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Feb. 22, 2018 Bi-Weekly HAPPY 7 Adar 5778 PURIM

CONNECTING THE DC, MD, & NOVA JEWISH COMMUNITIES ISSUE #23 Harnessing a Different Model to Boost Jewish Engagement By Gabe Aaronson

The 2017 Jewish Community De- mographic Study, released Feb. 13, 2018, by the Jewish Federation of Great- er Washington, painted a picture of a growing and relatively young Jewish population in the Greater Washington area; one that is engaging in Jewish life, but not necessarily through tradi- tional Jewish institutions. Funded by the Morningstar Foun- dation and conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and Columbia Heights Moishe House alumni. Michael Halpern, a graduate of Café Sunflower’s Employment Training Program, with the Steinhardt Social Research Insti- (PHOTO COURTESY OF MOISHE HOUSE) Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., during Jewish Disability Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. tute at Brandeis University, the analysis (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON) of 6,663 household surveys found that The study also revealed the Jewish the Jewish population in the area grew adult population in Greater Washing- JDAIM at 10: Moving from 215,000 in 2003 to 295,500 in 2017. ton, particularly in DC itself, is young- Jews now make up 6 percent of the ar- er than in other communities across From Disability Awareness ea’s total population — three times the national average. ÂÂCONTINUED ON P. 8 Toward Active Inclusion By Malka Goldberg “Shelly took it and ran with it in an Northern Virginia amazing way,” Layman said, and Jewish Over the past 10 years, Jewish Disa- Disability Awareness Month was born Communities Seek Eruv bility Awareness and Inclusion Month (the name was amended in 2015 to incor- (JDAIM) has evolved from a grassroots porate the word "inclusion"). By Dovid Nachshon Albright campaign into an international move- and Malka Goldberg ment that has played a significant role Jewish Disability in driving progress toward disability in- Advocacy Day 2018 The Greater Washington area’s Jew- clusion in Jewish spaces. One of the local highlights of JDAIM ish community is now the third larg- “Previously, organizations were is Jewish Disability Advocacy Day (JDAD) est in the nation and 41 percent of that working on inclusion, but there were in Washington, D.C. Organized by the population lives in Northern Virgin- no cohesive efforts. The idea was to Jewish Federations of North America ia, according to the recently released unite everyone to make it much more (JFNA) and the Religious Action Center of 2017 Jewish Community Demograph- powerful,” said Lenore Layman, direc- Reform Judaism (RAC), the day includes ic Study. The movement to the region The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which links tor of educational support services at briefings from policy experts on issues skews young, consisting of singles and car and foot traffic between Washington, the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. relating to disability and inclusion, train- families in their 20s and 30s. For the D.C. and Rosslyn, Virginia. In 2008, while working at the Board of ing on how to be an effective advocate, Orthodox communities in Fairfax and (PHOTO CREDIT: F DELVENTHAL/FLICKR) Jewish Education, Layman called Shelly lunch with members of Congress, and Rosslyn, however, the absence of an Christensen — who managed Jewish the opportunity to meet with individu- eruv presents a challenge to leveraging its borders to carry objects and push Family and Children’s Service of Min- al members of Congress and their staffs this population boom. strollers or wheelchairs on Shabbat) neapolis's innovative inclusion program to advocate for the rights of people with Constructing and maintaining an is an important element of communi- at the time — to discuss coordinating disabilities. Approximately 230 people eruv (a ritual enclosure of a Jewish their respective inclusion efforts into a community that allows those within ÂÂCONTINUED ON P. 28 cohesive campaign. ÂÂCONTINUED ON P. 7 Rivkie explains mishloach manot etiquette — See page 42

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THEIR JOB IS TO LOOK AFTER ISRAEL. OURS IS TO LOOK AFTER THEM. CHAG SAMEACH from Friends of the IDF Midatlantic Region FIDF operates out of a moral obligation to fulfill the spiritual needs for IDF soldiers wherever they are. It aims to ensure that soldiers know they are cared for, and that their Jewish heritage connects them both to the task at hand and to their supporters all over the world. The Spiritual Needs Program uplifts the spirits of IDF soldiers throughout their service, honing in on the values of brotherhood and sisterhood, Jewish identity, love of Israel, and celebration of tradition. THIS PURIM, FIDF will provide hundreds of Mishloach Manot for our soldiers. A gift to FIDF can help support this program and others throughout the year. Every gift made to the Spiritual Needs campaign will be matched dollar for dollar. CONTACT ARI DALLAS AT [email protected] OR 301-960-3531 FOR MORE INFORMATION. FIDF MIDATLANTIC, PO BOX 39, STEVENSON, MD 21153

2 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 2 3

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WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 3 3 4

ABOUT US

Kol HaBirah: Mission and Goals

The mission of Kol HaBirah is to serve, connect, and strengthen the Great- er Jewish community. We encourage diverse perspectives but will er Washington Jewish community. To achieve this, we will provide: strive to avoid including content and views that may appear offen- sive or hurtful to specific people or groups of people. 1. Community Enrichment and Support Kol HaBirah will increase the 4. Traditional Torah Values – Kol HaBirah proudly upholds traditional visibility and utilization of our Jewish community’s businesses, or- Torah values (e.g. not employing staff on Shabbat; promoting Kosher ganizations, programs, initiatives, and services. This will be achieved restaurants, events, and news) and will strive to maintain these values through our news and feature reporting, our robust community re- while respecting the values of the entire Jewish community. sources section, and advertising opportunities. 5. Support for the United States and Israel Kol HaBirah is committed to 2. A Community Newspaper for All Jews Kol HaBirah will foster con- the safety and support of the government and citizens of the United nection through the sharing of news, ideas and resources, traversing States and Israel. various geographic and ideological boundaries and strengthening the bond of community. We believe Kol HaBirah will further establish the Greater Washington 3. Credible Reporting and Respectful, Open Dialogue Kol HaBirah is Jewish community’s presence on the map as a leading and vibrant Jewish committed to fact-based news reporting and providing a space for community in America and beyond. Thank you for your continued sup- the respectful exchange of ideas on issues that matter to the broad- port, and keep reading!

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Alan Fisher Phil Jacobs Steven Lieberman Ahuva Orlofsky Fred Shapiro An affiliate of the Jewish Link of New Jersey, Jewish Link of Bronx, Westchester & Connecticut , and the Queens Jewish Link. ADVERTISERS' INDEX

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4 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 4 5

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Hillel Goldschein, Publisher Rachel Kohn, Editor in Chief Kami Troy, Senior Editor Bari Perlmutter, Producer Malka Goldberg, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Community News Editor [email protected]

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Find us on Facebook, give us Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat a shout out on Twitter (@kolhabirah), February 23, 2018 or email [email protected].

Maryland Virginia Baltimore Alexandria Light Candles: 5:34 p.m. Light Candles: 5:37 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:34 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:36 p.m.

Columbia Fairfax Light Candles: 5:37 p.m. Light Candles: 5:36 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:36 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:35 p.m. District of Columbia Silver Spring Washington Light Candles: 5:36 p.m. Light Candles: 5:37 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:35 p.m. Shabbat Ends: 6:35 p.m.

6 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 6 7 COMMUNITY NEWS JDAIM at 10: Moving From and 12 vendors attended the workshop, Disability Awareness part of an ongoing series of events high- Toward Active Inclusion lighting community resources for peo- ÁÁCONTINUED FROM P. 1 ple with disabilities. The event was open to anyone interested, regardless of cur- joined the eighth annual JDAD on Feb. rent career level. 6, participating in a total of 50 meetings “The disabilities community has one with representatives from 20 states. of the highest unemployment rates in “As someone who has been a lifelong America, yet offers a large pool of quali- self-advocate, JDAD is really meaningful fied individuals for employment,” point- to me because it demonstrates the Jewish ed out Jerry Hulick, senior planner at The community’s commitment to improving Washington Group Special Care Planning the lives of people with disabilities,” said Team. “These workshops help provide re- Aaron Kaufman, senior legislative asso- sources and information for employ- ciate at JFNA. Kaufman acknowledged ment opportunities and possibilities.” partnering organization RAC as well as JDAD’s 60 sponsors — including 13 Fed- Take the Next Step: Make erations and numerous synagogues, Jew- Purim More Inclusive ish agencies, JCCs, and fraternal organi- A group of Jewish Disability Advoacy Day participants outside the office of Rep. Anthony “The goal of JDAIM is lifelong inclu- zations (including one sorority) — for Brown, D-Md. (PHOTO CREDIT: RON SACHS) sion, from ‘birth to earth,’” said Chris- their role in the day’s success. tensen. Just as inclusion cannot stop at Michael Halpern, a graduate of Café ish people), because disability is truly an Baltimore featuring Dr. Ross Greene, a a particular age, the Jewish community’s Sunflower’s Employment Training Pro- area where all denominations agree on clinical child psychologist and the orig- focus on inclusion should not be limit- gram, participated in JDAD for the sec- full community integration.” inator of the Collaborative & Proactive ed to the month of JDAIM. "JDAIM is fo- ond time this year. “I wanted to speak This year, JDAD’s agenda focused on Solutions (CPS) approach for helping be- cused on getting the information out about my experiences since last Advoca- two specific issues: protecting Medicaid haviorally challenged children. there and raising awareness with the ex- cy Day, about the transformative expe- and the Individuals with Disabilities Ed- This was the third year Yachad host- pectation that when JDAIM is over, you riences I’ve had working at the café,” he ucation Act (IDEA) Full Funding Act (H.R. ed an educational conference in Balti- don’t rest on your successes in February explained. Even with his personal suc- 2902). The IDEA Full Funding Act aims to more, and the event garnered so much — you build on them to support people cess at Café Sunflower, Halpern valued increase federal funding for special educa- interest that it was moved from the with disabilities and mental health con- the opportunity to “express my concerns tion programs, but it only applies to pub- originally scheduled venue of the Park ditions to actively engage with and par- about inclusion in the workforce.” lic schools; Jewish schools must take their Heights JCC to the Talmudic Academy to ticipate in Jewish life. The promise of The Congressional panels were the own initiative to establish and maintain accommodate a larger crowd. Two hun- JDAIM is to create a richer community best part for Sharon Rosenblatt, director an inclusive educational environment. dred fifteen Jewish educators participat- for all members." of communications at Accessibility Part- ed in the conference. This year, the last day of JDAIM co- ners, LLC. “I love that disability advoca- Fostering Inclusion in The focus was on providing resourc- incides with the beginning of Purim. cy, for the most part, is a bipartisan issue. Jewish Education es to help teachers in typical classrooms Yachad offers a free resource to help Also, representatives of different faiths Yachad, The National Jewish Coun- create more inclusive environments. synagogues make Purim a more inclu- really reach out and learn about Jewish cil for Disabilities hosts educational con- While special education resources and sive experience; all that’s needed is a values and how it intersects with their ferences in multiple cities to facilitate guidelines for inclusion in general stud- laptop, a projector, and a screen (or a faiths,” she said. “I like how [JDAD] em- inclusion in educational settings. Last ies classrooms abound, “there aren’t a lot white sheet). The Purim PowerPoint bodies the idea of k’lal Yisrael (the Jew- week, Yachad hosted a pair of events in of resources out there for [Judaic stud- presentation allows synagogues to pro- ies]," said Batya Jacob, director of edu- ject the full text of the megillah — in cational support services for Yachad. Hebrew and English, side-by-side — Therefore, the conference was “very spe- on a screen, and use the mouse to fol- cifically looking to help Judaic studies low along as it is read aloud. Originally teachers and teachers in day schools to designed for the Deaf community, the be able to better include all of the differ- PowerPoint is useful for other popula- ent students in their classrooms.” tions as well: the large text helps people with low vision follow along, the side- Resources for Employment by-side translation aids people who do Inclusion not speak Hebrew, and the graphics Inclusion in schools helps create a keep children with attention challeng- foundation for people with disabilities to es engaged. succeed later, but that does not mean in- “It’s a very simple idea that blew clusion efforts can end with graduation. up into this massive thing,” said Jacob. “What happens when the students grow That’s an important lesson about the rip- up and become teens and adults? Where ple effects of inclusion: changes made is the community?” asked Christensen, to accommodate a specific type of disa- who organizes JDAIM. The Jewish Com- bility often end up having benefits for a munity Center of Northern Virginia (JC- much larger swath of the population. CNV) and The Washington Group Special As Jacob put it, the Purim PowerPoint Care Planning Team’s recent workshop is “a perfect segue from JDAIM toward sought to address this need. continuing inclusion.” The “Employment Opportunities for To request the Purim PowerPoint, Individuals with Special Needs Work- email [email protected]. At the "Employment Opportunities for Individuals With Special Needs Workshop," shop,” held at JCCNV on Feb. 15, promot- from left: Ashley Helsing, director of government relations; Adrian Forsythe, advocacy ed resources for inclusion in the work- Malka Goldberg is the Community News editor for programs assistant; and Jordan Robins, Forsythe's mentor/job coach. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JCCNV) place. Approximately 65 participants Kol HaBirah. WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 7 7 8

COMMUNITY NEWS

Harnessing a Different Model Gold stressed that all of the Jewish en- to Boost Jewish Engagement gagement is truly peer-to-peer, from one ÁÁCONTINUED FROM P. 1 young adult to another. Aside from some central office help incorporating Jewish the country. Furthermore, while 86 per- ideas or content into their events, the cent of Jewish adults in the area engage Moishe House residents themselves plan, in religious, cultural, or holiday activ- organize, and conduct all programming. ities, only 26 percent of households in Moishe House’s growth is de- the study belong to a synagogue. mand-based, he said: Any group of three What does this information mean to five Jewish young adults can go to the for Jewish community centers, syna- Moishe House website and submit an gogues, schools, and other institutions application to open their own house. working to strengthen Jewish life in the The locations of the four Moishe Hous- Greater Washington community? es in the Greater Washington area align Jewish Federation of Greater Wash- with centers of the Jewish young adult ington CEO Gil Preuss said he is heart- population identified in the study. There ened by the finding that millennials are two Moishe Houses in DC, which (young adults born about 22 to 36 years has about 34,400 Jews ages 18-29; one ago) seek out Jewish content and pro- in Northern Virginia, which has 19,600 gramming even outside traditional insti- Jewish young adults; and one in subur- tutions. However, he said, it is also clear ban Maryland, which has 11,000 Jewish that, “to date, synagogues, federations, young adults. and other Jewish organizations haven’t Guests at a Moishe House event in Northern Virginia. Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, co-director of developed sufficient strategies” for en- (PHOTO COURTESY OF MOISHE HOUSE) Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virgin- gaging Jewish young adults. ia in Fairfax, said the growing number For some community organizations, not yet engaged) in Judaism. Under the ior director of advancement and philan- of Jews in the DC area — and especial- engaging Jewish young adults outside the Moishe House model, three to five Jew- thropic partnerships for Moishe House, ly in Northern Virginia — means lead- traditional institutional walls has been ish young adults in their 20s live in a operating its own Facebook group, ers should ramp up Jewish outreach ef- their founding principle from the start. house and — in addition to their day email listserv, and locally organized forts. He said he welcomes the efforts of Moishe House bills itself as a glob- jobs or grad school — use the venue to events. Held once or twice per week, Moishe House and any other group that al leader in peer-led Jewish young adult conduct Jewish programming for other these events relate to one of four cate- gives Jews a connection to the broader engagement, piloting initiatives to meet young adults in the area. gories: Jewish holidays and culture, Jew- Jewish community. the interests and needs of the Jewish Each Moishe House is an independ- ish learning, tikkun olam (repairing the young adults participating (and those ent community, said Lander Gold, sen- world), and social gatherings. ÂÂCONTINUED ON P. 9

8 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 8 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Harnessing a Different Model grams and events for congregants to so- to Boost Jewish Engagement cialize, learn, and volunteer together. ÁÁCONTINUED FROM P. 8 Additionally, the personal relationships a rabbi or school principal builds with “It’s been shown that when Jewish congregants or parents, respectively, can- organizations work together, then every- not be discounted. one wins — it raises the water for every- First impressions are also very impor- one,” said Rabbi Deitsch. tant. Rabbi Deitsch said that a person’s Chabad in Northern Virginia has a dif- first encounter with a synagogue mem- ferent engagement model from Moishe ber or greeting committee can be cru- House, and their programs attract a dif- cial; if they feel welcomed into the com- ferent demographic. munity, then they are much more likely In general, when Chabad wants to to come back, while they may write off connect with a new population — and, a synagogue entirely— and maybe even given the large number of unaffiliated synagogues in general — if they have a Jews in the world, this outreach-based bad first experience. organization always wants to expand The Jewish Federation of Great- — they send a dynamic young Chabad er Washington is looking for innova- couple to open a new Chabad House. tive new approaches to increase Jew- This couple, if successful, spend their ish engagement in Maryland, DC, and lives embedded in the community, be- Northern Virginia, said Preuss. At the coming part of it and building lasting same time, he said, Federation will work personal relationships with nearby with existing organizational partners (of Jews. As with Moishe House’s peer-to- which Moishe House is one) to expand peer model, the personal connections what already works. the Chabad couples make are a key to For smaller entities, Gold’s insight- their success. ful recommendation was to resist the

Photo from Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia’s “Flip Like a Latke!” event at Flight Trampoline Park. (SOURCE: CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA/FACEBOOK)

In Northern Virginia, which has six urge to try to be everything to every- Chabad houses total, Chabad is particu- one. One of Moishe House’s strengths, larly attractive to families with young he said, is that they chose to focus on children, said Rabbi Deitsch. In fact, en- young Jewish adults in their 20s. By spe- gaging parents through children’s pro- cializing, they are able to craft a Jewish gramming is one Chabad’s main strate- experience that their demographic ap- gies. “Our upcoming Purim carnival is preciates. Communities need lots of dif- an excellent example of how we engage ferent Jewish organizations focused on each age group,” he said. “We will have, different groups of Jews, agreed Rabbi among other things, an electric bull for Deitsch, with all of the organizations the older kids and a bubble presentation working together to ensure no one falls for the younger kids.” between the cracks. The success of Moishe House and of Chabad of Northern Virginia suggests Gabe Aaronson does IT project management for that strong peer-to-peer connections are the Defense Health Agency and public policy con- the glue that keep people engaged with sulting for various clients. He lives in Kemp Mill, the broader Jewish community. Syna- Maryland, with his wife and two daughters. Email gogues may consider more frequent pro- [email protected]. WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 9 9 10

COMMUNITY NEWS Jewish Community Members Present Their Top Priorities to Legislators at Maryland Jewish Advocacy Day By Suzanne Pollak sentatives and staff of Jewish organiza- Michael Feinstein, CEO of the Bend- tions to advocate directly with state em- er Jewish Community Center, who met Hundreds of Jewish ployees and legislators. with representatives from Delegates advocates from Mont- Generally, the politicians expressed Marc Korman and Ariana Kelly’s offices, gomery, Baltimore, and their support for all but one of the items noted that “the number of hate crimes Howard Counties spent three hours in that were highlighted during Advocacy has been increasing exponentially.” Fed- Annapolis, Maryland, on Feb. 6 lobbying Day: BOOST, a state program that pro- eral funds to beef up security are availa- their state representatives for money to vides scholarships to eligible students ble, he said, adding, “Right now we are help pay to make area buildings more se- so they can attend nonpublic schools, looking to the county and the state.” cure, for a new Hillel building at Univer- was the only request that did not receive During a dinner buffet reception, the sity of Maryland, College Park, and for wide support. Participants gearing up for Maryland crowd listened to short speeches of sup- stronger penalties for hate crimes. Mar- Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal of Shaare Jewish Advocacy Day in Annapolis. port from several politicians, including yland Jewish Advocacy Day, which was Torah in Olney, Maryland, led a meeting (SOURCE: JCRC OF GREATER WASHINGTON/FACEBOOK) Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford and Speaker sponsored by the Jewish Community Re- with Delegate Kumar Barve, one of sev- Mike Busch. lations Council (JCRC) of Greater Wash- eral politicians who does not support “BOOST funding provides a benefit for “You all have friends in the governor’s ington and the Baltimore Jewish Council BOOST. our non-public school families in need office,” Rutherford said. Added Busch, (BJC), is an annual opportunity for repre- Barve explained that he strongly fa- throughout our own local community “We are here to work together and re- vors the concept “to keep public mon- and has proven to be successful in help- solve problems.” He pointed to state ef- ey for public schools.” Instead of BOOST, ing with day school affordability for our forts to ensure that Marylanders are not he said he favors other ways for private families that seek ways to offset tuition hurt under the new federal tax law. schools to save money, pointing out costs at a private or parochial school.” The legislature will be “returning that he has supported efforts to enable Advocates, many who came together your hard-earned tax dollars back to schools to pool their purchases together, by bus, also requested a $1 million grant you,” Busch said. He also said efforts are thereby reducing costs. to help cover the $15 million cost of a being made to stabilize the health care Both the BJC and the JCRC of Greater new 38,000-square-foot Hillel building market in Maryland. Washington support BOOST. in College Park. Maryland State Delegate Ben Kramer “Over the years, we have also seen Many of the other items discussed of District 19 addresses constituents at our Jewish day school population thriv- with legislators and staff are already in- Maryland Jewish Advocacy Day. ing and growing tremendously,” stat- cluded in Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s (PHOTO CREDIT: FRED SHAPIRO) ed literature handed out by the JCRC. proposed budget, including a $150,000 grant for Berman Hebrew Academy to renovate its roof and $250,000 for the Charles E. Smith Life Communities AT THE LUXURIOUS BRUCE BACKMAN’S (CESLC) to buy a generator that would provide full power to all apartments dur- ing power outages and induction heat- PESACH MARRIOTT WESTFIELDS ing units to eliminate the current hot NORTHEASTin the RESORT water systems in its 15 dining rooms, Chantilly, VA which can burn residents or staff. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd In addition to grants for beefing Rutherford. (PHOTO CREDIT: FRED SHAPIRO) WE ACCEPT AIR MILES CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION up security against terrorism and hate crimes, other requests presented to the Maryland Secretary of Aging Rona legislators included a $225,000 grant for Kramer addressed issues close to the the Department of Aging to help support hearts of those attending Jewish Advoca- aging in place programs, a $350,000 re- cy Day, including business partnerships ZIKA FREE quest to meet the needs of Holocaust between Maryland and Israel, Hogan’s survivors, a $75,000 grant for the CESLC’s efforts to end state contracts with com- HIGHEST RATED AND MOST TRUSTED PESACH PROGRAM IN THE NATION’S CAPITOL ElderSAFE program, a $275,000 grant panies that boycott Israel, and the possi- for the Maryland-Israel Development bility of getting a direct El Al flight from FEATURING Center, and a bond bill for $96,500 for Baltimore to Tel Aviv. SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN Jewish Foundation for Group Homes to She urged everyone to complete MRS. HADASSAH LIEBERMAN renovate six of its aging homes. a survey to let the airlines know how RABBI SIMON JACOBSON “Eighty percent of our [Holocaust] much they wanted and would use a di- RABBI EPHRAIM BUCHWALD survivors live below the poverty level,” rect flight. So far, almost 3,000 people BENNY FRIEDMAN said Ron Halber, executive director of have filled out the survey, which can be 8TH DAY’S BENTZI MARCUS the JCRC of Greater Washington, adding found at www.was2tlv.org/. WORLD FAMOUS POPOVICH there are 469 survivors using supplemen- As the reception ended, Baltimore COMEDY PET THEATER tal programs. Jewish Council President Abba Poliakoff FEATURED AMENITIES: The BJC also advocated for $250,000 declared the advocacy day “very success- Indoor & Outdoor Horseback Riding Pools Excursions for the Medical Home Extender Program ful. We had a wonderful opportunity to Tennis Spa Services at Sinai Hospital. deliver our requests and present our rea- Basketball Golf The discussions didn’t only involve sons, and we had a very receptive ear.”

HOME TO THE “BEST FOOD IN THE BUSINESS” Professional Children’s Programming requests for money. The advocates spoke out for a change in the hate crime laws to Suzanne Pollak is the senior writer/editor at Jew- CHOLOV YISROEL RESERVE NOW GLATT KOSHER increase penalties for those who threat- ish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. SHMURAH MATZOH 774.353.0170 en, but do not carry out, a hate crime. She was a reporter at The Courier Post in New NON GEBROCHTS PESACHINTHENORTHEAST.COM “This is all about creating additional Jersey and The Washington Jewish Week, and she tools for judges,” Halber said. now writes for The Montgomery Sentinel. 10 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 10 11

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON PRESENTS

STARRING Lior Raz Co-creator and star of the critically acclaimed Netflix series, Fauda. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018

Join hundreds of business professionals from some of the most prestigious companies across Greater Washington for the must-attend networking event of the year.

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NETWORK CHAIRMAN SPONSOR: The Network

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Greater COMMUNITY NEWS Washington during the American Revolution to fellow DC Event Spotlights Role of Jews and Jewish Jews because the British King and his cen- Thought in America’s Formative Years sors weren’t “that good in Yiddish.” The Jewish population of the new- By Jason Langsner born United States of America account- ed for “scarcely one-tenth of one percent On Feb. 14, U.S. of the national population,” accord- Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) ing to Brandeis University Professor of and Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. American Jewish History Dr. Jonathan Soloveichik discussed Sarna, said Soleveichik. Although small the relationship between religion and in numbers then, the importance of Ju- American government and the contri- daism and the Jewish people had and butions that biblical ideas have made to continues to have a large role to play in American political thought at an event framing law in this country, Soleveichik hosted by the Hoover Institution. The said. For instance, although the Ameri- discussion, which took place in partner- can Jewish population today accounts ship with the Tikvah Fund at the Hoo- for approximately 2 percent of the na- ver Institution’s Washington, D.C., satel- tion’s total population, the U.S. Congress lite office, was part of the institution’s is 6 percent Jewish and the U.S. Supreme monthly “Opening Arguments” series Court has three Jewish members: Justic- and was moderated by Research Fellow es Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Adam J. White. and Elena Kagan. The Establishment Clause in the U.S. Lee, a Mormon, expressed his feeling Constitution (“no religious Test shall From left: Hoover Institution Research Fellow Adam J. White, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), that the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ever be required as a Qualification to any and Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik (PHOTO CREDIT: JAY MALLIN) ter-Day Saints has a “kinship with our Office or public Trust under the Unit- Jewish brothers and sisters as one too ed States”), judicial musings from the Act (FADA) were topics covered under the for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshi- who have felt persecution.” late-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scal- broad umbrella of religious freedom at va University and the rabbi of Congrega- The program also served as an intro- ia on the rule of law, and Lee’s previous- the program. Rabbi Soloveichik, director tion Shearith Israel — the oldest Jewish duction to the eight-part online course ly introduced First Amendment Defense of the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center congregation in the United States — also Rabbi Soloveichik is teaching on the shared his research on Jonas Phillips and Tikvah Fund’s website, entitled “Jewish the legacy of his family. Ideas and the American Founders.” The In 1787, Phillips sent a letter to George course is meant to expand his audience Washington about a proposed provision from in-person speaking engagements, that would require public office holders serve as an archive of his research, and to subscribe and pledge an oath to both share his discoveries about the ways in the New and Old Testaments. Certainly, which Judaism was interwoven into the such a provision would be untenable for founding of America. any observant Jewish individual to have Comprising a group of scholars and made then and to make today. leaders from Stanford University, the In September 2017, on the floor of Hoover Institution’s mission is to “im- the U.S. Senate, Lee described Phillips prove the human condition by advanc- as “a penniless Jewish immigrant, an in- ing ideas that promote economic op- dentured servant, a hard-working busi- portunity and prosperity, while securing nessman, and an American patriot who and safeguarding peace for America and served in the Philadelphia Militia during all mankind,” according to its website. the Revolutionary War.” At the Hoover In- The Hoover Institution’s monthly stitution event, he related how Phillips “Opening Arguments” series can be viewed wrote military correspondence in Yiddish at www.hoover.org.

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COMMUNITY NEWS GREATER WASHINGTON Eva Schloss Captivates Audience at George Mason University By Kol HaBirah Staff will seek out their testimonies and hear their voices? More people must hear Over 1,000 people braved a cold and their stories now. That is why it is so im- rainy night to hear from Eva Schloss, a portant for Eva Schloss to continue to Holocaust survivor, educator, and hu- speak and tell her truths and her remem- manitarian, at George Mason Universi- brances of that horrific time, though it “Guardians of the Soul” ty on Feb. 8. must be painful to tell.” A childhood friend of Anne Frank, Your strictly Orthodox funeral home Schloss became Anne’s stepsister after the in the Washington Metropolitan Area not-yet-famous diarist had already died at the hands of the Nazis: Schloss’s mother married Anne’s father, Otto Frank, after TOTAL ADHERENCE TO HALACHA he lost his wife and children in the war. “It was clear to the many folks who SHLOMO FANTL, M.ED. attended the historical significance of this evening,” said Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, Has studied extensively in co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of North- ern Virginia in Fairfax. “Over the past few Yeshiva and holds a degree days, I heard from many of those who at- in Mortuary Science from tended how this has left a mark on them and inspired them to think of ways to the University of the make a difference and not just be a by- stander, in whatever capacity.” District of Columbia. He Schloss made Anne come to life as a has worked closely with vibrant, outspoken, vivacious young girl with big dreams and big hopes. Everyone the Rabbinic Council of left touched by Schloss’s fortitude in the Anne Frank Memorial in Amsterdam. Greater Washington and face of adversity and her commitment to (PHOTO CREDIT: HÅKAN DAHLSTRÖM/FLICKR) Holocaust education. serves on the board of directors of his local Schloss’s recounting of how seem- “It was so wonderful to have so ingly cherished friends became enemies, many Jewish communities in North- synagogue, Ohr Hatorah Congregation. and the relevance of that issue today, ern Virginia come together to hear Eva had a strong impact on Sherri Shun- Schloss and to help fund her talk,” she fenthal. “I find this so disturbing as our said. Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Vir- LARRY SHOR, B.A. own country becomes more and more ginia organized the event with the sup- divided and people take sides against port of Chabad of Reston-Herndon, the Studied with Rabbi each other instead of working together Jewish Federation of Greater Washing- to solve problems,” she said. “I wish Eva ton, the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Gedaliah Anemer, ZT’L. could speak to Congress.” of Northern Virginia, George Mason Uni- Has participated in choirs Members of Shunfenthal’s extend- versity, Gesher Jewish Day School, the ed family were murdered during the Washington Jewish Week, and Fairfax at several synagogues. Holocaust, and her close friend Itka Zy- County Public Schools. He became a Hazzan and gmuntowicz, a few decades her senior, “It is so important that we all come survived Auschwitz. “So many of Itka’s together and not just stay in our little over the years has served friends who survived the Holocaust have niches,” Shunfenthal concluded. “We as a supervisor for the died in the past five to 10 years. Soon all are still one people, and — especially in the survivors will be gone,” Shunfenthal this crazy world — we should all support Rabbinical Council of said. “Who will speak for them? Who one another.” Washington, Star K of Baltimore, and the Orthodox Union. Larry hosts a Jewish music radio program called “Washington Jewish Radio” and writes a column called “Larry Shor’s Greater Washington” for the Kol Habirah newspaper. 1091-B Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 301.296.6835 www.shomreineshama.com Operating out of Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care, Inc. Rockville, MD Eva Schloss (left) speaking at George Mason University on Feb. 8. (PHOTO CREDIT: CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA) 14 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 14 15

COMMUNITY NEWS GREATER WASHINGTON Local Rabbi and Wife Recognized for Support of Israel By Adam Herman Israeli roots, having taught Judaic stud- ies at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day Rabbi Stuart and Mrs. Symcha Wein- School (CESJDS) and volunteering with blatt of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Po- the Israeli American Council. tomac, Maryland, were presented with Symcha and Stuart served as chairs the Israel 70 Award at the prestigious Is- of the Israel Bonds Ambassador’s Ball in rael Bonds International Prime Minis- 2009. They have four children, three of ter’s Club Dinner Feb. 11 in Miami. The whom are married, and four grandchil- keynote speaker, Israel’s Finance Minis- dren. Their children have all been in- ter Moshe Kahlon, recognized support- volved in many different capacities in Is- ers of the Jewish State from around the rael Bonds and have supported countless United States and others in the Diaspora. other Jewish causes. Israel Bonds, officially known as the The B’nai Tzedek website states that Development Corporation for Israel, con- the congregation “proudly supports Israel cluded 2017 by announcing $1.1 billion Bonds and our members invest in bonds in U.S. sales. The organization formally to help the State of Israel on a regular ba- launched its 2018 campaign at the dinner, sis.” The congregation also participates held at the Fontainebleau Hotel. Over From left: Israel Bonds President and CEO Israel Maimon, Symcha Weinblatt, Rabbi Stuart in the double mitzvah program, where $265 million of bond investments were Weinblatt, Israel Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon, and Israel Bonds Chairman of the bonds can be purchased and donated announced at the event, which means Board Richard Hirsch. (PHOTO CREDIT: PETER HALMAGYI) to any synagogue, school, or non-prof- purchasers will once again make a tangi- it (whether they’re Jewish or not). The ble difference in fostering Israel’s growth. Twenty-two years ago, he began a Stuart Weinblatt isn’t the only rab- B’nai Tzedek community has directly pur- Congregation B’nai Tzedek was weekly Thursday Torah-study group. bi in the family. His wife, Symcha, is de- chased over 4,100 Israel bonds — a value founded by the Weinblatts in 1988, and What was unique about this group scended from a long line of rabbis. Her of over $8.5 million — since January 2000. has grown from a handful of families to was their level of attention to detail in great grandfather was the Chief Rabbi of a thriving, dynamic congregation of ap- studying the Five Books of Moses: rath- Iraq before her family immigrated to Is- Adam Herman is the executive director for Israel proximately 650 families. Rabbi Wein- er than completing the reading in one rael, where she grew up and later worked Bonds Washington, managing the Greater Wash- blatt is widely recognized for his lead- year, they only recently finished stud- as director of the Jerusalem branch of ington region (Maryland, DC, and Virginia). He’s ership in both the Jewish and broader ying the entire Torah, from the first the National Traffic Safety Council. Sym- lived in the DC area for over 20 years, and current- community, especially for his passionate words in Genesis to the final words in cha continues to stay connected to her ly resides in Rockville, Maryland, with his family. work in support of Israel. He is frequent- Deuteronomy. ly asked to speak at community events “I wanted to take my time with and has served as chairman of the Jew- it, go slowly with it, so we could real- ish Federations of North America (JNFA) ly just soak in and absorb the wisdom Rabbinic Cabinet, is head of Jewish Na- of the text,” Rabbi Weinblatt explained tional Fund (JNF)'s Rabbis for Israel, and in a recent interview in The Washing- holds a number of other positions local- ton Post. “Like those people who like to ly and nationally. take their time with a fine cigar or a fine Rabbi Weinblatt recently com- glass of wine, we took our time with a pleted a unique teaching experience. fine work of literature.”

As Israel turns 70, what are the nation's most impressive accomplishments? Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt: “When I think about all of what Israel has been able to achieve with-in the short period of time it has been a nation, 70 years, the list goes on in terms of all of the amaz- ing accomplishments. So, I cannot personal- ly choose just one of them. If we were talking about just the con- quering of the desert and making it bloom, all of that is a dayenu kind of a moment. (PHOTO CREDIT: JACK HARTZMAN) And then we go on in terms of high-tech now-a-days and those amazing accomplishments. That's a dayenu moment. And we go on to the miracle of how people have been able to be absorbed into the country. People who came there with nothing, who were rejected elsewhere, and Is- rael said this is a Jewish nation and it is our obligation to accept and bring you into our country. To open its arms so willing to people that came with practically nothing. And then from that nothingness, Israel has achieved greatness.”

Symcha Weinblatt: “I am one of those immigrant people who came; and my family ended up doing well. I have a sibling who is an educator, I have one brother who is a Knesset mem- ber and he was also vice-mayor of Jerusalem. My family lives in Jerusalem today and they're all doing very well.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS GREATER WASHINGTON Mentalist Alain Nu Wows Crowd at Torah School Auction By Kami Troy mately 250 attendees. ing and engaged the entire After a lively cocktail hour, where room,” said Lisa Solom- From the O’Fishel the sushi station featured prominently, son, TSGW librarian and a sushi to the great priz- guests were treated to a show by Alain 12-year TSGW parent, who es and mentalist per- Nu. Nu has an impressive list of creden- has attended the annual formance, the To- tials — he published two books on the event for many years. rah School of Greater subject of real mind powers, performed While the auction did Washington (TSGW) of Silver Spring, at both of President Obama’s inaugural not have a performer in Maryland, outdid itself with its 14th an- balls, and headlined at the International the past, TSGW Director nual auction. The Feb. 11 event — co- Spy Museum with his program, “The ESP of Development Rabbi chaired by Torah School parents Bay- in Espionage.” Yossie Charner explained, la Goodman, Yaffa Koff, Meghann “I’ve been to more bar mitzvahs than “Instead of just an auc- Schwartz, and Dana Sicherman — was all of you,” Nu quipped to break the ice tion, we decided to add held at Beth Sholom Congregation in Po- with the crowd. Then, he performed multi- an entertainer. We want tomac, Maryland, and attracted approxi- ple feats of mentalism, including correctly to keep it fresh and excit- Alain Nu performs one of his many amazing feats. guessing an audience mem- ing.” Indeed, the auction ber’s birthday and hypno- is one of the most important fundraisers The event closed with emcee and tizing two audience mem- for the school, and attracting a broad au- TSGW parent Daniel Ratner announc- bers, wherein each man felt dience is crucial to its success. ing the winners of the 26 prizes, rang- Nu tap him on the shoul- “We really wanted to elevate the ing from gift cards to professional sports der, while the audience event and draw a bigger and more di- tickets to electronics. “The Torah School clearly witnessed that Nu verse crowd, and we were able to ac- wants to thank the community for their had only tapped on one. complish those goals,” said co-chair Bay- support. It is always so nice to see so “The addition of men- la Goodman. “The format change, which many families not directly affiliated talist Alain Nu this year included a performance by a fascinating with the Torah School come to support added a really fun element mentalist, along with the beautiful ambi- the auction,” Charner said. to an already enjoyable ance and delicious food, really took the Beautiful sushi buffet arrangement. evening. He was entertain- annual TSGW auction up a notch.” Kami Troy is senior editor of Kol HaBirah.

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Greater COMMUNITY NEWS Baltimore Get Ready for a Local Olympic Experience With the Mini and Junior Maccabi Games By Rachel Kohn aged 9-12 on May 6, 2018. The Mini and unites the Greater Baltimore community JCC will host a free resource fair for Jew- Junior Maccabi Games provide many of through this one-day sports tournament." ish teens and their families to connect The JCC Maccabi the same opportunities for healthy ath- The Games in Baltimore will include with representatives from over 40 local Games are currently letic competition and social and cultur- the following sports: boys basketball, girls organizations. The networking event, celebrating 36 years al experiences as the original Maccabi basketball, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys called “iEngage,” will feature teen and of bringing Jewish Games, but are geared toward a younger baseball, coed swimming, coed tennis, adult representatives from organiza- youth together to crowd; Mini Maccabi is for ages 9-10, and coed table-tennis, and coed flag football. tions involved in leadership and social connect and compete with their peers Jr. Maccabi is for ages 11-12, and kids must The JCC’s participation in the Macca- action programs, camping, education, from around the country and the world. be between the ages of 9-12 as of May bi experience will not be limited to the recreational activities, and more. Host- The Jewish Community Center (JCC) of 1, 2018, to participate. More than 1,300 athletic competition, however. Thirty-six ed by the 4Front Teen Engagement In- Greater Baltimore is getting in on that Jewish athletes from 20 JCCs across the events between now and the Games in itiative and geared toward kids from action as the host of the first-ever com- Mid-Atlantic region will be convening in May 2018 will honor the Games’ 36th an- grades six through 12 and their parents, bined Mini and Junior Maccabi Games. Baltimore for the event. niversary and celebrate all aspects of the iEngage will also feature live entertain- Tryouts for the Baltimore-area teams "Many of these kids might not have “JCC Maccabi Midot,” which include re- ment, games, and giveaways. have concluded, and the JCC of Greater the opportunity to participate in the old- pairing the world, respect, Jewish peo- For more information about the 2018 Baltimore recently publicized the roster er JCC Maccabi program, but they still plehood, and more. Macabbi Experience, visit www.jcc.org or of local athletes and volunteer coaches get a taste of the experience through the On Feb. 25, for example, the JCC of email [email protected]. For more participating. Mini and Junior Maccabi program," said Greater Baltimore will host a 3-on-3 bas- information about iEngage, which will The Mid-Atlantic Mini & Junior Mac- the JCC's Games Director Rebecca Chin- ketball tournament for high school stu- take place from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on cabi Games will be a one-day, Olym- sky. "It really helps develop one’s sense dents (proceeds to benefit JCC Macca- Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Rosenbloom Ow- pic-style tournament for Jewish athletes of pride and joy for being Jewish, and bi), and the Rosenbloom Owings Mills ings Mills JCC, visit 4frontbaltimore.org. Suburban Orthodox Congregation Celebrates 60 Years With Night of Comedy By Juliya Sheynman at the event for their selfless commit- ment to strengthening Jewish Balti- Internationally-known comedian Elon more through their volunteerism in Gold made for a very personal and very many local organizations. Honorees Sa- funny night of comedy at a celebration rah and Meir Raskas were recognized Feb. 11 benefiting the Institute for Jewish for their long dedication to the shul Continuity and Suburban Orthodox Con- through their roles in event production, gregation Toras Chaim in Baltimore. In ad- sisterhood, and the shul board. Lega- dition to the hilarious “glatt kosher” show, cy Award-winner Shirley Elbaum ex- more than 500 guests enjoyed Israeli cui- pressed tremendous gratitude that the sine and a decadent dessert reception. shul brought together her entire fami- 2018 Tzorchei Tzibbur honorees ly and recognized the great deeds of her Dovi and Atara Ziffer were recognized late husband Gerry. Comedian Elon Gold (left) with Baltimore 2018 Tzorchei Tzibbur honorees Sarah and resident Iris Littman. (COURTESY PHOTO) Meir Raskas. (COURTESY PHOTO)

From left: 2018 Tzorchei Tzibbur honoree Atara Ziffer, 2017 honoree Tzippi Goetz, and Shevy and Howie Friedman. (COURTESY PHOTO) Legacy Award-winner Shirley Elbaum with her grandchildren. (COURTESY PHOTO) 18 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 18 19

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COMMUNITY NEWS GREATER BALTIMORE Purim Palooza 2018 to Include a New Meaningful Experience for Students By Hanni Werner County community in a collaborative ef- fort in one space.” The annual Purim Palooza & Kids Ac- “The concept of a Purim carnival tivity Expo, a community-wide carnival dates back a long time in our history and commemorating the joyous Purim holi- has become an expression of American day, is the Jewish Federation of Howard Judaism,” added Rabbi Daniel Plotkin of County’s largest event of the year, draw- Temple Isaiah in Fulton, Maryland. “Of- ing over 1,000 people. Now entering its ten the community unites to commem- 26th year, the Feb. 25 event will feature orate solemn events like Yom HaShoah a new format. [Holocaust Memorial Day], but it’s just Before the carnival activities, which as meaningful to come together to cele- will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 brate our Judaism.” p.m. at Long Reach High School, this The program is also an opportunity year’s event will also feature a special for smaller schools, which may not have pre-carnival program from 9:00 to 11:00 the resources to run their own carnival, to a.m. It will bring together all of the coun- participate. Children who do not attend ty’s synagogue and temple religious- religious school are also invited to attend. Young families celebrate Purim at last year’s Purim Palooza & Kids Activity Expo. school students to create a community- The day will open with a musi- (PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY) wide learning experience. cal and story-telling program. Children “It’s the first time all Howard Coun- from pre-K through seven grade will shirts, face painting, DJ Doug’s Simon tate a new and improved Purim Palooza ty religious-school students are com- then participate in a few half-hour ses- Says, food, prizes, and more. Local busi- program that fosters greater community ing together in about 30 years,” said Jer- sions, divided by grade. Immediately fol- nesses that cater to kids and young fami- unity,” said Hedy Tanenholtz, vice presi- ry Kiewe, director at Columbia Jewish lowing the Sunday school program, all lies will have exhibits at the event. dent of programming at the Federation. Community School (CJCS). “That’s over students will be invited to stay at the “The Jewish Federation of Howard “We look forward to bringing Jewish 500 students with all the educators and Palooza for games and activities, includ- County is excited to partner with How- families together to share a day of learn- rabbis. It will be the school-age Howard ing photo novelties, airbrush hats and ard County religious schools and facili- ing, celebration, and fun.”

CAMPUS CORNER American University Conference Examines State of Israel’s Relationship With its Arab Citizens By Dylan Thomas ing symbols of Jewish national identity to Israeli national identity, like changing On Sunday Feb. 11, the lyrics of "Hatikvah" from "a Jewish American University’s soul still yearns" to an "Israeli" soul still Center for Israel Stud- yearns. Others believed economically ies organized a mi- stimulating Arab neighborhoods, com- ni-conference called bating violence against women, and pro- “The Arab Population in Israel 1948 to To- moting equal labor rights would help re- day." It brought scholars and activists to- turn a sense of honor to Arabs. gether from around the world to discuss Israel is currently grappling with im- the changing agendas, facets, and aspira- plementing some of these measures. Is- tions of Israeli Arabs. A theme that reso- rael’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked re- nated throughout the conference was cently delivered a wide-ranging speech the duality of feeling Palestinian or Arab to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on while recognizing one's Israeli citizenship. Voting in the Israeli-Arab town of Jaffa, a mixed city of Christians, Muslims and Jews, the challenges of maintaining a Jewish Since the State of Israel’s founding, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. (PHOTO CREDIT: NOAM MOSKOVICH/THE ISRAEL PROJECT) and democratic nation. And as politi- their demographic story has been one of cians continue to wrestle with this bal- ascent and they will continue to play a according to the conference brochure. In dress its constituents' financial and hous- ance, observers will be keeping a close larger societal role for the foreseeable fu- 2015, this evolving dynamic led to a stun- ing concerns. Thair Abu-Rass, a Ph.D. eye on minority rights as a weathervane ture. Currently numbering about 1.8 mil- ning third-place victory by the Joint List, student at the University of Maryland, of democracy. lion people, Arabs constitute roughly 20 an Arab-dominant political party. The provided focused finance and econom- percent of the country’s population. party’s platform is committed to improv- ics commentary in the “Government In- Hailing from Orange County, California, Dylan In the breakout session “Israeli Ar- ing public services, education, employ- vestment in the Arab Sector” session. studied abroad at Ben-Gurion University of the abs and Israeli Politics” with Moham- ment, reducing crime, and the economy. But the mini-conference’s closing Negev in Be’er Sheva, Israel, and holds a Bache- mad Wattad, assistant professor at Ze- The party was entitled to two seats on plenary asked panelists to think further lor of Science degree from the University of Cal- fat’s College of Law in Israel and listed the Foreign Affairs and Defense Commit- down the road, of solutions that were ifornia Berkeley. He recently finished consulting on the Israeli Embassy’s speakers guide, tee (FADC) and two on the Finance Com- more comprehensive and involved Jew- with NASA’s DEVELOP Program, helping build a elaborated on, “the Arab political agenda mittee. It opted for the two FADC seats ish-Arab cooperation. Some noted Israel computer model that detected surface water, and under Israel’s democracy… and the con- with two more on the Finance Commit- should be doing more to ensure Arabic serves as an investigative associate at the Immi- stitutional rights of the Arab minority,” tee in an effort to more effectively ad- stays a national language. Or transform- gration Reform Law Institute. 20 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 20 21

COMMUNITY NEWS CAMPUS CORNER Maryland Hillel Goes the Extra Mile to Provide Diverse and Engaging Shabbat Experiences By Elan Burman tion sessions. Some 400-600 students fill evening. These meals are frequented by Hillel every week. By creating varied op- anywhere from 1,500 to 1,800 students. Ahad Ha’am is famously quoted as portunities, students can select a person- Maryland Hillel either provides the saying that more than the Jews have kept ally meaningful experience. However, in food for these meals or assists students Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews. The sharing the physical space, as they do, an in covering the costs. SHABBAM is not potency of designating a space and time overarching sense of unity and commu- merely about a meal; rather, Hillel’s staff for learning, reflection, dialogue, and nity is forged. work with students to ensure that they community is hard to overstate. Wheth- Hillel takes pains to ensure that Shab- are intentional about what happens er one is observant, secular, traditional, bat permeates the entire campus. Each during the Shabbat encounter. Staff in- “just Jewish” or culturally Jewish, Hillel week, a Shabbat meal is organized on volvement may include selecting a piece has worked diligently to foster varied the North Campus, which typically hous- of text to learn together, or speaking and meaningful opportunities for Shab- es freshman. Hillel’s staff also frequently through inviting a diverse guest list to bat engagement. works with fraternities and sororities to ensure robust discussion. “Shabbat is central to Jewish life in bring Shabbat to the Greek houses. Staff Maryland Hillel also inspires stu- College Park,” said Rabbi Ari Israel, Mar- also make themselves available to host dents to leverage Shabbat as a call to ac- yland Hillel’s executive director of 15 discussions or facilitate learning at any tion and activism. Global Justice Shab- years. “The Hillel staff and student lead- of these locations. Hillel also creatively bat is one of several themed Shabbatot ership have successfully created a mul- employs guest educators from a variety on campus that focus on pressing social tivocal experience in which almost any of perspectives to create an atmosphere challenges. This semester, Global Justice Jewish student can find meaning and of reflection and learning. Shabbat will take place Feb. 23 and ad- value. The role Shabbat has played in cul- As impactful as a regular Shabbat Maryland Hillel Executive Director Rabbi dress cultural issues around sexual har- tivating a broader sense of community is on Maryland’s campus can be, it pales Ari Israel (COURTESY PHOTO) assment and violence. hard to overstate.” in comparison to what occurs when Maryland Hillel is not resting on its The Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Hillel orchestrates one of its special empowering student leaders to host laurels, constantly reimagining Shabbat Center for Jewish Life houses anywhere Shabbatot. Shabbat for themselves and their peers on campus. “The numbers of students from three to five minyanim on a regu- The Gorlin Family Foundation Shab- (often for the first time). SHABBAM typ- celebrating Shabbat on this campus are lar Shabbat; these include traditional bat Across Maryland (SHABBAM) Initia- ically sees over 100 Shabbat meals tak- impressive, but there is always room for prayer services and discussion or medita- tive, for example, sees Maryland Hillel ing place in College Park on a single growth,” said Rabbi Israel.

SHABBAT IN COLLEGE PARK Maryland Hillel creates diverse Shabbat experiences that appeal to students from a variety of Jewish backgrounds. Each week, Hillel hosts multiple minyanim, learning sessions and discussion groups. Shabbat dinners both big and small occur across campus. While special Shabbatot, like Hillel's Global Justice Shabbat and the Gorlin Family Shabbat Across Maryland, leverage Shabbat to create community, inspire action and motivate learning.

SHABBAT ACROSS REGULAR SHABBAT GLOBAL JUSTICE MARYLAND - Multiple Minyanim SHABBAT - 100 Hosts - Learning Sessions - Explores social issue - 1,500 to 1,800 Guests - Dinners Large & Small - Educates the community - One Shabbat - Motivates action

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COMMUNITY NEWS TEENS IN ACTION NCSY Cardin Program is Back in Action GREATER WASHINGTON NCSY AT A GLANCE

NCSY SPOTLIGHT: EZRA BELETSKIY

NCSY has given me an unimaginable excitement

and belief in my religion, Each Wednesday at Magen David Sephardic Congregation in Rockville, Maryland, teens which I never imagined I join mentors for learning, dinner, and a speech from a special guest. Most recently, they heard from Denny Berman about the theme of charity and chesed. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTIE WATSON) would have.

• Half/Full Day Options Ezra Beletskiy is an 11th grader at Berman Hebrew 7:30 am- 6:00 pm Academy. He lives in Kemp Mill, and is a member of the • 18 Months, Twos, Threes SCHILIT Varsity basketball team at BHA. Ezra has been involved & PreK Classes with NCSY since his freshman year of high school. • Toddler Time Class NURSERY Ages 14–24 months (with adult) SCHOOL • Play at B’nai GREATER WASHINGTON NCSY Newborn–15 months (with adult) • Summer Camp Program BY THE NUMBERS • M a r y l a n d S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t of Education License

856 individual teens • USCJ Gold Award

294 events • Jewish Federation Commendation 5,823 total attendance Awards 14 public schools with JSU clubs IT’S NEVER 86 Senator Ben Cardin Scholars TOO LATE TO REGISTER! Your Child’s Future is Our Passion!

We are ALWAYS OPEN KAREN GERTON to welcoming new Director NANCY GOLDBERG families! Assistant Director

6301 Montrose Road Call for information Rockville, Maryland 20852 and to schedule (located behind CESJDS Lower School) a tour. 301-816-5578 | www.bnaiisraelcong.org

22 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 22 23 SCHOOLS WASHINGTON, D.C. Celebrating the Hebrew Language at MILTON By Vered Goldstein and Ronit Greenstein They were also very excited to learn that they already knew many of the words At Milton Gottesman Jewish Day that Ben-Yehuda invented, including gli- School of the Nation’s Capital (MILTON), da (ice cream), booba (doll), varod (pink), forging connections to Israel through afor (gray), and rakevet (train). the experience of Israeli customs, foods, This year, Israel celebrates its 70th dances, songs, and stories is a vital com- birthday, and MILTON has commit- ponent of the Hebrew and Judaic Stud- ted to bringing even more Israel edu- ies program. cation to its students. In the spirit of This year, the first graders were in- shiv’im panim laTorah (70 faces of the troduced to two figures who are famous Torah), 70 facets of Israel will be ex- for their contributions to the Hebrew plored from the kick-off event re-creat- language: Datia Ben-Dor and Eliezer ing the historical United Nations (U.N.) Ben-Yehuda. partition vote through Yom Ha’Atzmaut January was dedicated to Ben-Dor. (Israel’s Independence Day). Students After learning about her life and work, are learning about Israel by exploring the students were excited to find out its history; arts and culture; geography that they were already familiar with and climate; contributions to the fields many of her songs and stories they of science, technology, and agriculture; learned in previous years as well as the and its people. current one. One of Ben-Dor’s most fa- First graders listening attentively at MILTON. (PHOTO CREDIT: MIRANDA CHADWICK) mous songs is “Yaldah Achat U’mitriah Vered Goldstein is the Hebrew instructional lead- Achat” (“One Girl and One Umbrella”), a words and tune to the song. The chil- Ben-Yehuda’s birthdate; Ben-Yehuda is er for early childhood and Hebrew & Judaic Stud- Hebrew counting song about a girl who dren loved singing and acting out the known as the “reviver” of the Hebrew ies teacher for first grade at MILTON. She was born shares her umbrella with friends on a song with a big umbrella. language. The students were all amazed in Tel Aviv, Israel, and currently lives in Maryland. rainy day. First, the children heard the The students also celebrated “He- to find out that a little over 100 years ago, Ronit Greenstein is director of communication story, and then the children learned the brew Language Day,” which falls on people did not speak Hebrew in Israel. at MILTON.

Thursday, March 15, 2018 7:00 P.M. Reception • 7:30 P.M. Program Virginia is for Israeli Tech lovers Innovations and our interconnected future Sheryl Schwartz, Chief Operations Officer of CareTek, LLC Event Chairs: Julie Wallick and David Selden RSVP by Thursday, March 8th Gesher Jewish Day School • 4800 Mattie Moore Court Fairfax, VA 22030

To become a sponsor and to purchase your Gesher with a TWIST tickets online visit: Gesher-jds.org/TWIST2018. For additional information please contact Jennifer Scher, 703-962-9209 • [email protected].

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 23 23 24

The Spring Real Estate Market is Underway - This is The Best Time to Sell for Top Dollar! Guide to Selling Your Home: Pricing Staging Listing Marketing Negotiating Closing By Barbara Ciment, Associate Broker, Realtor®, Long & Foster Real Estate February, 2018 This Guide is written to inform recommend de-clutter, repairs or for placement in the home. Similarly, the other side and seeing what might home sellers what challenges and improvements to increase your home’s owner disclosure forms, owners be possible or likely, no one knows requirements they might encounter and value. Your agent should conduct a statements, need be distributed. Your in advance where they are going to what advice and assistance they should systematic search of comparables agent will order a For Sale signpost agree and settle. Your agent should expect from their Listing Agent during in the MLS and Tax Records to see for your front lawn and try to set up facilitate the negotiations and keep you the selling process. comparable sales in the area. This a schedule for open houses and/or informed on the demands of all parties search usually includes: properties showings by appointment. and the requirements of all terms, that have sold within the past 12 Manage Media Marketing while charting a course to win-win Get a Free Market Analysis months; active listings; pending sales Aside from the MLS, there are other positions. Successful agents know how Most agents offer a Free Market and sometimes even expired listings or outlets that need to be employed to represent your interests faithfully Analysis at your first meeting in your FSBOs, something that no automated to market your home. As most and ethically, while probing the other home. You should not feel pressured system can do. home buyers start their search on side to find what will make the deal to sign on the spot. This is a good time This selection process needs the the Internet, it is very important to that you ultimately might accept, to make sure you are comfortable human touch to review price respond to inquiries from the various even though it may not be what you with the competence and personality differences due to property size, living MLS listing websites. Most tech-savvy originally expected. It is this skill that of your agent, as you will be working area size, garage spaces, number of buyers also subscribe to email alerts to separates “great agents” from “good together on a very large financial and bedrooms and baths, age, architectural stay current and your agent should be agents. often emotional transaction. Your style or physical condition, etc. employing these powerful tools. With agent should advise on home-prep all the modern tools, it still doesn’t hurt Under Contract: Hurdles to Closing and staging the sale of your home by A public website where you can check to use direct mail printed target cards, Finally, the haggling is over and we reviewing your property and providing recent sales surrounding your home flyers and newsletters. Wide-area news have an agreement and we are Under decorating and repair suggestions. and build your own CMA is: publications are less useful these days Contract but, not yet certain to close! Your agent should be able to act as a www.SurroundHomes.com while, local neighborhood outlets and • Monitor lender's approval resource to identify repair specialists Staging Your Home List Serves are good outlets for e-Flyers. • Meet with appraisers and inspectors and the whole host of experts that and deal with difficult appraisals, will be needed throughout the selling Home staging refers to all the possible or lender’s requirements that often process. A most important first step actions you can take to improve your Contract Registered: trigger contingencies that make the home’s appeal to potential buyers. will be agreeing on a list price. Negotiating its Acceptance contract completely renegotiable There is no end to what you might • This negotiation period may actually Setting a List Price for Your Home think of doing from cleaning up, Now starts the intense process of dealing with all sorts of people and be longer than the initial contract Marketing your home at the right price repairing, painting, renovating and negotiation above... yields the fastest sale at the highest adding or subtracting: furnishings, personalities and skilled professionals. This will require communication and • Finally all differences are resolved price. There are many factors that appliances, landscaping, etc. There are and Settlement Date is set. Agent go into the price of a house. Every also artistic specialists that can be used negotiating skills for the usual and the unanticipated problems. First and should review documentation and house is unique, especially its location. for this activity. The function of a real fees and correct inevitable errors. Your agent’s job is to strategize the estate agent is to advise you on the foremost, your agent must represent your interests in an ethical manner, price by understanding your market, range of actions that have the biggest You agent should strive to minimize neighborhood, model, improvements payoffs without too much delay or maintaining standards of professional ethics towards potential buyers. Your stress, and encourage flexibility, and competition and work together stress. patience and understanding of with you to price your home so that agent should provide advice and constant feedback on all material how to work with a wide range of it sells for the best price in the least Listing Period: Before the Contract personalities, i.e., buyers, sellers and amount of time and stress! The regional Realtor® Listing activities, including: • All serious inquiries and reports on controlling family members, who Agreement has become a long may be involved in the transaction. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) document, over 50 pages. Your agent showings from agents and buyers CMA is the term real estate agents In addition, you need to understand should be able to walk you through and their impressions use when they prepare a report and and cooperate with the host of the boilerplate and focus on the • Report back on property condition analysis of a home’s worth in the professionals who have roles to play relevant parts. In particular, you will • Monitor qualification of buyers, call current market. Some of the most in the sale and purchase of a home: need to fill out disclosure/disclaimer lenders and mortgage brokers to popular Internet CMA sites: Zillow. inspectors, appraisers, loan officers, forms regarding the condition of your get personal feedback com, Realtor.com or Redfin.com show contractors, lawyers and others. home, provide utility bills and deal • Explain all negotiated clauses and you one number that comes from with new laws such as a required radon terms, e.g., any pre/post-occupancy their “black box” data and algorithms. inspection report. requirements or contingencies Closed But, Issues Still May Arise These estimates may work in cookie • Attend home inspection and deal • Post-settlement support cutter home subdivisions but, given Home Listed with an Agent ... with requirements and demands relative to questions arising the fact that so many homes are either Your Marketing Campaign Begins resulting from it; advise on repairs from unanticipated findings or custom-built or, have been customized occurrences of property condition You should expect your agent to cover and required service providers by renovations and remodeling, these and whether seller disclosures were all the bases! A critical first step to • Respond to buyer demands by estimates may vary by 15-20% from accurate and truthful. E.g., water in marketing your home is to upload a drafting clear and effective clauses ultimate sales prices. These companies basement, leaks from roof, cracking detailed and appealing listing of your for any negotiated items do mention that is the case in many or settlement of home, pest home into our regional MLS. (MRIS • Prepare seller's expense sheet areas but, it is in the fine print. That infestations, etc. recently changed its name to Bright • Maintain good working relations is why it is important to get a CMA MLS after merging with other MLS with agents, attorneys, inspectors, This is a brief overview from the home developed by a knowledgeable real organizations in NJ and PA areas). You appraisers, mortgage lenders and seller’s perspective of the role of the estate professional after viewing the should expect to have a professional repair professionals to expedite Listing Agent and what you should property in question and reviewing photo shoot of your home, that results. expect and require in your relationship. sales activity in the area. will produce dynamic floor plans, Clearly, much of this discussion applies captioned photos in MLS, printed color The Art of Negotiation to the home buyer but, there are other Your Personalized CMA Everyone knows how to ask for what Your agent should walk through your brochures, multi-website distribution, issues that buyers need to consider in they want or need but, that does not home observing upgrades, renovations advertising, open houses, e-flyers and choosing an agent and that will follow mean they know how to negotiate to and needed improvements. Property e-alerts, .... Your agent should prepare in a subsequent issue. get what might get accepted. Until condition strongly affects price. At color Fact Sheets/Brochures uploaded you start the process of listening to Copyright © 2018 this point, your agent may actually to various websites and printed out

This Guide was Specially Prepared for Readers of Kol HaBirah, Courtesy of Barbara Ciment Team, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

24 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 24 25

Purim Is Not the Time to Fool Around in the Real Estate Market: Call Barbara Now! The Barbara Ciment Team Serves All of Montgomery County $500 Million in Career Sales Over 1,000 Closed Sales Transactions Helped Over 500 Buyers/Renters Find Homes #1 Office Producer 25 Years in a Row and Counting The Barbara Ciment Team “Your Home Team” Barbara & Mel Ciment and My Team’s Buyer Specialists: Emily Lurie and Judi Shields Barbara Ciment Associate Broker, Realtor

6000 Executive Blvd, Suite 100 North Bethesda, MD 20852 Office: 301-468-0606 Emily Lurie Judi Shields [email protected] 301-346-9126 www.ciment.com

Selected from Our Recent Sales and Current Listings/Transactions

Arcola Creekside LW Dumont Oaks Greens At Leisure World Jacob's Woods

2008 Arcola Ave 2901 Leisure World Blvd #219 151 Finale Ter 15100 Interlachen Dr #624 8028 Flora Ln Under Contract For Sale: $385,000 Under Contract For Sale: $165,000 Representing Buyer-In Contract Asking Price: $429,000 Asking Price: $360,000 Asking Price: $399,900

Kemp Mill Kemp Mill Kemp Mill Kemp Mill Kemp Mill

11717 Stonington Pl 134 Claybrook Dr 905 Brentwood Ln 11743 Lovejoy St 1211 N. Belgrade Rd Under Contract Under Contract We Listed & Sold For Sale: $539,000 For Sale: $749,000 Asking Price: $465,000 Asking Price: $445,000 Sold Price: $510,000

Kemp Mill Estates King Farm Northwood Park View Olney Rock Creek Manor

105 Claybrook Dr 1107 Reserve Champion Dr 11003 Lombardy Rd 18312 Queen Elizabeth Dr 13516 Crispin Way For Sale: $545,000 Representing Buyer-In Contract For Sale: $369,000 Represented Buyer in this Sale Sold: $500,000 Asking Price: $675,000 Sold Price: $560,000

University Towers University Towers Villa Cortese LW Westwood Garden Woodmoor

1121 University Blvd #716 1111 University Blvd #1111 14809 Pennfield Cir #212 10864 Bucknell Dr #201 10210 Ridgemoor Dr Represented Buyer in this Sale For Sale: $120,000 Under Contract Representing Buyer-In Contract Sold: $487,500 Sold Price: $175,000 Asking Price: $218,000 Asking Price: $310,000

All data from Bright MLS subject to revision. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Copyright 2018

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 25 25 26

SCHOOLS SILVER SPRING

YGW Girls Division Presents ‘The Nanny’ This year, the play, adapted from Rabbanit G. Silber’s novel “Dovid Mey- By Shira Komarow er,” and incorporating aspects of “Mary Poppins,” tells the story of a young boy This week, when the curtains slowly named Dovid Kaplan, who is on a quest closed on “The Nanny,” a production put to earn money for his family due to his on by the girls of the Yeshiva of Great- crippled father’s inability to work. He er Washington (YGW) in Silver Spring, lands a job as a nanny for the Smiths, Maryland, they heralded not only the fi- a wealthy British family. Yet, he gains nale of a play, but also the zenith of an more than he bargains for, and in the experience. The performance, known process, brings the Smiths back to their simply as “Production” in the school’s Jewish roots through his charm and parlance, was held on Feb. 11 and 12 at good-heartedness. The performance Berman Hebrew Academy’s auditorium drew in hundreds of women from the in Rockville, Maryland. Greater Washington area. Its messages Every year, the YGW Girls Division of gratitude to Hashem and of a single puts on Production — fusing acting, sing- person’s impact reverberated through- ing, and dancing into a masterpiece for out the performances. the community’s women to enjoy. Pro- “Being a part of this experience for duction is the culmination of months my last year of high school was incred- of preparation by both middle and high ible,” shared Mali Abedon, a 12th-grader schoolers. Hours upon hours are spent who played Charles Smith, the father of rehearsing scenes, practicing dance From left: YGW Production cast members Havi Schwechter (Lizzy Smith), the British family Dovid works for. “I’m moves, learning songs, painting scenery, Hadassah Edinger (Airport Dance), and Nechama Langer (Shoshana Kaplan) so lucky I got to be a part of it.” and planning the myriad aspects of the celebrate a successful performance. While the curtains of Production show. But all the preparations are more may have closed for the year, the memo- than apparent when the girls step onto Production: “In Yeshiva of Greater Wash- ship, generosity, kindness, patience, and ries created and the lessons absorbed are the stage under the spotlight. ington, we don’t consider our school Pro- collaboration. Our girls learn so much there to stay. Yet, besides being an opportunity to duction to be truly extracurricular. Rath- about their own strengths and those of showcase talent, Production is a spring- er, it brings to life lessons, in a far more their friends, and gain so much from in- Shira Komarow is a junior at Yeshiva of Greater board for growth. Mrs. Sara Malka Winter, powerful way than can ever be conveyed vesting so much time and effort in some- Washington and was drama director of this year’s faculty advisor, explained the mission of in the classroom. Lessons about leader- thing bigger than themselves.” Production. Fun with Physics at LBJA The Leo Bernstein Jewish Acade- ers created a science project that they my of Fine Arts held its annual Science have worked on all year. The younger Fair on Sunday, Feb. 11. This year’s theme students worked on group projects dis- was physics. All third through sixth grad- played inside the Science Fair room.

Yardena Altschuler with her presentation "In a Simple Gear Train, Which Gear Rotates Faster?" (PHOTO COURTESY OF LBJA)

Sophie Obstfeld with her presentation "The Fidget Spinner Spins Longer with Heavier Eliana Meushaw with her presentation about creating a robot that makes art. Spurs or Lighter Ones?" (PHOTO COURTESY OF LBJA) (PHOTO COURTESY OF LBJA) 26 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 26 27

SCHOOLS ROCKVILLE CESJDS Opens a Lower School Tinker Space

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day the Tinker Space is that students can building kits, a code-a-pillar, and other School (CESJDS) in Rockville, Maryland, work and create on their own. There is playsets to take home and explore out- officially opened its new Tinker Space no formal teaching and no instruction side of school hours. with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony manuals,” said Lower School Science Additionally, the Instructional Tech- on Feb. 14. The Tinker Space is an area and STEM Coordinator Dr. Alexis Soffler. nology department, along with a green where students can build, code, and cre- “Students are engaging in mathematical screen, have been relocated to the Me- ate in an open-ended way. This addition and engineering thinking that also mas- dia Center. JDS Lions Live, the Lower comes as JDS renamed the Gudelsky Li- querades as play.” School’s student media group, utilizes brary as the Gudelsky Media Center. The Tinker Space features robotics this area to showcase school highlights. The Tinker Space is open for student and building materials (gears, snap cir- This change in the space reflects a grow- exploration before school and during re- cuits, hex bugs) and various centers for ing awareness of the many ways stu- cess. “The most interesting thing about exploration. Another feature of the Tink- dents learn and discover information. er Space is the STEM Library, where stu- By combining books with hands-on dis- Gudelsky Family representative Michael dents can check out books pertaining to covery and technology, students are not T. Friedman and Head of School Rabbi STEM subjects (science, technology, en- just receivers of information, but also Mitchel Malkus officially open the Tinker gineering, and math) and borrow robots, makers and doers. Space. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CESJDS)

Student Journalists at JDS Recognized by for the in-depth article “Under the Same the Jewish Scholastic Press Association Roof: Pluralism in the Community.” Rebecca Weiss (Grade 10) tied herself Kol HaBirah Staff ongoing reporting, for web articles in- for first place for Feature Writing on In- Last week, six student journalists cluding “School Receives Bomb Threat.” terreligious or Intercultural Issues, for from the staff of the Lion’s Tale were Isaac Silber and Rina Torchinsky her articles “To Poland, with Love” and recognized at the Jewish Scholastic won first place for News Writing about “Journey to Jordan.” Press Association Annual Convention Judaism or Israel, for their article “Even CESJDS Director of Publications, Jes- for their outstanding work: in Tragedy, Chain Remains Unbroken.” sica Nassau, attended the conference From left: fifth-graders Aliza Bellas, Lauren Ari Feuer, Isaac Silber, and Rina Addie Bard and Aliza Rabinovitz and presented two successful sessions Rich, and Aviva Stern pose in front of the Torchinsky (Grade 12) won first place for (Grade 11) won first place for page design, on page design. green screen. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CESJDS)

Friendship Ages 4-14 Camp OPEN Community HOUSE Sunday, Feb. 25 1-3 pm Early bird registration FUN! ends March 1 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, MD 301-576-2815 • [email protected]

Convenient to the ICC & Glenmont Metro Camp logo Transportation Available barrie.org/campFriendship. Community. Fun. p Open House Sunday Feb 25 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 1-3pm February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 27 Early Bird Discount ends March 1 barrie.org/camp Ages 4-14 Convenient to the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Transporta- 27 28

FEATURES

Northern Virginia tor and the red tape of securing the nec- kids via stroller to shul instead of one York, a place where rivers and gorges Communities Seek Eruv essary permits, the project was dropped. parent staying at home all of Shabbat. form significant barriers that divide the ÁÁCONTINUED FROM P. 1 “[The original plan] never struck me He also pointed out that many Shabbat city and school campuses, “I figured that as an all comprehensive eruv,” Rabbi meals in DC are potlucks or semi-pot- maybe crossing the Potomac might not ty infrastructure for Orthodox Jews, es- Deitsch said. “It wasn’t covering every- lucks, with multiple people contribut- be impossible,” he said. A Kesher mem- pecially those with young children. It is body exactly, yet we were doing the ing dishes. An eruv would make it eas- ber since 2013, Shapero and his wife lived a mainstay in most Orthodox communi- best we could … it didn’t feel like we ier for people to contribute and would in Rosslyn until they moved to Columbia ties — but not all. The Fairfax communi- had a viable area.” facilitate invitations in both directions Heights in DC last month. ty has survived thus far without the ben- The recent arrival of new families across the bridge. “After some research and conversa- efit of an eruv, but members recognize with young children into the area, how- Elanit Jakabovics, president of Kes- tions with neighbors in Rosslyn and oth- that not having one is a major obstacle ever, has reignited interest. Royi Zhah, her Israel, said research is underway to er Kesherites, we created an informal to further growth. a community member with a grow- determine what it would take to extend committee of people to examine doc- Oren and Diane Litwin, members ing family, would be glad to see an eruv the eruv to Rosslyn in a halachically per- uments about past efforts ... We have of the Fairfax community, are typical built. When people ask about Fairfax, missible and financially feasible man- logged many hours in kayaks, power- of young families living there. They re- one of the first things they want to know ner. “We want to do anything possible to boats, bicycles, cars, and hiking boots cently had their first child and are frus- is whether there’s an eruv, Zhah said. help people stay downtown and to help to identify a natural eruv boundary and trated by the limits they face. “Diane “I don’t remember the planned di- the community grow. The only thing mark spots where some construction and I now keenly feel the sense that mensions of the original eruv, but from that will make it grow is people staying would be needed,” said Shapero. “Once she’s stuck at home on Shabbat, so this what they said, the cost basically scaled here longer than they currently do,” she we settle on a tentative ‘final’ map, the has been on our minds,” Oren Litwin linearly,” Oren Litwin said. He proposed said. If an eruv in Virginia will help peo- process of seeking approval from local, said. “About a month or two ago we in- doing a pilot program, where the eruv ple continue coming to Kesher, “that’s state, and federal agencies for permis- vited some families over for Shabbat would only cover Briary and maybe Mar- great,” she said. sions will require additional time.” and I asked if anyone had tried to con- gate. If successful, the community could In addition to the halachic hurdles, “We might be 20 minutes farther struct an eruv here in Fairfax.” build on the experience and momentum she pointed out that an eruv demands from shul than people in DC are, but the There was a previous attempt to to do the full-size eruv, he said. “a significant amount of manpower, la- quality of life is excellent: ample grocery make an eruv over a decade ago, but Meanwhile, a different challenge bor, and money ... and people don’t give options, the nexus of three metro lines there was also some skepticism about faces residents in the Rosslyn communi- a lot of money to eruv upkeep,” she said. and countless buses, and a much easier whether it would be practical. “It’s a dif- ty on the Virginia/DC border. Extending “We’re lucky in DC because a big portion commute than for most who live in DC,” ficult geography … Other Orthodox areas the existing DC eruv into Rosslyn would of the eruv relies on preexisting infra- he continued. “Building more capacity are more concentrated,” explained Rab- make it easier for those who live there structure that’s built and maintained by and an alternative for people of all types bi Sholom Deitsch of Chabad of North- to (continue to) attend Kesher Israel in the District.” — singles, couples, families, or retirees ern Virginia. Georgetown, or to remain a part of the Once Rabbi Chaim Jachter, who is — who want to live within reasonable Robert Book was one of the princi- general Sabbath-observant Jewish com- providing halachic guidance for the pro- walking distance to a shul is absolutely pal community members trying to move munity in DC, by helping them balance ject, and Kesher’s Rabbi Hyim Shafner necessary as we look to make our com- the project forward at that time. “Rab- their need for more affordable housing have given their input, the final decision munity attractive to newcomers, or to re- bi Deitsch referred us to Rabbi Eider with their desire to stay in the DC com- will be up to the Kesher board, because tain long-time members.” from Lakewood, New Jersey, as an ex- munity. of the financial ramifications for Kesh- pert to consult with,” he said. “We made It would also allow young couples er. But there is “nothing concrete yet in Dovid Nachshon Albright is an active member of a proposed map based on what we knew like Yehudah and Michelle Hampel, who terms of whether or not it would actu- Chabad of Fairfax in Virginia. A volunteer Talmud about the local topography and where live in Rosslyn, to grow their families ally happen,” Jakabovics said. “Before we teacher at his shul, Dovid is also the owner and there were existing poles and where the and still maintain a strong connection even get to that point, there’s still a lot of founder of Albright IP, an intellectual property families lived.” The expert said it was fea- to the Kesher community. The latter isn’t work that needs to be done.” research and consulting firm. sible, according to Book, but between feasible, said Yehudah Hampel, without When Alex Shapero learned that an Malka Goldberg is the Community News editor for the $75,000 estimate from the contrac- an eruv to allow couples to transport eruv had been established in Ithaca, New Kol HaBirah. Yad Ezra V’Shulamit: Providing Purim Joy Year-Round PAID CONTENT those suffering in our community for to children, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit sur- a brief period of time, the need does passes their yearly contributions by Experiencing poverty is a challenge not end with the month of Adar. infusing their food baskets with joy, at any point, but at Purim it can be es- For impoverished children, the another kind of nourishment that we pecially painful. When the world around specter of hunger is a year-round is- value so deeply at this time of year. you is joyful and celebrating in abun- sue, as is the relief that a food bas- The organization goes even fur- dance, poor children can feel profoundly ket brings. For this reason, Yad Ezra ther by providing a level of dignity to excluded. Jewish tradition is sensitive to V’Shulamit “celebrates” Purim every these families and their children. In this suffering. The very traditions of Pu- week of the year by providing week- addition to the extra treats added to rim act as a guide in how to uplift those ly food baskets filled with everything the food baskets, Yad Ezra V’Shulam- less fortunate so that they too can cele- one may need in their pantry to nour- it ensures that every child or family brate a happy Purim. ish their family. has the supplies they need to return Purim, and the month of Adar, is a Yad Ezra V’Shulamit is a Jerusa- mishloach manot to their neighbors, time when Jews around the world go lem-based organization founded by a or send a gift with their child to the extra mile to infuse their lives, and man who grew up without the certain- school for the Israeli school tradition the lives of others, with joy. It’s a time ty of knowing where his next meal of giving a group gift to teachers and for shopping for costumes, coming up would come from. Each week they staff on Purim. with cute mishloach manot (Purim bas- distribute 3,000 food baskets in cities All these factors add up to one kets) themes, planning a lavish meal throughout Israel, from Eilat to Tzfat. those who live month-to-month need thing — Yad Ezra V’Shulamit is a role with friends and family, and enabling Baskets overflow with chicken, a bit of extra help so that they don’t go model of what it means to increase joy, strangers in need to share in the celebra- fish, fruit, vegetables, oil, grains, beans, into debt for the cost of Rosh Hashana, in Adar and year-round, by noticing and tions as well by giving gifts of food and canned goods, pasta, and challah — with Succot, and Pesach. providing for all the factors that are charity. While the Purim mitzvot (com- another 15,000 baskets sent out to fam- On Purim, a time when the have and needed to nourish the stomachs, hearts, mandments) raise our consciousness of ilies for Jewish holidays, a time when have-nots can feel especially heightened and souls of poor families in Israel. 28 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 28 29

FEATURES PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP Bethesda Attorney Inspired to Give Back Every Day By Daniel Peri D.C., board; dedicated a plaque in hon- ALEH Negev and Almog asked him to “I had no special interest in disabil- or of his father at JNF’s Wall of Honor at join and be the chairman of ALEH Ne- ities, but after meeting Almog and vis- Gary Jay Kushner Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem in 2012; gev’s international board of governors. iting ALEH Negev, I thought that this is remembers growing and helped found JNF’s Task Force on Once the task force was formed, Kush- an area where I could really make a dif- up in a home with a Disabilities in late 2015. ner was asked to be its chairman. Kush- ference,” Kushner said. Almog echoed Jewish National Fund “It’s a labor of love to be part of ner characterizes his visit to ALEH Ne- this sentiment, and added, “Gary could (JNF) Blue Box always JNF’s projects and programs. I feel so in- gev and his friendship with Almog as the not conceal his excitement and love for being present. But it was an unforgetta- spired,” said Kushner. He also proudly the residents he met during his visit to ble trip to Israel in 2010 on JNF’s Culi- mentioned that his children, whose ages ALEH Negev. He promotes and devel- nary, Wine, and Music Tour that forever range from 24-33, “are all supporters and ops a vision for ALEH Negev with his ex- changed his life and view of Israel. “My will soon become JNFuture members.” traordinary sensitivity, admirable leader- wife Gail and I went on this trip because Although Kushner takes pride in the ship, and approach to teamwork.” it looked like a great way to see Israel,” work he does for the land and people of Is- “My trip to Israel with JNF literally said Kushner. After visiting several JNF rael through this involvement with the or- changed my life in a positive and mean- partner projects, especially the Be’er She- ganization, he is most proud of his involve- ingful way,” said Kushner. Growing up va River Park, a 1,300-acre urban renewal ment with the Task Force on Disabilities. in Southern New Jersey and facing an- project that’s rehabilitated the city into a He first became acquainted with ti-Semitism in a community with few vibrant and desirable place to live, Kush- JNF’s work in providing services to Is- Gary Jay Kushner at JNF’s 2010 Culinary, Jewish families, Kushner credits that vis- ner wanted to get involved. “After that rael’s special needs community after Wine, and Music Tour. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JNF) it to Israel for making him feel like he visit, Gail and I decided to make our first a meeting with Israel Defense Forces was part of a broader family: “I gained pledge,” Kusher said. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog, chairman genesis of his “commitment to helping a sense of community and appreciation Kushner, who lives in Bethesda, Mar- of JNF’s partner organization ALEH Ne- people with disabilities.” that Israel is a place where I belong and yland, and practices law in Washington, gev-Nahalat Eran, a state-of-the-art re- Each year, the Jewish world recogniz- can feel at home. I also realized that I has three grown children, and has gone habilitative village in the Negev that es the month of February as Jewish Disa- can make a difference in Israel because on to hold several prominent roles with- offers care for people with severe disa- bilities Awareness and Inclusion Month every day JNF is investing in the land in JNF. He co-chaired JNF’s Lawyers for bilities. “I was introduced to Doron and (JDAIM), and JNF is a trailblazer in work- and people, and you can see and feel it Israel, an affinity group for lawyers in- his wife Didi through JNF and had lunch ing to help children and adults in Isra- in so many ways.” terested in making an impact on Israel, with them in Washington. We connect- el who have physical, sensory, mental To learn more about JNF’s work for from 2012-2015; served as vice president ed instantly,” Kushner remarked. On his health, and intellectual disabilities enjoy people with special needs and disabilities, and now president of the Washington, following trip to Israel, Kushner visited a better quality of life. visit jnf.org/jdaim.

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WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 29 29 30

OP-ED

Empower the Disabled Community I am a part of the 20 and See Our Mutual Value percent that has a By Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi There is a spark of G-d in each of us, til I was 12. That was also the same year disability. When you whether we have a disability or not. I stopped growing. There I was: 5 foot look at me, you can’t February is Jewish And, if your family mirrors the U.S. 10 inches tall and illiterate. A lot of peo- Disability Awareness population, 20 percent of your family ple made fun of me, calling me stupid, see it, but it’s there. and Inclusion Month. members have a physical, sensory, psy- lazy, or both. I got beat up, and had few This year it falls out as chiatric, or intellectual disability. In- friends. Sadly, that is quite common for One dream that I have is for more we are learning about deed, the majority of people either have people with disabilities. people with disabilities to be able to get Moses, who had the disability of a speech a disability themselves, or a loved one Some kids and adults with disa- the education, skills, and jobs they need impediment yet was one of our most im- with a disability. bilities need a little more time, atten- to succeed. And, given that people with portant leaders. We are also learning this tion, or even a one-on-one support per- disabilities have tremendous challenges month that Jews of every ability were at son. Jewish individuals and institutions finding and keeping jobs, one thing peo- Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. can make a big difference for such peo- ple can do it to find ways to help enable Judaism has a long tradition of dis- ple. Luckily, in the Greater Washington teens with disabilities to get summer in- ability rights and inclusion. The Torah area, there are many great programs ternships where they can build their ex- teaches us that G-d made each of us and people who champion success perience and resumes. Those of us with in His image; not just those who may for those of us who have disabilities. time and talent can also volunteer to tu- someday gain entrance to an Ivy League Thanks to the Jewish Federation of tor kids in our congregations or serve college, become doctors and lawyers, Greater Washington, you can find free as job coaches for community mem- win Nobel prizes, star in sports or mu- resources online at https://www.sha- bers with disabilities to help them suc- sic, or become elected officials. Not just lomdc.org/disabilitiesandinclusion. ceed in the work place. Ending discrim- those who are rich or famous. People We also have outstanding institutions, ination against people with disabilities with autism, Down syndrome, multiple such as Sulam at the Berman Hebrew in the Jewish community and beyond is sclerosis, mental health disorders, and Academy, Friendship Circle, Sunflow- not only good for the people with disa- every other kind of disability are all in er Café, MATAN, and my own organiza- bilities — it’s good for those who don’t G-d’s image. Some of these people are tion, RespectAbility. have disabilities as well. the most talented among us. After all, It’s up to us to welcome and include Itzhak Perlman makes the most won- people with disabilities, just like anyone Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi is president of www.Re- derful music while using a wheelchair. I am a part of the 20 percent that has else. As Theodor Herzl said about Israel, spectAbility.org, a nonprofit fighting stigmas and Einstein invented the theory of relativ- a disability. When you look at me, you so too is it true about including people expanding opportunities for people with disabili- ity, but was said to have deficits in so- can’t see it, but it’s there. I have dyslexia. with disabilities: Im tirtzu, ain zo agada. ties. She is dyslexic and also knows what it means cial skills. I could not read or write proficiently un- If you will it, it is no dream. to raise a child with multiple disabilities. The Masks We Wear By Tzachi Levy in this interaction. society chooses for us — how we appear being of both of us and a successful col- First: Here is Reuven as he wants to in the eyes of others. lective future? There is no holi- be seen in Shimon’s eyes, and Shi- There is also a third mask: the mask by Working at the Jewish Federation day like Purim. Not mon as he wants to be seen in the which we see ourselves. This cover is hard of Greater Washington over the past six only is it a mitzvah to eyes of Reuven; to remove. Perhaps this is the mask that is months and gaining an understanding be happy, when you Reuven as he really looks to Shimon, closest to our true facial features, but we of the diversity of ways in which peo- think about it, Purim who is usually not identical with the still make sure to smooth our wrinkles, ple in this community engage with Isra- is also the only holiday in the Jewish tra- character desired for Shimon and lift our cheeks, and improve our noses… el has taught me there is a great chance dition where it is permitted, even com- vice versa; Underneath all these masks lies that these varied angles and interactions pulsory, to drink and be silly. Add to this Reuven as he sees himself the soul. Soul to soul, there, among the are collectively creating the truth behind Purim isn’t just for the kids, either. and Shimon as seen in his own eyes; “ghostly crowd” of masks, is where real the masks. Back in Israel, on my kibbutz, Purim is a And finally, Reuven as his being and conversation happens. In other words, We need to ensure that the dialogue big deal. It is a tradition for the adults to Shimon as his being. as the dialogue between two individu- between Israel and diaspora Jewry is go out with friends, to drink good beer Two living beings and six imaginary als continues, and once the masks have maintained, and multidimensional, dy- and cheap wine, to dance, and of course, characters, a real ghostly crowd, of- been peeled away, only then can true namic, and diverse opinions are sup- to dress up. ten involved in the conversation of the conversation occur. One soul eventually ported and welcomed. As we continue For me, dressing up in a costume is two! If so, what place to place for the becomes reflected in the other. to create more avenues to engage with probably the most important compo- truth of the interpersonal relationship.” These masks can also be a metaphor Israel, we will peel back our masks and nent of the Purim celebration. As a child, This short but wonderful text by Jew- for the ongoing conversation about Isra- ultimately build a holistic, true relation- I would eagerly count down the days un- ish philosopher Martin Buber beauti- el and diaspora Jewry. ship with Israel. til I got to dress up as my favorite super- fully depicts the complex interperson- Sometimes, we see this relationship hero, cartoon character, or someone else al and social world in which we live. He through the mask of the TV screen — Tzachi Levy is in his first year as the Jewish Agen- that I could choose to be. describes the vast number of masks we the way the outside world views this re- cy senior shaliach (Israeli emissary) to the Jewish Today, as I try to reconstruct why wear each day. lationship. Other times, this relationship Federation of Greater Washington. Most recent- dressing up was so significant for me The first is the mask we wear every is viewed through the mask of our prej- ly, he served as director for the Jewish Agency’s and why this holiday is so significant for day to work and to go out of our homes. udiced views of one another (Israelis are Shinshinim Shlichut program. Tzachi has a bach- many people, I think back to a text that This is the mask we would like others too this, or Americans won’t do that). Fi- elor’s degree from Beit Berl College in informal has influenced me greatly, “The Founda- to see. nally, there’s an internal conversation education and history, and a master’s in public tions of the Interpersonal”: The second mask is a bit more com- going on inside all of us from which we administration from Sapir College. As a 13th-gen- “Let us now imagine two people who plex. Usually, this mask is revealed to us view the relationship. Are we being true eration Israeli, Tzachi’s strong family roots and sit next to each other and interact only after several years or by accident. to ourselves about what we expect from Zionist youth movement education serve as his with each other — Reuven and Shi- This is the mask we are forced to wear each other? Are we building our rela- motivation and energy for working at Federation mon — and now the masks that play without a choice. This is the mask that tionship based on a desire for the well- and in the Jewish world. 30 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 30 31

• An independent, family and woman-owned Jewish Business • We have always and will continue to adhere to the highest standards of Halacha (Jewish Law) since our inception, 17 years ago • The extended Torchinsky family has been a generous supporter of the Greater Washington Jewish Community for more than five generations • Joyce's childhood home was donated to The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes Joyce E. Torchinsky • Fully licensed in Funeral Service in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia • Immediate Past President of KAVOD: The Independent Jewish Funeral Chapels, a national group of elite Jewish funeral chapels • Former Director and Assistant Professor of the Mortuary Science Program at CCBC Catonsville • Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University • Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park Excerpt from the Bulletin of The Vaad Harabanim of Greater Washington: Tishrei 5778 (2017) The RCW remains satis ed with THFH’s adherence to our guidelines and with Ms. Torchinsky’s efforts at furthering proper funeral procedures in the Greater Washington Jewish community. The RCW appreciates the service THFH has provided to members of our congregations over the years, and looks forward to continuing to work together in meeting the community’s needs. 254 Carroll Street, NW • Washington, DC 20012 USA Local: 202-541-1001 • Maryland:301-495-3395 • Toll Free: 1-800-500-5401 email:[email protected]

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 31 31 32

OP-ED

Pharmaceutical Industry: Please Improve ium. What good is a pill that prevents death from a seizure but leaves the pa- Geriatric Medicine tient catatonic? Other examples are common, and By Ken Kohn and physical disorders associated with rection to doctors from manufacturers we all see them all the time with fam- geriatrics, such as disorders of the car- on dosing geriatrics. At best, there are ily and friends. Doctors prescribe pills The creation of the diovascular system, neurologic disor- warnings. that an elderly person cannot swallow. Institute for Pediatric ders, incontinence, stroke, and oth- As stated in the Merck Manual, the The best remedy I have seen is direc- Innovation stemmed ers. But the system in place for treating result of the above are medication-relat- tions to crush the pill or open a capsule from founder and pres- these disorders in the elderly, similar to ed problems that are common in the el- and add to food. But a pharmacologist, ident Donald Lombardi’s passion for what Lombardi saw in pediatrics, uses derly and include drug ineffectiveness, such as myself, will tell you that the pill helping children, and from the realiza- medications and treatments designed adverse drug effects, over-dosage, un- was constructed to be absorbed effec- tion that the needs of pediatric patients for middle-aged adults and shoehorns der-dosage, and drug interactions. Drugs tively. Changing its structure can drasti- are not being sufficiently met. Having them to fit the elderly. may be ineffective in the elderly because cally affect its absorption and, ultimate- now lost two elderly parents, I have re- Why does the problem exist? Scien- clinicians under-prescribe (e.g., because ly, its efficacy. alized that, similarly, there are needs of tists know that as we age, our metabo- of increased concern about adverse ef- In view of the above, I see a great geriatric patients that are not sufficient- lism morphs. Part of it is breakdown, fects, abiding by the above- mentioned practical and moral need for a founda- ly met. If I ever make it big, like Lombar- part of it is genetics, and part of it is the warnings) or because adherence is poor tion to finance development work in di, I will found the Institute of Geriatric result of what we are exposed to dur- (e.g., because of financial or cognitive this area because, presently, it is not be- Innovation. ing our lives. It could be blows to the limitations). Adverse drug effects are ef- ing done. If I do not get the chance to After leaving Children’s Hospital at head playing football, it could be swing- fects that are unwanted, uncomfortable, found it, I sincerely hope that someone Harvard, Lombardi realized that med- ing too hard playing tennis for 40 years, or dangerous. Common examples are else does. We all should be hoping for ications and medical devices are de- and it could be exposure to Agent Or- over-sedation, confusion, hallucinations, the same, because if all goes well, we will signed and tested for safety and efficacy ange while serving in Vietnam. What- falls, and bleeding. Among ambulatory be geriatrics in the same boat heading to- in adults. They have mostly been mod- ever the cause, what happens to a pill people ≥ 65, adverse drug effects occur at ward the waterfall. ified ineffectively for children. Lombar- swallowed by a 35-year-old is very dif- a rate of about 50 events per 1,000 per- di wanted to fund research and devel- ferent from what happens to a pill swal- son-years. Hospitalization rates due to Dr. Kenneth I. Kohn has a PhD in pharmacololgy opment work for medical devices and lowed by a 90-year-old. In comparing adverse drug effects are four times high- and minor in immunology from Wayne State Uni- medications specifically for children. I the two, we know that liver function is er in elderly patients (about 17 percent) versity Medical School and a JD from Wayne State see the exact same problem in geriatrics. different, stomach acids are different, than in younger patients (4 percent). All University Law School. He is owner of Kohn and Anthony Martin’s book “Problems the heart functions differently, and the of this is hardly trivial. Associates, an intellectual property firm in Farm- in Geriatric Medicine” demonstrates macro- and micro-vasculature structur- An example is anti-seizure drugs, ington Hills, Michigan. He is also a managing part- that there is certainly a recognition by al integrity differ, to name a few. Yet, if which are prescribed at a dose that pre- ner of several start-ups, including Prebiotic Health the medical profession of the social you look at dosing charts, there is no di- vents further seizures but induces delir- Sciences, Pipe Problem Solutions, and others.

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32 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 32 33 TORAH PERSPECTIVES H-O-N-O-R By Rabbi Stephen Baars ple who think they are entitled to more and potentially make him feel Put the honor than perhaps they deserve. These uncomfortable. In fact, our Sag- In this week’s par- people demand that their name be pro- es say even a person in his own love back in sha, the Torah de- nounced properly at all times, that they home should knock before en- scribes one of the gar- get a seat commensurate with their “sta- tering a room for the same rea- ments of the high priest (kohen gadol) as tion” in life, and other conspicuously lit- son. your marriage having lots of bells sown around its base tle (or sometimes not so little) details. The more we value, re- getbliss.com (Exodus 28:33). Most would consider that Our Sages tell us “He who chases hon- spect, and honor others, the alone to be strange enough, but the par- or will have honor flee from him.” In oth- more honor returns to us. That sha also informs us that the high priest’s er words, the more we demand respect, is true honor, bell or no bell. garments are designed specifically to ex- the less we get it. Honor comes from re- hibit “honor and beauty” (ibid. 28:2). Be- specting others. As Ben Zoma (Pirkei Originally from London, Rabbi Ste- ing British, it’s hard for me to imagine the Avot 4:1) explains, “Who is the one to be phen Baars resides in Rockville, Mary- Queen of England opening Parliament honored, the one who honors others.” land, and serves as executive director wearing a bell. So, why the bells, and What do clothes of honor look like? of Aish Seminars. An educator and what does this have to do with honor? Bells. marriage counselor for the past 25 The solution to this riddle is found As our Sages explain, the high priest years, Rabbi Baars and his wife, Ruth, in understanding honor. For many, at- would wear bells to alert people of his are blessed with seven children. Learn taining honor is something of an enig- presence in advance so that he would more about Rabbi Baars at www.get- Every Thursday Evening at the JCC ma. You have probably encountered peo- never walk in on someone unexpectedly bliss.com and www.core9.live. Megillas Esther: The Medium is the Message By Ariel Levi the urgency that flows through the en- es. Have you ever opened a piece of mail guide. We must be sensitive to letters. We tire Megillah. Urgency is a phenomenon and found that it changed your life? must be sensitive to balancing timeless Megillas Esther contains deep themes of the present moment. In the Megillah, There are times for books and times for wisdom with the needs of the moment. of identity, boundaries, and communica- the people who are not “with it” and don’t letters. When times are tranquil, we have tion. The theme of identity is spotlighted stay up to speed are disgraced and killed. the opportunity to limit our study to eter- Ariel Levi is a lifelong student. He teaches and tu- when Esther outs herself as a proud Jew. Vashti is executed for not coming imme- nal truths. We can rely completely on time- tors many subjects, including reading and piano. In Tractate Megillah, the Talmud begins diately upon the king’s request. Haman is less books. But in exile, the Megillah is our You can reach him at [email protected]. its analysis of the Purim story by show- killed because Esther chose her remarks ing how walled and unwalled cities cele- with wit and timing. brate Purim differently. The Megillah re- It's interesting to note that the mitzvos fers to itself as a letter; letter writing and of Purim deal with the moment (the mitz- communication in general are also prima- vos of the day are all time-bound mitzvos). ry motifs of the Purim story. These Purim mitzvos don’t focus on exis- Bender JCC These themes are intertwined. Bound- tential improvement; in fact, some of them aries create differentiation and thus iden- seem to focus exclusively on the present tity. Identity, in turn, creates the need for moment or flow. (For example, giving to MULTIFAITH communication to express ourselves. Let- any person who sticks out his hand, regard- ters allow us to share our identity across less of whether a real need exists.) boundaries of time, space, and walls. A letter and a book both contain infor- The Megillah has two contrasting mation. A letter's information is relevant and FILM FEST forms of communication: letters and often transient. Its value fades as time pass- books. When reading the Purim story, one es. But in the moment, letters are urgent. is struck by the impact and immediacy of Their speed and insistence can affect the 2018 time. You can feel the urgency coursing course of history. The pro-Constitution forc- through the story. This urgency is a key es (following the American Revolution) de- characteristic of a letter. A letter is valua- feated the anti-Constitution forces because ble and relevant only if timely. Contrast they controlled the government post office this to a book, a medium that need not be and could delay their opponent’s mail. Per- timely but has a much longer shelf life. haps they were using Mordechai’s trick of When the Megillah deals with writ- manipulating the mail to achieve victory. March 8 – 11 ten communication, it differentiates be- A book is different. A book contains tween a letter and a book. King Achash- important truths, but a book doesn't have verosh has a book of days and a book of the same urgency and transiency of a let- memories, which he consults when he ter or a pamphlet. The Megillah is a let- can’t sleep. Achashverosh sends out a let- ter; a fact emphasized by halacha (Jew- ter to destroy the Jewish people. He re- ish law). We don't roll up the Megillah like scinds it by sending a second. The Megil- a scroll, hiding the pages after they have Purchase tickets at lah tells us the speed of the messengers been read. Rather, the custom is to leave and describes letters whose contents are the completed pages open like a letter. revealed and letters whose contents re- With a book, every completed page is hid- benderjccgw.org/KHfilm main a secret until the chosen day. Timeli- den. Once read, the page is no longer im- ness is everything. mediately relevant. But an urgent letter is 6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD 20852 | 301.881.0100 Speed and timeliness are more than not put away after it is read; rather, it is characteristics of letters. They are part of pored over. It has important consequenc- WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 33 33 34 FOOD & DINING

Potomac 18: A New Facility and National Ambitions By Gabe Aaronson baked goods and hors d’oeuvres. Rab- bi Bacharach said they are working on On Beechcraft Road a name, logo, and branding for the new in Gaithersburg, Mary- line of foods. The products will be dis- land, there is seemingly tributed to supermarket chains such as typical industrial park, Costco, Giant, and Safeway. with businesses selling The kitchens certainly have the ca- batteries, tires, trophies, and even entire pacity to supply supermarkets. One patios. What makes this industrial park food expert told Rabbi Bacharach that unique, however, is that it is home to ko- his new facility could produce $150 mil- sher caterer Potomac 18’s new facility, lion worth of food each year. When which features the largest permanently asked whether he is concerned about kosher kitchen in America. competing on quality with existing na- The facility has four large kitchens — tional brands, Rabbi Bacharach shook one meat, one dairy, one pareve (neither his head and smiled. “Our food is just meat nor dairy), and a bakery kitchen. that good,” he said. Chefs, mashgichim (kosher supervisors), How do you find a chef who can and Potomac 18 owner Rabbi Yisroel Da- make food that is good enough to com- vid Bacharach can be found bustling pete with national brands? Executive about. Chef Ravi Narayanan trained under Rabbi Bacharach is a tall man wear- Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Bacharach (right) with a member of his kitchen staff at Potomac 18’s master chefs in Washington, D.C.; West ing the black pants, tzitzit (fringes), and new facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland. (PHOTO CREDIT: GABE AARONSON) Orange, New Jersey; San Francisco; short-sleeve button-down shirt of a ye- and Paris. After working for years as a shiva graduate who works with his After operating in its Rockville, Mar- turning Potomac 18 into a brand-name chef, Narayanan started a food consult- hands. He worked as a mashgiach for 20 yland, location for several years, Rab- packaged-food manufacturer. At full ca- ing business that helps struggling res- years before buying and renaming Da- bi Bacharach moved to a new building pacity, the kitchens can support at least taurants and hotels turn around their han Caterers in 2011. Since then, Potomac in December 2017. The 40,000 square 50 workers, including two full-time Or- food operations. However, these days, 18 has catered over 1,000 kosher events, foot building in Gaithersburg used to thodox Union (OU) mashgichim, he said. Narayanan leaves the day-to-day man- including the most prestigious event in be a print shop. Rabbi Bacharach said he In the next few months, he will re- DC: the White House Chanukah party. needs the extra space to meet his goal of lease a line of vegan, organic, gluten-free ÂÂCONTINUED ON P. 35

caterer of distinction

34 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 34 35 FOOD & DINING

Potomac 18: A New Facility lated by the U.S. Food and Drug Admin- Ascend the stairs and you will find that Montgomery County voted to in- and National Ambitions istration (FDA) as well. Rabbi Bacha- a tasting room for clients. Another two crease the minimum wage to $15 per ÁÁCONTINUED FROM P. 34 rach said they are currently working rooms will be renovated into one large hour. However, Rabbi Bacharach isn’t out the FDA registration and regulato- party room for corporate and other worried about failure or higher labor agement to someone else so he can do ry requirements. events. “We have a party here sched- costs. “Let me be honest,” he said lean- what he loves: being a chef. Becoming an industrial food manu- uled for Purim,” Rabbi Bacharach said. ing in, “This isn’t really my facility. It’s Potomac 18 will be joining the ranks facturer won’t detract from Potomac 18’s And why would people drive out to G-d’s facility, and I’m just using it. G-d of over 400 other food-manufacturing catering business. Simply walk behind Gaithersburg for a party? “Because our will give me more money to pay my facilities in Maryland. As a caterer, Po- the kitchens and you will find a loading costs are lower when we cater an event employees.” tomac 18 is regulated by the Montgom- zone, a second and third walk-in refrig- in the same facility as our kitchen, so ery County Department of Health and erator, and shelves stacked 20 feet high we can charge less for the same good, Gabe Aaronson does IT project management for Human Services. However, as a food with boxes of dishes, serving utensils, kosher food,” he said. the Defense Health Agency and public policy con- manufacturer, Potomac 18 will be regu- and tablecloths for events. Turning a catering company into an sulting for various clients. He lives in Kemp Mill, industrial food manufacturer is an am- Maryland, with his wife and two daughters. Email bitious undertaking — especially now [email protected].

A bird’s eye view into Potomac 18’s kitchen area. (PHOTO CREDIT: GABE AARONSON)

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WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 35 35 36 FOOD & DINING Break Out of the Norm This Purim With a Beer From Jailbreak Brewing Company By Hillel Goldschein We need to schedule the production restaurant in our brewery, which allows of our non-kosher beers at the end of the us to change our license to a Class 7 and Kasey Turner and week and we need to clean the machin- avoid much of the vacillation of Mary- Justin Bonner start- ery in order to begin production of the land’s liquor laws. ed Jailbreak Brewing kosher beer the following week. Lastly, the craft beer consumer con- Company in Laurel, In addition, sometimes our vendors stantly wants a new experience, so we Maryland, in 2013. decide not to renew their kosher certifi- need to come out with new styles reg- Kasey recently spoke with Kol HaBirah cation. We then have to scramble to find ularly. But, when only using natural in- about the choice to get kosher certifica- other vendors for those ingredients. gredients, it is not so easy to make it as tion, the company’s expansion to the na- Last week, our provider of cocoa cheap as the traditional beers (e.g., Bud- tional market, and drink recommenda- nibs, which we use for our beer “Dusk weiser, Guinness, etc.). Our restaurant tions for the Purim holiday just around Till Dawn,” didn’t renew their Star-K cer- will give us a great opportunity to give the corner. tification. We had already made the beer the consumer what they want and cre- What led to the start of Jailbreak, and and had paid for labels with the Star-K ate a unique food/beer pairing experi- how has the experience been thus far? on it, so we had to order new labels with- ence that is always evolving. ia, and Washington, D.C. We have a really Justin Bonner and I started it in out the Star-K on it, as the beer was now What Jailbreak drinks should our com- strong presence in Montgomery County. 2013 — we both come from tech back- not under the Star-K. In this case, the munity look for this Purim? We also do tours every other week grounds and were looking to do some- beer was already in the fermenter, so we Feed The Monkey is our top selling and we will be opening on Sundays in thing we were passionate about and didn’t have time to source new ingredi- beer. It is like a Blue Moon but high- addition to Saturdays due to the Jewish get away from being in a cubicle 9 to ents. But next year, when we make the er quality, easy to drink, and made with community requesting it. 5. My wife, Erica, was our first brew- beer again, we will use another vendor fresh orange juice. What final thoughts would you like to er. When we then linked up with brew who is certified. Poor Righteous is an easy drinking share with the community? master Ryan Harvey, who was at Dog- What are some of the benefits you have IPA — it is well balanced and doesn’t The biggest honor for me is seeing fish Head, it went from a hobby to a had being kosher and working with the overwhelm you with Hops. It pairs very someone picking up a Jailbreak beer; I profession. Jewish community? well when eating a meal (on Purim), as need to thank them, as there are so many Brewing is a fun, collegial industry I believe that our sales have increased the flavor isn’t bitter and doesn’t over- great options they have to choose from. … microbreweries band together to take in areas that have a kosher population, whelm the food like other IPAs. We work very hard so we can put out our craft beer from fringes to mainstream. such as Montgomery County and Balti- How can our readership find Jailbreak? best product. When people spend their We went from a cutthroat environment more. We do a lot of events for the Jewish We are in over 2,000 retail accounts hard-earned money on Jailbreak, there is to a community … and a creative one at community and have had bar or bat mitz- throughout Maryland, Northern Virgin- no bigger honor. that. The ability to create a brand from vahs in our tasting room in Laurel. We the ground up is very exciting. ran a beer tour for members of Southeast Why did you go the kosher route? Hebrew Congregation of Silver Spring, Our kosher certification was a natu- and were the beer sponsor of an event ral extension of our adherence to pro- at a farm in Reisterstown run by the Ye- cess. It forces us to avoid cutting cor- shiva of Greater Washington. Rabbi Hol- ners and to use high-quality ingredients. land has been very helpful in making in- We even use dairy products in some of troductions with the Jewish community. our beers and put a “Star-D” to indicate Can you talk about your expansion chal- dairy. For example, we use lactose in lenges and progress? some of our beers to give it a sweetness We face multiple challenges every and a creamier texture — like our popu- day. For example, macro brewers can lar “White Russian” cream ale that tastes price their beers lower than microbrew- like the mixed drink. eries can. They will also buy microbrew- Rabbi Holland of the Star-K audits us eries and are willing to sell at a loss. regularly and is super easy to work with. In addition, Maryland beer laws are He’s amazing. challenging. One proposed bill would What are some of the challenges you limit the ability for most breweries to have had being kosher? sell beer in tasting rooms. We made a

36 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 36 37 ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Porgy and Bess: An Intersection of Black and Jewish American Theater History By Kol HaBirah Staff

The National Philharmonic’s 2017- 2018 season at The Music Center at Strathmore is celebrating Black Histo- ry Month with Jewish composer George Gershwin’s groundbreaking opera, “Por- gy and Bess.” The simply staged concert opera, conducted by Philharmonic Cho- rale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson, features an all-African American cast in the major singing roles; this was an es- tate stipulation from Gershwin, who died in 1937, so as to forbid white singers from performing in blackface. The opera tells the poignant sto- ry of Porgy, a crippled street beggar in Charleston, South Carolina, who pines for his romantic interest, Bess. Baritone Kevin Deas, portraying Porgy, and sopra- National Philharmonic Chorale (PHOTO CREDIT: DON LASSELL) no Marlissa Hudson, portraying Bess, lead the ensemble, accompanied by the nearly cized for having a work based on “lowly” tin’ Life, Aundi Moore as Serena, Edward org or call the Strathmore Ticket Office at 180-member National Philharmonic Cho- pop music. Conversely, black audienc- Pleasant as Jake, NaGuanda Nobles as 301.581.5100. Tickets are $25-$82; young rale and members of the Duke Ellington es criticized the work for its stereotyped Carla and Maria, and Colin Eaton as Min- people 7-17 are free through the ALL KIDS, School of the Arts Concert Choir. The per- characters. However, the composition go and Peter Robbins. ALL FREE, ALL THE TIME program. ALL formance is sponsored by Patricia Hay- became a cornerstone of quintessential- To purchase tickets for the perfor- KIDS tickets must be purchased in person wood Moore and Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. ly American music, and was even select- mances and for a complete schedule, or by phone. Complimentary parking is ed by the U.S. State Department in 1952 please visit www.nationalphilharmonic. available. to represent the country on an interna- tional tour. Born in 1898, Gershwin was an Amer- ican composer famous for his Broadway musical theater as well as for his orches- tral and piano compositions. A musical genius who began his musical studies at age 11, Gershwin dropped out of school at 15 and worked musical odd jobs through his teenage years. His reputation preced- ed his work, side jobs increasingly turned into accompaniment for popu- lar singers and for rehearsals for Broad- way musicals. The compositional history of "Porgy and Bess," Gershwin’s most am- Kevin Deas plays Porgy in the National bitious work, represents the fulfillment Philharmonic's "Porgy and Bess" at The of Gershwin’s long-nurtured desire to Music Center at Strathmore. compose a new kind of opera, one that would blend the classical operatic genre Few of the Broadway musicals Gersh- with the elements of jazz, popular music, win contributed to are as popular and re- and folk music that were so much a part vered to this day as is "Porgy and Bess," of his career as a Broadway composer. which premiered on Broadway in 1935 Kevin Deas, of international renown to mixed reviews. It closed after a four as one of America’s leading bass-bari- month run but went on to become a be- tones, is most acclaimed for his rivet- loved fixture in American theatre. The ing portrayal of the title role in Porgy opera is based on American author Du- and Bess with the New York Philharmon- Bose Heyward’s novel, "Porgy" (1925), ic, National Symphony, St. Paul Cham- which gave a groundbreaking perspec- ber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Or- tive in its portrayal of African American chestra, and others. American soprano characters as emotionally and psycho- Marlissa Hudson, who plays Bess, has logically complex, paving the way for a performed in concerts in Bulgaria, Para- Southern Renaissance of writers that in- guay, Brazil, and the United States and is cluded William Faulkner and Thomas also the soprano soloist with the histor- Wolfe. For his “American Folk Opera,” ic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church Gershwin spent time studying African in Washington, D.C. Other performers in American music and culture in the ru- "Porgy and Bess" include Michael Red- ral South. The opera was originally criti- ding as Crown, Chauncey Packer as Spor- WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 37 37 38 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LARRY SHOR’S GREATER WASHINGTON

The Master Singer of His People rial and concert appearances. No one had postwar years, as the Yiddish stage be- ever heard anything like his voice. gan to disappear, he concentrated on ra- By Larry Shor across Latin America. For the rest of his life, Oysher would dio and making records, which he did for When he returned home in 1934, the straddle two worlds. In a play on words, it a number of companies. He continued to Moishe Oysher next chapter of his life opened, changing was said that Oysher was the first to work conduct services in many different shuls was a unique talent. it forever. the bineh (“stage” in Yiddish) and the bi- across the country. In 1953, with his sec- His style, passion, Arriving in New York, Oysher found mah (the dais in the synagogue). At that ond wife, Theodora, known as “Teddy,” Oy- and presentation that all the shows had already been cast time, the Yiddish film industry was flour- sher formed his own record label, Rozan- all combined into for the season. Friends encouraged him ishing and Oysher found a venue to spread na Records, named after his daughter. The a fiery and brilliant to apply for the cantor job for the High his artistry to an international audience. label produced three albums between 1953 voice that thrilled audiences. Even today, Holidays at the famous Romanian Shul He made three Yiddish films between 1937 and 1955, designed to bring the music and 50 years after his passing, his talent reso- on the Lower East Side. Oysher got the and 1940: “The Singing Blacksmith,” “The flavor of various holidays in the Oysher nates in today’s performers. job, and although there were Cantor’s Son,” and “Over- style. They were: “The Moishe Oysher Sed- Oysher was born in Lipkon, a city in some complaints about a ture to Glory.” His wife, Flor- er,” “Kol Nidre Night with Moishe Oysher,” the Bessarabia region of what is today stage actor on the pulpit, the ence Weiss, often appeared and “The Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party.” Moldova, in 1907. His father and grandfa- complaints were quickly over- with him. He made hun- In 1956, he made his last film appear- ther were cantors, and it was thought that whelmed by the brilliance of dreds of radio appearances. ance in “Singing in The Dark,” in which he would follow in the family tradition; his voice and his artistry. His There are some existing re- he played a cantor who has survived the but Oysher was drawn to the world of voice was a majestic lyric bar- cordings of him on the radio Holocaust, but cannot remember who he the Yiddish theater, and his artistry would itone, but what was fascinat- that are fascinating to listen is. His condition began to worsen severe- first be displayed on the stage. He began ing about it was that it was a to. Oysher completely cap- ly, as he suffered several heart attacks and appearing in Yiddish plays while still a hybrid. He easily moved up tivated his audience. They passed away on November 27, 1958, at the child, and studied acting. In 1921, Oysher’s into the tenor range and sang Moishe Oysher would respond with thun- age of only 51. family emigrated to Canada, and he be- High C (the defining note of derous applause, whistles, Moishe Oysher entertained, inspired, gan acting in the still-flourishing Yiddish the soprano voice) with ease. In addition and shouts of “Bravo!” He even tried his and davened for his audiences in a way theater. His talent caught the attention of to his voice, the style was amazing. Oysh- hand at getting into the American movies. that affected not only the audiences of major Yiddish theater star and producer er brought the rhythms of the theater and In 1944, under the stage name Walter Law- his day, but of ours as well. Even today, Boris Thomashefsky and he went to New his love of jazz and fused them with tra- rence, he appeared in an MGM film, “Song great singers still sing his music. One York. By the late 1920s, Oysher was per- ditional cantorial modes, always respect- of Russia,” starring Robert Taylor. could not ask for a better tribute for the forming on stage and radio. He even re- ing the structure and nusach (style) of the About that time, Oysher began to de- “Master Singer of His People.” May his corded a few selections for Victor records. davening (prayer service). His fame began velop heart trouble. He worked around memory be for a blessing. In the early 1930s, he formed his own to spread into the cantorial world as well, it as best as he could, and though it defi- NEXT TIME: Henny Youngman Yiddish theater company and toured all and he was always in demand for canto- nitely affected him, he pressed on. In the Comes to Class

38 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 38 39

FUN & GAMES

THEME: WINTER OLYMPICS

ACROSS DOWN 1. Nordic gluhwein 1. *Olympic participant's hangout 6. *It last broadcast the Olympics in 1988 2. Been in bed 9. Sigma Phi Epsilon 3. *8-time American speed skating 13. Yokel's holler medalist 14. Promise to pay 4. Regular visitors 15. Pre-bun state 5. Long-billed shore bird 16. Dug up 6. Well-ventilated 17. Luftwaffe's WWII enemy 7. Flapper's neckwear 18. Provide with ability 8. Spots for links 19. *Country with most Winter Olympic 9. Arial, e.g. gold medals 10. Ill-mannered 21. *Number of 2018 Winter Olympics 11. Malaria symptom sports 12. Subsequently 23. Dog command 24. Small island 15. *"Agony of ____" 25. Cul de ____ 20. Like anchor aweigh 28. Partial haircut 22. Not well 30. Geek and jock, e.g. 24. Ezra Pounds' poetry movement 35. S-shaped molding 25. *Which Korea is 2018 Winter host? 37. International Civil Aviation Org. 26. Come to terms 39. Best not mentioned 27. Closet wood 40. Pakistani language 29. Frosts a cake KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2018 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication www.kenken.com 41. *American skating icon 31. Fence prickle 3-26-18 ● Each row and each column produce the target numbers 43. College cadet program 32. Kindle content must contain the numbers 1 in the top-left corners. through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 ● Freebies: Fill in single-box (challenging) without repeating. 44. Crocodile ones are insincere 33. Powerball, e.g. cages with the number in ● The numbers within the heavily the top-left corner. 46. Make children outlined boxes, called cages, 34. *2014 Winter host city must combine using the given operation (in any order) to 47. This and the other 36. France's currency 48. Praise for a fearless one 38. Shrek 50. Dispatch 42. Busybody, in yiddish 52. Ornamental pond-dweller 45. House cover 53. Classic sci-fi video game Answers to crossword Answers to sudoku 49. Opposite of pro 55. Drag behind 51. *Olympic no-no 57. *Done on 90m hill 54. Shrek and Fiona 61. "I love the smell of ____ in the 56. Crane or heron morning." 57. Jainism follower 64. UFO pilot? 65. 1973 Supreme Court decision name 58. Arm part 67. "Complete ____'s Guides" 59. Isinglass 69. Short for incognito 60. Lowly laborer 70. Tokyo, in the olden days 61. Rhymes with #60 Down 71. Impulse transmitter 62. Plural of lira 72. Indian restaurant staple 63. Change of address 73. D.C. bigwig 66. Lyric poem 74. Like a rookie 68. X WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 39 39 40 SP RTS JDS Lions Win PVAC Championship By Nate Miller er Shani Schwartz scored nine points, in- cluding two three-point shots. The Charles E. The Lions got off to a slow start Smith Jewish Day against the Wildcats and failed to score School (JDS) girls’ for the majority of the first quarter, result- middle school bas- ing in a 9-4 lead for Washington Christian ketball team nar- going into the second quarter. Missed rowly defeated the Washington Chris- shots and turnovers continued to plague tian Academy 26-24 on Monday, Feb. 11, to the Lions for the remainder of the first win the Potomac Valley Athletic Confer- half, giving the Wildcats a three-point ad- Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School girls basketball team. (COURTESY PHOTO) ence (PVAC) championship, in a dramat- vantage at halftime, with a score of 11-8. ic comeback. JDS Lions co-captain and But the Lions turned things around ter shooting. With just over five minutes then shot another three-pointer, giving eighth-grader Avital Friedman was the in the second half as a result of better left in the third quarter, Friedman scored the Lions their first lead of the game (14- highest scorer, with 11 points. Sixth-grad- communication, better passing, and bet- a three-pointer to tie the game. Schwartz 11). Yet, the basketball team did not score for the rest of the third quarter, and the teams went into the fourth quarter with Washington Christian ahead 19-14. The spectators were on their feet for much of the fourth quarter, as the lead switched back and forth between the two teams. With just a little more than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, seventh-grader Talia Sporkin scored to put JDS in the lead at 20-19. The Lions’ advantage was short-lived, as Washing- ton Christian scored 10 seconds later, and the Lions missed a free throw, tying the game again with less than two min- utes to go. Friedman excited the crowd with a jump shot that gave the Lions the lead, and co-captain and eighth-grader Zoe Fischman secured the victory with a two-pointer with 34 seconds remain- ing in the game. “We all worked very well together,” Friedman said, as the girls celebrated after the game. According to Friedman, the game was a big challenge because Washington Christian’s “defense is very strong and they were really good at cut- ting us off.” JDS was ranked fourth going into the playoffs and lost to the Wildcats in over- time during the regular season. Schwartz said that she felt “a little shaky” going into the season and that the Lions didn’t have the best start, but they came back and “worked hard.” Coach and Upper School learning specialist Brett Kugler said that the loss- es and challenges of the regular seasons enabled him and the team to develop a strategy for the playoffs and champi- Redeem miles for cash • Bill payments • Charitable donations • Many more options! onship. Even as they celebrated their victory, the Lions were already looking ahead to next season. “We are losing eighth-grad- ers who are an essential part of our team,” Schwartz said, “but we’ll get some returners and play hard.” This article was originally published in the Lion’s Tale, a student newspaper at JDS. Read more at www.lionstale.org.

Nate Miller is a freshman at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland. 40 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 40 41 TRAVEL Finding Jewish Roots Along the Appalachian Trail By Paul J. Blank younger brother Daniel, or even his wife. Most likely, he converted to Judaism while The Appalachian he was a student at Princeton University. Trail is the longest hik- Kaufman, born in 1813, did not share ing-only trail in the the same beliefs and convictions as his world. It extends 2,200 brother. He was pro-slavery and married miles from Springer into a slave-owning family. He was elect- Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin ed to Congress and fought against an in Maine. Over the years, I have hiked act that would have banned slavery in sections of the Appalachian Trail in Vir- new territories acquired by the United ginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Penn- States. Moreover, the he sponsored a bill sylvania, New Jersey, New York, Con- making it unlawful for a “free person of necticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New color” to immigrate to Texas and requir- Hampshire, and Maine. It is my dream to ing such persons to leave Texas within one day complete the entire trail. two years. Kaufman also participated in For me, the most interesting part of the expulsion of the Cherokee Indians. the trail is the opportunity to discover a Bondi and Kaufman were both Jew- rural America not typically seen by sub- ish, yet they had very different attitudes urbanites and city-dwellers. It is one that toward slavery: Bondi was a staunch ab- I generally assume to be far removed olitionist and Kaufman was a pro-slav- from my Jewish roots; as the trail passes ery advocate. At the same time, both of through small towns built around white these attitudes towards slavery are part clapboard churches and country stores, of the American Jewish experience, an I joke to myself: “I wonder where I will experience which continues to come find a minyan?” Or, “Does this town have Daniel Kaufman House in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. alive for me in new ways as I hike the a B’nai B’rith chapter?” (SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) Appalachian Trail. Despite my assumptions about not being able to find a Jewish presence In 1857, after Kansas became a free David Kaufman’s religious identifi- Paul J. Blank is a teacher at the Charles E. Smith along the Appalachian Trail, I have act- state, Bondi established an Underground cation has puzzled historians. Judaism Jewish Day School. Send comments or questions ally found many Jewish connections. As Railroad station, hiding fugitive slaves wasn’t the religion of his parents, his to [email protected]. we commemorate Black History Month in his home. In 1861, he joined the Un- in February, two national historic sites ion Army as a first sergeant. After Presi- that fascinating information about dent Abraham Lincoln issued the Eman- pre-Civil War Jewish attitudes toward cipation Proclamation, Bondi wrote: “No slavery in the U.S. seem like timely ex- more Pharaohs and no more slaves.” amples to share. The second national historic site I The first site is the John Brown Mu- discovered with a connection to Jewish seum in Harpers Ferry, West Virgin- attitudes toward slavery in the U.S. was ia. Brown was an abolitionist who be- the Daniel Kaufman House in Boiling lieved that armed insurrection was the Springs, Pennsylvania. Kaufman, born only way to overthrow the institution in 1818, also established an Underground of slavery. In 1856, with a small group of Railroad station. In a case that drew na- volunteers, Brown led anti-slavery forc- tional attention, in 1852 he was fined es in Kansas. Reading the names of these $4,000 for providing food and trans- volunteers, I thought that some names portation to fugitive slaves. According “sounded Jewish.” I researched those to Kaufman’s own testimony, he assist- names and discovered that Theodore ed more than 60 runaway slaves, none Weiner, Jacob Benjamin, and, most nota- of whom were ever caught or returned bly, August Bondi, were in fact Jews. to bondage. Bondi, born in 1833, was an immi- The Daniel Kaufman House is 50 grant from Vienna. In 1850, he was a sail- miles from the Maryland border. This or on a freighter when his ship stopped proximity is significant insofar as Mar- in Texas. “The screams of the slaves, who yland, although part of the Union, was were whipped with leather straps every also a slave-owning state. There is a tradi- morning, woke me up before dawn,” he tion that, when hiking the Appalachian wrote in his diary. He also wrote: “I could Trail and crossing the Mason-Dixon line have married the most beautiful wom- from Maryland into Pennsylvania, one an in Texas, but I felt I could not marry a should run the last 100 yards to remem- woman who owned slaves.” ber the experience of slaves running to Bondi moved to Kansas and, togeth- their freedom. er with Weiner and Benjamin, joined Thinking the name Kaufman sound- Brown’s anti-slavery forces. Bondi wrote ed Jewish and remembering that Bon- about Brown: “He always preached di had also established an Underground against slavery and hammered home to Railroad station, I did some research and us that we should never accept existing discovered that Daniel Kaufman was laws and institutions if our conscience not, in fact, Jewish — but he did have an and reason told us that they violate hu- older, more famous brother, David Kauf- man rights.” man, who was Jewish! WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 41 41 42 ADVICE DEAR RIVKIE

Purim Puzzle tual doing part. The rest of the family puts up with us. Have a question for Rivkie? Which brings me to this: Do what Email [email protected]. works for you, Esther. This will proba- bly lie somewhere between a paper plate Dear Rivkie, staple until the whole package resem- hamantashen and 96 themed shalach bled a hamantashen, and call it a day. He manos. On the one hand, yes, it is nice With Purim coming up, it occurs to would make two or three and we’d de- to deliver and receive a bunch of shalach me that from year to year I forget how liver them to friends in our downtown manos. However, if you don’t want to do stressful it can be, specifically giving out neighborhood. Period. I thought this was that, don’t do it. We have friends who shalach manos (Purim gift baskets, also all very exciting and awfully clever. Then leave town on Purim. Ostensibly, this #PurimGoals? (SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES) referred to as mishloach manot). There’s we moved to the suburbs. is to meet up with friends in a close-by the halachic obligation, but there are Now, I am not deriding this practice city, but who is really the wiser? And thing to do is to give shalach manos to also social pressures. For example, do I at all. In fact, I look back on it fondly. The what if you do the same? Go hear me- those we especially need to reach out need to give one to everyone who gives halachic obligation is that you must make gillah, hand out your one or 12 shalach to; for example (this is scary), someone to me? And it seems like so many peo- a gift of two different foods and deliver it manos, and then go away for the after- who’s hurt us in the past (this is real- ple develop elaborate themes, mak- to one person. In my house, we have tak- noon. Just make sure that your kids are ly advanced-level shalach manos giv- ing the rest of us feel inadequate. Is it en this to mean that we choose a theme OK with this. Obviously, don’t sacrifice ing that I admire greatly), to open up a okay to stick with something simple? in December, start ordering costumes in their enjoyment to avoid all the mak- connection with others. It’s harder, but Then there’s the driving — where is the January and February, while concurrently ing and delivering. Do not be a Purim more admirable, to give to those types of “boundary” for delivery? ordering supplies from Amazon to make Scrooge if your kids really want to stay in people than our 57 BFFs, right? Please explain the rules of etiquette 96 shalach manos to match the theme, your community all day. You may have Overall, it’s important to enjoy this for giving shalach manos, so I can try and do more stuff that I’m too embar- to compromise a little. and all the other holidays. Purim is pret- to relax and enjoy one of my favorite rassed to go into, what with all the excess. Now, you are worried that you might ty deep and it behooves us to re-read me- holidays! Additionally, I buy shalach manos to sup- get more shalach manos than you give. gillah before we hear it (twice) on Purim. port various institutions in the communi- That’s OK! When someone comes to your Think about the miracles that happened, Signed, ty. And then spend all of Purim delivering house and, say, you’ve run out of pack- and, more amazing, that they were hid- (Wish I Could Be) Elated Esther said 96 shalach manos. And then crumple ages, don’t stammer and act guilty. Say den. And remember, a major theme of in a heap right after seuda (festive meal), “Chag Sameach!” or “A Freilichen Purim!” the day is “v’nahafoch hu,” or “things Dear Esther, even if it occurs at 4 p.m. Period. or “Thank you!” They probably don’t care got turned upside down.” You can turn So, now that I have that off my if you give them anything; maybe, like things around for yourself in thinking Let me tell you a story. Once upon chest, and you are thinking, “Rivkie, are (some people in) my family, they just love about Purim. Enjoy yourself, your fami- a time, I was newly married, and, hav- you crazy?”, please hear me out. One of to do the packaging and delivering. ly, and however many friends you want ing never celebrated Purim growing up, my children and I do this whole Purim There’s an idea (see aish.com) that to give shalach manos to, whether that’s I watched my chosson (husband) careful- thing together because we both enjoy one thing we can do on Purim is remove one or 96. And, mainly, have a freilichen ly prepare our shalach manos to give out. the creative process. She gets super into our masks, such as the mask of self-con- (happy) Purim! He would take a white paper plate, put it, and gets a lot of pleasure from it, and tainment. If we tell ourselves we don’t an orange and store-bought hamantash- I get a lot of pleasure from watching her need others, and we are fine on our All the Best, en (triangular cookies) on top, fold and enjoy it. And maybe also some of the ac- own, we don’t risk anything. So, a nice Rivkie

JOB SEARCH NUGGETS

ness or specialty: https://www.linkedin. found 2,426 people in LinkedIn named link to you, a personal note may help LinkedIn Tips com/in/alexfreundcareercoach, for ex- Thomas Jones, 4,341 people named Tom refresh their memories when they see By David Marwick for KempMillJobAssist ample, or https://www.linkedin.com/in/ Jones, and 62,465 named John Smith. your name. For example, you might say: hirejohnnemo. To find a specific Daniel Goldstein or “I enjoyed meeting you at the [name] Following up on our Jan. 25 article Benjamin Cohen, it is possible to search conference last week and discussing about the differences between your re- Personalize Your Name within LinkedIn by state or other descrip- [topic] with you.” sume and your LinkedIn profile, here If a prospective employer likes your tor, but not every prospective employer are four tips for getting the most out of resume, the typical next step is to look can be assumed to know how to do this. Use Capital Letters to LinkedIn. for you on LinkedIn, to learn more about Finally, you can distinguish your- Format Your Profile you. If your resume includes your Linke- self from all the people who share your Relative to Microsoft Word, LinkedIn Personalize Your URL dIn URL, no matter how clunky, it is easy name by using your middle name, a mid- offers few options for formatting your When you join LinkedIn, you will be to find you. But if your resume does not dle initial, and so forth. text. In Word, you can bold, italicize, or assigned a unique, but clunky, URL (Uni- include your LinkedIn URL, finding you underline text to make it stand out. In form Resource Locator, aka web address). can be a challenge. Personalize Your Invitations LinkedIn, by contrast, you can do none It includes your first and last name and We all think that we are one of a To grow your LinkedIn network, you of those things. nine numbers and letters. For example, kind, but we likely share our name with will want to invite people to connect to However, you can use CAPS to set off the URL for one of the thousands of peo- many other people. For example, I found you. LinkedIn provides the generic text sections of text. For an example of us- ple I found on LinkedIn named John that there are 189 people in LinkedIn with an offer to let you customize your ing CAPS in this way, please watch John Smith is https://www.linkedin.com/in/ named Daniel Goldstein and 316 people invite and the advice that “LinkedIn Nemo’s 18-minute video on how he refor- john-smith-3375a713b. named Benjamin Cohen. How likely is members are more likely to accept invi- matted the LinkedIn profile of Tom Your LinkedIn URL should be part it that a prospective employer will take tations that include a personal note.” Ziglar, son of super-salesman Zig Ziglar, of the contact information on your re- the time to sort through many profiles If you are inviting someone who at http://linkedinriches.com/tz/. sume, and a personalized URL looks bet- to find yours? knows you reasonably well, a personal Bottom line: You can get more from ter than the one you are automatically These numbers are dwarfed by the note may not be necessary. If, however, LinkedIn by personalizing your URL, in- assigned. In addition, you can use your number of LinkedIn members with you met 10 people at a conference last vitations, and name, and by using capital personalized URL to advertise your busi- more common names. For example, I week and are inviting each of them to letters to format your profile. 42 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 42 43

ADVICE COLLEGE PREP The Case Against Standardized Testing By Nikkee Porcaro Many colleges don’t require test- colleges, or colleges (like the ones above) presenting themselves with demonstra- ing as part of the application submis- that are test-flexible. ble skills rather than a test score. Results from a sion anymore. According to FairTest.org, Testing doesn’t measure less-tradi- Here in the DMV, I see many stu- 2016 survey conduct- more than 1000 colleges and universities tional kinds of intelligence. Psychologist dents fall prey to the “Sweatshirt Game,” ed by the National “are ‘test optional,’ ‘test flexible,’ or other- Howard Gardner famously developed wherein they’re so concerned with get- Association for Col- wise de-emphasize the use of standard- the concept of multiple intelligenc- ting into a school that they can tell peo- lege Admission Coun- ized tests by making admissions decisions es in 1983, asserting that many people ple about (or proudly wear a name-em- seling showed 82.2 percent of colleges — without using ACT or SAT scores — for have non-traditional ways of displaying blazoned sweatshirt advertising the attributed either “considerable impor- all or many applicants who recently grad- their intelligence in categories such as school) that they fail to consider oth- tance” or “moderate importance” to ACT uated from U.S. high schools.” Students visual-spatial, logical reasoning, interper- er options that might better fit them. or SAT test scores in admission decisions should keep in mind that if they choose sonal, intrapersonal, musical, bodily-kin- It’s hard for many students at this age on first-time freshmen. Last month, we this route, the other pieces of the appli- esthetic, and linguistic. (and parents too) to consider non-tra- featured an article on the case for the im- cation, such as rigor of courses, grades, While standardized tests may seem ditional paths to higher education. I’m portance of standardized testing in col- leadership, extracurriculars, recommen- to (and often, but not always, do) fa- not saying a student should immediate- lege admissions, but a case can also be dations, and/or admissions essays will be vor those with high marks in the logi- ly scrap testing (it also doesn’t hurt to made for not taking, or reporting scores what they are judged on, and they will cal reasoning and linguistic categories, take them and just not report them to for, these seemingly all-important tests. need to shine. even these learners sometimes possess test-optional schools), but with more In fact, not every school requires For some students, the stress of test- skills tests can’t measure. A high-school- and more options available for higher standardized tests. Additionally, when ing outweighs the benefits. If the mere er who can captivate a room with char- education, students and parents should considering students for admission into idea of sitting down with a prep book is ismatic public speaking, visualize and be informed about the multitude of art or theatre programs, for example, col- completely overwhelming, or the pres- subsequently draw a perfect likeness of choices they have in the college admis- leges are generally much more concerned sure of achieving a certain score due to the Jefferson Memorial, or hear a song sions process. with portfolios or auditions than stand- peer, parental, cultural, or societal pres- once on the radio and play it on the pi- ardized tests. Finally, standardized tests sure is negatively affecting a student’s ano, possesses such skills. Intelligence Nikkee Porcaro is the founder and president of No are really only one piece of the puzzle, quality of life, it is important for them to comes in many forms, and a student Anxiety Prep International, a Greater Washington one way to measure a kind of intelligence. realize that there are plenty of paths that who is not big on standardized testing, area-based educational consulting firm that as- Here are some valid reasons a stu- do not involve standardized testing, in- but is outstanding in a non-traditional sists students with their educational goals. Email dent might go test-optional: cluding a gap year, community or junior way, may benefit tremendously from Nikkee at [email protected].

REAL TALK WITH JCADA

A Concerned Colleague When supporting a friend experi- er stay open. Keep inviting her to hap- encing domestic violence, it may also py hour. Keep asking her if she wants Have a question about a relationship that be helpful to better understand what to grab lunch. Ask how she is, includ- they’re experiencing emotionally and/ ing her relationship with Josh, in a way you or someone you know is in? Email or what leaving may mean. Many abu- you would ask any other friend, and [email protected] and your question sive relationships follow a cycle of vi- check yourself during and after these olence, where tension builds, the conversations. Being non-judgmental may be answered in a future article. abusive partner blows up, and then and available go a long way. Dear JCADA, you wrote, it does sound like you have apologizes (the honeymoon phase), fol- This does not mean, however, that good reasons to be concerned about lowed by another period of rising ten- you should ignore safety concerns or I’m worried that my work friend Elena. It also sounds like you’ve said sion. The cycle does not always look other issues your friend may bring up. “Elena” is in an abusive relationship. the right things: You were honest with the same or follow this exact pattern, The most dangerous time in an abu- She used to vent to me all the time her, but not judgmental — Josh grab- but there are usually good times and sive relationship is when someone de- about her boyfriend, “Josh”; how he is bing your friend scares you, and you let bad times as in any relationship. It can cides to leave. If things seem to be get- so uptight, and how much they fight. At her know that. be difficult to reconcile the good times ting worse for Elena, I would encourage one point, she told me he grabbed her It’s counterintuitive, but the most with the abuse — “Things feel so good you to call us at JCADA at 1-877-88-JCA- during a bad fight, which really scared important thing to remember when right now and we feel so connected DA(52232). In addition to seeing victims her. I told her that it scared me, too, and trying to help a friend/loved one who — what if that doesn’t happen again? of abuse, we also see those who are sup- that it sounds like Josh doesn’t deserve is in an abusive relationship is not to What if he really has changed?” Your porting victims and can help you help to be with her. tell them to leave the relationship. friend may also still be in love with her your friend in the best and safest way Lately, Elena hasn’t been going to Why? First, if they’re in an abusive re- boyfriend. How many of us have been possible — 100 percent free of charge. happy hour as much with me and oth- lationship, they are most likely being in love with someone who ended a re- ers at work, but says things with Josh controlled in multiple ways — being lationship with us? We know that feel- For the past 17 years, JCADA has are better. I feel like she’s avoiding me. told what to wear, when to see their ings don’t turn off like a switch. offered support to victims and survi- Should I just let this go? What if things friends, and/or how to spend their You’ve noticed that Elena is skip- vors of domestic and dating abuse. are worse, but she’s afraid to tell me? money. The last thing you want to do ping happy hour and avoiding you. These free clinical and legal services Please help! is take even more power and control Abusive relationships often include so- are available to any resident of the away from your friend by telling them cial isolation. The abuser may begin Greater Washington area, 14 years Signed, what to do in their relationship. Most to control when and if their partner of age and older, who is affected by Hannah importantly, if you tell your friend to sees family and friends. Unfortunate- any type of domestic abuse. Staff are leave their partner and they don’t, it’s ly, this can be an effective way to keep available to answer questions, offer Dear Hannah, much harder for them to come back to someone in a relationship because it’s support, and connect callers to ser- you for support if the abuse gets worse. more difficult to leave without social vices on our free and confidential Thanks so much for writing — this They may be embarrassed, fearful of support. That’s why I would encour- helpline Monday through Thursday, is a tough situation, and you’re clear- being told “I told you so,” or worried age you to stay available to Elena. You 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m. to ly being a good friend. Based on what about being judged. don’t need to confront her, but rath- 3 p.m. at 1-877-88-JCADA (52232). WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 43 43 44

ADVICE DATING

inner world of another? When assuming Unmasking the Hidden Gem we’ve rejected those that didn’t measure By Rachel Burham lyze the relationships you turned down the meaningful, we find ourselves strug- up, have we examined if we ourselves to see if you can detect patterns. Did you gling to make deep connections that measure up? If we can’t truly accept our- A Reader Asks: turn down relationships because they transcend the external. selves, it will be that much harder to tru- were missing features you wanted, or There’s another culprit behind the ly accept another. Am I the only one because they were missing features you tendency to reject relationships for ex- Let’s use this Purim to unmask our who feels like there believe you “must” have? I believe there ternal reasons. In my coaching practice, true inner self and commit to exploring is nobody to date? I are many couples who could be happi- I’ve found a common pattern of people the inner landscape of another special am a 29-year-old single; I have dated the ly married but unfortunately never make with low self-esteem who have an ex- human being. Let’s free ourselves from people potentially suitable for me in it to that point due to superficial details tremely specific list of musts for their po- external trappings that engulf and de- my area (and several beyond!) and none that stand between them and the aisle. tential partners. This is not about their fine us, so that we can find a deeper and of those relationships worked out. I do We live in a world that largely defines dating partner; it’s about them trying to more meaningful place of empathy and get additional suggestions, but they are who we are by external traits and accom- fill in the gaps they believe they lack — connection. May the unmasking of the mostly out of left field and are not what plishments. “What do you do?” “Where and it never works. hidden gems within all of us lead to an I am looking for. Does my bashert (soul- do you live?” “Where did you complete We must develop the healthy self-es- even shorter distance to your longest re- mate) even exist? Any suggestions on your degree?” These questions tell us teem necessary to see ourselves and oth- lationship. how to move forward? I feel like I’ve hit very little about a person’s true character. ers in a genuine and undistorted way; a brick wall. Does it really matter that she is two this work toward building that self- Rachel Burnham earned both her bachelor’s de- years older? Can you live comfortably worth pays off immensely in dating and gree in psychology and master’s degree in occu- Dating Coach Rachel Burnham Re- with someone who is a brilliant entre- marriage. When we build our deeper pational therapy (OT) in New York City. While OT sponds: preneur but never went to college? Can selves, we attract different types of peo- may be her profession, her deepest passion lies This always makes me sad to hear. you feel proud to be with a woman who ple and allow more sides of each person in Jewish outreach, which she’s been active in her When I hear this, I often recommend go- is not as glamorous as you imagined, but we meet to emerge. Sides we may con- entire adult life. Rachel also coaches Jewish sin- ing through the list of those you’ve dated has the caring personality and wit of nect to well. gles to successful marriages, giving them clarity in the past to see if there is anyone you someone you would want as the mother Instead of giving up, why not dust and peace of mind as they navigate the path to may consider giving a second chance. If of your children? When we invest more off the black book with the willingness love, connection, and lifelong companionship. that doesn’t work, I’d suggest you ana- in building the superficial rather than to revisit the character, personality, and Email [email protected].

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT Introducing Mitchelle Glass Interested in connecting with this week’s young I see myself working professional? Email [email protected]. at my own bakery, where all workers Interviewed by Batya H. Carl are given an equal say in bakery policy. Mitchelle Glass is 24 years old and currently in the second phase of the Pas- try Arts training program at Sunflower What is your favorite movie? Bakery in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He “The Great Dictator.” A lot of that has grew up in Laurel, Maryland, and lives to do with the speech at the end, which in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he stood up to the prevailing wisdom of davens at Young Israel Shomrai Emu- the time and showed the need to resist nah. A ba’al teshuvah, Mitchelle says he oppression. aims to live his life according to a ration- What is your idea of a perfect day? al approach to Torah Judaism. One in which I don’t have to do any- What is your favorite quote? thing and yet still accomplish a lot. “The arc of the moral universe is Where do you see yourself in five years? long, but it bends toward justice.” It’s the I see myself working at my own perfect quote for a religious person fight- bakery, where all workers are given an ing to make the world a more free and equal say in bakery policy. I also see my- equitable place. self with a wife; I’m not sure if we have What is your favorite thing about Purim? kids yet. Honestly, it’s drinking at the Purim Who is someone you admire? seudah [festive meal]. While I am gen- Bernie Sanders. We currently have erally careful about my alcohol con- an exploitative and corrupt system and sumption, I do enjoy the feeling when I can’t think of anyone who has been I do drink and Purim provides that op- doing more to change it for the better. I portunity. considered trying to think of a less polit- What do you most enjoy about your ical choice, but in the end, everything is training with Sunflower Bakery? political. I like how similar it is to working at What are you currently looking forward an actual bakery. It’s one thing to under- to the most this spring? stand a concept theoretically, but to do “Avengers: Infinity War” is coming it again and again in practice is much Mitchelle Glass preparing hamantashen for sale in advance of the upcoming holiday. out around then. I don’t think anything more meaningful. (COURTESY PHOTO) else is topping that. 44 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 44 45

OBITUARY

World in Silver Spring. For the past few Remembering Cantor Mark Levi years they have lived at Asbury Village in Cantor Mark Levi, who served as can- move to Israel in 1950, and then to the els, and even the lining of fur coats, but Gaithersburg, Maryland. tor for Beth Tikva Congregation, now United States in 1953. After a few years in for Cantor Levi, it was much more than When Cantor Levi returned to known as Tikvat Israel in Rockville, New York, Cantor Levi learned about a that; he was an embroidery artist. Rockville, Tikvat Israel’s Cantor Rochelle Maryland, and earlier at Beth Torah in job opening for an embroiderer in Wash- Using his embroidery skills, he would Helzner invited him to participate in Yiz- Hyattsville, Maryland, died Dec. 28, 2017. ington, D.C., and the family moved to sew portraits of famous people — John kor memorial services on Yom Kippur for He was 103 years old. Hyattsville, Maryland, in 1958. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bob Hope, Bing several years while he was still able. Can- Cantor Levi began his cantorial career In Hyattsville, they became members Crosby, and even Tennessee Ernie Ford. tor Levi would chant the Kel Maleh Ra- at Beth Torah in 1958, serving there until of Beth Torah Congregation, and Cantor Perhaps one of his most important as- chamin prayer for the departed. “I don’t 1964 when he became cantor at Beth Tik- Levi became the congregation’s cantor. signments, however, was when he was think there were many dry eyes in the con- va. He retired in 1984 as cantor emeritus. After serving there from 1958 to 1964, he asked to embroider the patch worn by gregation when he finished,” recalls Sam With a vibrant baritone voice, Cantor became the cantor at Beth Tikva when the Apollo 8 astronauts. Gilston, a member of the congregation. Levi was known for his traditional chaz- the congregation was just four years old. In 1985, Cantor and Mrs. Levi moved While known for his marvelous anut style of chanting the liturgy and his While being a part-time cantor, Can- to Florida, where he became cantor at voice, Cantor Levi is also remembered devotion to the nusach (order of prayer) tor Levi set up his own business, the Beth Ami synagogue in Boca Raton. He for his kindness, humility, and quick or melodies handed down by some of the American Monogram Company. The also started a new embroidery business smile, as well as his desire to help the most famous cantors of the last century. firm was mainly involved in the stitch- there. The couple moved back to Mary- congregation in any way he could. He Cantor Levi was born in 1914 in the ing of names and initials on shirts, tow- land a few years later and lived in Leisure gave annual cantorial concerts to help Transylvania region of Romania. He was the synagogue raise money. the youngest of 10 children and his fami- As an example of Cantor Levi’s hum- ly home was the center of the small Jew- bleness, Steve Raucher, who was president ish community of the town, serving as a of Beth Tikva during part of Cantor Levi’s grocery store and farm, as well as a che- tenure, recalls that when a salary discus- der where the village’s Jewish children sion came up one year, Cantor Levi didn’t went to school. ask for a raise. All he asked for was a clos- During World War II, he was arrest- et where he could store his robes and coat. ed and spent three years in a forced-la- Cantor Levi is survived by his wife bor camp. At the end of the war, when Otilia of Asbury Village; his sons Ron he returned home, he found his village (Debbie) of North Potomac, Maryland, burned to the ground. His parents are be- and Allen of Annapolis, Maryland; his lieved to have perished in Auschwitz. grandchildren, Erin (Brad), Adam, Ha- While in Romania, he met his wife, ley, and Brianna; and his great grandchil- Otilia, and they married in 1947. They dren, Orly and Augie.

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 45 45 46

PURIM FESTIVITIES Baltimore and Howard County Northern Virginia Feb. 25 Purim Palooza 2018 Feb. 25 Purim Carnival

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Location: Long Reach High School For Preschoolers (ages 0-5): 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia, MD 21045 For All Ages: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: free entry; cost for food and activities Location: Agudas Achim Congregation 2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302 Feb. 25 5th Annual Community-Wide Cost: $25 Purim Carnival

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Feb. 28 Purim Palooza Location: Ner Tamid Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 6214 Pimlico Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 Megillah Reading: 7:00 p.m. 10% of proceeds will go to JCN Purim Shpiel: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 per person/$40 family max Purim Palooza: 8:00 p.m. Location: Temple Rodef Shalom Feb. 28 The Voice! Beth El's Purim Celebration 2100 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22043 Time: 5:30 p.m. Family Purim Seudah for Preschool and Early Elementary Families: 5:30 p.m. March 1 Purim Under the Sea Family abbreviated Megillah Reading and Costume Parade for Time: 5:30 p.m. Preschool and Early Elementary Families: 6:00 p.m. Megillah Reading: 5:30 p.m. Congregational Megillah Reading and the Voices of Shushan Compete Purim Party: 6:15 p.m. in Beth El's the Voice: 7:00 p.m. Bubble Show: 6:45 p.m. After Party With Hamantashen, Music, and Karaoke: 8:00 p.m. Location: Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia Location: Beth El Congregation 3939 Prince William Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031 8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208 Cost: Adults: $12, Children: $8, Family Max: $45 Montgomery County Washington, D.C. Feb. 28 Wizard of Oz Purim Feb. 28 2018 - The Great Washington, D.C., Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Purim Party

Tot Purim: 5:30 p.m. Time: 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Pizza and Salad Dinner: 6:15 p.m. Location: (Chabad) Lubavitch Center Wizard of Oz Purim: 7:00 p.m. 2110 Leroy Place, Washington, D.C. 20008 Location: Temple Shalom Feb. 28 Grogger & Glow: A Purim Celebration 8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: free Location: Sixth & I Feb. 28 Pirate Purim! 600 I Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Cost: $18 all-access tickets/$12 megillah & spiel only Location: Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim Register online or by phone at 877-987-6487 1840 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD 20902 March 4 PJ Library®’s Sensory Friendly Purim 2018 Cost: $10 per person/$20 per family Time: 10:30 a.m March 3 Purim Party 2018 Best for Kindergarten-Grade 4 Time: 8:00 p.m. Location: Washington Hebrew Congregation Location: Magen David Sephardic Congregation 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 11215 Woodglen Drive, Rockville, MD 20852 Cost: $5 per family, plus bring a canned good to donate Cost: $10 for members/$25 for non-members Please pre-register, as space is limited

46 February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM 46 47 Community Calendar:

February 2018 11 Sushi and Speed Dating 22 Idan Raichel: Piano Songs Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Young Israel Shomrai Emunah Time: 8:00 p.m. 1132 Arcola Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Location: The Music Center at Strathmore RSVP by March 4 to yise.org/sushi 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852 Roots: Other to Brother March 2018 14 A dialogue between an Israeli Settler and a Palestinian activist 4 Training I: The Visitors Project for People Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. With Dementia Location: Congregation Har Shalom For New Volunteer Visitors 11510 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854 Time: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. RSVP by March 4 to yise.org/sushi Location: Revitz House 18 Training II: The Visitors Project for People 6111 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 with Dementia RSVP to VPPD Coordinator Ken Silverstein: For New Volunteer Visitors [email protected] or 301-570-6664 Time: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 8-11 Multifaith Film Fest 2018 Location: Revitz House 6111 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 Location: Bender JCC of Greater Washington RSVP to VPPD Coordinator Ken Silverstein: 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 [email protected] or 301-570-6664 Purchase tickets at benderjccgw.org/KHfilm 20 "A Season For All" Multi-Sisterhood 11 "Holocaust Voices" With Author Myrna Luncheon Goldenberg Hosted by MMAE Sisterhood Musical dessert reception to follow Time: 11:30 a.m. Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Location: Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation Location: Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation 7000 Rockland Hills Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21209 1441 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, Virginia 20190 Cost: $25 per person; your check is your reservation RSVP by March 1 to [email protected] 25 More Than Just Mosaics: The Ancient 11 Maimonides, Nature, & Science Synagogue at Huqoq in Israel's Galilee With Professor Josef Stern With Dr. Jodi Magness Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Temple Shalom Location: B'nai Israel Congregation 8401 Grubb Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 6301 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 Cost: free, but pre-registration recommended: www.foundjs.org Cost: free, but pre-registration recommended: www.foundjs.org

Are you a natural salesperson? Do you have strong customer Kosher New York service skills? Deli & Bagels Join Kol HaBirah’s Silver Spring marketing team and 3 Convenient Locations: help us continue to 9328 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 grow and serve the Rockville T: 240-450-4177 Greater Washington 4824 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852 T: 301-816-9229 and Baltimore 7731 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, MD 20854 Jewish Potomac T: 240-403-1210 communities! www.goldbergsnybagels.com Contact: [email protected] For Catering [email protected] | 301-816-9229

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM February 22, 2018 • 7 Adar, 5778 47 47 48

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