Jewish News January 16 2017

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Southeastern Virginia | Vol. 55 No. 09 | 18 Tevet 5777 | January 16, 2017

U.S.-Israel relations and the U.N. Resolution

19 Hanukkah with Governor McAuliffe

21 Tidewater Together Feb. 2–Feb. 5

22 Mishy Harman Thursday, Feb. 16

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Upfront

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United Jewish Federation of Tidewater condemns U.S. failure to veto Security Council Resolution

T

he United Jewish Federation of Tidewater condemns, without

In 2011, the United States vetoed a similar resolution and,

reservation, the decision of the Obama administration not to

in 2014, Ambassador Power, in offering the vote that defeated

use its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to defeat a resolu-

another then-pending smearing resolution, stated that “peace will

tion criticizing Israeli settlements. The measure is clearly a blow,

come from hard choices and compromises that must be made at

despite claims to the contrary by the Obama Administration, to

the negotiating table.” This rationale is even more relevant today.

the chances for peace and, undeservedly, places the blame for the

It is hard to understand why an administration that voiced

lack of progress toward peace predominantly on Israel.

such sentiments in 2014 would fail to veto similar measures

The absence of a veto encourages the Palestinians to continue

today. It is hard to accept that an administration which supported

using the United Nations as a vehicle to draw international

the manifestation, only weeks ago, of a $38 billion military aid

condemnation onto Israel, validate and now extend its Boycott,

package for Israel would conduct a 180 degree turnaround in

Divestiture and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and most impor-

policy today. It is hard to believe that the abandonment of a broad

tantly, for the Palestinians, to avoid direct peace talks with Israel.

bipartisan consensus regarding U.S-Israeli relations in the U.N. is

The Obama administration conveniently forgot what it once

anything but a failure of leadership by the Obama administration.

learned and came to know in 2009 when it asked for and received

Its occurrence during a lame duck period seems to be ill-timed at

from the Netanyahu administration a ten-month freeze on set-

best and a calculated act of retribution with far reaching ramifi-

tlement construction. The Palestinian administration responded

cations at worst. Regardless, it has further undermined prospects

with a number of excuses almost to the very end as to why it

for peace and we strongly condemn the act.

could not enter into direct negotiations with Israel. It virtually

Published 22 times a year by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

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Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-4370 voice 757.965.6100 • fax 757.965.6102 email news@ujft.org Terri Denison, Editor Germaine Clair, Art Director Hal Sacks, Book Review Editor Sandy Goldberg, Account Executive Mark Hecht, Account Executive Marilyn Cerase, Subscription Manager Reba Karp, Editor Emeritus Sherri Wisoff, Proofreader United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Jay Klebanoff, President Alvin Wall, Treasurer Stephanie Calliott, Secretary Harry Graber, Executive Vice-President www.jewishVA.org The appearance of advertising in the Jewish News does not constitute a kashrut, political, product or service endorsement.

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chose to let time expire and continue to seek comfort in the arms of an Israel bashing U.N.

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The decision not to veto rejected efforts and advice from President-elect Trump and leading members of both houses of con-

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Jay Klebanoff President, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

gress not to abandon a core principle of American foreign policy with

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respect to Israel. It is a policy that had been embraced by American administrations of both political parties for decades and which recognized that the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian

Issue Date Topic Deadline Jan. 30 Mazel Tov Jan. 13 Feb. 13 Cooking and Eating Jan. 27 Mar. 6 Retirement Feb. 17 Mar. 20 Camp Mar. 3

Harry Graber Executive Vice President, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

conflict is through direct negotiations between both sides.

Contents

About the cover: United Nations General Assembly hall in New York City. By Patrick Gruban.

Up Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Super Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Investments and Giving. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Torah Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Israel by Abbott G. Saks. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Op-Ed: Blaming Obama doesn’t advance cause. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Hanukkah at Executive Mansion. . . . . . 19 Chabad celebrates Hanukkah . . . . . . . . 19

Trump: Israel treated unfairly. . . . . . . . . 6

Ethiopian Jews in Tidewater . . . . . . . . . 20

British slam Kerry’s focus . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

JCCs across U.S. get bomb threats. . . . . . 8

Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

House slams UN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Who knew?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

DC rabbis place ad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Mazel Tov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

U.S. lawmakers on Kerry speech. . . . . . 10

Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Quotable

Candle lighting Friday, January 20/22 Tevet Light candles at 5:00 pm

“The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly agreed to condemn a U.N. Security Council anti-settlements resolution and the Obama administration for allowing it through.”

Friday, January 27/29 Tevet Light candles at 5:07 pm Friday, February 3/7 Shevat Light candles at 5:15 pm Friday, February 10/14 Shevat Light candles at 5:22 pm Friday, February 17/21 Shevat Light candles at 5:30 pm

—page 9

Friday, February 24/28 Shevat Light candles at 5:37 pm

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 3

Briefs Facebook hires Campbell Brown, former CNN anchor, to head news division Facebook has hired Campbell Brown, a former NBC and CNN anchor, to lead its efforts to mend ties with news publications.

As head of the social network’s News Partnerships team, Brown will “help news organizations and journalists work more closely and more effectively with Facebook,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

“Right now we are watching a massive transformation take place in the news business—both in the way people consume news and in the way reporters disseminate news. Facebook is a major part of this transformation,” wrote Brown, who is Jewish.

Brown will not police what kind of content Facebook promotes on users’ news feeds, the company told The New York Times. Instead, she will “work more closely as a liaison with news organizations so that Facebook can better meet their journalistic and business imperatives and lessen some of their suspicion about the social media giant.”

Facebook has come under fire since the 2016 election cycle for promoting fake news articles through its algorithms.

Founder Mark Zuckerberg has insisted that less than 1 percent of the content that surfaces on Facebook is fake news.

Brown, who was raised Catholic in Louisiana, converted to Judaism before marrying Dan Senor, a political adviser to President George W. Bush and presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

After hosting her own eponymous show on CNN, Brown became an education activist and now advocates for charter schools. She created the website The Seventy Four, a nonprofit, nonpartisan education news site in 2015. (JTA) Netanyahu thanks Congress, “America” for House resolution condemning UN vote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel thanked America and its House of Representatives for passing a resolution condemning a U.N. vote against settlements.

Netanyahu said “thank you, America,

thank you, Congress” in a video his office posted on YouTube following the resolution’s passing the previous evening by a vote of 342-80. (See page 9) “After the outrageous anti-Israel resolution at the U.N., the U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday resoundingly to support Israel and reject this one-sided resolution,” Netanyahu said.

“Democrats and Republicans alike know that the Western Wall isn’t occupied territory,” he added in reference to the holy Jewish site, which is in eastern Jerusalem.

“They voted to either repeal the resolution at the United Nations or change it—and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” the prime minister said. “I want to thank the U.S. House of Representatives, which reflects the tremendous support Israel enjoys among the American people.” (JTA)

Jordanian official: Moving US Embassy to Jerusalem would be ‘catastrophic’ Jordan’s government spokesman warned of “catastrophic” repercussions if President-elect Donald Trump moves the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem as he indicated he would.

Such a move could affect relations between the United States and regional allies, including Jordan, Information Minister Mohammed Momani told The Associated Press, addressing the issue publicly for the first time.

Momani said that moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv “will have catastrophic implications on several levels, including the regional situation.”

He said countries in the region would likely “think about different things and steps they should take in order to stop this from happening.”

An embassy move would be a “red line” for Jordan, would “inflame the Islamic and Arab streets” and serve as a “gift to extremists,” Momani said, adding that Jordan would use all possible political and diplomatic means in a bid to prevent such a decision.

Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, is the custodian of Islam’s third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa mosque, in eastern Jerusalem. Israel captured eastern Jerusalem from Jordan in 1967 and

4 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

annexed it to its capital. The Palestinians want to establish the capital of a future state in Jerusalem.

Much of the world has not recognized Israel’s annexation of eastern Jerusalem and most countries, including the United States, maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.

Trump said during the presidential campaign that he intended to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Last month, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway was quoted as saying that moving the embassy to Jerusalem is a “very big priority” for the president-elect.

Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador in Israel, David Friedman, has said he looks forward to working from Jerusalem. (JTA)

UN Security Council condemns deadly truck-ramming attack on Israeli soldiers The United Nations Security Council condemned the truck-ramming attack in Jerusalem that left four Israeli soldiers dead.

The statement tweeted by Sweden’s mission to the United Nations “condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack” in the eastern part of the city and expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Israel.

Sweden holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month.

“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the statement said, and that the council finds any acts of terrorism “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.”

The statement “reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law, and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.”

The soldiers were killed and at least 15 were injured when the driver of a large truck, a resident of the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, drove into a group of soldiers who had just exited a bus on

the promenade in the Arnon Hatnatziv neighborhood, which marks the border between the eastern and western halves of Jerusalem. The driver then reversed back over the bodies after he had hit them before being shot by a civilian tour guide and at least two soldiers.

The Security Council late last month passed a resolution by a vote of 14-0, with the Unites States abstaining, condemning Israeli settlements, calling them illegal and an obstacle to achieving peace with the Palestinians and the Arab world. (JTA)

Muslim teen who chased down assailant of Orthodox Jewish woman honored A Muslim teenager from New York City who helped police catch a man who struck an Orthodox Jewish woman on the subway was honored by community leaders.

Ahmed Khalifa, 17, was presented with a donated laptop computer for college in the fall and a citation praising his actions.

State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who presented the award, noted that Khalifa is Muslim and helped an Orthodox Jewish woman.

“In a time of such divisiveness, it’s refreshing to see a story like this resonate within our communities,” said Hikind, an Orthodox Jew, who was joined by community faith leaders and politicians in the ceremony.

Khalifa said in a statement, the Brooklyn Eagle reported: “I’m just a guy.

I think everyone should be doing this because we are all one people; I would help anyone out no matter who they are, I’m just happy people are learning that this is the right thing to do.”

The teen stopped a Brooklyn-bound train on Dec. 28 so the woman could receive medical attention after the assailant’s slap broke her glasses and caused her to lose consciousness. She was removed from the train and taken to a local hospital.

Khalifa then exited the train to follow the assailant. The teen contacted the Shomrim Jewish safety patrol, which got the police involved. He waited near the bus stop until the police arrived.

The police removed the assailant, identified as Rayvon Jones, 31, from the bus. Jones was charged with assault in Brooklyn Criminal Court. (JTA)

Torah Thought

Joseph inspires to make a difference

T

he great and most colorful Joseph saga extends over four Torah portions and 13 chapters.

Just like Joseph, the dreamer and interpreter of incredible dreams (he should have kept some of them to himself!), the Jewish people have believed that noble, as well as disturbing dreams have the potential and power to transform reality. In the way Joseph was not accepted by his own immature and treacherous kin, begrudging him his unique spirit and grandiose ideas of a dreamy youngster whose father’s favoritism put him at risk, we have felt isolated throughout much of history.

We have been rejected for insisting on living our own authentic lives as a minority, yet willing to stand up to the majority if necessary. Our faithfulness to the dictates of our faith and conscience has been interpreted as a negative reflection of aloofness rather than one of a proud choice. Joseph, through his mind’s genius and heart’s compassion, was able to save both his adopted empire of Egypt and his family from small Canaan. In the process, he taught that borders and feelings need not be obstacles to a constructive response to the urgent demands of life and death.

Joseph managed to transcend his personal insecurities and apprehensions to accomplish the larger and lasting goals of putting his talents to the beneficial use of society, rather than dwelling on past hurts and injustices that could have crippled him and others. Thus he wisely chose the high road allowing him to become a great Egyptian, while earning his status as a great Hebrew brother and leader, whose early self-centered dreams turned into a blessed reality for all concerned through

maturity of character wrought by trials and tribulations.

The ultimate challenge of this mighty ruler, second only to Pharaoh, was to conquer and control his own raging passions, which he proved with tempting and aggressive Mrs. Potiphar, earning him the rabbis’ honorific appellation “Hatzadik” (The saintly one). He repeated his self-control with his brothers at the pinnacle of his brilliant career with so much at stake for himself and for them. What a moving moment of victory when Joseph can no longer hold back his tears and eagerly desires to reveal his true identity to his overwhelmed brothers, not quite realizing that they would never recover from the shock of the encounter and/or from the guilt that would continue to burden them.

Perhaps Joseph’s favorable decision to reach out to them was ultimately prompted by Judah’s display of sincere love for brother Benjamin, as well as for father Jacob’s well-being. Upon reconnecting to his family, he rejoined his roots and was thus ennobled and made whole. Joseph could have abandoned his Hebrew background, protecting his painfully acquired identity and status, but he knew that his remarkable life’s success had to carry a humbling message of healing and gratitude.

Joseph appeals to us in his touching humaneness, which is not lost when he becomes powerful and his survivor’s skills of ascending from the pit to the palace inspire us, realizing that it reflects the historic Jewish challenge to survive and even thrive in a harsh reality. He is the prototype model of the modern Jew, enlightening us about living in two worlds. He was able to perceive God’s guiding hand in his tumultuous life, steeled and sensitized by adversity turned into advantage. Joseph and the Maccabees of all ages have taught that to be a Jew is to somehow make a difference, reducing darkness and rejoicing in the light’s promise.

—Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim. He is Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church.

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Nation OP-ED

Blaming Obama doesn’t advance the cause of Middle East peace Rick Jacobs

W

hat did Secretary of State John Kerry say that caused former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren to say that U.S. policy toward Israeli has become “sad, tragic and dangerous?” That led Sen. Ted Cruz to say that Kerry and President Barack Obama are “relentless enemies of Israel?”

That inspired Israeli Prime Minster Netanyahu’s spokesman to refer to the American “abandonment of Israel?”

Nothing that successive American administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, have not said before.

But that, of course, is hardly a measure of success. If the goal of Kerry’s Dec. 28 speech was to defend the U.S. decision to abstain on an unbalanced, ill-timed United Nations Security Council resolution, then it was a failure. Further, the administration’s regretful and wrongheaded, although not unprecedented, decision to abstain rather than veto a deeply problematic Security Council resolution affected the way most American Jews and Israelis heard Kerry’s speech.

If the speech had been given following a U.S. veto, his words would have been listened to with far more openness.

Kerry’s fiery and intense speech reviewed U.S. policy in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. He offered some of the most forceful denunciations of Palestinian instigation of violence that we have ever heard from the podium at the State Department, specifically indicting both Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He spoke about America’s strategic partnership with Israel and his own heartfelt personal connection to that nation. And most important, Kerry made a powerful case that the only lasting solution envisions two states, Israel and Palestinian, for two peoples. The secretary was right, too, to shine a spotlight on Palestinian incitement of violence and the veneration

of terrorists, and on the runaway freight train of the settlement expansion, driven by the most right-wing elements in Israeli politics and supported by the Israeli government.

The entire settlement enterprise is designed to make the realization of a two-state solution more difficult, if not impossible. And it is impossible to ignore the trends by the current government in Israel to solidify and thicken the settlements, even at the expense of legislating to upend the Israeli Supreme Court.

Settlements, of course, are far from the only impediment to progress. Kerry made his view clear: “Let me emphasize, this is not to say that the settlements are the whole or even the primary cause of this conflict; of course they are not. Nor can you say that if the settlements were suddenly removed, you’d have peace without a broader agreement. You would not.”

Let us, in turn, be crystal clear: The significant obstacles to peace fall overwhelmingly on the Palestinian side, including an unwillingness to clearly recognize Israel’s very right to exist and ongoing incitement to terrorism that leads to murderous acts.

Kerry is also correct, of course, that the United States should not, and cannot, dictate a solution. But his speech reminds us that the U.S. has an indispensable role to play. And it is simply impossible to ignore that the support for Israel—bipartisan support that has been Israel’s bedrock, a strong pin in its own security—is critical.

This administration has provided Israel with unprecedented support, U.S. military aid that is unmatched.

It would also be wrong to ignore the harshness of the unprecedented and troubling criticism aimed at the Obama administration. It’s as if name calling were being allowed to substitute for substantive debate. It is inexcusable to accuse the president or his secretary of state of being “anti-Israel” when they express views held by many Israelis. Indeed such “anti-Israel”

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voices as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak welcomed Kerry’s speech.

Some honest reflection is a good thing at the end of this year, which coincides with the end of the eight-year Obama administration. The plain truth is that the Palestinians, the Israelis and the U.S. have not been blameless during this latest chapter of working toward peace.

Blaming one party is hardly accurate or constructive. Too many Israelis hold the Palestinians totally responsible, and too many Palestinians hold only Israel responsible and yes, too many Americans also apportion responsibility unfairly on one of the two sides. And the incoming U.S. administration seems to hold the Obama administration as the main culprit in the current stalemate. None of these approaches is accurate or constructive.

As a new U.S. administration prepares to take office, we hope and pray it will not begin by abandoning a two-state solution.

No one naively believes that two states for two peoples living side by side in security and peace is around the corner, but it remains a beacon of possibility, especially when all the other options are so deeply flawed.

At the end of the day, the long, deep bipartisan support for the State of Israel must not be undermined. I am deeply afraid that Israel is becoming a completely partisan issue, and for that there is plenty of blame to go around. I’d ask—no, beg—that the U.S., Israeli and Palestinian leadership, present and future, stop blaming everyone else and accept responsibility for moving us forward, not backward.

During the waning hours of Hanukkah, let’s not let the light go out—the light of courageous leadership, the light of truth and the light of peace.

—Rabbi Rick Jacobs is president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest Jewish movement in North America.

(Editor’s Note: This article was written Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.)

Donald Trump says Israel is being treated “very, very unfairly”

P

resident-elect Donald Trump accused the Obama administration of treating Israel with “total disdain” hours after Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech rebuking the country’s settlement policy and offering his plan for Middle East peace.

Trump spoke to reporters on the steps of his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on Dec. 28 in what is being reported as his longest media appearance since winning the election. He said Israel is being treated “very, very unfairly.”

The incoming U.S. leader sidestepped a question about whether Israel should stop building settlements in the West Bank, saying instead that he is “very, very strong on Israel.”

Trump described Israel as being “up for 20 reprimands” at the United Nations and asked by countries that are “horrible places, that treat people horribly, haven’t even been reprimanded.”

Immediately following Kerry’s speech at the State Department, Trump said in a short statement that the secretary of state’s address “speaks for itself.”

Prior to the address, Trump slammed President Barack Obama in a tweet for treating Israel with “total disdain and disrespect,” referencing Obama’s decision not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement building.

“Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!” he also tweeted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Trump’s tweet minutes after it was posted, thanking Trump for his “warm friendship and your clear-cut support.”

Trump spoke to reporters alongside boxing entrepreneur Don King, who carried both a U.S. and an Israeli flag. King also wore two diamond necklaces, one with a pendant of a Star of David and the other an American flag. (JTA)

Nation

British government slams Kerry’s ‘focus only’ on settlements, Israeli politics

T

he British government in an unusual move criticized U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for focusing on Israeli settlements and commenting on the makeup of the Israeli Cabinet in a speech critical of Israeli policies.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said Dec. 29 that it was

inappropriate of Kerry to attack the makeup of the democratically elected Israeli government—a key ally of both the United States and Britain, the Daily Mail reported.

“We do not…believe that the way to negotiate peace is by focusing on only one issue, in this case the construction

of settlements, when clearly the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is so deeply complex,” the unnamed spokesman was quoted as saying. “And we do not believe that it is appropriate to attack the composition of the democratically elected government of an ally.”

The British government, the

spokesman added, “believes that negotiations will only succeed when they are conducted between the two parties supported by the international community.”

In a speech Dec. 28 laying out his parameters for Israeli-Palestinian peace, Kerry criticized Israeli Prime Minister continued on page 8

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Nation continued from page 7

Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet for undermining the two-state solution with his settlement policy in the West Bank.

Much of the speech was devoted to settlements, but Kerry also condemned the veneration of terrorists by Palestinians.

Kerry’s hourlong address, which Netanyahu called a “major disappointment,” followed harsh criticism by Israel on the U.S. abstention of a United Nations Security Council resolution passed last week criticizing settlements. The United States could have quashed the resolution with a veto, as it has many times in the past.

Britain backed the resolution calling for an end to Israel’s construction of settlements in the disputed territories of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem.

Netanyahu has canceled a meeting with May over the vote as part of a series of steps designed to either punish the 14 out of 15 Security Council member states that voted in favor of the resolution or express Israel’s displeasure at their votes.

Ahead of Britain’s June referendum on leaving the European Union, President Barack Obama urged Britons to vote to remain in the bloc in what many observers deemed inappropriate interference in

internal issues. The voters backed leaving the EU. A month after the vote May, a Conservative politician and vocal supporter of the Brexit, replaced David Cameron, who initiated the referendum though he lobbied against a Brexit, and resigned after the results came in.

Boris Johnson, a former mayor of London who is now foreign minister under May, lashed out in April against Obama’s intervention, calling it not only inappropriate but also hypocritical.

“For the United States to tell us in the U.K. that we must surrender control of so

much of our democracy—it is a breathtaking example of the principle of do as I say but not as I do,” he said.

Johnson, who is a fervent advocate of Israel, also wrote in an op-ed that month that Obama’s position reflects “the part-Kenyan President’s ancestral dislike of the British empire.”

Kenya was a British colony before it was given independence amid a wave of terror against white settlers there and soldiers.

The president’s father, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., was Kenyan. Obama was born in the United States. (JTA)

Across the U.S., 16 JCCs get bomb threats in a single day WASHINGTON ( JTA)—Bomb threats were called in to at least 16 Jewish community centers and other institutions in seven states on Monday, Jan. 9.

The calls were prerecorded in some cases and live in others, with the caller using voice disguising technology, and likely came from a single source, says Paul Goldenberg, the director of Secure Community Network, the group affiliated with the Jewish Federations of North America that coordinates security for the Jewish community.

The states were spread across the South and the Northeast. Only some of the JCCs were evacuated.

All the alerts were false, Goldenberg says, and designed to produce maximum disruption.

“In the Northeast it’s 20 degrees outside and these individuals are doing everything they can to disrupt who we are and what we do,” Goldenberg told JTA. He did not name the states or JCCs, but various media have reported bomb threats in Florida, Maryland, Tennessee, South Carolina and New Jersey.

As of 4:30 pm that day, most of the JCCs resumed regular operations,

according to a statement by the JCC Association of North America.

Hundreds of people reportedly were evacuated from the buildings, several of which house preschools and senior adult programs during the day. Goldenberg says evacuations depended not on the urgency of the situation but the practices of local authorities—some counsel immediate exits, others do not.

Among the affected sites were the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly in northeast New Jersey, which evacuated the entire building, including a preschool, senior center and adult day care facility for people with disabilities, local media reported. In South Florida, the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center and Alper JCC in southwest Miami-Dade also were evacuated in the morning.

Other sites that were threatened included the Siegel JCC, north of Wilmington, Delaware; the preschools at the Tampa JCC and the Tampa Jewish Federation in central Florida; and the Jewish Community Alliance in Jacksonville, in northern Florida. All the facilities were searched and given the allclear by authorities.

Goldenberg counseled an immediate

8 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

call to local first responders in every instance, but also says live calls indicated a more acute risk than robocalls.

“If they’re taking the time to call, if it’s a live person, the concern rises,” he says.

He also recommends studying a 15-minute video that SCN has posted on its website outlining what to do in case of a bomb threat. Goldenberg says SCN in the next few days would organize, through the JCC Association of North America, a conference call reviewing possible threats.

The JCC Association of North America applauded its staff and thanked law enforcement in a statement. “We are proud of our JCCs and grateful for their professional staff, who in the face of threatened violence today, responded quickly, calmly and professionally by implementing well-practiced evacuation procedures and ensuring that no one was harmed,” says David Posner, director of strategic performance.

The Anti-Defamation League says it was “deeply concerned” about the reports.

“Unfortunately, such threats are not new to the Jewish community,” says the ADL’s national director, Jonathan

Greenblatt. “While each of these threats must be taken seriously, and excellent preparation is key to a good response, bomb threats are most often not credible and are usually used as scare tactics in order to disrupt an institution’s operations, and to cause fear and panic.”

In London, bomb threats were called in to three Jewish schools, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

Searches of the schools did not turn up any explosives, and other schools in the area were placed on lockdown until the searches were completed. Copycat calls reportedly also were made to several non-Jewish schools.

Bomb threats were called into two Jewish institutions in the Orlando, Florida, area on Jan. 5.

There has been an increase in the United States in reports of threats and vandalism on Jewish property in the wake of the presidential election.

President-elect Donald Trump, who was reluctant to denounce support during the campaign from white supremacists and anti-Semites, has since repudiated racists who say they feel emboldened by his victory, as well as ultranationalist successes in Europe.

Nation

Protect your family.

Prepare for their future.

House overwhelmingly approves resolution slamming UN, Obama administration WASHINGTON (JTA)—The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly agreed to condemn a U.N. Security Council anti-settlements resolution and the Obama administration for allowing it through.

The resolution, which passed Thursday, Jan. 5 by a vote of 342– 80, said the Security Council vote last month “undermined the long-standing position of the United States to oppose and veto United Nations Security Council resolutions that seek to impose solutions to final status issues.”

The U.S. abstained, refraining from exercising its veto and allowing the Security Council resolution to pass 14-0.

U.S. officials said then that they could not endorse the resolution because of the inherent anti-Israel bias of the United Nations, but did not want to veto it because they agreed with its premise that Israeli settlement construction was illegal and an obstruction to advancing peace.

Reps. Ed Royce, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the committee’s senior Democrat, sponsored the measure.

Engel had joined another Democrat, Rep. David Price of North Carolina, in

seeking to amend the resolution. Price’s altered text emphasized advancing a twostate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although it also endorsed a policy of vetoing unfair Security Council resolutions. It refrained from criticizing the Obama administration. The House Rules Committee rejected Price’s amendment.

Royce in debate during the vote noted his resolution also favored the two-state solution, and said he would work with Price to advance that policy this congressional session. But he said it was important in the near term to warn President Barack Obama in his final days in office not to take any further dramatic Israel-related actions, and opposed removing language critical of the Obama administration.

Engel urged other Democrats to back the unamended resolution, while Price urged lawmakers to oppose it.

In the end, 109 Democrats backed the resolution and 76 opposed it. Just four Republicans opposed the resolution; a small contingent of Republicans led by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, opposed including language favoring two states.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee backed the Royce-Engel resolution. J Street backed Price’s version.

DC-area rabbis urge Trump to 'reconsider' his campaign's rhetoric as he starts presidency WASHINGTON ( JTA)—Dozens of Washington-area rabbis urged Presidentelect Donald Trump to “reconsider” his campaign’s rhetoric and extend his agenda to all Americans.

The full-page ad appearing Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Express, a subway giveaway newspaper published by the Washington Post, welcomes the incoming administration “to our great city.”

“We expect that, first and foremost, your victory in this election prompts you to revisit your campaign rhetoric and the hate crimes it may have unleashed—even unwittingly—and reframe your agenda to include the voices of ALL the people residing within this great and pluralistic

country,” said the ad, which was signed by 58 rabbis representing several Jewish religious streams.

Addressing communities that the ad said Trump’s campaign had made vulnerable, it said, “We are with you. We will not abandon you.”

“We understand that elections have consequences,” the ad said. “But we also must recognize that these consequences, should the campaign rhetoric be acted upon, could very likely cultivate a particularly precarious time for the vulnerable among us.”

The ad did not directly attribute hateful rhetoric to Trump, but described an elections cycle “marred by a disproportionate level of public vitriol and ridicule.”

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jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 9

Nation US lawmakers divided on Kerry speech

R

esponding to Secretary of State John Kerry’s address on making peace between Israel and the Palestinians, many U.S. lawmakers said they were disappointed by the Obama administration’s decision to abstain on the vote in the U.N. Security Council of a resolution criticizing Israel for settlement building.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., the incoming Senate minority leader, said in a statement that Kerry “has emboldened extremists on both sides.”

“While Secretary Kerry mentioned Gaza in his speech, he seems to have forgotten the history of the settlements in Gaza, where the Israeli government forced settlers to withdraw from all settlements and the Palestinians responded by sending rockets into Israel,” Schumer said.

“This is something that people of all political stripes in Israel vividly remember.”

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democratic whip, said he was

“reassured” that Kerry did not call for further action by the United Nations Security Council while criticizing the U.S. abstention in the Security Council.

Hoyer said that Kerry’s speech “outlined longstanding American principles” vis-a-vis the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

“The United States will have a role to play in helping both parties reach the goal of lasting peace, even if that involves highlighting uncomfortable facts on the ground, as Secretary Kerry did.

Nonetheless, I continue to believe that the U.N. Security Council is the wrong forum for critiquing Israeli policies,” he said. “As I have said many times, no solution should be imposed from outside, nor should the United States, the United Nations, or any other nation or international organization seek to prejudge any formulation for a final settlement, which must be worked out by the parties themselves.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,

tweeted: “Bold speech by Secretary Kerry.

Security for Israel can only be achieved through peace. A two-state solution offers the only path forward.”

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a statement released after the speech called for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, “not through efforts dictated by the United Nations, which I have opposed.”

She added: “Today’s remarks by Secretary Kerry were a reaffirmation of America’s commitment to a secure, Jewish and democratic Israel, and a state for the Palestinians.”

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the speaker of the House, criticized Kerry’s speech in a tweet: “After allowing this anti-Israel resolution to pass the UN, Secretary Kerry has no credibility to speak on IsraeliPalestinian peace.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the abstention and the speech “shameful”

and “designed to weaken and marginalize Israel, and to embolden its enemies.”

“Kerry’s central conclusion, that ‘Israel can either be Jewish or democratic, it cannot be both,’ is an inanity that passes as profound only in Ivory Tower faculty lounges,” Cruz said. “There are roughly 50 majority-Muslim countries in the world.

There is one—only one—Jewish state.

And yet, for Kerry and Obama, that is too much.”

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he “welcome(s) Secretary Kerry’s articulation of six principles that should guide direct negotiations between the parties for a secure, just, and realistic two-state solution.”

He also said that he was “disappointed” in the U.S. abstention in the United Nations and that the resolution “makes direct negotiations more, not less, challenging.” (JTA)

We’re Coming Together in Israel this Summer! Wanna come?

B’Yachad! – An Israel mission unlike any we’ve offered before!

Mission starts in Israel on Monday, June 12 and ends Sunday, June 18 Here is your chance to “design the mission of your dreams...”

Like music and dance? Select the arts & culture track.

• Prefer finance and high tech? There a track for that.

• There’s even an opportunity to play 9-holes of golf at the course in Caesarea.

• Maybe you’d like to jump back and forth between tracks to satisfy your varied interests?

With different tracks each day, you can do that!

• We’ll all come back together each night for dinner or late-night tours.

• Want to be inspired by our future leaders? Got that covered! We’ll be coming together with the members of Tidewater’s Hofheimer Young Leadership Mission at various points throughout the mission.

If you’d like to see the itinerary visit

•

www.jewishva.org/missiontoisrael.

The B’Yachad Mission will showcase today’s Israel – with its thriving arts and culture scene, as well as the high-tech business sector. It will also include visits to touchstone sites, including Jerusalem and the Kotel; the mystical city of Tsfat; the ancient fortress at Masada; and others.

Cost for the B’Yachad Mission is $3,750 per person (land only, does not include airfare) based on double occupancy. Single (hotel) supplements and room upgrades available. Trip includes 6 hotel nights, ground transportation, programming and speakers, admission fees, security, all breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 6 dinners. The cost does not include upgrades, extensions, or tips and is based on a minimum of 20 participants. (Price will decrease if the group size increases.) To learn more, contact Amy Zelenka at the Federation at 965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org.

Want to start with a Jewish cultural experience in Tuscany? We’re working with a partner to offer a week-long pre-mission add-on (June 3 – 10) called “Jewish Films Under the Tuscan Sun?” Add-on cost is $2,895 per person (land-only). Avoid the jet lag of a direct flight to Israel by flying from the US to Italy, stay the week, than fly to Israel. For more information on the Tuscany add-on, contact Larry Ferber at 757-617-1936.

10 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

Super Sunday 2017 • January 22 • 9:00am - 1:00pm

BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY Super Sunday is the Tidewater Jewish Community’s annual fundraising phone-a-thon where we all share a common goal of helping others. Here are the ways you can participate: 1 VOLUNTEER Sign up for 1 of 2 shifts • 9:00am - 11:00am or 11:00am - 1:00pm Training provided • Free babysitting 2 GIVE Answer your phone on Super Sunday or donate online.

3 SHARE Use the space below to get creative. Take a photo of your drawing and share it on Facebook using the hashtag #whatdrawsyou.

Or, drop it off at the Simon Family JCC Customer Service Desk.

Sign up to volunteer or donate at JewishVA.org/SuperSunday.

Super Sunday is sponsored by

Visit JewishVA.org/SuperSunday or contact Leah Abrams at labrams@ujft.org or 757-965-6127 for more information.

Help inspire others on Super Sunday—draw a picture, scene, or portrait here and show What Draws You... to volunteer? to give? to care!

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 11

What Draws You… to volunteer, to give, to care?

Answers coming on Super Sunday Community-wide fundraising phone-a-thon

Sunday, January 22, 9 am–1 pm Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus Laine Mednick Rutherford

Asking questions is one of the most time-honored traditions of Judaism, and the young adults organizing this year’s Super Sunday community-wide phone-a-thon have a pressing one they’d like answered: “What draws you?”

The question has been a driving force behind the 12-member Super Sunday steering committee in the months leading up to the January 22 event.

As they’ve learned more about the people, organizations, schools, and agencies supported by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, committee members have discovered an infinite number of reasons people are drawn to the Jewish community.

Sometimes it’s because help is needed, or there’s a desire to help. Sometimes it’s to connect with other Jews, or to strengthen their own Jewish identity.

As they listened to each other’s diverse answers to the simple, three-word question, the committee members realized asking the question of everyone in the community could stimulate engagement and build intriguing connections.

In a mashup of the old (asking questions) and the new (social media and the web), the committee came up with a way to share answers.

Through a link posted on the www.JewishVA.org/ SuperSunday webpage, artists and wordsmiths can draw their responses (using any medium), snap a photo of it, and then upload or scan the images. Alternatively, they can post their responses on their own Facebook page, YAD’s, or the Federation’s—using hashtag #whatdrawsyou. Or, they can drop off a drawing at the Simon Family Customer Service desk, and the masterpiece will be added to the Super Sunday 2017 What Draws You exhibit of works.

A few of the responses committee members uploaded in recent weeks include those here.

Amy Kurfist “What draws me to be a part of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is my desire to be an active member of the Jewish community (locally and all over the world), share my traditions with others and learn new ones, and help others by raising money and volunteering my time and abilities!”

Mendy Fisch “This picture might represent a day, or liminal time, or the sorting out of darkness and light that began at the beginning of time but which paused during Shabbat when the Creator took a break.

Shabbat draws me to be present where I am, connect with those around me, to reality, and to the community. I am grateful to the Tidewater community for enriching that day of the week for me.”

Eric Miller.

12 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

Mendy Fisch.

Sam Molofsky “The Jewish community of Tidewater has played a large role in molding me into the person I am today. When I think about what draws me to offer my time and money, my first thought is the future. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to this nurturing environment in the hope that it will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Eric Miller “Over the past few years, I have made friends in Israel and I am glad to know we are helping them in positive ways. I also like knowing that money from our community is being distributed around the world to help those in need. When I was in high school, I participated in BBYO and enjoyed it. I’m glad to be a part of the organization again as an advisor to the teens in our area.”

Andrea Karelitz

Andrea Karelitz “I choose to give back, because the Jewish community has given me so much. Ever since I became significantly involved in the Jewish community during my time in the B’nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO) and Hillel and Chabad at Penn State, I’ve always felt so at home whenever I travel and connect with other individuals that share the same traditions, religion, or values as myself. More than that, being involved in the Jewish community has taught me to respect and learn from people that are different. One of my favorite things about seeing new places around the world is finding a synagogue to spend Shabbos or finding a Jewish museum to explore. No matter where my life takes me, I always know I’ll have a home in the Jewish community. This is why I am forever grateful. This is why I give back. This is what draws me.”

Standing: Eric Miller, Paul Weiner, Ethan Heben, Amy Kurfist, and Brandon Terkeltaub.

Sitting: Robyn Weiner, Rachel Kane, and Leah Abrams.Committee members missing from the photograph: Danit Drory, Mindy Fisch, Sam Molofsky, Andrea Karelitz, Pam Trumpeter, and Jasmine Amitay.

Volunteers are still needed to help on Super Sunday. Two shifts are available: 9–11 am and 11 am–1 pm. Training is provided and babysitting is available.

Super Sunday is sponsored by Coastal Home Mortgage, LLC. For more information about Super Sunday, to sign up to volunteer, and for details on how to share your answer to the question, What Draws You, visit www.JewishVA.org/ SuperSunday, email labrams@ ujft.org, or call Leah at 757-9656127. View more What Draws You posts at www.FB.com/ UJFTidewater.

Sam Molofsky

Amy Kurfist

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 13

Investments & Giving

Ruth’s

Will

Said a Lot About Her.

What Does Your Will Say About You? As a “pink lady” Ruth Goodman accumulated more hours than any other volunteer at the Norfolk hospital where she greeted visitors.

Before she died in 1995,Ruth arranged for a Hampton Roads Community Foundation bequest to forever give good health to the community she and her husband Victor loved.

This year 15 students are studying to become physicians, physical therapists, nurses and other medical professionals thanks to scholarships generated by Ruth’s generosity. Many more Goodman Scholars will follow every year.

Write your prescription for a better future by ordering a free bequest guide.

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Israel and Virginia

Virginia teams with Strauss Group in innovative program for Israeli Agro & Food Tech Companies Richmond, Va.—Virginia Tech University and the Strauss Group are leading a new R&D and marketing initiative for Israeli agriculture and food tech start-ups, young ventures and established companies seeking to expand in the U.S. market. The program begins Sunday, January 22 in Israel, when selected Israeli companies present their business to a joint team of Food Tech and Agro Tech experts from Virginia Tech and the Strauss Group. Other panelists include experts in business development.

Ralph Robbins, executive director of the Virginia-Israel Advisory Board in the Governor’s Office of Virginia, says, “Our

goal is to identify five Israeli agro/food tech companies with outstanding technologies. We will deploy our proven resources in the areas of marketing and business development as well as potential financial resources available to companies expanding in Virginia to serve the United States market.”

Dr. Eyal Shimoni, vice president of Technologies at the Strauss Group, says, “Building on the Alpha Strauss as the Food Tech arm of Strauss, we wish to promote tech development towards healthy food solutions, improving the quality of life for consumers worldwide.”

ImmunArray, a Virginia-Israel company teams with Quanterix Corporation to address traumatic brain injury

Building on NFL concussion research grant, companies plan to continue scientific advances and increase business Richmond, Va.—ImmunArray, a Richmond, Va. and Rehovoth, Israel-based company, expects this collaboration to expand uses of its patented technology, as well as assist with future developments.

“As we continue to advance the research and development of panels for the detection and diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and other neurodegenerative diseases in acute and chronic settings, we will now have added support to help accelerate the

development of important diagnostic tools,” Donna Edmonds, chairman and CEO of ImmunArray says.

With the investment from Quanterix, ImmunArray expects to accelerate the commercialization of its products in the marketplace—driving revenue and reimbursements from insurers for the company’s tests and increasing corporate profitability, jobs, and economic growth in Virginia.

Cupron, an Israeli-Virginia company graduates from incubation to commercialization with its copper technology Richmond, Va.—After six years, Cupron will move from just under 2,000 square feet at the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond—an incubator for advanced technology startups offering office space at below-market cost in addition to discounted business services—to a facility in nearby Henrico County.

Cupron recently participated in a 10-month clinical trial at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, which showed the effectiveness of its copper-infused medical textiles in reducing the spread of bacteria in a clinical setting.

“The Research Park has been more than the right partner at the right time in the company’s development and growth. The relationships, collaborative space, and access to other emerging biotechnology companies have been invaluable, especially as the company transitioned from applied scientific discovery to clinical demonstration,” Cupron’s CEO Chris Andrews says. “Now, as we transition from clinical to commercial deployment on a broad scale and geographies, Cupron needs to occupy its own commercial space with expanded logistical capabilities.”

Sabra Dipping Company’s Sabra Spreads spurs job growth in Virginia New production line in the “largest hummus factory in the world” increases number of plant employees to over 650 and counting Chesterfield, Va.—Sabra continues to expand in Virginia with its latest product developed by scientists at its Center for Excellence, Sabra Spreads. Thanks to its premier research team located at the Richmond facility, the company has created a bottled sandwich spread made with hummus, which will compete in the $4 billion a year U.S. ketchup, mustard, and mayo market. Sabra Spreads will be marketed as a healthier alternative to oil-based spreads

14 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

like mayonnaise.

Sabra is jumping with both feet into a huge new category— using an adjacent growth strategy to introduce a product closely related to its core brand to strengthen and broaden its customer base.

Sabra expects to continue hiring to satisfy the increased demand for its products.

Investments & Giving Investing in the future of Tidewater’s Jewish community Amy Weinstein

I

t‘s never too early to think about how to leave your mark on the community and how you want to be remembered.

Each year by using disposable income charitably, people make an imprint on the Tidewater Jewish community. That choice is an investment—whether it is making an annual investment in synagogues or day schools or agencies or programs that are important to the donor. Leaving a legacy, or endowing charitable giving, can be considered your investment in the future of the Tidewater Jewish community.

Since everyone’s family and financial situation is unique, legacy gifts, of any size, can be designed to match individual circumstances. Options include a simple bequest in a will or trust; an outright gift using appreciated assets or cash; life insurance policies, IRA or pension funds; charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities.

Tidewater Jewish Foundation recently debuted an exciting program that can help turn an annual charitable investment into a legacy gift benefitting the organizations of your choice. The LIFE & LEGACY program is a four-year capacity building partnership offered by TJF and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that provides training, support, and monetary incentives to assist Jewish organizations in securing meaningful legacy gifts.

Legacy gifts can be used to educate children, care for the elderly, feed the hungry, strengthen Jewish identity, preserve Jewish culture and heritage, support synagogues, or protect and strengthen the State of Israel. One thing for certain, whatever their form, legacy gifts make a difference in the lives of future generations.

It is not necessary to be wealthy to

participate in the LIFE & LEGACY program or to make a difference with a charitable investment.

Melinda Gates once said, “Philanthropy is not about the money. It’s about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world.” Just as you give annually to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, your synagogue and favorite charities, you can establish an endowment fund and designate one or more charitable organizations or purposes as perpetual beneficiaries of your gift.

All that is required is to make the decision to join the other members of the Tidewater Jewish community who have already made such a commitment to invest in the future.

Reaching the decision to create a legacy gift and make annual charitable investments in perpetuity can be thought of with simple math. It takes 25 times an annual gift or synagogue dues (at 4% interest) to sustain a current contribution.

So, if you currently give $1,000 a year, you would want to leave at least $25,000 in your will, as a designated beneficiary in your IRA or life insurance policy, or other vehicle, to provide a $1,000 gift annually in your name forever.

All of us, regardless of age or wealth, have the ability to leave a legacy. A legacy gift of any size can be customized and structured to fit your family’s needs, your financial situation, your dreams and your lifestyle.

To learn more about participating in the LIFE & LEGACY program and making an investment in the future of the Tidewater Jewish community, contact Amy Weinstein, TJF’s director of development, at 757-9656105 or aweinstein@ujft.org. Visit www. jewishva.org/tjf-lifeandlegacy for information about the new initiative.

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jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 15

Investments & Giving

How will YOU assure Jewish tomorrows?

First Person

Capitalizing on the value of an investment in education Mordechai Loiterman

I

nherent in the concept of investment is that of value. When we invest–regardless of what or where—we surrender assets to an instrument that will multiply their worth. The term typically connotes stocks, bonds, and financial institutions, but it can be applied just as easily to an educational setting where, as opposed to money, parents entrust a commodity of far greater value—their children—to a school’s enlarging force.

Toras Chaim educates, grows, and shapes students so that they reach their potential as engaged members of the Jewish community and its future leaders. While students study a full general education curriculum preparing them for the rigors of the world, they also are inculcated with the understanding of who they are in relation to their past so they can appreciate the full responsibility they have as a link in the Jewish chain.

With such a serious view of education, we try to capitalize on as many learning opportunities as possible by considering all sources of instruction. As a result, we

This could be the most important gift you ever make. Now is the time.

To learn more about LIFE & LEGACY call Amy Weinstein at 757-965-6105

TM

,

do not only teach our students personally; we also facilitate their learning by proxy, and the Tidewater Jewish community is an excellent tutor. Students are taught to lead services in their congregations, volunteer to help in community member’s homes, attend Super Sunday to make thank you calls to donors, and participate in community programs.

This year, Toras Chaim’s seventh and eighth grade students have partnered with residents from Beth Sholom Village in Better Together, a national program sponsored by the Legacy Heritage Foundation that seeks to create meaningful relationships between seniors and students. So far, the groups have enjoyed two sessions replete with laughter and dialogue in which the students have learned the importance and reciprocal pleasure of intergenerational relationships. In bestowing the accumulated wisdom of their abundant years, the residents have already conferred generous returns on this investment.

Toras Chaim is a constituent agency of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

Brith Sholom makes pledge to Beth Sholom Village

S

www.JewishVA.org/TJF 16 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

ince January 2014, Brith Sholom Center of Virginia has met in the Pincus Paul Hall at Beth Sholom Village.

Brith Sholom recently pledged to make a donation of $50,000 over the next five years to Beth Sholom Village’s Honor campaign for its renovation.

On Sunday, Dec. 4, at a regular Brith Sholom Center meeting/brunch, Joe Goldberg, president, made the first installment of $10,000 to David Abraham, BSV executive director.

A local Jewish organization, Brith Sholom Center was created as a charitable, benevolent and social organization to foster and perpetuate the spirit, ideals and traditions of Judaism.

Joe Goldberg presents check to David Abraham.

Investments & Giving

Young alumni from UVa, Virginia Tech, compete to raise $52,862 in one month CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia—It’s a clear autumn morning in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Rabbi Jake Rubin has an extra spring in his step. He’s on his way to Thomas Jefferson’s academic village on the campus of the University of Virginia, and is preparing himself to set up shop feeding 30 dozen bagels to sleepy-eyed Jewish students.

“The best part about this morning,” Rubin says, “is not having to wear the stupid shirt.”

He’s talking about a t-shirt from UVa’s rival school—Virginia Tech. A shirt that, for the past three years, he’s reluctantly put on and paraded around Grounds in the spirit of engaging young alumni of the University of Virginia’s Brody Jewish Center to give back.

Born out of the popular in-state rivalry between Tech and UVa, Hillel executive directors Sue Kurtz and Rabbi Jake Rubin created the Commonwealth Kiddush Cup—a friendly competition between alumni under 40 from each school to see who could raise more money for their campus Hillel—organizations that serve as centers for Jewish life on college campuses.

But it isn’t just the familiar rivalry schtick that makes the annual campaign successful—it’s the droves of young alumni that come out to support a cause they care about.

“They are choosing to take money from their other life events, and give it to a place they have memories with,” Kurtz says. “When a young alum chooses to give, it’s because they recognize how Hillel impacted them, and they care about the world and those that follow them.”

And though that is proven to be the case, it’s helped by a little bit of fundraising ingenuity to inspire and engage millennials and young alumni. The Cup is run through a Crowdrise platform, where donors can enter their information digitally, and immediately see their contribution affect their school’s position in real time. For a bonus incentive, this

year’s challenge offered young alumni the opportunity to have their parents match their gifts, and the additional social element of donating by graduation year.

“I think it’s part of why we saw such record results,” Rubin says.

And both schools did. In the fourth year of the Cup, the schools raised a combined total of $52,682—more than doubling contributions from the previous year.

“We’re establishing a tradition of giving, and ultimately that will be the thing that drives the organization in the future,” Rubin says. “Students that are right out of school will give $18 or $36 just to stay connected, but each year we’re seeing that amount go up.”

“It’s how millennials think. They give to the things that affect them. And it’s incredible to know that people care [about Hillel]—from former staff to students to parents, people are really connected. It’s an amazing thing,” says Rubin.

“It means that young alumni are remembering their experiences and living their lives with the values that were reinforced not from academic life in college, but from Hillel. And the fact that they want the same for students on campus now, it’s so emotional for me. It makes me proud,” says Kurtz.

And the Cup really is making a difference for both Hillels. From just the money raised during the Kiddush Cup, UVa is able to fund weekly Friday night Shabbat dinners for the entire academic year and Tech supported its Shabbat meals, and its Israeli and engagement programming.

Rochelle Friedman, a recent alumna of Virginia Tech, worked on the front lines of Tech’s young alumni team to try and encourage other recent graduates to give back. “Hillel was my family and home away from home,” she says. “I donate to ensure generations after me feel the same way.”

But she didn’t just donate. Friedman

and others like her worked to engage their network in ways that spoke directly to millennials.

“The key was having our alumni give, post that they gave [to social media], and tag their friends,” Rubin says. “ Alumni also made calls on behalf of the Cup to their friends and other recent grads to help make the record year possible.

“I think it shows that this generation gives, and it gives generously” Rubin says.

This year Tech raised $24,777 to UVa’s $28,085, and UVa, for the first time, can officially claim victory of the much-desired Kiddush cup.

“It is so nice to not have to have to wear the shirt,” Rubin says. “I can’t even tell you.

“Because I have to put it on, I have to walk Grounds, I have to sit there while all the students mock me.” he said.

“Once, I even saw one of the Associate Deans of Students and he came up to me and was just like ‘What are you doing?’”

And while Rubin can revel in the fact that he finally has a victory under his belt, it’s really both schools that won, according to Hillel at Virginia Tech’s board chairman, Bruce Kaplan.

“The Jewish students at both schools are the ultimate winners here. Both schools broke prior year records, raising funds for vital student activities and programs,” he said.

Tell that to Sue Kurtz.

“I haven’t gotten the UVa clothes yet,” she said. “But I am not looking forward it.”

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jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 17

in the music.

It’s a wrap

Abbott G. Saks

Amy Brooke honored by BINA; school celebrates 10 years

Lone desert blossom born of blood,

A Night at the Movies

Frail, fragile reed to face the flood.

Andie Pollock

See Phoenix rise on sacred soil, Fruit of faith and Sabra’s toil.

Feb 10-12, 2017

Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with JoAnn Falletta and the Orchestra as they bring to life some of the most powerful film score masterworks.

Breath of life, mass death begotten, Shofar’s echo not forgotten.

Ancient tongue with love still spoken, Scattered far but never broken.

JoAnn Falletta, conductor Elina Vähälä, violin

From Beer Sheba to Golan hills, Survivor settles, nation builds.

Pictures at a French Exhibition

Dream come true of days in Zion, Land of lamb and land of lion.

Land of Torah, Talmud learning,

March 3-5, 2017

To accompany the Chrysler Museum’s exhibit of works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the VSO brings a concert of turn-of-the-century French JoAnn Falletta, conductor works that dance and dazzle Alon Goldstein, piano in colorful arrays.

Reserve the best seats

VirginiaSymphony.org 757.892.6366

Hope for peace enduring yearning.

Land so small in its dimension, Land of science and invention.

Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, The old and new grow, prosper, live.

You suffered Torquemada’s rack, With faith and fervor you fought back.

They tried to drown you in the sea, So we in world would cease to be.

But you the Hamans did outlive, What hopes, what gifts to world you give.

Maimonides, Einstein, Hillel, Bright beams that light long, winding trail.

Spinoza, Rashi, Herzl too, Bequeath rich heritage of Jew. Much Israel hell of wars does feel, Still, in its soul, the strength of steel.

Lone desert blossom, born of blood, Frail, fragile reed to face the flood.

March 3 Concert Sponsor

Norfolk Classics Series Sponsor

Partial support for these concerts has been provided by the Business Consortium for Arts Support, City of Norfolk, Newport News Arts Commission, City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Abbott G. Saks is a retired adjunct associate professor of Spanish at Old Dominion University. A Norfolk native and resident, Saks has written poetry all of his life.

18 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

B

INA High School celebrated its 10-year anniversary honoring Amy Brooke on Dec. 9 and 10.

Many alumni returned to Norfolk to be a part of the celebration, travelling from New York, New Jersey, and Maryland—several with young families—to catch up with their old community Many alumni attended the weekend. They are pictured here with some current students. and to give current students Temple to rent. Leah some words of wisdom.

Schwartz, longtime Although more than 250 people friend of Brooke’s attended, the Friday night dinner and the first presimaintained a warm and cozy Shabbos dent of BINA, spoke atmosphere with First Class Caterers of about the many New York providing a culinary treat. hours they spent Rabbi Sender Haber, Tehilla Mostofsky, bringing the many president, and Aviva Harpaz, head of details of opening a Amy Brooke at the school, all spoke about BINA and how forschool into fruition. Saturday evening tunate the community feels to have such a Schwartz, who trav- celebration. fine institution in Tidewater. Ellya Suissa, eled from New York to attend the event, a BINA senior from Virginia Beach, spoke was filled with tears of pride for her dear about how BINA has helped to shape her friend and the progress of BINA High life, how important it is to do chesed in School in 10 short years. the community, and how BINA creates Chana Brooke spoke both as a daughopportunities for students to make helpter and as an alumna. Amy Brooke then ing others part of their lives. spoke about the importance of starting a Saturday night’s Melave Malka had a high school for Tidewater’s Jewish young festive flair as Amy Brooke was honored women who chose to continue their Judaic for her dedication and commitment to education. She spoke of her mother, Ann make the dream of a Jewish girls’ high Zukerman (of blessed memory), who school in Tidewater a reality. The Melave stood beside her and became a cheerMalka reception, decked out in purple, leader for BINA, and a major supporter teal, black, and white geometrics had stathrough all her years. She also spoke with tions of New York style food with a dessert pride about the conception of BINA and table where one choice was more tempting all those that helped to make it happen. than the next.

A tribute journal was downloaded With Jeff Brooke emceeing the eveonto thumb drives and given to guests. ning for his wife, the focus was on Amy The ads honoring Amy Brooke all had Brooke’s accomplishments. Rabbi Haber a similar theme—She has an incredible began by speaking about Brooke’s tenacdrive and has shown that it is possible to ity in ensuring that BINA High School move mountains with the proper drive would be a viable option for local girls. and dedication.

Through her tireless efforts, she actualThe weekend was chaired by Amy ized the vision of BINA by raising money, Lefcoe, along with a hard working purchasing supplies and furniture, hiring committee. staff, and procuring space at Ohef Sholom

Photos by Ramone Photography

Revel

ISRAEL

It’s a wrap Third Hanukkah party in Executive Mansion’s history hosted by Governor McAuliffe

Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz, Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg, Scott Kaplan, David Abraham, Governor Terry McAuliffe, Betty Ann Levin, Rabbi Alexander Haber, Jay Klebanoff, and Robin Mancoll at the Executive Mansion.

Robin Mancoll

J

ewish community leaders, clergy, elected officials and professionals from across the Commonwealth gathered on December 14 at the Executive Mansion for an early Hanukkah celebration. Only the third such party held at the Mansion, Governor Terry McAuliffe and his wife Dorothy welcomed guests to their home on Capitol Square.

Designed by Alexander Parris, the Executive Mansion is the oldest occupied governor’s home in the United States, having served Virginia governors and their families since 1813.

Offering a warm welcome to more than 100 members of the Jewish community, the Governor and his wife introduced their daughter Mary, just back from more than a year in Israel, after planning to stay for only one semester.

While the Governor did not mention it as he didn’t want to take away from the festivities of the evening, word spread quickly of his sign on earlier in the day to the American Jewish Committee’s ‘Governors Against BDS’ campaign, becoming the 35th governor to sign on to their initiative.

Jewish members of Virginia’s legislature in attendance included Senator Adam Ebban and Delegate Eileen FillerCorn. Also in attendance was longtime Virginia House of Delegates member, Alan Diamonstein and former mayor of Newport News, Joe Frank.

“Governor McAuliffe is a truly great leader, a passionate advocate for Virginia and a strong supporter of Israel and our Virginia-Israel Advisory Board,” says Jay Klebanoff, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s president.

“The Governor has traveled to Israel seeking and promoting Virginia-Israel business opportunities. He has also signed on to AJC’s initiative as a Governor against BDS. This was the third Hanukah party hosted by Governor McAuliffe and he is the first governor in Virginia history to formally celebrate Hanukah at the Governor’s Mansion. That says a lot,” says Klebanoff.

Visit the CRC’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/CRCUJFT to send a thank you note to Governor McAuliffe for signing on to the AJC’s Governors Against BDS initiative or contact Wendy Weissman, assistant CRC director, at 965-6107 or WWeissman@ujft.org.

Chabad celebrates Hanukkah at Mt. Trashmore

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necklaces and waving he night was Hanukkah glow sticks aglow at Chabad to the song, Shine A of Tidewater’s Little Light before Judah “Glow In The Dark” Maccabee (Rabbi Aron Hanukkah event on Margolin) and Dizzy Sunday, Dec. 25. the Dreidel (Rabbi Jewish pride and Levi Brashevitzky) unity filled the Mt. lit the glowing giant Trashmore parking Menorah. The crowd lot as more than 200 sang Maoz Tzur as people gathered for the rabbis descended the celebration. Lively from the top of the Hanukkah music Rabbis Levi Brashevitzky and Aron Margolin.

Menorah. The event filled the air, chilconcluded with Dizzy the Dreidel handdren enjoyed a Hanukkah themed craft ing out Hanukkah gelt to the children in and everyone appreciated the Hanukkah the form of crisp dollar bills. treats. The crowd did their part to “light up the night,” sporting light up dreidel

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS! Announcing the 2017 Stein Family College Scholarship Applications are now available at: www.JewishVa.org/TJF-Stein Applications deadline is March 31, 2017 Questions? Contact Amy Weinstein at 757-965-6105 or aweinstein@ujft.org

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 19

It’s a wrap Ethiopian Jew discusses immigration experience, jewelry school for immigrants Wendy Weissman, assistant director, CRC

D

aniel Sahalo, an Ethiopian Jew who immigrated to Israel, spoke to the Tidewater community on Nov. 9 as part of the opening night of the Lee & Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival.

Sahalo is the marketing and sales manager of Megemeria, a jewelry collection that is part of the Israeli jewelry brand, Yvel. This particular collection is created by the Megemeria jewelry school, which is comprised of Ethiopian immigrants who receive professional training in jewelry crafting and design. In addition to learning the trade of jewelry making, students acquire other essential skills, such as the Hebrew language and financial management, to help them

better integrate into Israel society. The social business initiative aims to create an economically sustainable enterprise with a positive community impact.

At four years old, Sahalo journeyed with his family from Ethiopia to Israel.

For eight weeks they walked through the desert until reaching a Red Cross refugee camp near the Sudanese and Egyptian border. After nine grueling months, his family was rescued from the refugee site and flown to Israel, the country where they began their new lives and continue to call home.

Prior to the community event, Sahalo spoke to several other audiences, beginning with Three Oaks Elementary School in Virginia Beach. Sahalo was also featured on WTKR’s morning television program, Coast Live, where he showcased

Providing the highest quality Judaic and General Studies for

preschool through 8th grades.

Daycare also available.

3110 Sterling Point Drive Portsmouth, VA Accredited by:

Daniel Sahalo prepares for his TV appearance on WTKR’s Coast Live.

the distinctive jewelry line and told his story. He continued his tour of Tidewater and spoke to students at Virginia Beach Middle School. When asked by one student about his immigration to Israel, Sahalo responded, “if you’re a Jew, that’s enough. We were welcomed and got everything we needed from the [Israeli] government.”

During his visit to Tidewater, Sahalo met with several other student audiences, including Strawbridge Elementary, Cape Henry Collegiate, Thoroughgood Elementary, Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, and Ohef Sholom Temple’s Religious School. He also spoke to students at the Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School, which concluded with the group enjoying a taste of authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Sahalo was also interviewed

by Gordon Robertson on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s 700 Club and

by Lisa Godley, co-producer of WHRO’s call-in radio talk show, Another View.

Sahalo spent nearly a week in Tidewater, sharing his message with thousands of people. Showing his incredible warmth and personality, as well as sharing his success as an immigrant in a country where he looked different, his story is one with lasting

impact. While not portraying the political perspective so many now expect, Sahalo presented Israel in a different light and made friends along the way.

United Jewish Federation of Tdewater contributed funds to the Megemeria jewelry school. * of blessed memory

Daniel Sahalo at Three Oaks Elementary.

Daniel Sahalo at Thoroughgood Elementary.

20 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

what’s happening

Transformative Jewish Journey planned for 4th Annual Tidewater Together Thursday, Feb. 2–Sunday, Feb. 5, various locations Laine Mednick Rutherford

F

our days of learning and exploration hosted by a variety of organizations in different Jewish settings, Tidewater Together began in 2013 as part of United Jewish Federation’s Strategic Plan. The Tidewater Synagogue Leadership Council planned and supported the concept of bringing the community together for six discussions—and ensuring Jews of all practices and affiliations were welcome.

The Milton “Mickey” Kramer Scholar-inResidence Fund provided, and continues to provide, the necessary means to turn the idea into a reality.

The inaugural Tidewater Together was a resounding success. Scholar-inResidence, Rabbi Brad Artson, drew large crowds wherever he spoke—nearly 1,000 people heard him. In the two years since, Rabbis Sharon Brous (’15) and Eric Yoffie (’16) were equally well received.

The selection of the 2017 Scholarin-Residence continues the tradition of bringing bold, energetic, and exceptional teachers to act as guides for the community, to learn and grow on what is touted this year as a four-day journey to a soulful Jewish life.

Alan Morinis, founder and dean of the Mussar Institute, will bring his skills as an interpreter, teacher, and student to the six conversations held at B’nai Israel Congregation, Temple Israel, Ohef Sholom Temple, Congregation Beth El, Temple Emanuel, and Kehillat Bet Hamidrash Synagogue.

Morinis shies away from referring to himself as one of the most well known authorities in today’s burgeoning interest in Mussar—a centuries old Jewish spiritual discipline. He defers to his teachers and mentors, who include the father of B’nai Israel’s Rabbi Sender Haber, and to those who wrote the original texts on which Mussar is based.

Morinis has written several best-selling Mussar books which are used as the basis for study groups, sermons, classes, and more—including Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar and his

newest publication, With Heart in Mind: Mussar Teachings to Transform Your Life.

Jewish News recently spoke with Alan Morinis via Skype. He provided background and insights, as well as an explanation of the conversations he’ll lead when he’s in Tidewater—which we’ll share in the next edition of Jewish News.

Jewish News: Mussar is a new word and practice for many people—can you explain what it is for us, before we start on the journey with you?

Alan Morinis: The metaphor of a journey is a good one. Mussar really is about the journey of the individual through life, and the only thing you need to do is to be reflective on your own human experience.

The fact that there’s a deep and old Jewish tradition to guide that journey, to my mind is what makes it exciting.

Because we’re not just closing our eyes and looking inward. We actually have the guidance of centuries of human experience to help us make sense of our own lives and to learn how to put one foot in front of the other.

This is not a new practice. Everything about Mussar has already been written.

When you go into the old texts—I’m talking 16th century, 13th century, 11th century—you see how much wisdom about human life there is. How they just very wisely understood the things that we go through everyday, and they passed [that wisdom] down to us.

Mussar works so well across all stripes of Jewish life because it doesn’t have anything in it that aligns with any particular subgroup. Because everybody’s got human experience—in that, we all share.

When you look at the subjects that the Mussar teachers invite us to focus on— like anger and worry and envy and joy and laziness and patience and impatience and generosity and miserliness—all are very much a part of everyday human experience for everybody and that becomes the open door. Because everybody’s an expert in worry. Everybody is an expert in anger.

Everybody’s an expert in being judgmental of other people—like we’re all experts

in the subject.

To actually understand ourselves through a wise Jewish perspective—it becomes very enlightening.

JN: Why is Mussar becoming popular now? What is its appeal?

AM: Mussar comes out of the Orthodox tradition. People who grew up in the more liberal streams of Judaism, did not know Mussar because it never broke out of the Orthodox world until the last 10 or 15 years. I think what’s very distinctive about Mussar and would be very unusual in most people’s experiences of Judaism is that it’s a journey inward.

Until recently, the Jewish world was involved in many things, but most of those things were community-based and collective. But the individual, in our uniqueness, the fact that we are all different, didn’t have any place in the Jewish world. The Jewish world was not organized to respond to our uniqueness.

When people from the 1960s onward were starting to ask spiritual questions about their own life there were really no evident Jewish doors to knock on. And so people went to go knock on other doors, which were very evident.

We were advertising, “Come here for Hanukkah, come here for community, come here for nostalgia,” but not, “Come here for profound and applicable guidance for the depths of your inner being.” That was not the Jewish message, and so people wandered.

You found a lot of Jews who were going into other religious traditions, going into other spiritual traditions, going into all kinds of other self-help movements, and psychological movements. And that, to my mind, is because when the Jewish world ignored the individual, the individual did not want to be ignored.

I think there’s a corrective going on that’s a necessary corrective. Whether it attracts people back or not, it still has to happen—because if the Jewish world is going to be whole, it has to take care of the community AND the individual—in their uniqueness, because both of them are real. It’s just undeniable.

Alan Morinis

JN: What is your goal for our community during Tidewater Together?

AM: I find that because of the spiritual hunger in the Jewish World, a lot of non-Jewish practices are being dressed up in tallis and tefillin and called Jewish. It’s superficial, and things are being Judaized.

But I think here we have something where I can step aside and invite people to actually connect with the sources from within the tradition. We have the written wisdom—the teachers of this tradition have written down their wisdom through the last millennia. And that’s a huge treasure house that all of us have access to.

The goal for me, over these four days, is to open the door so that people can see what’s behind the door, and decide for themselves if they want to proceed further into that room, into that treasure house.

The weakness in this area in Jewish life in the last 50–60 years was that no one even knew that there was a doorway there, let alone choose to go to it. Nobody was making them aware that there was a Jewish spiritual practice for inner living.

If I can introduce people to Mussar and show them the benefit of it, then I will have fulfilled my purpose.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.TidewaterTogether.org, call 757-9656138, or email jamitay@ujft.org.

To find out more about the Mussar Institute and Alan Morinis, visit www.mussarinstitute.org.

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 21

what’s happening Israel Today

Mishy Harman, master podcast storyteller, partners with local Story Exchange for ‘Tidewater’s Israel Stories’ Thursday, February 16, 7:30 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, free

M

aster storyteller and host of the hit podcast series, Israel Story, Mishy Harman will be in Tidewater as part of the Community Relations Council (CRC) and community partners’ 6th annual Israel Today series.

Harman will share “Israeli news, news that isn’t the regular kind,” as he does regularly in Israel and now more often, while traveling in the U.S. Harman will join forces with local “partners in rhyme,” Sheena Jeffers and Jennifer Sheena Jeffers and Jennifer Chapman.

Chapman’s community engagement project, Story Exchange for a unique blend of storytelling with live, local characters sharing a different Israel, one which rarely seen: life-sized, nuanced, funny, and touching.

What is jokingly known as a “shameless rip off” of NPR’s This American Life by Ira Glass, Israel Story began as a small podcast meant for family and friends, but exceeded Harman’s wildest dreams. The founder and host of the podcast and his three childhood friends now reach hundreds of thousands of listeners with each episode. An Mishy Harman

Tell your Israel story Do you have a travel experience in Israel you hold near and dear? A grandmother’s treasured recipe?

A love story of heartbreak or acceptance? If so, • Respond to the prompt “What’s your Israel story?”

• Write your story in 500–1,000 words.

•E -mail stories to: ViBeStoryExchange@gmail.com (include Israel in the subject line) by February 28.

• If your story is chosen, you will be notified.

22 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

award-winning show and one of the most popular programs in Israel, where it is aired nationally on prime-time, Israel Story offers listeners world-wide, an opportunity to hear voices that are rarely heard through the mainstream media. The show showcases and celebrates the plurality of local communities and traditions throughout Israel, presenting stories that are not aired anywhere else.

The idea behind Jeffers and Chapman’s Story Exchange is that human experiences are told through art. “We are a group of arts-loving, community-focused project starters bringing together neighborhoods, businesses, artists and their mediums to share life stories close to our hearts,” says Jeffers.

Everyone in the community—novice writer or professional, young or old—is eligible to submit a story based on the question “What’s your Israel story?” (See details below.) Visual and performing artists will review the submissions, choose one that speaks to them and interpret it through their media. An artist will depict the stories that are chosen via dance, cinematography, visual art, or other artistic means and then perform them at the Reba & Sam Sandler Family Campus this spring.

Story Exchange has presented five local events: Visual Art at MOCA; Photography at Flo Pilates; Music and Spoken Word at Java Surf; Film at Esoteric; Dance, Spoken Word, Visual Art and Film at Push Comedy Theater (in conjunction with “Tell Me More” and the NEON Festival); and Illustration and Sculpture at Croc’s.

The date of the Tidewater’s Israel Stories performance will be announced with Mishy Harman’s appearance at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus, as well as the names and mediums of the participating artists.

Share your stories of Israel: the real, the bold, the memorable. Celebrate the stories of Israel that are carried right here in Tidewater.

Listen to Israel Story online at www.IsraelStory.org.

To RSVP (required for security purposes) for this free and open to the community event, or for more information on the Israel Today series, including upcoming events and a full list of community partners, visit www.JewishVa.org/CRCIsraelToday or call 965-6107.

Ricki Rosen’s photography on display Through Monday, Jan. 30, Sandler Family Campus

P

hotojournalist

Ricki

Rosen,

whose photography has been

published by New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, People, and Figaro, will exhibit her work in the Leon Family Art Gallery on the second floor of the Simon Family JCC. Rosen’s photography is from her book, Transformations: From Ethiopia to Israel, documenting the rescue of 15,000 Jews from Ethiopia during the Operation Solomon airlift. Her before and after photos, 13 years later, capture scenes of their mass exodus with intimate portraits of their lives transformed by their Israeli experience.

Rosen was a speaker for the recent Lee and Bernard Jaffe* Family Jewish Book Festival. *of blessed memory

what’s happening Cause an Effect: Education to Empowerment

Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 pm Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus Sherri Wisoff

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o address the resurgence of anti-Semitism on American college campuses and to illuminate the nuanced relationship between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda, the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, BBYO, and OSTY initiated a three-part educational series, Cause an Effect. The series’ goal is to increase community awareness of these issues and to provide tools and resources to respond effectively to such assaults.

The series kicked off last month with Kenneth Marcus, founder and General Counsel of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Marcus offered an historical overview of anti-Semitism while stressing the importance of

establishing a working definition of what constitutes anti-Semitism today.

The second event in the Cause an Effect series presents Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus. This 30-minute documentary reveals the rise of anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitic rhetoric on university campuses, and demonstrates when reasonable criticism of Israel “Crosses the Line” into anti-Semitism.

A discussion will follow the screening of the film with Chloe Valdary, a featured voice in Crossing the Line 2. A Tikvah Fellow at The Wall Street Journal working under Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bret Stephens, Valdary is conducting research on the state of Israel advocacy in America today—namely, what works, what doesn’t, and how to make it better.

Born and raised in a kosher-style

Christian home in New Orleans, Louisiana, she became involved in pro-Israel activism as a college freshman. In 2013, her comments on the dangers of BDS Chloe Valdary went viral. In 2014, she wrote “To the Students for Justice in Palestine, a letter from an Angry Black Woman,” which was later published in Tablet magazine. Her work as a Zionist thinker and human rights activist has been featured in The Jerusalem Post, the Daily Beast and others. She is a consultant for the Committee for Accuracy in the Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), and assistant director for the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (ISBI). Valdary was named by Algemeiner Journal, one of the

top 100 people positively affecting Jewish and Israeli life, and remains steadfast in her desire to educate and to combat bigotry, racism, and anti-Semitism in all it’s forms.

This event is free and open to the community with RSVP, required.

Contact WWeissman@ujft.org or call 757‑965‑6107 for more information or to RSVP. See page 25 to learn about the third event in the Cause An Effect series, Words to Action.

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 23

what’s happening Jewish Advocacy Day

Date with the State

Israel Today

Presenting Princess Shaw

Wednesday, Feb. 8, Richmond

A film where dreams and the internet collide Sunday, Jan. 22, 5:30 pm TCC Roper Performing Arts Center

T

Sherri Wisoff

A

21st

century

real-life

Andrew Fox, CRC Legislative Action Committee vice chair

fairy-

tale, Presenting Princess Shaw

follows the life and dreams of Samantha Montgomery.

During the day, Montgomery cares for the elderly in a tough neighborhood in New Orleans, but at night, she writes and sings her songs as Princess Shaw on her confessional YouTube Channel.

Zip across the ocean, 7,000 miles to an Israeli Kibbutz where Ophir Kutiel, known as Kutiman, spends his day creating video mash-ups of amateur YouTube performers. A celebrated, pioneering

Princess Shaw

video artist, he scavenges the web for talent, cutting and pasting musical snip-

the pervasive web can be a place of

pets into multimedia art. He discovers

deep human connection, creativity and

Montgomery’s raw and moving voice

comradery.

and includes her in his work.

This event includes a live perfor-

Does this script sound believable?

mance by Princess Shaw following the

It gets even more magical. Ido Haar,

film. A reception catered by TCC Culinary

an award-winning Israeli documentary

Arts students will take place at 5:30 pm

filmmaker decides to follow and film

prior to the film.

the want-to-be artists Kutiman targets.

Tickets are $15; free for students

Creating an extraordinary film where

with valid ID. TCC Roper Performing Arts

dreams and the Internet collide, he

Center is located at 340 Granby Street

captures their lives, their art, and the

in Norfolk.

moment of finally being discovered.

This Israel Today event is present-

Haar says, “There are so many people

ed as part of the Simon Family JCC’s

with so much talent, original thinking

24th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish

and unique voices. Most of them weren’t

Film in partnership with the Community

born with the ‘right cards in their hands‘

Relations Council of UJFT, and communi-

and don’t really have the access or ability

ty partners. For film festival tickets and

to break into the often exclusive realms

information, visit SimonFamilyJCC.org/

of music, art, and culture. What are the

FilmFestival or call 757-321-2338.

chances that we will hear about them?”

With this film, Haar suggests that

For information on the Israel Today series, visit JewishVa.org/CRCIsraelToday

24 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

he annual Community Relations Council’s delegation to Richmond for Jewish Advocacy Day is the Federation’s flagship political action event. With remarkable events taking place in last year’s national election cycle, no Jew can remain silent on issues such as fighting anti-Semitism, supporting Israel, and safeguarding religious freedom for all Americans.

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to be heard is through on-the-ground citizen advocacy for these positions at the Virginia General Assembly. Comprised of just 140 elected members and meeting in session for just 45 days in odd-numbered years to consider new legislation, the General Assembly moves at a fast pace and often with laser focus. At the same time, members understand the importance of meeting with constituents to hear their concerns on issues before the body.

Tidewater’s elected officials include more than 20 members from both sides of the political aisle. Also, with statewide elections taking place in November 2017, several members of Tidewater’s elected officials plan to vie for statewide office including Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Frank Wagner (declared candidates for Governor) and Delegate Glenn Davis (Lieutenant Governor).

It is important for all of Tidewater’s delegation members to know that the Jewish community speaks with a loud and unified voice on issues of great importance to its members, and that that voice translates directly to votes in the upcoming election.

The relationships created through Date with the State, as well as other contacts, pay long-term dividends.

As session bills are filed and assigned

Andrew Fox with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe at Date with the State, 2016.

to the various committees, the CRC will closely monitor all proposed legislation and identify those bills and resolutions that require action.

Although the particular legislation that will be discussed on Jewish Advocacy Day is still being decided, some past issues will surely be worth raising again with delegates and senators. The Virginia Israel Advisory Board is a powerful asset to the Commonwealth, and support for community agencies is always on the agenda.

A final wonderful attribute of Date with the State is the opportunity to join in fellowship and solidarity with communities from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for a day of advocacy and recognition. This full day of political action and relationship building pays huge dividends. $36 helps defray the cost of bus transportation, kosher lunch and materials. A check mailed to UJFT, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, att: CRC—Date With the State, confirms a seat on the bus. For more information, or to reserve a seat by Jan. 31, email WWeissman@ujft.org or visit www.

JewishVA.org/CRCDateWithTheState.

Insider’s Briefing on the selected issues Tuesday, January 31, 6:30 pm All Advocacy Day attendees are strongly urged to attend this important meeting.

what’s happening CRC’s 5th Annual Israel Poster Contest

Be an Advocate for Israel

Cause An Effect:

Words to Action Workshop for teens and parents with Anti-Defamation League

Deadline: Monday, Feb. 13, 4:30 pm

Sunday, January 29, 1–4 pm, Sandler Family Campus

Sherri Wisoff

Cool facts about Israel: • Israeli scientists have produced a clean energy alternative from spinach.

• 2,000-year-old seeds were discovered in 1963 inside an ancient jar in Israel.

They were planted in 2005 and a tree that had been extinct for more than 1,800 years sprouted.

• A Syrian refugee has created a website, Thank You Am Israel, to thank Israelis for their humanitarian aid to displaced Syrians fleeing the country’s civil war.

T

hese are just a few of 2017’s list of facts about Israel, posted on jewishva. org/CRCIsraelPosterContest, as creative prompts for CRC’s 5th Annual Israel Poster Contest. First through 12th graders are eligible to participate.

All of the students’ creative work will be displayed in the Leon Family Art Gallery in February for the community to vote, in person. The top 10 finalists will be posted online and the community will vote electronically in March for their favorite.

One vote per person per day is allowed, offering the chance for the creative artwork to go viral, promoting great information about Israel and an opportunity for global Israel advocacy.

The winning poster will be professionally framed and permanently hang at the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. In addition, attendees at the Simon Family JCC’s Israel Festival on Sunday, April 30, will receive a copy of the winning poster.

As in years past, Jewish day schools and area synagogues are promoting the poster contest to their students and families. Chris Kraus, director of Family Learning at Ohef Sholom Temple says, “I love the Tidewater (CRC) Israel Poster Contest because it integrates Israel education year-round into every dimension of our curriculum: eco-Judaism, innovative technology, and our Jewish homeland as a modern reality whose cultural relevance reaches far beyond deserts, camels, wars and political boundaries. Last year’s winner of the contest worked on his poster as part of our Sunday learning art curriculum.”

Twelve year old Brian Cohn, the Ohef Sholom student who won the 2016 Israel

our teen community and for a lot of our Sherri Wisoff

community, high school is the first unfor-

I

n response to the rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on university

campuses, the Anti-Defamation League has created a workshop designed to empower and equip students and their parents with effective and constructive tools to combat incidents of prejudice and bias on campus.

Anti-Defamation League’s professional educators will facilitate the Words to Action workshop presented by the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, BBYO, and OSTY. The interactive workshop will include discussion groups and breakout sessions to address these issues:

munity in the future, understand how to combat anti-Semitism and strengthen our communal resolve against all forms of racism and bigotry. The ADL is an amazing partner in this work and BBYO enjoys our partnership with them.”

To effectively respond and combat anti-Semitism, it is necessary to understand and strengthen awareness to the myriad ways anti-Semitism manifests itself. Today, for example, a new form is fueled by anti-Israel sentiment. On many college campuses high profile academics and influential student leaders present

against Israel often take on a harsher

• Hate speech/free speech

tone, expressing anti-Israeli rhetoric

• Bias in the classroom

For more information and contest rules visit www.JewishVA.org/ CRCIsraelPosterContest or contact Wendy Weissman, assistant director, CRC, at WWeissman@ujft.org or 965-6107.

Submissions must be dropped off at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater office located on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach by Monday, Feb. 13 at 4:30 pm.

now and will be the leaders of our com-

or one-sided manner. Such criticisms

• Prejudiced comments

Poster Contest, says, “It was really fun to learn all the interesting facts about how Israel helps the world and it is important for us to be aware how Israel is helping the future. I hope everyone joins in!”

When asked whether he will compete again this year, his mother, Lisa Cohn says, “Maybe, but it might be nice to give someone else a chance to win.”

our teens, who are leaders to their peers

the Israeli-Palestinian situation in a bias

• Anti-Israel incidents

Brian Cohn, 2016 Israel Poster Contest winner.

tunate introduction. It is important that

that crosses the line into anti-Semitism.

• Anti-Semitic vandalism

Students and parents need to recognize

• Holocaust denial This program was initiated in the 1980’s when ADL conducted a comprehensive survey of Jewish youth in New England and discovered that middle and high school students were regularly experiencing anti-Semitic comments and harassment. Assaulted with graffiti displaying anti-Semitic slogans in their schools’ halls and classrooms, neighborhoods and communities, many students were not equipped to respond and remained silent.

Regional director of Eastern Region BBYO, Ryan Woloshin, says, “AntiSemitism is a growing problem facing

and understand the differences between an open exchange of differing points of view and a biased presentation.

This workshop is free and open to

the

community

with

RSVP.

Contact: WWeissman@ujft.org or call 757-965-6107.

Presented

by

the

Community

Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, BBYO, and OSTY, Words to Action is part of Cause An Effect, a three event series designed to educate and empower teens and parents, offering resources and tools to respond to anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric.

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 25

what’s happening

Calendar

24th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film Through Sunday, January 22 Sherri Wisoff

W

ith the 24th season of the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film briskly underway, national and international movies, including documentaries and full feature dramas created by award winning Jewish writers and filmmakers, are being shown at multiple locales around Tidewater. Guest speakers accompany some films.

Monday, January 16, 7 pm, Naro Expanded Cinema Mal Vincent, esteemed local critic and masterful storyteller will share his insights and little known facts about the 1969 film, Goodbye, Columbus, his classic film pick for this year’s festival. Vincent will recount stories about Philip Roth’s 1959 novella adaption to the big screen starring Ali MacGraw and Richard Benjamin.

Wednesday, January 18, 7 pm, Simon Family JCC Chloe Valdary, a leading voice in the pro-Israel movement and a star in this film, will lead a post film discussion after the 30 minute screening of Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus. In 2013, Valdary held her first Israel rally on her school’s campus, named “Declare your Freedom.” Her speech, aimed at anti-Israel activists, went viral in 10 days. Tools and resources on how to respond to the rise of anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitism rhetoric on university campuses will be addressed at this timely event. More detailed information on page 23.

Thursday, January 19, 7 pm, Beach Movie Bistro Order some food and drinks while enjoying the winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Independent film, Is That You? The scope of Dani Menkin’s award-winning directorial talents is on display at this film festival, as he also directed On The Map, the opening night documentary. In this funny and bittersweet comedy, Is That You?, Menkin explores those roads not taken in life and love.

January 22, Sunday Super Sunday. UJFT’s community-wide fundraising phone-a-thon. 9 am–1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. 757-965-6127. See page 12.

Israel Today: Presenting Princess Shaw. Samantha Montgomery performs following the screening of the documentary. Tickets, reception (light hors d’oeuvres and dessert prior to the film) included: $15; Students-free. Visit www.JewishVa.org/IsraelToday to purchase or for more information. See page 24.

January 23, Monday Mission to Israel. Informational meeting. 6:30 pm. Sandler Family Campus. RSVP by Thursday, Jan. 19 to Amy Zelenka at 757-965-6139 or azelenka@ujft.org. See ad on page 10.

January 28, Saturday United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Society of Professionals go to Green Flash Brewing for a unique opportunity for collegial networking. $10. Beer and appetizers provided.

7:30–9:30 pm. 1209 Craft Lane, Virginia Beach. To RSVP and for more information, contact edougherty@simonfamilyjcc.org or jamitay@ujft.org.

January 29, Sunday Cause An Effect series: Words to Action. This interactive workshop for students and parents is designed to empower and equip attendees with constructive and effective responses to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias on campus and in the community. Facilitated

by Anti-Defamation League. 1 pm. Sandler Family Campus. RSVP at www.JewishVa.org/ CauseAnEffect or contact WWeissman@ujft.org. See page 25.

THE ISRAELI ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION

Israeli Academy Award Nomination - Best Feature Film of the Year A DANI MENKIN FILM

“A bittersweet and lovely little movie”

“Delightful...

Laugh-out-loud funny”

TH E R O A D N O T TA K E N HEY JUDE PRODUCTIONS, MENKIN & BAHADUNAS PRODUCTIONS present IS THAT YOU? starring ALON ABOUTBOUL, NARONA DE-MACEDO KAPLAN, RANI BLEIER, SUZANNE SADLER Executive Producer BRUNO LANDSBERG Cinematographer BRUCE FRANCOIS COLE Sound by JIM MEADE Edited by DANA YARDENI Sound Design & Mix PHILIPPE GOZLAN Music by ISSAR SHULMAN Assistant Director SHLOMI BEN YAIR Co-Producers OWEN SHAPIRO CHRISTINE SHAPIRO DIVI CROCKETT DANIEL JOURDAN Story by DANI MENKIN and ROD BAR Written by ESHKOL NEVO and DANI MENKIN directed by DANI MENKIN

Saturday, January 21, 7 pm, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center Foodies will love In Search of Israeli Cuisine, with 2011 James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Solomonov, sharing his journey into the food traditions found in Israel today—Jewish, Arabic, Muslim, Christian, and Druze.

A rich human story emerges from this Israeli film with food uniting diverse cultures.

Sunday, January 22, 5:30 pm, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center A special evening treat begins with a pre-event New Orleans inspired reception, then a fascinating “feel-good” film and a singing performance by the film’s star, Samantha Montgomery (Princess Shaw). Ido Haar’s fascinating documentary, Presenting Princess Shaw, is a real life Cinderella story, where serendipity, creativity and the Internet collide. (See page 24) To view trailers and buy tickets, go to www.SimonFamilyJCC.org/FilmFestival.

The Virginia Festival of Jewish Film is presented by Alma* and Howard Laderberg *of blessed memory

26 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

January 18, Wednesday Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus. This film reveals the rise of anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitic rhetoric on university campuses, and demonstrates when reasonable criticism of Israel “crosses the line” into anti-Semitism. Discussion follows film with Chloé Simone Valdary. 7 pm. Sandler Family Campus. Visit www.JewishVa.org/ CauseAnEffect or contact WWeissman@ujft.org. See page 23.

February 8, Wednesday Date With the State. UJFT’s Community Relations Council travels to Richmond for the annual Jewish Advocacy Day. 7 am–4 pm; leaving from Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. $36 includes kosher lunch and helps defray the cost of transportation. For more information, or to RSVP (REQUIRED) by January 31, visit www.JewishVa.org/CRCDateWiththeState or WWeissman@ujft.org. See page 24.

February 16, Thursday Israel Today with Mishy Harman. An evening of magical conversation with Mishy Harman, creator of Israel Story —the award-winning radio show and podcast that public radio icon Ira Glass calls “the Israeli This American Life.” 7:30 pm. Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus. RSVP for this free and open to the community event (required) by visiting www.

JewishVa.org/IsraelToday or calling 757-965-6107. See page 22.

Send submissions for calendar to news@ujft.org. Be sure to note “calendar” in the subject.

Include date, event name, sponsor, address, time, cost and phone.

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La La Land composer, Jewish actors take prizes at Golden Globes LOS ANGELES (JTA) – Although many of the Jewish Golden Globes nominees went home empty handed, a few actors and filmmakers with Jewish ancestry—and one young director who might be classified as an “honorary” Jew—made it to the winner’s podium.

Justin Hurwitz’s musical gifts contributed immeasurably to the success of La La Land, which won seven awards in the musical or comedy film category at the ceremony. Hurwitz was rewarded with Golden Globes for original score and the original song City of Stars—he shared the latter with co-writers Benj Pasek, who is Jewish, and Justin Paul.

Hurwitz is 31, as is Damien Chazelle, the film’s director, and they were roommates as undergraduates at Harvard.

Chazelle, who won Golden Globes both as director and screenwriter of La La Land, was raised by Catholic parents.

But as Chazelle told the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles last year, the parents were dissatisfied with their son’s education at a church Sunday school and enrolled him in the Hebrew school of a liberal synagogue.

Over the next four years, Chazelle recalled, “I had that period of my life where I was very, very into Hebrew and the Old Testament, and then I went with my class to Israel when we were in the

Marketing Director sixth grade. I don’t think they even knew I wasn’t Jewish; I was, like, ‘passing.’”

English actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson took home the award for best supporting actor for his performance in Nocturnal Animals. In the drama-thriller, TaylorJohnson portrays the leader of a vicious gang of fictional criminals in a book with which the main character becomes consumed.

Veteran French film star Isabelle Huppert won as best actress in a drama for her role in the French film Elle, which also received a Golden Globe for best foreign-language movie.

Huppert, who plays a successful businesswoman who plots an elaborate revenge on the home intruder who raped her, is the daughter of a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Her parents married while France was under Nazi occupation, with the father hiding his Jewish roots.

Tracee Ellis Ross won the award for best actress in a musical or comedy TV series for her portrayal of a biracial anesthesiologist in the sitcom Blackish, which follows the life of an upper-middle-class African-American family. She is the daughter of Jewish music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein and Motown singer Diana Ross.

The awards ceremony featured a montage honoring actress Carrie Fisher and her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, who died late last month one day apart.

mazel tov to Engagement David Calliott on his engagement to Alexandra Bruce of Norfolk.

David is the son of Stephanie Adler Calliott and Bill Calliott, and the grandson of Leonette and Beryl Adler. Alex is the daughter of Eliana and Gene Bruce.

The couple will be married in December 2017 and will live in Virginia Beach.

Mazel Tov submissions should be emailed to news@ujft.org with Mazel Tov in the subject line.

Achievements, B’nai Mitzvot, births, engagements and weddings are appropriate simchas to announce.

Photos must be at least 300k. Include a daytime phone for questions. There is no fee.

The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC seeks a candidate with proven managerial leadership and experience coordinating progressive marketing policies and programs.

The Marketing Director is responsible for managing the development, and marketing initiatives that support the agency’s strategic and operational marketing, goals and objectives.

This position requires a candidate with hands-on experience in the coordination and use of all creative, visual, graphic and written materials required to meet objectives of marketing and communications; including the use of formal and informal, traditional and non-traditional methods to reach all target audiences.

Marketing Director oversees all public relations, advertising and promotional staff, agencies and activities.

If you are self-motivated, career minded, and a Team oriented LEADER, this career might be yours!

Complete job description at www.jewishva.org or www.simonfamilyjcc.org

Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: resumes@ujft.org Or call Human Resources director at 757-965-6117 Submit by mail to: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Simon Family JCC Attention: Human Resources – Confidential 5000 Corporate Woods Drive Virginia Beach, 23462

Equal Employment Opportunity

C A R E E R O P P O RT U N I T Y H O LO C AU S T CO M M I S S I O N PRO G R A M C O O R D I N ATO R The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater seeks candidates for the position of Holocaust Commission Program Coordinator.

This part-time position (approximately 20 hours/week) is responsible for the administrative and program support of Holocaust Commission activities. A minimum of 1-2 years of administrative experience is required.

Associate's Degree in business, Public Administration, Jewish Communal Service, or other related and appropriate field, preferred. Candidate must be proficient in using MS Office Suite; have an understanding of social media and its usage; excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Must be available for flexible working hours.

Contact Taffy Hunter, Human Resources director, at 757-965-6117, resumes@ujft.org or submit resume to: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Attention: Human Resources 5000 Corporate Woods Drive Virginia Beach, 23462

Team oriented LEADERS; THIS CAREER might be yours!

APPLY TODAY! jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 27

obituaries Benjamin Brooke Virginia Beach—Benjamin Brooke, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2017 surrounded by his family.

Benny was the son of Rebecca and Isadore Brooke and is survived by brothers, Hyman and Leonard Brooke (Ellie).

He was born and raised in Norfolk.

Benny was preceded in death by the love of his life, Lea G. Brooke. He leaves behind his three children, Ronald K. Brooke (Esther), Ellen Brooke-Coley (Danny), Michele Brooke-Newbill, two grandchildren, Kyle and Brooke Coley. He also leaves behind a very special companion, Judy Eichelbaum, who shared much

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love, laughter, and joy.

Benny was a Navy Veteran stationed in Honolulu. Afterwards, he joined the family business started by his father, serving as vice president of Southern Packing Corporation in Chesapeake for 68 years.

He was also a lifetime member of Berkley Masonic Lodge. Those who knew Benny knew of his love for cars, trucks and the meat business. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments with Rabbi Panitz officiating, followed by graveside services at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations to Temple Israel, Beth Sholom or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences to the family through www.hdoliver.com.

Rita Ackerman Goldberg Virginia Beach—Rita Ackerman Goldberg, 92, passed away January 3, 2017.

She was born on July 18, 1924 in the Bronx, New York to Louis and Rose Ackerman.

Rita Goldberg was a delightful, funny, feisty, elegant yet earthy, Bronx transplant who brought to Norfolk the embodiment of New York City attitude, street-smart wisdom, fashionable attire and a zest for life that so many of her friends and acquaintances found infectious and engaging in her presence. She was the totally consummate Jewish mother who raised her wonderful children with warm affection and love, strong family and religious values, constructive humor and fierce

loyalty. Her friendships were always very special, warm, and highly precious to her. To be in her presence was to feel the warmth of her personality, bask in the beauty of her smile and know the goodness of her heart, so uplifting to experience.

She was truly one of a kind whom will be sorely missed by all who knew her, her acquaintances, special friends and companions, and especially her family who treasured and were nurtured by her warmth, love and care.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents Louis and Rose Ackerman, sister Hilda Harwicke, husband Barton Goldberg and son Ted Goldberg.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter Jane Goldberg Warden Park and husband Bill Park; granddaughters Leah and Carli Warden and extended family members and friends.

A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Michael Panitz officiating.

Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.altmeyerfh.com.

Suzanne B. Goldberg Potomac, Md.—On Monday, December 19, 2016, Suzanne B. Goldberg passed away.

She was the beloved wife of the late Morris Goldberg; devoted mother of Wendy (Rocky) Gutin, and the late Lisa Frank; loving sister of Phyllis Kaplan and Arlene Kesser. Suzanne is also survived by five adoring grandchildren, Ilan, Liat, Talia, Yael and Ori; and many precious

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obituaries nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to www.alzheimersfoundation.org.

Rebecca A. Green Norfolk—Rebecca (Becky) Green, 94, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2017.

She began her civil service career in 1942 and as a woman ahead of her time, in 1958, at the request of the general for whom she had worked, went to work for him in the Panama Canal Zone. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Zade. Following his untimely death in 1975, she relocated to San Antonio, Texas, retiring from Randolph AFB in 1981, having worked as a secretary to eight generals during her career. She returned to Virginia to be near family.

She was predeceased by her parents, Bertha and Isidore Aronoff, her husband Zade, her brother Marcus Aronoff, and her sisters Harriet Klavan and Annette Brenner.

She is survived by her sister Gerline Lerner and her nieces and nephews and their children: Suzy Szymanski (Rick, who took her to various appointments and spent many delightful hours with her in later years), Andrew Jacobson, Stuart Brenner (René), Theodore Brenner ( JoAnn), Gershon Aronoff (Michelle), Leslie Koenig (Mike), Linda Firnstahl (Mike) and Sparky Lerner (Andy).

Burial will be in Fallbrook, Calif. where Becky will join her beloved Zade.

Donations may be made to a favorite charity. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.

William E. Haines, Jr. Virginia Beach—William “Bill” Edward Haines, Jr., 71, passed away surrounded by his family and dear friends on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. He fought the good fight on his terms and was a towering example of strength and courage to all who knew him.

Bill was the son of Muriel Ann Slocombe Haines and William Edward Haines, Sr. He was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. Bill was married to

the love of his life, Sandra “Sandy” Ann Sullivan Haines in 1969 in Syracuse and they went on to raise three children, travel, play, and make dear friends from the many places they called home.

He worked for Crouse Hinds, Lutron, and Cooper Industries for many years until he opened his business, Old Dominion Lighting Associates, in Virginia Beach in 1986. Bill and Sandy have enjoyed a life together full of love, laughter, children, grandchildren, and amazing friendships.

His unbelievable work ethic, sense of humor, and generosity were shining through right up until the end. Those who know him well will not be surprised by one of his final statements “Let’s get on with it.”

Bill will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Sandy; his daughter and her husband, Cathy and Grandy Buyrn; his son and his wife, Brian and Leigh Haines; his daughter and her husband, Stacey and Todd Goldman; his eight grandchildren, Connor Buyrn, Riley Buyrn, Dillon Buyrn, Ava Goldman, Brayden Buyrn, Landon Haines, Lainey Goldman, and Bennett Haines; his brother, Mike Haines; and countless friends who became family over the years.

A memorial service took place at the Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel. Memorial contributions to the Cancer Care Foundation of Tidewater, P.O. Box 12693, Norfolk, VA 23541 or at www.ccfot.org. Condolences may be offered to the family at: www.hollomon-brown.com.

Gladys Cansino Lehman Richmond—Gladys Cansino Lehman passed away on December 26, 2016.

She is survived by her loving husband Alfred W. Lehman, her four children, Robert, Laurence, Nancy and her husband Andrew Newman, and Richard and his wife Amy Beth; her five grandchildren, Michael Lehman, Brian Newman, Rebecca Newman, Jacob Lehman and Ari Lehman; and her sisters Minnie Held and Gloria Weiner Adams (her third sister, Evelyn Flax, preceded her).

Gladys was born in Casablanca, French Morocco on January 19, 1929.

In 1940 during World War II, she came to America with her family (parents Jack

and Ruby Cansino, and three sisters), just as the Germans were preparing to occupy the city. At the young age of 12, Gladys became ill with Rheumatic Fever and was bed-ridden for about a year, where her grandmother took exceptional care of her. It is from this debilitating experience and from the loving experiences with her grandmother, that she learned about caregiving, which would ultimately direct her to an altruistic life of immeasurable humanitarian endeavors.

Gladys was the embodiment of kindness, caring, and selfless philanthropy to the Richmond community. While wholly committed to her family in raising children and providing for her husband, she also dedicated her life to volunteering and she devoted her time to charitable causes.

She instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of family bonds and in loving and serving our fellow man.

Demonstrating by example, she leaves continued on page 30

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obituaries continued from page 29

behind the legacy of untold numbers of good, honest, and charitable family and friends. Gladys began her life’s mission of volunteering with the JCC Grand Group in 1958 and found a home for her prodigious and benevolent energies of serving people, especially the elderly. For over 52 years, Gladys produced and directed numerous plays and musicals for the Grand Group, as well as coordinated and directed arts and crafts projects for the “experienced generation,” as she liked to call them, in order to encourage their lively participation in healthy activities. A few years later, she formed the Grand Tones, a musical band of senior citizens, which entertained and provided a cathartic outlet for the residents of most, if not all, of Richmond’s retirement homes and communities.

Gladys was an extremely talented artist. She created dozens of large needlepoint, hook-rug, and calligraphic artworks that hang to this day in many locations.

She painted and drew beautiful pictures of ritualistic Judaica, animals, ships, and scenery. Gladys was well known for knitting some of the most aesthetic works of art of tallisim and kippot that are admired and cherished by her family.

Gladys was also a professional calligrapher and was sought after by Virginia Governors Godwin and Holton, to produce engraved invitations and to maintain the Perpetual Album of “Friends of The Executive Mansion.” Gladys was even a certified transcriber of Braille, where two of her books can be found in the library of the Jewish Blind of N.Y. Recognition of her bountiful compassion and wholehearted generosity came in the form of the many awards bestowed upon her, which include the Rudlin Torah Academy Chesed Award in 1985, the Elizabeth Gibble Award as Volunteer for the State of Virginia, the Esther Bernstein Award, and most recently the Sofie Stahl Award sponsored by Jewish Women International.

Funeral services were held at Bliley Funeral Home. Interment followed in Richmond Beth El Cemetery at Forest Lawn. Donations to the Grand Tones at the Weinstein JCC in Richmond or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Benjamin Moskowitz V irgin i a Beach — B enja m i n Moskowitz, 91, passed away peacefully at home December 28, 2016.

He leaves behind a loving wife of 71 years, Grace Roth Moskowitz; daughter, Gayle Schroeder; son Robert Moskowitz and wife Devorah; daughter Jill Mitcham and many close friends. He was blessed with six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was a WWII naval veteran who served in the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Philippines transporting troops onto the beachheads. He was wounded when his boat was hit. He was very proud of his service to his country.

The funeral took place at Woodlawn Memorial King David Garden and was officiated by Rabbi Israel Zoberman.

Sheila Sutland Pakula BALTIMORE, MD.—On November 29, 2016, Sheila Sutland Pakula (nee Sutland) passed away quietly at her home in Baltimore.

Sheila was the beloved wife of pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Pakula for 59 years. She was the daughter of the late Josephine and Dr. Frank Sutland, and the loving mother of Baila (Bruce) Waldholtz, Annette Pakula, Louis (Laura) Pakula and Dale (Phil) Perreault; adored grandmother of Andrew and Jennifer Waldholtz, Lauren and Martin Gregory, M.D., Frank and Elizabeth Pakula, and Daniel, Sydney and Benjamin Perreault.

Sheila was a graduate of The Emma Willard School in Troy, New York and graduated from The University of Pennsylvania and Russel Sage College.

Mrs. Pakula was an amazing volunteer in the community, with her heart and energy most heavily committed to The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was a very active member of The Women’s Board at JHH, which has raised millions of dollars for the hospital. She was a trustee of The Park School and The Jemicy School.

The funeral service and interment were private. Contributions can be made to The Sutland/Pakula NICU at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Fund at Johns Hopkins Medicine, attn. Martha

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Quinn, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202. Sollevinson.com.

Norman Prince Virginia Beach—Norman Prince, 83, died on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.

He was the son of the late Nathan and Anna Prince and was predeceased by his wife, Sheila Prince.

He was born in Massachusetts and graduated from Boston University and Washington University where he received his Master of Social Work. He worked in the social work field for 12 years. Norman also walked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Alabama in 1966 because he believed in equal rights for all.

He retired from his deli, Mike’s Colley Deli, after 20 years and then retired again after 11 years of service at The Dump.

Norman is survived by three children; Michael Prince and wife Helen, Rachel True and husband Steven (deceased) and Daniel Prince and wife, Bethany; five grandchildren, Benjamin and Nathan True and Nathan, Ethan and Elianna Prince; brother, Dr. Alan Prince and wife, Debbie and a sister-in-law, Julie and husband Leonard Frankel.

A graveside service was held in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.altmeyerfh.com.

Bernard “Bernie” Stein Virginia Beach—A. Bernard “Bernie” Stein, 94, passed away on December 30, 2016.

He was born and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Morris and Lena (Lurie) Stein. He worked there and in Roanoke and Norfolk.

He retired as a district manager from Reliable Stores Corporation, a major retail home furnishings chain. His favorite hobbies were traveling, going to the beach, and out to dinner with friends and family.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Rae, and sister Rita, of blessed memory.

He is survived by his daughter Ilene Stein, of Norfolk, and sons Alan and his wife Susan Stein, and Marc and his wife Barbara Stein, all of Virginia Beach and his grandchildren Cara Stein, Lori Stein and her husband Brandon Fisher, Zak Stein, and Shayna Russo and her husband

Adam, and great grandchildren Hudson, Parker and Dylan.

He served in the armed forces as a B-17 bombardier and flew patrols along the Atlantic coast during World War II. He was a member of Masonic Temple for many years.

He resided at the Terrace at Beth Sholom and was known for his sense of humor and singing. The family would like to thank the staff at The Terrace, in particular Josey, for their dedication, excellent service and compassion.

A graveside funeral service was conducted by Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Donations to The Terrace or charity of your choice. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be offered through www.hdoliver.com.

Hollywood stars gather to remember Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds

F

ilm industry heavyweights gathered to remember Hollywood actresses Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, at a private memorial service in Los Angeles.

Actors Stephen Fry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meg Ryan, Candace Bergen, Meryl Streep, Ed Begley Jr., Jamie Lee Curtis and Penny Marshall were among the guests who attended the memorial Thursday, Jan. 5 for Fisher, who portrayed Princess Leia in the 1970s Star Wars film series, the New York Daily News reported. George Lucas, the series’ director, also was in attendance.

Fisher, who was Jewish, died Dec. 27 after suffering a heart attack aboard an airplane. She was 60.

Reynolds, who launched her storied career in the iconic film musical Singin’ in the Rain, died a day later of a stroke. She was 84.

Fry, who like Paltrow is Jewish, bonded with Fisher partly over their experiences fighting depression, the Daily Mail reported. He was one of five people, including Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, who offered eulogies at the event before some 120 guests, according to the Daily Mail.

“All the tributes circled back to Billie and how much Carrie loved her,” Fry, 59, told People magazine of the event held at a Beverly Hills venue.

January 14 – 22, 2017

*of blessed memory

Alan and Esther Fleder* Foundation

Major Support from

Presented In Partnership with

Above and Beyond

With Additional Support from

Opening Night Film & Reception

Saturday, January 14 | 7:30pm

Doors Open at 6:45pm

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts | 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach

On the Map

Jewish Family Service Virginia Arts Festival

Opening Night Presented by

Patricia & Avraham Ashkenazi

United Property Associates

Thursday, January 19 | 7:00pm

Beach Movie Bistro | 941 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach

Is That You? Against all odds, an underdog Israeli basketball team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, won the 1977 European Championships capturing the hearts of a nation reeling from the Yom Kippur War, terrorist turmoil and the global Cold War. Tal Brody will offer a post film discussion after this inspiring film.

Reception elegantly catered by Village Caterers.

Winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Independent Film, this romantic road trip explores the path not taken in life and love. Fired from his job, Ronnie, a 60 year old Israeli film projectionist decides to travel to the U.S. in search of Rachel, the love of his youth.

To guarantee seating, please arrive by 6:30pm.

Sunday, January 15 | 2:00pm

Saturday, January 21 | 7:00pm

Defiant Requiem

In Search of Israeli Cuisine

TCC Roper Performing Arts Center | 340 Granby Street, Norfolk

Nominated for two Emmy Documentary Awards, Defiant Requiem tells the extraordinary, untold story of Rafael Schachter, a brilliant young Czech conductor. Under brutal circumstances in a concentration camp, he sustained the hope and courage of his fellow Jewish prisoners by forming a prisoners’ choir.

TCC Roper Performing Arts Center | 340 Granby Street, Norfolk

Painting a portrait of the diverse cultures that make up Israel today, this documentary follows award-winning chef, Michael Solomonov, as he visits restaurants, home kitchens, wineries and cheese makers.

Monday, January 16 | 7:00pm

Sunday, January 22 | 5:30pm

Goodbye, Columbus

Presenting Princess Shaw

Naro Expanded Cinema | 1507 Colley Avenue, Norfolk

Based on the novella by Philip Roth, this romantic satire highlights Jewish characters grappling with issues related to ethnic identity that offers a sharp presentation of Jewish life in America during the ‘50s.

This is the annual selection of esteemed local critic Mal Vincent, who will lead a discussion before the film.

Wednesday, January 18 | 7:00pm

Simon Family JCC | 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach

TCC Roper Performing Arts Center | 340 Granby Street, Norfolk 5:30pm reception, 6:15pm film

Winner of the Best Feature Documentary at the Israeli Filmmakers Forum Competition, Presenting Princess Shaw is the true story of an aspiring New Orleans singer songwriter down on her luck, who inspired an internationally famous Israeli YouTube artist, Kutiman, to create an internet collaboration that would bring her music to the world.

Special guest Princess Shaw, will lead a post-film discussion and performance.

Part of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC and community partners’ Israel Today series.

Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus This timely documentary examines the rise of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric on North American University campuses and demonstrates when reasonable criticism of Israel “Crosses the Line” into anti-Semitism.

Special guest speaker and cast member in the film, Chloé Valdary, will lead a post-film discussion.

All students and faculty are FREE (with Valid ID) for all TCC Roper Performing Arts Center showings.

Full Festival Pass $70 Includes 7 days of films & receptions

Opening Night Film & Reception $35

Closing Night Film & Reception $15

Films $10 Excludes opening or closing night films

jewishnewsva.org | January 16, 2017 | Jewish News | 31 Contact JCC Customer Service at 757-321-2338 or visit www.SimonFamilyJCC.org/FilmFestival for more information and to purchase tickets.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE

2017-2018 ACADEMIC YEAR

ADMISSIONS PREVIEW SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 1:00 P.M.

To register, please call (757) 963-8234 or email admissions@capehenry.org

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UNLIMITED POTENTIAL At Cape Henry Collegiate, our mission is to know, value, and challenge each student. We do that by fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community that is rooted in a dynamic and innovative learning-by-doing curriculum. We invite you to join us and learn more about the Cape Henry experience.

32 | Jewish News | January 16, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

PK–12 | 1320 Mill Dam Rd. | Virginia Beach, Va. | 757.481.2446 | CapeHenryCollegiate.org