Jewish Light Digital Edition: Oct. 18, 2023

NOV. 28 AT THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM SEE PAGE 7A FOR EVENT DETAILS

A N O NPR O FI T, IND EPEND EN T NE WS S O UR CE TO I N F O R M , I N S PI R E , ED U C AT E A N D CO N N EC T T HE S T. LO UI S JE WI S H CO MMUNI T Y.

S T L J E W I S H L I G H T. O R G

Showing support St. Louisans rally to support Israel after Hamas attack Last week hundreds of WashU students gathered to remember and honor those who lost their lives to terrorism in Israel, after the surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7.The gathering was planned by student leaders convened by WashU Hillel with support from Chabad at Washington University. At right, Former Lone Soldiers and current WashU graduate students, Talia Wolkowitz and Danielle Serota, share testimonials about friends who were killed by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival.

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MORE INSIDE • St. Louis unites in solidarity as more than 1,500 gather to support Israel — See pages 4A-5A • Beloved Camp Ben Frankel counselor among those murdered at music festival near Gaza — See page 6A • How some local Jewish day school educators are talking with students — See page 6A • American ‘Lone Soldier’ Myles Rosenblum proudly serving Israel amidst rising conflict — See page 8A • St. Charles restaurant going kosher for a night to support Israel — See page 8A • Israeli student visiting WashU donates prize money to IDF — See page 9A • Photos: Israel supporters rally at Millstone Campus — See page 23A

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October 18, 2023

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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S STL JEWISH LIGHT The Newspaper of the Jewish Community of Greater St. Louis — Founded 1963

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INDEX ChaiLights Event Calendar................... 24A

Obituaries.......................................20A-21A

Classifieds.............................................. 22A

Opinions......................................... 12A-14A

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Features.......................................... 15A-17A

Schools & Activities Guide..................... 17A

OFFICERS Michael Staenberg, President Bethe Growe, Immediate Past President Kara Newmark, Vice President Ryan Rich, Vice President Justin Krachmalnick, Treasurer Todd Taylor, Secretary

Jewish Lite Crossword Puzzle............... 22A

Simchas.......................................... 18A-19A

Newsmakers...................................10A-11A

Spotlight Photos.................................... 23A

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DIRECTORS Caroline Goldenberg, Mia Kweskin, Debbie Lefton, Steve Rosenzweig, Adam Schneider and Alan Spector JEWISH LIGHT PAST PRESIDENTS Bernard Fischlowitz*, Milton I. Goldstein*, Morris Pearlmutter* (founder), Morris Moscowitz*, Melvin Newmark*, Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin*, Vivian Zwick*, Joseph Edlin*, Michael Newmark, Richard Stein, Yusef Hakimian*, Sanford Weiss*, Philip Isserman*, Linda Kraus, Richard Flom, Marvin Schneider, Barbara Langsam Shuman, Terry Bloomberg, John Greenberg, David Grebler*, Milton Movitz*, Gianna Jacobson, Jenny Wolkowitz, Gary Kodner, Jane Tzinberg Rubin, Steve Gallant, Laura K. Silver, Bethe Growe * Of Blessed Memory

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October 18, 2023

Page 3A

The angst of covering heartbreaking news and keeping St. Louis Jewish community informed It’s been a week, hasn’t it?

Actually, by the time you read this, it’ll be closer to two weeks. But as I started to write this on Sunday, Oct. 15, eight days had passed since Hamas terrorists unleashed a human slaughter onto innocent Israelis (and some Americans and other foreign nationals), murdering more than 1,300 of them in a single day. The most Jews murdered in a single day since the Holocaust.

That Saturday, Oct. 7, began with a text from the Light’s CEO, Betsy Schmidt, at 7:58 a.m.: “Hey, call me when you’re awake.”

Bleary-eyed, I did just that, which is when Betsy said something along the lines of, “I think all hell is breaking loose in Israel and it looks really, really bad.”

We looped in digital guru Jordan Palmer, and quickly turned to our network of Jewish news services with journalists all over Israel to help figure out what was going on. Very quickly it became apparent that all hell was indeed breaking loose. We needed to get information to our readers as soon as possible, despite it being Shabbat.

I can remember another time in the not-so-distant past that we published on Shabbat, when 11 were killed and six wounded during the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. Like the Hamas attack in Israel, Tree of Life also took place on Shabbat morning.

By 10:09 a.m., we had posted a half-dozen stories about the violence in Israel on our website and sent out a special edition of the Morning Light email newsletter (typically, sent Monday through Friday) to our 7,200 subscribers.

That afternoon, at 2:58 p.m., a second newsletter with another half-dozen stories alerted readers to more bleak news: “250 Israelis dead, 1,500 injured amid Hamas rockets and terror infiltrations” along with “Hamas claims 53 captives taken to Gaza.”

On Sunday, the Morning Light was dispatched at 9:02 a.m. with another six stories, including one that put the rising Israeli death toll at 600. When I checked the Sunday Post-Dispatch (we still get it delivered daily), much to my disappointment and frankly, shock, I found nothing on the front page about Israel and Hamas — not

even a teaser to a story elsewhere in the paper. And the one story I did find inside the paper said very little. How could a major daily in a city with roughly 65,000 Jews have nothing on its front page (nor when I checked mid-morning on its website) about a full-scale war? I still don’t understand.

In fact, it wasn’t until Tuesday that the print edition ran a front-page Israel-Hamas story. But it focused on the reaction elected officials had to statements made by U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, who denounced the violence there but added, “As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid.”

Nowhere could I find an article detailing the pain, terror and grief of Israelis whose family members had been murdered or captured, or an article about anyone in the St. Louis Jewish community dealing with the fear and frustration of not knowing the fate of their relatives.

I’m not saying that the Post should have done these exact stories, but come on, how about a piece about real people in real time impacted by the terrorism? How could the P-D be so tone-deaf? (In all fairness, a few of those kinds of stories came later in the week.)

By Monday, Oct. 9, two days after the war broke out, our four-person editorial team met to strategize going forward. We started calling our sources, including Israelis now living in St. Louis as well as St. Louisans who made aliyah or have strong ties to Israel. We also contacted rabbis and other clergy, local Jewish community officials, security experts and organizations that track antisemitism. As a result, we were able to assemble a nuanced story that pro-

NEWS & SCHMOOZE News and Schmooze is a column by Jewish Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman. Email Ellen at: efutterman@stljewishlight.org.

vided local reaction to the tragedy unfolding in Israel.

By Friday, we had published stories about: • A beloved Israeli counselor at an area summer camp who was murdered at a music festival near Gaza • A lone soldier from Clayton now serving in the Israel Defense Forces • A solidarity gathering at the Jewish Community Center that drew 1,500 people • An Israeli Ph.D. student at WashU who donated her winnings in a thesis competition to the IDF • Local Jewish day school educators talking about the war to young students.

The work left our editorial team exhausted but gratified to have introduced our readers to some of the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this war. We only wished we could have done more.

My purpose here is neither to pat our team on the back (OK, maybe a little) nor to bash the Post-Dispatch.

As a former P-Der of 25 years, I feel a strong affinity to the paper and know first-hand how many talented journalists work there.

It’s almost become sport to knock the local daily, but believe me, without the Post-Dispatch, St. Louisans would lose out on so many vital stories that affect their daily lives. It’s just that when the Israel-Hamas war broke, some P-D news editor or editors seemed to sleep through it, and they need to wake up.

You don’t have to work in journalism to know the hit the media business — especially newspapers — has taken in the last few decades. As advertising revenue continues to decrease, so do newsroom resources, with fewer people trying to do more.

It’s just that in my 15 years as editor of the Jewish Light, I can’t remember being prouder of the work we did than during this last week. And yet, I go to bed every night wishing that work didn’t need to be done in the first place, and that the human nightmare and mounting loss of lives, for Israelis and Palestinian civilians, was all a bad dream.

Then I remember that “never again” has turned into yet again, and I pray for peace.

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St. Louis unites in solidarity as more than 1,500 gather to support Israel amidst tragedy ABOVE AND AT LEFT: The St. Louis Israel Solidarity Gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Jewish Community Center near Creve Coeur.

BY JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER

An estimated 1,500 people came together Oct. 11 at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur to not only show their solidarity for Israel but to grieve, seek solace and explore how they could be of assistance.

They heard prayers, songs, requests for help and several speeches with messages of hope, resilience, Israel’s right to retaliate and the need to stand up and defend that right.

“We can gain strength in seeing so many of our friends and neighbors gathered together with us. In a world that is becoming increasingly polarized, tonight we are here to find commonality and unity together in our love and support of one another and of Israel,” said Brian Herstig, CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

The Federation sponsored the event in response to Hamas’ attack Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,300 Israelis and injured thousands more. It was the most Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust, more than 75 years ago.

The power and emotion of the evening were palpable as Herstig set the tone with a ferocious conviction.

“This is our homeland. Israel is our refuge. It is our heartbeat. As one people we unequivocally support the land of our ancestors and assert that an attack on the

HOW TO HELP As the war in Israel continues, the St. Louis Jewish community can help those affected by the violence and destruction. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis has launched the Israel Emergency Fund to provide services, support, and hope for our friends and family in Israel.

Visit https://donate.jfedstl.org/give/525573/ to donate.

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ALL PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

state of Israel is an attack on all Jewish people. It is an attack on our hearts and our soul. And we are fully committed to putting those right. As the sovereign nation and the Jewish people and defend her people and her borders against any that dare breach this, we declare together here tonight and forever,” said Herstig.

Why they came Most people said they came for one reason: to stand together and to support Israel and its people.

Max and Sabrina Gornish came with their two children Hannah, 11, and Jackson, 7 1/2, and another couple, Max and Jerilyn Oppenheimer and their two children, Maya, 9, and Owen, 5. All four

children attend Epstein Hebrew Academy.

“Any way for us to support Israel from as far away as we are is important,” said Max Oppenheimer. “And there’s no better way to feel like you’re somewhere than to be in a place with a couple thousand other people who believe the same way you do.”

Added his wife, Jerilyn, “Instead of dividing us it’s going to unify us.”

Hannah Gornish, a sixth grader, admitted that there was a little parental pressure for her to come, but she was very glad she did.

“As Jews we believe Israel is our home, we were promised it from God, and he told all of our fathers that it was going to be ours. Our brothers and sisters in Israel right now are suffering and that’s so sad.

So, it’s very important that we come here

to have a better understanding and be together.”

For Betty Rubenstein, the sheer senselessness of the slaughter of innocents was why she needed to be at the gathering.

“I am, we all are part of the Jewish people, and to see people getting maimed and killed with absolutely no reason. It’s just hard to believe. But we must make it crystal clear we are with Israel and that’s it,” said Rubenstein.

Andrea White drove from Wentzville with her two sons, Kasen, 7, and Myles, 2.

She said she was a little hesitant to bring her children because of safety concerns but decided she – and they – needed to come.

Continued on opposite page

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ABOVE: Snir Dagan (right), Israeli engagement coordinator at the Jewish Community Center, watches as the Shinshinim — young Israeli emissaries serving St. Louis — light candles of remembrance at the Israel Solidarity Gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Jewish Community Center near Creve Coeur. ABOVE RIGHT: Students from Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School take part in the gathering. AT RIGHT: Jewish Federation President and CEO Brian Herstig speaks to the crowd of more than 1,500 people. PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN “I’m here to support my friends and family in Israel and all the people there,” said White, who said her best friend’s family and her best friend’s husband’s family live in Israel. She said she explained to Kasen last night about “how Israel is at war and America is going to back up Israel because they are our friends.”

For many in attendance, the last four days erased the deep political divides that existed in Israel over the past many months. The gathering in its own way, helped redefine the word “solidarity.”

“Tonight, I think the meaning of the

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word is clear. I think it means that everybody puts aside whatever differences they have, political or otherwise, and stands together to support Israel in a time of need,” said Rick Abrams.

“Whether I agree or disagree with the current government in Israel I think supporting a democratic country’s right to exist and to support them at a time when terrorists are attacking civilians is crucial,” said Gay Lipman of Clayton.

Clayton schoolteacher Debbie Garbow came to the gathering for her family living in Israel.

“I have a daughter, son-in-law and five grandchildren who live in Jerusalem. I’ve spoken to them several times, and they are safe and sound in terms of not being hit by rocket fire, but there’s a lot of anxiety amongst everyone.

Powerful prayers After powerful words from St. Louis Jewish community members Galit LevHarir and Michael Oberlander who are both currently in Israel, the audience joined Talia Wolkowitz, a native St.

Louisan who served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years, in reciting the Prayer for the IDF. But perhaps the most powerful moment of the gathering was Rabbi Moshe Shulman of Young Israel of St. Louis, telling the audience that on the past Shabbat, the attack and abduction of innocent civilians forced him to recite a prayer that he had not said in many years. The prayer for the captive.

Editor Ellen Futterman contributed information to this story.

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Beloved Camp Ben Frankel counselor among those murdered at music festival near Gaza

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Among the 260 Israelis who attended a music festival near Gaza and were murdered by Hamas terrorists Saturday, Oct. 7, was Gili Adar, a beloved counselor at Camp Ben Frankel in the summer of 2017.

She was 24 years old and from Lapid, a settlement community near Modi’in.

“She was part of the Israeli Scouts program and had come to spread love and inspiration about Israel to our camp community, which she did,” said Aaron Hadley, executive director of Camp Ben Frankel, a Jewish sleepaway camp in Makanda, Ill. “She was a very joyous person who loved music. I suppose that it’s notable she was at a music festival.”

Hadley said Adar had many friends at camp and is being remembered on the camp’s social media page by counselors

Gili Adar and former campers.

“The outpouring of love and tributes on our social media platform has been amazing,” said Hadley, who explained that Camp Ben Frankel has always had a rich history of Israeli involvement. He estimat-

ed that 25% of the camp’s counselors are native Israelis. About 100 youngsters attend the four-week co-ed sleepaway camp each summer.

Adina Levy was co-counselors with Adar in 2017. Along with a third co-counselor, they were in charge of the girls going into eighth and ninth grade.

“The three of us became so close,” said Levy, a fourth-grade teacher in Kansas City who grew up in St. Louis, attended Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School and graduated from Parkway Central High.“We had this running joke. If she messed up in English, we’d kind of tease her a bit, all in fun. One day she says, ‘You know guys, I am really smart and really funny in Hebrew. You don’t get it, and you don’t give me enough credit.’ The way she said it, she was just so funny and sweet and joyful. We would always laugh about that.

“The kids just loved her,” Levy continued.

“She was so good with them. She really connected with everyone quickly. You know someone is part of a group when there are inside jokes, and we immediately had all kinds of inside jokes with Gili.”

Levy said after hearing the news of Adar’s death on Oct. 10, she wrote down some remembrances of their friendship.

She plans to send them to a friend who is a neighbor of Adar’s parents to give to them.

Levy said she heard from several camp friends.

“I think we’re all still processing it. We are all supporting each other. Really, there are no words,” she said.

Adar’s funeral took place Wednesday, Oct. 11 near her home in Israel. At first her family thought she was missing but then learned her body had been identified the morning of Oct. 10.

Camp Ben Frankel held a virtual memorial with camp friends on Oct. 12.

How some local Jewish day school educators are talking with students about war in Israel Raquel Scharf-Anderson, head of school at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, speaks with students about the war that broke out in Israel after Hamas invaded the Jewish state in a surprise attack.

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Last Monday, Oct. 9, Raquel ScharfAnderson, head of school at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, spent part of her day talking to fourth and fifth graders about the war that broke out in Israel on Saturday after Hamas invaded the Jewish state in a surprise attack. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8, were having a similar conversation, though more age and developmentally appropriate given that they are older, with middle school social studies teacher Kevin Parentin.

Last Tuesday, Scharf-Anderson found herself in front of the school’s third graders, talking to them about the war.

“I did so because they were talking about it, and I’d rather they get information from me,” she explained. “I shared with them that there is a war, but depending on the grade I gave different details. So I called them Hamas with fourth and fifth graders but with the third graders, I said they were terrorists. We talked about the word terror and terrible and what does that mean. Then we talked a little about what’s going on in Israel not in a rosy way but also not too graphic.”

The conversations that Scharf-Anderson and Parentin were having with students at Mirowitz mirror many that are going on throughout the country as Jewish educators grapple with how best to discuss the grave situation in Israel with students, especially elementary and middle schoolers. Many have relatives in Israel, some of whom have been reported murdered or missing, others who are serving in the military or have been called up, and educators want to be sensitive to that. They also want their schools to be a safe space for students to learn, as well as one where they can feel comfortable discussing difficult subjects.

Rabbi Shmuel Miller, head of school at Epstein Hebrew Academy, said he, as well as several teachers, have been having discussion with students in each grade about Israel, but keeping it very simple with those in the lower grades.

“I just finished having conversations with middle schoolers today where we talked about what was going on in Israel, their feelings, their fears, clarifying misconceptions,” said Miller. “When it comes to early childhood, we’re doing nothing.

But in kindergarten and first grade, I came in and in very general terms said it was

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY BLOOM

time for us to think about people living in Israel that need our love and we’re going to sing a song that brings the Jewish people together. Kindergarten was pretty much OK with singing but in first grade one kid said, ‘Oh yeah, people are dying.’ So we focused on that we are part of the Jewish people and Israel needs our support.

“In second and third grade, we had a whole session that one of the teachers did — what is war, what does it mean, what does it mean when someone doesn’t like us, what do we do, how do we feel?”

Miller said a second grader and a fourth grader each has a relative who was a victim of the war. He also said that many of the students wanted to do something to help, so, for example, second and third graders are now writing letters to Israeli soldiers.

Students at Torah Prep School of St. Louis are also writing letters to soldiers as well as making short videos for them to offer encouragement and support. Rabbi Yossi Golombeck, principal of the boys’ division, grades 2-8, said while students are aware that “our brothers and sisters in Israel are in danger,” the focus has been on what the boys can do proactively to help the Israeli people.

“There are different things that different kids are taking on. We call it kabollos –to accept upon yourself,” said Golombeck, adding “we’re encouraging the kids to

accept something small they can do that can be a source of merit for the soldiers.”

These include reciting certain prayers, more acts of kindness, being more inclusive.

“We’re trying to build awareness. We want the kids to understand they can make a difference, that a small, good deed here in St. Louis could help save someone’s life 7,000 miles away,” said Golombeck. “We’re doing it with the intent that God will then take the merits of those good deeds, those extra mitzvot, and they will make a difference and trigger a better and more positive outcome for the land and people of Israel.”

After her conversations with the third, fourth and fifth graders, Scharf-Anderson sent a detailed letter home to parents summarizing the meetings. She explained how the children were assured of their safety and provided examples of some of their questions, and her responses, such as: Question: How did they (Hamas) get there? Answer: There was a very high wall that they broke, and blasted security that allows Israel to see, used motorized devices to come in by air. After things are settled back down, the people who study security in Israel will go back and study where the problem was to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Like we do here at school, first we have to fix the problem

then we go back and deal with how it happened.

Question: Who will win the war?

Answer: Even when wars are successful in their mission, there are really no winners because so many people are harmed by them. W hope that by the time you are grown up we will have figured out how to get along, and maybe your brains can help figure that out.

Scharf-Anderson said she had no plans to talk to the youngest of children as a group but was available to any who wanted to talk individually. As an empathetic educator, she is well aware that not only do youngsters need guidance navigating “scary and dangerous matters like war,” but some parents also appreciate help when it comes to discussing these matters with their children.

“Right now, I’m writing an article for parents on what visuals are out there on social media and how to deal with such graphic and horrific things that are being shown. Because our parents need that — this is a first-time experience for them as well,” she said. “We work in partnership with our parents and hope that by sharing with them ways to talk to their children about this war, being available to our parent body as well as providing them information about addressing social media, it allows us to work together in raising bright, wonderful children.”

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American ‘Lone Soldier’ Myles Rosenblum proudly serving Israel amidst rising conflict

BY JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER

“There is nothing I’d rather be doing with my life right now, more than serving the country of Israel,” said Myles Rosenblum, his voice, steady with conviction, with just a hint of anger. “To my core and soul, nothing is more important. I know deep down that I need to be here, and it’s more important than ever.”

Rosenblum, 21, moved to Israel in June 2023, just one month after graduating from Tulane University. He graduated from Clayton High School in 2020. He and his parents, Steven and Andrea Rosenblum, are members of both Kol Rinah and Central Reform Congregation.

“I wanted to do something special before going to law school. I looked at many opportunities but kept getting pulled back to the idea of serving Israel and honoring my grandfather, Doron Berger, who immigrated to Israel at 15 years old and proudly served in the Six-Day War, defending Israel over 55 years ago,” said Rosenblum.

After completing the “Mahal Mechina” program, which prepares Jewish youth from foreign countries who wish to volunteer for military service, Rosenblum was sworn into the Israel Defense Forces on

Sept. 5. Just one month later Israel was under attack.

On the eve before the Hamas surprise attack, Rosenblum was doing what any young man might be doing after completing two weeks of tough military training.

“I was with 45 guys. We all had been on base training and so we went to Tel Aviv to celebrate,” he said. “We went to clubs, to the beach and then I went home to my cousin’s home. That morning I was dead asleep when my cousins woke me up because my base commander was calling.”

On Saturday morning, Hamas terrorists infiltrated several Israeli communities, killing at least 900 people and taking at least 100 hostages back to Gaza.

“I began hearing from friends who are in the Israeli special forces and they said they were going operational, but didn’t know where they were going,” said Rosenblum. “I soon learned that people I knew had been murdered and others injured. It was heartbreaking.”

While Rosenblum is a member of the IDF, he will not be mobilized for combat simply because he has not received enough training. He will serve Israel in other ways until that time.

“All I want to do is go fight for my people and I am unable to. What I can do is guard

a base and volunteer,” said Rosenblum. “I just returned from packaging boxes for victims in Sderot and for soldiers in the north. Packaging baby shoes and onesies for children whose parents were murdered broke my heart. If there is any good to come out of this, it is to see how Israelis band together in times of need. Every single person in this country is doing what they can.”

This type of duty is standard for IDF soldiers like Rosenblum, known as “lone soldiers” as they work and train for combat and to become fluent in Hebrew.

“I am a lone soldier and a proud one at that. A lone soldier is someone who leaves their home country to fight for Israel. This is personal to me on many levels. My grandfather was a lone soldier and over the past 48 hours has been working to raise money to support me and other lone soldiers.”

For now, Rosenblum is safe living at the home of a cousin in the town of KadimaTzoran, north of Tel Aviv.

In an email to friends and family he wrote, “First and foremost, I am safe.

Given the horrific terror attacks on Israel, I wanted to reach out and let you all know that I am unharmed. I am enraged and heartbroken. Not a single person in Israel

St. Charles restaurant going kosher for a night to support Israel

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

A local restaurant will change its entire menu for one day next week and kosherize its kitchen to support Israel.

Novellus, 201 N. Main St. in St. Charles, will donate proceeds from dinner service Wednesday, Oct. 25, to Colel Chabad to support the people of Israel. In addition, donations up to $50,000 will be matched

by Novellus owner Bob Affholder.

Affholder, who is not Jewish, said he will transform the eatery into a kosher restaurant for 24 hours. He said he was

motivated to act after watching news coverage from Israel.

“When I saw the images and videos on TV, I knew I couldn’t sit idly by, I had to do something,” he said. “I want to be there for the people of Israel, and show my support to Jewish people everywhere, now, in their time of need.”

Colel Chabad is an Israeli ​​charity with St. Charles connections. It provides food, medical care and support to widows and orphans. It also supports Israeli families in shelters.

Affholder came up with the idea for the fundraiser and contacted Rabbi Chaim

Myles Rosenblum has gone untouched by the actions of Hamas. Every single Israeli, me included, knows someone who was murdered, kidnapped, or is fighting for their life.

Unfortunately, I fear there are more to come.”

Sadly, Rosenblum is right. In an address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had begun a war that would end with the terror group’s defeat but added, “There are hard days ahead of us.”

“I am proud to serve this country. I am proud to be Jewish. Am Yisrael Chai. (The people of Israel live.),” Rosenblum said.

Joe Ancmon and Bob Affholder of St. Charles restaurant Novellus meet with Rabbi Chaim Landa of Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County.

PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN

Landa, co-director of Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County.

Landa said: “What Novellus is doing is beyond touching, and we want the place packed — wall to wall — and let the world know that St. Charles stands with Israel.

The process of kosherizing a restaurant is

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extremely involved, and it’s very unusual for a business to do it just for a day, which makes this all the more heartwarming and meaningful.”

The logistics of kosherizing a full-size restaurant are far from simple. It’s similar to scrubbing a home of chametz prior to Passover, but on a much larger scale. The process is essentially a deep clean of every area where food has been prepared and served. Surfaces must be scrubbed with hot water or in some cases a blowtorch.

That is followed by a what is known as “kashering.” That means bringing every surface up to the highest temperature. For example, a stainless-steel counter will have boiling hot water poured over it. After all those steps, there is a 24-hour wait period.

Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis has been involved with the plans for Novellus kosher night, Landa said. The time involved in kosherizing a restaurant means that, at a minimum, it must be shut down for a day and a half prior to dinner service. So Novellus will forego all business Oct. 24.

The prep doesn’t end with kosherizing the kitchen and dining area. Careful planning must be done when sourcing ingredients for dishes to be served.

The Novellus kosher night Oct. 25 will have two seatings: 5 and 7 p.m.

Reservations are required. A customized menu and instructions to register will be coming soon. For updates, check the Novellus-Chabad Facebook event link at https://bit.ly/novellus-kosher-night.

we also buy antiques, art, paintings, swords, china, crystal, collectibles & rarities.

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2023-10-18 page 08-09.indd 8

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STL

JEWISH LIGHT

October 18, 2023

LOCAL NEWS

Page 9A

Israeli student visiting WashU wins $3,000 in thesis competition, donates it all to IDF people around the world supporting Hamas, a terrorist group. This is not an issue of Palestinian civilians. This is an issue of Hamas. And people are not separating it. It’s because people are misinformed because of social media.

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Yarden Avnor is a Tel Aviv-based Israeli-American. For the past week she has been staying with her father, who lives in St. Louis. Avnor is an Ph.D. clinical neuropsychology student at the University of Haifa and she is associated with the Washington University Social Policy Institute.

Last week, Avnor, 30, attended a conference at Washington University to compete in a thesis competition, which she won. The $3,000 prize would have helped pay her student loans, but Avnor immediSONNETTE® CELLULAR ROLLER SHADES ately decided to donate the money to support Israeli military teams. She also happens to be a former soldier in the Israeli army and has a special understanding of Increase yourForces comfort the stresses Israel Defense sol-and help lower your energy bills diers face, especially now. year-round with insulating Hunter Douglas shades.

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Hamas attack and how Jews in the United States can support Israel.

You grew up in the U.S. and decided to join the IDF as a lone soldier when When you found out when you got the you turned 22. What motivated you to news last weekend, what was your first enlist? thought?

After I got my degree, I felt like I needed I woke up last Saturday and looked at to go and be part of the army. It was so my phone. I had over 200 messages. I much a part of me, and it was the best understood that Israel has been attacked, decision I ever made. I was a basic training but Israel has been attacked before with commander for two years in Israel, and it’s missiles, so I still didn’t understand the a very special base where all the comseverity of it. And then I start seeing pic- manders are female. We were the ones tures and videos. And I ran over to my that trained our trainees how to shoot. We

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on select styles March 12– June 20, 2022 taught them about the values of Israel. We taught them about war and history.

You specialize in studying the human brain and empathy. You have invited both Palestinians and Israelis into your lab to form social activity. Is one of your goals to live in peace?

It’s to live in peace among civilians and not among terrorist groups. My training involves how to understand people, how to see things from different perspectives.

I can understand what the civilians in Gaza are feeling, but what is very frustrating is to see hundreds of thousands of

What’s important for what do you think is important for St. Louis Jewish community to know how it can support Israelis?

We need their support. WashU is a leading university in the U.S. They are not taking enough action. They are not coming out with statements against Hamas. They’re coming out with very vanilla statements like ‘We hope the two sides come to an agreement.’ And that can’t be possible because you would never say that about Al Qaeda, you would never say about ISIS. And people need to understand that proportionately, the amount of people massacred in Israel right now is much more than what happened in 9/11. I think Americans don’t understand the extent of the violence that took place.

This represents the highest number of Jews massacred in one day since the Holocaust, correct?

That’s correct. That’s not fake news.

And it’s going to take generations to clear this trauma. It’s not going to be fixed in a lifetime. And we have so many things to build now from zero. We’re going to do it.

But it would be nice to have support from our American friends. I’m proud to be American, to help us in any way possible.

You can’t help by physically being there but help from far away.

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Page 10A

October 18, 2023

STL

NEWSMAKERS

JEWISH LIGHT

stljewishlight.org

BROUGHT TO YOU THIS MONTH BY:

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.

Newsmakers is compiled by Elise Krug.

Barbara Silver (Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer) and Sam Abeles (Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy) will be honored by the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at a National Philanthropy Day Breakfast on Nov. 14 at the Marriott Grand. These awards are given in recognition of those who positively affect nonprofit organizations in the St. Louis region, improving the quality of life for all people.

Silver has volunteered with Miriam School and Learning Center for 60 years.

She has served in a wide variety of roles and has had a huge impact on Miriam and the students with learning differences.

Sam, a freshman at Clayton High School and son of Jenny and Zach Abeles, has been helping his community for over 10 years. He has donated all his fundraising efforts to NCJWSTL, UNICEF and Pedal the Cause, having raised more than $8,000 for cancer research. Both honorees attend Congregation Temple Israel.

Darcy Scharff and Susie Luten joined the board of directors of Miriam School and Learning Center. Scharff, a member of Temple Israel, recently retired after working in nursing and public health for more than 40 years. Luten returns to Miriam’s board to continue service she began in high school, when her mother was board president. Luten’s great-grandmother, Fannie Landau, founded Miriam United Order of True Sisters in 1910. Luten is a member of Temple Emanuel.

Mimi David is the new Aish Hebrew School director for the 2023-24 school

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Barbara Silver, Sam Abeles, Darcy Scharff and Susie Luten.

SECOND ROW: Mimi David, Nora Baranyk, Joel Lander and Rita Waldman. year. She has created a new program for ages preschool to bar/bat mitzvah and classes will be held at the Epstein Hebrew Academy. David is the director of women’s education at Aish St. Louis, a mikvah mentor through Mikvah USA as well as a

dating coach.

Nusach Hari B’nai Zion welcomed Nora Baranyk as its synagogue administrator.

She is responsible for the day-to-day activities, the newsletter and coordinating all congregational events.

Joel Lander was named regional leader of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s Corporate & Finance Transactions. He will lead the practice group in the United States.

Rita Waldman, president and owner of Just Me Apparel and Fischer’s School Uniforms, has joined Women Connect, Midwest BankCentre’s advisory board dedicated to women entrepreneurs.

Women Connect brings female entrepreneurs together to share perspectives and advice. Since 1997, Waldman partners with over 120 schools in the St. Louis region with uniform programs. She is a member of Temple Israel.

Skip and Elaine Spielberg received Get local help for your Medicare questions. the Champion of Change Award for their

As a local licensedhelp sales agent, I can your answer yourMedicare questions about Medicare and help you find a plansupport, leadership, love and care to Get local for questions.

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As a local licensed sales agent, I can answer your questions about Medicare and help you find a plan UnitedHealthcare®, you can take advantage of benefits and features that may include: that fits your needs and your budget. When you choose an AARP® Medicare Advantage plan from As licensed sales agent, I can answer your questions about help you find a plan •a local Primary care • Medicare Medicare Network UnitedHealthcare®, youvisits can take advantage of benefits and features that and mayNational include: that fits your needs and your budget. When you choose an AARP® Medicare Advantage plan from •UnitedHealthcare®, caredentist visits • Medicare National Network •Primary See any for dental services • Low insulin copays you can take advantage of benefits and features that may include:

ABOVE: Skip and Elaine Spielberg ed Operation Food Search for 35 years through a great variety of efforts, events, and programs, including the annual Purses for Pantries luncheon and Repurpose for a Purpose. The Spielbergs are members of United Hebrew Congregation.

Continued on opposite page

Feast for Change event. They have support-

As a local licensed sales agent, I can answer your questions about Medicare and help you find a plan

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When you choose AARP® Medicare Advantage plan from •that any foryour dental services •Medicare Low copays ••See Primary care • an National Networkfitness Credits forvisits over-the-counter products • insulin Renew Active® for body and mind

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UnitedHealthcare®, you can take advantage of benefits and features that may include: • •Low insulinActive® copays fitness for body and mind Renew • Primary care visits • Medicare National Network • Credits for over-the-counter products • Renew Active® fitness for body and mind • See any dentist for dental services • Low insulin copays

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Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. You will pay a maximum of $35 for a 1-month supply of Part D select insulin drugs during the deductible, Initial Coverage and Coverage Gap or “Donut Benefits, features devices vary by plan/area.

Limitations and exclusions apply. You will paystage. a maximum of $35 foronly a 1-month supply of Part during deductible, Initial Coverage Coverage Gap or Benefits, and/or vary exclusions apply.

You will a maximum of $35 tofor a 1-month ofinsulin PartforDdrugs insulin drugs thedrugs deductible, Initial Coverage and“Donut Coverage Gap or “Donut Hole” stages features ofand/or your benefit.

Youdevices will pay 5% ofby theplan/area. cost of yourLimitations insulin in theand Catastrophic Coverage Thispay cost-sharing applies members whoDsupply doselect not qualify aselect program thatthehelps payduring for your (“Extra and Help”).

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Based on UnitedHealthcare Network Research, May 2021. Renew Active® includes a standard fitness membership.

The information provided through Renew Active is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to lifestyle or health care routine.

The Renew Active program varies by plan/area.

Access to gym and fitness location network may vary by location and plan.

Network size varies by market and exclusions may apply.

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The information provided through Renew Active is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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STL

JEWISH LIGHT

October 18, 2023

NEWSMAKERS

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Rabbi David Reinhart and Frances Levine.

SECOND ROW: Debbie Granick and Michael Gorman.

Page 11A

ABOVE: Clockwise from left, new Jewish Federation of St. Louis staff members Carly Ferdman, Rebekah Nussbaum, Max Oppenheimer, Nancy Weigley and Tehilla Shapiro.

THIRD ROW: Gail Wechsler and Rabbi Andrew Terkel.

Rabbi David Reinhart, associate rabbi of United Hebrew Congregation, was chosen to be part of the Amplify Israel Rabbinic Fellowship. It is a selective yearlong professional development program for early-career Reform rabbis to provide the tools and resources to incorporate Israel and Jewish peoplehood more fully into their practice.

Cultural Leadership will honor Frances Levine with the Ginsburg-Lewis Award at their Leading the Future: Red Carpet Premier on Oct.19 at 18Rails at City Foundry. Levine is noted for guiding people through the complexities of important conversations, fostering understanding and unity. Her commitment to sharing inclusive history has ignited positive change in St. Louis. Levine most recently was the interim executive director of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum.

Former St. Louisan Debbie Granick has opened her new practice, Common Ground Psychiatry. She serves the mental health needs of adults and teens over the age of 13 in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C. both in person and virtually. Granick is a doctorally prepared psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and therapist.

Gail Wechsler is the recipient of the Inaugural MAALL Service Award, given by the Mid-America Association of Law Libraries (MAALL) to recognize members who have made outstanding contributions to MAALL in the areas of chapter activity and professional service. Wechsler was recognized for her work as co-coordinator

of the MAALL Book to Action project, which each year sponsors a book donation drive to benefit a local charity at the location of the MAALL annual meeting, and for her additional leadership and service to MAALL. Wechsler is a member of Central Reform Congregation Rabbi Andrew Terkel of Be The Narrative was accepted into the second cohort of Spertus Institute’s Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism.

He and the other 17 leaders will work with a team of experts that will equip them to respond to rising antisemitism with knowledge, strength and skill. Terkel belongs to Shaare Emeth.

Carly Ferdman, Rebekah Nussbaum, Max Oppenheimer, Tehilla Shapiro and Nancy Weigley are new staff members at Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Ferdman, a master’s of social work student at St. Louis University, will assist with JProStl events and Millstone Fellows recruitment and curriculum, while also working on grant distribution. Nussbaum is an accounting specialist for funds and foundations.

Oppenheimer is the development officer for supplemental giving and Shapiro is the donor services associate for development.

Weigley will work with the development team as the major gifts officer.

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The mobile physical therapy company iMove PT opened its first brick and mortar location in the Chesterfield Valley. Owner Michael Gorman said the new location will offer services not currently available such as compression therapy, laser therapy and NEUBIE electrical stimulation.

Gorman is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

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Page 12A

October 18, 2023

STL

OPINIONS My son thought he was going to Israel to spend the holidays with his sister and his fiancée. Now he’s stationed at the Lebanon-Syria border.

He completed his three years in an elite combat unit about five years ago, and went to work in the travel industry, which shut down during COVID. He came back to the United States to work with autistic adults in New York, as a chef in Miami, and as a financial planner in St. Louis, before launching his own business arranging adventure vacations.

What are the odds he would end up back in Israel for a week only to be called up for the latest war? Certainly, he wanted nothing more than to get back to his life.

So he asked his commanding officer on the phone: “Do you really need me?”

“Yes. You’re the unit’s only available reservist who can operate the heavy machine gun.”

So off he went to defend the northern border, giving his sister a hug before catching a ride with another soldier.

Because that’s what needed to be done.

A few hours later, my wife read this headline in the Times of Israel: “IDF, Hezbollah exchange fire on northern border as nation told to gird for emergency.”

Some friends ask if we’re frightened for him. Others don’t ask. They have children on the front lines as well.

Of course, we worry. But we lived

stljewishlight.org

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

This is what we do

BY RABBI YONASON GOLDSON

JEWISH LIGHT

Reflections on commitment, duty and finding joy amidst terror

through the first intifada and the first Gulf War ourselves. Israelis get good at compartmentalization.

The goal of terror is to disrupt our lives, to force us to live in fear waiting for the next attack. Because to live in fear is to concede defeat. And Israelis are too stubborn to do that, especially when we know that our enemies hate us for one reason and one reason alone: Because we are Jews.

And so, despite the horrors, despite the pain, despite the desperation, despite the decades and centuries of injustice, persecution, pogroms and attempted genocide, we still sing on our holidays and dance at our weddings and rejoice in bright moments of our lives amidst the darkness.

That’s what it means to be a Jew. And no one can take that away from us.

Rabbi Yonason Goldson is Executive Vice President of the Missouri Chapter of the Coalition for Jewish Values and host of the weekly podcast Grappling with the Gray. His new book is “The Spiral of Time: Discovering New Insights and Inspiration in the Jewish Calendar.” This commentary was originally published on Rabbi Goldson’s blog, www.ethicsninja.com. It is reprinted with permission.

Rabbi Yonason Goldson’s son hugs his sister before deploying to Israel’s northern border.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Submit letters to news@stljewishlight.org NCJW stands unconditionally with brought into Gaza and has publicly stated We recognize that we will never agree Representative should Israel after this terrorist attack. We also that they plan to execute these individuals. on everything; there are no politicians share concern about the wellbeing of all In your statements on this matter, rather with whom we agree all the time. We are condemn terrorism In our efforts to improve the wellbeing of the women, children and families in our region, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis works productively with many elected officials. But Congresswoman Cori Bush’s suggestion that Congress should deny defense funding to Israel after the unprecedented attack by Hamas radicals leaves us stunned and disappointed.

Her insensitive statement — publicized across the globe — fuels antisemitism in our own country as well as legitimizes those who wish to harm their fellow citizens. There is no place in America for that sort of hate.

Congresswoman Bush mistakenly equates Hamas with the Palestinian people. Hamas is a terrorist group that savagely targeted Israeli civilians, pulling them from their homes in the middle of the night without regard for innocent lives or human rights. Hundreds of women, children and elders were brutalized, massacred or taken hostage. A music festival was transformed into a killing field.

No one can describe the largest single-day count of murdered Jews since the Holocaust as legitimize “resistance.”

Congresswoman Bush’s suggested policy would withdraw critical support from one of this country’s most important democratic allies and further endanger our Israeli family members and friends.

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civilians. There is a time and place for discussion of the region’s divisions, but now is not that time. Shame on Congresswoman Bush for failing to unequivocally condemn terrorism and those who perpetrate it.

Nancy Litz, President and Ellen Alper, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis Editor’s Note: The Jewish Community Relations Council has sent this letter to Congresswoman Cori Bush and also shared it with the Jewish Light.

We reach out to you once again, in a state of mourning and pain, to ask you to meet with the Jewish population in your district to hear our stories and our suffering as you speak out in Congress and in public about the war that is unfolding between Israel and Hamas.

Your Jewish constituents in the 1st District in Missouri are in a state of shock and fear. Practically every person has a family member, friend, or loved one who has been killed, kidnapped, injured, or traumatized in the devastating terror attack orchestrated by Hamas that left hundreds dead and still hundreds more missing or taken hostage. Hamas has taken credit for these activities, proudly laying claim to the innocent civilians that they dragged from their homes and

than focus your words on the lives lost and the need for a peaceful resolution following the horrific attacks that sent shockwaves across the world, you continuously choose to add implicit blame upon Israel.

Simply put, there is not action that justifies terrorism and the targeting of civilians, and especially nothing that can ever alleviate the crimes that Hamas has perpetrated in continuing to hold these individuals hostage.

Congresswoman, your district represents the largest population of our Jewish community in Missouri, and yet the only voices that you incorporate continue to be an incredibly small population of Jews who have disavowed themselves of the rest of the Jewish community.

Numerous organizations, both local and national, have reached out to you to share the views of our Jewish community on this matter and on Israel more broadly, and you still refuse to engage on this topic.

Congresswoman Bush, as a woman, an activist and a leader who prides yourself on hearing the voices of the marginalized and the vulnerable, it brings us endless pain that you cannot see our Jewish community as a voice worthy of time. The synagogues in your district have had to lock their doors due to threats of attack, our Jewish institutions have had to increase security and our community is, quite simply put, scared.

asking you only to listen to us, to see us, and to recognize that our voices are valid and real in this moment.

Joel Iskiwitch, board chair, Jewish Community Relations Council and Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director, JCRC

Billboard Judaism I have mixed feelings about the wording on some of the billboards that are aimed to fight antisemitism from the organization JewBelong.org (“‘Infamous’ billboards return to St. Louis to fight growing antisemitism,” published online). Some of the billboards are fine, but other others not so much. I question how putting “Even if you think kugel is an exercise for your vagina...Jew Belong.”

Most people are going to look at that billboard and think that is just plain weird and not all that funny or not understand it at all. Another one says “Judaism: Come for your girlfriend. Stay for the lack of Hell.” Is that sign trying to proselytize (which is not what our faith teaches us) or combat antisemitism? I think that organization needs to give a little more thought about what they put on the billboards.

Debi Neff Lake St. Louis, Mo.

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A note to Jewish Light readers from our CEO CEO plans to step down at year’s end

BY BETSY SCHMIDT JEWISH LIGHT CEO

I believe in the value of the St. Louis Jewish Light now more than ever. Jewish news is something that unites and connects Jewish people in our community.

When we all know the same news, events and stories of the amazing people and organizations, and are all talking about them, we gain more commonality than distance.

These days, 60 to 70% of the Jewish population consider themselves secular or non-religious according to a recent Pew Research Center study. We mostly practice our faith in unique and individual ways.

Where do we find the community? How do we feel connected?

Those of us here at the Jewish Light are extremely proud to serve as witnesses and storytellers among us. We help create and maintain connections where there otherwise wouldn’t be any.

In the recent survey conducted by the Light, we heard from more than 900 of you. Overwhelmingly, we heard that the Light gave people a way to feel a part of our community. Respondents told us that they feel more Jewish and more in touch with the Jewish community by reading the paper and/or our Morning Light email newsletter.

And so, it is with great consideration and much sadness that I tendered my resignation this week and will move to my next chapter after the end of the year. Some of this decision was due to personal reasons like health, and some because it was time to pass the baton to someone else.

We are so lucky to have Michael Staenberg as the President of our Board of Directors — he’s the right person at the right time for our organization. The first time I met him, three years ago, he emphasized that having a strong Jewish news organization was one of the pillars of a strong Jewish community. I have been proud to be part of that strong news organization in St. Louis, as CEO of the Light.

But I have taken the organization as far as I can for now. We have created an amazing team with Editor-in-Chief Ellen

Futterman, Chief Digital Content Officer Jordan Palmer and Chief of Revenue Growth and Community Engagement Stacy Wolff Smart leading the way. I’m extremely proud of the collaborative team we’ve built and the tremendous success we’ve had in a relatively short time.

Currently, our digital newsletter has 7,200 subscribers and our printed paper holds steady at more than 9,200 subscribers. Our advertising and donation revenue is almost to the same level it was before the pandemic when we published a paper weekly, instead of bi-monthly, as we do now. Our newspaper is better than ever, winning awards and receiving national recognition for its excellence.

But now the Light needs someone skilled in finance in order to secure its longevity. We need to build an endowment and legacy giving. We need to shore up our cash reserves. I’m convinced someone with a different skill sets and experience can accomplish those feats.

I strongly believe Michael Staenberg is the leader we need to guide the Light through this process, so that it can thrive and flourish well into the future. If anyone ever questioned the value of Jewish media,

Betsy Schmidt is CEO of the St. Louis Jewish Light.

and its importance to the community it serves, they need only to look at last week when the war in Israel broke out.

But Michael can’t do it alone. It will require a real commitment from you – our community – to step forward and raise your hands. As we build an endowment, legacy giving programs and other financial routes to solvency, please know that these are to ensure a strong and healthy Jewish news organization, and in turn a strong, healthy Jewish community in St. Louis for years to come.

Thanks to all I got to meet and work with, and all of you who have supported the Light. It has been an honor.

Ideology and history more than outrage

BY RABBI SETH GORDON

Savage, brutal, depraved, cruel, inhumane — adjectives that describe Hamas’ deeds. And yet none fully captures what happened on Shabbat Sh’mini Atzeret in Israel. What’s more, while it is important to emphasize those fitting words, it is not enough.

The numerous immoral acts have been publicized repeatedly, hour after hour on the news, for nearly a week. The horrors are repeatedly recounted at Jewish gatherings, as is support for Israel’s objective to destroy Hamas. Many recite prayers.

But we dangerously err. We miss the opportunity of the underlying truth, and if we continue, vital support will erode.

Polls show that a significant minority of Americans support the Palestinians; too many Jews fail to show full support for Israel, and some even support the Palestinians. For more than a generation, “academics” have indoctrinated students and young Jews have been intimidated at our esteemed universities.

The impact and meaning of the death of Israeli children, even babies — and the high numbers — may soon be diminished; In Gaza, Palestinian children and babies will also die. It is not enough to merely state that Hamas is to blame. As the numbers and pictures of dead and wounded fill the news cycle, many will not care. “Humanitarians,” as they often do, will equate Israel with Hamas.

It is not enough to highlight depravity; it is not enough to distinguish between intent. The missed opportunity is in failing to address the ideology and the history — to repeat often, as often as we do the wrenching accounts of terror.

Hamas’s cruel massacre is no different than cruelties inflicted by like-minded people over the years — the bombings of innocents on planes, buses and eateries, the shooting of Israeli children at schools, the execution of Israeli Olympic athletes, the casting overboard of a wheelchair-bound Jew. Hamas’ recent attack was merely larger and more visually disturbing. But for Jews, how is Hamas materially different from the Nazis?

The Nazis mass-murdered Jews, they killed babies, stripped women of clothing.

What needs to be addressed, repeatedly,

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is the ideology. Deeds follow ideology.

Nazis asserted racial superiority; Jews and Blacks were inferior. Hamas is dedicated to destroying the Jewish state.

Hamas’ charter explicitly affirms armed resistance to liberate Palestine from “river to sea.” And Hamas is only one of many who think this way.

The entire ideology, like the Nazi false racial ideology — is based on lies and gross distortions, energized and disseminated propaganda. The heart of the argument is that Jews stole Palestinian land. It is a lie, or at best, a gross distortion.

History and ideology are ignored at our peril, literally.

One would need knowledge of the Jews’ ancestral homeland that pre-dates these claims. One would need knowledge of ordinary 19th century Jewish settlers.

One would have to know about Arabs who welcomed Jews to a desolate land, which Jews built up, and the Arabs who opposed them. One would have to know about wondrous Jewish achievements in the 1920s in Israel – and the planned Arab military attacks on Jewish settlements beginning in Hebron in 1929 into the 1930s. Peace and cooperation shuttered for hateful ideology.

One would have to know about the Peel Commission which, after long study, reluctantly concluded a solution of two separate nations. One would have to know that the Jews accepted a tiny non-contiguous fraction of the British Mandate, which led to the formal November 1947 U.N. partition plan, and then the May 14, 1948, independence of Israel. One would have to know that the Palestinians observe that as “Nakba,” the tragedy.

One would have to know that Israel was attacked on that day, by six Arab armies, that Jews were so disadvantaged that the United States tried to persuade Ben Gurion to not declare its independence, for it feared the Jewish state and Jews would be annihilated. In other words, there is a long history of Jewish acceptance of very little and Arab rejection.

Each was a choice.

For another 30 years — despite the U.N., Arabs rejected Israel. One would have to know how the 1967 Six-Day War came about, and the beginning of mod-

ern terrorism on planes, schools, etc. One would have to know about the attack on Yom ha-Kippurim in 1973.

But then Anwar Sadat of Egypt came to Jerusalem in 1977 to make peace, formalized in the Camp David Accords. Israel gave up much captured territory for peace. Israel has always sought peace.

Next came the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, for peace. Despite withdrawals and support, the terror continued, and Hamas would flourish.

Then Ehud Barak offered Yassir Arafat much more than most Israelis were willing to give. Arafat rejected it and unleashed the intifada. Even Israeli doves woke up; there was no Palestinian peace partner.

In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza. By 2007 Hamas gained control; the Gazans voted for Hamas rather than the Palestinian Authority. Although there are reasons other than anti-Israel ideology for that vote, much like in 1933 Germany, the ideology came with it.

Arab governments — Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia, have been moderating. The alternative ideology persists among Hamas and Hezbollah, financed and encouraged by Iran. It is this ideology amidst its history which is at the core of this week’s — and years of — massacres.

What Israel does for peace is unprecedented. Even though for years Hamas has fired rockets into Israel and foments terrorism, Israel’s blockade of Gaza did not include food or medicine. Israel has treated relatives of Hamas terrorists in its hospitals. Israeli soldiers risk their lives to prevent killing innocent Palestinians.

Still, Israeli homes are built with shelters; families even now run to them. Our children suffer. We do not need a moral lesson from anyone.

To be sure, Israel and Jews are not perfect. Some Israeli leaders make repugnant statements; some actions, like the rampage by Israeli Jewish settlers that murdered Palestinians, have been despicable, and others, i.e. religious Jews who raise signs: “Death to the Arabs” — a violation of Torah. But nearly all Jews denounce them.

Jews, with perhaps rare exceptions, did not s te a l Pa le s t i n i a n la nd .

Overwhelmingly, most Arabs who left

Rabbi Seth D. Gordon serves Traditional Congregation.

Israel in 1948 did so despite Jews begging them to stay to live together in peace.

They left because war — the Arab attack — has these consequences, because they were urged to leave by their leaders, because they were promised rewards. But those Arabs and Palestinians never take responsibility; it is easy to blame Israel to support its ideology.

Israel is not a colonialist state. Jews did not settle on behalf of any European power. Israel is not an apartheid state.

Lie. Anyone who accepts that does not know apartheid or Israel. Arabs comprise about 10-15% of the Knesset’s elected representatives, serve as judges, study in universities, etc. An Arab Israeli was once Miss Israel. Druze and some other Arabs serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

“Pro-Palestinan” students raise placards: Israel is an apartheid state, a colonialist state. They cannot distinguish between conflict and barbarism. They are brainwashed, not educated. And as much as we should distinguish between terrorists and Palestinians, those who support the ideology and ignore its ramifications, only serve to portray Palestinians as supporters. If they do not support this ideology, now is the time to distinguish, or you do not deserve the label “innocent.” Free American college students have their own minds and souls.

Ignorance — failing to know, in some cases willful ignorance — sow the seeds of false ideology and death — to Jews, to Palestinians, to everyone. Lies do not help Palestinians; they increase suffering and death. Morality and truth are our foundations. We need more than emotion; we need knowledge.

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TEEN PERSPECTIVES

Hamas apologists are ignorant, inaccurate and antisemitic

BY NATHAN ARST

The Hamas terrorist attacks Oct. 7 changed Israel and the world forever. An astounding 1,300 people were killed in a brutal rampage that murdered more Jews in a single day since the Holocaust.

As soon as I heard about the attacks, I reached out to a few of my friends who either lived in Israel or had family there. Fortunately, my friends were fine, but a lot of their friends were not.

A friend’s aunt and uncle were kidnapped and taken hostage, and his friend was killed.

Another friend had several friends who were murdered as well. Several others had siblings fighting on the front lines, or family in Israel.

I was consumed with an overwhelming mix of worry and devastation. However, I knew that my emotions meant absolutely nothing compared with those of my friends with relatives in Israel who were paralyzed with fear every second of the day.

Hamas posted videos of their unthinkable atrocities committed on Israeli civilians — including babies, children and the elderly — with a vicious sense of pride.

Yet despite video evidence, despite the fact that Hamas is globally regarded as a terrorist organization, despite the fact that the murdered Israelis were innocent civilians, some people spun these attacks into a positive. Did slaughtering babies “Free Palestine?”

Is torturing elderly people somehow “justified resistance?” Seemingly not, but part of the internet would say so.

In addition to the Jews who were killed, so, too, were innocent Palestinians, Americans and tourists from other countries. Many Palestinian activist groups were quick to denounce Hamas and make it clear

Nathan Arst is a senior at Parkway Central High School. that Hamas does not represent the Palestinians’ interests.

When people say these attacks are justified or reasonable, they are not only ignorant and antisemitic, they are completely inaccurate given that everyone suffered. Some people mention the history of Israel and Palestine’s complicated relationship and use it in relation to this discussion.

It’s important to address the political history, but now is not the time. No past events can ever excuse such appalling acts of violence inflicted on innocent people.

My connection with Judaism has only grown stronger after witnessing Jews around the world unite to support the people of Israel. In Israel, there is a Jewish boy who perhaps looks just like me and has the same set of beliefs, values and interests as I do.

But for some reason, I am spending time at school while he is wondering

whether he will wake up the next day.

This feeling is immensely difficult to describe, but I know that I must stick up for the kid just like me, along with all Jews in Israel, because I could be in their shoes. Jews around the world must continue to raise awareness about these attacks and not lose sight of why we are doing this. We aren’t persecuted — but we could be — so we must not forget about the people exactly like us who aren’t as fortunate as we are. Despite the fear Jews face, I am never prouder to say that I’m Jewish and to wear my Star of David necklace from Israel.

Israel’s government hasn’t been perfect, and its history is certainly flawed.

But so is every country in the world.

America certainly has a rough history, although, for some reason, people can express love for America without being made to feel guilty of its mistakes, threatened and subjected to brutal violence.

How come people can’t do that about Israel? Judaism — that’s the answer. Antisemitism results in criticisms of Israel from which other nations are exempt.

With all the evil against the Jewish people, there is a lot of work to be done. But there’s hope and strength in the unity of Jews around the world. I encourage all Jews to not shy away from their Judaism or their love for Israel.

One of my favorite parts of Judaism is the Jewish people’s resilience.

Despite merciless oppression for thousands of years, Jews refuse to be defeated. We continue to exist, thrive and contribute to the world. We have always overcome adversity, and this time will be no different.

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JEWISH LIGHT

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Fight with Hamas is about basic human rights

BY ALISSA BARNHOLTZ

I can’t stay quiet anymore.

I am proud to be Jewish. I am scared to be Jewish.

I am highly aware that I’m not an expert on this topic, but I do know that what happened at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7 in Israel was an act of terrorism.

More than 4,400 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel. More than 1,400 innocent people have been murdered and 2,900 injured. A The number of people publicly known to have been kidnapped by Hamas terrorists rose to almost 200 on Monday.

Please understand that this fight isn’t about Palestinian vs. Israeli politics. This fight is about basic human rights. Nobody deserves to be murdered, having their bodies dragged through the streets. And nobody deserves to be publicly raped or tortured.

Hamas is a terrorist group that consistently threatens and kills people who are Jewish or not. Right now, it is not about whether you are pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, but whether you support the rights of all citizens.

There is absolutely zero justification for the terrorist attacks threatening thousands of individuals lives.

I grieve with those who are mourning. I stand with mothers and fathers who have lost a child.

Most importantly, I stand for peace.

Please start educating yourselves on both sides to fully understand the complexity of our time.

ONLINE COMMENTARY

Josh Scharff: A first-person account of helplessness and hope in the heart of Israel Josh Scharff is a Congregation Temple Israel community member and Development Coordinator and Student Rabbi at The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism in Tel Aviv, Israel. Read his commentary at https://bit.ly/Scharff-commentary.

Alissa Barnholtz is a senior at Parkway Central High School.

START YOUR DAY WITH OUR FREE DAILY EMAIL NEWSLETTER STLJEWISHLIGHT.ORG/NEWSLETTERS

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JEWISH LIGHT

FEATURES ARTS AND CULTURE

FOOD

HOLIDAYS

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LIFESTYLES

Your guide to the 2023 St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

BY CATE MARQUIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Book lovers, get ready. The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is back, Nov. 5-19, every day except Saturday, Nov. 18. The annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is a nationally recognized event, now in its 45th year, and one of the largest in the country.

This year there is a fully packed schedule of authors and events, with book topics ranging from the serious to the light-hearted, from history, antisemitism and finding one’s purpose to cooking, mystery novels and games (mahjong!).

“We have a wonderful mix of popular festival returnees as well as many new faces and topics to welcome to the J this November,” said Hannah Dinkel, director of literary arts at the Jewish Community Center. “There is truly something for everyone this year.”

There is no keynote speaker this year,

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but the festival will feature several headlining authors, among them Martin Fletcher, Mitch Albom, Rebecca Rosen, Andrew Rea and Rebecca Minkoff.

“The absolute ‘don’t miss’ speaker is Martin Fletcher,” said Barb Raznick, who is co-chair of this year’s festival, along with Barb Kramer. “We have welcomed him to the book festival in the past and he is a marvelous speaker. He has written a touching book, ‘Teachers,’ but he has decided instead to talk about the tragedy and situation in Israel. And there could not be more of an expert than Fletcher who was NBC news bureau chief in Tel Aviv for nearly 30 years.”

Fletcher speaks at the festival’s opening night, 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the J’s Edison Gymnasium.

Psychic medium Rebecca Rosen will discuss her new book, “What’s Your Heaven?” (described by Dinkel as “an invitation of self-introspection and discovery”) at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6.

YouTube cooking sensation Andrew Rea will discuss his cookbook, “Basics with Babish,” on Tuesday Nov. 7, in conversation with St. Louis Post-Dispatch restaurant critic Ian Froeb.

Designer and social activist Rebecca Minkoff, author of “Fearless,” speaks at the festival’s Women’s Night on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in conversation with the Jewish Light’s Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman. Dinkel described Minkoff as a “fashion designer, business mogul, podcaster and activist for women and mothers in the workplace.” Her latest book is “a biographical guide of how women can live up to their fullest potential in all that they strive for,” Dinkel said.

Women’s Night kicks off with a local Women’s Business Expo, with light refreshments at 5 p.m. before the author’s appearance at 7 p.m. The event will also collect lightly used handbags

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival WHEN: Nov. 5-19 WHERE: Most festival events take place at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur, 2 Millstone Campus Drive.

HOW MUCH: Ticket prices vary, and some tickets include a copy of the book as well as admission. An All-Access Pass is available, which includes the festival from Nov. 5 -19, plus the Bookend events for $136.

MORE INFO: For a full schedule or additional information, visit stljewishbookfestival.org or call 314-442-3294.

Festival books can be purchased at the on-site Jewish Book Festival Bookstore, run in collaboration with The Novel Neighbor. The festival also has raffle tickets for prizes (individual tickets for $5, five-ticket bundles for $20).

Check the festival Hotline at 314-442-3299 for schedule changes.

See JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL, p. 22A

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FEATURES

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THEATER REVIEW

Timely, moving ‘Immigrant’ returns to NJT

BY GERRY KOWARSKY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

“The Immigrant” is the first play the New Jewish Theatre has presented three times in its 25-year history. Mark Harelik’s tribute to his grandfather has never been timelier than it is in NJT’s brilliant production.

The title character is Haskell Harelik (rhymes with garlic). He was Chatzkell Garehlik when he left Belorussia and crossed the Atlantic in steerage. He reached Galveston, Texas, in the summer of 1909. The play shows how he acquires a new name and a new life in Hamilton, about 300 miles northwest of Galveston.

When Haskell first appears in Hamilton, he is hauling a wheelbarrow full of bananas near the home of Milton and Ima Perry.

They are initially suspicious of the foreigner, but empathy overcomes their mistrust.

Little by little, the lives of Haskell and the Perrys intertwine. Ima buys more bananas than she needs from Haskell. Later, he rents a room in the Perry’s home.

Eventually, Milton, a banker, advises Haskell on running his business and lends him the money needed to expand it.

Haskell’s family grows along with his business. When he has saved enough money, Haskell sends for his wife, Leah. Life in Texas is difficult for her. She misses being part of the community she grew up in. But Leah, like Haskell, learns to adjust to her new surroundings and develops a close relationship with the Perrys. They are present when all three Harelik children are born.

For the most part, “The Immigrant” celebrates the ways immigration enriches the lives of both the newcomers and the people who welcome them. Even so, the play recognizes that embracing a few immigrants is not the same as accepting a wave of immigration. The long friendship between Haskell and Milton is tested when they clash over restrictive immigration quotas in 1939.

NJT’s production of “The Immigrant” was astutely directed by its artistic director, Rebekah Scallet. Her production concept divides the audience into two facing groups. The open area between them runs the full length of the theater. Michael Sullivan’s lighting admirably supports Scallet’s use of the wide stage.

A video screen is suspended over each of the two banks of seats, giving everyone in the theater an unobstructed view of projections drawn from the audio-visual design by Mark Harelik and Randal Myler.

In the prologue, the slideshow supplies a

Bryn McLaughlin as Leah and Dustin Lane Petrillo as Haskell in the New Jewish Theatre production of ‘The Immigrant.’

PHOTOS: JON GITCHOFF

‘The Immigrant’ WHEN: Through Oct. 29 WHERE: New Jewish Theatre’s Wool Studio Theater in the Jewish Community Center’s Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive HOW MUCH: $27 to $58 MORE INFO: Visit newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

David Wassilak as Milton in ‘The Immigrant.’ context for Haskell’s journey to America.

The later visuals include pictures of Haskell’s family, business and environs.

The slideshow marks the passage of time in the play. So do Michele Friedman Siler’s costumes, which are remarkable for their attention to period detail; Dennis Milam Bensie’s wigs; and the music in

Kareem Deanes’ sound design.

At opposite ends of the acting space are the facades of two houses. The banker’s home is naturally the more imposing.

When Haskell is renting a room from the Perrys, he appears on a balcony above their front porch. Rob Lippert’s scenic design seems to incorporate visual cues

from the slideshow for the house in which Haskell and Leah’s children are born.

The NJT cast is superb. Dustin Lane Petrillo meticulously delineates the changes in Haskell as he adapts to life in Hamilton. David Wassilak conveys Milton’s vulnerability as well as his rugged self-assurance. Mindy Shaw has a sure grasp of the whimsy in Ima’s spirit and the generosity in her heart. Bryn McLaughlin is deeply affecting when Leah expresses her despair.

At a time when immigration has become such a controversial topic, the New Jewish Theatre deserves great thanks for bringing back “The Immigrant” in such an entertaining and moving production.

HEALTHWATCH

Wellness clinic explores ketamine therapy

BY JEFFRY GREENBERG SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Dr. Joseph Novof (DO), 41, is an emergency medicine physician at Mercy South Hospital.

Last year, he opened Alive Health+Wellness Ketamine Clinic in Wildwood. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, he and his family are hosting a shinshin, a teenage Israeli emissary, at their home in Ladue.

The Jewish Light sat down with Novof to find out more about ketamine, an anesthetic and analgesic drug, and why he is such a proponent of ketamine treatment.

Dr. Joseph Novof

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Why did you decide to open Alive Health+Wellness?

I saw an unmet need for mental health. The way we were treating it wasn’t always the best way. I came across an article that showed great promise for ketamine. I use it regularly, if not all the time, in the ER in much higher doses to intubate and do procedural sedation to pop in shoulders and hips or to sedate a kid

so I can do a facial (laceration) repair.

What is the history of ketamine, and what have you learned about it?

Ketamine has been around since the 1960s.

Its research regarding mental health came out about 10 years ago, but I wasn’t aware of that until about a year and a half ago. Since then, I learned that at much lower doses, it could be very beneficial for certain mental health conditions. That piqued my interest, and since there’s a big need for it, especially after COVID, I opened up Alive Health + Wellness.

What is your experience of specific successes for ketamine?

What I like about it is that it’s quick on, quick off. SSRIs and SNRIs (types of anti-depressants) are first-line agents for major depression that can take two to three weeks to kick in to even know if they’ll work. With ketamine. you’ll relatively know within the first to the third treatment.

People tell me that if somebody was cry-

ing every day, they may cry just the first time they’re on ketamine. But they say those tears are different, and they feel that a weight’s been lifted off them.

I had a fibromyalgia patient who had to pick just one activity for the day because it would completely wipe her out. Now her pain is six out of 10, which doesn’t seem like much of a success for most people. But in her own words, that’s life-changing to where she can actually do all the activities within a day.

What we do in assessment is a mini mental health screening, then we’ll repeat it on a third visit and a sixth visit. That way, we can get objective data on how people are doing. But most people just know that they’re dramatically better and are ecstatic about the results.

What are ketamine’s potential side effects?

With any medication you have, there can be small side effects. If you listen to any TV See HEALTH on opposite page

10/17/23 5:40 PM

stljewishlight.org

STL

JEWISH LIGHT

FEATURES

AMY FENSTER BROWN

Amid dark times, let’s remember some of the best things about being Jewish

BY AMY FENSTER BROWN

Let me be honest: The state of events in Israel made me question what to write about this week. My usual attempts at comedy and wit just don’t seem appropriate. Those kinds of verbal shenanigans seem tone deaf and uncalled for right now.

Trying to figure out how to proceed, I had a conversation with my sister Susie, who suggested providing some simple happiness in the form of Jewish pride to you lovely readers.

I hate when she is right. So, on behalf of Susie knowing best, I present you with the Top 10 Best Things About Being Jewish.

Comedy — Here’s a short list of members of the tribe who keep us in stitches, in alphabetical order to not choose favorites: Milton Berle, Sandra Bernhard, Mel Brooks, George Burns, Sid Caesar, Billy Crystal, Chelsea Handler, Wendy Liebman, Groucho Marx, Elaine May, Seth Meyers, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart.

Musical Prayers for Everything — Know someone who is ill? We can sing a prayer for that. Celebrating? We’ve got musical blessings for that, too. You name it, your rabbi can find a tune with appropriate lyrics to speak to God about it.

Potatoes — From kugel to latkes, knishes to kneidlach, the little tuber takes center stage for so many favorite noshes. Your Bubbe can take a russet, red skinned or Yukon Gold to another level with a little schmaltz and a whole lot of love.

Holidays — Family fun at its finest.

We’ve got some great ones. You can celebrate the Jewish New Year and then spin the dreidel just a few months later. You’ll watch a creative shpiel and in just weeks you’ll clean out your chometz. There are Jewish holidays, major and minor, happening during about nine months of the years. That’s fun.

Desserts — Try to pick a favorite among these delicious Jewish treats: rugelach, mandel bread, macaroons, babka, hamantaschen, sufganiyot, halva, honey cake, black and white cookies and apple cake. Instead of choosing one, just have them all.

Community — It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. And in Jewish St. Louis, we know a lot of each other. We show up in great numbers to local rallies, we see each other at synagogue at High Holidays and, with the invention of social media, can really figure out who knows who. Luckily, we also have so many non-Jewish friends supporting us right now, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

We can choose our own definition of “community.”

Bagels — Just bagels. Arguably the most universal and popular Jewish food.

You don’t have to be Jewish to eat them.

Polish Jews brought the breakfast staple to America late in the 19th century. Bagels Columnist Amy Fenster Brown is married to Jeff and has two teenage sons, Davis and Leo. She volunteers for several Jewish not-for-profit groups. Fenster Brown is an Emmy Award-winning TV news writer and counts time with family and friends, talking and eating peanut butter among her hobbies.

can be found at grocery stores and specialty shops, they can be vegan or gluten free, they can make a mean sandwich or toasted chip. A huge contribution to the world, courtesy of the Jews.

Yiddish words — Oy vey, could I go on about this one. So many Yiddish words sound like what they mean — chutzpah and klutz come to mind. Some sound similar but are opposite, like kvetching and kvelling. Be careful not to schmooze so much with the town yenta, or even your Zayde will find out what kind of mishegas you’ve been up to. He’ll be so verklempt he might potch you on the tuches.

Simchas — There ain’t no party like a b’nai mitzvah party. It’s so much fun to feel pride for the young adult reaching a milestone and to celebrate their accomplishment. Jewish weddings bring the joy, from the stomping of the glass to when we all dance the Hora and lift the bride and groom off the ground. Siman tov u’mazal tov, people!

Tikkun olam — This is where we are right now, but it’s also where we’ve always been. The Jewish value of tikkun olam, of repairing the world, translates to doing good, being a mensch and helping where help is needed. Local Jewish not-for-profits provide funding and goods to those who are underserved. Synagogues do service projects around town with schools and agencies in need, creating community. We boast a food pantry run by professionals and volunteers that addresses food insecurity in our area.

Good job everyone!

October 18, 2023

Page 17A

HEALTH CONTINUED FROM OPPOSITE PAGE advertisement, they talk about the positives about medications for about two seconds, then for about 30 seconds in rapid speech they talk about any possible adverse drug reactions.

But (ketamine) is a short on, short off drug. Safety is of the utmost importance.

I hired an ER staff that’s well adept to stressful situations and airwave management. We also have medications in the clinic to counteract certain adverse drug reactions. Also, there’s a firehouse two blocks away. It wasn’t an accident where I placed this location.

What else would you like to add about ketamine?

It’s an experimental drug. I want to be clear about that. There’s an FDA approved ketamine called Spravato, which is an intranasal ketamine indicated for major depression only.

We offer that, but we are a cash-based clinic for the other forms of ketamine.

That increases the barrier of entry for a lot of people because unless you have a diagnosis of major depression, if you failed two antidepressants and you’re currently on a depressant, insurance will not cover this.

As many have known, insurance companies like to decline things. So, we’ll do a pre-authorization and it still takes a month to get people who are candidates for Spravato to get started. But we can book online (alivehealthstl.com/) and do a consultation that same day as long as they haven’t eaten anything in the last three hours and have a ride home with a designated driver. We could even initiate treatment that day.

We try to make it easy and with price transparency online. We’re trying to break a lot of those barriers for people to get help.

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2023-10-18 page 16-17.indd 17

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10/17/23 5:41 PM

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October 18, 2023

STL

SIMCHAS BIRTHS

ENGAGEMENTS

WEDDINGS

JEWISH LIGHT

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MITZVOT

SUBMIT YOUR SIMCHA ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FREE!

Harvey Kornblum Foundation at stljewishlight.org/simchas

BAR MITZVAH: SAMSON BECKER

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY ESSER - WILD PINES PHOTOS

BLOOM-LETWAT ENGAGEMENT Rebecca Bloom, daughter of Patty and Jonathan Bloom of St. Louis, and Jacob Letwat, son of Sheryl and David Letwat of Arlington Heights, Ill., have announced their engagement.

Rebecca is the granddaughter of Joel and Risa Bloom of Houston, Alice (z”l) and Howard (z”l) Handelman, and Peggy Bloom (z”l).

Jacob is the grandson of Laurel and Marvin Letwat of Morton Grove, Ill.; Sy Shiminovsky of Wheeling, Ill.; and Rodna Mathus (z”l).

Rebecca attended Clayton High School and Indiana University, where she double majored in Jewish studies and media-advertising. She is the assistant director of admissions and marketing at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago.

Jacob attended Buffalo Groves High School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and Emory University, where he studied business. He worked for four years

as a consultant at EY-Parthenon and is currently a MBA student at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Rebecca and Jacob met in 2016 when both were counselors at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, Wis., and led countless hiking, biking, canoeing and climbing trips together.

They continued dating through college and then moved to Chicago together.

Jacob surprised Rebecca with a trip to Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin, where the couple had led many hiking and climbing trips when they were counselors. This has remained a special place where they return with friends each year.

While on a hike, he proposed on a bluff overlooking the lake. They returned home that evening where the surprises continued with family and close friends (many from out of town) joining them for a weekend of celebrations.

A September 2024 wedding is planned.

BIRTH: DANIELLA TAMAR MAZUR Abbi Marks-Mazur of Kibbutz Yahel, Israel and Joshua Mazur of Chesterfield would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Daniella Tamar Mazur, on Sept. 21, 2023 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, weighing 5 pounds, 15 ounces.

Daniella is the granddaughter of Anne

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Brafa-Mazur and Rick Mazur of Chesterfield, Gila Marks and Avshalom Babay of Kibbutz Yahel, and Mitchell Marks, z’’l.

She has one sibling, Shira Mazur, who is 20 months old.

Samson Becker, son of Hadas and Tony Becker, became a bar mitzvah on Oct. 14, 2023 at Central Reform Congregation.

Samson is the grandson of Carroll Metzger of Festus, Mo., and Don and Sandy Becker of Crystal City, Mo. He is the greatgrandson of the late Serena Grinpas and the late Jerome Metzger; and the great-great-grandson of the late Hy and Bella Vile of Kansas City, Mo. Samson has two siblings, Leo T. Becker, who is 4½, and Isaac Becker, who is 13.

A seventh-grade student at Hixson Middle School in Webster Groves, Samson enjoys computer games, drawing, making videos, cross country running, hanging out with friends and playing with the family’s dogs, Georgie and Ahsoka. Samson is enjoyPHOTO COURTESY OF J. POLLACK PHOTOGRAPHY ing learning all the ways he can contribute to tikkun olam in the seventh-grade mitzvah class at CRC.

BIRTH: ARLO “ARI” ABRAHAM TURLEY Deborah and Clinton Turley of Chesterfield would like to announce the birth of their son, Arlo “Ari” Abraham Turley, on September 23, 2023 at Missouri Baptist, weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces.

Arlo is the grandson of Karyn and Gary

Wilson of Maryland Heights; Christy and Craig Kostielney of Kansas City, Mo.; and Jo and Kevin Turley of Independence, Mo. He has two siblings, Elijah, who is 4 years old, and Walter, who is 2.

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JEWISH LIGHT

SIMCHAS

October 18, 2023

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BIRTH: MAYA ADRIANA WEISEL Emily Moseley Weisel and Daniel Weisel would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Maya Adriana Weisel, on June 27, 2023 in St. Louis, weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces.

Maya is the granddaughter of Tad and Juli Moseley of Springfield, Mo., and Larry and Marsha Weisel of St. Louis.

BIRTH: SOPHIE ANNABEL DRIAN

MELNIKS CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Rachel Weisel Drian and Joshua Drian, would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Sophie Annabel Drian, on Sept. 9, 2023 in Washington, D.C., weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces.

Sophie is the granddaughter of Allan and Marjorie Drian of Goshen, N.Y., and Larry and Marsha Weisel of St. Louis.

Dr. Paul and Barbara Melnik of Chesterfield have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The couple was married on April 6, 1973 at United Hebrew Congregation.

Paul is an orthodontist who retired from private practice in 2012. Barbara was a teacher for many years and ended her career as a parent educator in the Parkway School District. In retirement, they enjoy golfing, playing canasta and spending time with family and friends.

The couple have three daughters: Michelle (Marc) Stone of Milwaukee, Wis.; Julie (Greg) Schneiderman of Highland Park, Ill.; and Alison (Brett) Berger of Creve Coeur. They also have seven grandchildren: Zoey and Ryan Stone; Alex, Andrew and Abbey Schneiderman; and Jack and Eve Berger.

The Melniks celebrated this milestone with a party with their family and friends.

BAR MITZVAH: ISAAC BECKER

GOLDSTEIN-HOLDENER ENGAGEMENT Traci Goldstein and Jeffrey Holdener have announced their engagement.

Traci is the daughter of Dolores Goldstein (z’l) and Harold Fishman (z’l), both of St. Louis. She attended Parkway Central High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri St. Louis, a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University and a Juris Doctor degree from St. Louis University. She is currently employed by Calliditas Therapeutics.

Jeffrey is the son of Barbara and Leo (z’l) Holdener of Belleville, Ill. He is a

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graduate of Belleville East High School and he proudly served and retired from the United States Army. He is currently employed by Spectrum Communications.

The couple met online. On Sept.

10, Traci and Jeffrey went to breakfast with their daughters, Dahlia and Ella, and then met Jeffrey’s son, Tyler, at the Butterfly House. Traci was looking at some beautiful butterflies, and when she turned around, Jeffrey was down on one knee. Traci was surprised!

A spring/summer 2024 wedding is planned.

Isaac Becker, son of Hadas and Tony Becker, became a bar mitzvah on Oct. 14, 2023 at C ent r a l Refor m Congregation.

Isaac is the grandson of Carroll Metzger of Festus, Mo., and Don and Sandy Becker of Crystal City, Mo. He is the greatgrandson of the late Serena Grinpas and the late Jerome Metzger; and the greatgreat-grandson of the late Hy and Bella Vile of Kansas City, Mo. Isaac has two siblings, Leo T. Becker, who is 4½, and Samson Becker, who is 12.

An eighth-grade student at Hixson Middle School in Webster Groves, Isaac enjoys computer games, reading, hanging out with friends and playing with the family’s dogs, Georgie and Ahsoka. Isaac enjoyed learning all the ways he can contribute to tikkun olam in the seventh-grade mitzvah class at CRC last year and is continuing to grow through the eighth grade in CRC›s education program.

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October 18, 2023

STL

OBITUARIES

JEWISH LIGHT

stljewishlight.org

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

OBITUARY NOTICES UPDATED DAILY AT STLJEWISHLIGHT.ORG/OBITUARIES

PHILIP BASSIN, September 29, 2023 Beloved husband of Gayle (Barnett) Bassin. Dear father of Todd Bassin and Abbe Bassin. Loving grandfather of Jacob and Andrew Bassin, Mia and Sydney Rubenstein. Beloved brother of Vicki (late Leonard) Raiffie, Cindy (Brian) Travers and the late Stanford Bassin. Dear uncle, cousin and friend.

Philip was born in St Louis on May 20, 1939 to Sidney and Fay Bassin, their first of four children. He attended Jackson Park elementary school and graduated from University City high school class of ‘57. He attended Mizzou for one year but transferred to Washington University where he was president of his ZBT fraternity and graduated with a degree in industrial engineering and later a Master’s degree in engineering administration.

Philip was hired by Jewish Hospital and rose quickly to Associate Director.

Also at this time he met the love of his life, Gayle Barnett, at the hospital, and they were married for 56 years.

They had two children and eventually 4 grandchildren, who became the light of his life. Through the years Phil was employed at Centerco Properties where he worked alongside good friends Jack Wolf and Art Loomstein, and

eventually he joined his brother, Stanford, in the automotive parts business which became S&S Automotive. This partnership lasted almost 30 years and included his son Todd.

Phil had many interests and hobbies, including: golf, fishing, classical music (he was a dedicated patron of the St. Louis Symphony), coin collector, sports enthusiast (especially the St. Louis Blues), nature lover (animals, birds, trees and the beautiful outdoors) and an avid reader and history buff. After retiring, he became an ambassador volunteer at the St Louis Zoo and also a docent at the St Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum.

A graveside service was held Wednesday, October 4 at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road. Contributions in his memory may be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service JOANNE BRYER (formerly Joanne Katzif of St. Louis) passed away on October 2, 2023 in Sacramento, California.

Joanne was the wife of the late Arthur Katzif and the late Arnold Bryer. Loving mother of the late Jeffrey (Dale) Katzif, Kenneth (Sally) Katzif, Larry (Stephanie) Katzif and Lisa (Jeff) Geren.

Dearest grandmother of the late Julie Katzif, Emily (Jared Fix) Katzif, Amy (Chris) Pasternak, Laura (Andrew Pfister) Katzif, Michael Katzif, Elise (Ben) Walker, Anna (Donnyves) Laroque, Joseph Geren and Jacquelyn Geren. Special

OBITUARIES INDEX Bassin, Philip Joanne Bryer Gast, Arnold E. Lebman, Sanford “Buddy”

Packman, Robert Charles, M.D. Saltzman, Samantha Linda Sanofsky, Ruth

American Flag symbol denotes a United States military veteran.

great-grandmother of Zoe and Lucie Fix, Jacob and Aaron Bell, August Pfister, Adam and Abigail Walker, and Nathan Geren.

Joanne worked many years in retail, primarily at Stix Baer & Fuller at Westroads and Robinson’s in Los Angeles. She was an avid reader, and she loved to cook new recipes and play tennis.

A private service will be held in Sacramento.

The oldest Jewish Funeral Home west of the Mississippi

Owned and operated by the same family for five generations

(314) 367-0438

www.rindskopfroth.com

IN MEMORY OF

Samuel L. Bernstein LONG TIME PRESIDENT/CEO OF MERS MISSOURI GOODWILL

~

May his memory be a blessing

ARNOLD E. GAST, October 12, 2023 Beloved husband of the late Gail Gast. Dear father of Jacqueline Rosen (David), David Gast (Karen) and Kenneth Gast (Debra); dear grandfather of Adam Rosen, Connor Gast, Cole Gast, Cooper Gast, Lauren Gast, and Austin Gast. Dear son of the late Lester and the late Lillian Gast; dear brother of the late Beverly Winterman (Gene); our dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

A funeral service was held Sunday, Oct. 15 at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Private Interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions preferred to the Arnie and Gail Legacy Fund at Gateway to Hope, 3114 Sutton Boulevard, 63143.

Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

SANFORD “BUDDY” LEBMAN, 98 years old passed away of natural causes on October 4 at his home surrounded by his family.

Buddy leaves a legacy of his family starting with his late wife, Hadassah, of 72 years.

His daughter Vicki (Haim) Oren and Grandchildren Dekel (Gali), Benji (Taryn) and Mati Oren.

Great Grandchildren: Yoav, Eyal, Ido, Roni, Tomer, Tamar and Shailee, all of Israel.

His daughter Ruth (Barry) Long, and grandchildren, Charlie and Zoe, of Vancouver, Canada And his late son, Samuel Lebman.

Buddy was a great businessman, who owned Navy Brand for many years.

He was instrumental in the founding of the Mirowitz Jewish Community School.

He was a decorated WWII Veteran.

He was a great supporter of Israel and his community including Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Buddy was a friend to all who knew him and he loved his Cardinals!

A funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 9th at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road at Ballas. Private family interment. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.

Donations can be made to either Congregation Shaare Emeth, or the Mirowitz Jewish Community School.

Berger Memorial Service ROBERT CHARLES PACKMAN, M.D., of Creve Coeur, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, September 30, 2023.

Dr. Packman was born August 18, 1932 in Saint Louis to Helen (Bernhardt) and Simon Packman.

He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at Washington University in 1953 and 1956, and completed his internal medicine residency at Barnes Hospital and specialty training in endocrinology at Duke University. He served as captain in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1960, during which he was stationed in Germany. He was one of the early partners at the Maryland Medical Group, and served as Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine for over 35 years. After retiring from clinical practice, he joined Centene Corporation, a young regional insurance company at the time, as Chief Medical Officer. As the company grew, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, and continued in an advisory role until his retirement at age 89.

Dr. Packman was a dedicated and accomplished physician. He devoted himself to the care of his patients, forming lifelong, multigenerational relationships. He was committed to improving the delivery of healthcare for all. As chief resident at Barnes Hospital, he designed and created the first modern edition of the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, transforming what had been a handbook for in-house medical trainees into a portable reference for clinicians everywhere, which continues to be one of the best selling medical texts worldwide. He was actively involved in the care of patients during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, and was known and trusted for his compassion and discretion. During his long career, Dr. Packman held many leadership positions, but closest to his heart were the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees, which he chaired for many years at both Barnes Hospital and Centene. He was honored to have two professorships established in his name at the Washington University School of Medicine: Obituaries continue on opposite page

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10/17/23 5:51 PM

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OBITUARIES

JEWISH LIGHT

The Neidorff Family and Robert C. Packman Professorship, and The Robert C. Packman Professorship in Virology.

A talented pianist, Dr. Packman created and hosted several radio broadcast programs over his lifetime, most recently “The Practicing Physician”, a live program on KFUO and Classic 107.3 featuring the musical talents of physician friends and colleagues. In addition to classical music, his passions included contemporary art, travel, and gardening. He was a loyal patron of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis (for which he served on the board of directors), Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and many other local arts and service organizations.

He often said that the ingredients of a good life were structure, purpose, and playfulness.

Famous for his pranks and sense of humor, he was equally known for his warmth, generosity, and devotion to family and friends.

Dr. Packman is survived by his beloved husband and partner of forty-five years, Leonard Powers; adoring niece Sarah Packman (Robert Caldwell) and nephew David Packman (Elise Stephens); dear sister-in-law Beverly (Ronald) Troutt; lifelong family friend Donald Tomlinson; and many many friends, relatives, patients, and colleagues. He was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Paul Packman.

Rindskopf-Roth Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. At Dr. Packman’s request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, or the charitable organization of your choice.

SAMANTHA LINDA SALTZMAN, October 13, 2023 Beloved daughter of Melvin and Louise Sobel Saltzman. Dear sister of Stephanie Saltzman, Michael (Stacey) Saltzman and the late Sarah Saltzman. Loving aunt of Sophia Julia Saltzman and Elana Lillian Saltzman.

Beloved niece of Jacqueline (the late Ira Fogelgaren) Saltzman. Dear cousin and friend to many.

Samantha’s life was marked by unwavering devotion to her family, her deep love for food, and a strong work ethic that endeared her to those around her. Samantha’s passion for food led her to culinary school, where she honed her skills and shared her culinary creations with those fortunate enough to enjoy them. Her culinary talents were surpassed only by her love for her family, especially her oldest sister, Sarah, who had passed away in December 2021.

Samantha’s life was a testament to the importance of family, hard work, and the joy that comes from sharing delicious food with those you love. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her siblings, family, and friends, as she touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, Samantha, and may your love, dedication, and culinary passion continue to inspire us all.

A funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 16 at Traditional Congregation, 12437 Ladue Road, followed by interment at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Live stream available at www.rindskopfroth.com.

Contributions in Samantha’s memory may be made to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 49, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538 (www.nnpdf.org) or to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, 10950 Schuetz Road, St. Louis, MO 63146.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service RUTH SANOFSKY, October 9, 2023 Beloved wife of the late Leonard Sanofsky; dear mother and mother-in-law of Karen (Jim) Barker and Dr. Stephen (Diane) Sanofsky; dear grandmother of Madison (Tobiah Steckel) Barker, Lauren (Rick) Klein and Dr. Benjamin (Mindy) Sanofsky; Great-grandmother of Holly, William, Jake and Caia.

A private graveside service was held Friday, Oct. 13 at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery. Memorial contributions preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association of St. Louis, 11433 Olde Cabin Road, Ste. 100, 63141 and the Max Levin Israeli Resilience Campaign, https://my.jnf.org/israelresilience-campaign/TeamPaz. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. `Berger Memorial Service

October 18, 2023

DEATHS ELSEWHERE

Actress Joanna Merlin, original Tzeitel in Broadway’s ‘Fiddler,’ dies at 92

BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL JTA

Joanna Merlin, a famed acting coach and casting director who early in her career as an actress created the role of Tevye’s daughter Tzeitel in the original Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof,”died Oct. 15 in Los Angeles. She was 92.

NYU’s Graduate Acting program at the Tisch School of the Arts, where she became a member of the faculty in 1998, announced her passing on Monday.

Merlin was a student of the acting teacher Michael Chekhov and said to be the last surviving disciple still teaching his technique. Chekhov, a nephew of the playwright Anton Chekhov, was a student of Konstantin Stanislavski, putting Merlin in a direct line of influence with the Russian creator of the naturalistic acting technique that came to be known as “the system” (and, when adapted by the Jewish acting mavericks Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler, as “The Method”).

In an interview for the 2016 PBS documentary series “American Masters,” Merlin said she auditioned eight times before the director of “Fiddler,” Jerome Robbins, and creators Sheldon Harrnick and Jerry Bock were convinced she could handle the role of the daughter who ends up marrying Motel the tailor (a young Bette Midler later took over the role).

She also recalled how Robbins prepared the cast for their roles as Jews living in a 19th-century shtetl by talking about the world of the play, showing them paintings by Marc Chagall and taking them to a Hasidic wedding in Brooklyn.

“My own family actually came from a shtetl. My mother was actually born in a shtetl and my father was also born in Russia,” she recalled.

“But a large portion of the cast was not Jewish, and so [Robbins] made sure that everybody felt as Johanna Merlin though they understood what that life was like.”

Merlin went on to other actor acting roles, including in the films “Sarah’s Key,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Fame” and “The Killing Fields,” and had a recurring part in the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as Judge Lena Petrovsky.

But she had even greater success as a casting director, working with the film directors Bernardo Bertolucci and James Ivory, and most closely with the legendary producer Harold Prince in the original Broadway productions of several classic Stephen Sondheim musicals, including “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night

Music,” “Pacific Overtures,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Merrily We Roll Along.”

She was the founder and president emer it u s of T he M ichael Chekhov Association, or MICHA, an acting school in New York City.

Born Joanna Ratner in Chicago in in 1931, she took her mother’s maiden name as a stage name. She acted in community theater before graduating from UCLA and later studied under Chekhov, a Russian exile who died in 1955. Merlin made her first screen appearance in 1956 as one of Jethro’s daughters in Cecil B. DeMille’s film “The Ten Commandments.”

“Fiddler” debuted in 1964, and she left the cast before the end of its tour to take care of her two small children. She took to the more flexible schedule of being a casting director and teacher.

Merlin was the author, in 2001, of “Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide.”

“I think that actors respond to casting directors who are supportive and encouraging, and that if they feel that the moment they walk in the room they’re being challenged, then it’s a turn-off,” Merlin told interviewer Terry Gross in 2001. “But it’s very helpful to an actor if they feel that you’re on their side. And indeed, casting directors are rooting for you. I mean, they want to cast the role.

And so they’re rooting for every actor that walks in the door.”

Jewish poet Louise Glück, who won Nobel literature prize, dies at 80

BY ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL JTA

Louise Glück, a Jewish-American poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2020, died Oct. 13. She was 80.

Acclaimed since the 1970s for poetry that filtered personal and feminist themes though classical mythological, nature and religious imagery, Glück was also the United States poet laureate in 2003 and received a National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2015.

A product of what she once called a “rudimentary” Jewish upbringing, Glück wrote poems that sometimes reflected that distance. But she often returned for inspiration to the Western canon, including the Hebrew Bible — in books like “Ararat” (1990) — and Greek myth. In one poem, “Vespers,” she directly addresses God in talking about her lack of belief: “Perhaps/they see your face in Sicily; here we barely see/the hem of your garment,” an image taken from the Book of Samuel.

The Nobel Committee said Glück earned the literature prize — the first for an American and Jew since Bob Dylan’s in 2016 — “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal.”

Glück (pronounced Glick) was born in New York in 1943 and grew up in the Long Island suburb of Cedarhurst.

Her paternal Jewish grandparents owned a grocery after settling in New York City. Her father helped invent the X-Acto knife.

She attended Sarah Lawrence College and Columbia University.

She published 14 books of poetry, including “The Wild Iris” (1992) which won the Pulitzer Prize. Glück won the National Book Award for Poetry in 2014, for “Faithful and Virtuous Night.”

Her book of essays “Proofs and Theories” (1994) was awarded the PEN/ Martha Albrand Award for Nonfiction.

She taught at at Goddard College, Williams College, Yale University and, most recently, Stanford University.

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By Lana and Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com | ‘Jewish Pride’ Difficulty: Medium 60. Shoppe describer

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22. Come up, as an issue

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JEWISH CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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40. West End playhouse

49. Girl with a “dew drop” name

“Black Widow” and “Hawkeye”

41. Pilot’s postal load

50. Bay windows that shouldn’t be confused for Baltimore baseballers

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51. Norman who has 46. Jealous composer in made a career of killing “Amadeus” TV zombies 47. “Fire!” preceder 52. Florence’s role in

62. They may support Magen David Adom, for short

Jewish Book Festival: 45th annual festival takes place Nov. 5-19 From left, Andrew Rhe, Rebecca Minkoff, Martin Fletcher and Mitch Albom will be among the authors at this year’s St. Louis Jewish Book Festival.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15A for National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis’ Resale Shop. Minkoff is donating five handbags for a raffle taking place that evening.

Mitch Albom will discuss his novel “The Little Liar” at the festival’s closing event on Nov. 19. In his book, Albom “explores uncharted waters in his creative process, and for the first time in his career, creates a narrative surrounding Greek-Jewish survivors of the Holocaust and a camp commandant who tormented them,” Dinkel said.

More Festival highlights “Back by popular demand is Game Day,” Raznick said. “Participants can play mahjong, bridge, rummy cube or a game of their choice, have lunch and hear a presentation by Ruth Weiner on her fun novel, ‘The Mahjong Mavens of Boca Raton.’”

Game Day is Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Edison Gym, starting at 10 a.m., with Weiner’s talk at 1 p.m.

The festival will commemorate Kristallnacht with a free event at 7 p.m.

Nov. 9 featuring Wolf Gruner, author of “Resisters,” which tells the story of five

Jews (a merchant, a homemaker, a real estate broker, and two teenagers) who resisted persecution and defended themselves in Nazi Germany.

Sports Night features Evan Drellich and his book, “Winning Fixes Everything,” about the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Drellich will be interviewed by sports journalist and St. Louis native Tamar Sher.

Panel discussions include a World War II Memory Panel at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, pairing non-fiction authors Cynthia Ehrenkrantz (author of the memoir “Seeking Shelter,” detailing her early

years as a young Jewish child in wartime London) and Jeremy Eichler (author of “Time’s Echo,” about four famous composers who turned their WWII experiences into musical works).

A pair of festival events take place outside the J’s campus this year. Marlene Trestman will discuss her book “‘Most Fortunate Unfortunates,” about the Jewish Orphans’ Home of New Orleans, during a 1 p.m. Nov. 15 talk at the University City Public Library.

The festival’s annual Arthur Gale Jewish Lives series will feature Andrew Meier, author of “Morgenthau: Power, Privilege and the Rise of an American Dynasty,” at

11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Washington University Law School’s Moot Courtroom in Anheuser-Busch Hall.

Festival co-chairs Kramer and Raznick have additional favorites they are looking forward to.

“I am also so pleased that we are welcoming Michael Strassfeld with his book, ‘Judaism Disrupted,’” Raznick said. “For many years, I was the director of the Brodsky Jewish Community Library and the two most used books for general information and ‘how to’ on Judaism were Rabbi Strassfeld’s first and second Jewish Catalogs. His latest book is a different kind of “how to” — how to hold on to faith and participate in a new Judaism.”

Strassfeld will be interviewed at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 by Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation.

Kramer said one of her personal favorites is Andrew Mellon, who will discuss his book “Calling Bullsh*t on Busy,” at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8. She said she thinks his book “will appeal to everyone in the work force, volunteer worker or if you just need to organize your … He combines research in neuroscience with some common-sense tactics to address the ‘busy’ in everyone’s life.”

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St. Louis Jewish community rallies together in support of Israel A rally in support of Israel drew about 500 people on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15. The event was held on Schuetz Road near the Jewish Federation building. As St. Louisans held up Israeli flags and signs, cars drove by honking to show their support. The rally was organized in just a few days by Kalanit Chappell, Traci Goldstein, Orna Bitton Dar, Angie Rosenberg and Galit Lev-Harir (who has been in Israel since the Hamas attack). According to Dar, “We decided last week we had to do something. There was a need for the community to do this and we got the help of the Federation.”

SP

Kalanit Chappell, Orna Bitton Dar, Traci Goldstein and Angie Rosenberg. Photos: Bill Motchan

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.

VIEW MORE ONLINE: stljewishlight.org/multimedia

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YOUR CALENDAR OF ST. LOUIS JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS

B’nai Amoona to celebrate installation of Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham as Senior Rabbi

STARTING | OCT. 18 NCJW’s 59th Annual Couturier

The installation weekend of Congregation B’nai Amoona Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham, which takes place Nov.10-12, offers a festive weekend of events for the entire community.

It kicks off Friday, Nov. 10 with a Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 p.m. followed by a community oneg. On Saturday, Nov. 11, the community is invited to join Shabbat services beginning at 9 a.m., with Abraham’s installation followed by a festive kiddush lunch.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, enjoy brunch at 11 a.m. (doors at 10:30) followed by a special game show event at noon. The cost is $54 per person; babysitting is available by registration beginning at $36: three hours including lunch*.

Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels between $360 and $18,000. *Angel tickets and babysitting cost assistance are available by request for Sunday’s brunch/game show. Contact Gail Armstrong at gail@bnaiamoona.com.

National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis’ 59th Annual Couturier sale continues with no entry fee Oct. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to https://bit. ly/Couturier2023.

SUNDAY | OCT. 22 Eighth annual Spa for the Soul

The Jewish Women’s Circle announced its honoree for the Woman of Valor award, at the 8th annual Spa for the Soul highlight event, to be presented to Marianne Chervitz.

The Spa for the Soul event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22 at the AC Marriott Hotel in Chesterfield. The event offers women an inspiring and transformative experience that blends self-care, introspection and a celebration of the multifaceted identity of the Jewish woman. The event will include a brunch and dessert buffet as well as workshops covering a range of themes including personal growth, resilience and the profound teachings of Jewish traditions. Lecturer Amanda Spiro will provide a keynote address on “Maintaining Optimism & Finding Inner Strength. A personal tale of hope and inspiration.” Tickets are available online at: bit.ly/ spa4thesoul. The cost is $65. Sponsorships are available.

MONDAY | OCT. 23 A look at Jewish life in Central Europe between the wars

The St. Louis German Literary Society will host a presentation (in German) on Jewish life in Central Europe before World War II by Matthew Grad of Young Israel. The talk will use the Viennese Jewish writer Friedrich Torberg’s book “Tante Jolesch, or the Demise of the West in Anecdotes” as a framework.

Torberg was one of the last figures of the vanquished cultural milieu of artists, writers, scientists and other characters that made up Jewish Vienna, Budapest and Prague, and he captured that lost world in a brilliant, personal book filled with humorous anecdotes and wisdom. The talk will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6337 Clayton Road in Clayton.

TUESDAY | OCT. 24 Interfaith Partnership annual dinner to honor Rabbi Hersh

Interfaith Partnership will recognize Rabbi Elizabeth B. Hersh of Temple Emanuel and Dr. David Oughton as the honorees of the organization’s Annual Dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at St. Louis University’s Wool Ballroom. Visit https://bit.ly/ Interfaith-Partnership-2023 to purchase tickets for the event.

STARTING | OCT. 26 Class will explore history of Jewish-Muslim relations

Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh will lead a 10-session Melton School course on “The Star and the Crescent: A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations.” The course takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, starting Oct. 26 and ending Jan. 11 (no class on Nov. 23 or Dec. 28). Classes can be attended in person at Temple Emanuel or online via Zoom. The cost of the course is $295. However, those who have taken this class before should contact rabbijanine@testl.org before registering. For those who are taking this class for the first time, register at www.meltonschool.org/st-louis.

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Confidential scholarships are available by contacting rabbijanine@testl.org. In addition, a special tuition rate of $50 is available for any full- or part-time professionals working at Jewish organizations, including teachers and staff in St. Louis Jewish preschools, religious schools, day schools and youth groups.

SUNDAY | OCT. 29 Shaving Israel Program/Brunch at Traditional Congregation

Join Traditional Congregation at 10:30 a.m. for brunch and a program about Shaving Israel, an St. Louis-based organization that supports soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces beyond what the government provides for them. Guests will hear about specific ways that Shaving Israel assists the IDF and find out how you can help as well. Guest of honor is Sheilah Gross, a longtime member of Traditional who has been an active participant in Shaving Israel for a number of years. There is no charge for the brunch (share-the-fare donations are welcome) and RSVPs are appreciated; contact Marian Gordon at traditionalcong@gmail.com or 314576-5230.

THURSDAY | NOV. 2 Online health resources workshop

The Mirowitz Center is now partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make friends.

Did you know that searching a reputable site like “MedlinePlus” for medical and health- related issues gives better results than just using Google? During this free workshop, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., you’ll do hands-on research, explore the medlineplus. gov site, learn how to use online tools and review helpful videos as well as drug information. Limited to only 10 participants.

You will be provided a Chromebook computer to follow along with Trainer Daniel Landsbaum during this program, which is supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

Lung cancer awareness event

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States – and older adults are particularly susceptible due to cumulative exposure to environmental toxins, weakened immune systems, and the natural aging processes. The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI) is partnering with communities to raise awareness.

In recognition of National Lung Cancer

Awareness Month, join Washington University ALCSI’s president, Dharma Patel, from 2 to 3 p.m., to learn more and hear about new screening techniques. This Mirowitz Center program is co-sponsored by St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer and Senior Kollel. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

STARTING | NOV. 3 Circle Talk series at Mirowitz Center

Circle Talk is a six-week, facilitated discussion group series at 10 a.m. Nov. 3, 10 & 17, led by Holly Mathis, a nurse practitioner and adjunct professor of nursing at Maryville University. You will be guided through curriculum-based discussions that build meaningful connections – so join the conversation. Limit of 10 participants. This free, in-person Mirowitz Center program – part of a new Mental Wellness Initiative – is supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

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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.

THURSDAY | NOV. 9 Tour New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art “Vertigo of Color – Matisse, Derain, and the Origins of Fauvism”

Elana Kaplan, museum educator and lecturer for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, returns for another online tour of The Met’s world-renowned collections from 10 to 11 a.m. This brand-new exhibit will present the legacy of Henri Matisse and André Derain, who embarked on a creative partnership one summer and launched an inventive artistic language known as Fauvism.

Part 3 of 3 – prior attendance is not required.

RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

STARTING | NOV. 9 ADL Heartland Learning Workshops

ADL Heartland Regional Director Jordan Kadosh is back for a brand-new innovative series of daytime learning workshops at the Mirowitz Center. This ADL pilot program – the first of its kind in the United States – features a series of educational and engaging workshops for older adults. Attend all sessions or just one; prior attendance is not required. Registration via ADL: https://bit. ly/3PNwHRl. “Countering Extremism” is at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9. The series continues Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. with “Israel and Zionism.”

FRIDAY | NOV. 10 Journey from the Holocaust via Lisbon to Bais Abe - One Woman’s Story

WEDNESDAY | NOV. 8

Join Bais Abraham for Kabbalat Shabbat at 4:34 p.m. followed by dinner at approximately 5:30 p.m. and “The Journey from the Holocaust via Lisbon to Bais Abe - One Woman’s Story,” with Eva Ozarowski and Rabbi Joe Ozarowski. This program is part of the Rabbi Magence Learning Initiative. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.baisabe.com/upcomingevents or email Abby@BaisAbe.com

Second Acts: Tina Turner!

Veteran’s Day 2023 Salute, movie

The legacy of Rock & Roll Queen Tina Turner – who graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis in 1958 – spans years, genres, and continents. But she achieved her greatest success in the second part of her life, in an industry that idolizes youth and puts female stars on a brutal timer. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., join Gena R. Greher, professor of music and music education at University of Massachusetts Lowell online, for a look at how Tina did it all and managed to pull off one of the greatest second act in entertainment history. RSVP at http://bit.ly/ Register_MirowitzCenter.

Crowdfunding for entrepreneurs The Mirowitz Center is now partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make friends. Online crowdfunding – fundraising that gathers small amounts of money from large numbers of people – has changed the way many entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofits and charitable organizations raise money. From 12 to 1 p.m., explore three popular platforms, including GoFundMe, with Trainer Daniel Landsbaum and learn the fundamentals of using a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds as well as to contribute to others. This is an in-person class. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

Join the Mirowitz Center at noon for a special salute to the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. In honor of Veterans Day, our program features former Missouri Senator Jill Schupp; the Veterans Community Project Director of Development, Anne Marie Carroll; and the Midwest Department of the Jewish War Veterans.

Then, at 1 p.m., view “1917,” an Academy Award-winning movie about two World War I soldiers on a mission through enemy territory to call off an attack.Enjoy complimentary refreshments provided by the Jewish War Veterans. Attend one or both events.

This free program is co-sponsored by the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, Jewish War Veterans, and The Kaufman Fund. RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.

SUNDAY | NOV. 12 KOLOT at Traditional Congregation

Enjoy a delicious brunch followed by a performance from KOLOT, the St. Louis Jewish Women’s Choir. KOLOT will perform Songs from their diverse repertoire of Jewish music in Hebrew and English, Broadway show tunes and other popular songs. The program begins at 10 a.m. There is no charge (donations are gratefully accepted) but reservations are required; contact Marian Gordon at traditionalcong@gmail.com or 314-576-5230.

10/17/23 5:50 PM

BETTER LIVING FOR BABY BOOMERS & SENIOR ADULTS Baby Boomers and Senior Adults represent two of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population. The St. Louis Jewish Light’s special Primetime section highlights goods and services, and offers information about better living to Baby Boomers and Senior Adults.

2023 PRIMETIME SECTION SPONSORS

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JEWISH LIGHT

stljewishlight.org

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Now Open

NOW

CL A R EN DA L E CL AY T ON

SENIOR LIVING THAT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

C

larendale Clayton has brought a new, elevated perspective to retirement life – figuratively and literally. We had a tall vision for the future of this senior living community, and it’s shaped up to be something even more spectacular than what we envisioned.

Located at the corner of Clayton and Hanley roads, active seniors benefit from upscale residences, exceptional amenities, and invigorating wellness programming. Clarendale Clayton is currently Clayton’s only high-rise community featuring modern design and offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

This is truly a level up in senior living. And did we mention the view from the 12th-floor Signature Room?

With the rooftop terrace, polished penthouse, and private balconies, residents overlook the stunning sights of the city and feel like they truly have it all.

Executive Director Cathy Phillips is honored to work with a team of industry professionals who selflessly serve seniors and are enthusiastic about what each day brings for residents. Alongside Cathy is Meredith Evangelista, Director of Sales and Marketing and a Clayton-area native. Their team’s goal is to “ensure that everyone who works in and calls this community home is safe, happy and healthy!”

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS AND AMENITIES

Seniors looking for luxury living with the reassurance of future care are met with concierge services, exceptional dining, trendy fitness classes, live entertainment, art exhibits, excursions in and beyond the city, and more enriching opportunities.

Clarendale Clayton resident John Drew says, “I have a new lease on life that I wasn’t even looking for – truly a pleasant surprise.”

John and his neighbors also benefit from these five-star features: • Concierge service • Coach transportation service • Charming salon and spa • Located within minutes of the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Muny, Powell Symphony Hall, Fox Theatre, Washington University, Forest Park, and the Missouri Botanical Garden Health & Wellness Navigation ProgramTM : A program that manages daily health and wellness goals as well as medical challenges Heartfelt CONNECTIONS : A Memory Care Program® – A proven approach to dementia and Alzheimer’s that nurtures dignity and improves quality of life It’s where you want to be. It was our motto before we opened our doors, and now residents live it and breathe a sigh of relief knowing everything they’ve ever wanted out of their futures is here.

A BOLD APPROACH WITH A BEAUTIFUL DESIGN Residences in our high-rise building are anything but limited. Independent living, assisted living, and memory care floor plans are designed not only for beauty and modernity, but for accessibility and convenience as well.

Here’s what you can expect to discover in your new home: • One-, two- or three-bedroom/one- or two-bathroom independent living apartments, some featuring dens • Studio, one- or two-bedroom/one- or two-bathroom assisted living apartments • Shared companion suite or studio/one-bathroom memory care apartments • Stainless steel kitchen appliances and in-unit washer and dryer included in all independent living apartments SENIORS AND FAMILIES INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT CLARENDALE CLAYTON ARE WELCOME TO REACH OUT BY CALLING 314-789-8173 AND SCHEDULING A PERSONAL TOUR. CLARENDALE CLAYTON IS LOCATED AT 7651 CLAYTON ROAD, CLAYTON, MO 63117, IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL!

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STL

October 18, 2023

JEWISH LIGHT

You’ve reached the pinnacle of premier senior living.

When residents take in the breathtaking view from our penthouse, rooftop terrace, or their own private balcony, they feel on top of the world. Now you can too.

Clarendale Clayton – St. Louis’ only high-rise senior living community featuring modern designs and offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care – presents unmatched hospitality met with exceptional amenities and endless opportunities to thrive. Our vibrant lifestyle is all about delivering five-star service, whatever your interests or needs may be.

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Now, seniors looking for luxury living and the reassurance of future care can find both – and more – under one roof. Each day brings: •

Concierge services

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Wellness and fitness classes

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•

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Worry-free living at its finest

Discover what it means to live at the center of it all. For more information, please call 314-789-8173 or visit ClarendaleClayton.com Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care Clarendale Clayton

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7651 Clayton Road ■ Clayton, MO 63117

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October 18, 2023

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JEWISH LIGHT

stljewishlight.org

Marcella Hazan’s Roast Chicken with Lemons

Adapted from “Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking.”

INGREDIENTS:

A 3 to 4-pound chicken, washed in cold water and patted dry with paper towels.

Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 small lemons, washed, dried, and rolled on a flat surface to soften them.

DIRECTIONS:

Honey, did you turn off the stove?

Longtime Jewish Light food columnist Dorothy Firestone returns to offer tips — and recipes — for older cooks

BY DOROTHY FIRESTONE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

It’s two in the morning. The house is dark and quiet. My husband, Billy, is fast asleep beside me, yet I hear his voice: “Honey, did you turn off the stove?”

I pad into the kitchen. Yes, all the burners are off and the oven is still warm but it’s off.

I go back to bed, wide awake. Did I really hear Billy? But what was that voice? Did I need that message?

It made me think: I am old (94), but I can still get dinner on the table. I love getting dinner on the table, and I love to bake.

They are challenges I don’t want to relinquish. I will just have to be more careful about turning off the stove.

As long as I was awake in the middle of the night, I opened my computer to seek any advice it had for the elderly.

“Living well is the best revenge,” wrote George Herbert, a Welsh poet, 1593-1633. I guess he meant revenge on death. Well,

that’s a thought, especially the “living well” part. (Someone else said, “If you can cook well, you can live well.” It may have been my mother.)

I spoke with some friends who are about my age, or somewhat younger, asking them how they feel about life in general and about cooking and baking, at our advanced MORE ages.

RECIPES “Embrace family and friends and those who View recipes for make you feel better and Betty Epstein’s try to make them feel Mandel Bread better each day,” said and Barbara Bob Cohn, the editor-in- Cohn’s Apple chief emeritus of the Cake — Page 11B Light. “We like to eat so I have to cook,” said Barbara Cohn (Bob’s wife) who especially likes to bake. She said her apple cake is a family favorite.

Betty Epstein is not only a fine weaver, but she is also a fine cook and baker. “I love being creative, and cooking is another

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Salt and pepper the chicken inside and out.

With a toothpick, puncture the lemons in about 20 places. Place the lemons in the chicken and loosely close the opening with toothpicks. Tie the legs loosely with kitchen twine. Place the chicken breast side down in a roasting pan in the upper third of the oven for 30 minutes.

Turn the chicken breast side up and roast it for another 30 to 35 minutes. No need to turn it again. For total cooking time, calculate 20- 25-minutes per pound.

Leave the lemons inside until the chicken is carved and opened. The juices from the chicken and the lemons together are delicious.

Serves 4.

Carolyn Losos’ Chinese Chicken Salad

creative activity,” she said. “My advice is this: ‘Have a positive attitude, many interests, and friends of all ages.’”

“I wake up every morning and realize how fortunate I am that I live among friends and family who are supportive,” said Carolyn Losos. “I don’t do much cooking now, except for some recipes from ‘Thoughts for Buffets.’ (In the ’50s and ’60s, this book was in every bride’s kitchen) and the Chinese chicken salad, a recipe from a family who had children in our children’s grade school.” She added, “I enjoy so much when my grandchildren are here, and they cook up a storm.”

I turned then to one of my favorite cookbook authors, the late Marcella Hazan, who brought good Italian cooking to America’s kitchens. One of her mottos was, “Since eating is something we must do to live, why not spend time making it enjoyable.”

Great advice. For me, some of the enjoySee DOROTHY FIRESTONE on page 11B

The Vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 3 tablespoons white vinegar 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seed oil ¼ cup mild vegetable oil Combine all the ingredients in a jar.

Shake well and refrigerate. The vinaigrette can be kept refrigerated nicely for a week.

The Salad: 2-3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or sliced into bit-size pieces 2 tablespoons sliced almonds 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 6 cups shredded lettuce 4 scallions including the green tops, chopped 1 cucumber peeled and sliced thin 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin Combine all the ingredients, toss with the vinaigrette and serve.

Serves 4 for a light lunch or 2, generously, for supper.

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Hip replacement restores joy of movement

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

On Aug. 1, it was a struggle for me to walk up a flight of stairs. I was in pain every morning and evening, and most every other part of the day.

On Oct. 8 — my 71st birthday — I am now pain-free and walking with ease, the result of a brand-new hip.

I am among 7 million Americans who have had hip or knee replacements. The difference in daily life is nothing short of amazing. Recovery is relatively fast, and the only reminders of surgery are a small scar and the new experience of setting off metal detectors at airport TSA security checkpoints.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 450,000 complete hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. The procedure dates back to the early 1960s.

Advances in joint replacement surgical techniques and technology have greatly increased its effectiveness.

The hip is one of the body’s largest joints. It’s a ball and socket joint that is part of the pelvis skeleton. It connects directly to the thighbone. Age-related wear can cause osteoarthritis, a wearing away of cartilage that cushions the bones.

It’s an irreversible deterioration that causes pain and limits mobility.

Anyone who suffers from this condition has two options to alleviate symptoms. A cortisone injection will help with pain management but won’t fix the underlying problem. That can be accomplished only by removing the damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with a prosthetic.

As with any medical issue, it’s important to consult a physician first to identify exactly what is causing pain, said Suzy

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS

Cornbleet, associate professor of physical therapy at the Washington University School of Medicine.

“You should get evaluated first and make sure the problem is really from the hip and not a back problem,” Cornbleet said. “The problem is, if you wait too long, you can start favoring it and you’ll have back issues and it can cause other problems.

You have to make sure the origin is f rom t he h ip.

Anybody our age is going to have some degeneration. To make sure, talk to a qualified surgeon for Dr. Robert Kramer evaluation.”

In my situation, the evaluation began with a visit to my primary care physician, who referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. This is the standard sequence of events for an individual covered by Medicare Part A (hospital and home care) and Part B (doctor visits and diagnostics).

An X-ray immediately revealed to my surgeon that a total hip replacement would solve my problem, and it was scheduled for two months later. The procedure lasted

about two hours, and I spent one night in the hospital. The following morning, I was up and walking, albeit slowly, and discharged a few hours later.

Three days after surgery, I had my first home physical therapy session. It consisted of stretching exercises to get the new hip in motion. Even small movements were difficult at that point, but within a few days, everything became easier. I used a walker for the first 2½ weeks, then downgraded to a cane and, after four weeks, I was able to walk without any extra equipment.

The speed with which I recovered is due in part to the anatomy of the hip, said Dr. Robert Kramer, an orthopedic surgeon at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

“It’s interesting that the recovery from a hip replacement is in some sense easier than a knee replacement just because the range of motion of the hip comes back very quickly,” said Kramer, who is a member of United Hebrew Congregation.

Kramer suggested anyone considering hip replacement surgery should verify the credentials of their doctor and support staff.

“The things you want to ask your surgeon about are their qualifications, how many procedures they do, and what hospital system they use,” he said. “Does the hospital do a high volume of joint replacements? You

want to make sure the support system does a high volume of procedures because there are studies that show centers that do a high volume have a better outcome.”

After surgery, Kramer said, it’s important to be diligent about physical therapy to optimize the healing and recovery process.

“It’s very important to have an engaged patient and someone who’s going to follow through on physical therapy,” he said. “If you’ve been putting this off, there’s a lot of muscle atrophy and weakness around the hip and areas around the joint, and you definitely want to strengthen that up and start walking with a normal gait.”

Total hip replacement is considered major surgery, but the complication rate for replacement surgery is quite low. Joint infection occurs in fewer than 2% of patients.

There is quite a bit of stiffness in the first few weeks of recovery, but by the sixth week, most hip replacement patients can go back to nearly every pre-surgery activity. The big difference is the elimination of pain.

“I often hear comments like, ‘If I would have known how good an outcome I’d have, I would have done it years ago,’” Kramer said. “Those are the types of things I hear all the time, which is very rewarding. The gratitude you hear from patients keeps you going.”

Excellence!

(L-R) Lisa Wheelington, Cassandra Kruschek RN, Dana Moulton RN, BSN, Jacque Phillips RN, BSN, Arzy Harlan RN, BSN, Erin Evans RN, & Kay Thigpen

WHAT DOES THE GATESWORTH MEAN TO YOU?

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The Gatesworth means a happy and productive life with new friends. There is wonderful food and energy throughout this place.

I love the staff — they make us feel so special! — JACKIE BROWN

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Celebrating 35 Years of Exceptional Living The Gatesworth provides the perfect canvas to enjoy life your way.

Living in an exquisitely appointed apartment surrounded by beautiful, lush grounds, you’ll feel inspired to pursue new interests, expand your knowledge, build friendships and embrace your independence.

We invite you to discover The Gatesworth and experience exceptional senior living today. Call 314-993-0111.

AccuCare Home Health Care is St. Louis's only private in-home healthcare company which is female, family, RN-Owned and RN-Managed with 24/7 medical oversight.

Because we understand each person has unique needs, our clinical team of RN Case Managers develop custom care plans and provide 24/7 oversight, giving you and your loved one peace of mind.

Our team of compassionate caregivers, many of whom are certified in Diabetes, Alzheimer's/Dementia, Infection Control, provide your loved one with the gold standard of in-home care.

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The Gatesworth is committed to equal housing opportunity and does not discriminate in housing and services because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

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COMPANY PROFILES customized exclusively for seniors. 314-993-0111 TheGatesworth.com

With a choice of rental apartments and accommodating floor plans, The Gatesworth provides the very best independent lifestyle exclusively for seniors.

With no entry fees, our apartment living at The Gatesworth is a great way to maintain your independence and take advantage of the peace of mind and camaraderie of a thoughtfully planned community. Experience retirement living nothing short of exceptional. The Gatesworth is now welcoming new residents and would love to get to know you. Call or visit online.

mitted to equal housing opportunity and does not discriminate in housing and services because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Please call for more information or to schedule a tour.

1 McKnight Place • St. Louis, MO 63124 314-993-0111 • thegatesworth.com

Keeping Minds Healthy and Fit! Memory Keepers creates better lives for those impacted by memory loss.

Our classes are based on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and other evidence-based models that improve mood, daily function and quality of life.

For families and older adults: Visit the website to enroll in our weekly class for people with mild-moderate memory loss.

For professionals and organizations: Deliver classes to your clients! Get expert training and tools, making it easier to deliver a billable service that is science-backed and fun! Further enhance your skills through our online professional development classes.

For more information on promoting healthy aging, visit www.memorykeepers.org.

AccuCare Home Health Care of St. Louis was founded in 1994 by Jacque Phillips, RN, BSN, and is locally, family RN-owned and RN-managed, and is dedicated to providing seniors with the finest private, in-home health care. Treating clients as they would care for their own family is the driving force that allows AccuCare to provide exceptional care, delivered with compassion, integrity, and dedication. AccuCare provides a custom care plan for each client with 24/7 RN Oversight. In addition, our caregivers can assist with essential everyday needs, transport clients to appointments, perform light housekeeping, meal preparation, provide respite care to families, and more.

1185 N. Price Rd. • St. Louis, MO 63123 314-692-0020 • accucare.com

J. Berg & Associates was founded over 70 years ago by St. Louis native, Jerry Berg.

Our focus is helping Seniors with their specialized health insurance needs.

We are a prominent agency in Missouri and Illinois. In 2021, we partnered with a major organization, Integrity Marketing Group to help expand our national presence. We pride ourselves in our client relationships. As everyone has their own unique situation, we are here to tailor your protection based on your specific needs. We aggressively research the Senior insurance industry so we can educate our clients.

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Thoughtful, thorough planning can help maximize impact of philanthropic gifts

BY NINA NEEDLEMAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

When planning your philanthropy, there are several logistic questions to consider: First, what nonprofits and charitable organizations do you want to donate to while you’re still alive, say from now until you’re 85? The beauty of this is that you can watch and witness the benefits of your gifts.

Also, while you’re alive, another “budgeting” aspect you can plan is fund-a-need gifts at your favorite gala. You could set a budget for the year, knowing there are say, four, nonprofit events you always attend; or you could just try to set an amount for each event in advance. Many nonprofits send email teasers in the weeks prior to their events with live auction choices and sometimes silent auction offerings.

The second aspect of gift logistics is charitable gifts you’d like to make after your death. Do you want to give a dollar amount or a percent? Do you want your annual philanthropy (legacy) to continue past your date of death?

Here’s my commentary on the questions above: Giving over time while you’re alive can be strategic and quite gratifying. Make a Charitable Giving Plan. You get better outcomes and measurables of your impact if you do. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be in writing. For example, if this

“

Giving over time while you’re alive can be strategic and quite gratifying.

PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM

20,000, there are final year taxes, real estate and possessions to be distributed or sold, etc. The last thing you want is family members and/or charities fighting about or contesting your intent when the dollars

year you want to support girls and reading, you could give to Books for Newborns, Ready Readers and the Very Asian Foundation. At the end of the year, you could ask for and review metrics on how many books read, how many girls helped… And if you want to make sure it happens, have your estate attorney put it in your documents.

For my favorite galas, I may bid on something in the silent auction, but I always make sure to give a gift equivalent to the cost of my seat (especially if I’m someone’s guest). And I usually go in with an idea in advance of what the fund-aneed goals are and what I want to give, Regarding dollar amount or percent to give, Estate attorneys tell us it’s always better to use a percent. In Missouri, final year expenses average about $15,000-

don’t match up. Using a percentage of your estate after expenses is the best approach to make sure your gifts are a blessing, not a headache.

Last thought: If you want a charitable

legacy to live beyond you, one way to do this is making sure to leave a certain balance in your donor advised fund. I’ll talk more on this in a later column.

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• Their relationships with patients and families

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COMPANY PROFILES Parc Provence – an assisted living and skilled nursing community – remains the preeminent example of a senior “dementia village” within the region. A community of well-being, we promote the physical and cognitive needs of each resident. With five levels of care provided in a household setting, 60+ daily activities, and cutting-edge care for all stages of dementia, we create a safe, supportive environment for residents and families. From our administrator who has 30 years of nursing experience to our medical directors who are leading authorities on memory care from Washington University, our staff provides unrivaled care 24 hours every day.

Put our village to work for your family. Schedule a tour today.

605 Coeur de Ville Drive • Creve Coeur, MO 63141 314-542-2500 • parcprovence.com

Cooperative Home Care’s CEO & Owner, Mitch Waks, is proud to share his company story with the Jewish community. Since 1985, when he began helping his mother-in-law Fran serve youths through in-home educational services, Mitch has been an advocate for home care.

Cooperative Home Care is the only family-owned home care company that says “yes” first to any age, funding source, amount of care, and service. We care for our caregivers and clients. From pediatric nursing to boutique Private Services, we can help you! Contact our Intake Nurse directly at 314-772-8585.

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St. Louis Oasis seeks to provide a means of intellectual stimulation and social connection through interactive courses and volunteer opportunities. Since 1982, Oasis has served over 587,000 older adults with more than 7,600 lifelong learning classes. More than 3,500 health classes are offered nationwide each year.

Classes range in a variety of topics, from art and history to pop culture, fitness, current events, science, and technology/digital literacy skills, with new courses continually added to the roster. Evidence-based programs include fall prevention, chronic disease self–management, and peer-led discussion groups. Oasis also provides exercise, nutrition, healthy living, and wellness classes.

50 Gay Avenue • St. Louis MO, 63105 • 314-862-4859 st-louis.oasiseverywhere.org

Emily Stein MacDonald is a fifth-generation funeral director who joined her father, Richard W. Stein, at Berger Memorial Chapel in 2009. As a funeral director, Emily provides compassionate, caring guidance and support to families in their time of need.

Alana Shapiro specializes in providing sensitive, personalized counseling to individuals seeking information about preplanning funeral services in her role as Advance Planning Director at Berger Memorial Chapel.

Richard, Emily, Alana and the staff of Berger Memorial Chapel are honored to provide thoughtful, professional service to the St. Louis Jewish Community.

Conveniently located in Olivette, Berger Memorial Chapel is a locally-managed and locally-operated funeral home that has been serving our Jewish community since 1896.

9340 Olive Boulevard • St. Louis, MO 63132 314-361-0622 • www.bergermemorialchapel.com

Chesed Shel Emeth Burial Society & Beth Shalom Cemetery serve the St. Louis Jewish community and fulfill a sacred trust to honor the memories of those who rest within our cemetery grounds.

We are committed to maintaining, restoring and enhancing our cemetery grounds and facilities and to provide a safe, secure, serene setting for prayer and reflection. We contribute to community efforts to ensure that the indigent are provided with a proper Jewish burial. We further preserve our sites, graves, monuments and archives for the benefit of future generations and to facilitate educational, historical, and genealogical opportunities and inquiries.

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J’s stretching class is popular because it works Instructor Kay Ullman (below) leads a popular stretching class (left) at the Jewish Community Center.

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

One of the most sought-after reservations at the Jewish Community Center’s fitness facility is a spot in a class in which members perform one simple task: They stretch.

It’s not part of a warmup for other forms of exercise. This 55-minute session focuses only on stretching. The benefits of a regular stretching routine are significant.

Stretching can help aid flexibility and, as a result, it can improve the range of motion of your joints, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It’s also an often undervalued or underappreciated form of exercise, said Kay Ullman, the J’s stretching instructor.

“The awareness of the value of stretching is increasing,” said Ullman, a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. “Forty years ago, nobody in St. Louis was focused on this, but as soon as I started teaching stretch, it was popular right away and people saw the value.”

The J stretch class is offered twice a week: Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Fox Building and Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Staenberg Family Complex. Both sessions fill up quickly, and there’s usually a wait list. The class is low-impact and has a calming vibe. Soft music accompanies the stretching. Ullman said she tries to encourage relaxation.

“Most people don’t give themselves permission to relax,” she said. “I tell people when they come to class that this a gift they’re giving to themselves to shut everything else out of their minds for the moment.”

Ullman, 83, has taught yoga and fitness classes for decades. She frequently attends seminars and courses to come up with

PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

new and innovative teaching techniques.

That’s how she first became interested in stretching as a specific area of fitness study.

“Many years ago, I went to continuing education programs all around the country,” she said. “That’s when I realized what we were doing here was incomplete and we needed to add stretching. From that day on, I’ve been developing it and working on it. I love stretching. When you stick with it, it can change your body. Over the years it has become more accepted by elite athletes who understand it’s something they need.”

If you’ve ever gone to a major league baseball game and watched batting practice, it’s not uncommon to see position

players laying on the field stretching. The same goes for other sports. Pro golfers warm up and stretch before going to the practice range.

The average person can get a lot out of stretching even if it’s not in preparation for a set of tennis or other more strenuous exercise, Ullman said.

“I tell people to take stretching off the mat and into your life,” she said. “I want to help them feel better and learn how they carry themselves. Even when you’re sitting in your car, you can do things like shift your weight and your hips. I try to offer clues as to how to incorporate stretching into their daily lives.”

See STRETCHING on page 11B

Rindskopf -Roth The only Jewish

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family-owned and Left: Associate Medical Director Dr. Lenise Cummings-Vaughn, Administrator Kathy Kelley, and Medical Director Dr. David Carr meet with a resident.

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A village of expert memory care clinicians. A village of highlyskilled nurses and staff for every stage of dementia—from assisted-living to skilled-nursing care. What’s more, we’ve designed Parc Provence to function as a village—with five levels of care provided in a household setting. Plus a greenhouse, ice cream parlor, library, art gallery, chapel and more, all nestled amongst private pathways and gardens exclusively for residents and their visitors. Put our village to work for your family.

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Parc Provence is committed to equal housing opportunity and does not discriminate in housing and services because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

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COMPANY PROFILES

For over 135 years, Rindskopf-Roth Funeral Chapel has been dedicated to providing dignified funeral services to the St. Louis Jewish Community.

We offer a variety of funeral services ranging from traditional funerals in accordance with Jewish Law to memorial services and cremation. We also offer funeral pre-planning. Owned and operated by the Roth Family, our caring family staff members are committed to providing the utmost personal guidance and compassion while tailoring services to the wishes of the families we serve.

With towering trees and a park-like landscape for in-ground burials, New Mount Sinai is the only Jewish cemetery in St. Louis with a Community Mausoleum. Serves the entire Jewish Community. Permits burial of cremains and nonJewish burials. Feel free to drive or stroll through our 2.5 miles of paved pathways. Call or email to schedule an actual or virtual tour. Open dawn to dusk. Current photos on Facebook and Instagram. Established in 1850, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5216 Delmar Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63108-1093 (314) 367-0438 • www.rindskopfroth.com

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Correct Capital is an independent,The privately Conveniently located in Chesterfield, held wealth advisory firm built around our Willows at Brooking Park offers the ultimate in St. Louis, MO clients and their own financial retirement living, where luxury meets value. This journeys. No matter where you are in life, we not-for-profit community provides abundant are here to help you plan for today, tomorrow, opportunities for residents to improve their and into your future. physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The Our seasoned fiduciary advisors leverage the Willows coordinates with Jewish Family Services best technology platforms and investment to provide spiritual support Rabbinic visits, research to develop yourwith custom financial Holiday celebrations, andyou Jewish learning They to offer a plan.High We build solutions that meet where you areopportunities. now and are made offer monthly Sabbath Gathering Torah away Study.

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Eliana Emery (J.D., LL.M.) is an estate planning and elder law attorney with the award-winning law firm Legacy Legal Group, LLC. Eliana is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Estate Planning and Probate Administration Law Committee of the Missouri Bar Association.

She focuses her practice on comprehensive custom estate planning services and advises a broad range of clients, including professionals, families, seniors, and parents of special needs children.

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Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers is a fullservice fine art and antiques auction firm led by a respected team of experienced industry professionals and certified appraisers. As Missouri’s leading firm of fine and decorative art auctions and appraisals, Selkirk’s trained specialists provide clients with evaluations of fine art, furniture, decorative objects, jewelry, fashion, and more. Be it a single luxury item or an entire estate collection, Selkirk can assist you throughout every stage of liquidation.

555 Washington Avenue • St. Louis, MO, 63101 • 314.696.9041 • SelkirkAuctions.com

Join the Community– Check Out St. Louis Oasis!

St. Louis Oasis is a thriving community organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults through a wide range of lifelong learning, health, and volunteer programs. With a mission to promote healthy aging, Oasis offers diverse classes, workshops, and activities that encourage personal growth, social engagement, and well-being. From fitness and arts to educational courses and community service opportunities, St. Louis Oasis provides a welcoming and vibrant environment for older adults to lead fulfilling lives.

START YOUR DAY WITH OUR FREE DAILY EMAIL NEWSLETTER STLJEWISHLIGHT.ORG/NEWSLETTERS

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(314) 862-4859 stloasis.org and oasiseverywhere.org

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Page 11B

Stretching: J’s class is popular because it works

Dorothy Firestone: Tips and recipes

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9B

ment lies in recipes that will be ample enough for more than one meal. Let’s look at roast chicken and go forward from there!

Day one: You begin with roast chicken, and you have choices. You can roast it yourself (see recipe on page 4B) or you can purchase a fully roasted chicken from most markets. Add a baked potato and you have dinner.

Day two: Put aside or freeze 1-2 cups sliced chicken for the Chinese chicken salad. Slice the remaining chicken, put out good whole grain bread, lettuce and mayo and you have supper.

Day three: Take the rest of the meat off the bones, dark or white, take out what you put aside the first day, dice it, and you are on your way to Chinese chicken salad.

Day four: Strictly optional: You can put any leftover bones, (not chewed on!) in a pot with a sliced unpeeled onion, a scrubbed carrot, a rib of celery, a bay leaf and water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer for about an hour. Strain and refrigerate. (If the broth jells when cold, it’s a gift. It’s still good if it doesn’t.)

Freeze, label and date it. Later, it is a base for another soup. Or add a fresh sliced carrot, some sliced onion and a tablespoon or so of rice for a super bowl of soup.

If you prefer to roast the chicken rather than buying one already cooked, I have included Marcella Hazan’s roast chicken recipe (see page 4B).

One of Ullman’s regular students is Joyce Levin, who said she always leaves the J after stretching class feeling better than when she came in.

“You walk out of here feeling like a million bucks,” said Levin, a member of Shaare Emeth. “It brings awareness to you about how you should carry your body. I walk out of here and think about walking with my shoulders back.”

Even for her regulars, Ullman’s class is constantly changing. That’s by design, she said.

“I have never taught the same class twice,” she said. “I vary it because the body gets used to routine and you have to surprise the body. That’s another reason everyone likes it. The feedback I get shows that I’m helping people. I’ve even had doctors and physical therapists refer their patients to my class.”

Ullman said stretching is important and useful at any age. Older adults in particular can benefit from stretching.

“The value of stretching is so important,” she said. “Especially as you get older, you can lose movement, and you’ve got to stay active and be as flexible as you are strong and as strong as you are flexible.”

Basic everyday stretching exercises Stretching every day isn’t just important for athletes. Everyone can benefit from a basic stretching routine. It can improve your overall comfort, flexibility and mobility, and potentially decrease risk of injury and chronic pain. It can also improve your brain health. And a significant benefit for older adults is good flexibility can decrease the risk of falling. A simple set of stretches doesn’t require any special equipment, either. You can start by spending a few minutes every day of easy stretching, including: • Neck roll • Shoulder roll • Ankle roll • Leg lifts • Heel-to-toe walking • Sit to stand Note: Stretching or any moderate exercise should not cause excessive discomfort. If you experience any pain, it’s important to consult a doctor or physical therapist.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4B

Betty Epstein’s Mandel Bread

Barbara Cohn’s Apple Cake

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon orange extract 1 teaspoon lemon extract 3 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder I cup chopped pecans or almonds

2 eggs 2 cups sugar 1 1/3 cups oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups peeled and chopped apples

DIRECTIONS:

Line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Beat the eggs. Add the sugar and oil. Add the vanilla along with the orange and lemon extracts.

Sift the flour with the baking powder. Add it to the mixer.

Stir in the nuts. Set aside for 30 minutes on a floured board.

Knead the dough for a few minutes. Then divide it into 4 long rolls, about 3 inches wide.

Place them on the parchmentcovered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 30 min. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then slice into 1-inch pieces. Place the slices on their sides in the pan, return the pan to oven for about 7 minutes more, until slightly brown Makes about 3 dozen pieces.

DIRECTIONS:

Grease and flour either a bundt pan or a 9-x13-inch baking pan.

Combine the eggs with the sugar, oil and vanilla.

Stir the flour together with the salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Add to the batter. Mix in the chopped apples.

Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes.

Serves 8-12.

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Come learn what makes locally-owned McKnight Place The Right Place for both our residents and their families. Ask about our all-inclusive pricing.

• Medicare Supplements • Medicare Advantage plans • Home Health Care/Long Term Care • Hospital/medical co-pay protection • Cancer • Dental/vision/hearing • Life insurance

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call our local office.

Call for more information or to schedule a personal tour.

(314) 993-3333 McKnightPlace.com We are committed to equal housing opportunity that does not discriminate in housing and services because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

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October 18, 2023

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JEWISH LIGHT

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10/17/23 3:28 PM