garrett, Ed Sandheinrich, Kamyar Nasseh, Nav Ghildyal, and Joshua Hirschfeld. The flower girls were twins Hannah and Natalie Lerner, the groom’s nieces. The couple live in Wilmette, Ill., and will celebrate their delayed honeymoon to Mexico in the fall.
PORTMAN/BACH ENGAGEMENT BIRTH: MADALYN LAINEY ENGLAND Allison and Phillip England would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Madalyn Lainey England, on May 3, 2022 in St. Louis, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Madalyn is the granddaughter of Janice and Mitchell Shenker of St. Louis, and Rosa and Donald England of Columbia, Mo. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Edna and late Marvin Heligman of St. Louis; the late Bess and late Harry Shenker of St. Louis; the late Lois and the late Harold Bell of Wellsville, Mo. and the late Shirley and the late Jack England of Columbia, Mo.
TRIBUTES IN MEMORY OF NANCY BORNSTEIN “In loving memory of your mother and grandmother, Nancy Bornstein. She was such a lovely lady and was truly kind to all of our family. Love you, Barbara, Tom, and Kids” - Barbara & Tom FRANCES SILVERMAN “I am so saddened to see that your mom passed away. I absolutely adored her and enjoyed the time we spent together in Kansas City.” - Susan SUBMIT A TRIBUTE TODAY! IN HONOR OF www.stljewishlight.org/tribute/ IN MEMORY OF www.stljewishlight.org/memorial-tribute/
Joel Portman, son of Ronald and Marsha (z’’l) Portman of St. Louis, and Alicia Bach, daughter of Jill and Alan Bach of Dallas, have announced their engagement. Joel is the grandson of the late Marvin and the late Shirley Portman and the late Herbert and the late Selma Jagust, all of St. Louis. Alicia is the granddaughter of Bernice and the late Milton Bach of Atlanta, and Alan and the late Glenda Kaplan of Dallas. The groom-to-be graduated from Parkway West High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in international studies and his Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Denver. He is employed at Centene Corporation as Vice President, Network Development and Product Strategy Officer. The bride-to-be graduated from Lakehill Preparatory School in Dallas. She received her bachelor’s
RICHARD AND HORTY LEVINSON CELEBRATE 69TH ANNIVERSARY While Stan the Man, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter were bringing in a victory for the Cards down the road at Sportsman’s Park exactly 70 years ago, Horty Strauss and Dick Levinson were beginning their life journey together on a hayride under the crystal-clear moonlit St. Louis sky. The following year they were married on May 3, 1953 by Rabbi Samuel Thurman in the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel, and shortly thereafter enjoyed their honeymoon in Miami Beach and Havana, Cuba, where Dick tried his best to teach his new bride how to swim. To put it mildly, this did not go well – but fortunately the newlyweds were able to transcend the trauma and have a wonderful time nonetheless. Now living just outside of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, California, Horty and Dick remain avid St. Louis sports fans and dog lovers, yet consider their greatest blessings to be their “amazing family,” including children, Ron, Steve, Nancy (Norm), and Jeff (Wayne); grandchildren, Brian (Samantha), Amanda (Chris), Rob (Becky), Lu, Joe, Ben (Ashley), David, Brett (Abbi), and Blake; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, Ayelet, Korbin, Dimitri, Liesel, Maya, Lilah, and Jack. “Mazel Tov to Mama/Hassa and Grandpa Quack!” the family said.
degree in biology from Brandeis University and her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio. She is employed by MU HealthCare as a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist. A June 2023 wedding is being planned.
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July 27, 2022
JEWISH LIGHT
JEWISH LITE JEWISH CROSSWORD PUZZLE
By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com | ‘Animal Expressions’ Difficulty: Medium
Across
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1. Major first name in Jewish/Israeli music 6. Blubber 10. Where 12-Down is located 14. Jerusalem or Rosetta 15. “About ___” (2002 movie) 16. Desk items 17. Judah’s portion in Israel? 19. Some hockey gear 20. “Put Your Head on My
THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS Find the answers to this week’s puzzle by visiting the following link: stljewishlight.org/727crossword 1
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37. David, when Samuel comes to anoint a son of Jesse 41. Blue Jays, on scoreboards 42. Blue Jays rivals 43. Lippy 44. Hocus-pocus opening 47. Left leaning news agency 48. Words from one who has stolen a Korban Pesach? 53. Aviator’s org. 56. Levi to Ephraim 57. Wail 58. Perch for a speaker 59. Where Samson wielded a jawbone, in Judges 60. Those violating interest halachas? 62. Port in Yemen 63. Sit at a red light, say 64. Start 65. Horror movie staple 66. Former stock regulating org. 67. Blood lines
Down 1. Religion that restricts non-members from entering its holy city 2. Make like a diaper 3. Fish catchers 4. “Frozen II” princess 5. Word before “dear” or “sir”
Rochester: Lack of proper definitions hamper response to gun violence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 Moreover, conservatives maintain that the growth of mass violence in the United States is due to a complex set of factors in the larger culture, including the defund the police movement and demonization of law enforcement that has undermined policing, as well as other societal trends — increasingly dysfunctional families and toxic social media — contributing to suicidal and homicidal, mentally ill, hateful young males. According to this analysis, we need stronger police forces, tougher laws to deter and punish criminal behavior, a willingness to institutionalize suspected, would-be mass murderers who trigger “red flags” and a restoration of traditional family and religious values. As is so often the case these days, both sides offer arguments that partially make sense and that together might go a long way toward at least making a dent in a seemingly intractable problem, if only our political parties could learn to compromise and manage their differences. On the one hand, it is true that one reason why an epidemic of mass violence seems a peculiarly “American” disease is the ubiquitous gun culture in the United States, including a willingness to
allow very young people to own guns, even AR-15 type assault rifles. It is inexplicable why someone like Crimo, with a history of violent postings on the internet, managed to pass four background checks in obtaining his weapon. Not only was there a record of alarming behavior on the internet, where he posted pictures of killing people and stated, “I need to just do it — it is my destiny,” but the police were called twice to his house in 2019, once in response to a reported suicide attempt on his part and when he threatened he “wanted to kill everyone” in his family. Police removed 16 knives he possessed, but he nonetheless was permitted to purchase rifles. So, yes, liberals are correct that it is too easy to purchase firearms. But conservatives are also correct that we need more policing, not less, as greater security is needed in schools and elsewhere, that we need more serious “red flag” laws, and that these will not work unless we not only improve mental health services but also have the will to institutionalize or incarcerate unstable, murderous-minded individuals and punish parents who enable such behavior. We also need to re-examine the values that are now being disseminated in our schools, media and culture.
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6. Notable Gardens in Haifa 7. “Were you raised in ___?” 8. Wide opening? 9. Drano component 10. Materialize suddenly 11. Travel restrictions? 12. Home of Cochin Jews 13. Cash or stock, e.g. 18. Cash stock? 22. Johannesburg’s land: Abbr.
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38. “Haus” wife? 39. “___ that special!” 40. Temporary beach souvenir 45. Print credit 46. Big name in the news of late 47. Baltimore’s Ripkens 48. Soviet forced labor camp 49. “Which ___ you want?” 50. “Mary Tyler Moore”
spin-off 51. Hat-trick trio 52. Had the deed to 53. Language of Persian Jews 54. “American Idol” alum Clay 55. NBA stats 58. “Great” growler 60. He wrote music about Alexander and Bruno 61. Car-pool abbr.
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OBITUARY NOTICES UPDATED DAILY AT STLJEWISHLIGHT.ORG/OBITUARIES
STEVEN RANDOLPH BERMAN, July 12, 2022 Son of the late Ruth and the late Max Berman; brother of Robin Shulman (Mark); uncle of Carolyn Baron (Joshua), Brent Shulman (Amanda) and Sarah Shulman (fiancée Marc Bernstein); great-uncle and friend. Steve will be missed by the love of his life, Ellen LaTurno, and their dog Fanny, and always will be remembered and missed by his lifelong friends Ken Sandler, Jay and Nancy Burstein, Marty Guberman, and Jeff and Linda Sandler. A private graveside service was held. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to the charity of your choice. Berger Memorial Service LINDA GAYLE BERNAT, July 23, 2022. Beloved wife of Larry Bernat for 61 years; dear mother and mother-in-law of Andrea Puritz (Michael), Bryan Bernat (Laura) and Robin Brody; dear grandmother of Jenna and Alexis Puritz, Eliana and Benjamin Bernat, Morgan, Jack and Ansley Brody; dear sister of Gary Cohn and Connie Miller; dear sister-in-law of Harriet Jacobson (Ronald); dear aunt, cousin and friend. Linda loved to dance, to bake, to play cards and loved being with her grandchildren. Graveside service Thursday, July 28th, 11:00 AM at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Memorial contributions preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association 9370 Olive Blvd, 63132 or the charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream information. Berger Memorial Service DR. RICHARD A. FREUND passed away peacefully on July 14, 2022, at the age of 67, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born to the late Chester Freund and Beatrice Berkowitz in Long Island, NY, Richard lived in Franklin Square and graduated from Valley Stream North High School in 1972 at 17 years old. Determined to learn more about Jewish history and culture, he booked a one-way ticket to Israel where he studied, learned Israeli dancing, and practiced what he excelled at-running. He met the love of his life, Eliane, a decade later, in Israel, on a post-doctoral grant, and they got married in 1983. For nearly 40 years, Richard worked as a professor in Jewish history and archaeology, starting at Oberlin College and traveling to the University of Denver, the University of California-San Diego, the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Hartford, and finally ended his career at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. Through his time
OBITUARIES INDEX Berman, Steven Randolph
Silverman, Frances Clarice Margulis
Bernat, Linda Gayle
Stoler, Lou “Dewey”
Freund, Dr. Richard A.
Taller, Mayer
Garland, Sr., Burton D. “Burt”
Tockman, Steven Fredrick
Glassman, Harold
Warren, David Harris
Glazer, Stuart (Stu) Sherman, Barry Jay
Weintraub, Suzanne
in academia, he mentored thousands of students and collaborated with countless other faculty members from across the country in pursuit of answers to some of our history’s greatest questions. For some, teaching and writing would have been enough, but Richard lived the equivalent of three lives-pursuing the field of biblical archaeology and trying to solve humanity’s greatest mysteries. He directed over a dozen archaeological projects at Bethsaida, Mary’s Well in Nazareth, and climbed the caves of Qumran in search of the Dead Sea Scrolls, all in located in the State of Israel. Later in life, he traveled to Spain to discover the Lost City of Atlantis, which got him featured in a documentary produced by James Cameron. After that, he made key discoveries in the Ponar Burial Pits and the Great Synagogue of Vilna, Lithuania. In total, his work was featured in over 20 documentaries from National Geographic, Discovery, History Channel, and many others. His work was also chronicled in the New York Times, Time Magazine, BBC, MSNBC, and hundreds more news outlets. In one of the peak moments of his life, he presented St. Peter’s key, found at Bethsaida, to Pope John Paul II in 2000. In addition to his wife Eliane, he is survived by his three children, Eli, Ethan, and Yoni; his siblings and their spouses, Andrea and Richard Eisen, Charles and Renee Freund, and Sharon and Jody Rockmaker; his brother- and sister-in law, Arthur and Liz Goldgaber; his father- and mother-in law Alberto and Berta Goldgaber; his nieces and nephews, Rebecca, Hannah, Clifford,
Dr. Richard A. Freund PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
and Sam; and he is predeceased by nephews Josh and Glenn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News, the Bertram and Gladys Aaron Professorship of Jewish Studies at Christopher Newport University, or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. BURTON D. “BURT” GARLAND, Sr., July 20, 2022 Beloved husband of the late Lynne Garland for 55 years. Dear father of Laurie (Michael Weisman) Garland, Gregg (Alyson) Garland and Burton (Amy) Garland, Jr. Loving grandfather of Morgan, Whitney, and Justin Weisman, Ryan, Reed and Jack Garland, and Sophia, Jason and Grant Garland. Beloved son of the late Paul Garfinkel and the late Sarah Garfinkel Sokolik. Dear uncle, cousin and friend. Burt was a long-time real estate broker and investor and tennis club visionary. A man of many hobbies, he enjoyed collecting cars, vintage toys, and vintage radios. For a Jewish man, he also had the luck of the Irish on his side when he and Lynne won the Irish Derby Sweepstakes in 1967. He enjoyed his frequent visits to the casino to play blackjack and was a fixture in Clayton and Ladue as an avid walker. Burt died very peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his three children. Burt, known as Paw to his nine grandchildren, will be missed, but will live on through each one of them. Private family graveside service. Contributions in Burt’s memory may be made to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis or the charity of your choice. A Rindskopf-Roth Service HAROLD GLASSMAN, July 16, 2022 Beloved husband of the late Elaine DeWoskin Glassman; Step-Father of Steve Ungar (late Nicole), Lisa Ungar and Susie Joffe (Jay); Grandfather of Serge Ungar, Julian Ungar, Jessica Herman (Brian) and Katie Joffe; GreatGrandfather of Mason Herman; Brother of Ronald Glassman (Leni); Brother-in-law of the late Norman DeWoskin (la te Meryle); Uncle, cousin and friend to many. Harold Glassman was an outstanding allaround athlete. He attended University City High School and played on the number one football team in Missouri. His athletic accomplishments during his college years at Washington University were football and track and field where he held the school’s shot-put record. After college he continued playing basketball
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at the JCC and was on select teams that played in tournaments against other JCC’s throughout the country. Harold was inducted into the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding achievements both in sports and his contributions to the community. Harold not only loved playing tennis regularly, but his home away from home was at the JCC picking up a basketball or racquetball game with so many of his friends. Harold met the love of his life, Elaine DeWoskin Ungar and married in 1979. They spent over 35 years together and enjoyed being at home with family, going to movies, eating BBQ, traveling, his children and his grandchildren. Family was very important to him, and he loved being together for every holiday and special occasions. He not only loved his sports, but he truly loved his friends and family. Funeral services were held Friday, July 22 at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Rd. Interment followed at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Rd. Memorial Contributions preferred to a charity of your choice. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service
STUART (STU) GLAZER, July 12, 2022 Beloved Husband to the late Liz Glazer. Dear father of Kevin Glazer and Gina Nakis. Father-inlaw to Elizabeth Glazer and Mano Nakis. Dear Grandfather to Ryan Glazer, Sydney Glazer, Kelsey Glazer, Charley Nakis and Sam Nakis. Loving brother to Larry Glazer and the late Herb Glazer and Lorraine Lefkowitz. Dear Uncle to Robin Roach, Steven Glazer, David Glazer, Terry Lefkowitz, Joy Swift, Jennifer Clark and Julie Jones. Stu will be forever in the hearts of all his family and friends. Tributes may be sent to ForestParkForever.org. BARRY JAY SHERMAN, Jan. 9, 1958 - June 23, 2022 Barry was the youngest son of the late Harvey and the late Evelyn Sherman. He was the devoted husband of Sue Sherman and the beloved brother of Barbara (Joel) Schwartz and Stephen ( Cindy) Sherman. He was a special uncle to several nieces and nephews and their children. He took pride in his accomplishments as a professional printer and loved riding his Harley, especially for fund raising events, and spending time with family and friends. Contributions may be made to a charity of choice. Obituaries continue on opposite page A Monument Dedication For
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Families may submit an obituary for a loved one through the funeral home they work with or by using a form on the Jewish Light’s website: stljewishlight.org/submit-obituary
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JEWISH LIGHT
FRANCES CLARICE M A RG U L I S SILVERMAN, July 10, 2022 Widow of Elvin Silverman, Daughter of Rose & Lee Margulis, Mother of Leslee Small, Jim (Pam), Jay (Bonnie), John (Nancy), grandmother to Jeff (Abbey) Small, Michael (Lisa) Small, Adam (Mikala) Silverman, Courtney (Eric) Romsa, Jacob (Ali) Silverman, Sam Silverman (Bri Johnson), Hannah (Brian) O’Toole, Olivia Silverman, great-grandmother of Sabrina, Sadie, Riley William, Harper, Max, Cael, Layton, Joylyn, Hayley. Special recognition to mom’s companions: Alma, Lisa, Dorothy, Carolyn and Patricia. It was all about family and friends for Frances. Elvin was her first and only love; they had a wide circle of friends whether in St Louis, Kansas City or Boca Raton. When not with family and friends, Frances was a volunteer in the Kansas City and St Louis communities at the United Hebrew Sisterhood, March of Dimes, JFCS Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry and many more. Frances also loved Mahjong, bridge and tennis and played with different groups of friends for many years. She didn’t miss a beat, her whole face lit up when one of the greatgrandchildren came to visit and we’re blessed that she aware of everything going on until the end and continued to bring a smile to all our faces. A private family service was held on Wednesday, July 13th. For more information, visit bergermemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances’ memory are appreciated at JFCS Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry or a charity of your choice. Berger Memorial Service LOU “DEWEY” STOLER, age 67, passed away July 13, 2022 from Frontotemporal Dementia, a progressive degenerative brain disease. Lou, the son of the late Alfred and Adelaide Stoler, spent his professional career as an attorney in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Bell (Chris) and sons Zachary Stoler (Dena) and Andrew Stoler (fiancé Dr. Nicole Alexander). “Dewey,” a Ladue ’72 graduate, maintained his close St. Louis contacts throughout time visiting often and staying in touch with many. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Jane and Dr. Naftali Kadosh, and his nephews Jordan (Avital), Oren and Matan Kadosh and great nephew Amit Kadosh. He was also preceded in death by his older brother John Stoler and his nephew Justin Stoler. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Contributions to the charity of your choice. MAYER TALLER, July 22, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Carol Taller; dear son of the late Ben and the late Jennie Taller; dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Mildred Brooks (late Rueben); dear uncle of Jerome (Maggie) and Philip (Sandy) Brooks; dear uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle and friend. Thanks to the Care Givers at Delmar Gardens West. A graveside service was held Tuesday, July 26th at Chesed Shel Emeth CemeteryWhite Road. Memorial contributions preferred to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Congregation or the charity of your choice. For Live Stream information, visit bergermemorialchapel.com. Berger Memorial Service
OBITUARIES STEVEN FREDRICK TOCKMAN passed away surrounded by his family on July 15, 2022, at the age of 86. Steve was married for more than 65 years to his high school sweetheart and the absolute love of his life Marcene (nee Schwartz) and is survived by his 3 sons and their wives Craig and Mindy, Robert and Joyce and Gary and Laura as well as his Grandchildren Sydelle (Dylan) Gray, Selia, Andy, Devin, Mallory, Julian and Liam. He has a surviving sister Michelle (Stephen) Pine and was preceded in death by his brother Ronald. Steve was born on March 16, 1936, and is the son of the late Ruben and Gertrude Tockman. He graduated from University City High School in 1954 where he was active in baseball, football and wrestling. After enrolling at Washington University for a semester, Steve enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955 and reached the level of sergeant. After completing his service, he worked with his uncle in Boston, MA in the insurance business before returning to St. Louis to begin a long career in the automotive business. In 1963, he opened Steve’s Mobil (eventually becoming Steve’s Sunoco) at Olive and Dielman in Olivette, famous in St. Louis for the soap suds in the city fountain on the corner. He left the service station business to become Director of Sales for Chart Automotive until his retirement. In his retirement years he enjoyed his time as a shuttle driver for Lou Fusz. Steve was an active volunteer and past president of both the B’nai B’rith St. Louis Chapter and Creve Coeur Days. He received an award as the 1st chairman and originator of the B’nai B’rith fundraiser called “Guardian of the Menorah”. He was also a past president of the Cornerstone Masonic Lodge. He was an active coach for his boys Baseball and Hockey teams, he loved playing softball and golf, loved to travel with his wife and dear friends and he was a great fan of the Cardinals and Blues. His greatest joy was his grandchildren who surrounded him with love until his final days. Funeral services were held Monday, July 18th at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road. Interment Chesed Shel Emeth CemeteryWhite Road. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Camp Rainbow, Jewish Women International or the St. Louis Strutters. Berger Memorial Service DAVID HARRIS WARREN, 66, of Olivette, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, July 17 at home. David was a singular person, husband, father, and zayda who left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He loved - and was loved by - his family, and his absence is deeply felt. In his own words (from his 1987 dissertation on dew drop imagery in Shelley’s poetry), “I am grateful to my family… My daughters [then ages 2 and 4], although weak on scholarship, were a source of much inspiration as I watched them grow. My greatest thanks, however, are reserved for my wife, Rhona Lyons. She has been and continues to be my best editor and my best friend—the dews of your melody scatter/delight.” David was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Lionel (Lee) Z”L and Rita Warren on March 28, 1956. His early childhood was spent in Houston, Texas, and then Caracas, Venezuela, before
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July 27, 2022
settling with his parents and two younger brothers, Matthew and Steven Warren, in New Orleans. He attended Benjamin Franklin High School, where he was the first president to ever be impeached by the student council. He attended Johns Hopkins University, where he met the love of his life, Rhona Lyons. They married at the spur of the moment in the garden of the Baltimore Museum of Art during the blizzard of 1978, leading him to joke that he went to university and earned his “MR degree.” At Hopkins he majored in writing seminars and wrote for the Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Years later, when his daughter Ariel attended Hopkins, he became reacquainted with the JHU radio station, befriending one of the DJs and expanding his music collection. After Hopkins, David and Rhona went to the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a Ph.D. in 19th century British literature. After his family, he had many enthusiasms: wine (only from Riedels, please), gardening (always fine-tuning his pickles), appropriate apostrophes (extra credit for pictures of errant usage), and literature from Thomas Pynchon to George Eliot (gifting his granddaughters Tonka Trucks each year on Eliot’s birthday). He drew on his incredible ability with language and his attention to detail to teach, write, and edit over an eclectic career and in every part of his life, always with the utmost creativity, a witty touch, and the care of someone who wanted every single word to count. David is survived by his wife, Rhona Lyons; his four cool girls, Ariel Lyons-Warren of Houston, Texas; Abra Lyons-Warren (Jonathan Fischer) of Washington, D.C., Mital Lyons-Warren of Washington, D.C.; and Pardes Lyons-Warren of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his two granddaughters: Amalia and Ayla Fischer-LyonsWarren; his mother Rita Warren of St. Louis; his brothers Matthew (April) of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Steven (Cherisse) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his inlaws; his nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. The funeral service was held at Berger Memorial Chapel on July 20 with Rabbi Goldstein and Rabbi Arnow officiating. Burial followed at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, 1601 North and South Road. Please visit bergermemorialchapel. com for Live Stream details. Memorial donations may be made to Honor the Earth at https://donorbox.org/honor-theearth-donation or Partners in Health at https:// www.pih.org/donate. Berger Memorial Service
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SUZANNE WEINTRAUB, July 20, 2022 Suzanne was happily married to the late Sam Weintraub for 35 years; mother of Larry (Margie), Rob (Sue) and Sara Edwards; grandmother of David Weintraub, Alex Weintraub (Dayane Ortiz Weintraub), Danielle Block (Cory), Samantha Elssibony (Amir), Max Weintraub (fiancée Katie Rupel) and Maya Edwards; great-grandmother of Eva Block, twins Levi and Theo Block, Arjan Weintraub and Koby Weintraub and Mia Elssibony; aunt, cousin and friend to many. Suzanne cherished her family and loved nothing more than spending time with them. She was affectionately known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Gigi. She had a passion for fashion, collecting art, and of course, shopping. She was an amazing cook and taught her children the art of using fresh garlic and butter. She enjoyed playing golf, mahjong, and bridge. She was skilled at the New York Times Crossword Puzzle and worked the puzzle daily. Following and discussing politics was a daily must for her. Sue and Sam loved to travel and took the family on many memorable vacations around the country. She was a spirited woman and will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held Sunday, July 24 at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL. Interment at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Please visit bergermemorialchapel. com for Live Stream details. Berger Memorial Service
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CHAILIGHTS
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AUG.
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
SUNDAY | JULY 31
It’s what we’ve been waiting for -- the return of Nusach Hari’s all-you-can eat Pizza Night! From 4:30-6:30 p.m., enjoy a delicious dine-in buffet of kosher pizza, pasta, salad and garlic bread plus a dessert and beverage. Special entertainment: a demonstration of the magic of origami. Prices are $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-10, and free for kids ages 3 and under. The pizza cheese is Cholov Yisroel and pareve crusts are available upon request. For more information, call 314-9912100, ext. 2.
Kol Rinah Jews in Science series
What is Jewish about impressionism? What is the science of impressionism? At 4 p.m. via Zoom, Gary Kodner will explore both the Jewish and scientific influences on the exciting and revolutionary impressionist painters of the 19th century. Click to register at kolrinahstl.org.
Holocaust Museum sneak preview
Birth of the Beatles
From 1-3 p.m., join Neil Davis, a university instructor who teaches a course on the Beatles, for a look at the earliest days of the band, exploring old photographs and audio recordings. To register for this free Mirowitz Center program, visit http://bit.ly/Mirowitz-registration, call 314-733-9813 or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
THURSDAY | AUG. 4 Painting & watercolor: A three-part workshop
Maria Ojascastro of COCA will lead an in-person three-part art class series for the Mirowitz Center. From 10-11:15 a.m., learn about painting with watercolor. The cost is $75 and includes art supplies. No artistic skills or experience required to take part. To register for this in-person Mirowitz Center program, visit http://bit.ly/Mirowitz-registration, call 314-733-9813 or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
Local Jewish organizations and congregations can submit calendar items to news@ stljewishlight.org. All items received by 5 p.m. Friday will be considered for the following week’s edition.
SUNDAY | AUG. 14
TUESDAY | AUG. 2
WEDNESDAY | AUG. 3
stljewishlight.org
method can see warning signs of viral mutations or pandemic surges before data from doctor’s offices or hospitals reach public health officials. Johnson is a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Mizzou. To register for this free program, visit http://bit.ly/Mirowitz-registration, call 314733-9813 or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
NHBZ All-You-Can Eat Pizza Night Returns
The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum reopens its newly expanded facilities on Nov. 2. From 11 a.m. to noon, join the museum’s Director of Education and Interpretation, Helen Turner, for a sneak preview. She will share the Museum’s legacy and highlight the world-class renovations and enhancements. Provided in conjunction with *FEL (Friends Enjoying Life), an organization supported by the Mirowitz Center. To register for this free, online Mirowitz Center program, visit http://bit.ly/Mirowitz-registration, call 314-733-9813 or email skemppainen@ mirowitzcenter.org.
JEWISH LIGHT
ful film and discussion at 2 p.m. Tisha B’Av is During an online Mirowitz Center talk Aug. 2, Helen Turner will give a sneak peek at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, which reopens in November.
FRIDAY | AUG. 5 First Friday night family Shabbat services
Kol Rinah is starting back up its First Friday Night for Families, with 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services — a shorter version of the Friday service, with families and kids in mind. Families will meet outdoors, weather permitting. Email Karen@kolrinahstl.org for more information. Register online at www.kolrinahstl.org/shabbat-and-holiday-registration. html
SATURDAY | AUG. 6 NHBZ Discussion: ‘Finding Your Inner Compass’
Every one of us possesses a special tool that helps us determine what is best for us – an inner compass. Learn how to tap into yours when Nusach Hari B’nai Zion’s Rabbi Ze’ev Smason discusses “Finding Your Inner Compass” at 10:15 a.m. This talk is part of NHBZ’s weekly “Starting Points: Wisdom for Daily Living,” which features interactive discussions that explore relevant, contemporary topics. NHBZ membership is not necessary to attend, and RSVPs are not required. For more information, call 314-991-2100, ext. 2.
SUNDAY | AUG. 7 Tisha B’Av film and discussion with Aish
Join Rabbi Shmuel Greenwald for a power-
the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It’s the date when both our Holy Temples were destroyed and exile, persecution and spiritual blackness began. This event is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, contact the Aish office at 314-862-2474 or carengoldstein61@gmail.com.
MONDAY | AUG. 8 Crown Center/NHBZ offer talk by Rabbi Smason
Rabbi Ze’ev Smason of NHBZ will share his wisdom and humor in a special series presented by Crown Center’s Crown on the Road and NHBZ. From noon to 1 p.m. at NHBZ, 650 N. Price Road, he will discuss “May You Live Until 120: 6 Keys to Living Long, and Living Well,” in the second event of the series (the third is Monday, Sept. 12 on “7 Steps to Worry-Free Living.”) The cost is $10 per class and includes Circle@Crown Cafe boxed lunch. Call 314-991-2055 for the menu, more information or to register. Open to the community.
THURSDAY | AUG. 11 Wastewater surveillance & sampling during a pandemic
From 2-3 p.m. Dr. Marc Johnson of the University of Missouri-Columbia will lead an online discussion for the Mirowitz Center about how scientists and researchers are focusing on wastewater testing in sewers during the pandemic. This cost-effective
ONGOING Tech Tutor – Hardware helper
On Mondays in May, sign up for a half-hour session with Larry Edison, who offers oneon-one assistance in learning how to use one’s technology devices. Sessions are in-person at the Mirowitz Center (plan to wear a mask and maintain social distance). Tech Tutor is supported through a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. Free. Register at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter, 314-733-9813, or email skemppainen@mirowitzcenter.org.
Rabbi leads weekly meditation
Join Rabbi Andrea Goldstein at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and 5 p.m. on Thursdays for mindfulness meditation sits. It incorporates lessons from the weekly Torah portion, as well as stories, rituals and symbols of the season. No meditation experience necessary. Questions? Contact Stacy Jespersen at sjespersen@sestl.org.
HaDerech: A spiritual practices workshop
Join Rabbi Daniel Bogard of Central Reform Congregation Thursdays at noon on Zoom to workshop ways we can use tradition, ritual and innovation to be better versions of ourselves. Each month we will dig into a new area of ritual practice (eg, Kashrut; Shabbat; Passover; clothing), explore its history, values and rituals, and experiment with practices in our own lives. For more information, visit www.centralreform.org/events/spiritual-practices.
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July 27, 2022
JEWISH LIGHT
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Missouri Torah Institute’s (MTI) 15th Annual Dinner took place Sunday evening June 12th at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton. Honoring Yosef and Chaya Bernath for dedicating the Bernath Family Bais Medrash in honor of their parents Scott and Diane Andrew and Chaim Abba and Rivkah Leah Bernath. As well as Avodas Hakodesh- Community Service Award to Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, thanking him for his friendship, guidance, and advocacy for MTI throughout the years.
L-R- Rabbi Avrohom Goldman, Dr. Craig Reiss, Rabbi Shmuel Wasser, Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Chaim Abba Bernath, Scott Andrew, Yosef and Chaya Bernath, Rivkah Leah Bernath, Diane Andrew
SP
TLIGHT
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
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. Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Rosh Yeshiva/Dean of MTI (left) with Michael Staenberg (right)
VIEW MORE ONLINE: stljewishlight.org/multimedia
L-R: Rabbi Avrohom Goldman, Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Rabbi Shmuel Wasser, Menachem and Debbie Graff for the surprise award and announcement of reception area dedication in honor of Debbie Graff
Jonathan Spetner (left) and Lyle Weisman (right)
Charlie Deutsch, Dinner Co-Chairman, Dr. Craig Reiss, Chairman of the Board
L-R: Jordan Rosenblum, Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Moshe Andrew
L-R: Rabbi Avrohom Goldman, Rabbi Dovid Fromowitz, Rabbi Yitzchok Ehrman, Rabbi Shmuel Wasser, Jonathan Spetner, Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Soroka
Aaron Lefton, Master of Ceremonies and Member of the MTI Board, welcoming the dinner guests
L-R: Dr. Craig Reiss, Chairman of the Board, Rabbi Shmuel Wasser- Rosh Yeshiva/Dean, Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt, Rabbi of Agudas Israel of St. Louis
Dancing at the end of the event to celebrate the dedication of the soon to be renovated Bernath Family Bais Medrash
about the lives of the people of Israel! Page 24
July 27, 2022
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JEWISH LIGHT
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Cori voted AGAINST funding the Iron Dome missile defense system that protects innocent Israeli civilians.
Cori Bush doesn’t care about the lives of the While accepting help and money people ofof terrorist Israel! from a supporter groups who wrote she wanted to “set Israel Cori voted AGAINST funding the Iron on fire & missile watchdefense it burnsystem to ashes Dome that with every Israeli in it.” Israeli civilians. protects innocent While accepting help and money from a supporter of terrorist groups who wrote she wanted to “set Israel on fire & watch it burn to ashes with every Israeli in it.”
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Steve Roberts believes American democracy is worth defending. As a C Steve Roberts believes American is worth attorney, defending. As a Captain in the Air National Guard, democracy State Senator, and former pros in the Air National Guard, State Senator, attorney, and former prosecutor, Roberts will work to bring people together instead of sowing division. Roberts will work to bring people together instead of sowing division. He will defendIsrael Israel terrorism home andIt’sabroad. It’s the time to stop th defend andand fightfight terrorism at homeatand abroad. time to stop hate and a Congressman who will bring andelect elect a Congressman who willpeople bringtogether. people together. Images in uniform do not imply the official endorsement of either Images in uniform do not imply the official endorsement of either the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force. the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force.
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Paid for by YACHAD PAC. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.