Mazel Tov

l e T z o v a M Supplement to Jewish News March 2, 2020 jewishnewsva.org | March 2, 2020 | Mazel Tov | Jewish News | 11

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Fortunately, myriad reasons abound to say “Mazel Tov!” and throw a party or get together with family and friends.

Consider our article on the next page about Dorothy Salomonsky. This year marks

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her 25th with Jewish Family Service. Her achievements at JFS have meant assistance for thousands of people. Mazel Tov and thank you Dorothy!

Annie Sandler’s recent election as JDC vice president is reason enough to say Mazel Tov! But, like in so many things she does, Annie shares her achievement with Tidewater, as she is the first from the community to serve on the board of this leading global humanitarian organization. Lisa Richmon’s interview with her is on page 17.

Planning a wedding? Natalie Abraham, a wedding and event planner based in Israel, shares the secrets behind Jewish wedding traditions and rituals on page 18. All good to know—and understand—especially for those in wedding mode.

In an article on page 14, also written by Abraham, she offers up some tips on planning a destination event in Israel. While some of her suggestions are specific to Israel and its rules, most make sense for a destination event anywhere. Many even apply to events taking place in your hometown.

As always, we have additional articles within this section, along with some terrific advertisers—great places to dine and shop.

Whatever the reason, or excuse, I hope you always have plenty of opportunities to wish and receive Mazel Tov greetings.

Terri Denison Editor

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Mazel Tov

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Dorothy Salomonsky celebrates a quarter of a century with JFS Ellen Rosenblum, JFS board president

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or 25 years, Dorothy Salomonsky has been an integral part of Jewish Family Service of Tidewater—especially with one particular program.

In fact, Salomonsky has been the driving force that propelled the Personal Affairs Management department to be nationally recognized as a leader in safeguarding the personal and financial affairs of vulnerable adults, age 18 and older. These clients all have physical and/ or mental impairments and no family or friends to assist or care for them.

Thanks to Dorothy Salomonsky, JFS is recognized as a leader in providing guardian/ conservator services performed in a manner that places the least restrictions on a client’s rights and provides the respect they deserve.

The program launched when Salomonsky, who had recently retired from teaching, started volunteering at the old Jewish Community Center on Newport Avenue in Norfolk. She had taken some adult education classes and was asked by a friend to help with older adult programming. Shortly after Salomonsky began her volunteer work, JFS was awarded a grant for 10 hours a week to assist with check writing and telephone assurance.

Salomonsky never said ‘no’ and very quickly became the volunteer coordinator with a bigger group to organize. She learned on the job and helped create a new program, which became the PAM department. This program for personal

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Dorothy Salomonsky.

affairs management now consists of a multidisciplinary panel that provides a range of services, including guardianship and conservatorship.

In 2018, Salomonsky was one of 20 women chosen from hundreds of nominees for the title of Woman of Influence.

This honor is given to community leaders

by Inside Business. Thanks to Salomonsky, JFS is recognized as a leader in providing guardian/conservator services performed in a manner that places the least restrictions on a client’s rights and provides the respect they deserve.

In 2020, PAM has 850 clients and 55 employees across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Referrals come from judges, lawyers, doctors, and family members.

In addition to her work with PAM at JFS, Salomonsky has served as vice president of the Virginia Guardianship Association and is an active member of Ohef Sholom Temple. She and her husband of 53 years, Edwin, have four children and seven grandchildren.

When asked what makes the program so great, Salomonsky says, “We are here to help the most disenfranchised citizens of Virginia. The common denominator is they have no people. We become their people.”

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Mazel Tov

Thinking of a destination wedding/event in Israel?

Here’s a useful guide plus tips Natalie Abraham

C

onsidered one of the most significant places on earth for the Jewish people since biblical times– Israel carries momentous meaning; where East meets West; where the sun shines nine months of the year.

Israel! Where weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are a fun, exotic, and spiritual experience at the same time. Where people from all over the world come to enjoy a unique celebration, reuniting with friends and family, and enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

The land of milk and honey; so small on the world map, yet holds the world in its hands, and offers an abundant selection of special venues for holding all

types of events, naturally intertwining the richness of Jewish history, traditions, and culture.

Popular choices for wedding and event venues in Israel range from traditional sy nagog ues, ancient ruins, by and on the beach, in trendy Tel Aviv, at a choice of coastlines (Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Dead Seas), farms, vineyards, forests,

and of course, the old city of Jerusalem.

Weather-wise, it is nearly 99% certain that there will not be a rainy day from May through September. During

the winter months, Eilat serves as a great getaway to benefit from as much sun as possible. Still, winter weddings in the heart of Israel have their own charm.

When thinking about a destination wedding/event in Israel, it’s important to assist family and guests so that they have an easy and smooth welcome to the country. One way to do this is to create a private webpage for the event including recommendations and advice such as: • Group accommodation for different budgets • Transport information • Car rental options • R ecommended things to do and places to see • Hair and make-up artists for the event

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14 | Jewish News | Mazel Tov | March 2, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Mazel Tov • The local weather forecast • Event related schedule of events (Henna, Shabbat Chatan, etc) • Organized tours for families/groups (Some popular choices include the old city of Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masada, the Galilee, Golan Heights, and much more)

Top Tips • Book venue as much in advance as possible, and other vendors at least six months prior to the event.

• Book flights and accommodation once venue has been secured.

• Send ‘save the dates’ immediately.

• A ll agreements with any vendor (to the smallest detail) should be in writing.

• A sk about hidden fees.

• Check international holidays and Jewish holidays when choosing your dates.

• Use English-speaking vendors for accurate communication when possible.

• Save a lot of time and money and hire an event planner in Israel. This allows for more enjoyment and fun by the hosts.

Weddings Only • Must register with the Rabbinate up to 90 days before the wedding.

This can be done online (if you read Hebrew), or the planner can assist with this. It can be done when arriving, but it is generally best to be sure everything is in order before couples leave their home country.

• A letter from your hometown (Orthodox) Rabbi confirming that you are both Jewish and single.

• A Ketuba (marriage certificate) from the bride and groom’s parents.

• Passport photos Natalie Abraham at Dreamcatcher events is a UK-born wedding and event planner in Israel and is considered one of the best wedding/bar mitzvah/bat mitzvah planners in Israel. Her British background gave her a precise understanding of what was needed in the events industry; Someone who can provide a bridge between the values and expectations of the Anglo personality, with the local customs and mentality. Her trademark is in the fine detail that makes every event a UNIQUE and unforgettable experience.

Wedding invitation of Lubavitcher rebbe discovered at National Library of Israel

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n invitation to the 1928 wedding of the seventh and last Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, was discovered at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem.

Schneerson popularized the ChabadLubavitch hasidic movement and through aggressive outreach to non-affiliated Jews became of one of the most influential forces in the Jewish world.

Several versions of the invitation were prepared for the wedding of Schneerson and Chaya Mushka, the daughter of the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak. The invitation at the National

Library, discovered in the archive of Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, a cousin who moved at a young age to Palestine, was sent to invitees who could not physically be present at the event, but encourages them to celebrate from afar.

While the groom was then a student at the University of Berlin and the bride lived with her parents in Riga, the wedding was held in Warsaw because it was a central location and not under Soviet rule. Soviet authorities prevented Schneerson’s parents, who lived in Yekatrinoslav, Ukraine, from traveling to Warsaw to attend the wedding. They held a celebration at their

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“At this early date, it wasn’t at all clear that Rabbi Menachem Mendel would eventually succeed his father-in-law as the Lubavitcher rebbe,” says Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem, head of the Gershom Scholem Collection for Research in Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel.

“In hindsight, we see that not only did he become the rabbi of Lubavitch Hasidism, but without a doubt one of the most famous Hasidic and even Jewish figures known throughout the entire world.”

Schneerson’s cousin Levi Yitzchak also

was born in Russia. When he moved to Palestine he became a member of the NILI underground organization, serving as a liaison between its operatives and British intelligence during World War I. Following the war, Levi Yitzchak Schneerson reported on Arab affairs throughout what is today Israel, Jordan and Syria. He composed poetry, mostly in Russian, and published two books: an autobiography about his time in the NILI underground, and an early history of the northern Israeli city of Hadera. (JTA)

jewishnewsva.org | March 2, 2020 | Mazel Tov | Jewish News | 15

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov to a Woman for the World: Annie Sandler is first JDC vice president from Tidewater Lisa Richmon

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s a young married woman living in Virginia Beach, Annie Sandler began to build a rare and rewarding Jewish communal life. Powerful influences include husband Art Sandler; in-laws, Reba and Sam Sandler; Dr. Zvi Feine, and various female leaders on national United Jewish Appeal and United Jewish Communities (UJC), now the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), boards, including her local mentor Karen Lombart. Inspired by these role models, Sandler immersed herself in the field work necessary to co-create templates for self-sustaining Jewish communities around the world.

Today, Sandler continues to hone her skills as a leader, mentor, fundraiser,

and trusted advisor who holds long-term board positions with national Jewish agencies such as American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, and 14 years on the National Women’s Philanthropy Board. She always enjoys hearing worldwide Jewish speakers with an eye on returning home to enrich the community with new insights.

In every role, Sandler’s views are filtered through the lens of a world traveler whose site visits to Israel, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, India, and Manila are a weapon of mass education. In her eight years as chairperson of the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, the premier applied social research institute in Israel, for example, Sandler helped set policy and work with

16 | Jewish News | Mazel Tov | March 2, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

the deputy directors of all five ministries.

“It took participation on many missions to Israel to understand in depth the impact of social research and outcome-based evaluations on the many programs financed by Diaspora Jewry,” says Sandler. “Questions like: Why were school children out of school so early in the afternoon? What do their academic accomplishments look like compared to other groups within Israel?

What’s the matriculation level in each community? Do they participate in the IDF? What does care for the elderly look like? When you do site visits to different programs in Israel, the background and outcomes are critical. Serving on the board requires me to answer these questions with quantitative data and intense first-hand field work insight.”

Art Sandler’s wife—and the mother of their four children, Leyla, Jessica, Max, and Dylan—wasn’t born Jewish. Annie Laurie Hebson met and married Sandler, a Virginia Beach-based philanthropist and global Jewish community leader. In preparation for conversion, Sandler studied with Rabbi Joseph Goldman, who presented a historical perspective of Judaism that made sense to her. She fell in love again. This time it was with Judaism and Art’s community. “Judaism permeated my heart. Jewish values, practices, and its peoplehood were the foundation that sparked my love affair.

“Art is the strongest example I have of passion and dedication,” says Sandler.

“He stands behind everything he asks of others. He’s all action, few words.”

In 2020, Mark Sisisky, newly elected JDC president, chose Annie Sandler as JDC vice president. JDC is also known as the Joint. The American Joint Distribution Committee was founded in 1914 as the first Jewish organization in the United States to dispense large scale funding for international relief. Sandler is the first person in Tidewater chosen to join the JDC’s prestigious leadership circle as vice president.

“My new role as vice president is a

Annie Sandler lights a lantern at Magen Avoth Synagogue in Alibaug, India, an ancient Jewish area where the Benei Israel, one of the lost tribes, landed 2000 years ago.

senior position that recognizes my contribution to Israeli society, as well as my history as a trusted senior advisor to Mark Sisisky, who I am beyond excited to work with in moving the JDC agenda forward.

“My new role as vice president is a senior position that recognizes my contribution to Israeli society, as well as my history as a trusted senior advisor to Mark Sisisky, who I am beyond excited to work with in moving the JDC agenda ahead. I look forward to expanding opportunities for more JDC board members. My goal is to encourage inclusivity and participation on committees, and to promote the development of better ambassadors for JDC.” JDC’s enduring mission addresses critical needs globally with vision, transparency, integrity, kindness. Its power to ‘partner up’ with government agencies and philanthropic funders, and transform communities hasn’t slowed down in 100 years and gets stronger because of people like Annie Sandler who came to this role with eight years of proven board leadership, enthusiasm, mega project readiness, and relevant expertise, particularly her work with the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute in Israel.

Decades of field work attending and leading Federation missions in Haiti,

Mazel Tov Ethiopia, Romania, and by serving multiple roles on numerous boards has only deepened her love of Judaism. Sandler got hooked on JDC through Dr. Zvi Feine’s introduction to Romania. JDC revived a virtually depleted Jewish community by developing leadership and educational skills, and transforming it into a self-sustaining community. The JDC model: ‘We’re going help you and develop your community so you can help yourself.’

Recognition as a JDC leader takes more than money. “Here’s what I learned about JDC. You have to be enthusiastic and willing to work really hard, and people have to trust you. You also have to be encouraging and get other people to participate,” says Sandler.

“Annie is a trusted advisor who possesses a deep reservoir of knowledge about JDC and our work around the world.

In Israel, Annie is deeply respected and loved for her empathy, grasp of important issues and her invaluable strength of listening, and furthering her collaboration with our outstanding professionals,” says Sisisky. “By all measures, Annie is a seasoned, proven leader and philanthropist in the Jewish world, and I am honored to have her by my side at JDC.” Sandler’s extensive portfolio at JDC includes past Board Engagement co-chair; Annual Board Fund co-chair; chair of the Ralph Goldman Fellowship; Resource Development Committee; Human Resources Committee; Global Planning Committee; Africa-Asia Committee; Executive Committee; Nominating Committee, and CEO Search Committee.

“While I was on the ground in places like Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania and saw what was happening at Camp Svarvas in Hungary, JDC revealed itself as an agency with heart and soul. The JDC assistance model sinks deeply into my soul and who I am as a participant and leader,” says Sandler.

Romania was Sandler’s first love.

Helping to rewrite its story, and witnessing the transformation is a personal highlight among many. “I rode in on Art’s coattails back when he was the JDC chairman of East Europe,” she says. “I don’t know what it was. Romania spoke to me. Some of the site visits were heart

Annie Sandler with the Edible Gardens Initiative, green schoolyards for outdoor learning.

wrenching but I saw potential for renewal, one of the pillars JDC stands on.

“Kids would go through their parents’ things and find out they’re Jewish. There was nothing in the way of a Jewish identity. When we got there, it was like an 1870s throwback,” says Sandler, referring to a funky building outside of Bucharest.

“Nobody knew how to do Shabbos. There was no Jewish family structure. They cooked in the basement barely scraping things together.

“In Romania, I saw that I could participate and make a difference.”

So, the Sandlers got the ball rolling.

They took a building on some property outside Bucharest, returned to the community by the Claims Conference, and re-imagined it as a dynamic year-round Jewish center that draws people to the community.

Camp Cristian supports itself today and hasn’t had the need for JDC funds in two years.

“What they have built since, I’m in awe,” says Sandler. Camp Cristian brought the community together and added a new element of volunteerism that never existed before.

As the new JDC vice president, Sandler recalls the impact of Camp Szarvas on kids from all over the world, including her own children who visited and participated on different occasions. It was the catalyst for Camp Cristian. “At Szarvas, kids were introduced to Judaism. They were excited about their Jewish roots, but when the camp session was over, Romanian children had nothing to come back to.”

Camp Cristian enabled Jewish children and teens to come back to Romania and continue their own Jewish education—and educate their parents. Today there is a center that hums with activity.

The teens have built a network from

all over Romania through their camp experience.

“It’s a whole program with music clubs, programs for the elderly, early childhood, just like our JCC,” says Sandler.

JDC is one of Tidewater’s main overseas partners.

“I would love for our community to know that their fingerprints are all over these renewals. Taking members of the Tidewater community to Camp Cristian and experiencing Shabbos together was so powerful to me. There is a real foundation now. Unless things go nuts with

anti-Semitism or something, that trend should continue.”

Being chosen as the first person in Tidewater to hold the JDC VP position has special meaning to Sandler. “UJFT doesn’t realize how much it is respected for its status as an overseas community. This means we commit to Jews wherever they are, no matter what the circumstances. It’s kind of crazy to be in meetings and hear people talk about ‘midsize’ communities and then use Tidewater as an example in the overseas arena.”

jewishnewsva.org | March 2, 2020 | Mazel Tov | Jewish News | 17

Mazel Tov

The secrets behind Jewish wedding traditions and rituals Natalie Abraham

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hether you are planning a Jewish wedding ceremony, or about to attend a Jewish wedding, here is a brief guide of the rituals you might see or want to include in your ceremony. Some of these may be familiar rituals that you have seen before, and now you will also

know the meaning and beauty behind them. The Jewish marriage ceremony brings together the legal and spiritual, the happy and holy, the modern and ancient wisdoms, as the two souls merge in to one complete soul.

KETUBA This is a Jewish version of a marriage agreement written in Aramaic text, mentioning the groom’s responsibilities and the bride’s protected rights. This document is usually signed by the couple, two witnesses, and is read out loud to all the guests as part of the wedding ceremony.

KISE KALA During the reception, just before the ceremony, the bride may choose to sit on her throne and greet her guests. She is said to have a special spiritual access to the divine on her wedding day, and so she

blesses her friends and family, and may be asked to pray for specific and personal requests. The brides who include this as

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part of their ceremony, usually do the veiling on the throne instead of at the chuppah aisle.

BEDEKEN In other words, the veiling ritual. This is when the groom sees his bride and then veils her himself. Biblically, this became a custom after Jacob was tricked into marrying the wrong sister as she was veiled and he didn’t look to see the woman behind the veil. Spiritually, this veiling ceremony signifies the appreciation of inner beauty and modesty. In doing this, the groom acknowledges to love his future wife for her obvious characteristics, as well as honoring the more hidden sides as they reveal themselves.

CHUPPAH This is a canopy structure under which the couple makes their vows. It is built with four corners and a covered roof symbolizing the vision of a new home they are about to start to build together. It is also open on all sides to remind us of the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah, who welcomed people with unconditional hospitality. Most modern chuppahs are built to free-stand, though traditionally, each pole is held by a close relative and symbolizes their support of the couples new life, home, and relationship. It is a custom to have the chuppah outside under the

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stars to be witnessed by the holy forces and spirits.

CIRCLES Once under the chuppah, the bride walks around the groom, circling him seven times, biblically symbolizing the seven days of creation. The number seven reflects a wholeness that can only be attained as a couple. In modern ceremonies, the bride and groom may both opt to do this. This ritual symbolizes a wall of love and a wall of protection from temptation and evil spirits.

KIDDUSHIN The blessing over the wine, which represents joy in Jewish tradition. The glass of wine is filled until just overflowed, to represent abundance and overflowing happiness. Both the groom and then the bride will sip from the cup to receive the blessings as one.

members/close friends. The ‘brachot’ come from ancient scriptures and blesses the marriage with peace, joy and companionship.

SMASHING THE GLASS The ceremony ends with a final ritual where the groom breaks a glass cup by smashing it with his right foot. Biblically, this represents the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Spiritually, it signifies the reality of a marriage having both happy and hard times, and a mutual commitment to be there for one another in such times. Modern ceremonies may opt to have both the bride and groom break something. Some couples take the broken glass and make it into something they can use or see on a daily basis such as earings, a pendant, an ornament.

RING The marriage becomes official when the groom gives the bride something of value.

In Jewish weddings this is usually a plain gold wedding band to represent the beauty in simplicity. A ring is in a shape of a circle, which represents an everlasting journey together.

YIHUD In other words, ‘seclusion.’ After the ceremony, the couple is accompanied by the guests in song and dance to their seclusion room, where they spend their first moments alone together as husband and wife. Orthodoxly, they encourage a minimum of 18 minutes where the couple can reflect and rejoice in private after their sacred union ceremony.

Happy Planning!

BLESSINGS The Sheva Brachot, translated as the seven blessings, can be read in Hebrew and English, by the officiator or by family

Natalie Abraham, a wedding and event planner in Israel, may be reached through her website at NatalieAbrahamDreamcatcher. com. jewishnewsva.org | March 2, 2020 | Mazel Tov | Jewish News | 19

Mazel Tov Found by veganism, corned-beef lover becomes founder of first meatless deli business Lisa Richmon

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enny Goldfarb grew up in South Florida, born into a family of delicatessen owners, she ate her weight in kosher-style corned beef. Munching on subs with friends before the beach, it never crossed her mind that she would become the founder of a company leading a food revolution and transforming food chains such as Quiznos.

Maybe it’s no surprise, given her heritage, Goldfarb answered a ‘calling’ and became the first Gen X business maverick feeding meatless subs to kids, teens, and adults of all ages and backgrounds.

Goldfarb’s personal conversion from omnivore to vegetarian—to vegan—began in 2011 when she moved to Los Angeles.

“That was the time in my life that I became open to seeing what’s broken in the world.

It took real bravery to watch videos of what’s happening on animal farms,” says Goldfarb.

“I wasn’t raised in a religious home.

Seinfeld and bagel Jews,” says Goldfarb.

“Then, in college I started learning about Judaism at Hillel. I went to Israel and learned Torah and even turned down a big job offer in New York.”

Upon returning from Israel, Goldfarb moved to New York and became Orthodox.

“Then I became less observant. I’ve always made it up as I went. I married a Jewish man and we do Shabbat dinners. I’m always into learning. I listen to Torah classes as I go to sleep. What I’m into today is growing my spiritual wingspan, my compassion, that’s what got me into eating this way in the first place.”

Her Jewish journey is only part of the

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‘why’ behind Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli, a plant-based corned-beef deli product she personally created to delight animal-rights activists, vegans, and anyone craving the tangy flavor of a kosher-style corned-beef Reuben. Trekking into the Wild West of animal and nitrate-free corned beef, the mother of three and celebrated vegan blogger, surprised herself and others when she came up with a convincing recipe and proven cash cow.

Goldfarb’s niche-to-mainstream food business instincts surfaced when she appeared on Shark Tank and fed investor sharks Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli, and a side of shark-bait with a twist. She didn’t have real revenue to back up her $100K ask, nor was her product anchored in stores. Goldfarb got shark attention with her ‘proof-of-the-pudding-is-in-thetasting’ product, and a quick comeback to a leading question. Her one-liner, “one shark tank dollar is equal to five regular dollars” was music to Mark Cuban’s ears.

She accepted his offer for $250 thousand for 20% interest in her business and closed the deal with a hug as he said to her on air “Mazel Tov.” It didn’t hurt that Goldfarb and Cuban shared more than their love of corned beef.

Her great grandfather Morris Gross immigrated from Romania to New York, where he worked his way up from dishwasher to entrepreneur, owning and operating several delicatessens and cafeterias throughout NYC. Cuban shared on camera that he is also a descendant of Romanian immigrants.

Jewish News: If you had a celebrity wall a la Carnegie Deli, who would be on it?

Jenny Goldfarb: Bill Murray, Jerry Seinfeld, Jane Goodall, Bob Marley, Ruth

Bader Ginsburg, Joaquin Phoenix, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bob Dylan, King David, Moses (not in that order). The endorsement that means the most is my in-laws’.

They thought I was taking my family on a wild hippie crusade. Constantly badgering me with questions, worried my children would be emaciated. Vegan is controversial. It makes people feel complicit in harming animals.

Mark Cuban closed the deal with a hug as he said to her on air “Mazel Tov.”

When it’s someone in your family, pushback is tougher to shrug off. I finally came up with this creation and they were blown away. My father-in-law, Marc Canter of Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles, an old school, iconic deli, took 50 lbs. I remember when that was a huge order. Now we deliver 3,000 pounds to Sysco Foods.

JN: Who is your Jewish customer? What do they care about?

JG: Well soon they will be anywhere from

Mazel Tov Reform Jew-ish folks to very Orthodox as we are getting CRC Kosher certification by mid-February. Jews are looking for a number of things: to eat more sustainably, to eat more ethically, to eat more healthfully, to lose weight, etc. Frankly some just want to have their ice cream after eating ‘meat.’ We deliver that.

JN: The animal-free market is exploding.

How do you ensure product purity?

JG: We are dedicated to using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Our beets, our most raw item is sourced from a very close farm, all organically grown. Our label is made proudly with all pronounceable ingredients, that doesn’t take a chemistry degree to decode.

Unreal Corned Beef is very high in protein, very ‘meat-like’ made with all natural ingredients.

JN: How do you deal with fear and failure?

JG: I’m into spirituality. I have a bigger

partner than Mark Cuban, who is rather tall by the way. Call it God, universe, source.

Failure is part of the game. You have to keep getting up to bat. Knowing you have God on your side. That’s the definition of a righteous man, btw. I’m willing to be gritty, I don’t have to be right all the time.

JN: Quiznos is not a brand one associates with veganism or kosher. What is it about Quiznos that got your attention?

JG: I loved eating tuna melts at Quiznos as a kid. I appreciate that we span finer $20ish iterations in nice delis/cafes, and a quick $7 sandwich at Quiznos for instance, so that anyone can access it. I wanted to spectrum from delis to hotels to cafes.

I wanted to appeal to fast food and fast casual and reached out to sub chains.

Quiznos was ready to move fast. 70% of Americans trying to cut down. At a typical chain, you have a family of four—one is vegetarian and there is nothing for them to eat there.

Mark Cuban and Jenny Goldfarb.

JN: What is your distribution plan so that cities like Virginia Beach and Norfolk have easy access? Delis. Cafes. Wegmans?

Whole Foods?

JG: All of the above. I can literally ship a wholesale box today to Virginia Beach/ Norfolk if there are delis, sandwich shops (coffee shops!) that want to carry our meat. Otherwise, yes we will be coming

to Wegman’s and Whole Foods before long and likely going national with Quiznos. But for most immediate consumption, folks can order retail boxes on our website: unrealdeli. com. We sell wholesale to delis all across the country. We already have sandwiches in California and Arizona Whole Foods and we’ll be expanding in nationwide grocery distribution later this year.

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jewishnewsva.org | March 2, 2020 | Mazel Tov | Jewish News | 21

Mazel Tov Quentin Tarantino and Israeli wife, Daniella Pick welcome baby boy in Tel Aviv

D

irector Quentin Tarantino and his Israeli wife, the model and singer Daniella Pick, welcomed a baby boy at a hospital in Tel Aviv.

The baby, the couple’s first, was born on Saturday, February 21 and will be an Israeli citizen.

The couple currently lives in Israel. In November, they rented a home in an affluent neighborhood in the northern part of Tel Aviv for nearly $23,000 a month.

Tarantino, 56, and Pick, 20 years his junior, started dating in 2009 when the

tikkun olam

IS OUR LEGACY KAREN & MATT FINE

4TH GENERATION OHEF SHOLOM MEMBERS | VOLUNTEERS | PHILANTHROPISTS

LEGACIES ARE BUILT DURING YOUR LIFETIME – THROUGH ACTIONS AND WORDS THAT BRING ABOUT A BETTER, STRONGER TOMORROW. Define your legacy with an endowed gift to the Jewish community so future generations have the opportunity to embrace our shared heritage and the values you hold dear. L’dor va dor.

director was in Israel promoting his movie Inglorious Basterds. They later broke up but began dating again in 2016.

The couple married under a chuppah, or Jewish wedding canopy, in 2018, shortly after Tarantino finished filming Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. A Reform rabbi participated in the ceremony and Tarantino wore a yarmulke.

Pick is the daughter of the popular Israeli singer and composer Svika Pick.

(JTA)

mazel tov to Birth On March 27, 2019, Sadie Liv Katz was born. She is the daughter of Renen and Amanda Perlman Katz of Loxahatchee, Fla. Grandparents are Donald Katz of Jensen Beach, Fla., formerly of Norfolk, and Elisa Ellin, of blessed memory, and Perry Perlman of Wellington, Fa. and Andrea Perlman of Port St. Lucie, Fla. Great grandparents are Beatrice and Hyman Katz of blessed memory, formerly of Norfolk. Adoring sisters are Ella Mia Katz and Amelia Julie Katz.

Engagement Avidan Itzhak of Norfolk on his

engagement to Shaina Joyandeh of Elizabeth, N.J. Mazel Tov to Avidan’s parents Shmuel and Shira Low Itzhak of Norfolk, grandparents Bob and Honey Low of Virginia Beach, and Yitzhak and Esther Itzhak of Israel. Avidan attended Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Toras Chaim, Fasman Yeshiva, and Landers College for Men. Mazel Tov to Shaina’s parents Mosha and Menizheh Joyandeh of Elizabeth, N.J. and her entire family.

Shaina is a graduate of Bruriah High School, Yeshiva Universit,y and New York University Graduate School of Occupational Therapy. The couple plan to reside in New Jersey.

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.

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WHAT’S YOUR LEGACY? For more information, contact Kaitlyn Oelsner koelsner@ujft.org | 757-965-6103 foundation.jewishva.org

22 | Jewish News | Mazel Tov | March 2, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

March 23

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