the Jewish bserver www.jewishobservernashville.org Vol. 83 No. 6 • June 2018 18 Sivan-17 Tamuz 5778 Transitions at Nashville Jewish Federation Executive director Eric Stillman chosen Mark Freedman retires as next executive director

By KATHY CARLSON Florida, where he was vice pres- ric Stillman will serve as the Nashville and Middle ident of the American Friends as the next execu- Tennessee Jewish community ark S. Freedman, exec- of Tel Aviv University. Before Etive director of the continues to grow.” utive director of the that, he was executive direc- Jewish Federation and Jewish Eric has served as federa- MJewish Federation and tor for 13 years of the Jewish Foundation of Nashville and tion executive director, most Jewish Foundation of Nashville Federation of San Antonio, Middle Tennessee, Federation recently in Broward County, and Middle Tennessee, will Texas. He has spent most of President Lisa Perlen has Florida, where he served for retire at the end of this month his career in Jewish communal announced in a letter to the nine years, and previously in after nearly seven years in Music service. community. The Federation New Orleans, where he served City. During his time here, he’s In his April 2017 letter board unanimously ratified its for six years and notably, during seen Jewish Nashville grow and informing Federation President search committee’s recommen- Hurricane Katrina, when his blossom with new activities and Lisa Perlen of his plan to retire dation and Eric’s contract at its community was scattered from initiatives. Children learn at Mark S. Freedman this June 30, Freedman said it May meeting. He assumes his Eric Stillman Houston to Nashville and Akiva School, at Nashville’s has been an honor and privilege to serve new responsibilities on July 1. beyond. Eric has been working recently five congregations and with PJ Library as executive director. “Eric will be in Nashville for the in not-for-profit financial resource devel- books and events. Teens continue to Here are Freedman’s thoughts on his Jewish Federation annual meeting on opment outside of the Jewish community experience Israel firsthand with commu- retirement and on his time in Nashville: June 13 and looks forward to meeting but his heart is in Jewish communal pro- nity supported Get Connected summer What are some of the highlights of each of you. Please join me in welcoming fessional work. trips. Our Partnership2Gether program your time as the Nashville Federation’s Eric to the community,” Perlen said. As executive director of the New with our friends in Hadera-Eiron in Israel executive director? “Eric meets all of the essential char- Orleans Federation, Eric was part of the is stronger than ever. Adults young and The highlight has been the privilege acteristics sought for our next Executive intermediate federations group, which is old enjoy a host of service and social activ- of being able to work in a very extraor- Director,” she said. “He is an engaging the group to which the Jewish Federation ities. Jewish cultural events such as the dinary Jewish community. Leslie and I visionary with organization savvy and a of Nashville and Middle Tennessee recent Violins of Hope programs abound were welcomed here very warmly (and sense of and connection to the broad- belongs. He has participated in numer- in Nashville and attract community mem- we) fit into the community. It has been er North American and international ous missions to Israel and the Former bers. And to help maintain the communi- gratifying to be able to help this Jewish Jewish world. Soviet Union. He has been invited to ty, the Life & Legacy program encourages community move forward. “He brings extensive experience speak at conferences and symposiums and people to set up after-life gifts. What are some of your favorite from the world of Jewish philanthropy, is an active member of the Association Freedman and his wife, artist Leslie projects during your time in Nashville? and specifically Federation, to the job. of Fundraising Professionals. In his spare J. Klein, arrived in Nashville in October The timing was very good for me to Eric is an excellent fit for where we time, Eric enjoys exploring new cuisines of 2011 and came to the Federation from Continued on page 8 are now and where we will be going and Pilates. •

Adventure Park to open on JCC campus Jewish Federation ook up along the Percy Warner Boulevard fence line on 82nd Annual Meeting the Gordon Jewish Community Center campus and you’ll Lsee platforms in the trees connected by cable, wood, rope on June 13 at 7 p.m. and zip lines. oin us on Wednesday, It’s the Adventure Park at Nashville, a new combination tree-top climbing and zip line experience, and it’s set to open at June 13, at 7 p.m. at the Gordon JCC on June 9. Jthe Gordon JCC for The J has partnered with Outdoor Venture Group, LLC the Jewish Federation of (Outdoor Venture), which has designed, built and operated aeri- Nashville’s annual meet- al forest parks and ropes courses in the United States – including ing, with dessert reception at other Jewish community centers – for the past 10 years. afterward. We’ll honor Mark The Adventure Park is not one single aerial treetop trail but a variety of different, color-coded aerial trails of differing Freedman as he retires and challenge levels – beginner through expert – that climbers select celebrate our outgoing depending on their age or climbing experience, Outdoor Venture leadership. Please RSVP to said in a news release announcing the opening. Barbara Schwarcz, barbara@ There are trails suitable for kids, teens, adults and groups, jewishnashville.org. • the release said. Trails consist of platforms installed in the trees Continued on page 14 Aerial trails like these are being installed at the Gordon Jewish Community Center. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF OUTDOOR VENTURE GROUP

A Publication of the Zip, sizzle Jewish Family Coupon and splash at Service annual Special Gordon JCC meeting set Section, this summer, for June 21, page 9 page 14 page 15

WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG Long shadows haunt an Alabama hillside By RON GALBRAITH ings between 1877 and 1950 are com- Chair, Community Relations memorated at the memorial. Committee The National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened to the public on April 26, tepping quietly on the newly sodded becoming the nation’s first memorial ded- grass while looking up the hill, one icated to the legacy of black people terror- Scould easily assume that it is only a ized by lynching. The memorial grew out crisp new architectural structure silhou- of the work of the Equal Justice Initiative etted against the afternoon sky. Even (EJI) with the intent of creating a mean- with the understanding that a memorial ingful site where people could reflect on rests on this hillside, the well-groomed America’s history of racial inequality. approach conceals what lies ahead. My personal journey through this A winding pathway slowly reveals memorial brought forward another long a vast six-acre complex. It is vast, yet shadow. Much like our Yad Vashem and simple in its repetitive design. This stark other Holocaust museums, these 800 repetition begins to signal the horror columns will immerse, even overwhelm and inhumanity represented in this new the visitor. The mind quickly pivots National Memorial for Peace and Justice from disbelief to horror, easily ending in located in Montgomery, Alabama. On heartbreak mixed with anger. In each sit- this quiet hillside we find a powerful and uation, exiting the way you entered is all shameful reminder of our nation’s single but impossible, physically or emotionally. largest blemish—the stain of slavery and And when one exits, the heart screams: the scars of the lynching, beatings and Steel columns at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice commemorate more than Never again! torture impacting thousands of African- 4,400 African-American people killed in lynchings. PHOTOGRAPH BY RON GALBRAITH As a member of the Community American men and women. Relations Committee of our Jewish Walking among the 800 six-foot ‘The rows seem endless; the light remains eerie; the maze Federation, Josh Segall brought forward steel columns hanging from the ceiling the opportunity to visit this site as part of can be daunting. The columns seem to invokes both outrage and reverence in equal measure.’ our commitment to social justice issues. cast a long collective historical shadow. The Jewish Federation of Nashville and The rows seem endless, moving from one Each of the 800 steel columns rep- victims. Yes, there is a column inscribed, Middle Tennessee purchased tickets and pavilion to another; the light remains resents a county in the United States in “Davidson County, Tennessee,” and oth- CRC organized a trip for this national eerie; the maze invokes both outrage and which one or more lynchings occurred, ers for our surrounding counties. In all, opening. I encourage you to make the reverence in equal measure. and each column bears the names of the more than 4,400 black victims of lynch- journey to Montgomery. •

SPLC co-founder speaks at JCC Learn more about CRC o learn more about the oseph J. Levin Jr., co-founder of the in 2016 and said he was expressing his nessed the Civil Rights movement in his Community Relations Southern Poverty Law Center and personal views in his presentation. own hometown of Montgomery, Ala. Committee of the Jewish emeritus member of its board, spoke His topic was “Then and Now: Hate He compared what he witnessed then T J Federation and Jewish Foundation last month at the Gordon Jewish in the Mainstream.” An audience of about to what he is seeing in the United States of Nashville, or to volunteer, please Community Center in a program 200 people from the Jewish community as in recent years, with the rise in anti-Sem- contact Deborah Oleshansky, com- organized by the Jewish Federation of well as the broader Nashville community itism and hate activity. He called on his munity relations director, deborah@ Nashville’s Community Relations listened intently as he recounted how he audience to become involved in civic life jewishnashville.org. Committee. Levin retired from the SPLC grew up in the segregated South and wit- and to build community. •

2 June 2018 The Observer Ellie Flier recognized for leadership happy that the Federation has been so me. It’s a great way to build commu- the grant for Jewsic City Shabbat’s second By KATHY CARLSON welcoming to the voices (of young) pro- nity.” She has recorded an album of year, she says. “Our next challenge is to fessionals. … I wasn’t just there as the original Jewish music that is coming channel engagement into philanthropy.” hen Ellie Flier moved to token young person. … It was meaningful out on July 31 and titled “Pray for Open For those thinking of getting Nashville from Los Angeles to have my voice heard.” Eyes.” The Nashville Jewish community involved in Jewish Nashville, she says, Wafter college in 2012, one of Flier graduated from the University helped her make the album a reality “The Jewish community is a very wel- the first things she did was to head over of Southern California with a degree in through the Jewcer fundraising web site. coming place. It gave so much to me. to the JCC. opera performance. She is a singer-song- She’s a founder and leader of That’s the reason why I want to give She was living in Bellevue and writer and works in the Jewish studies Jewsic City Shabbat, a Friday night din- back. It does so much to help others and often drove by the sign for the Gordon program at Vanderbilt University. ner-and-music Shabbat experience for provides a way for us to help others we Jewish Community Center. One day, she “Jewish music is very important to young adults. The Federation just renewed don’t even know need help.” • dropped in and told the receptionist she wanted to meet her fellow Jews. The rest, as they say, is history. She quickly met Joel Abramson, then the Nashville Jewish Federation’s com- ×ƉåÕ munity engagement associate and cur- rently its financial resources develop- ment officer. Flier quickly found her niche helping cre- ate a strong com- munity for Jewish young adults. Soon she joined the board of NowGen Nashville, serving for five years and co-chairing for Ellie Flier two. This month she will receive the Federation’s Sandy Averbuch Young Leadership Award. “I was so honored when I got that phone call,” she said. “I know people who (have been recognized by Federation) and I’m very honored to be among them. … I want to continue to work with the Nashville Jewish community. It has done a lot for me and (we) have a great vision HAǟPENǢHEǠǏ for future. “I was part of the Best Jewish Nashville With our state-of-the-art facility 2.0 discussion,” she said of the process the Nashville Federation uses to set priorities and Montessori curriculum and identify needs for new programming. paired with authentic Jewish “I’ve continuously been very excited and learning, your child will feel confident reaching for the stars. Update on Gaza set for June 20 he Community Relations Committee of the Jewish TFederation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee pres- ents Matthew Levitt, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, speaking on the topic “Why Gaza is more complicated than you think,” on Wednesday, June 20, at 7 p.m., at the Gordon Jewish Community Center, 801 Percy Matthew Levitt Warner Blvd. For information contact Deborah Oleshansky, community relations direc- tor, [email protected]. • Newcomers reception June 10 SVP for this Jewish Federation-sponsored Revent to Michal Eskenazi Becker, michal@jewishnash- ville.org. The reception is from To schedule a tour, call 615-646-5750 3-5 p.m.; you’ll receive event 95 Bellevue Road • Nashville, TN 37221 location when you RSVP. •

The Observer June 2018 3 Israel defends Gaza crackdown as self-defense By BEN SALES largest number of projectiles fired on Israel from the coastal strip since the NEW YORK (JTA) —Despite 2014 Gaza war. growing condemnation for the deaths Code Red warning sirens were heard of 60 Palestinians on the Gaza border throughout southern Israel. Later the in May, Israel defended its military’s same afternoon, the warning system acti- actions as an act of self-defense in the vated again in several communities. face of a mass attack. In response, the IDF said it struck “We didn’t want it to happen, but we more than 35 targets belonging to the understood these were Hamas’ intentions,” Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad ter- Dani Dayan, Israel’s consul general in New rorist organizations in Gaza. Among the York, told reporters Tuesday. “We are not targets was a terror tunnel that stretched going away. We will defend our border. We under the Kerem Shalom border cross- will defend our population. If they invade ing for humanitarian goods, as well as People running from tear gas at the border fence with Israel in Gaza City, May 15. Israeli communities, we will have to take weapons storage sites, naval targets and a PHOTOGRAPH BY SPENCER PLATT / GETTY IMAGES much harsher measures. By doing what we terrorist headquarters. border fence and pouring into Israeli when Israel responded with gunfire. did we are saving human life.” “Israel views with utmost gravity the towns that are just yards from the bor- Israelis agree with their government’s On the morning in question, tens of attacks against it and its communities by der. Israeli soldiers, he said, never target stance. Eighty-three percent of Israeli thousands of Palestinians rushed Gaza’s Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Gaza unarmed civilians. Jews, and 70 percent of Israelis overall, border with Israel as part of a string of Strip,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin He pointed to evidence that some said in April that the Israeli policy of protests called the March of Return. The Netanyahu said in the hours following protesters carried improvised bombs and opening fire on the Gaza border was protesters say they’re opposing Israel’s these attacks. wire cutters, and to video of a Hamas appropriate, according to a poll by the blockade of the coastal strip, and pushing Press reaction leader saying “we will tear out their Israel Democracy Institute. Jewish Israelis for Palestinians’ return to their ancestors’ Israel was pilloried in the press fol- hearts from their bodies.” have also given near-unanimous support homes within Israel. Israel says the protest lowing the deadly mid-May events on the “It was a mass attack at innumerable to previous Israeli military actions in Gaza. is an invasion by Hamas, the militant group Gaza border. The optics were particularly points to breach the fence,” Dayan said, Dayan blames Hamas for the deaths, that governs Gaza, and that it endangers bad: In Jerusalem, an hour’s drive away, comparing the rush at various points to saying that the terror group wanted to Israeli lives and communal security. American and Israeli diplomats were a tsunami and to a soccer riot in Europe, distract Gazans from their dire economy Palestinians charged the border all smiles as they dedicated the United where spectators get trampled by over- by shifting blame to Israel. Israel with- fence en masse, some carrying weapons. States Embassy on the same day as the zealous fans. drew its army and settlers from Gaza in Israel responded with tear gas, water can- protests in Gaza. “To have a breach of a thousand 2005. After Hamas won Palestinian elec- nons, rubber bullets and live fire. More The U.N. human rights office con- Palestinians, armed, into the kindergar- tions in 2006, Israel and Egypt initiated a than 60 Palestinians were killed and demned Israel for “appalling deadly vio- ten of a kibbutz is an imminent danger,” blockade of the strip, though they let in thousands were injured. lence.” The European Union’s foreign he said. “Those were people who were humanitarian goods. Shells fired from Gaza policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called trying to break the fence, and for that Hamas and other Gaza terror groups Meanwhile, on the morning of May on Israel to abide by the “principle of there is zero tolerance.” have continued, on and off, to bombard 29, at least 28 mortar shells were fired from proportionality in the use of force” and Israel says 24 of the 60 people killed Israel with missiles in the intervening Gaza on southern Israel, including one to “respect the right to peaceful protest.” were Hamas operatives. Dayan did not years. In response, Israel has launched that exploded in the yard of a kindergarten But don’t expect Israel to say it is have information regarding the other 36 three military operations in Gaza, in shortly before students were set to arrive. sorry. Israeli officials say their country fatalities. 2008, 2012 and 2014. The Iron Dome missile defense sys- did the right thing. And if this happens Past unrest at borders “Sinwar sends his people and his tem intercepted most of the shells, which again, they’d do it again. The same way. This is not the first time Israel has children and his women to the border were fired in three barrages, according Israel: No peaceful protest had to handle a rush on its borders. In to get killed,” Dayan said. “Because the to the Israel Defense Forces. It was the Dayan said the protest was anything May and June of 2011, protesters stormed situation in Gaza is extremely difficult, but peaceful. The goal, he said, was to Israel’s northern borders from Syria and Hamas decided, as many dictatorships do, invade Israel by breaching the Gaza Lebanon. Then as well, dozens were killed to direct the blame elsewhere.” • c c STAFF c c Corrections Policy Mark S. Freedman Publisher The Jewish Observer is committed to Editor Kathy Carlson making corrections and clarifications Advertising Manager Carrie Mills promptly. To request a correction or letter to the editor Layout and Production Tim Gregory clarification, call Editor Kathy Carlson at (615) 354-1653 or email her at kathy@ Editorial Board Frank Boehm (chair), jewishnashville.org. Dear Friends: school students of any faith or back- Barbara Dab, Greg Goldberg, What an unbelievable surprise to ground is our claim to fame. Thanks to Scott Rosenberg, Liz Foster learn that community members came you we will begin our third academic year together and raised $40,000 for the financially secure. Having your support Editorial Submissions Policy Jewish Middle School (JMS) in honor of is heartwarming. Thank you for your Telephone 615/356-3242 and Deadlines my 40th birthday! encouragement and generosity. Fax 615/352-0056 For starters, it is a big chunk of The Jewish Observer welcomes the sub- E-mail [email protected] change for a small school. But secondly, Sincerely, mission of information, news items, fea- it was the first community-wide effort ture stories and photos about events rele- Rabbi Saul Strosberg ‘The Jewish Observer’ (ISSN vant to the Jewish community of Greater to support our innovative and so-far-ex- Congregation Sherith Israel 23315334) is published monthly for $25 per Nashville. We prefer e-mailed submis- tremely-successful endeavor. Founder, JMS year by the Jewish Federation of Nashville sions, which should be sent as Word Educating and nurturing middle Nashville, Tennessee and Middle Tennessee, 801 Percy Warner documents to Editor Kathy Carlson at Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205-4009. [email protected]. 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The Observer raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Warner Blvd., Suite 102, Nashville TN reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity, length and style. Campaign. 37205. Photos and copy sent by regular mail will not be returned unless prior The Jewish Observer is a member arrangement is made. Publication is at of the American Jewish Press Association the discretion of The Observer, which and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. reserves the right to edit submissions. To access the While The Jewish Observer To ensure publication, submissions must Community Calendar, makes every possibly effort to accept only arrive by the 15th of the month prior to go to reputable advertisers of the highest quality, the intended month of publication. we cannot guarantee the Kasruth of their www.jewishnashville.org products. For advertising deadlines, contact and click on Carrie Mills, advertising manager, ZZZDJLQJLQSODFHVHUYLFHVQHW The Jewish Observer at 615-354-1699, or by email at ˆ7EVE&IXL;EVRI “Calendar.” Founded in 1934 by [email protected]. WF[EVRI$EKMRKMRTPEGIWIVZMGIWRIX JACQUES BACK 4 June 2018 The Observer Sharing With Sharon The Isravision On Israel’s win of the Eurovision and the story behind the story

By SHARON BEN AMI The winner was Israel with the song Israel wouldn’t win: “Nobody likes media. Others will say it is the timing Community Shlicha “Toy,” performed by Netta. This was Israel,” “no one will vote for us with the of the song empowering women after Israel’s fourth victory in the contest, negative and biased media coverage.” the #Me Too movement. No one could he Eurovision Song Contest, following wins in 1978, 1979, and 1998, All of these reasons have truth to deny the unique persona of the performer often just called Eurovision, is an and their first top-five placing in more them: There is biased press all around Netta and her great talent and strength. Tinternational song competition than a decade. the world that portrays Israel in an For a small country like Israel that held mainly among -Source: Wikipedia, Eurovision Song unfair way, and the Israelis witness it all handles so much scrutiny on a daily the member coun- Contest 2018, accessed May 21, 2018 the time. It has been 20 years since the bases, it has to have all the stars align for tries of the European In Israel: last time Israel won the Eurovision, and a win. And they did. And Israel won. We Broadcasting Union. In Israel, the Eurovision is probably in those 20 years we have had intifada, won. And as the Israelis recited after the Each participating as watched as the Super Bowl is here. wars, operations and more, that were win: “what a time to be alive” country submits an Fans of Eurovision contestants are much covered a lot of times in a one-sided way. This win is so monumental and so original song to be like Super Bowl fans, who feel represent- Combine that it with the anti-Semitism healthy not just to us, but to the entire performed on live ed by their teams and who take every and anti-Zionism around Europe that a world. It proved how art can bridge dif- television and radio, Sharon Ben Ami win or loss very personally. lot of Israelis experience while traveling ferences and how music can bring people then casts votes for the other countries’ The Eurovision is a competition or moving away – I can’t really blame the together. It showed that even when a per- songs to determine the winner. More between nations, and therefore every win Israelis who do have a cynical approach former is not the prototype of a pop artist, than 40 countries currently compete. The or loss is loaded with a lot of national pride. while watching the Eurovision. and even when there is so much contro- contest has been held since 1956 and is In all of the participating countries, includ- The year of 2018 was no different. versy about the place she is coming from, broadcast around the world and online. ing Israel, families gather together every We are in the midst of a semi-war you can still appreciate her art. This win -Source: Wikipedia, Eurovision year to see the representatives compete. with Syria and violent protests on the shattered all misconceptions and criticism Song Contest, accessed May 21, 2018 In Israel, the political climate loads Gaza border, and somehow we won this about Israel. For Israelis, it challenged the Eurovision with even more national Eurovision. Some will grant the win to our belief about how we think the world This year: and political meaning and serves as a the ‘chai’ year, some to the 20 years perceives us. It restored our faith in each Eurovision 2018 was the 63rd edi- symbol of the state of Israel between its good luck charm (winning in 1978, 1998, other as human beings and united us with tion of the contest and took place for the neighboring countries. This manifests 2018). Some will say it is Israeli high tech a mutual cause. For the Israelis it also first time in Portugal, with 43 countries as the Israeli fans watch the Eurovision promotions online or “Wonder Women” gave a boost of confidence and morale in participating. armed with an arsenal of reasons why Gal Gadot posting about it on social a challenging time. • How Israel overcame politics in winning the Eurovision song contest By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ win: “Those who did not want Jerusalem in the Eurovision got the Eurovision in (JTA) — Hours before the Jerusalem.” (The winning country gets to Eurovision song contest’s kickoff, Rafi host the event the following year.) Kishon posted on Facebook a sobering But the organizers denied any inten- message and a picture of himself wearing tional snub of Jerusalem, which Israel a head of lettuce for a hat. and the United States consider its capital “I’m sorry to disappoint you,” the despite the refusal of most of the world’s Israeli veterinarian wrote. Netta Barzilai’s countries to agree. The hosts also failed “excellent” song could not win Eurovision to mention Prague, greeting the Czech “because Europe is imbued with bicolored Republic’s jury with a simple “hi.” They anti-Semitism: The classic Christian also greeted the Dutch jury with “good anti-Semitism of Holocaust’s perpetrators evening, Hilversum” – the name of the and Muslim anti-Semitism that’s striking small city where the Dutch Eurovision root” there, he wrote, vowing to eat his studio is located. own “hat” if he’s proven wrong. Barzilai’s victory was the fourth for Kishon, a political hawk and the son Israel, suggesting that catchy pop trumps of the late humorist Ephraim Kishon, politics in the four decades Israel has failed to predict the future: Barzilai’s taken part. Barzilai’s eccentric feminist unconventional song “Toy” in fact did anthem “Toy” — which combines cluck- win the contest, earning the fourth-high- ing chicken noises over looped vocals est score in the pan-European song com- Netta Barzilai, the winner of this year’s Eurovision contest, performing at Rabin Square and English lyrics — seemed to win out petition’s 63-year history. But his predic- in Tel Aviv, May 14, 2018. PHOTOGRAPH BY TOMER NEUBERG / FLASH90 over any qualms about Zionism. tion nonetheless illustrated how many both by juries and viewers belies any Even though Israel won this year’s Barzilai, a plus-sized 24-year-old, said Israelis apparently overestimate the polit- assumption of politicization or anti-Se- contest, the organizers were still accused of “Toy” was a celebration of diversity and icization of Eurovision, the prevalence of mitic bias. politicizing the event after its Portuguese a protest against the objectification of anti-Israel sentiment in European societ- For example, Israel was the top hosts did not mention Jerusalem when women and body shaming. ies — or both. vote-getter from juries both in France asking the Israeli jury to announce their Whether that upbeat, defiant mes- Like the “American Idol”-style — which many consider emblematic of score. Instead of the typical greeting sage can keep politics out of next year’s song competitions that it resembles, this Europe’s anti-Semitism problem — and “good evening” followed by the jury’s cap- contest in Jerusalem is another story. annual pageant of novelty pop songs, the Czech Republic, which is a historic ital city, the Jerusalem-based Israeli jury Two Irish lawmakers in the European outlandish costumes and sugar-coated and contemporary bastion of support for received only “Shalom Israel.” Union have already called for a boycott nationalism is judged by in-house juries Israel and Jews in Europe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin of the contest in Israel, as has Dublin’s from each participating country and by And the countries where callers gave Netanyahu alluded to this perceived slight mayor, who is a longtime anti-Israel viewers watching at home. the highest number of perfect scores to by triumphantly saying after Barzilai’s activist. • At this year’s contest, Israel would Israel included France, Azerbaijan — a have come in third Saturday if it were up Shi’ite Muslim nation — and Spain, solely to the official juries of the 43 coun- where Catholic anti-Semitism for cen- Please support the businesses that advertise in the tries that participated. But the juries, turies has been rife and has more munic- Observer and help support our community in all ways! which gave Israel 212 points, determine ipalities boycotting Israel than any other Make sure to let them know...you saw their ad here! only 50 percent of the scores. Callers country in Europe. gave Israel another 317 points to bring (It might not have hurt that during their total to 529 — nearly 100 points the contest’s final, “Wonder Woman” more than the next closest contestant, star Gal Gadot encouraged her nearly 20 The Observer is online at Cyprus. million Instagram followers to vote for www.jewishobservernashville.org A breakdown of voting for Israel her fellow Israeli.)

The Observer June 2018 5 Congregational News & Events @ The Temple Check out these movies in the park Join Temple families for a meet up and picnic at Movies in the Park at Elmington Park. Dates and films: June 7 - Wonder Woman; June 14 - Legally Blonde; June 21- Late Shabbat service on June 1 The Greatest Showman. Movies begin at sunset.

We will begin our regular Friday Shabbat service one hour later than usual – at 7 p.m. – on June 1. June dates for Golden Lunch Bunch Golden Lunch Bunch takes place on June 5 and 19 at 11:30am. For more informa- Upcoming summer song sessions tion, please contact Anna Sir.

Hava Nashira - come, let us sing! Join with Cantor Fishbein for a series of casual, fun and informative song sessions Temple announces new officers: Friedman, to learn some of the newest music of the Reform movement. All that’s required is Marks, Perlman a love of singing and a desire to learn more about these energizing and innovative Jewish tunes. Joyce E. Friedman has been named president Song session dates are Tuesday, June, and Tuesday, July 17. Each session will take of The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Sholom, place from 6-7 p.m. Temple leaders announced at the congregation’s 167th annual meeting. Other newly elected offi- cers of The Temple’s board of trustees are: Vice Sha-Bonnaroo service on June 8 President/Treasurer Jimmy Marks, C.P.A., and Secretary Stewart Perlman, M.D., of Nashville. For a Shabbat service and music extravaganza, come dressed in your blue jeans and All three will serve two-year terms. tie-dye and prepare to rock! Special Shabbat service starts at 6 p.m. Six new members of The Temple’s board of Cantor Fishbein will also lead a social justice themed singalong that will inspire trustees were also elected at the annual meeting, hope and social change through music. held last month, to serve four-year terms. They are Lisa Forberg, David Fox, David Levy, Leslie The Temple – Congregation Ohabai Lunch with the rabbi Newman, Bobby Rosenblum and Dennis Scott. Sholom’s new officers for 2018-20 Friedman, a resident of Franklin, becomes are, from left, Jimmy Marks, C.P.A., Summer dates for Lunch with the Rabbi are June 7, July 19 and Aug. 16. Lunch is The Temple’s 73rd president and fifth woman vice president and treasurer; Joyce at 11:30 a.m. with discussion at noon. president. A Temple member and Williamson E. Friedman, president, and Stewart County resident for 24 years, Friedman has served Perlman, M.D., secretary. on The Temple’s board of trustees from 2007 - 2011 and 2012 – 2018. She served on its Baseball nights with Sounds, rabbi executive committee in 2012 and was elected secretary of board of trustees that year. She was The Temple’s vice president/treasurer before being elected president. Join the rabbi at the old ball game! Friedman is a real estate affiliate broker with Crye-Leike, REALTORS®, serving Dates are all Thursdays: June 7, July 19 and Aug. 16 at the Sounds Stadium. Nashville-area buyers and sellers. Her theme as Temple president is strengthening and Games begin at 7:05 p.m. Admission donation is $35 per ticket, including your seat in investing in The Temple’s present and future with her first initiative being the expansion a luxury suite, popcorn, peanuts, and Cracker Jack. First reserved, first served. of The Temple’s infant care rooms. Call The Temple for more details on how to reserve your tickets at (615) 352-7620. “The Temple Preschool is highly sought after in the preschool community,” said Friedman. “Our current infant class continues to have 20-plus children on the waiting Shabbat mornings with Rabbi Shapiro list. Our preschool serves as a natural stepping stone for those participating families to join our temple membership and religious school programs. We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Rami Shapiro for a series of innovative Shabbat “We are attracting a growing number of young congregants to join The Temple who morning programs on Saturday, June 23 and Saturday, July 7. He’ll lead our Chevrah need infant care. Hence, it is becoming more difficult to serve this segment of our mem- Torah study hour at 9:30 a.m. and then join with Cantor Fishbein to lead meditative bership based on our current preschool classroom offerings.” Shabbat services at 11 a.m., featuring contemplative music, Kabbalistic teachings on Her other initiatives include continuing The Temple’s participation in the com- our Shabbat morning blessings, and more! munity’s Life & Legacy program that focuses on securing meaningful after-lifetime legacy gifts, an initiative spearheaded by the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Tot Shabbat set for June 2 Marks served as secretary of The Temple’s board of trustees for the past two years. He is a certified public accountant and co-founder of Anderson Benson Insurance & On Saturday, June 2, at 10 a.m., come help us celebrate Shabbat for children up Risk Management, an insurance agency in Nashville focusing on serving businesses and to 6 years old and the big people who love them! We’ll have songs, crafts, a story, and individuals in Middle Tennessee. He has over 25 years of experience in life insurance, yummy treats! property and casualty brokerage and compliance software. He is the founding member of OneApp Agency, where he developed and has marketing rights to a compliance software Sha-Barbecue is coming up for insurance agencies. He is a graduate of Duke University. Perlman served on The Temple’s board of trustees in the mid-1990s. He also served Join us for our Annual Sha-Barbecue for Jewish young singles and interfaith cou- as chair of the religious school committee and taught its eighth-grade students for five ples 22-40 at Parmer Park on Saturday, June 9, at 4 p.m. It’s free of charge and family years. He currently serves as chair of The Temple’s long-range plan implementation com- friendly. RSVP to Rabbi Shulman, [email protected] or call The mittee. Perlman retired in 2014 as a practicing anesthesiologist of 30 years in Nashville, Temple (615)352-7620. and started Nashville’s first acute pain service in 1987.

@ Micah Webinar with Rabbi Laurie Rice Start June with Shabbat Shaband Micah will offer a webinar learning opportunity on Wednesday, June 6, from noon Enjoy the sound of traditional instruments on Friday, June 1, as our Shabbat band to 1 p.m. in honor of Rabbi Aaron Panken (z’l), who passed away tragically a month accompanies song and prayer under the leadership of Lisa Silver. Weekly WINE-down ago. For more information, please contact Congregation Micah. begins at 5:30 p.m., with service at 6 p.m. Annual congregational meeting, dinner Get Connected blessing June 1 Micah will hold a special dinner – along with annual meeting, installation of offi- Services on June 1 will include a special blessing for Get Connected teens traveling cers and Micah awards – on Friday, June 15. Dinner and meeting starts at 5:30 p.m., to Israel this summer. All are welcome! Services begin at 6 p.m. with service immediately following.

6 June 2018 The Observer Congregational News & Events

@ Chabad An evening of bourbon and brisket bris·ket /briskit/ noun: brisket; plural noun: briskets A flavorful cut that becomes tender when cooked slowly at low temperatures. The traditional cut used for corned beef, and popular as smoked barbecue.

bour·bon /’berben/ noun: bourbon; plural noun: bourbons A straight whiskey distilled from a mash having at least 51 percent corn in addition to malt and rye.

Whichever or however you say or define it, Chabad’s Bourbon and Brisket night will be the toast of the town. Designed as a social evening for adults, all are invited to join in the festivities. You’ll enjoy perfectly seasoned, slow roasted, kosher brisket and mouth-watering side dishes in Chabad’s inviting Sonnenberg Lounge. The delicious food and relaxed atmosphere creates the perfect ambience for catch- ing up with friends and enjoying one of the many kosher bourbons on hand. Lively music, great conversation, brisket and bourbon all add up to an unforgettable evening. Please join us on Sunday, June 24, at 5 p.m. Please RSVP in advance to take advantage of special early bird pricing at www.chabadnashville.com/Steak Parents and children of the Revere Jewish Montessori Preschool planted a vegetable garden at the Lag B’omer festivities on the nine-acre Genesis Campus for Jewish Life. PHOTOGRAPH BY RICK MALKIN 10 days of Jewish fun at CGI Nashville

Chabad to host tribute to the Rebbe This spring, Camp Gan Israel Nashville (CGI)is planning a most exciting Jewish day camp experience that’s generating quite a buzz among parents and children in the On Saturday, June 16, Chabad of Nashville will host a tribute lunch in honor of Nashville Jewish community. the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson of blessed memory, in commemoration of his 24th This will be CGI’s fifteenth year since opening the local branch of the world’s anniversary of passing. largest network of Jewish camps, with over 500 locations worldwide. For more than 40 years, the Rebbe led the Jewish people towards a spiritual renais- “Summer is a critical time in a child’s life. A successful summer camp experience sance out of the ashes of the Holocaust and the specter of assimilation. The Rebbe rev- is more than a break from studies to let loose; every activity is a major learning experi- olutionized the way we think of ourselves as people. He taught us to think of the Jewish ence,” says Mrs. Esther Tiechtel, director of CGI Nashville. “Our program is designed people as a single whole, as a community, in which every individual is irreplaceable, to let our campers’ minds run wild, enjoying nature, crafts, sports and water activities, and to embrace every Jew with the same concern and devotion. while building character and responsibility in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.” Over twenty-four years after the Rebbe’s passing, his presence is felt more strongly Each day of camp has a theme, such as Shabbat or Israel. All of the activities than ever. His teachings continue to inspire and guide us, and his insights remains as during the course of that day reflect its theme. For example, during a charity-themed fresh and relevant as if it were given today. Each of us is a beneficiary of the Rebbe’s day, the children create little wooden charity boxes, enjoy a penny hunt, and bake inspiration in one way or another, and our lives are affected by his visionary leadership. edible charity boxes. On the anniversary of his passing, let’s honor his life’s mission to bring goodness Mrs. Tiechtel says the camp has a three-pronged strategy “creating an exciting and kindness into this world. environment, in which lessons come alive and kids have a great time.” There are events We invite you to join us for Shabbat lunch as we celebrate the Rebbe’s life and such as magic shows, carnivals and pony rides – all taking place at the all new Genesis vision. The event will include a beautiful sit down lunch replete with Shabbat delica- Campus for Jewish Life. cies, L’Chaim, Chasidic melodies and words of inspiration, with stories and insights Camp Gan Israel Nashville will be offering two one-week sessions, from June about the Rebbe and his inspiration and impact on our lives. 18-29. The camp offers scholarships and sibling discounts. Hot lunches are served daily. Shabbat morning services are at 10:00 and will be followed at 12:15 by a Kiddush Register by calling (615) 646-5750 or emailing [email protected]. All lunch and Farbengen in honor of this occasion. applications received before June 5 will receive a free Camp T-shirt.

Three graduating religious school students, all juniors in high school, received awards. In addition, a high school senior was recognized for his work this year as a @ West End religious school teacher aide. The Nathan Davis Award for the outstanding student in the 2018 graduating class was presented to Jacob Bengelsdorf by Charlotte Seloff, granddaughter of Nathan Davis. WBC Williamson – Bellevue Chavurah The annual award, endowed by the Davis family, was first presented in 1936. The hon- oree is selected by the professional staff of the religious school with input from teachers. Join us for a Shabbat service and potluck dinner on Friday, June 1, at 6 p.m. at our Jake is the current president of USY, planned the recent USY convention in new location: the Hunterwood Clubhouse at 2128 Key Drive in Brentwood. Nashville and has attended Camp Ramah Darom for seven years. He plans to attend Services will be led by Cantor Sarah Levine. Ramah Seminar in Poland and Israel this summer. RSVP to [email protected] He is a student at Franklin High School, where he performs in theater and sings. He’s involved in Youth in Government, a classroom for civic government, and Model UN, which introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation and decision making. WES annual meeting, installation Anabella Barocas received the second annual Sandra Klein Goldstein Award for On Friday May 18, WES held its annual meeting, installation of new board mem- active and meaningful community service, presented by Bernie Goldstein. Bella is a bers and the installation of Cantor Sarah Levine. junior at University School of Nashville. Installed as officers were: president – Steven Hirsch, executive vice president This annual award was established in perpetuity by Bernie Goldstein and his chil- – Karen Weil, first vice president – Stephen Potash, second vice president – Batia dren, Steven, Ronna and Stewart, and their children in loving memory of his wife and Karabel, treasurer – Richard Cohen and secretary – Ed Cheng. Barbara Dab is imme- their mother, Sandra Goldstein. The family hopes the award will inspire WES high diate past president. school students to increase awareness and promote Tzedakah and community service. Serving on the board of trustees are Jordan Asher, Adina Barocas, Ayal Bitton, Bella helped expand a program to tutor students in the Edgehill neighborhood near Beth Davis, Randall Gross, Jerry Levine, Martin “Ted” Mayden, Michael Metzman, University School and has volunteered with the literacy and advocacy program at the Evan Nahmias, Laurel Orley, Martha Segal, Matthew Segal, Abby Sparks and Harriet Carter Lawrence School, a public school in the same neighborhood. Workman. Josh Crowley received a Special Recognition Award for his leadership and signif- Michael Gryll is the Men’s Club representative and Barbara Herman is the icant contributions to Junior Congregation, Kadima and USY, our synagogue Youth Sisterhood Representative. groups, and to Beit Miriam. Josh is a junior at Franklin High school and a regional We appreciate the service of these members, who rotated off the board of trustees: Vice-president of USY Sub Region, Ein Gedi. Robin Cohen, Mary Cornelius, Barbara Dab, Jesse Ehrenfeld, Nancy Flexer, Leslye Joseph Weil was honored with the 2018 Anna Isenstein Teacher Aide Appreciation Lapidus, Daniel Levin and Ellie Rosenbloom. Award. Joel Isenstein and Linda Nathenson created this fund in memory of their daughter, Anna Michelle Isenstein. During Anna’s short life, her parents learned that sometimes High school students honored at graduation the most significant help for a child comes directly from another child. Linda and Joel annually recognize an aide who demonstrates dependability, attentiveness, friendliness Thirteen high school juniors graduated this year from West End Synagogue’s Beit Miriam and initiative. religious school in a ceremony that inspired parents, students and community members. Continued on page 18 The Observer June 2018 7 Colleagues, friends remember moments with Mark ere are a few impressions of work- “Mark’s leadership style was exem- ing over the years with Mark plary. He did his homework, did more HFreedman, outgoing executive than his part and was always on message. director of the Jewish Federation and As importantly, Mark was exceedingly Jewish Foundation of Nashville and fair and civil but always clear about Middle Tennessee. We’ve listed the Federation’s mission and where it stood.” “speakers” in alphabetical order: Martin Ted Mayden ______• ______Past president, Jewish Federation “Mark Freedman will be missed by of Nashville me and the entire Jewish community of ______• ______Nashville and Middle Tennessee when “The Jewish community of Nashville he retires. and Middle Tennessee is forever changed “I thoroughly enjoyed working with by Mark’s leadership and vision. He him and was very impressed how he quick- leaves us with a foundation upon which ly assumed the role of spokesperson for the we can continue to build. Mark and Nashville Jewish community. His lead- Leslie have contributed so much to the ership at the Federation as well as in the community and we will miss them. I wish state and city political arenas and the my friends all the best as they return to Belmont University College of Law, along with the Nashville Jewish Federation, wonderful projects he organized was most Florida but remind them that there are American Bar Association and several other organizations, opened an exhibit last impressive and helped educate the general several nonstop daily flights when they month at Belmont telling the story of Jewish lawyers in Germany during the Third population of the importance of Israel and are ready for another dose of southern Reich. Attending the opening were, from left, Andree Blumstein, James Blumstein, Lisa Jewish causes everywhere. He was coura- hospitality and the Station Inn.” Perlen, Belmont University College of Law Dean Alberto Gonzales, U.S. District Judge Bernice Donald, Mark S. Freedman and Charles Grant. geous in the stands he took and articulate Lisa Perlen in his speaking and writings as well. President, Jewish Federation this community got behind Israel with Mark has a warm, convincing side that of Nashville Retirement major rallies and tremendous outpour- does not allow for people to say no to him. I ______Continued from page 1 ings of support. • know this firsthand as he asked me to chair become executive director of the Another favorite project is the “I will always appreciate Mark for his the 2017 annual campaign and I just could Nashville federation. Nashville was Welcoming Ambassadors program deep understanding of and commitment not turn him down. A mensch by any stan- poised for growth and had been very seri- for newcomers, the brainchild of past to all corners of the Jewish community. dard, Mark will be remembered for a long ous about where it had been and where it Federation president Carol Hyatt. There “As a Jewish day school parent, I will time for the expert work he accomplished wanted to go. The Best Jewish Nashville are almost 40 welcoming ambassadors, always appreciate Mark’s commitment to during his tenure in Nashville. I wish him a project was an excellent road map to veteran members of the community who helping bring Akiva to financial stability. wonderful retirement and hope to see him go forward. It identified needs – serving are reaching out to new residents. “As a rabbi who often has lots of often in Boca Raton.” seniors, engaging the next generation The Federation and its board and engagements in the Jewish and broader Frank Boehm and strengthening Israel education and grants committee have welcomed inno- community, it amazes me how many Annual Campaign Chair events Mark attends on an annual basis. advocacy – and provided the impetus for vation. It’s not afraid to fund programs ______lots of new initiatives. where it was possible that they wouldn’t • No sane human being could do what he The demographic study (which succeed. Some haven’t succeeded, and “Mark is the best companion you does and what he has done unless they the federation undertook between 2015 we’ve learned from each situation. could have for a trip to Israel. Since he have a true love of the community. and 2016) was very, very important. We’re very careful with the donors’ has made close to 80 trips to Israel over his Rabbi Saul Strosberg The study helped lead to Best Jewish investment. … Federation financial sup- career, he knows all the best places to see, Congregation Sherith Israel Nashville 2.0, which helped us reach port for new programs comes through all the best restaurants for a good meal and ______• ______beyond our traditional core community a reimbursement process. If the pro- all the tricks to avoid the crowds. “It’s really a special gift to facilitate members to reach and serve more people. gram organizers don’t get reimbursed, the “My favorite trip with Mark was when cooperation and camaraderie amongst a More recently the Violins of Hope money remains with the federation to we went together for the executive pro- diverse group of people, especially when has been an extremely important project, fund future projects. gram at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. religion is the unifying thread, yet Mark not just for the Federation but for all of Our new Life & Legacy program, It had all the usual Mark trip elements has been able to do exactly that. Leading our Jewish organizations. Almost every in year one, resulted in more than 400 (i.e., good food and drink) and the added the Nashville Jewish community with single organization participated, spon- designations of after-life gifts from more bonus of a week of study with some great courage and vision, Mark has had a great soring a Violins of Hope program, edu- than 220 donors. That’s critically import- teachers at the Pardes Institute. I look impact on our Nashville Jewish commu- cational, cultural and musical offerings. ant and bodes well for our future. Studies forward to a future trip to Israel with Mark nity, that will be felt years to come. We’ve increased the number and have projected that by 2040 or 2050, in his capacity as a “civilian.” “A shining example of Mark’s vision type of missions in which the Nashville federations will need to receive at least Steve Hirsch was his success in bringing the Violins of Jewish community participates. There 20 percent of their operating budget from Annual Campaign Chair Hope to Nashville. As moving as it was to ______have been several to Israel, two to Cuba, endowments. • hear the beautiful music from these histor- one to eastern Europe, one to Argentina, What do you see in the future for “It was great to work for the last ical instruments, was seeing how diverse and a planned mission to Israel this fall the Federation and Nashville’s Jewish four and a half years with Mark. I truly the crowd was who came to listen. that includes an optional mission to community? enjoyed our talks and the partnership that “Mark has been a treasured friend Morocco. The missions expand com- I’m very, very optimistic. I think the was strengthened between the Federation to Esther and me, and we wish him and munity members’ opportunities to learn community, notwithstanding all of the and West End Synagogue during these Leslie the very best, and may they be more about distant Jewish communities national and international challenges, years. It was also wonderful to travel to blessed with an abundance of Nachas firsthand, and also have developed a can and always has had a solid base for Cuba, Argentina and Israel with him and from their family in Florida.” cadre of individuals and couples who a vibrant, active and enriching Jewish other friends. Both he and Leslie will be Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel have become friends and taken leader- life for anyone who wants to participate. missed and I hope they will come back to Congregation Beit Tefilah Chabad ship roles throughout the community, in The opportunity to participate actively is Nashville to visit every now and then!” ______• ______Federation and beyond. always there. Even if a person has lived Rabbi Joshua Kullock “When Mark came on board the The missions have led to an increase here and not been engaged, the door is West End Synagogue Federation here—it seems like just yes- in the number of volunteers, donors and always open. ______• ______terday—I knew he’d be a great fit. I individual gifts. The Federation also has What would you say to your “Mark has an amazing range of knew that the culture of our Jewish com- subsidized young adults so more can par- successor? interests and knowledge. Of course munity and what Mark brought to the ticipate in the missions. (Note: This question and answer came he knows the Jewish world intimately, table would yield great things. Some 20 to 25 of the people newly well before the Eric Stillman’s selection as but he he’s a great sports fan, a lover of “Just how great, we’ll see. As the active in Jewish community after mis- incoming executive director of the Nashville Americana music, a wine enthusiast and rabbis teach, one of the things that makes sions are young adults. Federation) general bon vivant. great leaders is not what they accomplish, I’m also very pleased that for the first I do remember when I got the job in “He was immediately open to the but what they get others to accomplish time in many years, Nashville communi- San Antonio, Joel Daner of blessed good in Nashville, eager to sample the long after they’ve moved on. I think ty members Batia and Aron Karabel are memory gave me one sentence of advice: city’s offerings. This openness and Mark will stand in very good stead in that part of the JFNA national young leader- You’d better do a good job. the sincerity of his concern for Jewish regard. But no matter what, Nashville ship cabinet. Aron currently co-chairs its The best advice comes from the well-being, here and globally, were obvi- will long benefit from his leadership. membership and recruiting committee. people you trust most. I was always able ous to all who worked with Mark. This “As for me personally, there’s a lot I Their engagement really began when to develop trusting relationships with the gave him an immediate connection to could say, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. they participated in a JFNA mission to leadership in Nashville. donors, volunteers and fellow profession- Thanks, Mark. Thanks for reaching out the Republic of Georgia, which until I’ve been very pleased with the als. He’s headed out of town, but I bet at the GA nine years ago. Thanks for 1991 was part of the former Soviet Union. relationships and leadership within the he’ll still root for the Preds!” your trust, your friendship, for every- I’m also very proud of the fact Nashville Federation. Whenever we dealt Andrew May thing. It’s been a great ride.” that when Israel had a difficult time in with a controversy, the board has always Past president, Jewish Federation Fred Zimmerman 2012 and 2014, with conflicts in Gaza, Continued on page 14 of Nashville Federation Annual Campaign Chair ______• ______8 June 2018 The Observer COUPON ISSUE JUNE 2018

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bCC[[TW$IWB-C% CRC Israeli/ Ƴ Wb[CbW ÕؘܘÃã Jewish trivia on tap for June 3 id someone say Trivia? Did some- one say Israeli/Jewish Trivia? In Dthe spirit of Israel @ 70 we are hosting an Israeli trivia event on June 3 at the Flying Saucer, from 5-7 p.m. (Sababa!) Organizing the event are Arielle Doochin and Arthur Perlen, Israel ĜĚěĢŸěģ Advocacy co-chairs of the Community [[IC Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Nashville. It’s open to anyone over 21 – since we plan to have beer. Bring your Yiddishkeit and knowledge of Israeli history and culture and come out for an amazing time. Come to the event [TbđđŸđĖşĜĚěĢ IbęŸđĔşĜĚěĢ 8CđĕŸĒĐşĜĚěģ with a team already organized (see if your team can win the top prize!), or -RXUQH\WRWKHSDVW we will match you with a team at the event as needed. When: Sunday, June 3, 5-7 p.m. Where: Flying Saucer, 111 10th Avenue South, #310, Nashville (near Union Station) Cost: $10 per person; covers food buffet and beer - and of course the Trivia. RSVP to Deborah Oleshansky, community relations director, deborah@ jewishnashville.org • $đĒŸđėşĜĚěģ BWđęŸĒĔşĜĚěģ TWēĐŷByĕşĜĚěģ T

Israel at 70 The Observer June 2018 13 Zip, sizzle and splash at Gordon JCC this summer

By MICHAEL GROSS memberships are also still available. Camp K’toni and Camp Davis, our to learn and feels gentler to the joints! Gordon JCC Program Director Our 50-meter outdoor saltwater pool two resident summer day camps, offer a full Fun and social. Come out and join in! is the perfect place to swim laps, take range of outdoor activities for preschoolers Last but not least, the Adventure he Summer 2018 weather fore- group swim lessons, do aquafit or just play and children ages 5-15. Our camps are 15 Park at Nashville opens its “doors” this cast? Blazing hot temperatures for with the kids. Preschoolers can also play minutes from downtown but a world away month. The whole family can cool off Tmost of the country, including in our shaded kiddie pool. We offer fun from ordinary. In addition to a top-quality and join in the fun in the treetops, climb- Nashville. But you can beat the heat at and games most Sundays and holidays. traditional camp program featuring art, ing and zip lining together. For ages 3 the Gordon Jewish Community Center. Activities planned throughout summer sports, music, nature, and Israeli culture at and up, the new aerial forest adventure is Enjoy fun and games at our outdoor include bingo, giant board games, DJ and Camp Davis, we offer exciting and engag- fun, exciting and safe for all participants. saltwater pool, expanded hours and full our now-infamous belly flop contest on ing specialty tracks covering such topics as Our partner, Outdoor Ventures, runs menu at our poolside café, Camp Davis Father’s Day, June 17. basketball, fashion design, space, sculpture, the Adventure Park and provides all the and Camp K’toni for children aged 2½ We also have some great parties chemistry, songwriting, and more! necessary equipment for you to enjoy the to 15 and the latest addition to our prop- planned, including our summer outdoor Building on the strength of our trails, bridges and challenges. erty, the Adventure Park at Nashville, a pool grand opening June 3 from noon indoor pickleball program, the JCC is Not a member? Summer member- new zipline and ropes course. You can get to 3 p.m. and our Fourth of July BBQ, offering summer court time outside on ships good until Labor Day are still avail- your game on with new outdoor pickle- including games and DJ. Summer at the our tennis courts! Come find out why able. For more information on all the ball courts and tennis ladder! pool wouldn’t be complete without Ess pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Gordon JCC has to offer this summer, It all kicks off with the JCC’s annual & Fress at the Pool, our full-menu café the United States. The J offers weekly visit www.nashvillejcc.org or contact meeting and open house, which includes featuring delicious salads and sandwiches free play indoors and out. We have extra Dara at (615) 354-1639, dara@nashville- free entrance to our outdoor pool and party for lunch and dinner, cold drinks and racquets and also offer free coaching and jcc.org, or Michael at (615) 354-1665, on Sunday, June 3. Not a member? Summer homemade popsicles. group instruction during open play. Easy [email protected] •

‘Our message is really all about people getting out in the the high-quality operations that Outdoor Adventure Park Venture runs. “ Continued from page 1 outdoors, recreating in the outdoors, In addition, Outdoor Venture is a and connected by various configurations member, and CEO Azarm serves on the of cable, wood and rope to form “cross- playing and getting in the fresh air.’ board, of the Association for Challenge ings” of different kinds including zip Course Technology (ACCT), the world’s lines. Climbers wear harnesses that are – Anthony Wellman, Outdoor Venture Group leading and largest American National doubly secured to safety cables using the Standards Institute-accredited standards Park’s “always locked on” system of inter- Venture, which currently operates five the proposal over a two-year period to developer focused solely on the challenge locking safety clips. Before venturing other Adventure Parks nationally, in ensure the J’s and Outdoor Venture’s course industry. onto the trails climbers receive an inter- Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, missions were aligned. At the Adventure Park at Nashville, active orientation and practice session. and Virginia. “The Adventure Park brings many individuals and families may climb, Where it all started The parks operate with virtually no benefits to the Gordon JCC,” Gordon and groups may make reservations for Outdoor Venture’s story goes back negative environmental impact and the said. “It provides a high-quality, healthy team-building exercises, group outings, to 2006. During a visit to Switzerland trees are well cared for and protected, activity for people of all ages. It enhanc- birthday parties and even Bar and Bat that year, its chief executive officer, Outdoor Venture Director of Marketing es the experience for older Camp Davis Mitzvah celebrations. For more informa- Bahman Azarm, witnessed his first aerial Anthony Wellman said. “We maintain campers who will use the Park weekly as tion, go to mynashvilleadventurepark. forest park and knew immediately he the forest. A healthy forest is good for they build skills and confidence. It offers com or call (615) 610-9500. had to bring the concept to the United our business and nature,” he said. “Our group activities for teens and families and “We can’t wait to bring this won- States. Utilizing his 20 years of experi- message is really all about people getting attracts a younger demographic. And last, derful experience to the people in ence in the construction business and the out in the outdoors, recreating in the out- but definitely not least, it brings a return Nashville,” said Azarm. “It’s a fun out- expertise of an experienced team from doors, playing and getting in the fresh air.” on investment from one of our largest door activity, it’s wholesome, it makes Switzerland, Bahman built its first park JCC leadership approached the deci- assets, our land, and provides a unique way people feel great and it brings families in the United States, Catamount Aerial sion to work with Outdoor Venture with to strengthen our revenue stream.” and people together.” • Adventure Park at Catamount ski area in much thought. “We spoke with other JCCs that Massachusetts. The Nashville connection partnered with them,” JCC Executive Information for this article furnished by The Adventure Park at Nashville is Frank Gordon, president of the Director Leslie Sax said. “They raved Leslie Sax, executive director, Gordon JCC, designed, built and operated by Outdoor Gordon JCC, said the J carefully explored about their working relationships and and Outdoor Venture Group.

decision. Even people who disagreed have a more challenging time (than I living. There may be an opportunity for Retirement still, when the decision and the debate did). The world of philanthropy is chang- consulting or for good old-fashioned vol- Continued from page 8 were over, united. Backgound: JFNA ing. The current generation is less likely unteering. There’s a larger Jewish market had my back. It’s easy to support easy deci- was a clearinghouse for information but to give to a collective organization. The in South Florida for Leslie’s artwork, and sions. There have been hard decisions. left it up to each fo the 146 member next executive director will need to be she’ll have more time to do that. This Federation opposed the Iran Federations to take a position. more creative in (reaching out to donors Almost all of my trips to Israel have agreement (negotiated in the Obama My advice to a successor after 35 – fostering philanthropy). been in leading missions or otherwise administration). … Iran hadn’t earned years in the business, 20 of them as a I was once asked in applying for a work-related. It will be nice to visit Israel the moral right to enter the agreement. fed exec director: You have to trust your federation executive director position: as a tourist and to visit family members I think time has proven we’re still in the instincts. … Respect other viewpoints Which is more important for a Jewish living there. same place (vis a vis Iran). It was a tough but trust your instincts federation: fundraising or community Anything else you’d like to add? decision but I think we made the right The next executive director will building? My response was, “How can Another thing I have enjoyed about you be successful in fundraising without Nashville is the depth of commitment community building?” I didn’t get the and respect I have for my professional To access the Community Calendar, job, but I believe community building is colleagues at the Federation, local agen- the key to success. You have to do that cies and the congregations. There has go to every single day in this job. … I’ve been been tremendous satisfaction for me to www.jewishnashville.org through three economic downturns and work with them almost every day. The the key to weathering these adversities level of cooperation has been great. I’m and click on “Calendar.” is to understand people’s situations and very, very grateful to work with this team have faith in the Federation’s mission. of Jewish professionals. What are you planning to do after Following the lead of Steve and The Observer is online at retirement? Elaine Edelstein (his predecessor as exec- I’ve been informed by my daughter utive director of the Nashville Federation www.jewishobservernashville.org that my first job when I’m back in Florida and Steve Edelstein’s wife), Leslie and is to teach my two granddaughters to drive. I will contribute to a fund for Jewish Leslie and I want to continue to travel. … communal professionals’ continuing edu- Please support the businesses And I want to get my tennis and golf games cation. It’s vitally important for a large that advertise in the back to their full level of mediocrity. Leslie number of reasons – to keep communal Observer and help support our community in all ways! and I may try to write and illustrate some professionals up to date, motivated and Make sure to let them know... children’s books for PJ Library. learning about the latest issues and pos- you saw their ad here! There are four Jewish federations sessing the necessary skills to deal effec- within a two-hour drive of where we’ll be tively with those issues. • 14 June 2018 The Observer Jewish Family Service annual meeting set for June 21 Rosenbauer, Salberg, Gordon JCC receive honors ewish Family Service invites the community to its annual meeting on JThursday, June 21. The agency will install new board members, honor out- going directors and present awards to two outstanding people and one organiza- tion involved with JFS, Laura Rosenbauer and Sue Salberg and the Gordon Jewish Community Center. The meeting will be from 7-8 p.m. in the Board Room of the Gordon Jewish Community Center. It will be followed by a dessert reception. The JFS executive board slate for 2018-19 is Ben Russ, president; Nan Speller, vice-president; Nancy Flexer, sec- The Gordon Jewish Community Center, retary; Steve Lapidus, treasurer; Howard represented by Leslie Sax, executive Safer, immediate past-president, and Stan director, and Frank Gordon, board pres- Schklar, executive committee members at ident, will receive the Chaver Award at Jewish Family Service annual meeting large. New Board members nominated for Laura Rosenbauer and Sue Salberg will receive the Ruach Award. on June 21. a three-year term include Robin Cohen, Lynn Fleischer, Harris N. Gilbert and Heidi Hassenfeld. Board members com- pleting their terms include Kathy Caplan, Christina Evans, Tara Goldberg, and Lisa Shmerling. 8LI3FWIVZIV·W%RRYEP The Gordon JCC will be present- ed with the Chaver (friend) Award for providing outstanding assistance to JFS through collaboration and volunteer con- tributions to the agency’s mission. The most obvious way in which the JCC partners with Jewish Family Service is by being the central address for the &EGO8S Nashville Jewish community, which includes the Jewish Family Service offic- es. All of the JCC staff – from executive director to maintenance and security – is so responsive to the big and small requests of the JFS staff. 7GLSSP However, the collaboration goes much deeper than that. In working from a holistic approach to serving our cli- ents, JFS licensed clinical social workers approach the J to work with us in ensuring that clients can access all the wonderful -WWYI programming the J has to offer, whether that is at the Early Childhood Learning MW'SQMRK.YP] Center, after-school or senior program- ming. The response is always, “We will P^pbee[^ab`aeb`ambg`[Z\dmhl\ahhe do whatever it takes to make it happen,” which demonstrates the deep respect and ikh]n\ml%l^kob\^lZg]l\ahhel' partnership between the two agencies. Laura Rosenbauer and Sue Salberg will be receiving the Ruach (spirit) Award for outstanding contributions to the presi- Li^\bZeh__^kpa^grhnZ]o^kmbl^*(1iZ`^Z]hk dent, board and the organization. Both are stalwart volunteers for the Golden Lunch eZk`^k:ehg`pbmarhnkZ]%l^g]nimh+.)phk]l Bunch, Laura since 2008 and Sue since ab`aeb`ambg`rhnk[nlbg^ll_hkbg\enlbhgbgma^ the program’s inception. The Golden Lunch Bunch meets at the Temple twice ^]bmhkbZel^\mbhgh_mablli^\bZeblln^ a month for an enriching afternoon with a nutritious lunch, entertainment, games and socializing. Both women also volun- teer for the Senior Seder on a yearly basis. =^Z]ebg^_hkZ]lblCng^*.%+)*1 Anna Sir, JFS’s Helping Hands Coordinator, says, “Given how busy all the Soup Nazi’s reign      16. “Skip ___ Lou” 17. 2000 Philip Roth novel, with “The” Down    19. Bronze and Iron, e.g. 1. Kind of shutout, in baseball 20. Aka ISIS 2. Comb alternative          21. 1973 #1 Rolling Stones hit 3. Actor Hammer in “The Social 23. “Where did ___ wrong?” Network”      24. Believer in the Almighty, unlike Roth 4. Jacob’s youngest, for short 27. With 55-Across, novel that got Roth 5. Jolsen and Pacino    the Pulitzer 6. “Adieu” 29. Esau, e.g. 7. “The Princess and the Frog” princess       31. Helper: Abbr. 8. Conundrum 32. Do sums 9. Says “I didn’t do it!”         35. Purim’s month 10. Grade-sch. supporter 37. “Sports Center” network 11. Sound reasoning     41. Roth’s winner of the 1960 National 12. 24th greek letter Book Award 13. 1980’s-90’s ring champ      46. Penultimate fairy tale word 18. Came down on the tarmac, say 47. Slain Genesis figure 22. MD locales    48. Jacuzzi 25. Stick with cotton 49. “Back in Black” band 26. Having everything in its place    53. Little hopper, Down Under 28. Thing, in dating 55. See 27-Across 30. Highlands negative 59. Roth’s New Jersey hometown 32. Synonym for 77-Across 44. Writer Uris 58. Camel cousin 63. Fire, in Hebrew 33. Sal’s “Exodus” role 45. 1997 title role for Peter Fonda 60. Actress Woodard of “Primal Fear” 64. Maples or Sokoloff 34. Fawn’s mother 50. Net alternative 61. Captain Picard’s first officer Will 66. Madison Avenue award 36. Color TV pioneer 51. Pub quaffs 62. A 53-Across might come by one of 67. “Moby Dick” captain 38. Stats for Rickey Henderson 52. Nosh for Bugs? these 69. Roth was the first recipient of this 39. One in a litter 54. Female leadership org. 65. Rare blood type, briefly award named after another great 40. US security org. 55. Drumming great Neil of Rush 68. “Shalom” Jewish writer 42. “Nuts!” 56. Potok protagonist 70. Middle of a calzone? 72. ___ Martin (cognac) 43. Star receiver on the NYG 57. SeaWorld performer 71. Gold purity measures: Abbr. Six ways to experience Israel on CommUNITY mission here’s still time to participate in organized in six separate tracks, represent- what has become one of Jewish ing travelers’ interests. Tracks include: Hi TNashville’s most informative tra- Tech, Art, Culture and Culinary; History BUYING, SELLING, & INVESTING ditions: this fall’s CommUNITY Trip and First-Timer Experiences; Politics, to Israel, in coordination with our five Security and Current Events; Dynamic community congregations: Congregation Israel: Trail for Adventure Lovers; My architectural background Buying and selling a house is a Beit Tefilah-Chabad, Congregation Hands-On Israel; and a fully leisure track. and appreciation for very personal experience, Micah, Congregation Sherith Israel, The Hands-On Israel participants structure, design, and which requires trust, Temple-Congregation Ohabai Sholom will volunteer with Israeli organi- engineering will support the ability to listen, and West End Synagogue. zations and spend time in Nashville’s you in making solid and a passion for There’s an optional pre-Mission tour Partnership2Gether region of Hadera- decisions when understanding a client’s of Morocco and an optional extension to Eiron. Participants on other tracks also purchasing, selling, or preferences and goals. attend the Jewish Federations of North will have time in Hadera. renovating a home. As a Nashville native with America General Assembly in Tel Aviv Adventurers will be able to hike I am resourceful, creative, nine years of experience from Oct. 22-24. in the Carmel Forest to see bat caves and pride myself on helping people live their The Morocco tour runs from Oct. and a reach a cliff overlooking the going above and beyond dream, I would love to help 9-14, with the Israel mission beginning Mediterranean. to achieve your real estate guide you through the on Oct. 15 and concluding on Oct. 21. Those who choose the Hi Tech and goals. In fact, many of my process of finding, selling, Deposits for the trip are due at the Cultural track will visit an Israeli tech satisfied clients have become renovating, or designing end of this month. company that develops driver-assistance my dearest friends. your home. The Grand Tour of Morocco will systems to help prevent and mitigate take travelers from Casablanca to collisions. There’s a tech component LANA PARGH FRANKLIN PARGH Marrakesh over five days. Participants to the politics and current events track 615.504.2685 615.351.7333 will spend a full day in Fez, with a visit to with a visit to Mabat 2000, a net- [email protected] [email protected] the Old Jewish Quarter, a meeting with work of visible surveillance cameras in the Rabbi of Fez in the synagogue, and a Jerusalem’s Old City. stop at the Jewish cemetery. History buffs and first-timers will There’s time in Casablanca to see experience Independence Hall and the We would love to hear from you. the old town, Synagogue Beit El, the Rabin Museum in Tel Aviv, tour the Old Mosque of Hassan II and the Museum City in Jerusalem and learn about the Call, email, or text us any time! of the Jews of Morocco. Participants will fight of the Zealots atop Masada. enjoy a typical Moroccan Jewish Shabbat Leisure track activities include choc- 1585 Mallory Lane, Ste. 103 ‚ Brentwood, TN 37027 dinner at Madame Ohayon house in olate and wine tasting, cooking lessons ‚ ‚ Office: 615.271.2424 Fax: 615.371.2429 synergyrealtynetwork.com Marrakesh. and more. Saturday in Marrakesh includes a To learn more about the upcoming visit to the old Jewish Quarter and syn- Mission, go to jewishnashville.org/missions PARGH.COM agogue. or contact Associate Executive Director RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IS WHAT WE DO The group will depart Sunday from and Missions Director Naomi Limor Sedek Casablanca to Israel. There, activities are at [email protected]. • 16 June 2018 The Observer enjoys being around water. She spends the Lewis Lavine Martha Lilly school year rowing in The Netherlands The Temple notes with sorrow the West End Synagogue announces and her summers sailing on Lake Erie. She passing of Lewis Lavine on May 2 and with sadness the passing of Martha Lilly, also enjoys volleyball, softball, and riding extends condolences to his family. sister of WES member Susan Pankowsky. lifecycles her bike and hanging out with friends. His family has asked that gifts Martha was predeceased by her For her Mitzvah project, Zoe plans to in his memory be made to a fund father, Clyde Lilly, and son, Michael Births work with St. Jude Children’s Research with the Community Foundation of Dallas Haygood. She is survived by her Hospital along with her mother. She will Middle Tennessee that continues siblings, Susan Pankowsky and Michael Estelle Juliet Maldanado be part of Team BIG 98 to raise money his work there from 2005-2016. The (Elizabeth) Lilly, mother Eleanor Russell, Keaton Cohen Pachter for St. Jude and participate in the Rock Lewis Lavine Strategic Nonprofit children Juanita Jean Perez, Matthew Anita and Steve Rich welcome two n Roll Nashville 5K as a St. Jude Hero. Opportunities Fund will be a perma- (Yuri) Mauldin, Jimmy Muhich, Ashley grandchildren to the family, both born nent endowment fund to encourage Nicole Haygood, grandchild Sergio in April. and support the efforts of nonprofit Mauldin, nephews Nathan and James, Granddaughter Estelle Juliet’s par- Graduations organizations to achieve efficiency and and nieces Shirit, Sarah, and Raquel. ents are Jenny and Charles Maldanado Eytan Koch effectiveness. Donations can be made in her mem- of New Orleans. Her big sister is Addie. ory to Jewish Family Service or NAMI. Grandson Keaton Cohen Pachter’s Eytan Koch, son of Mosh parents are Dani and Jason Pachter of and Evelyn Koch, gradu- Brooklyn, N.Y. His big sister is Emrey ated on May 12 from Helen Pachter. the Howard University School of Medicine in Rabbi Aaron Panken Washington. Eytan B’nai Mitzvah received an award for tutoring and mentoring remembered as joyful leader Lily Marger fellow medical students and a second By JOSEFIN DOLSTEN ment about what these men and women Lily Marger was called award for organizing and running the are trying to achieve in Israel,” HUC to the Torah as a Bat Physiatry (physical medicine and rehab) NEW YORK (JTA) — Rabbi Andrea Provost Michael Marmur said. Mitzvah on May 5 at Society. Weiss, an associate professor of Bible at Panken started several Israel-related The Temple. She is the Eytan will be returning to New York the New York campus of Hebrew Union programs, including one that brings Israeli daughter of Brian and City, where he worked for 20 years as a College-Jewish Institute of Religion and rabbinical students and graduates to visit Victoria Marger. Her personal fitness trainer before entering its incoming provost, remembered the joy the U.S. to learn more about Jewish grandparents are Donald medical school, for his residency in phys- that Rabbi Aaron Panken brought to his life here. Another program, in partner- and Carole Marger of iatry. His preliminary year (internship) work. Weiss recalled how Panken would ship with the Foreign Affairs Ministry Dayton, Ohio and the late Geoffrey and will be spent at Beth Israel and his three- pop into his colleagues’ offices asking if of Israel, strengthens ties between young Retta Ann Wood of Watertown, Tenn. year residency at NYU. they were having fun. Reform Jewish leaders and Israeli polit- For her mitzvah project, Lily focused “He had this very serious position as ical and key cultural figures. He also on many different ventures over the president of a very large institution, and created a program that brings Jewish, course of her Bat Mitzvah year. The real- Obituaries he approached it with such joy and with Christian and Muslim schoolteachers in ization that she leads a very fortunate life kind of a boyish enthusiasm. He really Israel to the HUC Jerusalem campus to made her want to do mitzvahs for those Helen Kaufman Farmer loved his work,” she said. learn about tolerance. less fortunate. These have included stuff- Congregation Micah announc- Friends and colleagues of Panken, “He was creating change and work- ing nutritional back packs for The Bridge es with sadness the passing of Helen the president of HUC who died last ing toward positive change in Israeli to Kids organization, personally making Kaufman Farmer on May 13 at age 92. month in a plane crash, remembered him society in order to strengthen Israel,” and distributing blankets at the Nashville Mrs. Farmer is survived by her sons, as a strong leader who was passionate Rosensaft said. Rescue Mission and collecting food con- Michael Farmer and Sonny Farmer (Sheri about Israel and, above all, loved what Rabbi Joseph Skloot, an assistant tributions to help her local food pantry Weiner), and six grandchildren. Her hus- he did as the leader of the Reform move- professor of modern Jewish intellectu- Lily is in the 7th grade at Woodland band of 44 years, William Farmer, pre- ment’s flagship seminary and its campus- al history at HUC, remembered how Middle School. In her free time, Lily ceded her in death in 2007. es in New York, Jerusalem, Cincinnati friendly Panken was on their first meet- enjoys science, baking and competitive Mrs. Farmer was a trailblazing Music and Los Angeles. ing, when Skloot was 18 and a counselor swimming, but most recently she could Row executive and nonprofit execu- Jean Bloch Rosensaft, the school’s at the Union for Reform Judaism Eisner be found playing on the Woodland junior tive. She worked for the Country Music assistant vice president for communications Camp. varsity softball team. Association for more than 20 years, rising and public affairs, said Panken embodied “Aaron had a gigantic heart and to the position of director of programs “the best of the Reform movement.” no artifice, and he was curious and Seth Robinson and special projects when she retired “The college was his whole life. He engaged and wanted to get to know Seth Robinson will in 1994. She won the CMA Founding was a real product of the Reform move- you,” Skloot said. become a bar mitz- President’s Award in 1994, and in 2008 ment, and he was proud of it,” Rosensaft Later, when Skloot attended the vah at Congregation she took home a Source Award, honoring told JTA. HUC rabbinical school, he was struck Micah on June 9. Seth women in Nashville’s music industry. Panken, who had led HUC since by Panken’s engaging teaching style and is the son of Jay and Memorials can be made in her name 2014, was killed while piloting a small mastery of rabbinic literature. Carolyn Robinson and to Congregation Micah. aircraft near Wawayanda, N.Y., near the “His love of the Talmud and the brother of Isabella and New Jersey border. A passenger, Frank rabbinic texts was unusual for someone Eli. He is the grandson Terry Arnold Fishbein Reiss, a flight instructor, was injured in who grew up in the Reform movement, of Charles and Pamela Hausman and The Temple notes with sorrow the the crash, whose cause is unclear pending where unlike in Orthodoxy where young Nancy Robinson and the great-grandson passing of Terry Arnold Fishbein on investigation by the Federal Aviation people are trained in those texts from a of Stephanie Freudenthal. May 20. She is survived by her daughter, Administration and the National very young age, we aren’t,” he said. He is a seventh grader at Valor Cantor Tracy Fishbein of The Temple, Transportation Safety Board. Panken was Skloot said Panken was able to con- Voyager Collegiate, where he excels in son-in-law Glenn Turtel, grandchil- a licensed pilot. vey that passion for the Talmud to his math, science, social studies, and ELA. dren Anna and Joshua Turtel, and their Prior to serving as HUC president, students. Seth is currently interested in pursuing a extended family. the native New Yorker held senior posi- “He was able to take students of dif- career in architecture and he enjoys bas- tions at the school, including vice presi- ferent levels and backgrounds and show ketball, swimming, reading, playing video Richard M. Hochman dent for strategic initiatives, dean of the them the technical complexity, the inspi- games, and listening to music. Seth has Congregation Micah announces New York campus and dean of students. rational wisdom at the heart of a basic decided to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s with sadness the passing of Richard M. Rosensaft said Panken was passion- sugya [passage] of the Talmud,” he said. disease for his Mitzvah project. Hochman on May 19. He is survived by ate about Israel, working to improve ties Panken lived with his family in his son and daughter-in-law, Micah mem- between American Jews and the Jewish Scarsdale, N.Y., and was a member of Zoe Cowan bers Michael and Natalie Hochman. state, and strengthen Reform Judaism there. the Westchester Reform Temple, where Zoe Cowan will become In lieu of flowers, memorials can be “This was the mission of his life, and he had previously served as a rabbinic a bat mitzvah at made in Richard’s name to the Wounded he really lived it with every fiber of his intern. Congregation Micah Warrior Project and Congregation Micah. being,” she said. He is survived by his wife, Lisa on June 30. Zoe is the Panken worked to expand the HUC Messinger; his children; Eli and daughter of Alison and Laurence Koch rabbinical program in Israel and its Samantha; his parents, Beverly and Chad Cowan. She is the Congregation Sherith Israel Jerusalem campus and recently ordained Peter; and his sister, Rabbi Melinda granddaughter of Sondra announces with sadness the loss of our its 100th graduate. Panken of Congregation Shaari Emeth and Richard Martin and longtime member, Lawrence Koch, who “He was so full of pride and excite- in Manalapan, N.J. • Patricia and Peter Cowan and sister to died on May 28. He is survived by his Annabelle and Elliot. brothers, Moshe (Evelyn) and Carl; his Zoe is a seventh grader at The children Rachel, Michael (Anita), Leslie The Observer is online at American International School of (Stuart), and Carolyn (Yossi); and grand- www.jewishobservernashville.org Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Zoe children Matt and Kenny.

The Observer June 2018 17 @ West End Continued from page 7 As a junior in high school, Joseph volunteered as a teacher aide for the entire cal- endar year and returned as a senior this year. He assisted high schoolers with morning services and the cantor’s T’filah classes. He helped build a cohesive group among the 7th-11th grade students and contributed to religious school curricula. Joseph will be attending the University of Maryland in the fall. We salute all of our teacher aides: Jake Bengelsdorf, Grace Cleveland, Josh Crowley, Maia Herman, Erin Keenan, Gillian Keenan, Max Potash and Elliot Tishler. Beit Miriam honors 7th-grade students

Two students at West End Synagogue’s religious school, Beit Miriam, have received recognition for the skills they have developed during their studies. The two, Isaac Cheng and Leo Wiston, received awards at this year’s closing day ceremony at the school. Both are former students at Akiva School. The Simon and Alven Ghertner Award for excellence in Hebrew and in Bar/ Bat Mitzvah studies went to Isaac Cheng, a home-schooled student who also attends Jewish Middle School. Frank Ghertner, grandson of Simon and son of Alven Ghertner, presented the award. “My grandfather, Simon Ghertner, was a leader of the West End Synagogue, in the early years of the religious school, and was very interested in the study of Hebrew and in maintaining its central role in the Jewish education of our students,” Ghertner said. Photograph, titled Redblue, by Kay Ramming “My father, Alven, shared this love of Jewish education.” All of Isaac’s teachers recognized him for his excellent Hebrew skills, as well as for his intellectual curiosity and the respect he shows towards his classmates and teachers. The award is made annually. Art for June: Roode, Leo Wiston received a special recognition award for excellence in synagogue skills. In presenting the award, Sharon Paz, director of lifelong learning at WES, said, “Leo always looks to find the meanings of words and asks lots of interesting theological ques- Beehler, Photo Girls tions about the Hebrew words that are used in the siddur.” He has learned the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv service and the he Gordon Jewish Community celebrities on VHS covers. Eventually Shabbat morning Torah and Musaf services. A former Akiva student, Leo enjoys study- Center’s June art show exhibits she landed at O’More College of Design ing Talmud in Rabbi Joshua Kullock’s Tuesday morning Talmud class. • Twill feature the work of Daniel to study graphic design. Roode, Carolyn Beehler and Photo Girls. After graduating in 2009, she took The Janet Levine March Gallery several years to absorb the glitz and grime will display the work of Daniel Roode. of bigger towns, including Shanghai and MARSHALL-DONNELLY-COMBS FUNERAL HOME His large-scale works on canvas exhibit Los Angeles. She returned to Nashville 327-1111 a codified and symbolic language that around the time the recession began become a reflecting pool, probing deeply to let up and focused on refining paper into memory, subconsciousness and iden- “painting” techniques. tity. The layered imagery with delicately The Sig Held Gallery will exhibit painted forms, collage and a graffiti-like the work of Photo Girls, a Nashville For Over 150 years, our dedication to service and personal attention has made us the premier choice of families in our community. Our staff is dedicated to compassionately action painting, invoke the work of for- collective of female photographers. The supporting your family before, during and after the loss of your loved one. bears Basquiat and Galan resulting in a title for their show is “Complimentary 201 25th Ave North (at Centennial Park) Nashville, Tennessee 37203 poetic balanced and ordered chaos that Colors.” Though each piece in this is all his own. Roode lives in Columbia, show can stand alone, the colors in Tenn. In addition to this body of work, this show work well together, as do the he has illustrated children’s books. photographers who created this exhib- The JLMG2 Gallery will feature the it: Kay Ramming, Amanda McCadams, work of Carolyn Beehler, a paper artist Emily Naff, Andee Rudloff, and Wendy and writer who lives in Nashville. She Whittmore. was born in California and moved to The House Gallery will feature vin- Hunt Memorials, Inc. Tennessee as a child. First grade was the tage posters of Israel in celebration of year she learned how to read, but kinder- Israel’s 70th birthday. Quality and Craftsmanship Since 1928 garten was the year she mastered drawing The reception for the artists will be stick people with their necks attached, held on Wednesday, June 6, from 6:30- 4807 Gallatin Road4807 Gallatin• Road1000 Lebanon Road thank you very much. Her art progressed 8:30 p.m. at the Gordon JCC, 801 Percy 262-1313 615-262-1313• 254-1206 to drawing calendar bunnies and Disney Warner Blvd. There will be music by DJ Joseph Harris, henna painting by Seemi Rizvi along with complimentary food and bev- erage. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, con- tact the JCC at (615) 354-1699, curator Business Card Directory Carrie Mills at [email protected], or go to www.nashvillejcc.org. • YOUR GUIDE TO FINE BUSINESSES AND SERVICES AROUND MUSIC CITY. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS, 615.356.3242 EXT. 299 Classified THEY’RE THE BEST! Classified AdsAds Tim Gregory TEMPLE Graphic Designer CEMETERY PLOTS For sale in Temple cemetery. Phone and Fax 615.646.7765 Two adjoining plots. [email protected] 383-5367

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Certification Program, Student Intern Clinic, Professional Foot & Hand Spa 615-356-1700 www.zanderins.com , REALTOR® FORBERG LAW OFFICE Jackie Roth Karr www.JackieKarr.com A Collaborative Approach to [email protected] Divorce & Family Law SPORTING GOODS Mobile: 615.330.9779 1612 Westgate Circle #220 OPHTHALMOLOGIST Office: 615.463.3333 Brentwood, TN 37027 TEAM NASHVILLE 615-767-5930 HOWARD ROSENBLUM, M.D. Your Running/Walking www.forberg-law.com Eye Physician & Surgeon Swimming Headquarters Nashville Eye Center 3205 West End Ave. MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY St. Thomas Hospital • Ph. 615-386-9200 Nashville, TN 37203 Family Law / Personal Injury / Probate 615-383-0098 Fifth Third Center 424 Church Street, Ste. 2250 OPTOMETRIST Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Each RE/MAX Office is Independently Owned and Operated TALENT AND (615) 256-5661 DR. JEFFREY SONSINO Real Estate to a Global Clientele www.martinsirlaw.com ENTERTAINMENT DR. MICHELE SONSINO Optique Eyecare & Eyewear Patricia Straus, MBA, Broker, CRS 2817 West End Ave., Nashville RE/MAX Masters 615-321-4EYE (4393) www.PatriciaStraus.com [email protected] O: 615.447.8000 Create your dream event with M: 615.305.8465 The Blue Tone Chamber Players and Advertise in our Professional Services Directory The Nashville Blue Tones Reach thousands of readers in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area by taking advantage of Music City’s premier variety dance band! this cost-effective way to reach a loyal repeat audience! Call Carrie Mills,Advertising Manager (615) 352-6358 to place your professional listing. Phone 615-354-1699 or e-mail [email protected] [email protected] NEW & RENEWING ADS ARE SHADED The Observer June 2018 19 20 June 2018 The Observer