NOV. 28 AT THE MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM SEE PAGE 24 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.
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Jewish groups put out call for massive ‘March for Israel’ in DC on Nov. 14 BY RON KAMPEAS JTA
MAKING AN IMPACT TAKING A LOOK AT THE ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, ONE YEAR AFTER ITS REOPENING STORY AND PHOTOS BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
One year ago, St. Louis became a major hub of Holocaust awareness and education when the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum opened. The 36,000-square-foot facility began welcoming visitors on Nov. 2, 2022, following a 2½-year, $21 million renovation and expansion. The newly expanded facility quickly became an important destination of Holocaust learning, with 5,000 visitors in its first 100 days. The museum is a vivid reminder of the cost of hate and intolerance. It also offers an important lesson to anyone about the power of resistance and how strength and resolve can preserve human dignity. A carefully curated exhibit space that traces the history of the Holocaust has made the museum a must-see attraction for students of history, school groups and TOP: A group from Explore St. Louis visits the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum’s Imdescendants of victims and survivors. The pact Lab in late October. ABOVE: Gloria Feldman (left) and Holocaust Museum Board Chair Carol museum’s recognition in its first 12 Staenberg flank the museum’s new executive director, Myron Freedman. PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN months has been an affirmation of the goals set by its planners and staff, accord- about the Holocaust remains crucial, tracking a significant increase in hate ing to Carol Staenberg, especially in these challeng- crimes. These disturbing statistics demonboard chair. ing times, and we’re com- strate why the Holocaust museum’s misMORE INSIDE “The museum’s remarkmitted to doing so for sion has never been more important. able growth in its first year Read a Q&A with the decades to come.” Supporting that effort is what stands out since reopening is incredi- Holocaust Museum’s new Incidents of antisemitism for the Feldman family (for whom the ble,” she said. “Our dedi- executive director, Myron have increased dramatically museum is named), said Gloria Feldman cated staff, volunteers, sup- Freedman in the United States follow- and her daughter, Cheryle Feldman Atkin. —Page 10 ing the Oct. 7 Hamas attack porters and board have “We are extremely proud of the museum’s made it all possible. Our on Israel, according to ADL See HOLOCAUST MUSEUM on page 10 mission to educate future generations tracking data. The FBI had already been
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WASHINGTON — National Jewish organizations are calling on Jews from around the country to travel to Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14 for a mass pro-Israel rally they hope will rival major Jewish demonstrations in 2002 and 1987 in size and impact. The March for Israel has three goals, according to Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, which is organizing the rally jointly with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Participants will be demanding the return of the estimated 240 hostages Hamas terrorists abducted during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Fingerhut said. They will also be calling for efforts to combat antisemitism, which has spiked worldwide since the attack. And they will be demonstrating their support for the unabashed backing Israel has so far received from both parties in Congress and the Biden administration. “All three elements are important to all of our communities,” Fingerhut said. “We’re proud of what our government has done” to support Israel “but we want them to know how much support there is not only for what they’ve done, but also for the continued efforts that are going to be needed as this long conflict continues.” The rally, which will take place just over five weeks after Hamas’ deadly assault on Israel, was formally announced on Monday night. But efforts to fill buses and planes were already breaking into public view over the weekend. “All classes for Yeshiva University undergraduate schools and high schools for Tuesday November 14 are canceled,” Rabbi Ari Berman posted on social media on Sunday. “We are going to Washington to stand with Israel.” It’s the kind of move that Fingerhut and William Daroff of the Conference of Presidents said in a See MARCH on page 22
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BUSINESS AND ENGAGEMENT Stacy Wolff Smart, Director of Business Development and Communications Terri Green, Administrative Assistant SALES Angie Rosenberg, Senior Account Executive Kelly Morris, Account Executive Elaine Wernick, Account Executive PRODUCTION Grace Cohen, Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Motchan, Amy Fenster Brown, Patricia Corrigan, Barry Gilbert, Margi Lenga Kahn, Nancy Kranzberg, Elise Krug, Cate Marquis, Eric Mink, Judith Newmark, Martin Rochester, Megan Rubenstein
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CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
Crown Center names next executive director Andrew ‘Andy’ Thorp will start in December, succeeding longtime exec Nikki Goldstein Andrew “Andy” Thorp has been named the executive director of Crown Center for Senior Living beginning in December. Thorp succeeds Nikki Goldstein who served in the same role for the past 23 years. A native of New Jersey, Thorp has lived in St. Louis for the past 27 years and brings proven nonprofit leadership expertise to Crown Center. He has served as the executive director of the Miriam Foundation, a St. Louis nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with learning disabilities and their families. Most recently, he was the senior director of student engagement at Washington University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (CAPS). “We are excited to welcome Andy to Crown Center as we continue to build upon the amazing legacy Nikki has developed,” said Crown’s board chair Mark Rubin. “Andy’s experience and passion for nonprofit organizations will be great assets to Crown Center employees, residents and our community.” Since 1967, Crown Center has provided affordable, quality living at the same location in the heart of University City. Crown is also a community resource welcoming older people from the surrounding area to participate in the creative programming offered in the new Staenberg Commons. Thorp joins Crown Center as the organization looks to the future, with new construction including 52 apartments in Crown Center Phase 1 (opened 2023) and 68 apartments planned for Phase 2 (estimated opening 2025/2026). “I have long valued the role Crown Center plays in our local community and am honored to have the opportunity to bring my professional experience and passion to the organization,” noted Thorp.
In December, Andrew ‘Andy’ Thorp (above) will become the executive director of Crown Center for Senior Living. Below is longtime executive director Nikki Goldstein.
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S STL JEWISH LIGHT Shabbat begins Friday, Nov. 10: 4:34 p.m.
Shabbat begins Friday, Nov. 17: 4:29 p.m.
Shabbat ends Saturday, Nov. 11: 5:33 p.m.
Shabbat ends Saturday, Nov. 18: 5:28 p.m.
Torah reading: Chayei Sara
Torah reading: Toldot
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INDEX
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ChaiLights Event Calendar .....................19
Obituaries........................................... 20-21
Classifieds ................................................22
Opinions ..............................................12-13
Features...............................................15-17
Simchas ....................................................18
Newsmakers .......................................10-11
Spotlight Photos ......................................23
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For decades, this Jewish War Veterans’ veteran keeps St. Louis post ‘going in a straight line’ BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Jack Lite at age 95 is the oldest active member of Jewish War Veterans Post 644. He has held every volunteer local and state leadership role since joining the group in 1960. Lite is a widower. He and his wife Paula had three children, including a son and daughter who predeceased him. His daughter Donna Jeffe teaches at Washington University School of Medicine. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Lite is Post 644’s judge advocate. In that position, he delivers invocations and makes rulings, which requires a knowledge of regulations. “I know the bylaws almost by heart,” he said. “If someone has a question, they call me, and I try to keep them going in a straight line.” Another project Lite has shepherded for years is maintaining the group’s memorial center, an archival collection of medals, uniforms, rifles and mementos from Jewish military veterans from the St. Louis area. His volunteer work on behalf of veterans over the past 60 years has been important to the post, his fellow JWV members say. “Jack has been very influential and a key person as far as keeping the memorial center around,” said Monroe Ginsburg, chaplain of Post 644. Leslie Birenbaum, the post’s junior vice president, said, “Jack has always reminded us that we still need to honor veterans’ service to our country.” The national Jewish War Veterans organization was founded in 1896. JWV looks
Jack Lite (shown at left in a recent photo and above during his military service in the early 1950s) has volunteered with the local Jewish War Veterans chapter for 60 years. PHOTO AT LEFT: BILL MOTCHAN out for the welfare of all veterans, not just Jewish veterans. Post 644 also partners with the Kaufman Fund, a St. Louis-based nonprofit that provides food, tax preparation and other services for veterans. Any veteran who has an honorable discharge can become a member of the Jewish War Veterans. The post also welcomes patron members, supporters of the group who did not serve in the military.
From KP to quartermaster Lite attended Beaumont High School and Washington University, where he was a member of ROTC. His military career began when he was 23 years old. He was drafted in 1951 at the outset of the Korean
War. After reporting to the 28th Division at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, he was placed on KP duty. “I was the only guy assigned to the mess hall to clean the grease trap, which hadn’t been cleaned for months,” he said. “The smell was horrible. Then one day I got an assignment to work with the quartermaster. That was for what they called ‘ration breakdown’ and ‘clothing breakdown.’ Well, I didn’t know anything about clothing, but I knew a lot about rations. I grew up in the grocery business.” Lite had already had years of experience working in his father’s north St. Louis store, Tower Meat Co. He knew the grocery business, which made him a natural at distributing supplies. He spent most of
the next two years filling orders for ammunition, uniforms, meat and produce. “I was very familiar with what they were doing,” Lite said. “The lieutenant noted that, and he said, ‘How would you like to be assigned permanently to me?’ Once a month, we had ration breakdowns where we got the orders from the mess stewards at the various mess halls, and we would divide them up and load them on a truck. I would take inventory. “We also were in charge of explosives, and when they would come in for field duty where they were going to use explosives, they would come in with a requisition, and I would fill their order.” See JACK LITE on page 22
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St. Charles restaurant’s ‘kosher night’ raises thousands for Israel BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
The one-time special kosher dinner at Novellus in St. Charles on Oct. 25 raised more than $88,000 in donations and matching gifts by the restaurant. That will translate to 16,000 meals that will be distributed to displaced Israelis. Bob Affholder, owner of Novellus, is not Jewish. After watching news coverage of the Hamas attack on Israel, he reached out to the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County to offer his help. With assistance from the Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis, the Novellus commercial kitchen was completely kosherized in preparation for the event. Two seatings of 90 diners each sold out quickly. The kosher meal options were beef or fish. Jenna O’Shea, who attended with her Torah study group
members, said her meal was excellent. “The food was good,” O’Shea said. “Everybody was waiting to see what it would be like. I had the encrusted salmon. It was delicious. There was also a chopped liver appetizer. There was very nice ambiance. The restaurant is super cute. It’s just a really nice laid-back spot. “I know that it wasn’t easy, and it had to be outside of their comfort zone, especially the chef. But they just went out of their way to create this night, and it was just really nice.” Steve Ehlmann, St. Charles County executive, also attended the event and said, “A lot of people in St. Charles were happy to help and the restaurant was generous in their support. The food was good and the fellowship was even better. It was a good feeling all around. I taught at Clayton High School in 1976 and I ran into
Bassy and Rabbi Chaim Landa, co-directors of Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County, visit with guests at a kosher night fundraiser for Israel held by Novellus restaurant. one my former students, Susan Kalishman, who recognized me.” O’Shea said the restaurant had a distinctive positive energy that evening. “Everyone came together to support our brothers and sisters in Israel,” she said. “There was a somberness about the event, of course, but also positivity, togetherness and support and just spreading goodness. That’s what Chabad has done for St.
Charles, especially in light of the recent events. And our community here in St. Charles just really seems to embrace it. The whole event made me proud to be a resident here in St. Charles. We have an awesome community here.” Funds raised at the Novellus kosher dinner will be used by Colel Chabad, an Israeli charity that provides food, medical care and support to widows and orphans.
Dozens of St. Louis Jewish organizations, clergy members pen an open letter to Rep. Cori Bush BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
More than 30 St. Louis Jewish community organizations, including rabbis and presidents of synagogues from every stream of Judaism, signed an open letter Nov. 1 to Rep. Cori Bush in response to her remarks about the war in Israel. On Sunday, Oct. 29, Bush tweeted the following on her congressional account on X (formerly Twitter): “We can’t be silent about Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign. Babies, dead. Pregnant women, dead. Elderly, dead. Generations of families, dead. Millions of people in Gaza with nowhere to go being slaughtered. The U.S. must stop funding these atrocities against Palestinians.” Brian Herstig, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said what prompted the letter was a “growing frustration” with Bush about her position on Israel and the fact that she hasn’t been willing to sit down with most Jewish organizations since she first took office in 2020. He noted that while she has met individually with a few Jewish leaders, she has been unavailable to most, despite receiving multiple invitations to meet. “She represents the largest concentration of Jews in the state, and she is not doing the work of representing them in a way they feel safe, heard or supported,” said Herstig, pointing to her latest post on Sunday. “The dichotomy of her lack of speaking out about a terrorist organization that invaded a sovereign country and murdered 1,400 people, and took over 200 people, including 29 Americans, captive and then coming out and calling Israel’s appropriate and measured response to that attack ‘ethnic cleansing’ really was the last straw for a lot of organizations and individuals in the community. “We felt it was time to make clear to the entire community that this is not an individual who represents her constituency appropriately or accurately.” A spokesperson from Bush’s office said she was aware of the open letter, and that the congresswoman was in “direct communication” with the organizations that spearheaded the letter. “The congresswoman continues to mourn the immense loss of life as a result of the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine. She has repeatedly denounced
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the horrific attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas and continues to condemn any and all forms of bigotry and hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia,” said the spokesperson in a statement. “The congresswoman’s advocacy continues her long track record as a champion of universal human rights for all people, regardless of faith, nationality, or ethnicity. While there are characterizations within this letter that are unfair and simply untrue, we recognize that our Jewish neighbors are justifiably feeling frightened amid the horrific global rise of antisemitism. The congresswoman is and will always be committed to continuing to work with all members of our beloved St. Louis Jewish community to ensure their safety, and well-being, and the dignity, safety and well-being of all people in St. Louis and around the world.”
What follows is the open letter sent to Bush in its entirety: We are writing to express our anger and concern with Rep. Cori Bush’s communication about the recent events in Israel and Gaza. Numerous times over the last 23 days, we have felt her words to be insensitive, incorrect, and fanning the flames of antisemitism. On Oct. 29th, Rep. Bush issued a statement on social media referring to the military campaign Israel is conducting against Hamas as “ethnic cleansing.” To accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing as it seeks to defend itself and locate hundreds of hostages still held captive in Gaza—taken only because they were assumed to be Jews—is sickening. The 60,000 Jewish members of the St. Louis community deserve an apology for her lack of decency, disregard for history, and for intentionally fueling antisemitism and hatred, especially at a time when law enforcement in America is recording an all-time high in violent attacks against Jews. In the last century, the Jewish people were the victims of the worst ethnic cleansing campaign in history, and the scars from the Holocaust are still fresh in our collective memory. Her statement not only fails to advance peace, but it incites anger and the potential of further violence toward the Jewish community. Her silence on Hamas’s terrorism makes the Jewish community feel she
doesn’t understand that a violent massacre of people took place in Israel just three weeks ago—when Hamas terrorists brutally murdered at least 1,400 Israelis, kidnapped more than 230 (29 of whom have American citizenship), and injured and traumatized thousands more. Rep. Bush has shown little outrage against the horrendous attacks by an organization whose very charter calls for the killing of all Jewish people. To the contrary, in private discussions she has stated repeatedly that she supports the Jewish community, is listening to our fears and concerns, and stands against antisemitism. She then issues public statements that directly contradict what she told us in private. Rep. Bush has established herself as an outspoken leader for Palestinian rights, dignity, and safety. Her language carries weight among her supporters. It is even more important that she speaks with the care and empathy she claims to extend to all people by not sharing falsehoods that foster antisemitic hate. We call upon Rep. Bush to stop this incendiary language about Israel, apologize to the Jewish community in St. Louis, and engage in honest and accountable dialogue about the issues related to Israel and the Palestinian people. Signed by: • ADL, Jordan Kadosh, Regional Director • Agudas Israel of St. Louis • AJC St. Louis • Bais Abraham Congregation, Rabbi Garth Silberstein • Central Reform Congregation, Rabbi Susan Talve, Rabbi Randy Fleisher, Rabbi Karen Kriger Bogard, Rabbi Daniel Bogard, Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Paul Wagman • Chesed Shel Emeth Society & Beth Shalom Cemetery, Anita Feigenbaum, Executive Director • Citizens For a Just and Lasting Peace in the Middle East, Richard Senturia, Director • Coalition for Jewish Values Missouri, Rabbi Ze’ev Smason, Chairman • Congregation B’nai Amoona, Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham • Congregation Shaare Emeth, Rabbi James Bennett, Senior Rabbi, & Rabbi Andrea Goldstein • Congregation Temple Israel, Rabbi Mark Shook, Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Amy Feder, & Rabbi Michael Alper
• Esther Miller Bais Yaakov, Byron Cohen, President • H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy, Jeffrey Glogower, Board President, & Rabbi Miller, Head of School • IGNITE YP, Rabbi Avi Roberts • J Street St. Louis, Neil Jaffe, Chapter Chair • Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, Joel Iskiwitch, Board Chair, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director, & Rabbi Scott Shafrin • Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Bob Newmark, Board Chair, & Brian Herstig, President & CEO • Jewish Student Union of St Louis, Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, Executive Director • Kol Rinah, Rabbi Noah Arnow • Missouri Torah Institute, Rabbi David Fromowitz, Rabbi Avrohom Goldman, & Rabbi Shmuel Wasser • National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, Nancy Litz, Board President, Ellen Alper, CEO, & Amy Kuo Hammerman, Missouri State Policy Advocate • Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, Dr. Sara Lander, Board Chairperson, & Raquel Scharf-Anderson, Head of School • St. Louis Friends of Israel, Galit Lev-Harir, Co-President, & Traci Goldstein, Co-President • St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Ted Flom, Board Chair, Lynn Wittels, President & CEO, & Rabbi Brad Horwitz, Chief Jewish Engagement Officer • St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association (STLRCA) • Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community, Allen Karlin, Ph.D., Co-president • Temple Emanuel, Senior Rabbi Elizabeth B. Hersh & Rabbi Janine Schloss • Temple Israel of Springfield, MO, Rabbi Cantor Sam Radwine • Torah Prep School of St. Louis, Rabbi Tzvi Freedman, Executive Director, Rabbi Binyamin Travis, CEO, Dr. Dov, & Tziona Zeffrin • Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur, Rabbi Seth D Gordon • United Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg, Senior Rabbi, Cori Neidenberg, Executive Director, & Rabbi David Reinhart, Associate Rabbi • United Orthodox Jewish Community, Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis • WashU Hillel, Rabbi Jordan Gerson, Silk Foundation Campus Rabbi, & Jacqueline Ulin Levey, CEO • Young Israel of St. Louis, Rabbi Moshe Shulman • Individual Community Leaders: Rabbi Matt Derrenbacher, Uri Krieger
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Maharat Rori Picker Neiss leaving JCRC for new post with JCPA After eight years serving as the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss will be leaving her position at the end of the year to assume the role of senior vice president for community relations at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA). “During her tenure at JCRC, Maharat Rori has demonstrated remarkable leadership, unwavering dedication, and an unrelenting commitment to advancing the Jewish community’s interests,” the JCRC noted in a statement. “She has played a pivotal role in strengthening relationships, promoting social justice and fostering dialogue within the broader St. Louis community. With her guidance, JCRC has outreached to new partner communities, sig-
nificantly augmented its presence and impact in Jefferson City, supported the expansion of the Student to Student program across the country, and launched new and innovative Israel education programming. Joel Iskiwitch, board chair of the JCRC said, “I joined the JCRC the same year Rori joined as executive director. In our almost eight years together, she has made friends with many people representing diverse communities in the region. Folks know she will show up for them when they ask. They, in turn, come out in large numbers to support the Jewish community in our times of crisis. Much of community relations work is behind the scenes and doesn’t receive publicity. But the one-onone relationships Rori has built with gov-
ernment officials of both parties, leaders of various faith communities, and groups representing diverse populations make our region stronger and our Jewish community safer.” Her new role as senior vice president for community relations at JCPA will provide her with an expanded platform to make a broader impact. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is a national organization dedicated to advocating for policies and issues of critical importance to the Jewish community. “The work of community relations is more important now than ever before,” said Picker Neiss in a statement. “As we witness growing political divide within our community and increased hate against our community, it is ever more
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HANUKKAH HUGS this
holiday season!
Women’s Philanthropy and Jewish Family Services are collecting new, unwrapped gifts for children who are in need.
Everyone has something to give! • Donate new toys, books, gift cards, and other fun items for our Hanukkah Hugs “Store” • Donations of Hanukkah wrapping paper, gift bags, and tape are also needed
Please donate on or before November 24 Gifting is easy and will warm your heart! The following options are available to donate your gift: • Shop online through the registry link at JFedSTL.org/Hanukkah-Hugs and the gifts will be sent to Federation • Scan the QR code to go directly to our Amazon gift registry • Shop at the store of your choosing ° Place your gift in the collection bin at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis ° Send your gift directly to: Jewish Federation of St. Louis Attn: Women’s Philanthropy 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss challenging but ever more necessary to build bridges and transcend difference. It has been an honor to serve as executive director and work alongside the incredible team at JCRC. I am excited to embark on this new journey with JCPA and look forward to continuing the important work of advocating for our community on a national scale and supporting JCRCs across our country — including here in St. Louis.” Picker Neiss has been recognized locally and nationally for her work. While working at the JCRC, she served as the Chair of the Cabinet of Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, a member of the Board of Arts & Faith STL, a David Hartman Center Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, a Mandel Fellow for Executive Leadership, Rabbi in Residence at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, and a frequent teacher and lecturer at Greenville University. Upon Picker Neiss’ departure, JCRC will welcome back former deputy director Cheryl Adelstein, who will serve as interim executive director until a new executive director is in place.
JCA Charitable Foundation seeks applications for grant program The JCA Charitable Foundation is seeking grant applications for the 2024 year for new and creative community programs and activities that support the needy Jewish elderly in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. The foundation is looking to focus efforts on educational and health care programming and services that would be of benefit to this vulnerable population. The JCA Charitable Foundation’s mission includes the support of nutritional, religious, social and cultural programs related to Judaism as well as projects which address the financial and emotional needs of older adults. Applications related to these activities are welcome. The grant is intended to support new initiatives dedicated specifically to providing a positive and material difference in the lives of seniors in the Jewish community. To receive a grant application, e-mail a request to mangej@msn.com. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 20.
Email Sabrina Gornish at SGornish@JFedSTL.org with any questions. Trained by Pediatric Urologists Over 20,000+ Procedured Preformed
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EMPTY SHABBAT TABLES A solemn gathering in Clayton Friday afternoon, Nov. 3, supported the Israelis held captive by Hamas in Gaza. The Empty Shabbat Table Gathering at Shaw Park’s Enterprise Pavilion was a stark, symbolic reminder of the hostages. Long dinner tables with empty chairs inside the pavilion were set for a dinner where no one would sit. An empty Shabbat table in Tel Aviv and in other cities around the world inspired the St. Louis gathering, according to Dafna Revah, one of the organizers. All photos by Bill Motchan.
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SHAVING ISRAEL EVENT AT TRADITIONAL CONGREGATION On Sunday, Oct. 29, Traditional Congregation hosted a tribute and brunch in honor of longtime member Sheilah Gross and her family to recognize her years of volunteerism to Shaving Israel. Founded by Rachel Miller, a Holocaust survivor who spoke before the brunch, St. Louis-based Shaving Israel supports Israel Defense Forces soldiers with toiletries and other personal care items. The items are purchased in Israel and where appropriate, IDF-approved vendors are used. To learn more, go to shavingisrael.org. Above: Rachel Miller, founder of Shaving Israel Left: Dr. Gil and Shari Gross with daughters Isabella and Maya, family of event honoree Sheilah Gross
Monday, December 4, 2023 at The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005
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This year’s JSU gala honorees include Jackie and Howard Oppenheimer (above left), Judith and Ted Isaacs (above right) and Scott Biondo (right). On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Jewish Student Union (JSU) will celebrate its 21st year at its annual gala, the Eternal Jewish Flame. Jackie and Howard Oppenheimer, of Young Israel of St. Louis, will receive JSU’s Lifetime Achievement Award for being pillars of the Jewish community. Howard Oppenheimer is a longtime executive vice president of Delmar Gardens. Jackie Oppenheimer was a teacher at Epstein Hebrew Academy for more than 30 years and continues to volunteer there on a regular basis. JSU will present the Jewish Engagement Award to Judith and Ted Isaacs, members of Congregation B’nai Amoona. They encourage Jewish engagement and involvement and support many Jewish organizations in the community. Scott Biondo, director of community security at the Jewish Federation, will receive JSU’s Community Service Award. He is passionate about his love of the
Jewish people and is dedicated to protecting the Jewish community. The JSU gala takes place at The Stone House, 4401 McClay Road in St. Charles. For more information on the event or to RSVP, visit www.jsustl.org/ galarsvp. At the Nov. 4 Heart & Soul Gala, Now & Forever, Congregation Shaare Emeth honored Peggy and Dan Lents with the Harris Frank Community Service Award and the Brandvein family with its L’Dor VaDor Award. The Harris Frank Community Service Award recognizes congregants who have demonstrated exemplary service to the congregation, St. Louis Jewish and greater St. Louis communities. Peggy Lents, founder and CEO
Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Heart & Soul Gala on Nov. 4 honored the Brandvein family (above) and Peggy and Don Lents (at right). of Lents, Mazur & Associates, has served on the boards of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, United Way Women’s Cabinet and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Alumni Leadership Cabinet, among others. She has been a guest lecturer at Washington, Lindenwood, Webster and Fontbonne universities. Don Lents has spent his career at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. He is a commissioner of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, chair of the Greater St. Louis Foundation, and recently completed 20-plus years on the board of Grand Center, twice serving as board chair. He has served on the executive committee of United Way of Greater St. Louis, along with a number of other boards. In 1963, Judy and John Brandvein joined Shaare Emeth. Their children, Teri and Harvey Brandvein and Rochelle and Randy Aaranson, have continued their parent’s philanthropic tradition. The family’s third generation, Rachel and Jeff Spector, Jessica and Brian Palans, Lindsay and Adam Brandvein and Jeremy, Sydney and Ethan Aaranson, have celebrated many simchas within the tight-knit community. A fourth generation, the six great-grandchildren, are poised to continue the family’s temple involvement for years to come. Through the Brandvein Youth Lounge,
trips to Israel, the board of trustees, inter-congregational softball league, lifecycle celebrations, and more, all four generations have embraced Shaare Emeth in the past and remain anchored to its future. On Jan. 2, Craig Neuman will assume the role of executive director of Congregation Shaare Emeth. He is currently the chief program officer at the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis. Neuman, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona, said that he is looking forward to this new challenge. He replaces Rosalie Stein, who is retiring from that position. Laura Fields started LRCoaching314 as a certified health and well-being coach. She is accepting new patients (men and women ages 18 and older). Fields was formerly with Jewish Federation of St. Louis as the development associate of Women’s Philanthropy. She is a member of Congregation Temple Israel. Continued on opposite page
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Clayton native Jo Firestone was named head writer and co-executive producer for the new late-night show “After Midnight” to debut in 2024 on CBS (Channel 4). The new show, hosted by comedian Taylor Tomlinson, will take over the network’s 12:35 a.m. slot that used to be occupied by James Corden’s “The Late Late Show.” Firestone grew up as a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. Rachel Bolter joined the team at the Center for Mindfulness & CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) in Creve Coeur. As a provisionally licensed professional counselor, she sees patients ages 10-plus with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and LGBTQIA+ concerns and other issues. Ben Hillman was selected as one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2023 class of 40 Under 40 honorees. He was also appointed to the South/Central Community Board of CNB Bank. Hillman is an operating partner at Lewis and Clark Capital and is the president for their restaurant investments, overseeing Hi-Pointe Drive In and Chicken Out. Photographer Neshama Roash was awarded Best of Show at the recent Mosaics Fine Art Festival in St. Charles. The festival featured more than 100 juried artists. Roash is the owner/photographic artist at Neshama Fine Art Photography and Firefly Universe Fine Portrait Photography. She attends Congregation B’nai Amoona. Area lawyers who have been chosen for inclusion in the 2024 edition of “The Best lawyers in America” and/or “Missouri Super Lawyers 2023” publications include: Sanford Boxerman (Capes Sokol), David Capes (Capes Sokol), Ed Cohen (Thompson Coburn), Jeffrey Cohen (Capes Sokol), Michael Geigerman (U.S. Arbitration & Mediation), Mark Goodman (Capes Sokol), Michael Kahn (Capes Sokol), Robert Kaiser (Armstrong Teasdale), Cary Mogerman (Carmody MacDonald), Harvard Muhm (Capes Sokol), Gary Sarachan (Capes Sokol), Michelle Schwerin (Capes Sokol), Jim Thomeczek (Thomeczek & Brink), Richard Tishler (Riezman Berger), Bruce Weingart (Law Office of John S. Wallach) and Alvin Wolff (Wolff Trial lawyers).
Top row, from left: Jo Firestone, Rachel Bolter, Ben Hillman, Neshama Roash and Sanford Boxerman. Second row: David Capes, Ed Cohen, Jeffrey Cohen, Michael Geigerman and Mark Goodman. Third row: Michael Kahn, Robert Kaiser, Cary Mogerman, Harvard Muhm and Gary Sarachan. Bottom row: Michelle Schwerin, Jim Thomeczek, Richard Tishler, Bruce Weingart and Alvin Wolff.
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Five questions with Holocaust Museum’s new executive director, Myron Freedman BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Last month, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum welcomed Myron Freedman, as its new executive director. Freedman, 64, was previously administrator of Nevada’s Division of Museums and History, but he is no stranger to St. Louis. In 1995, he oversaw the development of all new exhibitions in preparation for the Missouri History Museum’s reopening in 2000. Freedman and his wife Sue moved to California in 2008 to be closer to their two daughters. While there, he served as executive director for several history museums before taking a similar position in Nevada. In his new role here, Freedman assumes leadership of the one-year-old expanded Holocaust Museum. He recently shared some of his goals and plans with the Jewish Light. Your mission is to use the lessons of the Holocaust to reject hatred. How will you develop new ways of achieving that? We want to broaden the message and make sure we’re reaching far and wide. What are the avenues for making those connections? It’s being part of the cultural
scene here. It’s identifying where we’re not connecting and why and reaching out in those areas. It’s developing programs that will attract different audiences here that may not normally think of this as a place for them. A lot of it has to do with making sure people understand this is a place for diverse visitors.
Myron Freedman is the executive director of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
What are some of the challenges toward achieving that mission? I think the challenge is, are we limited in terms of the message we can put out there because of the historic focus of our museum? And right now, I don’t think we are. The answer is in programming, it’s in developing those new experiences for people to come back so they can see this is a place for them, for their families, but also to spread the word. Antisemitic incidents have increased significantly over the past couple of years. What does that say about the significance of the museum’s mission? It’s never been more important, but we have a resource here that can be utilized for that, guiding you into activities that actually leave you with some tools to go out into the world and make a difference.
A visit to the museum can be emotional and thought-provoking. What takeaways would you like visitors to experience? Sometimes it’s a fulfilling experience, sometimes it’s an enriching experience. There may be times when it’s a fun experience depending on the kinds of things we can do. That combination of different experiences is the key to the future.
Is there a method to developing exhibits to make them compelling for a visitor? It starts with the message; what is it you want the visitor to get? It translates into different ideas that get people to, from a distance, see something that starts to trigger information in their own experience and in their own brain that allows them to have a connection to what they’re about to see.
Holocaust Museum: A look at the museum one year after reopening CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 accomplishments during this first year as we have shared the stories of the survivors and the victims,” they said in a shared statement. “We have opened the eyes of the visitors who now know and understand the truth about the Holocaust. Hopefully, through this museum experience, we can become kinder and more respectful.” The focal point of the museum is the permanent exhibition that highlights the history and lessons of the Holocaust through the voices of St. Louis survivors. It can be an emotional experience to view that area, according to Michael Samis, a museum volunteer. “When I see visitors, they are very moved by the experience of going through the museum,” said Samis, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona. “Some peo-
because it’s told through the stories of St. ST. LOUIS KAPLAN FELDMAN Louis people, so it’s very personal for peoand I think that has an effect on them. HOLOCAUST MUSEUM: BY THE NUMBERS ple I recommend for visitors to have time to
In its first year, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum:
v Had more than 3,500 event attendees
v Welcomed 31,000 visitors
v Carried out its mission with 165 volunteers
v Hosted 225 schools
v Displayed over 150 artifacts in the exhibition
v Engaged with nearly 12,000 students v Identified 100 new survivors
v Engaged with nearly 3 million people on social media
ple are moved to tears. It’s a moving experience for people and it brings it to a much
more personal level, even for those who have been to other Holocaust museums,
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devote to experiencing it. The longer you give yourself, the more you’ll get out of it.”
Making an impact One of the museum’s newer distinctive features is the Impact Lab, which opened in April. This section is separate from the permanent exhibition and a provides a valuable experience. It uses the Holocaust as a case study to generate conversations about rejecting hatred and promoting understanding. The Impact Lab is interactive and staffed by volunteers who have special training to guide those conversations. The lab is an ideal venue for any organization focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Like the entire museum, it can help educators of grade 5 through 12 students generate important conversations about tolerance and inspiring change. The lab leads visitors through a program that explores the “spiral of hate” where stereotyping leads to prejudice, then discrimination, violence and ultimately genocide. Explore St. Louis, the organization that markets St. Louis as a travel destination, was one recent visitor to the lab. Another was a group invited by Rev. Rodrick Burton, a museum board member and senior pastor of the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church. “As African Americans, we usually view issues in a myopic way with our own experiences,” Burton said. “I wanted our younger people to know what happened to the Jewish community and others. The Impact Lab is a good doorway to the history of the Holocaust. The great thing about the lab is it offers ways of thinking about how you can intervene. The interactive nature of the impact lab is what young people really need and will respond to.” The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum holds weekly Impact Lab sessions on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Reservations can be made at stlholocaustmuseum.org.
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Shir Hadash chosen for new rabbinic internship program Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community has been selected to be in the first cohort of congregations and organizations to participate an innovative field education program launched this year by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). The program, an expansion of the college’s William H. Fern Program in Field Education, provides fourth and fifth-year rabbinic students with the opportunity to engage in more immersive and intensive internships during their final two years of rabbinic school. Shir Hadash is one of only a handful of congregations selected to pilot the program. Fourth year rabbinic student Shira Singelenberg will serve the congregation as its rabbinic intern for the next two years. She already has a relationship with the congregation, having led their High Holiday services the past two years, as well as occasional Shabbat services. Singelenberg is a native of Bethesda, Md. She said she grew up in an environment that fostered curiosity and questioning and one in which Shabbat dinner was
a revered and memorable time. She The immersive nature of the internship, received her BA degree from the and particularly of year two, will enable University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Singelenberg to experience every aspect where she majored in history of the rabbinate: leading serwith a minor in medieval and vices and holiday observancearly studies. es; providing counseling and During her time at the pastoral care; attending RRC, she has served various board and committee meetJewish communities, includings, and engaging with the ing Hillel at West Chester broader St. Louis Jewish University and Lions Gate, a community. She will also retirement home in Voorhees, have the opportunity to be N.J. mentored by Shir Hadash’s In the first year of her Rabbi Emeritus Lane internship with Shir Hadash, Steinger. Singelenberg will make Singelenberg is looking formonthly visits to the congre- Fourth year rabbinic stuward to building on the relagation from her home base in dent Shira Singelenberg tionship she has already Philadelphia to lead Shabbat established with Shir Hadash. services and other programs. The balance “Learning and community are at the heart of her work with Shir Hadash will be done of Shir Hadash,” she said. “From my first remotely. In year two of the internship, the encounter, a warmth radiated from the tables turn. Singelenberg will relocate to community in which I instantly knew St. Louis to serve the congregation “on the there was something special here. My ground” while she completes the remain- favorite part about Jewish tradition is the der of her rabbinic studies online. shared learning space, a commitment to
learning through challenging and support each other, which is something Shir Hadash embodies,” she explained. “My relocation to St. louis for my final year of rabbinical school will be a great change,” she said. “I have lived on the East Coast my whole life and am eager for the opportunity to grow roots in the Midwest. I’m looking forward to making connections and building community while calling St. Louis my home.” The program is truly a win-win, according to Shir Hadash co-presidents Allen Karlin and Jaye Shyken. They noted that Singelenberg will gain more “real world” rabbinic experience, while Shir Hadash will benefit from having more in-person time with their rabbinic intern. Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community meets in the Arts and Education Building of the Jewish Community Center near Creve Coeur. For more information about the congregation and its services and programs, visit https:// www.shirhadashstl.info or email stlshirhadash@gmail.com.
Holocaust Museum plans workshops in response to crisis in Israel To help educators and parents better engage in difficult conversations with their students and children about current events, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is launching a new “Communicating in Crisis” series. The first programs in the series will take place on Nov. 20 and 29. “Since Oct. 7, the museum has received numerous inquiries from parents and educators seeking guidance on how to address challenging topics and global events, such as the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza,” said Helen Turner, director of education, in a statement. “In response, we’ve developed a new series specifically tailored to support parents and educators. It’s designed to provide them with the necessary resources to effectively discuss current world events with young people, meeting
them at their level of understanding.” The “Communicating During Crisis” is a series of programs designed to help parents and teachers engage in difficult conversations about current events. Each session will include resources and discussions about how to support and talk to young people about current events taking place in Israel and Gaza. The museum will provide a space to discuss: • How to digest current events • How to approach children/students about these events • How to address social media • How to report incidents This program is part of the Museum’s Change Begins with Us Campaign, an initiative designed to empower St. Louis area visitors to work collectively to fight antisemi-
tism and all forms of hate. “Change Begins with Us” is a reminder that we cannot do everything, but we can all do something to make the world a better place. “We understand that it’s often difficult to know how to make a difference when confronted with challenging issues or crises,” said Executive Director Myron Freedman. “As a Holocaust museum, we frequently interact with visitors who are uncertain about how to react when confronted with the distressing history of the Holocaust. ‘Change Begins with Us’ is our response to these uncertainties. It serves as a reminder that the process of change commences with small actions, community involvement, and taking meaningful steps.” To learn more, and to register, visit STLHolocaustMuseum.org/Change-Begins-With-Us
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Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract 004D041D brokers. © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Y0066_210713_104808_M renewal with Medicare. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. You do not need SPRJ64119 SPRJ64119 004D041D toY0066_210713_104808_M be an AARP member to enroll. AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, producers or brokers. © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Y0066_210713_104808_M
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OPINIONS
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ABOUT THE OPINIONS SECTION Viewpoints expressed in letters, commentaries, cartoons and other opinion pieces reflect those of the writer or artist, and not those of the Light. We welcome submissions of letters and commentaries to: news@stljewishlight.org
D’VAR TORAH — PARASHAT CHAYEI SARAH
And these are the clues BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
We bring down a clue from the Zohar, classic text of Jewish mysticism, that there was something chaser (missing) in Abraham’s generation that we are still struggling with, those of us who are its inheritors. The clues are everywhere written, and not written (some in black fire some in white fire). In this portion, called Chayei Sarah (literally the life of Sarah), we begin the life of Sarah with the death of Sarah. Abraham is traveling to an unfamiliar place it seems to negotiate for Sarah’s burial plot. I will give you everything you ask for, Abraham says, I want this land. This land this land everyone wants this land. What remains unfinished in the living these ancestors are working out in the dying. We have so much patch-up to do, a river of tears and blood will be spilled over this land.
Isaac and Ishmael will come together once more to bury their father Abraham and Rebecca is born before Sarah dies. Rebecca represents the healing from the future, also the principle that God provides the healing before the hurting. The healing will come from the future. It’s helpful to think like Sherlock, the clues: The absence of Sarah’s voice in chapter 22 (the binding of Isaac), the implication that she dies alone among strangers in chapter 23 (Targum Yonatan, Aramaic version, has her dying of grief), the intervening genealogy of Rebecca, representing the next generation to whom is passed the legacy of repair. Rebecca represents the refuah, the healing. The Torah records Rebecca’s birth before Sarah’s death and this is often cited to describe how one righteous person does not depart before another one arrives. The Holy One provides the refuah, the healing, before the sickness. Rebecca, the next generation, represents the
‘Robust Semitism’ — Jewish college students’ secret weapon against hate BY RABBI HERSHEY NOVACK
Over a month has passed since Hamas’s heinous terrorist attacks, shocking the world and leaving a gaping wound in Israeli society and the global Jewish community. What began as a horrifying massacre of 1,400 children, parents and families and some 240 hostages abducted into Gaza, has morphed into a state of anxiety and unease for Jews worldwide – a fear that Jewish people aren’t welcome or safe in any country’s public spaces. Nowhere is this fear more pronounced than on college campuses, where free speech, hate speech and incitement have become blurred, and where anti-Israel gatherings have morphed into assaults. Who can forget images of Jewish students cornered in the Cooper Union library as a mob of pro-Palestine protesters banged on the windows outside? Or the death threats issued against Jews at Cornell? Or how some university presidents were unwilling to unequivocally condemn Hamas? Thankfully, most campuses in St. Louis are comparatively calm especially as compared to some on the coasts. Yet we are not immune to this wave of hate; some of this moral rot has spilled over into our city. For example, at a pro-Gaza gathering at a local college, the language shifted from “Ceasefire Now” to “Israelis are crucifying Palestinians” to “From the River to the Sea Palestine will be Free.” I’ve observed two general trends among the responses of Jewish college students to these new circumstances. Some Jewish students have chosen to lay low, avoiding public displays of Judaism in response to the growing threats. This is an understandable reaction. However, we have also seen numerous Jewish students opt for a different approach. Instead of hiding their Jewish and pro-Israel identity, they have chosen to embrace it with pride. Many have started wearing overtly Jewish and pro-Israel symbols to send the clear message: “We care and we are united.” Indeed, judging by the record-setting crowds at the Chabad House, I feel that this group is quite strong at Washington University. The Rebbe, of blessed memory, taught that when faced with antisemitism, we must increase our mitzvahs and acts of kindness. In simpler terms, rather than only fighting antisemitism directly, we battle antisemitism with a powerful force called “Robust Semitism.” Stories are pouring in of Jews taking on new mitzvahs like wrapping tefillin, putting mezuzahs
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Rabbi Hershey Novack is the co-director of Chabad of Washington University at St. Louis, and oversees activities at colleges throughout the region. To see the guidance that his team has been sharing with local students, and/ or to sign up to receive updates on how Israel’s war is playing out at local colleges, email him at rabbihershey@chabadwashu.org. on their dorm rooms and lighting Shabbat candles for the first time. One student recently began wearing a yarmulke full time and convinced his brother to do so as well. These students almost instinctively realize mitzvahs are not just “commandments” or “good deeds,” but also tangible demonstrations of solidarity with Jewish people around the world. As part of the campaign of Robust Semitism, I encourage students to take on one additional mitzvah. For those unsure where to begin, I recommend incorporating the “Modeh Ani’’ prayer into their morning routines. This one-line statement means “I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is great.” This is an intentional reminder to be grateful for a new day. It is also a powerful act of defiance against the spirit of hatred represented by Hamas. While additional mitzvot can elicit divine protection and blessings, the need for physical security is crucial. We have quintupled our security budget. Our staff team meets regularly with university leadership, campus police and student affairs professionals to ensure the safety of students. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices and members of faculty and staff have a critical role in fostering a campus environment free from hateful ideologies. Each one of us also has a role to play by staying informed with trustworthy news sources, checking in with Jewish students and supporting those on the front lines of Jewish campus life. In the past month, I have witnessed students respond to challenges by proudly embracing their heritage, drawing strength from their peers and inspiring each other to advocate for Israel. All of our incredible students give me hope for a better tomorrow.
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Central Reform Congregation and is a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Light.
refuah. The healing will have to come from the future generations. We want to know if the future has arrived. We want to know if we are the future. It doesn’t feel like it. Days will come to Abraham, he is granted a vision of the All (Genesis 24:1), beyond enmity. Long into the future the generations of Abraham Sarah and Rebecca will draw a line in the sand, longer into the future than the present I’m afraid, and one day the future will say: This stops here.
Now is the time to seek solace in Torah, not justification BY RABBI AMY FEDER
Over these last terrible weeks, so many people in our community and around the world have been struggling with very big questions as they try to get a grasp on the war in Israel. I cannot remember another time in my rabbinate when I’ve heard from so many people, both strangers and within our community, who want to talk about the war and ask not just what should we do now, but how did we get here in the first place. Social media is filled with memes, maps and factoids about the history of Israel, and quite a few of them bring us right back to where we are this week in the Torah. In a recent Torah portion, we read of God calling to Abram and promising him a land where he and his descendants would flourish and become a blessing. Last week, in Vayeira, we started to see that becoming a reality as Sarah gives birth to Isaac, ensuring that the first Jewish family would continue on. Rabbi Amy Feder serves ConIt is also in these two Torah gregation Temple Israel and portions that we hear the sto- is a past president of the St. ries of Hagar and Ishmael, Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial who play a critical role in the Association, which coordinates Muslim faith in which the d’var Torah for the Jewish Ishmael serves as both a Light. prophet and ancestor to Muhammed. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away to the desert, while Abraham, Sarah and Isaac’s story moves forward together and becomes the story of our people. If one wished to use the Torah as a prooftext for the current situation in Israel, there are multiple moments to point to. One could use it to try and prove who was physically in the land first, or where the Jewish and Muslim story started, or who made an actual purchase of the land. The list goes on and on. But — and it feels strange as a rabbi to even say this — I’m going to strongly encourage us not to study the Torah for those answers right now. This is not the time to use the Torah as a historical prooftext, to determine original ownSee SOLACE on opposite page
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Antisemitism: Why the Jews? BY RABBI ZE’EV SMASON
Our Israeli brothers and sisters are under attack. So many lives have been taken. Families are bereft. So many are suffering the horrors of captivity. The depth of the evil perpetrators is unthinkable. In the midst of our pain as a People and as a Nation, it is worthwhile to consider a broader question: Why the Jews? Sometimes called “the longest hatred,” antisemitism has persisted in various forms since our patriarch Abraham came onto the scene more than three millennia ago. Anti-Zionism, a modern iteration of antisemitism, horrifically expressed itself in Israel on Oct. 7. Let us be clear: the barbaric attacks launched by the murderous Hamas terrorists were not about the borders of Israel. They were not about obtaining political or military objectives. So, as antisemitism surges worldwide and even on America’s own shores, we ask: Why do they hate us? Anne Frank wrote on April 11,1944 in her diary: “Who knows — it might even be our religion from which the world and all peoples learn good, and for that reason and that reason alone do we now suffer. We can never become just Netherlanders, or just English, or representatives of any other country for that matter. We will always remain Jews.” Anne Frank made a point of stressing that Jews have something of special value to give to the world, and that is precisely what the world has resented, and that is
why people have persecuted Jews. Anne Frank identified antisemitism as a hatred of our Jewishness and our mission, a loathing altogether different from the bigotry or racism that other people’s experience. The Talmud supports Anne Frank’s insight when it cites the source of antisemitism using a play on words: The Torah, the source of the Jewish system of laws, values and moral standards, was received at Mount Sinai. The Hebrew pronunciation of Sinai is almost identical to the Hebrew word for hatred, sinah. “Why was the Torah given on a mountain called Sinai?” asks the Talmud. “Because the great sinah — the tremendous hatred aimed at the Jew — emanates from Sinai.” At Sinai we were told that there is one G-d who makes moral demands on all of humanity. At Sinai, G-d gave the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Suggestions. These commandments would require humanity to acknowledge God’s immutable moral truths and change their lifestyle. Therefore, at Sinai the Jewish nation became the target of hatred of those whose strongest drive is to liberate mankind from the shackles of conscience and morality. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi leadership despised morality and the concepts of human equality, brotherhood and love. These concepts, introduced to the world by the Jews, threatened the system of ‘natural laws of survival of the species’ that placed the Germans at the top of the human hier-
The rising death toll in Gaza is tragic. But Holocaust scholars should know: It is not genocide. DAVID LEE PRESTON JTA
Up in Broome County, N. Y., beneath a simple marker in a family plot in Hale Eddy Cemetery, I believe the Rev. Dr. Franklin Hamlin Littell is turning in his grave. Littell, the son of a Methodist minister who also became one, was a towering figure in the study of the Holocaust and genocide. In postwar West Germany, he spent almost a decade as chief Protestant religious adviser to the High Commission on Germany, assigned to denazification. In 1958 at Emory University in Atlanta, he initiated the first U.S. graduate seminar on the Holocaust. Eighteen years later in Philadelphia, as chair of Temple University’s religion department, he started the world’s first doctoral program in Holocaust studies. And in 1998 at Stockton University in Pomona, N.J., he and his wife, Marcia Sachs Littell, established the first interdisciplinary master’s program in Holocaust and genocide studies. My late mother, Halina Wind Preston, a Jewish educator who survived 14 months hiding from the Nazis in the sewers of Lviv, was a frequent attendee at an annual Holocaust scholars’ conference cofounded by Littell. I knew Littell, who died in 2009, and at his invitation in 2000 I traveled from Atlanta, where I was a senior editor at CNN.com, to speak on “Professional Ethics After Auschwitz” at the 30th conference in Philadelphia. So I can imagine Littell’s revulsion if he knew that the word “genocide” was being misused against Israel by scholars and activists — including an Israeli historian who now directs the Stockton program he started. As Israel retaliates in the wake of the bloody rampage of Oct. 7 — in which Hamas killed 1,400 Israelis, including 260 people at a music festival and hundreds of
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civilians in nearby communities, and took more than 200 hostages — Raz Segal, the Israeli historian who directs the Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies program at Stockton University, has been attracting worldwide attention by blaming the victims. On Oct. 18, at a vigil on the University of Pennsylvania campus, Segal called President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel “support for Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.” On Oct. 13, Jewish Currents published “A Textbook Case of Genocide,” in which Segal wrote that “Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza is quite explicit, open, and unashamed” and that “Israel’s goal is to destroy the Palestinians of Gaza.” Segal is far from a lone voice accusing Israel of genocide. At Penn, a student group that organized a rally Oct. 16 said it “unequivocally stands with Palestine in the face of ongoing genocide committed by the Israeli government, which has been assisted by other Western allies like the United States.” On Oct. 24 in Washington, D.C., students at George Washington University projected the message “Divestment from Zionist Genocide Now” onto a library facade. And on Tuesday, Craig Mokhiber, director in the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, resigned, citing Israel for a “textbook case of genocide.” Littell understood that “genocide” was coined in 1944 by a Polish Jewish lawyer named Raphael Lemkin to denote “the destruction of a nation or of an ethnic group.” Lemkin wrote that genocide is intended “to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. ” Historian Michael Berenbaum, distinguished professor of Jewish studies at
Rabbi Ze’ev Smason is Chairman of the Coalition for Jewish Values Missouri.
archy. According to this worldview, only genocide was the “final solution” to the “Jewish problem.” And here we have it in Hitler’s own words: ”I am freeing men from the restraints of an intelligence that has taken charge; from the dirty and degrading self-mortifications of a chimera called conscience and morality .... Conscience is a Jewish invention. It is a [mutilation], like circumcision. … There is no such thing as truth, either in the moral or in the scientific sense.” Father Marcel Dubois, once-head of the philosophy department at Hebrew University, said that the Jews are a people of a divine essence, whose role in the world is to testify to the presence of G-d. And that, he said, is the reason for antisemitism: Because the world resents the testimony to G-d’s presence and power on earth. On Oct. 7 we saw what the absence of conscience and morality and the absence
of recognition of G-d can lead to. The current war is about who we are and what we stand for. It’s an ongoing attempt to uproot our eternal values and history, our Divine mission. As the brave soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces wage a just and heroic military battle to ensure Jewish survival, let us join hands to issue a clear statement of intent; we will not succumb, we will not submit, and we will not forsake our eternal values. It is no coincidence that Hamas attacked on Shabbat. Shabbat is the very soul of the Jewish people and reflects the meaning of what it means to be a Jew — living a committed Jewish lifestyle in accordance with the instructions of the Torah’s timeless directives. The horrors of Oct. 7 can prompt us to take steps to embrace our treasure: Our devotion to our G-d, His guidelines and His laws. And it can also prompt us to embrace each other. Jewish unity in this time of crisis can flow from the acceptance of every Jew simply as a brother and sister, not as “Jews with labels.” Labels are helpful for clothing, but not for members of one’s family. May it be G-d’s will that in the merit of our courageous Israeli brethren on the front lines in this existential battle for Israel’s survival, in the merit of our devotion to G-d and His instructions for living, and in the merit of our devotion to each other that He grant us success in battle, return of the captives, healing of the wounded, and a life of peace, tranquility and sustained Jewish unity.
David Lee Preston is a retired Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News editor, was a finalist for the 1986 Pulitzer Prize in feature writing for his magazine article “Journey To My Father’s Holocaust.” Follow his work at https://www.DavidLeePreston.com American Jewish University in Los Angeles, said that Israel has no greater ambition than to coexist with the Palestinians as peaceful neighbors and that Littell would be appalled at the suggestion that Israel was committing genocide in its attempts to root out the fighters and sever the leadership of a group that killed and kidnapped Israelis. “I knew and worked with and deeply respected Franklin Littell for the last 40 years of his life,” Berenbaum, who was a visiting distinguished professor at Stockton under Littell, told me. “These statements would be anathema to his values.” Richard Libowitz, coauthor with Marcia Sachs Littell and Dennis B. Klein of “The Genocidal Mind,” agreed that the Israeli incursion does not constitute genocide. Israel “has never advocated nor sought the total annihilation of an Arab population, whether in Israel proper, the West Bank or Gaza,” said Libowitz, who received a Ph.D. in religion under Franklin Littell at Temple and is retired from the faculties of Temple and St. Joseph’s University. Indeed, since Israel’s founding in 1948, the Palestinian population in what now includes Israel, the West Bank and Gaza has risen from 1.4 million to 6.6 million, including 1.6 million Palestinian citizens of Israel. Libowitz acknowledged the ferocity of the Israeli military strikes on Gaza in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks, as the Palestinian death toll as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry rose above 9,000. See COMMENTARY on page 22
SOLACE CONTINUED FROM OPPOSITE PAGE ership of the land or where negative relationships started. The war in Israel is complicated and, certainly, history is a part of that, but the minute we try to prove a point by seeking facts in the Torah text, we have set ourselves up for distraction, if not downright failure. More importantly, it does not help us as we try to desperately explain to others why Israel has the right to defend herself, why the saving of the hostages is of the utmost importance, and why many of us as American Jews are feeling so isolated and afraid right now. History matters, yes, but if we’re going to immerse ourselves in learning about Israel, which we absolutely should, both for our own edification and to help combat the ignorance and anti-Zionist voices that are becoming ever louder, we’d be better off focusing on more recent history than our ancient past. This is not to say that the Torah is not of the utmost importance. But, for now, let’s use it to draw comfort, wisdom and hope. Let’s look at this week’s portion and feel inspired by Abram and Sarai’s hospitality, awed by the miracle of Isaac’s birth, impressed by Abraham’s attempt to change God’s mind about destroying Sodom and Gemorrah. We need to be able to lose ourselves in the beauty of these teachings so we can have the strength to face the difficult days ahead.
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LIFESTYLES
‘June Zero’
‘Nathan-ism’
ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
Film fest showcases Israeli, Jewish films BY CATE MARQUIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Fall brings colorful leaves and the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), which runs Nov. 9-19 this year, at several venues including the Hi-Pointe Theater, which is now owned by Cinema St. Louis, the non-profit that presents the annual international film fest. This year, the St. Louis International Film Festival offers several feature-length Jewish or Israeli films, including a historical narrative feature and a documentary that is shown along with two short Jewish films, and a Jewish-American documentary. There are also two more short Jewish films in the festival’s Oscar-qualifying shorts programs. While there are fewer films, overall, at the festival this year compared to past years, the Jewish films at SLIFF this year are particularly strong, and very much
St. Louis International Film Festival WHEN: Nov. 9-19 WHERE: Several local venues, including the Hi-Pointe Theater, 1005 McCausland Ave., which is now owned by Cinema St. Louis, the nonprofit behind the festival MORE INFO: Visit cinemastlouis.org/sliff worth any extra effort to see them. Let’s take a look. The narrative feature “June Zero” is a must-see although the two documentary features are hard on its heels as outstanding films, and all three films offer compelling, important stories and polished filmmaking. Set in 1961 Israel during the trial Nazi Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the mass murder of the Jews, “June Zero” is an Israeli drama, based on three true stories
‘Budapest Diaries’ of Israelis who played a role in Eichmann’s trial – one a young boy recently immigrated from Libya and struggling to fit in, another a dedicated Jewish Moroccan prison guard assigned to Eichmann, and an Israeli police investigator for the prosecution, also a Shoah survivor, serving in the courtroom. The film was shot in Israel and is in Hebrew (with English subtitles) but the director is Jewish-American Jake Paltrow (brother of Gwyneth, and son of the late director/producer Bruce Paltrow and actress Blythe Danner). Paltrow smoothly weaves these three people’s seemingly disconnected stories into a single narrative with three chapters,
creating an engrossing, moving drama with moments of gripping tension and excellent acting. The drama is made all the more involving by focusing more on these Israelis’ stories than on Eichmann. “June Zero” will be shown Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. Close behind in that praise is the excellent, unusual U.S. documentary, “Nathanism,” about self-taught artist Nathan Hilu, who was an 18-year-old guard at the Nuremberg war-crimes trial. Director Elan Golod takes a warm, personal approach in telling the story of this New See FILM FESTIVAL on page 16
Local Jewish filmmaker’s documentary is featured in this year’s festival BY CATE MARQUIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Among the many films featured in the 32nd annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival, which runs Nov. 9 - 19, is a short documentary by St. Louis Jewish director Barbara Langsam Shuman called “Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime.” And since SLIFF is a qualifying venue for the Academy Awards’ short films Oscar, Shuman’s film has the chance to become a nominee for Best Documentary Shorts Oscar. The film focuses on a warm, charming, dedicated educator, Stephen Zwolak, with an unusual path to teaching, someone committed to making a difference in the lives of his young students at Ladue Chapel School and then at University City Children’s Center. “Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime” will be shown as part of a program of four documentary shorts, “Documentary Shorts Program 8: Documenting St. Louis” on Nov. 15. Recently, the Jewish Light spoke with Shuman about her film. The interview has been edited lightly for length and clarity.
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‘Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime’ Part of the St. Louis International Film Festival WHEN: 7:15 p.m. Nov. 15 WHERE: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the City Foundry entertainment complex HOW MUCH: $15, at cinemastlouis.org MORE INFO: The 24-minute film will run with three other short documentaries focused on St. Louis people and places, which altogether total 118 minutes. Your short film “Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime” is a real heart warmer. What drew you to this subject? Originally, we planned to produce a documentary on quality early childhood education, and how it can impact the lives of underserved children, with a focus on Steve [Zwolak] and his work at University City Children’s Center and LUME Institute. As we continued to work on this documentary, PBS broadcast a multi-part documentary on early
‘Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts A Lifetime’ (above) is a short documentary directed by St. Louisan Barbara Langsam Shuman (below). childhood education and its impact on young children. So, we shifted our work to an even more focused documentary: on Steve Zwolak, Mr. Z, and why this man decided to enter a profession with very few men, and how he devoted his career to transforming early childhood education and transforming the lives of the children and families he has served. If you just met Stephen Zwolak, you would never guess he has such an unusual personal story and pathway to teaching young children. What surprised you the See FILMMAKER on page 16
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Dreams power ‘New Yorker’ cartoonist’s new book BY ELLEN F. HARRIS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
A few times a month, Roz Chast takes the train from Connecticut to her pied de terre on the Upper West Side of Ma nhat ta n, where she lived for many years before moving to the suburbs to raise her family. “It’s still where I feel most at home, even though I’ve lived in Connecticut now for 30-plus years,” the artist says. Cartoons emerge from her drawing board about contemporary American angst. Chast doesn’t think she’s anything special, but how many people have published a No. 1 New York Times best-seller and 15 other books, and have been a cartoonist at The New Yorker for 45 years? She sold her first cartoon to the magazine at the age of 23. Every week since then, she submits a group of six or eight cartoons to the magazine and, if she’s “lucky,” they buy one, but often they buy none. Perhaps, twice a year, they’ll choose two. Ninety percent of what she submits is rejected, she told the Times. Chast’s latest book, “I Must Be Dreaming,” is in bookstores. She’ll discuss it Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Clayton High School Theatre. Also in the bookstores this month is “Tired Town,” a children’s book written by Patricia Marx and illustrated by Chast, which is about a little girl who doesn’t want to go to bed. “I Must Be Dreaming” contains mostly Chast’s illustrated dreams and is divided into various chapters including Celebrity Dreams, Body Horror Dreams, Nightmares and Everyday Dreams. The dreams include common ones, such as losing one’s high school schedule — similar to the blue book nightmare in which today is the final, you haven’t gone to class all semester, and you haven’t a blue book — and ones about the loss of teeth. Chast offers a brief tour through “dream theory land” with the usual suspects, Freud and Jung, as well as the dream theories of the ancient world, plus scientific explanations as to why we dream. She told the Times that out of all the theories about why we dream, she leans toward Carl Jung and his theories of the collective unconscious. One might say that common dreams are part of the collective unconscious. Chast developed her observational skills as a child watching the high drama in her parents’ four-room apartment in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother was a screamer, her father nonconfrontational. She emotionally detached herself by drawing. “My parents, a teacher and an assistant principal, were glad I had a passion,” Chast said. “I was allowed to take art classes at the Art Students’ League in Manhattan on Saturdays. At 13, I realized I wanted to be a cartoonist.” As soon as she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, she escaped Brooklyn for the Upper West Side. “I was very aware that I was Jewish when I was growing up,” Chast said. “We observed the High Holidays most of the time, but I wasn’t bat mitzvahed. My mother lit candles Friday night, and she often prepared a Shabbos dinner. We always did the Passover seder.” She was surprised to hear that some Jews celebrate Christmas and was very surprised to learn many Jews in St. Louis decorate their trees. That may be because roughly 50% of St. Louis Jews are intermarried. So is Chast, to humor writer Bill Franzen, who is from Minnesota. One of Chast’s cartoon topics is JewishChristian unions in a series called “Mixed Marriage,” which ran in The New Yorker. In “Mixed Marriage, Episode 3,” a couple is at the breakfast table with the TV on. The newscaster says “irregardless.” The wife angrily labels him “a cretin.” Her Midwestern husband mildly suggests that
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New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast will discuss her new book, ‘I Must Be Dreaming.’ in St. Louis on Nov. 13. PHOTO: BILL HAYES perhaps he might be “emotionally intelligent,” which causes his wife to explode. Chast’s graphic memoir, “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” continues to be wildly popular nine years after publication. Photographs and drawings tell how Chast, an only child, had to navigate her aging parents through the end of their lives. It’s poignant and heartbreaking, yet she makes unbearable grief bearable with her insights and humor. The book won the Kirkus Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. Chast’s memoir concludes with drawings of her mother dying. “The book was a way of remembering, of not wanting to forget,” she said. “Writing and drawing is a way of remembering.” In addition to drawing cartoons, Chast
loves hand embroidery, a skill she learned in sixth grade. The teacher had the entire class, boys and girls, embroider a map of the United States. During the pandemic, she returned to the craft. “There was a giant bag of thread, 12 shades of green, 12 shades of red, at a church rummage sale,” she said. “I was in heaven being able to paint with thread.” Chast’s colorful embroidered cartoons are hilarious. One is the common dream of flying, with five people in orbit. In another, a bird sits in a comfy chair watching a bird on television. Chast also makes Pysanky eggs, or Ukrainian Easter eggs, in her recognizable cartoon style. Her original cartoons and New Yorker covers, her embroideries and Pysanky eggs, are for sale at Carol Corey Fine Arts in Kent, Conn. (online at https://carolcoreyfineart.com).
Cartoonist Roz Chast WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 13 WHERE: Clayton High School Theatre, 1 Mark Twain Circle HOW MUCH: $35 single; $45 for two, includes a copy of Chast’s new book, “I Must Be Dreaming” MORE INFO: Visit left-bank.com/event/rozchast-i-must-be-dreaming
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Film festival: A look at SLIFF’s Jewish-themed and Israeli films ‘Jack and Sam,’ a short film about two Holocaust survivors reuniting after 80 years, will be screened at the St. Louis International Film Festival.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 York-born son of Syrian-Jewish immigrants, who had many conversations with Goering and Speer in the course of his work and whose life was changed by those experiences. At Nuremberg, Nazi Albert Speer told Hilu he should “listen and record everything” and that idea turned into a lifetime of unique cartoon-and-text, graphic novel-like drawings, recounting his memories of his Nuremberg experience. “Nathan-ism” is the term the 91-year-old artist uses to describe his quirky drawing style, a play on art terms like Cubism. The drawings are cartoon-style, made using markers and crayons, and embellished with writings describing the events depicted. Hilu’s early drawings are childlike but he developed a more polished, professional style over time. The documentary is an exploration of his striking outsider art and its compelling storytelling, the biography of the quirky but charismatic artist, and a mystery-like exploration of the limits of human memory, questioning what is real and what is mis-remembered in the artist’s work. It is a fascinating personal tale of a unique person at its core, with historians and art experts weighing in along with archival materials, and told with the perfect balance of human warmth and historical research. “Nathan-ism” will be shown Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. at the
Hi-Pointe Backlot Theatre. Another excellent, moving documentary that gives a personal view of history is “Budapest Diaries,” which presents excerpts from the diaries kept by ordinary Hungarians in Budapest when the Nazis invaded Hungary. Some diaries were found in the trash and other in the effects of Jewish survivors and non-Jewish Hungarians who were outraged by the Nazis treatment of the Jews. The diaries get dramatic readings with archival photos and footage, and they are supplemented by comments from the diary-writers’ descendants and historians. This Israeli documentary is mostly in English and partly in Hungarian with
English subtitles. “Budapest Diaries” will be shown Thursday, Nov. 16, at 1:15 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, along with two short films. Shown with “Budapest Diaries” are two shorts, “Demon Box,” in which a Canadian filmmaker is forced to revise his film about the Shoah, trauma and suicide, and “Jack and Sam,” in which two Shoah survivors reunite after 80 years. There are two other Jewish-interest short films at SLIFF, the French narrative “Letter to a Pig,” where a Shoah survivor reads a letter he wrote to a pig that saved his life, and “Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime,” a profile of a local early-childhood educator, which was
directed by Barbara Langsam Shuman, a past president of the Jewish Light. “Letter to a Pig” will be shown as part of “Narrative Shorts 5: Hidden Histories” on Monday, Nov. 13 at 4:15 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. “Mr. Z: What Happens Early in Life Lasts a Lifetime” will be shown as part of “Documentary Shorts 8: Documenting St. Louis” on Nov. 15 at 7:15 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Tickets and more information about these films, and others at SLIFF, are available at cinemastlouis.org/sliff. Tickets can be purchased at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave., or any of the SLIFF venues.
Filmmaker: Q&A with local Jewish filmmaker Barbara Shuman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 most as you worked with him on this film?” Steve began by teaching preschool, and he’s continued to teach and lead preschools, beginning with infants. I [had] heard a lot of his life story - how he came from a tough neighborhood in Philadelphia, one of five children in a working-class family. The first time I met him, he told me that most of the guys he grew up with either ended up in the priesthood, in prison, or dead. What did surprise me as I worked with him was that Steve’s father physically abused him, and that he hung out with kids who had drug habits, [but] how those guys protected him. Could you tell me something about yourself as a filmmaker? Other films?”
I have two documentary partners and co-producers who also are members of the Jewish community here: Jill Mirowitz Mogil and Sharon Harris Pollack. We formed Triumph Documentaries, with the Triumph derived from the three of us (tri). And we met with filmmakers who we knew or knew about and took a class in filmmaking. And [we were] drawn into a story that was unfolding in Missouri: the controversy over embryonic stem cell research. Our first documentary, ‘The Stem Cell Divide,’ was born through a long and painful birthing process. That film premiered at the SLIFF in November 2008. Were there any obstacles to making or shooting this film? We were fortunate to find a brilliant videographer and editor, Aaron Holdmeyer, who also has a great temperament.
Nothing rattles him. However, he’s so great that he is quite busy. There were times when it was difficult to coordinate with his schedule and our opportunities for interviews and shooting events. We found other videographers [to help out]. The University City Children’s Center, of which Steve is CEO Emeritus, fosters tolerance through its diverse mix of children, not just of racially, religiously and so forth, but from both very affluent to disadvantaged backgrounds. Would you like to say something about the school? I love UCCC. As you said, it has a truly diverse mix of children. Part of that was Steve’s initiative. He has children from the Early Head Start program, and to make the school sustainable, which it wasn’t when he came aboard, he committed to having a sizable percentage of the children
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from the families of Wash U faculty and staff. That was a way to have families who could afford to pay full tuition, and also a way to have a more diverse population, ethnically, religiously and culturally. In addition to diversity, the school is a place where there is love, support, nurturing and encouragement not only for the children, but also for the teachers and the staff. I always say that it is the way the world should be.” Much of the footage is shot at Ladue Chapel School, where Stephen started as a teacher, rather than University City Children’s Center, where he founded his LUME Institute on early child education. Why did you decide on that?” That was a decision that was made as we began editing. Aaron, who is credited as an associate producer as well as our videographer and editor, convinced us that Ladue Chapel Nursery School was key to Steve’s development as an outstanding early childhood educator. The director of the nursery school at that time, Mary Ross, was Steve’s mentor. She even taught Steve the importance of speaking well. When he began teaching at Ladue Chapel, he was saying ‘dem’ and ‘dose,’ and using double negatives and dropping his ‘g’s’ in ‘ing’s.’ She told him that he wouldn’t get anywhere unless he learned to speak properly. Steve said (it’s in the documentary) that the principles she taught at Ladue Chapel were similar to the concepts Steve embraced and taught at University City Children’s Center. Also, it was the first time that Steve was thrust into a world of ‘haves’ when he’d be raised as a ‘have not.’ He taught and worked with children from affluent families who were hurting, who’d experienced trauma in their young lives. That was important in Steve’s professional education. SLIFF is a qualifying venue for the Oscar for short documentaries. Any dreams about that? Yes, I have dreams of being short-listed for the Oscars, and to be one of the nominating short documentaries. That would be incredible. We’re certainly not counting on it, but dreams can come true.
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JEWISH LIGHT
November 8, 2023
FEATURES
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AMY FENSTER BROWN
Talking to teens about...how to talk to teens BY AMY FENSTER BROWN
Teenagers can be scary — beware! One teen alone can take on many different forms, and often parents don’t know which one they’re going to get. Happy and hyper? Surly and sullen? Agitated with attitude? When one approaches you must be prepared for anything even though it’s usually something like, “Can I eat the rest of the chicken wings?” But sometimes a teenager leaves their room to have an actual — gasp — conversation with their parents. Like, on purpose. My parent friends agree that with so much on our minds, conversations often turn into what we are thinking about, such as chores, schoolwork or family plans… and then Boom! Argument. Doors are slamming. Licensed professional counselor Brad Abel, owner of Rethink Therapy, says to keep conversations from becoming arguments, parents need to simply listen. “It’s not about the questions. It’s about the answers,” he says. “Are you really listening to your kids or are you looking for an entry point to lecture them?” A productive and informative conversation is what parents say they want. And teenagers actually want that, too. “Kids are just like their parents, they want to be heard and validated,” says Abel. “When your teenager shuts you out, it’s because teenagers are just like everybody else. Nobody wants to talk to someone if they think they aren’t being heard.” But how can we have the conversations if we don’t know what to ask? And what are we asking that is possibly deterring
our teens from talking to us more? This begs the question — what does my teen actually want to talk about, and how can I be for them what they need right now? I asked them. I reached out to more than a dozen teenagers — Jewish and not Jewish; white, Black, Asian and mixed; girls and boys. Let’s listen and learn from them.
Question: What do you want your parents to stop asking you about? “I feel like my parents are only focused on my education and what is going on at school. My time with them is my time away from school, so I don’t want to talk about school more.” “Stop asking me about sports practices
Question: What do you want your parents to ask you about? “I wish my parents would ask me about my mental health, stuff like anxiety about college or my confidence within myself with regards to sports and school.” “Ask more about how I’m feeling, how my day was, or what I’m excited for.” “Ask about my friendships more. They don’t really know my friends and I don’t want them to think of my friends in a bad way because of the way they look or things they might have done in the past.” “I would like them to ask how I’m doing with the option of me saying as much or as little as I want. Also asking more about my interests, but they don’t always know what I’m interested in.”
How can we have the conversations if we don’t know what to ask? This begs the question — what does my teen actually want to talk about, and how can I be for them what they need right now?
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.
or if I have a bad practice, leave it at that. I don’t like talking about my bad practices and them trying to figure it out or find a reason I had a bad practice. I would rather move on.” “Things they know I am not looking forward to or know I have less motivation to do, like schoolwork. When I know I have missing work for school and my parents keep bugging me about it, I am less inclined to complete that assignment because in a way I feel like I’m only doing it to please them
rather than taking that time to better myself.” “Sometimes I feel awkward talking about personal stuff about my friends because I trust my parents, but I also feel like I am betraying my friends at times.” “Stop asking me about my love life because if I wanted to tell them I would have already, and they would know if I had a serious relationship. “ Question: What do you wish you could talk to your parents about but don’t always feel like you can? “I wish I could talk to them more in depth about my future, less about what I want to do, and more about anxiety surrounding an uncertain future.” “I feel like I cannot discuss more serious issues with my parents such as if my friends are struggling or my own health or my feelings like if I am interested in someone and want to ask them on a date.” “How I’m truly feeling, the stress I am dealing with. I want to tell them the good and bad, but some things feel uncomfortable to bring up. I don’t want to cause them any stress with my problems.” Good news: The kids these days say their parents are doing a pretty good job at keeping communication open, and being approachable to discussing all kinds of topics. Yet we can still be better with time and patience. “You can’t expect immediate results,” says Abel. “Most of us thought our parents didn’t know anything. If the relationship is strong, eventually your kids will realize they weren’t so smart and you weren’t so dumb.”
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If your goal is to stay healthy and active as long as possible, you are not alone! If you want a way to take control of your aging journey and make better choices to maintain your health, fitness and independence, then join us for our Free Community Talk to learn how to stay Fit For Life! When: Friday, November 10th at 2:30pm Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd, 63125 Workshop Topics: The key to fight aging and stay independent longer. Two Paths To Aging: You can choose your journey. The most important exercise factors for aging adults. 'Being too old' to exercise and other myths of aging. How our fitness options help you stay active longer. *Attend in-person or join us online from your home. Call (314) 939-1377 to register. Space is limited. At HouseFit, we help adults 55+ maximize their independence and fitness, so they can continue to enjoy a full and active life.
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November 8, 2023
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BAR MITZVAH: ANDREW SACHS Andrew Ryan Sachs, son of Susie and Jonathan Sachs of St. Louis, became a bar mitzvah on Oct. 7, 2023. Andrew is the grandson of Marilyn and the late Ken Steinback of St. Louis, and Kathy and Howard Sachs of Atlanta. He has two siblings, Rebecca Sachs, who is 21, and Jessica Sachs, who is 18. A seventh-grade student at Ladue Middle School, Andrew loves to play golf and football. Andrew selected his mitzvah project based on his love of golf and his desire to give back to those that aren’t given the opportunity to play as much as he can. Urban Golf of Greater St. Louis allowed him to do just that. In the summer, Urban Golf hosts UGOLF at Normandie Golf Club in North County. Andrew worked twice a week at the camp helping underprivileged youth from all over the city to improve their golf skills and knowledge of the game.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MEREDITH MARQUARDT/L PHOTOGRAPHIE
BIRTH: LILY FRANCES GOLDSTEIN Rachel Rosenfeld and Brad Goldstein of Madison, Wis., would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Lily Frances Goldstein, on Aug. 11, 2023, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Lily is the granddaughter of William Rosenfeld and Susan Lippmann of St. Louis, and David and Ellen Goldstein of Tucson, Ariz. She is the great-granddaughter of Frances Silverstein of Brockton, Mass. and the late Sonny Silverstein; the late Joseph and Zelda Goldstein of Connecticut; the late Leonard and Rose Rosenfeld of Queens, N.Y.; and the late Otto and Lilli Lippmann of Austin, Texas. Lily has one sibling, Izzy Liam Goldstein, who is 3 years old.
BRANDVEINS CELEBRATE 65TH ANNIVERSARY John and Judy Brandvein of Creve Coeur are celebrating their 65th anniversary this month. John, originally from Waterbury, Conn., moved to St. Louis to attend Washington University where he met Judy Kessler on a blind date when she was only 17 years old. Although Judy didn’t want to go out with him for a second date, John was very persuasive…and the rest is history. They married Nov. 2, 1958, and danced to their song “Embraceable You” at the Gatesworth Hotel in St. Louis. For their honeymoon, they traveled to Chicago. Throughout their 65 years of marriage, John and Judy have shared many milestones. Their greatest legacy is their family, which includes two children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Their love story is filled with tons of laughter, extensive travels and “no regrets.” John and Judy are truly an inspirational story of commitment for their entire family. Always seen holding hands. Always filled with unwavering love and support for each other. Always setting an example of a life welllived…together.
BAR MITZVAH: SAM SIGEL
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: LOUISE “LUCY” ADELIA HERTZ Josh and Amanda Hertz St. Louis would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Louise “Lucy” Adelia Hertz, on Sept. 16, 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces. Lucy is the granddaughter of Ed and Vicki Wegner of Columbia, Ill.; and Ethan and Vicki Hertz of Durham, N.C. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Frank and Daisy Kennedy of Cahokia, Ill.; the late Ed and Jesse Wegner of Lombard, Ill.; the late Vincent and Betty Jo Vaccaro of Burnsville, Minn.; and the late Fred and Ingrid Hertz of Durham, N.C. Lucy has one sibling, Vincent Hertz, who is 2 years old. Lucy and her family are active members of Central Reform Congregation.
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Sam Sigel, son of Lori and Randy Sigel of St. Louis, became a bar mitzvah Sept. 30, 2023 at Congregation Shaare Emeth. Sam is the grandson of Sheri and Fred Siegel, and Paula and the late Robert Sigel, all of St. Louis. He has one sibling, Max Sigel, who is 15. A seventh-grade student at Ladue Middle School, Sam’s interests and activities include Camp Emeth, Ladue Junior Rams seventh grade football, yearbook club and playing with his dog, Vinnie. For his mitzvah project, Sam worked to get food donations from St. Louis Bread Co. for the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. PHOTO COURTESY OF JJ LANE/ BE LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHY
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JEWISH LIGHT
CHAILIGHTS
NOV
Y O U R C A L E N D A R O F S T. L O U I S J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S
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. The series continues Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. with “Israel and Zionism.”
FRIDAY | NOV. 10
Jewish War Veterans meeting
Sparks Match Potluck Shabbat Dinner
FRIDAY | NOV. 10 Journey from the Holocaust via Lisbon to Bais Abey
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
Veteran’s Day 2023 Salute, movie
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.
STARTING | NOV. 10 B’nai Amoona to celebrate installation of Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham as Senior Rabbi
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
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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.
BnaiAmoona.com), benefiting the congregation’s Mitzvah Corps. Pianist Fred Blumenthal will perform in memory of his father, Dr. Herman Blumenthal, his mother, Mrs. Eleonore Blumenthal and his brother, Dr. Daniel Blumenthal. He will be joined by the Jewish women’s choir, Kolot. The concert is free to attend with a suggested donation to BA Mitzvah Corps (formally Social Action Committee) of $18. Onscreen indications will be available for those wishing to contribute to the Mitzvah Corps, or such contributions may be mailed to: Mitzvah Corps, Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road, Creve Coeur, Mo. 63141. For more information contact B’nai Amoona at 314-567-9990 or Fred Blumenthal at 314-728-2386 or FredBlumenthal1946@GMail.com.
STARTING | NOV. 9
The young adults chapter of SPARKS MATCH! welcomes guests in their 20s, 30s and 40s for a potluck Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m. Bring something vegetarian to share. RSVP to Daphne at daphnekoalabear@ gmail.com.
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The Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes event will take place on Tuesday Nov. 28 (see below). brunch/game show. Contact Gail Armstrong at gail@bnaiamoona.com.
Foundation for Jewish Aged. RSVP at http:// bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter.
SUNDAY | NOV. 12
Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group – The Hamsa Wellness Community
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.
TUESDAY | NOV. 14 Getting started with Zoom
Ready to start hosting your own Zoom meetings? Come to this hands-on workshop at the Mirowitz Center from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and sign up for a free, basic Zoom account. Learn how to schedule a meeting, share the details with the people you want to invite, and walk through the steps using Zoom in a web browser. Limited to 10 participants.You will be provided a Chromebook computer to follow along with Trainer Jim Salih 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.
The ABCs of Judaism
Judaism has its own “ABCs” – teachings to guide your life. On the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m., join the engaging and inspiring Rabbi Ze’ev Smason at Mirowitz Center for the ABCs of Judaism to discuss a different topic with a Jewish theme. The topic is “Making Every Day Count.” RSVP at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter.
WEDNESDAY | NOV. 15 They can be golden years: aging & mental wellness
While not a routine part of aging, older adults are at an increased risk of experiencing depression. Join SLUCare Physicians Dr. Katherine McArthur and Dr. Quratulanne Sheheryar from 10 to 11 a.m. online to learn how to prevent and treat depression and help others who may be struggling. You also will receive resources and referrals for further support and information. Part of our new Mental Wellness Initiative, and supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary
This monthly group provides support, connection and education to women in the community who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and are anywhere along their treatment path – before, during, or post-treatment. Facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kathy Bearman, , this group meets from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday at the J near Creve Coeur. Newcomers are always welcome along with female family and friends. Light kosher dinner will be served. The Hamsa Wellness Community is a program at the J and a community partner of the national, not for profit Sharsheret organization. This program is free but pre-registration is requested to Debbi Braunstein at 314-442-3266 or dbraunstein@jccstl.org.
THURSDAY | NOV. 16 AARP Game Night at Mirowitz Center
AARP in St. Louis invites you to come play the classic games you grew up with at this community board game event at Mirowitz Center at 6:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends, and create meaningful social connections together through the power of play. Participation is free, but you must register to attend. Space is first come, first served. To register, call the Mirowitz Center at 314733-9813. Or look for “Upcoming Events” on AARP’s local website: www.aarp.org/stlouis.
National Council of Jewish Women Jefferson City trip
While the politicians are away, NCJWSTL invites members and friends to play on our bus trip to Jefferson City. Among our stops: the magnificent Missouri’s State Capitol (and possibly the primary courtroom of the Missouri Supreme Court) and Temple Beth El, the oldest synagogue west of the Mississippi in continuous use. During its 150-year history, the congregation witnessed the growth of the Jewish community in Jefferson City. To cap the day off, guests can enjoy ice cream at Central Dairy. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3S3U7U1 to register.
SUNDAY | NOV. 19
Jewish War Veterans Post 644 will meet in the Kaplan-Feldman Holocaust Museum meeting room at 10 a.m. on the third Sunday each month (ask for directions at the desk). A Zoom option will be available for those who are unable to be at the meeting. For more information and the Zoom link contact Post 644 Commander Ellis Frohman at 636519-7512 (leave a message if no one answers).
SATURDAY | NOV. 25 Reading and book signing with Rabbi Mark Shook
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. join Rabbi Mark Shook at Temple Israel for a book launch event for his latest novel, “Search for the Sacred Scroll - Book 2: The Secret of the Crowns.” Temple Israel will host the discussion and book signing with Shook. The book is a biblical thriller that starts in modern Iraq and reaches back into ancient history to discover the origins of the five books of Moses. Researched extensively by a former rabbi of 50 years, “Search for the Sacred Scroll” will readers into a journey throughout history. A light lunch will be served; the event is free and open to the community. RSVP is required by Sunday, November 19 at: www. ti-stl.org/AuthorEvent. Books are available to pre-purchase when you RSVP. $10 each or both book 1 & book 2 for $20. Proceeds benefit Temple Israel’s Learning Fund.
TUESDAY | NOV. 28 NCJWSTL November Coffee Talk: A Secret Revealed
This month, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., hear from two St. Louis natives — Angie (Mestman) Offstein and Karri (Offstein) Rosenthal — who will discuss their captivating podcast series, “Held.” The two friends and sisters-in-law tell a story you won’t forget about a secret “held” for 35 years. Through a twist of fate and modern science, the secret revealed changed everyone’s life. Register for the November Coffee Talk at https://bit.ly/NCJWSTL-Nov28. For more information, contact Alec Rothman at arothman@ncjwstl.org or 314-993-5181.
Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes event at history museum
Join the festivities as the Jewish Light honors nine individuals and one married couple at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30) at its 14th annual Unsung Heroes event at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. The hourlong program is followed by a kosher champagne & dessert reception. Free valet parking. The cost is $36, and tickets can be purchased at stljewishlight.org/unsung-2023/
16th Annual Blumenthal Memorial Concert
At 2 p.m. the 16th Annual Blumenthal Memorial Concert will take place at B’nai Amoona (in person or streaming online at
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Families may submit an obituary for a loved one through the funeral home they work with or by using a form on the Jewish Light’s website: stljewishlight.org/submit-obituary
OBITUARY NOTICES UPDATED DAILY AT STLJEWISHLIGHT.ORG/OBITUARIES
SAMUEL HERMAN BLUESTEIN, October 24, 2023. Beloved husband for 70 years of Shirley Bluestein; dear father and father-in-law of Diane Barron (Bruce), Alan Bluestein (Staci), Randee Romanoff (Rob) and Michelle Mufson (Ephraim); dear grandfather of Joshua (Sunitha), Ellie (Adam), Kara, Jordan, Alex, Shira, Dena, Elie, Joey (Jamie) and Emma (Roman); dear great-grandfather of 7; dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Evelyn Roth (late Roland) and the late Gloria Schramm (late Fred); dear brother-inlaw of the late Harold Mindel; dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend. Mr. Bluestein was a veteran of the Korean War and a past president of Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Congregation. He was in the insurance business for over 60 years. A graveside service was held Wednesday, October 25th at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Memorial contributions preferred to Nusach Hari B’nai Zion Congregation, 650 N. Price Road, 63132. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service MARVIN YALE FOX, age 99, of Chaska, Minnesota, passed away on October 3, 2023. He was born on June 30, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, Marvin is the son of Max and Anna Fox. He was preceded in death by his brother Harry Fox and his parents. Marvin spent his career working for Edison Brothers Stores. After retiring, he pursued a career in real estate and later became a tax professional for H&R Block, continuing to work until the age of 85. In his free time, Marvin enjoyed watching sports and often mentioned that he would have liked to have been a sports broadcaster. Marvin is survived by his loving sons: Steven Alan Fox, Robert Alton Fox, Joel Lee Fox, Jon Gary Fox and four nieces whom he thought of as daughters, Cathy Shane, Terri Liss, Pamela Fox and Joyce Bignell. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held on October 5, 2023, at Berger Memorial Chapel in St. Louis, Missouri. Contributions in Marvin’s memory can be made to the National Jewish Memorial Wall. May Marvin’s memory be a source of comfort and strength for all those who loved him.
GLORIA FRIEDMAN, October 14, 2023 Beloved mother of Bruce Friedman (Angela Gracey and the late Melinda Friedman), Michael Friedman, and the late Stephen I. Friedman (Terry Recht Friedman); dear grandmother of Brian, Matthew (Alicia), and Ben Friedman, Greg (Pan) and Alex (Cristina) Friedman, and Tanya Domer (Donny); dear great-grandmother of Bailey Abad; dear sister of Alan Steinberg (the late Joyce); dear aunt, cousin, and friend. Memorial service Wednesday, November 15th at 3 PM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Memorial contributions preferred to the charity of your choice. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream and other information. Berger Memorial Service ARLENE DOLORES GERBER (nee Radloff), May 26, 1928 - November 1, 2023 Beloved wife of the late Gene P. Gerber. Dear mother of Randy S. (Donna) Gerber, Debbie (Dr. David) Caplin and Richard D. (Charolette Courtney) Gerber. Loving grandmother of Elizabeth (Clinton) Biondo, Rabbi David (Lauren) Gerber, Jonathan (Ashley) Caplin, Stephanie (Dr. Jonathan) Zoller, Robert (Lauren) Caplin, Daniel Gerber and Alexandra Gerber. Cherished great grandmother of Dylan, Cameron, Paige, Tessa, Sloan, Lilly, Amelia, Isabella and Harrison. Beloved sister of the late Joan R. Wyner. Loving aunt to Lori (Dr. David) German, Paul (Kay) Wyner and Jennifer (Timothy) Canizares. Beloved daughter of the late Esther “Boots” and Paul B. Radloff. Arlene studied art at Washington University and married the love of her life immediately after the Korean War. Arlene was happy at home reading a book, drawing, knitting, and watching politics and sports on television. Arlene was a great listener and the consummate guidance counselor to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She told you what you needed to hear, which was not always what you wanted to hear. Arlene was the matriarch of our family and she will be missed by many. A graveside service was held Friday, November 3 at B’nai Amoona Cemetery, 930 North and South Road. A Rindskopf-Roth Service American Flag symbol denotes a United States military veteran.
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BARBARA BUSHMAN GOODMAN passed away on October 10th after suffering a severe stroke in April, she was 91 years old. Barbara was born in Omaha Nebraska in 1932 to Esther Fox & William Bushman her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri when Barbara was 6 years old to be closer to her maternal grandparents. She attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and after graduation returned to Kansas City to design cards for The Hallmark Card Company. She then moved to St Louis to attend graduate school at Washington University. Barbara had an insatiable curiosity and she was curious about everything and anything! Barbara married and had two children, after getting divorced at an early age close friends Rosie & S. Lee Kling were very supportive of her. The late S. Lee Kling was a successful local business leader & national leader for the Democratic Party. Kling told Barbara that he had endless projects that she could help him with & she jumped at the opportunity. Barbara was involved in doing everything from designing the annual reports for Landmark Banks to helping plan the Democratic National Convention & Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Inauguration for Kling. Kling eventually made Barbara the first woman to be on the board of directors of his Landmark Bankshares Banking Group. Kling also arranged for her to acquire a partnership interest in Altair Travel which she helped grow until she sold her interest after 30 years. Barbara also enjoyed serving on the board of directors for many non-profits such as The Arts & Education Council of St Louis, The St Louis City Public Library, Camp Wyman, COCACenter for Creative Arts as well as several other non-profit boards over the years. She was charitable, she couldn’t say no to someone or a cause that needed help! Barbara is survived by her children Todd, Jill and her brother Stanley Bushman of Kansas City, Missouri. Her only regret was not staying in touch with old friends as much as she would have liked to, as she had not been feeling well the last few years. The funeral was a private family-only service. In lieu of flowers or donations, please do something kind for a friend or a stranger! Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service YAKOV GOREMANER, Born January 1, 1932 and passed away November 2, 2023 Beloved husband of Anna Goremaner for 60 years; Loving father and father-in-law of Edward (Mariaan) Goremaner and Elana (Randy) Testerman; Loving grandfather of Anthony Williams; Loving uncle of Victoria Davidov; friend to many. Yakov was born in Odessa, Russia and immigrated with his family to the United States in the 1970’s. Yakov had the love of sewing machines and was one of the best at his craft. He deeply loved his family and was a true hero and survivor to all those that knew him. With deep love and gratitude to the late Olga Shuvalova. A funeral service was held Tuesday, November 7 at Berger Memorial Chapel, 9430 Olive Blvd. 63132. Interment followed at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Rd. 63124. Memorial contributions preferred to the charity of your choice. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel. com for more information. Berger Memorial Service
OBITUARIES INDEX Bluestein, Samuel
Meyer, Charles Jay
Fox, Marvin Yale
Platzelman, Patricia Ann
Friedman, Gloria Gerber, Arlene Goodman, Barbara Bushman Goremaner, Yakov Jappa, Jeffrey Michael Mendelsohn, Leanore “Leanie”
Plotkin, Margery Rubin, Gwen Goldenberg Saltzman, MarilynJo Sher, Ruth M. Weissman, Roberta Karsh
JEFFREY MICHAEL JAPPA, 62, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023. Even though a tragedy took him away from this world too early, Jeffrey lived a lot of life in those 62 years, and brought light and joy to those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Jeffrey is predeceased by his father Sheldon Jappa and is survived by his mother Brenda Jappa, his siblings, Jason Jappa and Sherri Jappa, his wife Cheryl Pro, his former spouse Sarah Jappa and their four sons and family — Miles & Kristin Jappa, Mason & Olivia Jappa, Tristan Jappa, and Trevor Jappa, and Cheryl’s family, Nicholas Pro, Jonathan Pro, Rickey Pro, Alexander Pro, Maddox Pro, Silas Pro, Elijas Pro and Penelope Pro. Jeffrey was a passionate man in all regards — passionate for his business, JMC Wood, which he helped build and grow to unfathomable heights, passionate for St. Louis and his beloved Cardinals and Blues, and most of all, passionate for his relationships with his family and friends. Jeffrey was an innovative visionary, a creative powerhouse, and fearlessly believed in himself. Jeffrey was a lifelong learner. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at the University of Missouri Columbia, and a Masters of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Business at the University of Southern California. Jeffrey was enamoured with the outdoors from an early age and instilled that love in his family. He was a world adventurer, a fisherman, a camper, an animal lover, and an incredible boatsman! There wasn’t a nautical vessel he couldn’t captain, from canoe to pontoon, sailboat to houseboat. Jeffrey was an enthusiastic live music connoisseur, and was often louder than the performers. Jeffrey loved to cook for himself and others — when the recipe called for a pinch, Jeffrey would grab a fistful. This could also be said about how he approached life, grabbing life by the fistful. Jeffrey was and will continue to be a vivacious, double exclamation point in every memory and story he is a part of!! He was a larger than life storyteller and storymaker and his laughter was as contagious as his smile. Jeffrey was a rare soul who never lost his childlike sense of wonder. He experienced all facets of life as if it was all happening, beautifully, for the first time. If you knew Jeffrey, you could feel the adoration in his eyes as he looked upon you. He was, and is, a beacon of light, and continues to shine his light on us all with love in his heart. May Jeffrey Jappa’s life be a blessing. L’Chaim! A funeral service was held Monday, October 30th at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard, and is also available via livestream. Interment followed at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Central Reform Congregation in Jeffrey’s honor. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information and the livestream link. Berger Memorial Service
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LEANORE “LEANIE” GALINN MENDELSOHN, Midwest Emmy award winning composer of music for film and television documentaries, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2023. Born in El Paso, Texas on August 30, 1939, to Joseph and Dorothy (Bellman) Galinn, Leanie was active in BBYO and President of District Seven B’nai B’rith Girls. She earned a degree in music composition from Texas Western College (now UTEP) in El Paso. Leanie married Morton Mendelsohn in 1963 and together they lived around the world raising two children, Sharol and Ron, before settling in St. Louis in 1972. Leanie was an accomplished pianist and composer and was honored by the St. Louis Area Emmy Awards: - 1988 winner of Outstanding Achievement as Composer for “On Site: Three St. Louis Sculptures” - 1989 nominee for Outstanding Achievement as Composer for “A Strong Seed Planted” - 1990 winner of Outstanding Achievement as Composer for “End of the Line – Orphan Trains” In 2008, Leanie released her first CD, “Heartstrings,” an array of inspirational and soothing music that is still available on most streaming platforms. After many years in St. Louis, Leanie and Mort returned to El Paso in 2019 and enjoyed music programs at UTEP. Leanie and Mort relocated one more time in March 2023 to a senior living community in Tucson, AZ. Leanie is remembered for her love of music and the peaceful and natural way she expressed herself through the notes and sounds. Her music, her hearty laugh, sense of humor, and joy in exchanging stories will be missed. Leanie is survived by Mort Mendelsohn, her beloved husband of over 60 years, her children, Sharol Brickman and Ron (Alison) Mendelsohn, and her cherished grandchildren Aaron and Daniel Brickman and Laurin Mendelsohn. A virtual service was held on Tuesday, October 24, at 8:00 pm eastern time and will be officiated by family friend Cantor Danielle Rodnizki. Memorial contributions in Leanie’s memory can be made to the UTEP Music Department at givingto.utep.edu/music. Donations will support student travel for competitions and conferences, equipment, and events such as the ones that Leanie enjoyed. Memorial contributions may also be made to a music program or music fund at a synagogue, church, or school of your choice. CHARLES JAY MEYER On November 4, 2023 Charles “Chuck” Meyer died in Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Paula and Ronald Meyer and the brother of Jill and Kerry Meyer. Charles was a graduate of Horton Watkins High School and Stanford and Yale Universities. He was employed in the Environmental Field. His lifelong goals were to help others and to protect the environment. He was a kind and gentle person and will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Visitation Wednesday, November 15th, 10:30 AM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Blvd, followed by funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment at Chesed Shel Emeth CemeteryWhite Road. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Memorial contributions preferred to Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman, 63108, Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5030, or any environmental cause. PATRICIA ANN PLATZELMAN, October 25, 2023 Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Lisa (Michael) Tennenbaum and Andrew (Michelle) Spielberg; dear grandmother of Joel and Mitchell Broddon and Connor and Hannah Spielberg; dear sister and sister-in-law of Michael (Loie) Paul; Aunt, cousin and friend to many. A graveside service was held Wednesday, November 1st at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650
OBITUARIES White Rd. Memorial contributions are preferred to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service
MARGERY LOREN PLOTKIN, April 13, 1971-October 25, 2023, 52 years old, peacefully passed on, at home, with her beloved dogs and cats by her side. Beloved and adored daughter and bestest girl friend to her mother, Lynn Friedman Hamilton, Margery was the daughter of Martin Plotkin. Treasured by her brothers: Edward Plotkin (Ruth) and Hacker Plotkin (Laura), Margery doted on her nephews, Robert, Noah, Sam, and Jason. She also leaves her aunt, Leslie Friedman, PhD. Many families benefited from her care and strength. There was not a dog or cat that she did not give her heart and undying love to. Margery was proud of her AKC certification as a dog trainer. Volunteering to help animals was her favorite career and some of the happiest times in her life. Among the many organizations where Margery made a difference are Stray Rescue, Dolly’s Dream Home Rabbit Rescue, The Feral Cat Outreach, the APA, and the Humane Society of Missouri. She attended Mary Institute, Miss Halls School, MA and the University of Hartford and amazingly was Sally Jesse Raphael’s intern! We will never stop loving her…always and forever. A funeral service was held Sunday, October 29th at New Mt. Sinai Mausoleum, 8430 Gravois, Memorial contributions preferred to the Animal Welfare Institute, awionline.org. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service GWEN GOLDENBERG RUBIN, October 21, 2023 Gwen Goldenberg Rubin, 64, of Ridgefield, CT., passed away at her home on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Gwen was born in St. Louis, on December 6, 1958; a daughter of the late Sidney and Janice (Cohn) Goldenberg. She was raised in Ladue, Missouri, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University and received her Certification in Elementary Education from Missouri University. A resident of Ridgefield since 1991, Gwen was involved in an array of local organizations. She was President of Newcomers Ridgefield, on the board of the PTA, Girl Scout Leader, an officer in The National Charity League and actively involved with the Temple Sisterhood when her daughters were attending Farmingville Elementary and East Ridge Middle School. She was also very proud of her work as a pre-school teacher at the Growing Tree, an award-winning fundraiser at the Rally for a Cure, and most recently a reading specialist at Hayestown Avenue Elementary School in Danbury, a position she truly cherished. She beamed positivity. Always had a smile, a kind word, and a true devotion to helping others. Gwen is survived by her husband of 37 years, Jon, as well as her two daughters: Allie O’Shea and her husband, Chris and Lindsay Rubin and her husband, Seth Jacobson-Swanson. In addition, Gwen is survived by two grandchildren; Hunter and Avery O’Shea, as well as her sister, Kim Leemon and her brothers, Joe and Jack Goldenberg and step-brothers Andy and Steve Mintz. A Memorial service will take place privately amongst her family. Contributions in Gwen’s memory may be made to Community Fundraising, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087 https://giving.mskcc.org/ and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 https://pancan.org/
MARILYN-JO SALTZMAN, 73, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2023 at Evelyn’s House, after a decades long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Daughter of the late Irving and the late Ruth (Rich) Hartmann, Marilyn-Jo is survived by spouse Leo, loving daughter Heather (Jacob) Lampert, grandchildren Naomi, Bridget and Sawyer Lampert, sister-in-law Beth Saltzman, and brother-in-law Michael (Penny) Saltzman, nephews, a niece, cousins and many friends. Marilyn-Jo attended University City High School, then the University of Missouri Columbia, a proud member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education and followed several years later with a Master’s Degree in education from Maryville University. Marilyn-Jo loved teaching and was extremely proud of her 30 year career as an elementary school educator. Marilyn-Jo also enjoyed her weekly Mah Jong game with neighborhood friends. A graveside funeral was held October 29, 2023 at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. In Marilyn-Jo’s memory, contributions preferred to NCJW Back to School Store and B’nai Amoona Soup and Challah Fund are welcomed. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service RUTH M. SHER, November 3, 2023 Beloved wife of the late Harold F. Sher; dear mother and mother-in-law of Barrie Sher (Karen), Ronnie Sher (Shelly) and Susan Csengody (Tom); dear grandmother of Aaron Sher (Ashlee), Jonathan Sher (Jen), Anna Sher (Chris Lubniewski), Coby Sher, Jennifer Novetsky (Zach), Dana Csengody and Emily Schink (Peter); dear greatgrandmother of Violet Sher; dear sister of the late Melvin Miller (late Marlene); dear sister-inlaw of Adeline Eisenberg (late Harold), the late Marilyn Schulzinger (Jake), the late Neta Scheer (late Morrie) and Phil Sher (Judy); our dear aunt,
cousin and friend to many. Ruth, along with her husband Harold, were generous supporters of many philanthropic programs including the Jewish Federation, Congregation Shaare Emeth, the St. Louis Community Foundation, the JCC, and Reading Is Fundamental. A graveside service was held Monday, November 6 at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Memorial contributions of your choice preferred. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service ROBERTA KARSH WEISSMAN, November 6, 2023 Beloved wife of the late Sidney Weissman; mother of Scott Weissman (Geri), Lenny Weissman, Sheri Abramson (Mike), and Nancy Kessler (Marc); grandmother of Cori Kleinman (Ian), Melissa Gale (Cory), Allison Watson (James), the late Lauren Weissman, Samantha Weissman (Austin Plummer), Danielle Weissman, Bradley Abramson (Marissa), Erin Bearman (Jacob), Jaime Mason (Mike), Garrett Kessler, and Spencer Kessler; dear great-grandmother of Monroe, Isla, Mason, Collins, Cece, Dayton, Austin, Berkeley, Devon, and Lonnie; dear daughter of the late Sam and the late Yetta Karsh, sister of the late Beverlee Morris (late Walter); dear sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, great-great aunt, cousin and friend. Graveside service Monday, November 13, 10:30 AM at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Memorial contributions preferred to the Action for Autism Academy, 16375 Pierside Lane, Grover, MO 63040, afastl.org. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service
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Jack Lite: 60-year volunteer with local Jewish War Veterans chapter CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 At one point while overseeing a commissary, Lite was called in to see a major over an accounting issue. Military commissaries are designed to operate as break-even distribution centers. Lite’s center showed a 40% profit. That’s because he was using his dry goods business expertise to be efficient. His commissary had the same profit margin as Tower Meats. The officer told Jack he couldn’t show a profit. “So I worked it out with a guy at the quartermaster headquarters,” he said. “At
the end of the month, I’d go over to him and I said, ‘Did you have any lettuce you had to throw away?’ He said he had two cases, so I said, ‘Charge me for them.’ I was paying for all his garbage. And he was so happy, and my major was happy. I made one and a half percent the second month, and they never bothered me about profit again.” After his discharge from the military, Lite went back to helping his father in the family business, and eventually he ran the store. He sold it to a group of Schnuck Markets employees who were striking out
Commentary: Deaths in Gaza are tragic, but not CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 “Civilian casualties in Gaza — especially the death of children — are tragic,” said Libowitz. “Hamas carried out the worst murder of Jews since the Holocaust and the outrage should be understood. Israel intends to destroy Hamas, but Magen David Adom [the Israeli Red Cross] personnel treated wounded terrorists after their attack. Gazans were warned to flee the northern part of the strip. This is human tragedy, but it is not genocide.” He added: “The stated aim of Hamas — to wipe Israel from the Earth — is certainly a genocidal intent.” Polly Zavadivker, an assistant professor of history at the University of Delaware, told me that Segal’s statements on genocide “threaten future attempts to identify, prevent, and prosecute that crime. It is equally damaging to the legitimacy of Holocaust and Genocide Studies as a field when such false claims are presented in the guise of scholarly expertise.” Zavadivker, who teaches courses in antisemitism, the Holocaust, and comparative genocide, said that an accusation that Israel is committing genocide “renders the word meaningless.” In 1973, after working on it for four years, Franklin Littell and 17 other Christian theologians released a 14-point statement on Israel. The statement, which appeared as an appendix in Littell’s book, seems strikingly relevant 50 years later. “The charge is sometimes made that Israel is belligerently expansionistic as a result of its military triumphs in the Six-Day War,” it said in part. “Visitors to Israel, however, can easily discover that the overriding concern of the majority of Israelis is peace, not more territory. Israel’s anxiety about national defense reflects the age-old human yearning for security, the anxiety of a people whose history has been a saga of frightful persecution, climaxed by the Holocaust of six million men, women, and children. “Against such a tormented background, is it surprising that the Jewish people should want to defend themselves?” they continued. “Criticism that would use the failure of Israel to live up to the highest moral standards as an excuse to deny its right to exist … would be a double standard, one not applied to any other nation on earth.”
on their own and liked what they saw when they visited Tower Meats. Lite was 52 and newly retired. He stayed busy working as a freelance meat cutter. In 1962, he met Mahlon Rubin (z’’l), a founder of the accounting firm RubinBrown. Rubin, an Air Force veteran, was the Post 644 commander. He asked Lite to join the post. “He said, ‘You’re going to join,’ ” Lite said. “So I joined, and right away they made me an officer. I was the chaplain. All I had to do was memorize the prayers. Then I proceeded to work up through the
ranks until I became commander of the post.” At that time, Missouri had three JWV posts. After World War II, the St. Louis JWV post was a major part of many Jewish veterans’ social lives. It regularly held carnivals and dances. As membership dwindled over the years, fewer Jewish veterans joined and now Missouri has just two posts. Kansas City Post 605 members have an annual meeting with Post 644 in Columbia, where Lite is now the senior statesman.
March: Jewish groups put out call for massive ‘March for Israel’ in DC on Nov. 14 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 joint interview they were asking of affiliated groups, including Jewish community centers, day schools and other Jewish organizations. So far, they said, the response has been enthusiastic. Daroff said the hope was that the rally would have the impact of a 2002 pro-Israel rally during the Second Intifada and a 1987 mass rally to support Soviet Jewry, each of which drew more than 100,000 Jewish demonstrators to the National Mall. “Just as the American Jewish community and our allies spoke out with mass events in 1987 in support of Soviet Jewry and in 2002 in support of Israel during the Second Intifada, we are now in a similar moment where the American Jewish community and the American people are speaking out loudly and clearly in support off the people of Israel and demanding the unconditional return of the hostages,” he said. The Biden administration has so far backed Israel in its refusal to consider a ceasefire until the hostages are returned and Hamas is incapacitated. There have been calls from some on the progressive left for a ceasefire. Biden has asked Congress for $14 billion in emergency assistance for Israel, including $10 billion in defense assistance. Reports of antisemitic expression and assault have spiked since Oct. 7 on campuses and in cities across the world. On Monday, a man in Los Angeles died after a pro-Palestinian protester reportedly struck him in the head. Biden wants Congress to appropriate hundreds of millions of dollars to help secure vulnerable institutions; on Monday, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Jewish Democrat who is the majority leader, announced plans to up the annual funding for security grants to $1 billion, from $250 million. Hamas terrorists killed 1,400 people, most of them civilians, wounded thousands and abducted more than 200 in their Oct. 7 raid. Since then, Israel has launched counterstrikes and more than 10,000 Gaza residents have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, among them 3,000 children. It is not known what portion of that number are civilians, and what portion have been killed by misfired rockets launched by Palestinian attackers. The rally follows mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations in cities around the world, including in Washington on Saturday, and aims to show that Israel enjoys just as much support. “We’ve all heard voices of hatred and antisemitism around the globe glorifying the October 7 attacks,” a flyer
for the event says. “But these voices will never drown out this of Americans who stand against terror and with Israel.” Daroff and Fingerhut said there were no confirmed speakers yet, although they had invited lawmakers and officials from the Biden administration at the highest level. They said that although their organizations were leading the effort, they were asking groups to put out the word in their own name about the rally, which will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. near the U.S. Capitol. (Hundreds of protesters affiliated with Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist group, were arrested there last month while calling for a
“
“Just as the American Jewish community and our allies spoke out with mass events in 1987 in support of Soviet Jewry and in 2002 in support of Israel during the Second Intifada, we are now in a similar moment where the American Jewish community and the American people are speaking out loudly and clearly in support off the people of Israel and demanding the unconditional return of the hostages.” — William Daroff
ceasefire.) Some groups, including the Conservative movement, had already done so as of Monday. Fingerhut and Daroff said they were encouraging Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools to shut down for the day and send their students to Washington. Some had already taken up the call: North Shore Hebrew Academy on Long Island, for example, said it would bus students to D.C. for the day, and the Detroit Jewish federation on Monday invited locals to reserve spots on a chartered flight. Ronald Halber, the director of the Greater Washington D.C. Jewish Community relations Council, said he expected all 10 campuses in the D.C. area to empty their buildings on the day. “We have an obligation with a 300,000-strong Jewish community to bring a substantial number of people,” Halber said.
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RALLY IN CLAYTON TO SUPPORT ISRAEL About 250 supporters of the Jewish community assembled Sunday afternoon, Nov. 5, at Memorial Park in Clayton for a public demonstration of solidarity for Israel. The gathering of Jews and non-Jews held a silent prayer protest and formed a human wall, standing together bearing signs and messages taped to their clothing, many of which called for peace and the release of hostages. All photos by Bill Motchan.
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