Washtenaw Jewish News Presort Standard In this issue… c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor U.S. Postage PAID 2939 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, MI Thoughts on Community Terror Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 Hanukkah Photo groups Album and Facebook

Page 7 Page 18 Page 25

December 2015/January 2016 Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5776 Volume XV: Number 4 FREE Reconstructionists and Jewish Alliance Curator of Polish Jewish Museum to for Food, Land and Justice to host speak at University of Michigan Yaffa Klugerman, special to the WJN Tu B’Shevat Shabbaton f you’ve visited a Jewish museum lately, remarkable integra- Carol Lessure and Margo Schlanger, special to the WJN chances are that Barbara Kirshenblatt- tion of a memorial o you remember celebrating Tu and resources relating to traditions and holi- I Gimblett has visited it too. site, fitting architec- B’Shevat—the Jewish New Year for days. He explains that it was Kabbalists of Safed The list of museums where she has served ture, and innovative D trees—when you were young? May- who in the 17th century created a Tu B’Shevat as a consultant reads like a directory of some multimedia narrative be you shivered your way outside and planted seder, loosely modeled on the Passover seder. of the most well-known Jewish exhibitions exhibition,” she said. Over the past several decades, in the world. They include Beit Hatfutsot in “Nowhere else is this Jews across the world have used Tel Aviv, the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Jew- continued on page 2 Tu B’Shevat as a time to focus on ish Museum in New York, the environment. the Jewish Museum and The January Shabbaton will Tolerance Center in Mos- be environmentally-themed cow and the United States throughout. It will begin Friday, Holocaust Memorial Mu- January 22, with a Tot Shabbat seum in Washington, DC. service from 5:45–6:15 p.m.; She now serves as the chief Rabbi Strassfeld will lead pre- curator of the core exhibi- school kids with songs and a tion of POLIN, the Muse- story. Kabbalat Shabbat services um of the History of Polish start at 6:30 p.m., followed by Jewish in Warsaw—and a vegetarian (nut free) potluck she insists that there is no dinner. Childcare will be pro- other museum like it. Rabbi Michael Strassfeld vided (with reservations). On “POLIN Museum a tree (if the ground wasn’t frozen) or took a Saturday, January 23, Rabbi Strassfeld will lead is a gesamtkunstwerk, a POLIN Museum and (top right ) Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett walk and learned to identify trees by their bark text study at 4 p.m., followed by a Tu B’Shevat and evidence of their leaves and fruits on the seder at 5:30 p.m. ground. For many, this minor holiday didn’t Rabbi Strassfeld explains: “The classic Jew- resonate. It may be the beginning of spring in ish texts about the environment [Deuterono- Light up the night Israel, but in North America, it’s hard to cel- my 20:19-20; Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws Chana Sara Elias, special to the WJN ebrate trees in the dead of winter. of Kings and Wars 6:8, 10] prohibit the wan- ome celebrate Hanukkah with of the most prominent public lightings being This year, the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist ton destruction of nature. The stress on wan- Chabad at the “Light Up the Night” the National Menorah, which is held in Wash- Congregation (AARC) and the Jewish Alliance ton destruction implies that the destruction of event at Liberty Plaza, where an eight- ington, D.C., that Joe Biden lit in 2014. There is for Food, Land, and Justice invite the commu- natural resources is permissible if it benefits C foot menorah will be lit on Saturday, December no charge to attend “Light Up the Night.” nity to join them to engage with Tu B’Shevat, human beings. We will study other Jewish texts 12, at 7 p.m. In addition to the menorah light- The Chabad menorah fun doesn’t stop on Friday night, January 22, and Saturday af- to see how Judaism can help us to create a con- ing, there will be a fire show, hot latkes, dough- there—there will be a chance for the kids to ternoon, January 23, at the Jewish Commu- temporary environmental ethic rooted in the nuts and apple cider to enjoy while listening to build their own menorah at Home Depot on nity Center of Greater Ann Arbor. The events value of all things.” Hanukkah tunes. Sunday, December 6, from 2–4 p.m. This is a will be guided by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, a The Tu B’Shevat seder is structured around Chabad is internationally known for their free event, geared to get the kids into the holi- frequent visiting rabbi with AARC this year eating of four different kinds of fruit, coupled outdoor public menorah lightings, totaling day spirit, complete with bringing home their and Rabbi Emeritus of the Society for the Ad- with readings, songs and kavanot/reflections. personally-built menorahs. Music, dreidels, vancement of Judaism in New York City. Rabbi Rabbi Strassfeld notes, “Our Tu B’Shevat seder latkes and doughnuts will also be provided. Strassfeld is the author, editor, or co-editor of will combine the focus on personal growth of If this isn’t enough dreidels and latkes for numerous books and articles, including three the Jewish mystics with contemporary ecologi- one Hanukkah, then join Chabad again on versions of the Jewish Catalog, A Shabbat Hag- cal concerns.” Detroit’s Congregation T’Chiyah Sunday, December 13, at the new bowling al- gadah: Ritual and Study Texts for the Home; and and its rabbi, Alana Alpert, will be joining the ley, Revel and Run (formally Colonial Lanes) to Jewish Holidays, a guide to the holidays used in Ann Arbor community for the seder, as will bowl to Hanukkah music. A bowling-pin me- many Jewish households. several Hazon Detroit fellows. norah will be lit, in addition to other exciting Since the 1973 appearance of the firstJew - The events are co-sponsored by AARC 15,000 in 2013. In Ann Arbor, this will be the games to play. Admission for this event is $10/ ish Catalog, subtitled “a do it yourself kit,” and the Jewish Alliance for Food, Land, and first time an outdoor public menorah lighting person, it includes bowling shoes and one game. Rabbi Strassfeld’s books have been the go-to Justice. They are a continuation from last will be held for the community-at-large. Ann For more information, contact call 995-3276 publications for progressive American Jews year’s year-long exploration of the teach- Arbor is now joining the menorah-lighting #15 or [email protected]. n seeking explanations, contemporary readings, continued on page 2 ranks with thousands of cities world-wide, one I Community

2935 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 New “Issues for Parenting” educational voice: 734/971-1800 e-mail: [email protected] series represents a community effort www.washtenawjewishnews.org Sarah Schneider Hong, special to the WJN Editor and Publisher ince the summer of 2014, Jewish gram like this, with such universal appeal to Susan Kravitz Ayer Family Services has been offering a families, will help strengthen the Jewish com- Calendar Editor S free educational series entitled “Is- munity’s ties to greater Ann Arbor.” Claire Sandler sues for Aging,” co-sponsored with the Jew- The next event in the series, “Issues for ish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor. Parenting: Promoting Financial Literacy Advertising Manager While that popular program is ongoing and for Youth,” will be held Thursday January Gordon White continues to provide valuable information 21, from 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. At this free and support to older adults and their caregiv- event, Louise Morse, Financial Literacy pro- Design and Layout Dennis Platte ers, it has also inspired the launch of a new gram coordinator at the Bank of Ann Arbor, community educational program for parents. will address issues such as introducing fi- Staff Writers Issues for Parenting is a new, free educa- nancial responsibility to children; explain- Mary Bilyeu, Sandor Slomovits, Rochel Urist tional series which hosts expert speakers to ing wants versus needs; and understanding present on topics of great interest and rel- credit and money management. Light re- Contributing Writers evance to parents. On October 22, the first freshments will be served. Registration is re- Barb Banet, Kristin Cahill, Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, Chana Sara Elias, Rosemary Frenza Chudnof, Hadar “Issues for Parenting” lecture addressed the quired by emailing programs@jfsannarbor. Dohn, Max Glick, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Carl topic of “Cyber Safety.” Melissa Hudson, an org or calling JFS at 769-0209. For questions Goldstein, Maayan Jaffe, Sylvia Jones, Jacob Kamaras, educator from the Washtenaw Area Council and more information, contact Sarah Hong Yaffa Klugerman, Ethan G. Krasnow, Carol Lessure, for Children, presented on essential infor- at JFS. Joan Levitt, Erin Mobley, Avital Ostfield, Wendy mation such as cyber-bullying, privacy, digi- Other possible topics for the Issues for Sadler, Margo Schlanger, Sarah Schneider Hong, tal reputation and more. Parenting series include promoting resilience Alina Dain Sharon, David Shtulman, Clara Silver, All in the community are welcome to at- in students, and childhood nutrition. If you Maxine Solvay, Elliot Sorkin tend these adult-only programs. Ali Reingold, are a parent who would like to suggest a topic The Washtenaw Jewish News is published director of admissions and marketing for He- for the series or an expert interested in donat- monthly, with the exception of January and July. brew Day School, has this to say, “HDS is excit- ing time to this community program, contact It is registered as a Non-profit Michigan Corpo- ed to partner with JFS and the JCC to support Hong at [email protected]. n ration. Opinions expressed in this publication do families within and beyond our school. A pro- not necessarily reflect those of itseditors or staff

©2015 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. Polish Jewish Museum, continued from page 1 All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw Jewish News may be r­eproduced without story told in this way. And there is no more Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish permission of the publisher. appropriate place to tell this story.” Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust, Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should How the museum came to be is the sub- which she co-authored with her father, not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the ject of her talk on January 13, “Rising from Mayer Kirshenblatt z”l. She has received editor at [email protected]. Name will be the Rubble: Creating the Museum of the many awards for her work, including a re- withheld at the discretion of the editor. History of Polish Jews.” The lecture, spon- cent medal from the president of Poland for Circulation: 5,000 sored by the Jean & Samuel Frankel Center her contribution to the creation of POLIN. Subscriptions: for Judaic Studies at the University of Mich- Her visit is the latest event planned as $18 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County igan, will take place at 5:30 pm at the U-M part of an official partnership established Deadline for the February issue Museum of Art’s Stern Auditorium. The last year between the museum and the Co- of the Washtenaw Jewish News, event is free and open to the public. pernicus Program in Polish Studies (CPPS), is Friday, January 8 “The core exhibition at POLIN recov- along with the Frankel Center. The agree- Publication date: Friday, January 28 ers the thousand-year history of Polish Jews ment facilitates collaboration on research Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News and tells the story in the very place where exchanges for faculty, as well as pedagogic are available at locations throughout it happened,” Kirshenblatt-Gimblett ex- activities for U-M students. Washtenaw County. plained. “The museum completes the me- “POLIN is a very important cultural morial complex. We go to the Monument institution,” noted Genevieve Zubrzycki, for the Ghetto Heroes to honor those who director of CPPS and a Frankel Institute perished by remembering how they died. fellow. “The museum pointedly shows that We come to POLIN Museum to honor them the current intrinsic Catholicity of Poland and those who came before and after by re- is the exception instead of the rule in Pol- IIn this issue… membering how they lived.” ish history. Polish visitors therefore learn The museum stands on land that was that Poland was and can be different than Advertisers...... 35 once part of the Warsaw ghetto, and has it currently is, and that it can live relatively attracted over a million visitors since it peacefully with others without any threat to American Jewry...... 17 Not Just A opened in 2013. their own identity.” Kirshenblatt-Gimblett is University Pro- Kirshenblatt-Gimblett hopes that those Best Reads...... 26 Photobooth! fessor Emerita and Professor Emerita of who attend her lecture will see why POLIN Performance Studies at New York Univer- represents much more than an ordinary ex- Calendar...... 29 WEDDINGS sity. She is the author of several acclaimed hibit. “Museums,” she said, “can be agents Congregations...... 8 BAR/BAT books, including Destination Culture: Tour- of transformation that can move a whole ism, Museums, and Heritage; Image before society forward.” n Kosher Cuisine...... 27 MITZVAHS My Eyes: A Photographic History of Jewish SCHOOLS Life in Poland, 1864–1939; The Art of Being On Another Note...... 28 BIRTHDAYS Jewish in Modern Times; and They Called Rabbis’ Corner...... 7 CORPORATE EVENTS Tu B’Shevat Shabbaton, continued from page 1 Teens...... 13 ings of Shmita, and are funded by an impact More details and registration for any or all 248.545.6460 grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater of the events can be found at http://aarecon. Youth...... 15 Ann Arbor. AARC and the Alliance wel- org and http://shabbaton-FoodLandJustice. come all community members to join any eventbrite.com. n Vitals...... 35 or all these Shabbaton activities; the events Code: WJN are free, but online registration is required. World Jewry...... 20

2 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 ICommunity

Yiddishe Cup returns to Ark, February 6, with Klezmer and Motown Carl Goldstein, special to the WJN iddishe Cup, the Cleveland-based dentials --“yikhes” (Yiddish for lineage). Her klezmer band, will return to The mother and aunt fronted the award-winning Y Ark on February 6, at 8 p.m., with a Hampton Family Band in Indianapolis. Her mix of Jewish music and Motown favorites. brother is a professional trumpeter in Chi- Two years ago, Yiddishe Cup first collaborated cago. Her uncle is trombonist Slide Hampton. with Motown-style soul singer Tamar Gray Gray is a vocal music teacher. of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. She has since Gray said, “My Hebrew isn’t that good, but I’m getting better. I do ‘Bashana Haba’a’ and ‘Hine Ma Tov’ pretty well. It’s all soul music, you know.” Bandleader Strat- ton said, “We mix Hine Ma Tov with Dixieland music— with The Saints Go Marching in. We’ll also occasionally break into Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. What does this have to do with joined Yiddishe Cup. In her childhood, Gray klezmer? Nothing! But like I keep saying, if it’s belonged to the Worldwide Church of God, a soulful I like it. The first klezmer album I ever Christian denomination that adhered closely bought was clarinetist Giora Feidman’s album to the Hebrew Bible. Church members fasted entitled Jewish Soul Music. So when klezmer got on Yom Kippur and celebrated Succoth (the popular, it was called Jewish soul music. Still is.” Festival of Booths). Gray currently is an assis- The band will also play some of its classic tant pastor at a Cleveland church. comedy tunes and dance tunes. “We’re looking Bert Stratton, the Yiddishe Cup bandlead- forward to The Ark. We always get the crowd er, said, “Our band is now the Afro-Semitic moving there!” Dance leader Alice Stratton, Experience, except that name has already the bandleader’s wife, makes sure of that. been taken by a group in Connecticut. We The band’s lineup for The Ark is Stratton, have this amazing funk drummer now, too. clarinet; Irwin Weinberger, vocals, saxophone Ivan George. He grew up on gospel and James and guitar; Alan Douglass, keyboard and vo- Brown funk.” cals; Tamar Gray, vocals; Ivan George, drums; Singer Tamar Gray has impressive cre- and Alice Stratton, dance leader. n Time to move? Winter is the season for fitness and fun Alex makes it easy for you to sell Clara Silver, special to the WJN your home. he Jewish Community Center of a combination of elements from dance, yoga, Greater Ann Arbor wants to be sure and Pilates, and uses chairs and floor mats in- Get a real estate market analysis and a custom T that the cold and snow of winter will stead of the traditional ballet barre to build bal- not result in a reduction in activity levels across ance and strength. marketing plan tailored to fit your goals in today’s the many age groups it serves. With a renewed Krasnow says, “I am super excited to bring high performing market. commitment to wellness, the JCC has restruc- these fantastic classes to the J. This is the kind tured its staff and introduced classes that reflect of fitness program you would find in much the new national fitness trends. more expensive facilities, but is super afford- Client relationships are confidential with highly Ethan Krasnow, who already directs youth, able through the J.” customized sales strategies. To learn more, call camp, and family programs, now includes In addition to the new classes, the JCC will fitness as part of his portfolio. According to continue to offer the very popular Zumba (734) 417-3560 or email [email protected]. Krasnow, “I already focus on fitness and physi- classes, where Latin dance moves and popu- cal activities as director of youth and camp, so lar music combine for a cardio workout, and having me responsible for overall fitness at the weekly Israeli dancing. For those interested in J makes perfect sense.” Krasnow has already less intense fitness, the JCC continues to part- ALEX MILSHTEYN, CRS, GRI, ABR brought the trendy Kangoo Power workout, ner with community instructors as well as the which uses specially designed, shock absorb- Washtenaw Community College Emeritus pro- Associate Broker / Realtor ing, rebounding boots on which participants gram to offer Callanetics, Tai Chi, and Low Im- (734) 417-3560 / [email protected] jump to the sounds of high energy, popular pact exercise classes. Executive Director David music. Kangoo Power is a total body workout Stone notes that, “while we don’t have a tradi- www.alexmi.com and can be performed at a variety of intensi- tional fitness center, this JCC has huge potential ties depending on the fitness level and strength to impact the health and wellness of our com- Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel of the participants. Circuit Training is another munity. We have a beautiful gym and fantastic new fitness class that combines cardio and multipurpose facilities just waiting for exciting 305 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 strength exercises based on the interval train- classes like the ones Ethan has brought here.” ing philosophy. For more information on the fitness classes An exclusive affiliate of Coldwell Banker Previews International Krasnow notes that the third new class of- offered at the JCC, contact Ethan Krasnow at fered was created, “just for the J, because we 971-0990 or [email protected], don’t have a traditional dance studio, but we or visit jccannarbor.org. n Ann Arbor’s Realtor of the Year have a great gymnasium.” Barre None features Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 AlexMilshteynHalfPage041614CB_1.indd 1 8/21/2015 6:06:22 PM 3 I Jewish Family Services I Guest Editorial

JFS seeks local professionals to mentor Excuse my rudeness By David Shtulman refugees/resettled immigrants et me apologize in advance. I have some giving level. Sylvia Jones and Sarah Schneider Hong, special to the WJN things I want to say about the Jewish However, if the JCC was to close its doors ewish Family Services of Washtenaw of passion, pride and dignity which they may L community that some of you might one day the impact would be enormous. Not County is seeking local professionals to associate with their professional lives. Helping find offensive, but I really feel a need to say them. only would we lose all the services of the JCC help refugees and resettled immigrants clients overcome the hurdles required to regain After all, it’s not including the Early Childhood Center, Camp J like it will be the Raanana, after school child care, senior services succeed in America by serving as mentors. their professional identities and means of finan- JFS already provides individualized services to cial stability is an essential service we provide.” first time I have of- and cultural arts programs, the Federation, support and prepare refugees and resettled im- To enrich the recertification process, JFS is fended any of you Hebrew Day School, Washtenaw Jewish News, migrants in applying their previous education launching a mentorship program to pair clients and it probably Reconstructionist Congregation and Jewish and work experience towards establishing sus- with local mentors in their career field (e.g., won’t be the last. Cultural Society would lose their homes. I could tainable professional careers in the U.S. The JFS pharmacy or engineering). Common topics In a commu- make a similar case for every Jewish institution recertification program is part of JFS’s broader covered in a mentor/mentee relationship could nity with as much in Ann Arbor. Employment Services. The goal of recertifica- include: networking advice and education/dia- Jewish activity as The Federation Annual Campaign is the tion is to help those who have professional logue regarding valued skills, workplace culture, Ann Arbor, no- largest single Jewish fundraising campaign in degrees and/or established career experience and more. Mentors will be oriented and sup- body can tell me Ann Arbor. Between our regular allocations and in their home countries, to continue in their ported by JFS staff to assist their mentorship we don’t care. We the Jewish Community Impact Fund, virtually collectively spon- every Jewish congregation and agency benefits. fields as degreed and experienced professionals process and to help provide some framework David Shtulman practicing in America. The program focuses on for mentorship meetings. sor a dozen or In other words, if you do anything Jewish in serving asylees, refugees, special immigrant visa Some basic expectations of a JFS mentor more programs every week and people attend. Washtenaw County, you have been a benefi- holders and victims of human trafficking. JFS include participation in a brief (1–2 hour) ori- There is a hunger for Jewish things to do and ciary of the Federation Annual Campaign. And has helped to recertify medical doctors, phar- entation to JFS and Mentorship Program and information on Jewish topics. There is concern a portion of every contribution helps to sup- macists, engineers and many more. mentoring a client in specialty career field for about anti-Semitism in Europe, about events port needy and vulnerable Jewish communi- The staff at JFS are expert in the processes up to six months, meeting at least once a month ties around the globe giving each of becoming credentialed in America, which (more frequent meetings are allowed and en- contributor enormous reach. Yet, is typically a daunting and discouraging jour- couraged, with twice monthly considered as Between our regular allocations and when we look at the statistics we ney for many resettled immigrants seeking to optimal). After the six-month mentor/mentee find the following: build a meaningful new life in the U.S. Sylvia match has ended, a mentor may choose to part- the Jewish Community Impact Fund, We have nearly 3,000 Jewish Jones, one of the recertification specialists at ner with a new mentee for a new six-month pe- households in our database—and JFS, said, “After leaving a whole life, community riod or consider their service completed. virtually every Jewish congregation we estimate there are another and often family members behind, it can be an Local professionals in all areas of practice, 1,000—1,500 households we do additional loss for our clients to arrive here and who may be interested in learning more and and agency benefits. not know about. no longer be able to utilize the skills they have potentially serving as a mentor, should contact Of these households, approxi- in Israel, about the Jewish identity of our youth mately 1,000—one of three—make any con- honed for so long and to lose that vital sense Marie at [email protected]. n and the future of the community. We are proud tribution to the Federation Annual Campaign. of who we are and what we have created here. On Two of three make no contribution. the other hand, we are way too complacent when In 2012, the Federation campaign raised How to help with refugee crisis it comes to sustaining what we have built and I $1,355,000 and 73 major donors (contribu- Rosemary Frenza Chudnof, special to the WJN want to challenge that complacency head on. tors over $5,000) accounted for $786,916 or Yes, our community is awash in fundrais- 59% of that. uring recent months, the Syr- during the coming two fiscal years, the agen- ing campaigns. Every congregation is asking its In 2015, the Federation campaign raised ian refugee crisis has been on the cy is already resettling numerous refugees members for more money. Every community $1,614,729 (including $83,000 for the Stop the D minds of many people in our com- from the same war-torn, desperate region agency is running an annual or a one-time fun- Sirens Campaign) and 77 major donors con- munity, as well as around the country and as Syria. These refugees are here now, and draiser. The Federation campaign is perpetual. tributed $1,051,689 or 65%. A total of 1,258 the world. The images of unimaginable suf- they need help today. Therefore, a monetary It seems that the day after one annual campaign other donors accounted for $563,040. Gifts fering on the part of people fleeing their un- donation to JFS’ resettlement program now closes the next annual campaign begins. We feel from major donors averaged $13,658 compared tenable situation has naturally provoked the will directly help similar refugees, who have like we can’t finish writing one check before we to $448 from all other donors. desire to do something now to help. Jewish faced the same trauma and long journey as receive a request to write another. This is insanity. Once again, forgive me if I have offended Family Services hosted a well-attended panel the Syrians. One may, of course, earmark a You are absolutely correct. This is insane, but you, but ask yourself why you are offended. Are discussion on the refugee crisis on October gift specifically for Syrian refugees, but those not for the reason you think. The insanity is not you offended by the idea that this community 21, co-presented by Aaron Gershowitz of funds will wait until such time as JFS learns that we receive so many requests for money. The relies so heavily on the generosity of the few? Or HIAS; Rabbi Robert Dobrusin; and Shrina how many Syrian refugees it will resettle, and insanity is that we need to be asked so often for are you offended that I have pointed out how Eadah, JFS’ resettlement director. Since that when. money. And that is because the checks we are few of us are really carrying our weight? Or are presentation, the agency has received many In-kind donations are also welcome and writing are too small. If they were large enough you offended, because I am challenging how calls and inquiries about what people in the very helpful; contact Erin or Shrina at JFS to to meet the needs, we wouldn’t be asked for so you value Jewish community? When you know community can do for the Syrian refugees. find out which items are particularly needed; many of them. the answer to that question, contact me and let’s The first thing that anyone can do to as- or to ask if the agency has a need for particu- Most of us are complacent. We simply expect have a conversation. sist the Syrian refugees, as suggested by Aar- lar items you may have. that the institutions and services will always be If our Jewish community supported Jew- on Gershowitz of HIAS, is to contact their Finally, a third way that people can take there for us. We will contribute $180 when we ish life as generously as we support the arts and elected officials and encourage them to pro- action now to assist refugees is to volunteer could easily give $1,800 and feel we have done the University, we would have all the money we vide support and welcome to refugees in the for JFS. The Resettlement Program needs our part, because our expectation is that some- need. But we don’t. In fact, many of our largest United States. Anyone can take on this type volunteers for many activities, including but one else will carry the load. And the truth is that donors are giving many multiples to the arts of of advocacy, which can be quite effective. not limited to accompanying newly arrived there is a group of families who are carrying what they give to the Jewish community. This Contact information for senators and con- refugees to the Social Security Administra- most of the load. But they can’t carry all of it and is a national trend. The majority of the largest gresspersons are easy to obtain online, and tion or to the Secretary of State to serve as the longer we believe they can, the more vulner- philanthropists to Jewish causes give even more most officials have websites where one can translators, shopping for and preparing refu- able we become. Too many of us should be do- for non-Jewish causes. Do I object to support- leave messages. gees’ new apartments for their arrival, and, ing more but we are not thinking about what we ing non-Jewish causes? No, absolutely not. Do Second, anyone can make either a mone- eventually, volunteers to provide a cultural would miss if our communal resources began to I believe this is an expression of complacency tary or in-kind donation to JFS and earmark orientation to new arrivals. disappear. Here is just one example: toward the future of the Jewish community? I it for the support of refugee resettlement. Anyone interested in making a monetary We can safely assume that there over 100,000 absolutely do. Here, however, it is important to make a donation or an in-kind donation to JFS to visits to the JCC every year, but only 500-600 The Ann Arbor Federation Annual Cam- clarification. Because the Syrian crisis is so support its resettlement program can con- people will buy a very reasonably priced mem- paign could and should exceed $2,000,000. acute and so heavily covered by the media, tact Erin Kelly at [email protected]. bership each year. There are more than enough charitable dollars there may be the public perception that Syr- Anyone interested in volunteering for JFS Several 100 of us will visit the Jewish Book flowing from Jewish hands. We could do it this ians are the only struggling refugees at this can contact Leah Zaas at leahz@jfsannarbor. Festival and several thousand will come to the year. The only thing we are missing is a decision time. While it is true that JFS has resettled org. Both can also be reached at 769-0209. n Jewish Film Festival, but less than 10% of us that Jewish life should be a priority. I hope you Syrian refugees, and plans to resettle more will feel we should become a sponsor at any will it make it one of yours. n

4 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 Happy Hanukkah Jewishfrom Family Services

As we celebrate the blessings of the season, please remember to help the most vulnerable members of our community. Ways to Give: • Make an Annual Gift to JFS • Donate to The Herb Amster Center • Purchase a Refugee Welcome Basket JFS Services provide solutions in many areas: • Donate directly to the Specialty Food Pantry or to any other JFS Program • Older Adult Services • Crisis Management • Give a Gift of Gratitude in honor or memory of • Medical Appointment • Transportation someone you would like to recognize: Accompaniment (PiCC) • Employment Services With each $50 gift, JFS will send up to two tribute cards in your • Jewish Family Life Education • Refugee name with a personalized message. (Be sure to indicate that you • Counseling Services Resettlement Services are giving a Gift of Gratitude, and provide us with the name and address of your honoree along with a personalized message.) • Specialty Food Pantry

Please use your annual gift as an opportunity to honor those who transform your life.

SAVE THE DATES

JFS’ Expansion Celebration Festival of Lights-International Holiday Party Upcoming Programs Friday, December 18, 2015 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Issues for Aging: Sex As We Age– Cobblestone Farms The Challenges and Joys Register online: jfsannarbor.org/festival-of-lights Wednesday, January 13, 2016 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Kids Care Fair JCC of Greater Ann Arbor Sunday, March 6, 2016 RSVP: [email protected] Sunday, December 13, 2015 Details coming soon! 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Issues for Parenting: Jewish Family Services The 2016 Claire and Isadore Bernstein Award Event Promoting Financial Literacy for Youth To register, contact Marie Honoring: Zingerman’s Community of Businesses Thursday, January 21, 2016 Sunday, April 17, 2016 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 734-769-0209 • [email protected] Please mark your calendars. JCC of Greater Ann Arbor Your invitation will be mailed early 2016. RSVP: [email protected] The Herb The The The HerbHerb Herb Case Management/Services Coordination: JFS mster OFFICE OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT mstermster msterPsychosocialCaseCase Management/Services Management/Services Rehabilitation Coordination:Case Coordination: Management/Services Coordination: JFS Center OFFICE OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JFS OFFICE OF COMMUNITYOFFICE OF & COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JFS Psychosocial Rehabilitation A OutpatientPsychosocialPsychosocial Treatment: Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Mental Health Collaborative solutions for a promising future Jewish Family Services A Division of Jewish Family ServicesCenterCenterA Center Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health A OutpatientOutpatient Treatment: Treatment: Mental Mental Health Health Collaborative solutions for a promising future JewishA Family Services A Division of Jewish Family ServicesEmployee Development Services Collaborative solutions for a promising future of WashtenawJe CouwntyishJew Familyish Family Ser Servicesvices A DivisionA Division of of of JewishWashtenaw Jewish Family CountyFamily Services Services Employee Development Services Collaborative solutions for a promising future of Washtenaw County of Washtenaw County of Washtenaw County of Washtenaw County EmployeeEmployee Development Development Services Services of Washtenaw County of Washtenaw County 2245 S. State Street t Suite 200 t Ann2245 Arbor, S. State MI Street 48104 t Suite 200 t Ann Arbor, MI 48104 22452245 S. State S. State Street Street t Suite t Suite 200 200 t tAnn Ann Arbor, Arbor, MI MI 48104 48104

Lives Transformed. Hopes Realized. To give or volunteer, go to jfsannarbor.org

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 5 Join us for Tom Hanks’ BIGgest movie... I Women

Celebrate Hanukkah with Hadassah BIG Maxine Solvay, special to the WJN Presented by Temple Beth Emeth ight the menorah, rekindle Hadassah friendships and enjoy light refreshments. Take Friday, December 25 part in a fun gift exchange by bringing a wrapped present—make it or buy it for $10. Michigan Theater | Doors open at 10 am L Donate to Hadassah Hospital’s Campaign, We Can’t Stop the Bloodshed, But We Can Stop the Bleeding—$10 donation is suggested. The fun begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Decem- Advance purchase: $7/ti cket ber 6, at the home of Sue Adler, 3010 Exmoor. Direct questions and RSVP to Maxine Solvay (for sale unti l Dec. 22 at www.templebethemeth.org) at [email protected] or 668-1901. RSVP. At the door: $7 for children under 12, $10 for adults, children under 2 are free Regular concessions for sale.

Hadassah Hanukkah Party 2014 ORT Hanukkah party, December 10 Joan Levitt, special to the WJN On Thursday, December 10, the Ann Arbor Chapter of ORT America will host its annual “Chai’nukah” party at the home of Ruth Petit. The party will begin at 6 p.m. and include a light dinner. The admission is $18 (Chai), which will help support the programs and mis- sion of ORT America. ORT members and prospective members are invited to attend. The guest speaker will be Judith Jacobs, who will talk and show slides from her recent travels in Mongolia. This Hanukkah celebration will also feature good food, great company, candle-lighting, and a Book Exchange. Participants are asked to bring the $18 donation to ORT and a new or gently used wrapped book. Readers are urged to visit the Ann Arbor chapter’s website at www.ortannarbor.org, as well as ORT America’s national website at www.ortamerica.org, to learn about this interna- tional organization which educates and trains more than 300,000 students annually. To RSVP or for more information, contact Jayne Reiss at [email protected] or at 648- 0651. Rides are available upon request.

16 JAN

MOZART BIRTHDAY BASH JANUARY 16 8:00 p.m. MICHIGAN THEATER Arie Lipsky, conductor

Mozart Abduction from the Seraglio, semi-staged concert opera Special Guests: Jeanette Vecchione • Suzanne Rigden • Paul Appleby • Tim Culver • John Shuffle • Vocal Arts Ensemble • Stephen West a2so.com • (734) 994-4801

6 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 IRabbis' Corner

Another Jewish hero Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, special to the WJN s Hanukkah approaches, we re- The story of Hanukkah took place different approach was Rabbi Yochanan ben the study of Torah insured the survival of member the stories of the mira- around 165 B.C.E. and the temple stood Zakkai. Faced with what he saw as the cer- our people following the catastrophic de- A cles of the holiday. We consider until the year 70 C.E. when Jerusalem was tain destruction of the temple, he sought to struction of the second temple. the little jug of oil that burned for 8 days captured by the Romans and the second find a different path to preserve his people. The study of Torah sets an example for and the heroic victory of the Maccabees temple was destroyed. This destruction According to the story in the Talmud, he future generations as a means to embrace led by Judah and his brothers. could have meant the end of Jewish his- managed to escape the besieged city of Jeru- the spiritual values of our people through The heroism of the Maccabees in de- tory, as so much of Jewish life centered salem by hiding in a coffin that his students ethical living and religious practice. The feating the Syrian Greeks rightfully earned around the temple worship. carried out of the city gates towards the rabbis of following generations stressed them a place of burial grounds. the idea that the Jewish home would be- honor in our his- Instead, however, come the “new temple” and each of our tory. Defeating the he got out of the tables would replace the altar. The respon- persecuting enemy The study of Torah sets an example for future coffin and went sibility of worship shifted from the priests and reclaiming and generations as a means to embrace the spiritual to the Roman performing sacrifices to each individual’s rededicating the general, Vespa- prayer. Each Jew became personally re- Temple was a criti- values of our people through ethical living and sian to surrender. sponsible for their spiritual lives. cal victory for the All that he asked These stories of these two heroes each Jewish people. religious practice. for in return was show a different side of what it takes to pro- The retaining to be allowed to vide for our future. On the one hand, we Rabbi Robert Dobrusin of Jewish autono- But, another hero—less well known to teach Torah in the town of Yavneh. The gen- need to be Judah Maccabees, embracing our my over the land and the continuation of many than Judah Maccabee—helped to in- eral agreed. He and his students then left the institutions and our traditions and fighting Temple worship was a tremendous accom- sure the future of our people not by trying city and began to teach the oral tradition for their continued survival. On the other plishment. While we should note that the to save the temple, but by, in fact, turning that would become the Mishna, the oldest hand, we need to have a bit of Rabbi Yo- subsequent history of the Hasmoneans that away from it. post-Torah code of Jewish law. chanan ben Zakkai in us as well, looking to followed the victory was by no means posi- During the years before the destruction Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai’s action the future and taking steps to insure that fu- tive as it was a time of turmoil and abuse of of the temple, many Jews sought to rebel was likely not looked on positively by ture generations will be able to find mean- power, the victory itself was a defining mo- against Rome or take defiant stands against many Jews of the time. But his decision to, ing in being Jews as our world changes. n ment in our people’s stand against tyranny. Roman threats. One of those who took a in essence, abandon Jerusalem in favor of

An illuminating thought on Hanukkah Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN he holiday of Hanukkah will take eight parts. Theoretically, that amount of oil How can these be reconciled? According to ish people needed at that time in their fight place December 6 through Decem- should have lit the menorah for only one the third opinion, they actually filled the against the Greeks. T ber 13. We light our first candle on eighth of a night. But, miraculously, the one- cups of the menorah to the top and lit them On the one hand, they had to be willing the 6th after 6 p.m. in Ann Arbor. The mitz- eighth part of the cruse lasted a full night due according to the laws of nature. Nevertheless, to give up their lives for God because the vah of lighting the candles for eight days to a miraculous change in the burning qual- God made a miracle by allowing the lamps Greeks wanted to destroy Jewish spiritual- commemorates the miracle that took place ity of the oil. to be lit and burning but without consum- ity—that’s why the destruction of the meno- in the Holy Temple Both of these opinions have issues that ing any of the holy oil. Burning oil without rah and Temple was so important to them. after the ancient are open to questioning. consuming the oil is a very big miracle. We Consequently, the Jewish people had to de- Greeks defiled all According to the first interpretation, the have two aspects. First, it is natural oil. And vote themselves to God with an intensity that but one cruse of quantitative miracle, after the consuming of second, the cups were fully filled according was beyond reason—totally willing to sacri- the ritually pure oil the first night’s oil, it changed from natural, to Jewish law. fice their lives rather than relinquish their used for the Me- one day’s worth of oil, into miraculously cre- This is similar to another miracle that relationship with God. On the other hand, norah. Instead of ated oil for each of the remaining seven days. took place in the Temple, on an ongoing they had to live a life according to the ratio- lasting for only the In Judaism we like to work with nature, so basis, with the Holy Ark. The Holy Ark oc- nal rules of nature. This created a situation usual one day, this there is some concern about relying on the cupied physical space (2.5 cubits wide) in where they were living in a paradoxical re- cruse miraculously miraculous oil for the last seven days. This the Temple’s Tabernacle which was 10 cubits ality—simultaneously living within the laws Rabbi Aharon Goldstein lasted for eight is a concern that the scholars have with the wide. Normally, if an object 2.5 cubits wide of nature while willing to discard reason to days—the time it quantitative opinion. is placed centrally in an area that is 10 cubits follow God’s laws. This was like the candle of took to obtain new oil. There are differing The second interpretation—the one of oil wide, there are 3.75 cubits on each side of the the menorah that burned and made a flame opinions as to how this miracle took place. quality—also has concerns. By trying to use object. In reality, when someone measured according to the Natural laws, but miracu- One opinion is that even though there only one cruse for all eight cups for all eight from either side of the Holy Ark to the near- lously did not consume any of the oil for the was only enough oil to burn in the menorah days, they only filled each menorah cup one- est wall, the result was 5 cubits. Therefore, eight days. Similarly with the Jewish peo- for one day, God refilled the menorah cups eighth full. However, according to Jewish law, the Holy Ark did not occupy, or consume, ple—they were acting beyond reason within with oil each day for the eight days required the menorah in the Holy Temple had to have any space. This is a unique miracle that it is the miraculous realm but were simultane- in order to produce new oil. This is the quan- each cup fully filled—not partially filled as in in nature because the Ark, by its existence, ously grounded and working with Nature. titative explanation of the miracle—that the this case. Therefore, we have to find a third did take up space (2.5 cubits)—but relative The lesson that we can learn from this is quantity was miraculously replenished to answer that would address these problems. to the Holy Tabernacle, the Ark did not con- that a person has to work with the natural meet the needs of the Holy Temple service. The third answer takes care of both prob- sume any of the Tabernacle’s space. Simi- world but within that, to have the dedication The second opinion speaks of a qualita- lems. It concludes that the oil is not miracu- larly with the lights of the menorah, the fire to God to be willing to go beyond nature, tive miracle. The oil was only a sufficient lous oil as in the first example, and also fulfills burned the oil but did not consume the oil. beyond reason, to dedicate oneself to living amount for one night but they divided it into the requirement that the cups be fully filled. This type of miracle reflects what the Jew- one’s life according to God’s plan. n

THE DORFMAN CHAPEL Serving with Dignity, Sanctity, and Compassion Directors: Alan Dorfman & Jonathan Dorfman Providing professional and personal Funeral arrangements to the Jewish Community Now serving Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities 30440 W. 12 Mile Rd. • Farmington Hills 248-406-6000 • www.thedorfmanchapel.com

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 7 ICongregations

JCS founders return to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary Barb Banet, special to the WJN ifty years ago, Nora Litwak came home had a strong Jewish cultural identity, but did two years 42 families had joined. In that era, JCS, playing Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude. from elementary school and told her not want to join a religious congregation. just as is true today, many of the members be- Members used the occasion of the 50th an- F parents she wanted to go to Sunday It didn’t take long for the Litwaks and longed to interfaith/intercultural families, and niversary to delve into the organization’s his- school with her classmates. Right away Eleanor Rothmans to discover that other University of parents played an important role in running tory, connect with its earliest members, survey and Eugene Litwak knew they had to come up Michigan faculty friends were facing the same the organization. the JCS alumni, and sift through hundreds of with an alternative plan. Nora’s classmates were dilemma. Like-minded families included Ja- On Sunday, November 1, four of the photographs. Their efforts resulted in a de- “German Lutherans” and the Litwaks were net and Charles Garvin and Anitra and Jesse founding families met with over 150 current tailed timeline, a slide show, and 14 display secular Jews. In another Ann Arbor house- Gordon, as well as others, most of whom were members and friends of what is now the Jew- panels with photographs and other memo- hold, a similar event took place. Amy Roth- social scientists at the U-M. Although they ish Cultural Society of Ann Arbor (JCS) to rabilia illustrating the many components of man, daughter of Judy and Jack Rothman, had had many different ideas about what should celebrate the organization’s golden anniversa- the JCS. Displays included: the Sunday school reached the age for attending Sunday school, (or shouldn’t) be included in the curriculum, ry at the Jewish Community Center of Greater for children from preschool to eighth grade, but no school existed that would meet her fam- by the end of 1965 the Jewish Cultural School Ann Arbor. From the founders who travelled life-cycle events (from baby namings through ily’s needs. They, too, were secular Jews who of Ann Arbor had been created, and within from New York and California, along with memorials), Shabbat observances, Jewish those who still live in Ann Arbor, the audience holidays, and adult education programs. learned about the triumphs and accomplish- Also illustrated was the unique secular bar/ ments, as well as the trials and tribulations, bat mitzvah program that the JCS youngsters they experienced during the early years. Julie and their families experience. As part of their Gales, the current JCS Madrikha (ceremonial highly individualized rite-of-passage, students leader), led the short program that followed a engage in interviews, community service, and Simply Scrumptious brunch. Wendy Sadler, a variety of projects of particular interest to PHOTO BY ILENE TYLER BY ILENE PHOTO executive director and school principal, and them. The special contributions of a number teachers Yarden Ginsburg and Cassidy Mora- of JCS members were highlighted in a booklet vy-Penchansky, presented a short video in called “Shepping Naches.” More members will which the current JCS students shared their be featured in the months ahead. thoughts about JCS and about being secular The Jewish Cultural Society is affiliated in humanistic Jews. Chad Wood, the president- North America with the Congress of Secular elect, and his wife Mahya, spoke about why Jewish Organizations. For more information, the JCS is important to them. The program contact: [email protected] at 975- ended with Gabe Kleer, a 2012 graduate of 9872, or www.jewishculturalsociety.org. n

Wendy Sadler and children singing Happy Birthday to the Jewish Cultural Society PHOTO BY ILENE TYLER BY ILENE PHOTO PHOTO BY ILENE TYLER BY ILENE PHOTO

Fourteen display panels depicting the Jewish Cultural Society Participants looksat the display panels depicting the JCS PHOTO BY ABBIE LAWRENCE-JACOBSON BY PHOTO ABBIE LAWRENCE-JACOBSON BY PHOTO

Jack Rothman sharing the history of the JCS Left to right: JCS Founders: Jesse Gordon, Charles and Janet Garvin, Judy and Jack Rothman, Eugene and Eleanor Litwak

8 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 Adolescent Group Psychotherapy Parents, are you concerned about your teenager? Group therapy can help your child overcome difficulties with peers, family members and other issues they encounter in today’s world. Boy’s group, grades 7-9 Mondays: 4:15 to 5:45 pm. Mixed group, grades 10-12 Wednesdays: 5:00-6:00 pm. JCS December and Brian Ashin, LMSW, CGP. Individual, group and couples therapy. 300 N. Fifth Ave. Suite 245 • Ann Arbor, MI. 48104 January events (734) 678-3281 • [email protected] • brianashin.com Wendy Sadler, special to the WJNf First Friday Shabbat December 4, 6:30–9 p.m., at the JCC Once a month Jewish Cultural Society comes together to welcome Shabbat with songs, candle lighting, wine, and challah, followed by a short thematic program, in which members of the congregation offer their thoughts about the theme. After the Shabbat service, there is a meal and time to schmooze. Children are always welcome. First Friday begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the lounges at the JCC. The cost of dinner is $10/person or $25/family of 4. Financial contributions make it possible for JCS to continue their culinary themes. RSVP online (www.jewishculturalsociety. org) to ensure that enough food is ordered. Hanukkah celebration December 6, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the November 1, 2015 JCC David Shtulman Family- Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor oriented 2939 Birch Hollow Drive program fea- Ann Arbor, MI 48108 turing candle lighting, singing & dancing, bounce houses, games, and a Hanukkah Dear David Shtulman: Shop where kids can purchase gifts for a On behalf of Charity Navigator, I wish to congratulate Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor on achieving our nominal fee for family and friends. And, of coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. course, lots and lots of latkes! All invited. As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, Adult education transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. In this December 20, 10 a.m.–noon, at the JCC competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine Longtime member Bob Davidow will work of efficient, ethical and open charities. Our goal in all of this is to provide donors with essential information facilitate this session; checkjewishcultur- needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make. alsociety.org for updated information. Based on the most recent information available, we have issued a new rating for your organization. We are proud to announce Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor has earned a 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four First Friday Shabbat stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of January 8, 6:30–9 p.m., at the JCC: unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Approximately a quarter of the Once a month JCS members welcome charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor Shabbat with songs, candle lighting, wine, outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates and challah, followed by a short thematic Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust. program, in which members of the con- gregation offer their thoughts about the Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger's Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled and celebrated our unique theme. After the Shabbat service, there method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. We evaluate ten times more charities than our nearest competitor and currently attract more visitors to our website than all other charity rating groups combined, thus making is a meal and time to chmooze. Children us the leading charity evaluator in America. Our data shows that users of our site gave more than they planned to are always welcome. First Friday begins before viewing our findings, and in fact, it is estimated that last year Charity Navigator influenced approximately $10 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the lounges billion in charitable gifts. at the JCC. The cost of dinner is $10/per- son or $25/family of 4. Financial contribu- We believe our service will enhance your organization's fundraising and public relations efforts. Our favorable review tions make it possible for JCS to continue of Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor's fiscal health and commitment to accountability & transparency is now their culinary themes. RSVP online (www. visible on our website. jewishculturalsociety.org) to ensure that We wish you continued success in your charitable endeavors. enough food is ordered. Sincerely, Tu B’shevat celebration January 24 Celebrate the New Year of the Michael Thatcher Trees with an en- President and CEO vironmentally-fo- cused event. Check JCS website for de- tails. Adult Education January 31, 10 a.m.–noon, at the JCC. Topic will be announced on the JCS website, jewishculturalsociety.org; check back for updated information. n

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 9 I Congregations

December/January programs at Beth Israel Congregation Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN Sounds of the Soul sour chicken (or seitan), sesame noodles the community is welcome to join these Shabbat Limmud. Tuesdays, December 8 and January 19, and fortune cookies. The “House Of Israel classes, taught by two veteran Hebrew Saturdays, December 5, 19, and January 16 7–7:30 p.m. - Kaifeng” event is named after Kaifeng, instructors, Malli Holoshitz and Pauli and 30. 9–9:45 a.m. This gathering will utilize both traditional a city in China with a Jewish community Weizman. The tuition fee is $180 for members Held before Shabbat morning services, and contemporary liturgy and reflections to that flourished for hundreds of years. The of either congregation, $200 for non-members, these sessions, with coffee and cake, offer create sacred space through song and prayer. Kaifeng Jewish community existed since at and $50 for full-time college students. The 12- lively discussions on Parashat Hashavua, the This series is devoted to a variety of focus, least the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) week second semester will begin in January. Torah portion of the week or other texts. Led including joy, gratitude, requests, and peace. and perhaps earlier. Today it is estimated For registration information, contact Cindy by Rabbi Robert Dobrusin. With Rabbi Kim Blumenthal, Davie Rosen, that there are as few as 100 Jewish families Saper at 665-9897. (guitar) and Bob Carbeck (drums). in Kaifeng, with only 40–50 that partake in Social Action Film Mini Series: The Jewish activities. Sweatshirt Shabbat and StoryCircle Great Dictator January 9, 9:30 a.m. Family Hanukkah Party, Magic Show Reservations for the House of Israel— Sunday, December 6, 1:30 p.m. Come dressed in your favorite sweatshirt and Latke Dinner Kaifeng Chinese dinner are required in Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee (school, camp, university, tourist location Wednesday, December 9, 6–8 p.m. advance and can be made by contacting launches a new Film Series starting etc.) for a warm and friendly Shabbat the Beth Israel office at 665-9897 or office@ with The Great Dictator, a 1940 morning service, followed by Kiddush bethisrael-aa.org American satirical political comedy-drama luncheon with a variety of cholent dishes film written, directed, produced, scored Spotlight on Richard Primus: Same- plus other choices as well. There is no charge by and starring Charlie Chaplin. This was for the luncheon. Sex Marriage and the Constitution Chaplin’s first true talking picture and his After kiddush join us for StoryCircle, an January 10, 7:45 p.m. most commercially successful venture. opportunity to tell and listen to stories and In the summer of 2015, the United States Chaplin plays both leading roles: a ruthless memories from your personal experiences. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples fascist dictator, and a persecuted Jewish must be permitted to marry on the same 100th Anniversary Kick-off Shabbat barber. University Professor Emeritus Todd terms as opposite-sex couples. The ruling Saturday, January 23, 9:30 a.m. Endelman will make the introductory remarks marks the greatest revolution in American Kickoff Shabbat starts Beth Israel’s year- and lead a discussion after the screening. social structure at least since Brown v. Board long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Education. Indeed, in some ways it is a Volunteer Brunch and Social Action of the founding of the congregation. The more revolutionary development even than oldest Jewish institution in Ann Arbor, Beth Film Mini-Series – Grown in Detroit the one marked by Brown. This discussion Israel has provided a spiritual, social and Sunday, January 24, 10 a.m.–noon will analyze the historical process that led communal home for the Jewish community This annual volunteer brunch honors all to same-sex marriage and what it says more of Ann Arbor since 1916. There will be a full past, present and future volunteers involved broadly about rights of equality under the kiddush lunch on this day, as the congregation in Beth Israel tikkun olam endeavors U.S. Constitution. This fun evening event will feature a begins the festivities for what is sure to be a (overflow homeless shelter, blood drive, Richard Primus is the Theodore J. community candle lighting ceremony, a meaningful year for the congregation, and alpha house etc). As part of the morning, St. Antoine Collegiate Professor at the magic show performed by A2 Magic, and a for the entire Ann Arbor Jewish community. Grown in Detroit will be screened. The film latke and fish stick dinner. University of will be introduced by The cost of the Family Hanukkah Party is Michigan Law Quiz Night Eitan Sussman, co- $8 per adult with no charge for children. To School, where Saturday, January 30, 7 p.m. director and manager RSVP contact the Beth Israel office at 665- he teaches Quiz Night is an interactive, multi- of Advanced Programs 9897 or [email protected]. t h e l a w , media trivia competition where teams for Keep Growing theory, and compete for fame, bragging rights, and Detroit. Advanced Overnight Homeless Shelter history of the the title of Beth Israel’s Trivia Masters. The Programs for Keep Volunteers Needed United States charismatic game show host for Quiz Night Growing Detroit is a Monday, December 21–Monday, December 28 Constitution. is Jacob Kander, program director at Beth network and resource Each winter, Beth Israel Congregation He served as Israel. Teams of 8-10 people will compete to center working to participates in the Shelter Association of a law clerk answer questions on diverse topics, covering promote a “food Washtenaw County’s rotating shelter program to Justice a variety of categories, time periods, and sovereign Detroit” where the majority of for one week and hosts up to 30 overflow Ruth Bader disciplines. In between rounds there will be fruits and vegetables consumed by Detroiters guests per night from the main shelter on Ginsburg at the U.S. Supreme Court, and a break for schmoozing over ice cream cakes are grown by residents within the city’s limits. 312 W. Huron. Beth Israel is responsible for in 2008 he won the first-ever Guggenheim and other snacks. Teams may be formed in Grown in Detroit is a one-hour providing 3-4 volunteers staying overnight, Foundation Fellowship in Constitutional advance or can be assembled on the night of documentary about the Catherine Ferguson and 3-4 drivers each morning and evening Studies for his work on the relationship the competition. The cost is $10 for adults Academy, a Detroit Public School dedicated to drive the guests to and from Beth Israel. between history and constitutional and $5 for high school students. Doors will to helping pregnant and parenting teens In the morning the guests are driven to St. interpretation. Richard holds a bachelor’s open at 6:30 p.m. for registration and table complete their high-school education. More Andrew’s Church for the Breakfast Program. degree from Harvard, a law degree from assignments and the wildly entertaining than 300 girls and their children attend the The overnight shelter is a great way to Yale, and a doctorate in political theory from competition begins at 7 p.m. school. One of the many things that make the introduce children to the world of mitzvot Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He Academy different is the farm they started. and community service. Older children, is pretty sure, though, that a lot of what has Friday Night Lights The girls grow organic vegetables, raise fruit significant others, non-Beth Israel friends enabled him to be a successful law professor Friday, January 29, 6 p.m. trees, tend to honey bees, and take care of and relatives are all welcome to volunteer. is what he learned in two other educational The evening begins with a family friendly animals. The goal is to feed these families Online signup is available online by settings: Camp Young Judaea Midwest and Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6 pm, followed both body and soul. They sell the extra visiting the Beth Israel website at www. the South Bend Hebrew Day School. The by a dairy dinner. The cost of dinner for ages harvest at Eastern Market, the area’s beloved bethisrael-aa.org under “events” then “event students of the University of Michigan 4 and above is $8 per person. Children ages 3 historic public marketplace. sign up.” Offline signup and additional Law School have given Richard the L. Hart and under attend for no charge. This is the second movie in the Social information is available by contacting Wright award, which is the award for the law Action Film Mini-Series. Rebecca Kanner (994-5717) or Diane Wilson school’s teacher of the year, on four separate Lunch & Learn Series (995-5411). occasions. Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, and Tot Shabbat The Spotlight Series features Beth Israel January 6, 13, 20, and 27, Noon–1:15 p.m. Saturdays, December 12 and 26, January 9 House of Israel— congregants presenting from a particular Garfunkel Schteingart Activities Center and 23, 11:15 a.m. Kaifeng Chinese Dinner area of expertise. (2010 Washtenaw) Tot Shabbat is a Saturday morning Rabbi Robert Dobrusin and Rabbi Kim Thursday, December 24, 6 p.m. program/service for parents and their Adult Hebrew Classes (Winter Term) Blumenthal lead informal discussions on On the evening of December 24, Beth children 2–5 years old which includes songs, Beth Israel Congregation and Temple current topics. Participants are invited to Israel will once again host a community stories, and prayers. It includes songs, the Beth Emeth offer Adult Hebrew classes at bring a dairy lunch. Beverages and snacks Chinese dinner. This year’s dinner is catered mysterious “Shabbat Box” a Torah procession varying levels of difficulty, in both Biblical will be provided. by Chef Cari and features egg drop soup, with stuffed Torah toys, and a Kiddush for and conversational Hebrew. Everyone in n Asian slaw, veggie egg rolls, sweet and tots. There is no charge for this program. 10 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 Coming programs at Temple Beth Emeth Avital Ostfield, special to the WJN Shalom Gever | Peaceful Warrior are available in the TBE office. After dinner R and R Throws a Hanukkah Potluck December 25th Movie, Big we will enjoy a Shira, a joyous, active song Saturday, December 12, 6 p.m. Doors open at 10 a.m., Michigan Theater Martial Arts fest, followed by a popsicle oneg. Mondays, December 7, 14, 21, 28 and Chapel Hill Condominiums. 3350 Green Rd. Join in for Tom Hanks’ BIGgest movie— January 4, 11, 18 and 25; 4:15–7 p.m.; TBE Bring a gift, a dish to share and your over- the 1988 classic, Big! Advance tickets for sale Sukkat Shalom, The Peaceful Shelter all Hanukkah excitement. Cost is $3. RSVP at $7, visit secure.templebethemeth.org to Social Hall of Shabbat—Elementary Shabbat Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and to Miriam Shaw, [email protected]. purchase. Tickets at the door, $10/adults, $7/ Services with Rabbi Levy children ages 12 and under. Children ages 2 January 5, 12, 19 and 26; 4:15–5:45 p.m., [E]met: An Honest Conversation TBE Core December 4, 11, 18, 25 and January 1, 8, and under are free. Regular concessions will Fridays, December 4, 11, 18, 25 and 15, 22 and 29; 5:45 p.m., TBE Chapel; 6:15 about Death be for sale. January 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; 3:30–5:45 p.m., p.m., dinner; 6:45 p.m., Shira service Thursday, January 7, 7 p.m., Rooms 7 and 8 Latkes! Lights! Hanukkah! TBE Core What to do after Tot Shabbat no longer Remember the two topics never dis- Friday, December 11 Try out this unique martial arts meets your needs and, more importantly, cussed at the dinner table, sex and death? Brotherhood Latke Dinner, 6:30 p.m. instruction including lessons in how to live the needs of your children? Not to worry, Well we’ve had the sex talk. Now let’s talk Hanukkah Service with Worship Band, a healthy lifestyle, be energetic, do well in we are expanding service offerings for our about death. Come join us for the second 7:30 p.m. school and learn anti-bullying self-defense. youngest members. Join in for Sukkat Sha- year of this discussion group about death. Annual congregation dinner sponsored 12-week semesters for belt advancement. lom, The Peaceful Shelter of Shabbat. Held The purpose is to increase the awareness of by Brotherhood. $12 for adults and $6 for Drop-in when schedules permit. Enrollment parallel to Tot Shabbat, this will be a quieter death with a view to helping people make children under the age of 12. Tickets can be is open for students and their parents. moment for our children in grades K-3. the most of their (finite) lives. [E]met is a purchased at secure.templebethemeth.org Shalom Gever is taught by Rabbi Peter group-directed discussion of death with no or call the TBE office at 665-4744. Be sure to Gluck, 5th Degree Black Belt and martial Weekly Lunch and Learn specific agenda other than to share stories, bring your menorah and candles. It will be a arts instructor for 18 years. Contact the Fridays, December 4, 11, 18 and January ideas and experiences. While a decidedly night to remember! Temple Beth Emeth office at 665-4744 or 8, 15 and 22; 12:30–1:30 p.m., TBE Adult Jewish context will be offered, the discus- Rabbi Gluck, [email protected], for Lounge sion is not limited to any one belief. [E]met Rishonim Hanukkah Party more registration information. Each week, Rabbi Levy brings his choice is not a grief support group or a counseling of text. Texts will come from both inside and session, but rather an opportunity to grap- Sunday, December 6, 3–4:30 p.m. Join 3-5th graders to celebrate Hanukkah Adult Jewish Yoga with Shlomit outside the Jewish tradition, from the Torah ple with this important part of life within a with games and fun. RSVP to tbeyouth.annar- Thursdays, December 3, 10 and 17 and to the medieval period, through to moder- community of others. This will be co-facili- [email protected]. All are welcome. Cost $15. January 7, 14, 21 and 28; Noon–1:15 p.m.; nity. Feel free to come whenever you can and tated by Brian Ashin and Rabbi Levy. Family Room bring your lunch. Rishonim Snow Fun The classes are located at TBE on the Men’s Torah Study Sunday, January 10, 2016, 1–3 p.m. Spirituality Book Club Mondays, December 14 and January 11 lower level in rooms 9 and 10. Set an inten- Save-the date for Snow fun. Location Tuesdays, December 8 and January 12, and 25, 7–8:30 p.m.; TBE, Room 16 tion based on the weekly Torah portion and TBD. For more information email tbeyouth. 7:30–8:30 p.m., Adult Lounge A men’s Torah discussion group led by work on your strength all at the same time! [email protected] BYOM (Bring your own mat). Semester Thursday, December 10 and January 14, both lay and clergy leadership. It is lay led price is $120 or you can purchase a punch Noon–1 p.m., Adult Lounge on the 2nd Monday and led by Rabbi Levy Kadima Late Night with Latkes card with 10 classes and the 11th free for Join Cantor Emerita Annie Rose as she on the 4th Monday. We will continue to find leads a journey through this year’s books Friday, December 11, 6:15 p.m. $100. Contact aostfield@templebethemeth. our way as men by wrestling with text. For Join middle school aged students for a over 8 months, generously sponsored by org for more information or to purchase a more information, contact Roger Stutesman night of Hanukkah fun. Beginning at the punch card. at [email protected]. annual Brotherhood latke dinner, followed Women’s Torah Study by services and an evening program. RSVP Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit to [email protected]. Cost $15 Mondays, December 14 and January 11 Thursdays, December 3, 10 and 17 and and 25, 7–8:30 p.m., TBE Adult Lounge January 7, 14, 21 and 28; 1:15-2 p.m. Chapel AARTY Hanukkah Shul-In Join in for in-depth study and lively dis- For practitioners of all levels. Intention Friday, December 11, 6:15 p.m. cussion of the week’s Torah portion led by and instruction followed by 30-minute si- Join high school students for an annual Cantor Regina Hayut. The group will explore lent meditation. Facilitated by SooJi Min, lock in event. Beginning with the Brother- various passages from the portion looking at Judy Freedman, and Quyen Epstein-Ngo. hood latke dinner and Hanukkah services several translations and commentaries from SooJi Min is TBE’s executive director. She and many other late night festivities. Cost: a variety of scholars from Talmudic times to recently completed a 16-month mindful- $15 Please RSVP by December 1 to aost- the modern day. No Hebrew knowledge nec- ness teacher training program sponsored by [email protected]. essary to participate in the discussion. For the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and the questions, contact Cantor Regina Hayut at Awakened Heart Project. Judy Freedman has the Year of the Torah Fund. December’s AARTY Winter Kallah [email protected]. been meditating for over 20 years. She at- book is The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Friday, January 22- Sunday, January 24 Wisdom of the 23rd Psalm, by Rabbi Harold tended a three-year training in Jewish Medi- Sunday Afternoons with Memoir Mark your calendars for the regional tation sponsored by the Philips Foundation Kushner and January’s book is God in Our NFTY event hosted at TBE. More informa- at Chochmat ha Lev. She has previously Relationships: Spirituality Between People Writers tion to come. Contact aostfield@templebet- taught at TBE and is excited to return. Quy- from the Teachings of Martin Buber, by Walking Made My Path, by Judith Elkin; hemeth.org. en Epstein-Ngo is a therapist who holds a Dennis S. Ross. Please sign up for the book December 13, 4:30–6 p.m. joint doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology club by emailing Annie Rose at cantoran- Through Brooklyn Eyes, by Martin Save the Date: MLK Activities and Women’s Studies. One of the areas she [email protected] or drop in to any of the Stolzenberg; January 10, 4:30–6 p.m. TBE Sunday, January 10 Mark your calendars for a day of MLK specializes in is working with adolescents, meetings. View the full brochure at www. Library volunteer activities. For more information adults, and couples on issues of faith and templebethemeth.org. Hear from local memoir writers about what it took for them to write and publish contact [email protected]. spirituality. Contact SooJi Min with ques- Jewish Storytellers in America tions, 665-4744. memoirs. No RSVP necessary, all members Thursday, December 10, 7-8:30 p.m., of the Jewish community welcome! TBE All Ensemble Concert Families with Young Children (FYC): Room 16 Sunday, January 31, 4-6 p.m. How have Jewish storytellers in mod- Monday Evening Memoir Writing All of TBE’s music groups will join togeth- Tot Shabbat Service ern America sustained and renewed this Workshops er for an afternoon of lively entertainment. December 4, 11, 18, 25 and January 1, 8, Free admission. For more information, con- key aspect of Jewish culture? Join us for a December 7 and January 4, 7–9 p.m., TBE 15, 22 and 29; 5:45 p.m., TBE Sanctuary; mini-course, taught by Julian Levinson, tact [email protected]. n 6:15 p.m. Dinner, 6:45 p.m. Shira Service Library Samuel Shetzer Associate Professor of Read and discuss contemporary memoirs All of your favorite songs led by Cantor American Jewish Studies (jlevinso@umich. Hayut. Join us for macaroni and cheese, fish written by Jews around the world, learn the edu), in which we will read and discuss a nuts and bolts of memoir writing, and re- sticks, applesauce, and a salad bar immedi- sampling of Jewish stories written in the ately following the short service. Dinner is ceive support for your writing process and United States since 1945. This session will endeavors with TBE Librarian Clare Kinberg. just $5 per person. Buy a punch card ahead focus on American Jewish Writers on Israel. of time for a discounted price. Punch cards Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 11 IHanukkah

Eight ways to celebrate Hanukkah that don’t involve gifts By Maayan Jaffe/JNS.org espite Hanukkah being one of den inside the house,” says Arnold. “When members that as a child she and her family the few Jewish holidays not men- we light, we make a big deal to put it in the would work with a local charity to receive D tioned in the Torah, it gets a lot window…and help people remember that the names of local families in need—Jewish of play—pun intended. Shmuel Arnold of you can be proud to be a Jew.” and non-Jewish. Then, she and her siblings Baltimore recalls how while growing up in a would be provided those families’ holiday secular Jewish household, his parents made Dreidel tournament wish lists and go shopping for them (instead an extra effort to give Hanukkah gifts every You have a little dreidel—so use it! Pull of for themselves). Once the gifts were pur- night. Sometimes they needed to get creative, the neighbors, young and old, together for chased, they would hand wrap them and de- like wrapping socks or delivering a gift from a dreidel tournament. Break into teams of liver them in person. an extended family member. three and four and get spinning. We use “I remember one year, we got to this fam- Without even a rendition of “Rock of Ages” candy as prizes. (It’s best to use something ily, went upstairs and they had a tree, but around the Hanukkah menorah, Arnold says wrapped since it will be touched by lots of it was completely empty underneath,” Katz the holiday had one meaning: presents. Today, little hands). says. “We put all the gifts there and it was so however, married with three children ranging You can purchase dreidels in bulk from Ju- unexpected. The children were so happy.” in age from 9 to 18, Arnold—like many other daica.com or often at your local synagogue’s parents—tries to infuse more meaning into the gift shop. It adds to the excitement when you Re-enact the Hanukkah story have dreidels of various sizes and colors. Younger children can enjoy a game of Festival of Lights. ensure her print looks authentic. She uses the If you’re particularly serious about dress-up. If you have enough kids or can get With eight days of Hanukkah coming up, same color for the palm and the fingers and dreidel-playing, I found a website for a “Chai classmates involved, a re-enactment of the here are eight ways to celebrate the holiday then adds perfect yellow or orange ovals on top. that don’t involve gifts: stakes” dreidel tournament that breaks down Hanukkah story can add to the spirit of the Hanukkah party the “official” rules and regulations for “World eight days. Kids enjoy dressing up in togas Hanukkah crafts It might not seem so original, but Ha- Series Dreidel.” In my house, however, we (just use some old sheets) and wielding plas- Every year, children learn how to light the nukkah is great time for a party. Unlike other seem to do better when the children are free tic swords and shields. To make it easier, use candles and about the miracle of the Mac- Jewish holidays that involve extra time in to cry over spinning too many Hebrew-letter a book, such as “The Story of Hanukkah” by cabees in school or Hebrew school. They synagogue, or for Orthodox Jews might pre- shins (put two antes in the center), and the Norma Simon, as a guide. also make a token Hanukkah menorah (or clude playing music or driving, Hanukkah is prize is Hershey’s KissesTM. If your own children don’t want to dress hanukkiah)—likely out of clay, nuts, and eight days (except for a regularly observed up and tell the Hanukkah story, Chabad.org bolts. Fun and creative activities can help Shabbat) of unabashed fun. Talk about the miracle has a large collection of Hanukkah videos As Arnold’s children have gotten older, he Hanukkah come alive at home, too. Pinter- Birthday in a Box offers traditional Ha- that both educate and entertain. uses the 30 minutes required to sit around est has a colorful variety of Hanukkah crafts nukkah party tips, as well as some fun and the Hanukkah candles as a way to discuss the that work for children ranging from toddlers quirky new spins on Hanukkah decorations, Sufganiyot miracles of the holiday and some of its more Hanukkah is sweeter and oily-finger-lickin’ through high schoolers. food, and favors. A favorite in my house is the Hanukkah esoteric significance. good with homemade sufganiyot (deep-fried handprint. Children dip their palms into a Hanukkah tour “When Hashem created the world there jelly doughnuts). Miriam Litt of Modi’in, Is- bowl of fabric paint and stamp it on a sweat- If you live in a “Jewish area,” where lots were no stars or planets. The or—the light— rael, recalls how she used to spend hours in shirt (it works on paper, too, but a sweat- of families celebrate the holiday, Arnold sug- was a non-physical or. That or, the light of the kitchen baking Hanukkah donuts. shirt is more practical). Then, they dip each gests taking a “hanukkiah tour.” He says in God, is what the Yevanim (Greeks) were “I used real whipping cream and added of their fingers into paint to create finger that Baltimore or Israel (where he used to trying to knock out of the world,” “Arnold pudding and then I would squirt it inside,” candles. Finally, they take their thumb and live), one can walk around the streets and see explains. “I tell my children that we can use she says. stamp it in the middle—the shamash (work- everyone’s lights in the windows. Hashem’s light like a soldier uses night vision Sometimes, she would get creative by er candle). Add a flame to each candle, and “It’s amazing…Being a yid is something goggles…to see His hidden miracles, to ap- mixing up the creamy flavors. you’re done! you don’t have to hide anymore. When my preciate the spiritual light.” “I did my thing and the kids—they sure My younger kids love the feel of the gushy father was growing up he used to get beaten liked eating it,” Miriam says with a laugh. n paint and often use a different color for every up for being Jewish and he learned to place Shop- for someone in need Rebecca Katz of Overland Park, Kan., re- finger candle. My oldest daughter is careful to the menorah on the table, somewhere hid- Eight de-‘light’-ful gifts for eight Hanukkah nights By Alina Dain Sharon/JNS.org anukkah is known as the Festival Tank” reality TV show, might just be the is also Hanukkah-themed, consider some- Night 7: Unique menorah of Lights. On each night we light thing for interfaith families. Celebrate thing like this Hanukkah Glass Block Night If you’re choosing to gift someone a H one more candle to remember the Christmas and Hanukkah together—Chris- Light on Etsy.com. menorah, pick something quirky and fun. victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and mukkah, as it’s become known—with this The International Business Times compiled the rededication of the Second Temple. But sparkling Star of David on top of your tree. Night 5: Flashlight or headlamp some examples in 2014. Additional Internet there are more ways to create light than using Your tree’s lights will make the Hanukkah For the gadget or camping enthusiast, research will surely yield a multitude of op- Hanukkah menorah candles. JNS.org offers tree topper shine even more. a wearable headlamp will make a cool gift. tions. Pictured is one that I received as a gift a list of eight gifts, one for each night of the Besthiking.net surveyed the best headlamps some time ago. holiday, that are guaranteed to light up your Night 3: Glow sticks of 2015 here. A favorite of mine, which I pur- friend or loved-one’s Hanukkah. Kids love these on the 4th of July and New chased as a gift, is the Petzl Tikka headlamp. Night 8: Diamonds Year’s Eve, so why not on Hanukkah? Get a It is available at a number of sporting stores What special someone doesn’t like dia- Night 1: Lantern bunch of these and distribute them to your or on Amazon.com. monds? Whether or not you have an addi- Lanterns can make wonderful gifts. Con- family. Turn off the lights and have them tional reason to splurge, or just because, a sider buying a unique, decorative lantern like wave these as you light your candles for an Night 6: Donate, be social, be creative shining piece of jewelry will surely make her this example from Etsy.com, or if you’re on a extra-glowing pizzazz. Use Hanukkah as an occasion to help your smile this Hanukkah. While you can gift this budget or feeling crafty, make it yourself. A local Jewish community. For instance, host a on any night, waiting until the eighth night gift can be much more meaningful when you Night 4: Night light menorah or candle-donation drive, and use of Hanukkah could make this gift extra spe- try to make it more personal. Check out the For kids who don’t like the dark, a night the items to “light up” the holiday for those cial. And if she wears the piece next to the instructions for these 11 DIY lanterns from light is a must. Make it a fun gift by picking in need. Alternatively, contribute to a drive al- menorah candles, she will sparkle with light Country Living that you can customize for a light with a cute design, such as the Gum- ready being run by your local synagogue. As like the beautiful lady she is. n in-door use during Hanukkah. myLamp Gummy Bear Nightlight. Not only part of this, you can even get your community is the light fun and friendly, but kids will be in the creative mood by organizing an event Honorary mentions: The Glow in the Dark Night 2: Hanukkah tree topper reassured that they won’t have to fear the to make your own Hanukkah candles, which Dreidel Glasses or the LED Light-Up Hanuk- This Christmas tree topper, which gained dark after the Hanukkah lights go out. For a can then be donated. Here are candle-making kah Menorah Necklaces for some extra humor publicity with an appearance on the “Shark more adult-appropriate, decorative gift that instructions from Chabad.org. and fun!

12 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I Teens Celebrate With Us! Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Weddings and Receptions Life’s Other Milestones (Kosher Caterers Welcome!) Two communities, one family: Enriching Ann Arbor Since 1951! Join Us! Casual to Fine Dining The 2015 Student Exchange Program Programs and Classes Max Glick, special to the WJN Guest Speakers Community Service or dozens of teens in Ann Arbor, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook allowed Duplicate and Social Bridge Moshav Nahalal is not a random com- this international group to stay close even Event Hosting Privileges Fmunity in Israel but instead represents though they were an ocean apart. For seven Much More! their second home. On October 29, Ann Arbor days, the Ann Arbor and Nahalal groups be- welcomed ten teens from Nahalal for final part came one and experienced Ann Arbor together. 1830 Washtenaw Avenue of the 2015 Ann Arbor-Nahalal Student Ex- Being Jewish in America is very different Ann Arbor, MI 48104 change program. When the Nahalal group left than being Jewish in Israel and the teens were 734-662-3279 a week later, it was with tears of sadness along able to experience both. Visits to the Tot Shab- www.annarborcityclub.org with new memories and experiences that will bat program at the JCC, Hebrew Day School, stay with them for the rest of their lives. Beth Israel Congreagation’s Sunday morning As Isabel, one of this year’s participants ex- school and the Keshet program, helped show plained it, “This experience has brought me so the extra efforts needed to get a Jewish educa- tion in America. A conversation with Rabbi Levy at Temple Beth Emeth focused on the uniqueness of a synagogue and church sharing one building. Liraz Co- hen, Michigan Hillel’s Israel Fellow, helped highlight the excit- ing work Hillel does to engage thousands of Jewish students on Michigan’s campus, while classroom vis- its at Pioneer High School highlighted more similarities than Nahalal group visiting HDS during recess many things, but most of all, so much happi- ness and a fam- ily I know I will always have.” Since 2010, this two-part exchange pro- gram high- lights both the uniqueness and richness the two communities have in com- mon and has allowed almost 100 local teens The entire group after packing almost 500 bags of food at Food Gatherers an opportunity to build lifelong friendships in Nahalal. The differences between the two communities. program starts with a weeklong visit to Ann Ar- Although Jewish and academic life in bor’s Israeli partnership community of Moshav America are a key part of this experience, there Nahalal (located in Israel’s Central-Galilee re- was plenty of time for local teens to show their gion) and concludes when teens from Nahalal friends what it’s like being a teenager in Ann pack up and visit their friends here in Ann Ar- Arbor. Local teens showed the Israelis how to bor. This program is funded by the Ann Arbor ice skate for the first time and the best tech- Federation’s Partnership2Gether allocation nique to carving a pumpkin. The group even and is an integral part of the Michigan-Central had private use of the entire ropes course at the Galilee P2G program in partnership with the West Bloomfield Adventure Park. Excursions Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. to local landmarks were peppered across the Do you remember your first Halloween? entire week including: a private tour of the Big Or the first time you experienced a Michigan House, lunch at Zingerman’s, packing almost fall? For those who have been to Israel, do 500 bags of food at Food Gatherers and paint- you remember your first trip? For teens who ing the Rock. take part in this program, all those memories Beyond the site visits, conversations and are crystal clear. tours, the group bonded around bonfires, at From the moment this year’s Israeli delega- group dinners and during their sleepover. If tion arrived in Ann Arbor, they were welcomed you asked the teens what stands out most to like family. As each van rolled into the Jewish them about this program, they would most Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor likely answer: “I now have family in Nahalal.” n 336 S. STATE STREET, ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 | 734.761.6207 from the airport, local teens ran to greet their www.BivouacAnnArbor.com jetlagged Israeli friends. Online apps such as Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 13 Surprises Await Early Bird Discount $25 off/week

Registration Opens January 1st

Early Bird rate expires January 31st

Register online camp.jccannarbor.org Photo by Carrie Bank

2935 Birch Hollow Drive • Ann Arbor, Michigan • 48108 • (734)-971-0990 • jccannarbor.org

14 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I Youth

Hebrew Day School students champion Alzheimer’s Disease research Kristin Cahill and Erin Mobley, special to the WJN very year Carol Gannon, the fifth grade out by the Ann Arbor Area Community Founda- Ann Arbor Community Foundation’s Youth nity. In addition to educating various commu- teacher at Hebrew Day School of Ann tion Youth Council. By March 31st, the students Council and the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease nity organizations, the MADC conducts and EArbor, teaches her students about phi- had turned their $100 into over $1000 through Center have given us the priceless opportunity supports innovative research into the causes lanthropy through a year-long project that be- numerous fundraising events and a letter-writ- to do just that. They expanded the walls of our and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other gins with an application for grant funding from ing campaign soliciting matching donations. classroom by infusing real world experiences dementias, and provides wellness programs for the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. On April 28, Cahill and Davis attended the into this project, and watching this unfold has those with memory loss and the people who This year, the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Mini Grant Reception at Eberwhite Elementary been incredibly rewarding.” care for them. For more information about Center (MADC) was the fortunate beneficiary School. Ms. Gannon’s 5th grade class presented MADC Director Henry Paulson MD PhD the MADC, see www.alzheimers.med.umich. of this project. Cahill and Davis with a $1,437.55 gift to support said, “This was a wonderful experience, as much edu. For those who would like to be involved MADC research. These for our Center as it was for Ms. Gannon’s stu- in research at the MADC or want to learn more remarkable students dents. Seeing them so engaged in the scientific about its education and wellness programs, from the Hebrew Day process as they visited Dr. Barmada’s lab was a contact Renee Gadwa, MADC education and School were the only true highlight!” outreach coordinator, at [email protected]. group to use their Mini The MADC is grateful for the enthusiasm edu or 764-5137. For more information about Grant as seed money to and generosity shown by the students from the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor or to sched- raise additional funds. Hebrew Day School. A very big “thank you” is ule a tour, contact Ali Reingold, director of ad- The students spoke elo- owed to all of the students, their parents, and missions and marketing, at admissions@hdsaa. quently of their fund- those who matched their Mini Grant award. As org or 971-4633. n raising experience and Dr. Paulson noted, the educational and research Kristin Cahill is MADC Education and Out- their support for the activities of the MADC are almost entirely sup- reach Coordinator and Erin Mobley is MADC fight against Alzheimer’s ported by private donations such as these. Assistant in Research. disease. Cahill and Davis The MADC values opportunities to educate HDS students visit Dr. Barmada's lab at U-M were immensely hum- and partner with new groups in the commu- bled by and proud of the In October 2014, the Hebrew Day School’s students for their commitment and generosity. Student Council emailed Michelle Davis, the as- To thank the students for their gift, the sociate director of development for neuroscience MADC arranged for the students to tour Dr. at the University of Michigan, inquiring about Sami Barmada’s lab at the U-M Biomedical Sci- making a gift to Alzheimer’s research at U-M. A ence Research Building, which focuses on the class vote to determine the recipient of their fun- overlap between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis draising efforts yielded a tie between the MADC (ALS) and dementia. The students did more and Mott Children’s Hospital. After further con- than just look at lab benches. Barmada and his sideration, the MADC won the final vote and lab arranged for them to actually participate in partnered with the 5th grade students for nearly science. They assisted in DNA extraction, saw a seven months. At the end of January 2015, Kristin spinal cord section under a dissection micro- Cahill, MADC’s former Education and Outreach scope and witnessed the “firing” of cells under Coordinator, visited their class and presented on another microscope. In line with their generous how Alzheimer’s disease impacts the brain and nature, the students followed up with many let- one’s cognitive abilities, strategies for communi- ters of thanks to the MADC. cating with adults with dementia, and the latest The MADC would like to give a big thanks research findings. The students asked insightful to Gannon, who is a tremendous educator questions and shared their personal stories about and is passionate about the education of her family members living with memory loss. students. She says, “As an educator, I believe In the beginning of March, the students suc- strongly in the importance of teaching children cessfully applied for the $100 Mini Grant given about philanthropy. Over this past year, the Students pose with research scientists from U-M lab visit The power of giving By Ethan G. Krasnow here’s something about the winter holi- That giving ultimately feels better than receiving? I, like you, have the ability and good fortune son as a time of sadness, not joy. We also have day season that rubs me the wrong way. Now that practically everyone we know to make a difference. I can enjoy my new toy, and raised funds for Food Gatherers (our local food TPerhaps that sounds strange coming owns cell phones, computers, and tablets, ev- I can—and must—help others. And yes, while pantry working to make sure no child goes hun- from the family programs director at the JCC. erything we ever wanted is literally at our fin- cliché, a simple gesture to help another gives us gry), and we will collect monetary donations After all, the JCC is the place where the com- gertips. Almost instantaneously, we can look that “warm-fuzzy” feeling that helps motivate for them again this year. Let’s celebrate Hanuk- munity comes together to celebrate holidays. up, order, and receive the things we want, us to keep doing good for others. There is a lot kah as a community, and fulfill a mitzvah—an Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot I enjoy about something our ancestors would never have even you can do to make the world a little brighter obligation and good deed of bringing light to the season: spending time with family, enjoying dreamt of. If we are being honest with ourselves, for others this holiday season. I hope you will others. Of course, we will also enjoy latkes and parties, and feeling uplifted by the “eat, drink, we’ve become impatient and selfish. join me in doing so at the Jewish Community applesauce, play games, light the menorah, and, and be merry” atmosphere all around. Maybe I’m not immune. Just a few weeks ago, I de- Center of Greater Ann Arbor this season. thanks to support from JFS, be entertained by it’s all the Christmas music I hear on the radio cided that I needed an iPad. Did I think about Many organizations do food drives or toy the Wild Swan Theater. While we celebrate, I’ll that starts to get to me. Maybe it’s all the com- when the best time to purchase it would be? Did drives, but here at the JCC, with the partner- be thinking about all those children who see the mercials about the newest, sleekest, and most I even think about whether I really needed it or ship of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw same advertising and hear the same songs as we expensive toys you should buy for yourself. Ap- not? Of course not! I was at Best Buy on October County, we are doing both. So, that’s why I am do, and hope that our efforts will help them feel ple and Samsung, I’m talking to you. The more 31, a full month before the Black Friday “sales of so excited for our now annual “One Candle for included in the joy. I hear and see the more uncomfortable holiday a lifetime” because I had to have that tablet, now. Tzedakah,” this year on December 10, at 6 p.m. Toys for Tots collection boxes are at the JCC season becomes for me. After purchasing it, I admit that I felt pretty good, Take one, just one, of the eight nights of Ha- now and will remain there through the evening There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself for a moment. Then I realized a small part of nukkah, and choose a gift to donate rather than of One Candle for Tzedakah. To find out more, or your family to nice gifts during the holiday me thought maybe I was being selfish. I bought receive. Celebrate our good fortune by teaching visit www.jccannarbor.org, where you can reg- season. I’m no stranger to Black Friday deals— myself a brand new “toy” when other people out our community’s children to give to others by ister your family today through December 7. A often the best deals of the year. However, missing there can’t even afford clothing or don’t know appreciating all they have to give. Donated toys single registration is $10, a family is $20. So is from these flashy marketing campaigns are all of where they will find their next meal. Then I re- will be distributed to those in need by Toys for the age-old saying, “It is better to give than to the families and children who get nothing for the membered—tzedakah. Tzedakah is about giving Tots (www.toysfortots.org). Over the last two receive,” really true? I think so, and I hope you holidays. Possibly, not even a meal on their table back, not because someone else needs help, but years, our community together has donated will come to the JCC to see for yourself. For any because they can’t afford it. Have we forgotten because it is our collective responsibility to help nearly 500 gifts to homes with children who questions, contact Ethan at ethankrasnow@jc- that giving is not the same thing as giving back? others with no expectation of reward. would otherwise come to know the holiday sea- cannarbor.org or 971-0990. n Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 15 I Community

MIBB Awards dinner October 14, the Michigan Israel Business Bridge held its 2015 Ambassador Awards Dinner. The MIBB Builder Award was presented to Delphi Automo- Otive and The Chuck Newman Impact Award was presented to Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology and director of the A. Alfred Taub- man Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan. The Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization estab- lished to facilitate business and investment opportunities between Michigan and Israel for their mutual economic benefit. MIBB brings new business to Michigan and creates jobs by encouraging Israeli businesses with new technologies to establish their North American business centers in Michigan. n 1 Hear when you need us. Hearing loss is gradual, so it can be hard to tell the degree of loss. Because hearing loss is a medical condition, as a medically-based practice we’re the best choice to give you the help you need. We provide: Hearing evaluations Premium digital hearing aids and service (all brands) at competitive rates 2 3 Five years free adjustments of the equipment we provide Rehabilitative therapies and protective hearing equipment Personalized treatments for all adult and pediatric patients Part of the Communication and oordina- U-M Premiere Care Network tion with your primary care Most other insurance provider coverages accepted 4 800-851-6672 Call today for more information or to make an appointment

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A FREE ONLINE HEARING TEST, PLEASE VISIT MOSAAUDIOLOGY.COM

M.O.S.A Hearing Aid Centers 1. Pamela Lippitt, MIBB executive director; Chuck Newman, MIBB founder and past- president; Jeff Owens, Delphi Automotive (recipient of the MIBB Bridge Builder & Audiology Services Award); Dr. Eva L. Feldman, University of Michigan (recipient of the Chuck Newman Impact Award); Florine Mark, The WW Group; Beth Gotthelf, MIBB president; Steve ANN ARBOR Cole, MIBB Ambassador Awards chairman 2. Dr. Eva L. Feldman accepts the Chuck Newman Impact Award from presenter F We also have offices in: lorine Mark BRIGHTON • CANTON • CHELSEA • SALINE 3. Jeff Owens, CTO and EVP of Delphi Automotive, accepts the MIBB Bridge Builder Award from MIBB Past-President Chuck Newman mosaaudiology.com 4. Alan Brilliant, MIBB vice-president; Pamela Lippitt, MIBB executive director; Steven Cole, MIBB Ambassador Awards chairman 16 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I American Jewry

In Austin, 19th-century synagogue meets 21st-century Jewish community By Jacob Kamaras/JNS.org ike its environs, the Jewish commu- handicapped accessibility—but retained its book that says, ‘This is how we’ve been doing fronted with it,” he said. nity of Austin, Texas, has a youthful historic character. The Austin iteration of things for three generations,’” he said. Having the historic B’nai Abraham build- Lfeel. Situated in a city known for live B’nai Abraham broke ground in October The Dell campus provides what Austin’s ing as a new place of worship “was a great music, the University of Texas (UT) campus, 2014 and was dedicated in August 2015, in Jewish leaders describe as a model for de- opportunity to be able to create our own and the founding of Michael Dell’s computer time for the High Holidays. nominational coexistence, given the presence identity within a historic space,” Millner said. technology giant in his UT dorm room, the “Although easily mistaken for a white- of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform con- Millner’s hope is that as Tiferet Israel 40-acre Dell Jewish Community Campus framed country church on the outside, B’nai gregations onsite. grows, Austin “will become a center for mod- mirrors the relatively new infrastructure in Abraham radiates the warmth of an Eastern “Jews—we can’t figure out how to share the ern Orthodox families who want something the rest of Austin. European synagogue on the inside with the Kotel, but here we are in Austin, Texas, figuring beyond the East Coast or the more estab- The Jewish Community Center of Austin bimah (prayer platform) at the center of the out how to share the same campus,” said Rubin. lished cities.” opened its doors in 2000, in stark contrast main level facing the aron kodesh (ark) and a In order to further enhance Austin’s Jew- Rabbi Neil Blumofe, in his 18th year as with other Jewish communities in Texas balcony reflecting the traditional separation ish mosaic, attracting more Orthodox fami- leader of Congregation Agudas Achim, came (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) and else- to Austin to help build a community that where that have had JCCs for more than a he felt was “a ripening place for all sorts of century. But what Jay Rubin refers to as a possibilities.” As Blumofe is a jazz performer, “21st-century city” just got outfitted with Austin’s live music scene didn’t hurt, either. some 19th-century style. Blumofe, 45, called the Dell campus a Rubin—CEO of Shalom Austin, which RUBIN JAY CREDIT: space that allows for the three denomina- operates the JCC as well as the local Jewish tions “not only to be in close physical prox- Federation, Jewish Family Service, and Jew- imity…but to share resources and build a ish Foundation, in addition to managing community together.” the Dell campus—recently gave JNS.org a In his 680-family unit Conservative con- tour of the campus and its newest addition, gregation, Blumofe said he eschews “the B’nai Abraham Synagogue, whose building more national debates about institutional was divided into three pieces, transported religion.” from 90 miles away in Brenham, and pieced “[I try to] instruct, inspire, and galvanize back together and renovated in Austin. On people from any walk of life…to be able the campus, B’nai Abraham now serves as to ask questions of purpose, meaning, and the sanctuary for Congregation Tiferet Is- encounter God in a thoughtful way, bring- rael (Orthodox) and joins two other syna- ing our whole selves to have a meaningful gogues on premises, Congregation Agudas conversation about our lives steeped in tra- Achim (Conservative) and Temple Beth ditional Jewish sources,” he said. Shalom (Reform). Rabbi Alan Freedman, rabbi of the “A lot of Jewish communities outside of 550-family unit Temple Beth Shalom, the big cities, they’re aging, they’re shrinking, echoes the other rabbis’ sentiments on de- institutions are merging. This is a different nominational coexistence. reality,” Rubin said of Austin. “All of our members feel welcome in Why transport a synagogue building from The interior of the B'nai Abraham Synagogue building, which has relocated from Brenham, whichever congregation they wish to go to,” another city rather than building a new one? Texas, to the Dell Jewish Community Campus in Austin said the Reform synagogue’s leader. B’nai Abraham Synagogue is no ordinary Freedman singled out Austin’s commu- building. From 1894 through the mid-1960s, of men and women during Orthodox wor- lies is a growth priority, he said. nity-wide nightlong Torah study program on it served as Brenham’s lone Jewish house of ship,” Rubin has written. “To be a serious Jewish community, you the Shavuot holiday, which featured teachers Rubin recalled that after learning three need a number of things, and I think in this from across denominations. years ago how B’nai Abraham was in disuse day and age you need to have an Orthodox “I think Austin is innovative, I think Aus- and that the Toubins feared it would one day community. Austin has never really been a tin is optimistic, and we search for solutions,” be demolished, he “went out to see it and fell in hospitable place for that,” Rubin said. said Freedman, 61. “We believe barriers can love with it.” Now, Tiferet Israel has a new home Enter Rabbi Daniel Millner, leader of be overcome, and that’s reflective of how we and B’nai Abraham has a rejuvenated legacy. Congregation Tiferet Israel and a graduate of work within the Jewish community.” PHOTO: JULIE ZWEIG. PHOTO: “It was a long-term process, because you Yeshivat Chovevei Torah rabbinical school. The youthfulness of Austin’s Jewish com- had to take a 19th-century building and The congregation had a membership of 35- munity also presents its challenges, Freed- make it usable for the 21st century,” Rubin 40 family units when Millner assumed the man said. told JNS.org. pulpit in 2014, and has grown to 70 units as it “In Austin,” he said, “most people are new, A former executive vice president of Hillel now settles into the B’nai Abraham building. there are relatively few people who have lived International, Rubin likens his personal his- Millner, 30, said the congregation’s here for generations, and that’s good and tory in Austin to Rip Van Winkle. He initially growth comes from an “inreach-outreach bad. It’s good in the way that people won’t lived in the Texas capital from 1978-81. At model”—inreach meaning that every Jew say, ‘We tried that 20 years ago and that won’t the time, Austin had 3,000 to 4,000 Jews, two in Austin should feel comfortable in Tiferet work,’ so there’s room for innovation. But synagogues, and no Jewish day school or pre- Israel’s congregation, and outreach meaning we’re really only beginning to become a ma- school. In 1993, during Rubin’s 25-year hia- the development of a religious infrastructure ture Jewish community from a philanthropic tus from Austin (hence the Rip Van Winkle that Orthodox Jews outside Austin deem a point of view.” comparison), Michael and Susan Dell pur- viable option for relocation. Millner, whose 21st-century congrega- Abraham Synagogue is re-assembled on the chased the land that became the Dell cam- At the heart of the Austin Orthodox com- tion is now equipped with a refreshed 19th- Dell Jewish Community Campus in Austin pus from the Hart family. Rubin returned to munity is an embrace of diversity, said Millner. century building, is confident that there is worship. Its 121 years make it the oldest ac- Austin in 2006, and as head of Shalom Aus- “People feel very connected to [Tiferet Is- “no reason why Orthodoxy can’t work in tive synagogue building in Texas. Despite tin oversees much of the institutional frame- rael] because of the community, not because Austin.” The key to success, he said, is focus- regular prayer services not being held there work of a Jewish community that has grown of the denomination,” he said. ing on the people. since the 1960s, Mimi and Leon Toubin of to between 18,000 and 20,000 people. For example, Austin built an eruv this “Austin’s a very unique place,” said Mill- Brenham preserved the historic building and “We’re designing a Jewish community for year to permit carrying on Shabbat—but ner. “It’s a lot of transplants, people coming welcomed visits by individuals and groups the 21st century…[We thought], ‘Why don’t it’s a “community eruv” and not just an “Or- from all over for all kinds of reasons, and during the last five decades. By relocating we start something like this?’” Rubin said, thodox eruv,” Millner explained, because the you have to pay attention to the people who to the Dell campus, B’nai Abraham is once pointing to a blank piece of paper when re- eruv’s inspectors come from every congrega- are here. You can’t just create something that again home to daily, Shabbat, and holiday ferring to “this.” tion on the Dell campus. would seem artificial. It needs to grow from prayer services. Indeed, it was the ability to build from a “It’s really an opportunity to engage within the community and become part of After its relocation, the building un- blank slate that drew Rubin back to Austin. members of the Austin Jewish community in the landscape of the city.” n derwent major upgrades, including a new “I was attracted by working for a com- an area of halacha (Jewish law) that maybe electrical wiring, insulation, restrooms, and munity where you don’t get handed a play- people don’t know about unless they’re con-

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 17 I Community Photo Album

FeaturedANN ARBOR DISTRICT Events LIBRARY 28th Ann Arbor Book Festival big success Albert Kahn: Designing Clara Silver, special to the WJN The 28th Annual Ann Arbor Jewish Book Fes- Grant to bring Israeli superstar, David Broza, Detroit & the University tival hosted by the Jewish Community Center to Ann Arbor for what amounted to an artist of Michigan of Greater Ann Arbor was a big success. Over in residence weekend. the course of 11 author events hosting over 20 Karen Freedland, director of Jewish Cultur- Thursday, December 10 | 7–8:30 pm authors, and one musician/filmmaker event, al Arts and Education at the JCC noted that, DOWNTOWN MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM over 600 people attended. In addition, the JCC “This year’s Jewish Book Festival was really In this lecture and slideshow, Detroit partnered with many organizations includ- unique and exciting because we had so many ing the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Ar- organizations and venues involved. In addi- News art critic and author Michael bor, Ann Arbor District Library, University of tion to the events held at the JCC, we also had H. Hodges surveys Kahn’s impact Michigan Hillel, University of Michigan Fran- events at Rackham, and the downtown branch on the city and school, and asks why kel Center for Judaic Studies, and in particular, of the Ann Arbor District Library. They were this most-prolific of designers—once Eastern Michigan University Jewish Studies, all really well-attended, fantastic events.” n world-famous—has vanished from the which received a Jewish Federation Impact architectural canon. Tiny Expo: Indie Holiday 1 Art & Craft Fair Saturday, December 12 | 7–8:00 pm DOWNTOWN LOBBY Ann Arbor’s biggest little indie arts & craft fair is back! Shop local artists and crafters selling their wares in a festive library space! It’s a great way to support your community and find unique gifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT AADL.ORG 2

January 7–10, 2016 | Arthur Miller Theatre Thurs 7:30PM, Fri & Sat 8PM, Sun 2PM tickets & information at 734/971-2228 a2ct.org

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre your theatre. your town.

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents 3 4 COMPANY Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by GEORGE FURTH Originally Produced and Directed on Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE Orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK

Directed by RACHEL FRANCISCO 5 Music Direction by JENNIFER GOLTZ 1. Chaya Deitsch 2. David Broza signing his CDs 3. Michelle Segar 4. Singer songwriter David Broza

season sponsor COMPANY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). 5. Marty Shichtman introduces All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com David Broza

18 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 2015 Main Event brings community together The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s 2015 Main Event with Yossi Klein Halevi was held on Sunday, October 25 and was enjoyed by several hundred community members. n

Barbara Stark Nemon, Anya Abramson and Phyllis Herzig

Main Event co-chairs Gil Seinfeld and Debra Chop; speaker, Yossi Klein Halevi; and co-chairs Levana and Stephen Aronson

Members of the Jewish Young Professionals, enjoying the evening

Sam Silver, Jonathan Trobe and Federation Board President Neal Blatt Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 19 I World Jewry With U.S.-Israel ties aplenty, ELNET works to bolster Europe-Israel bonds By Alina Dain Sharon/JNS.org he European Leadership Network and effective pro-Israel Rosenblum: Essentially, it is our belief that (ELNET)—a non-governmental, movement in Europe. the world has changed. The U.S. is no lon- T non-partisan organization found- I worked for several ger the single superpower in the world. ed by European, Israeli, and American years in Washington, When you take a look at the agencies that leaders in 2007—works to improve strate- DC, for AIPAC, the affect policies like the U.N., the EU, or gic relations between Israel and European Washington Institute NATO, you see that when it comes to in-

Union countries. With current activity and ELNET COURTESY CREDIT: for Near-East Policy, ternational policy [the U.S. is] just a single presence primarily in Germany, France, and the Hudson In- vote. Given that the EU is the single-largest Spain, and Poland, as well as an office stitute, always dealing trading partner of Israel, given the prox- opening near the seat of the EU and NATO with Europe-Israel ties. imity of Europe to the Middle East as com- in Brussels in the near future, ELNET has Later, I was in charge of pared to the U.S., we feel that it is equally hosted more than 50 European delegations Europe and NATO at important for there to be significant rela- of parliament members, top government the NSC (National Se- tions between the member states of the EU officials, and other European policy lead- curity Council) at the and Israel. ers to Israel. ELNET has also held more Israeli Prime Minister’s It’s interesting to note that 80-85 percent than 20 strategic meetings in Europe, and Office. In all these in- of [U.S. Congress members have] been to has engaged more than 500 participants stitutions…I saw how Israel, but if you go to France or Germany in its effort to enhance European-Israeli the Israelis are dealing or Poland, I think on average of maybe 10- understanding and cooperation on a wide German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets ELNET's founder and with Europe, what ex- 13 percent of their parliament [members], variety of fields. director general, Raanan Eliaz ists, but also what is or senior policy makers and leaders, have JNS.org interviewed ELNET’s co-found- missing in the strategic been to Israel. That’s one of the things that JNS: How was ELNET founded and what is er, Raanan Eliaz, and the U.S.-based national relationship between the EU and key we provide for them in the form of delega- the organization’s primary purpose? executive director of Friends of the Euro- countries in Europe and Israel. This tions [to Israel].” pean Leadership Network (FELNET), Lee Eliaz: Following the second Palestinian combined experience influenced me to JNS: What are some examples of ELNET’s re- Rosenblum. Below, they discuss the current intifada and the collapse of the Oslo come up with the idea of ELNET. I re- cent work and successes? state of Europe’s relationship with Israel and peace process, I experienced first-hand cruited partners and ELNET was estab- the significance of ELNET’s work. in Belgium the lack of an organized lished in 2007. continued on next page There’s a JCC in Turkey? By Maayan Jaffe/JNS.org e have to keep Judaism alive and “The leaders say in Turkey that Jews are the country. The majority of them (17,000) with food, money—everything they would sparkling. The younger genera- citizens and the problem is Israeli politicians. reside in Istanbul. Some 96 percent are Sep- need. So a group of women started volun- W tion is moving away from reli- We are guaranteed our rights as citizens—se- hardic and the other 4 percent are of Ashke- teering to do kosher catering. They started gion and becoming more secular. So we need curity, everything. Do I feel like that is true? nazic descent. like amateurs. Now, they do really, really some sparks, energy, and enthusiasm,” says Yes,” says Azar. “Even though we are small, we are very wonderful things. They have a big catering Sami Azar, a volunteer with the Turkish Chief “We haven’t had anything in the streets in successful,” says Alkan. “We have very fa- business—so big that this catering company Rabbinate Foundation - the Jewish Commu- a long time,” adds Alkan. “I feel safe.” mous artists, academicians, very successful is giving the kosher meals to Turkish air- nity of Turkey, otherwise known as the Turk- She also feels that there is a future for Jews businessmen and women and some very lines.” ish Jewish Community Center or T.J.C. in the Muslim-majority country. well-educated people working in very fa- A portion of the proceeds are still given Azar, who lives in Izmir, runs a smaller mous international to the Turkish families in need, helping to JCC program about a 45-minute plane ride companies at high continually sustain them. from Istanbul, where two larger JCCs are levels. Really, we are The new programming for young adults established. In his town of nearly 4 million doing okay.” that Alkan runs is meant to halt a rapidly

people, only about 1,700 are Jewish. T.J.C. CREDIT: Alkan describes growing rate of intermarriage. She says there “In the last 10 years, we have had 387 the Jewish commu- is an intermarriage rate of around 34 percent deaths and only 38 births,” notes Azar dur- nity as “traditional,” in Istanbul; Azar says the rate is around 20 ing a recent interview in Jerusalem. He and with roughly 5 per- percent in Izmir. his colleague, Tuna Alkan, who volunteers cent of the Istanbul In many Muslim countries, intermarriage with youths between ages 18 and 35 through community and 10 between Jews and Muslims is strictly forbid- the Istanbul T.J.C. network, attended the JCC percent of the Izmir den. In Morocco, for example, Jewish fami- Global 2015 World Conference from Nov. community identi- lies send their teens to France in high school 3-6. Somewhat isolated as a Jewish commu- fying as Orthodox. and beyond in hopes of them getting a Jew- nity in a Muslim-majority country where Through T.J.C., ish education and having them meet a Jewish Jews are forced to keep a low profile, Azar families can take spouse. Intermarriage is forbidden there. In says the conference helps her to “feel more part in a number of Turkey, however, it is welcomed—or at least motivated.…It is very good for us.” Jewish opportuni- not shunned. The institution of the JCC in Turkey is ties ranging from “By Turkish law it is okay. By Jewish law it different than the traditional model in the youth and family is not okay,” says Azar. “For us, the assimila- United States, whose pillars are early child- clubs, synagogues tion needs to drop—that’s why we are doing hood, camping, health, and recreation. In (Turkey has 19), so- so many activities to attract young people.” Turkey, the JCC is “really the center for the cial support organi- Bar-Akiva calls the JCC an important Jews to feel safe and they feel that is their zations, Jewish day venue “to socialize as a Jew and keep Jews community,” explains Smadar Bar-Akiva, Jewish day school at a Turkish Jewish Community Center in Istanbul schooling (640 stu- Jewish.” executive director of the JCC Global organi- dents are enrolled), “In many places there is competition be- zation in Jerusalem. “In Turkey, we survive our Jewish life,” Jewish kindergartens (two, with about 200 tween the JCCs and other Jewish institutions Alkan, a dentist by profession, says life is Alkan says with a smile, taking a trip back in children each), and a Jewish newspaper (Sa- or even non-Jewish institutions. In Turkey, not as bad for the Jews in Turkey as it might history. Jews have lived in Turkey since Hel- lom). There are shochtim (kosher slaughter- the JCC is place to congregate and study appear in the news. While she admits that the lenic times. There are several historic syna- ers), mohelim (ritual circumcisers), cantors, about traditions. It is not just a music class current Turkish government—led by Presi- gogues there, including a synagogue in Sardis a burial society, a mikvah (ritual bath), and or a lecture,” says Bar-Akiva. dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Islamist— that dates back to the 3rd century CE. kosher butchers. She adds, “All Jews are responsible for one doesn’t “agree with anything Israel does,” she The majority of Jews arrived in Turkey One initiative that Alkan is proud of another. With the global JCC movement, we says the government tries not to take out its in 1492 from the Iberian Peninsula, after the started four years ago in Istanbul. are really trying to breathe life into [this frustration with the Jewish state on the local Spanish expulsion. Today, there are estimat- “We have about 350 to 400 families in phrase] and to turn it into action.” n Jewish community. ed to be as many as 18,500 Jews throughout need,” says Alkan. “We try to provide them

20 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 THE BENARD L. MAAS FOUNDATION NOTJUSTFORKIDS ELNET, continued from previous page FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL THEATER 2015-2016 Eliaz: ELNET creates for the first time in these Laurent Fabius [recently issued some] ini- Presented by countries a local power base of pro-Israel tiatives that are questionable (such as the citizens who are capable and are well- French U.N. request to impose a deadline equipped to communicate directly with on the Israelis and Palestinians, and the A FUN-FILLED CONCERT TO GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT! elected officials, policy makers, and lead- initiative to have an international presence ers of opinion. ELNET also hosts informal in the Temple Mount). strategic discussions between top leaders [Germany has] a very unique history from Israel and Europe that help create and a unique commitment to Israel (due THE EMMY- SAT., DEC. 12 better policies towards each other. to the history of the Holocaust), and is one NOMINATED of the most helpful partners in some areas Rosenblum: When we bring delegations [to TV SENSATIONS 1:30 PM [with Israel], for example in security and Israel], we give [participants] the oppor- defense exchange. Younger Germans who tunity to tour and see Israel, [but] we give are already in ministerial positions look at them a very broad view of things. ARIEL, the past differently. Our agenda in Germa- At a German Bundestag Delegation to Is- ny is to talk and speak about the present rael held last June headed by Dr. Gregor Gysi and future, and bring to the surface those ZOEY & ELI of the Die Linke (The Left) party, we brought interests that connect Germany and Israel the German delegation to the Knesset…The DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEES ARIEL, now and tomorrow. very next day we took them to Ramallah and [Upcoming elections in Spain could lead ZOEY & ELI (AZE) present a the main office of the Palestinian Authority ARIEL, ZOEY to a] dramatic shift in the country. And where we had meetings set up with the Vice special concert that will include their there is a constant challenge to keep Israel Prime Minister of the PA, with 5 Palestinian a neutral issue [in Spain]. We are making favorite songs, music to get you in the ministers, and…with the Vatican’s Liaison & ELI a constant effort to keep the socialist lead- holiday spirit, and a few surprises! priest to Gaza and Ramallah for Christians. ership in Spain educated about our issues. One of the ways I always gauge suc- TICKETS In fact, we just had a delegation of Spanish START AT TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER.COM, cess is the fact that 30 percent of all the JUST NICOLA’S BOOKS IN ANN ARBOR center-left leadership, they almost never money we raise is now raised in Europe, $ OR CHARGE BY PHONE: 800-745-3000. come without us. 10 which is a tremendous achievement and a tremendous testament to our work. Rosenblum: Many people look at Poland as Most recently you may also have heard being severely anti-Semitic…[but] I am about the incident that happened with more comfortable wearing a kippah while [Jewish-American reggae star) Matisya- walking down the streets of Warsaw than ANN ARBOR’S DOWNTOWN CENTER hu…[who] was going to appear at a fes- I would be walking down certain streets in FOR FINE FILM & PERFORMING ARTS tival in Spain. He was the only performer Paris. [Poland is also] the only European 603 E. LIBERTY • 734-668-TIME • MICHTHEATER.ORG that was asked by the promoters to sign a country where every single political party is document condoning BDS. He would not pro-Israel. There’s no question that Poland sign it and as a result [his performance was] is a friend to Israel. Some might say is that cancelled. It turns out that our West Coast part of that friendship with Israel is predi- director is a friend of Matisyahu, [who] cated on the fact that Poland knows that e • groc contacted him and asked if there is some- it’s in its best interest because the U.S. and ic ery cho • thing we can do. While we found him an Israel are strategic allies, [because] Poland • ca alternate place to play on the same date, our is very concerned about…Ukraine, Russia, nt fe affiliate in Spain went to various ambassa- and Vladimir Putin. This is their big night- ie • dors and put pressure on the promoters… mare, and what we’ve been able to do for n b [who then] decided to re-invite Matisyahu Poland is set up strategic dialogs specifically e a to play. Bravely, he decided to go back to the on the areas of strategic defense, counter- v k e original venue and the rest is history. terrorism, high-tech, and safety issues. n o r c EVERYONE IS y JNS: What are the particular challenges or is- JNS: What does the future hold for ELNET and • sues that exist in Europe, and specifically what should Americans understand about •

in the countries where ELNET is active, the relationship between Europe and Israel? k e

l i when it comes to Israel? t

Eliaz: Looking five to eight years down the b c

a WELCOME!

Eliaz: [The migrant crisis and the growth of the road, ELNET will continue to build its h

d

Muslim population of Europe] affect what network in Europe, have a pan-European e

r

we do because we are interested in that Eu- network that can impact positively the n o

f

ropean leaders, our primary audience, take relationship between Europe and Israel, • f

f

this into account when they make policies. and also coordinate at some point with a

r

i

Most of the migrants do not care about Is- America. The triangle of the U.S., Europe, •

e 216 N. Fourth Avenue Ann Arbor, Michigan

rael and simply want to become citizens of and Israel shouldn’t be forgotten and con- n

e Phone (734)994-9174 • www.peoplesfood.coop d

their new countries. There is a local minor- tinues to be the most important triangle to d

l a

y

ity in some countries, France for example, impact Israel’s immediate threats. r t

•

r

that is violent and extreme. When integra- i

l

o

Rosenblum: The toughest challenge we face a

f c

tion fails most dramatically is where these a

•

l

c • in the U.S. is that for the most part Eu- i

n o a r countries have the most tension, and one g rope is not on the minds of American of the ways we see this is violence against Jewish people. The reason that specifically Jews, but not only. Violence in France is not American Jews should be concerned about targeting Jews only or Jews primarily. It is our work in Europe is because Europe rep- targeting the values of the (French) Repub- resents a more significant force to Israel. lic. We need to remember that. Fifty or sixty years ago, there was no clear SAVOR THE FLAVORS Most of the people we are engaging are voice for Jewish Americans to approach not Jewish. Israel is not an issue that belongs leaders and to push for support for Israel. OF THE SEASON only to the Jews in these countries, but it’s a This sort of thing does not exist in [some We are stocked with all the tastes & local matter of values and democratic principles. European countries] at all. We are where treats you need to celebrate the holidays. There is also a positive impact of this issue nobody else is. We have to do everything because this crisis helps Europeans under- we can to insure that Israel’s standing in featuring • Beer, Wine, & Cheese stand Israel better in some cases. • Candied Citrus Peel • Seasonal Gift Shop the global community is strong. The alter- [In France] the challenge comes at the • Local Egg Nog • Specialty Foods & Candy native is to do nothing. n leadership level. French Foreign Minister • Kentucky Bourbon Fruit Cake • Holiday Cafe Flavors

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 21 I World Jewry London’s Boris Johnson bearish on BDS, bullish on trade upon visiting Israel By Bradley Martin/JNS.org t’s fantastic to see that cutting-edge technol- cer season organized by anyone who comes here wants to see that spirit ogy, such as Cycle Safety Shield developed the “Equalizer” organiza- of understanding,” Johnson said. Iby Mobileye in Israel, is being utilized to tion. Working with about Johnson’s planned tour of the Palestin- help make London’s roads safer,” said London 140 schools across Israel ian territories in the West Bank was cancelled, Mayor Boris Johnson during his trade mission to build confidence and following his criticism of the BDS movement to Israel this week. understanding between against Israel. Shortly after arriving in Ramal- Johnson arrived in Israel with an official trade Jewish and Arab children, lah, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami delegation, mainly to promote bilateral trade in the organization itself is Hamdallah warned that Johnson’s security technology between the cities of London and Tel supported by the British would be “at risk” if he went ahead with his visit. Aviv. His mission was to promote the British capi- SINDEL/FLASH90. YONATAN CREDIT: Embassy in Israel. Johnson was due to meet with a Palestinian tal’s high-tech sector, in a bid to get more Israeli Rivlin thanked John- youth group and businesswoman, but his invi- companies to expand to London and make IPOs son for his support of tations to those events were retracted following (initial public offerings) on its stock markets. this project to promote his anti-boycott comments. London is currently home to 141 Israeli coexistence. The mayor Though the London mayor did tone down high-tech firms, according to London & Part- thanked Rivlin for his his original comment by saying that there ners (the mayor’s promotional agency) and London Mayor Boris Johnson plays soccer with Jewish and Arab warm welcome and ex- wasn’t anything wrong with wearing a cordu- the IVC Research Center. There are currently youths as part of the “Equalizer” coexistence project in Jerusalem pressed his pride at the roy jacket, he stood by his condemnation of the 16 Israeli tech firms listed across London Stock opportunity to visit Israel, boycott movement against Israel. Exchange’s markets with a combined market is the only democracy in the region,” he said in and especially Jerusalem. It is expected that as a result of this John- value of £3.7 billion ($5.6 billion). an interview with Israel’s Channel 2. Johnson also visited the Western Wall in Je- son’s diplomatic mission, technological trade Johnson was also very critical of the move- While the focus of Johnson’s trip was to ex- rusalem for the first time in his life, affirming and cultural cooperation will continue to ex- ment to boycott Israel, deriding them as “a pand tech ties between London and Tel Aviv, the his Russian Jewish ancestry. Calling his visit to pand greatly between the City of London and bunch of corduroy-jacketed lefty academics.” mayor took the opportunity to visit other parts one of Judaism’s holiest sites a “great privilege,” the State of Israel. “I cannot think of anything more foolish of Israel. While lauding Israel’s diversity, he joined he joined in prayers for peace in Jerusalem. Bradley Martin is a fellow for the Salomon than to say that you want to have any kind of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem to “That’s what Jerusalem is all about. It is Center for American Jewish Thought and a re- divestment or sanctions or whatever or boycott, attend and participate in a friendly Jewish-Arab about the great faiths coming together in one search assistant for the Canadian Institute for against a country that when all is said and done soccer game. This was the kickoff for a new soc- place in the holiest city in the world. I think that Jewish Research.n Jewish life in Azerbaijan embodies Muslim-majority nation’s culture of tolerance By Peter Rothholz/JNS.org t a time when thousands of Jews are As part of a recent delegation to Azerbaijan Religious Affairs and the State Committee for Jews” are Azeri-Jewish emigrants who estab- fleeing rampant anti-Semitism in from Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, I visited six Work with Religious Organizations—under lished business and became wealthy in post- A France, the United Kingdom, and synagogues there, as well as a Jewish day school whose aegis the government dispenses major Soviet Russia.) other European countries, there is one coun- and Jewish Community Center. There were no grants that cover most, if not all, the costs of As pleasant and accepting as life is in Azer- try where “it’s becoming attractive even for police, private guards, or noticeable security building, maintaining, operating, and staff- baijan, the country nonetheless has its prob- some people to come back” from Israel and measures at those sites, unlike a city such as Los ing synagogues, churches, mosques, religious lems, especially where the elderly, the ill, and other countries to which they had previously Angeles and many European cities. Azeri Jews schools, and institutions. Based on our obser- emigrated. According to Rabbi Shneor Segal, can also walk the streets wearing yarmulkes vation, the government subsidies are quite gen- the Israeli-born rabbi of The Jewish Commu- without fear of being harassed. erous since each of the synagogues we visited, nity of European Jews in Baku, that country Azeri Jews participate fully in the social and whether in Baku or Quba, was beautiful—com- is Azerbaijan. economic life of the country without reference fortably (or even luxuriously) furnished and decorated, and immaculately maintained. The Chabad Or Avner Jewish Day School, located on a beautifully maintained park-like campus in a Baku suburb, on land donated by CREDIT: MICHAEL SILBERSTEIN CREDIT: the government and built with the support of the Heyday Aliyev Foundation, is an exception when it comes to government support. Accord- ing to Rabbi Segal, its operation is 100-percent The Summer Synagogue in Quba, Azerbaijan

CREDIT: MICHAEL SILBERSTEIN CREDIT: supported by private funds. (During our visit, a Kurdish-Jewish merchant pledged $50,000.) people with disabilities are concerned. Social The school has 200 students from kindergarten services, whether governmental or connected to 11th grade and 40 teachers on staff. It follows to the Jewish community, do not fill all of the government rules regarding standards and cur- many needs. Dr. Larissa Reikhrudel, a Jewish riculum but also includes English language and pediatrician, decided to do something about Hebrew language classes for all students and has this and founded the “Jewish Women of Azer- a state-of-the-art computer lab. Segal said that baijan Humanitarian Public Organization.” “thanks to the Jewish school, more and more With private funding, mostly from oil compa- young people identify themselves as Jews and nies, her organization provides a quasi “Meals are becoming more active in Jewish life.” on Wheels” service for the homebound elderly Middle school students at Chabad Or Avner Jewish Day School, located in a suburb of Baku, In the mountains situated northwest of and has organized “dining clubs” for children Azerbaijan, with visitors from Sinai Temple of Los Angeles Baku—about two hours by bus or car on a and mothers in need, all without regard to reli- modern highway—is the city of Quba, a sec- gious affiliation. Reikhrudel, a petite and ener- Located on the western shore of the Caspian to their religion or ethnicity. Education is free tion of which is known as the Red Village. It was getic woman, saw a need and filled it when the Sea and bordered by Iran, Armenia, Georgia, from grade school through university, so indi- founded 270 years ago by Jewish immigrants organized community lagged behind. and Russia, Azerbaijan has a Jewish commu- viduals are limited only by ability and ambition. from Turkey and Iran. During the Soviet pe- Amid the grim picture presented by inter- nity that traces its roots back some 2,000 years. When our delegation asked the Hon. Tatiana riod it was known as Jew Village, given the fact national headlines these days, in particular last Throughout that period—and even during the Goldman, a Jewish member of the Azeri Su- that it has a Jewish population of some 4,000, Friday’s Islamist terror attacks in Paris, the story years from 1920 to 1991, when it was a part of preme Court, about the effect of her Jewishness thus making it one of the largest Jewish villages of Azerbaijan offers a morale boost through the Soviet Union—Azerbaijan has prided itself on her career and life, she replied, “I don’t even outside of Israel. The region in which Red Vil- the Muslim-majority nation’s unlikely status on its tradition of tolerance and acceptance of think about it. I think about my work.” lage is located is an ideal summer vacation des- as a safe haven for Jews in a dangerous regional minorities. Among the country’s population While church and state are separate in Azer- tination where many “Moscow Jews” maintain neighborhood. n of 9 million, 95 percent are Muslim and about baijan, there are two government agencies—the luxurious summer homes, nearly doublingbles 12,000 residents are Jews. Center for Multiculturalism, Interethnic and the Jewish population of the village. (“Moscow

22 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 THIS CHANUKAH, YOU CAN RESTORE HOPE

Right now, you can reach across the world and touch a life. How? Through Federation.

The Summer Synagogue in Quba, Azerbaijan You can put food on the empty table of an elderly couple in Ukraine, help a single mother who has lost her job and much more. You can bring hope to Jewish lives at home, in Israel and in over 70 countries around the globe.

Please give to the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor today.

Jewish Federation OF GREATER ANN ARBOR

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 23 24 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I Israel

What’s Facebook’s status on Palestinian incitement against Israelis? By Alina Dain Sharon/JNS.org fter Micah Lakin Avni’s father, are engaged in terrorist activity, and that the Safety team, the Hate and Harassment as Facebook employees, the Facebook Richard Lakin, was shot in the the social network removes content “that team, the Access team, and the Abusive spokesperson denied that the social net- A head and stabbed several times expresses support” for such groups. Content team. work has employed either of the members. by Palestinian terrorists from eastern Je- But in one recent case, Facebook initially “Content that violates our Community Back in 2014, Facebook’s Steinfeld rusalem while riding on a public bus in Je- refused to remove a page calling for the stab- Standards is removed. However there are sit- also told the Washington Examiner that rusalem’s Armon Hanatziv neighborhood bing of Israelis, claiming the page was com- uations in which something does not violate Facebook’s community standards allow three weeks ago, Richard (who later died) pliant with its community standards. our terms, but the person still may want it the posting of “criticism of institutions became a viral hit on social media, though The page, titled “Stab Israelis,” called removed,” Facebook states in its guidelines. (countries being a primary example, but hardly in a positive way. for “a campaign to support the Palestin- But even though Facebook largely relies it also includes topics of important social “Hours after he was shot and stabbed, ian people including the stabbing of Is- on users reporting such content, in reality and political debate like government au- a video re-enactment of the attack was thorities, religions, etc.).” posted online celebrating the gruesome Yet in a recent incident, Facebook alleg- incident, and calling on more young Pal- edly chose to remove an editorial posted estinians to go out and murder Jews,” Avni on the Facebook page of the The Alge- wrote in an editorial for the New York meiner by French philosopher and pro-Is- Times this week. On Facebook, one of the rael activist Bernard-Henri Lévy, in which terrorists who attacked his father “was a he wrote about Facebook being used as a regular…where he had already posted a tool by radical Islamists. ‘will for any martyr,’” he wrote. CAMERA’s Van Zile, whose group first

At the end of October, Shurat HaDin WATCH. MEDIA PALESTINIAN CREDIT: alerted The Algemeiner about the re- - Israel Law Center submitted a lawsuit moval, believes that “somebody made a against Facebook in a New York court, decision to prevent the broadcast of the signed by 20,000 Israelis who claim that Bernard-Henri Lévy article on Facebook’s Facebook has facilitated pages and posts platform. Not only did they delete the ar- that incite violence against Israelis, par- ticle from users’ profiles, they made it so ticularly in the midst of an ongoing Pales- A post from the Palestinian Fatah political party's Facebook page shows children holding rifles. you could not share the article from The tinian terror wave against Jewish Israelis. Algemeiner’s webpage.” Shurat HaDin, which works to fight ter- raelis,” and although Israeli social media “the number of reports does not have an According to The Algemeiner, after the rorism on the legal front, recruited thou- users complained that the page was incit- impact on whether something violates our Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human sands of Israeli signatories via a petition ing violence, Facebook would not remove policies or whether it’s removed,” Steinfeld rights group, complained to Facebook on titled Suing Facebook - Disconnecting the page until the Israeli newspaper of Ye- told the Examiner. the media outlet’s behalf, the post was re- Terror,” and has asked the court to issue dioth Ahronoth called out the platform on The Committee for Accuracy in Middle turned to Facebook. A Facebook represen- an injunction against Facebook to remove the decision. East Reporting in America (CAMERA) has tative said the post was not banned due the inciting pages, monitor the methods of As another example, Shurat HaDin documented a number of other such cases to its content and that the reasons will be incitement and block them, and hold the cited the case of 19-year-old terrorist Mu- on Facebook, not only by individuals but investigated. social networking giant responsible for al- hannad Halabi, who wrote on his Face- also by official groups. According to Dex- Van Zile said that even though “after an lowing terrorists on its network. book page, “I want to become a martyr,” ter Van Zile, a CAMERA media analyst, the outcry, [the post] was restored…it’s very “Facebook has the means to research prior to carrying out a fatal stabbing at- simple fact that the news agency of the ter- troublesome. Palestinian terror groups and monitor every word that appears on tack the following day. ror group Hamas has a Facebook account have their own Facebook pages which its website. It cannot be that entire pages According to prominent constitutional is “intolerable.” are not deleted, but The Algemeiner can’t on Facebook are devoted to incitement to law attorney Nathan Lewin, while consti- “The page was deleted for a while, but broadcast its material?” murder Jews and that terrorists are per- tutional and legal protections for freedom now it’s back up with 4.3 million follow- CAMERA staff members also allege mitted to publish posts that become pop- of expression do cover dissemination of ers. That represents a significant number suspicious activities regarding their own ular among their friends and encourage information by Facebook and other social of eyeballs that Facebook can tout to its Facebook page. They suspect that some- them to kill. It is absurd that Facebook is networks, “these networks can be held re- advertisers. Other terror groups have of- one outside of their organization may be being transformed into a tool for support- sponsible for incitement to violence with- ficial Facebook pages as well. So what we altering the settings of CAMERA’s Face- ing incitement and attacks against Jews, in constitutional standards.” have is a Western media company allow- book page, particularly when it comes to and we intend to put an end to it,” Shurat In the two aforementioned cases, the ing anti-Western terrorists to use its plat- advertising. HaDin said. choice by Facebook to not remove or to form,” Van Zile told JNS.org. “Our PR person…has said that when When contacted by JNS.org for com- delay the removal of content inciting an- “These companies benefit from free- buying advertising on Facebook for our ment, a Facebook spokesperson respond- ti-Israel violence was “a wrong decision,” dom and stability afforded to them by the page that some of the target audiences ed, “We want people to feel safe when said Lewin. Western countries in which they operate, have been changed in a way that has un- using Facebook. There is no place for con- “Whether or not it qualifies as legal ‘in- and yet they provide a platform to ter- dermined the effectiveness of the ad- tent encouraging violence, direct threats, citement’ or a court might deem it speech ror groups that seek to undermine these vertising we have purchased. The target terrorism, or hate speech on Facebook. As protected by the First Amendment, a re- countries. There is something seriously audiences he chose were related to Israel a community of nearly 1.5 billion people, sponsible speaker should not distribute wrong with this picture,” he added. and the Middle East, but when he went we have a set of Community Standards to instructions on how to commit assault or Palestinian Media Watch has also doc- back to look at the ad results, he found help people understand what is allowed on murder or the self-justification of a mur- umented such incitement to violence on that the new target audiences were not the Facebook, and we urge people to use our derer that will encourage others to emu- Facebook by the Palestinian Fatah faction. ones he chose,” Van Zile wrote in a letter reporting tools if they find content that late him,” Lewin told JNS.org. For example, a photo posted on Fatah’s of- to Facebook. they believe violates our standards so we Such cases on Facebook, however, are ficial Facebook page Oct. 27 showed a kef- According to CAMERA, Facebook has can investigate and take swift action.” not a new phenomenon in the Israeli- fiyeh-masked man holding a stone, with not yet responded to Van Zile’s letter. The According to Facebook’s community Palestinian conflict. In July 2014, during the wording “for the blood of our martyrs Facebook spokesperson who responded to standards, the social network reviews Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, Facebook (shahids) that has watered the precious the inquiry by JNS.org would not com- “reports of threatening language to iden- users complained about pages inciting vi- soil of the homeland from north to south. ment on the letter. tify serious threats of harm to public and olence against Israel or Zionists. For Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa mosque. Lewin believes that unlike incitement personal safety,” and removes “credible In these cases, Facebook spokesman For our courageous prisoners. For our to violence, Facebook should “not sup- threats of physical harm to individuals.” Matt Steinfeld told the Washington Exam- precious homeland Palestine.” press or eradicate any political speech” “We may consider things like a person’s iner that “language attacking a country is Moreover, CAMERA has received in- such the editorial by Lévy. physical location or public visibility in de- not considered hate speech in our com- formation from users about the existence “I have no idea what defenses Facebook termining whether a threat is credible. We munity standards. If the content devolves of at least one closed group on Facebook will assert, but the filing of the [Shurat may assume credibility of any threats to into direct attacks on people or groups, calling to “liberate Al-Aqsa from the im- HaDin] lawsuit should encourage it to act people living in violent and unstable re- that would violate the hate speech policy.” purity of the Jews,” some of whose mem- responsibly,” he said. n gions,” the social media giant states. According to Facebook, dedicated bers are listed as Facebook employees. Facebook also states that it doesn’t al- teams work 24 hours a day and seven days When contacted by JNS.org regarding two low any organizations on its network that a week to address such reports, including of the group’s members listing themselves

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 25 IBest Reads

The Mind’s Eye: Oliver Sacks ponders sight Rachel Urist, staff writer n August 15, 2015, the venerated Dr. in chronicling both the clinical and emotional functioning, along with other visual processing, a friend’s lap, missing the glass by almost a foot.” Oliver Sacks died. He was known to details of his condition. Upon first recognizing remain intact. Dr. Sacks also experienced semi- More dangerously, he fails to see steps or curbs. O many as “the poet laureate of medi- that his sight was occluded, and then learn- blindness, or loss of vision on one If there are no ancillary cues, he sees steps as cine.” A scientist, scholar, musician, philosopher, ing that the cause was a tu- side, a condition that makes for lines on the ground. He has no idea how deep swimmer, and prolific writer, he cared deeply mor, he reports his anxiety in sudden appearances and disap- they are, “let alone whether they go up or down.” about his patients. His studies in neurology chilling detail. pearances of people and things. Going down a flight of stairs becomes a “terrify- became the stuff of legends—and Hollywood. “JANUARY 8, 2006: I slept These visual surprises are im- ing hazard.” He describes opening his door, and Many learned of him through Robin Williams’ fitfully…with dreams and possible to anticipate. They are mistaking his doormat for a table, causing him portrayal of him in the movie, Awakenings, anxieties about the eye, about accompanied by danger, bruis- “to come “to an abrupt, confounded halt.” based on his book of that title. Sacks captured vision—and, beyond this, ing, and breakage. “People & Dr. Sacks acknowledges a deep appreciation the surreal yet deeply human experience of peo- about my life. Fears of every sort objects disappear into thin air of his doctor, “a brilliant physician [and] an ex- ple afflicted with rare neurological conditions. are rushing through my mind, or come out of the blue,” writes tremely sensitive man—very important when His chapter on Temple Grandin, in An Anthro- mixed with (futile) regrets and Sacks. Unseen objects make dealing with people who have cancer. He listens pologist on Mars, helped spike interest in her life recriminations that the tumor themselves known when they carefully to what I say and responds with great and work, resulting in the television movie star- was not diagnosed earlier. …but crash, having been unwittingly delicacy and tact.” Dr. Sacks’ eye for detail is ring Claire Danes as the autistic, brilliant Gran- I must not think on this; must tipped. well served by a combination of eloquence and din. Another collection of case studies, The Man focus instead on how fortunate I Dr. Sacks includes stories scientific precision. He parses each experience Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, inspired Peter am that the thing has been caught about artists (painters, writ- clinically. He locates the problem on the cortical Brook, the seminal writer and theatre-maker of now…and is wholly treatable.” ers, musicians) whose work suggests strange map, anticipates symptoms, and ruminates on our time, to stage The Man Who, which toured He includes both empirical and theoretical visual phenomena. Dr. Sacks admits that until consequences. He also associates to cases he has the world. examinations of sight that, as he explains, has his own vision was compromised, he thought seen professionally and invokes artistic parallels. In the final stages of his illness, Dr. Sacks many aspects. There is normal, two-eyed, ste- that certain artists’ work was “far-fetched.” He Any book by Oliver Sacks is well worth wrote a series of Op-Ed pieces for The New York reoscopic vision, which offers a sense of dimen- describes, for instance, an Edgar Allan Poe reading. Musicophelia addresses the inter- Times. These Op-Ed pieces were often personal. sion through depth perception and peripheral story, “The Sphinx,” in which the narrator sees face between music and neurology. It is about His piece entitled “Sabbath” (August 14, 2015) vision. There is the flat, two-dimensional, mo- a gigantic jointed creature climbing a faraway music’s magic, a phenomenon that can afflict paid tribute to his orthodox Jewish parents, no-vision when sight in one eye is gone. There hillside. Only later does the narrator realize that or heal. Uncle Tongsten is a book about metals both physicians, who remained true to their is central vision, which establishes context and this creature was “a minute insect, practically in and chemistry, two of his obsessions during his faith while maintaining busy professional ca- relativity; persistence of vision, which involves front of his nose.” Dr. Sacks found himself in teenage years. Seeing Voices carries the reader reers. There is something wistful in Dr. Sacks’ seeing images after light—or sight—has been similar situations when he lost his own stereo- into the world of the congenitally deaf. A Leg descriptions of “Shabbos” with his family. He extinguished. There are illusions, hallucina- scopic vision. On at least one occasion, he tried to Stand On, prompted by an accident that left uses the fond, familiar Yiddish name for the tions, remembered images and fabricated im- to clean the lint off his glasses only to realize that Dr. Sacks feeling “legless,” explores the physical weekly holy day and, at the end of his life, finds ages, sometimes cued by sounds, as in the case the “lint” was a leaf on the sidewalk. basis of identity. new meaning in this traditional day of rest. of people who have lost their vision, either tem- As always, Dr. Sacks leavens his writing with Sacks lived nine years beyond his original In The Mind’s Eye (2010), Dr. Sacks explores porarily or permanently. humanity. He writes about his problems as al- diagnosis of melanoma. When treatment was cases involving sight. These cases include his He devotes a chapter to “face-blindness,” or ternately “comic and dangerous.” He describes exhausted, he wrote philosophically, musing own plight. He documents his 2006 journal en- prosopagnosia, a condition he knew first-hand. grasping at air when reaching for a canapé at about time, age, and the sages of old. For me, tries after discovering, to his horror, that he had Here, the ability to recognize familiar faces (in- a cocktail party and missing it by six inches or his death came as a blow. I never met the man, melanoma in his right eye. He pulls no stops cluding one’s own), is impaired. Intellectual more. And, he writes, “I once poured wine into but I miss him. n “Lapsed Presbyterian” author carves an unlikely niche: Jewish achievement By Sean Savage/JNS.org espite the horrors of the Holocaust, JNS.org spoke with Pease about his interest in volved in the performance, but I believe it is much much of the world. Education was to make them the 20th century was arguably one the Jewish people and the discourse over what has more nurture (culture) than nature (genetics). valuable wherever they lived. D of the most successful centuries led to their success. In the Jewish case, perhaps the best argument In the end, culture was far more important in ever for the Jewish people, especially for Jew- JNS: As a non-Jew and self-de- for nature is higher reported Ashke- driving the achievements chronicled in “The ish Americans who played a pivotal role in the scribed “lapsed Presbyterian,” what nazi IQs than the average Golden Age of Jewish Achievement.” Nature ascendance of the U.S. as a global superpower. is your interest in the Jewish people? IQs of white Americans matters, but culture matters more. Comprising only about 0.2 percent of the Pease: Given my long history of and Europeans. However, JNS: What are some unique things about the global population, the Jewish people have been Jewish friends and acquaintanc- the counterpart reported Jewish people that you have found make them disproportionately high achievers in areas es since kindergarten, my initial IQs of Sephardic Jews are es- so successful? such as science, medicine, business, politics, interest was to explore whether sentially the same as whites. Pease: For starters, consider the premium placed and many other areas. From Albert Einstein or not my hunch, that Jews are Yet it was the Sephardic Jews on education for 2,000 years. Add the sense that and Jonas Salk to the Rothschild family, Jews disproportionate high achiev- who were the disproportion- it is what you do in this life that matters, the be- have made a significant impact on advancing ers, was true. What I found is ate high achievers during lief in the importance of free will, choice, and ac- humanity. In fact, Jews have won more than simply astonishing and it led the Spanish Golden Age. It is countability; the premium placed on rationality; 20 percent of all Nobel Prizes to date. to the first book. highly unlikely that genetics tolerance for competing views (as reflected in the Author Steven L. Pease, a self-described So the question is, what has can change quickly enough to Talmud); assertiveness; and verbal skills. “lapsed Presbyterian” born and raised in driven the performance? And cause a 10-point IQ drop in the In addition, the values of deferred gratification; Spokane, Washington, seems like an unlike- can we all learn from it? Can years since. the importance of family, a healthy diet, and ly individual to discuss Jewish achievement. we encourage more of us, Jews As explored by academics moderation in alcohol and drugs; a premium But throughout his career as a CEO special- and non-Jews alike, to be high achievers and Maristella Botticini and Zvi Eck- placed on skills, autonomy, and independence; izing in turnarounds, as well as a venture contribute in similar ways? I think we can, but stein in their early papers and later book, “The tenacity; willingness to be different; and tikkun capitalist and community activist, Pease has first I had to explore it. That is the reason for Chosen Few,” mandatory education for Jews olam (repairing the world). had the opportunity to meet many success- the second book. More of us need to under- has been a critical cultural Jewish value for 2,000 JNS: Are there any other ethnic or religious ful Jewish businesspeople and leaders who stand and emulate the values I believe drive the years. It was the Roman conquest and destruction groups that share these values? have influenced his career. This led Pease to performance. That is how we make the world a of the Second Temple that ended the Sadducees’ Pease: Interestingly, the same values important to write two books on the subject, The Golden better place for all of us. dominance of Judaism and resulted in rabbinic Jews are shared by most of the other high-achiev- Age of Jewish Achievement, in 2009, which Much has been written about Ashkenazi Jews Judaism taking over as the dominant Jewish de- ing groups such as Mormons, Basques, Sikhs, chronicles the disproportionate achieve- and their genetics. Based on your assessment, nomination. Rabbinic Judaism then made educa- many other Asian populations, Ismaili Muslims, ments of Jews, and The Debate Over Jewish what is the driving factor behind Jewish success, tion mandatory for all Jews after 70 AD. This, and as well as American groups of Iranian-, Cuban-, Achievement in 2015, which explores the nature or nurture? Or both? at the same time the diaspora began to disperse Lebanese-, Indian-, and other hyphenated immi- “why” behind the “what” of disproportion- As with other high achieving groups, there are Jews and they ultimately became tiny minority grant Americans, and others. ate Jewish achievements. probably elements of both nature and nurture in- populations living in small enclaves throughout continued on next page 26 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 IKosher Cuisine

Refresh your Hanukkah dessert table with pastry chef Paula Shoyer Continued from previous page By JNS.org t is a truth universally acknowledged After one hour, punch down the dough by fold- 1/2 cup (120ml) canola oil, plus 2 teaspoons JNS: Do you feel that Jewish culture is superior that…we can never get tired of Hanukkah ing it over a few times and reshaping it into a for greasing pan to other cultures? What can other ethnic or re- I latkes and sufganiyot (the holiday’s deep- ball. Re-cover the dough and let it rise for 10 1½ cups (300g) sugar ligious groups learn from Jewish success? fried jelly doughnuts). But there’s no harm in minutes. 1/3 cup (80ml) soy milk Pease: No, I don’t, but the mix has helped drive adding some Dust a cookie sheet with flour. Sprinkle some 3 large eggs their performance in the same way that Confu- culinary va- flour on the counter or on parchment paper 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt cian culture helps drive Asians and similar val- riety to this and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out until 3/4 teaspoon baking powder ues drive other groups of high achievers. What year’s Festival it’s about 1/2-inch (1.25cm) thick. Using a small 1/3 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa all of us can do is learn about these values, think of Lights. Pas- round cookie cutter about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 try chef Paula 1¼ cups (155g) all-purpose flour about their importance, and encourage ever to 4cm) in diameter, cut out small circles very At least 3 different colored sugars, sprinkles, Shoyer offers more people to respect and emulate such values. close to each other, and place them on the cook- nonpareils, crushed candies, or ground a doughnut JNS: What role has anti-Semitism played in ie sheet. Re-roll any scraps. Cover the dough- nuts Jewish achievement and what role does it con- recipe with a nuts with the towel. Place the cookie sheet back Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Use 1 teaspoon tinue to play? twist as well in the oven (warm but turned off) or warming oil to grease a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33-cm) baking Pease: I think it has played a big part. I associ- asa brownie drawer. Let the doughnuts rise for 30 minutes. pan. Line with parchment paper, allowing some ate it with my belief that we learn more from recipes that is Heat 1½ inches (4cm) of oil in a medium to extend up and over the sides. Grease top and our hardships and mistakes than we do from great for Ha- saucepan for a few minutes and use a candy sides with the other teaspoon of oil. our successes and good times. Perhaps the role nukkah and thermometer to see when the oil stays between Break of chop the of anti-Semitism was best described by the will satisfy any sweet tooth. 365°F and 375°F (185°C to 190°C); adjust the chocolate into late and much-honored British historian Eric All of the recipes are courtesy of Shoyer’s flame to keep the oil in that temperature range. small pieces and Hobsbawm, who was Jewish. He said, “Given The Holiday Kosher Baker (Sterling Epicure, Cover a cookie sheet with foil. Place a wire rack melt it, either over equal rights at least in theory, a certain degree November 2013). on top of the cookie sheet and set it near the a double boiler or of unease in relations between Jews and gen- stovetop. tiles proved historically useful.” He meant it in the microwave Vanilla Doughnut Holes (nut free When the oil is ready, add the doughnut holes oven for 45 sec- drove Jews to stand out, to strive and perform. to the oil one at a time, top-side down, putting Discrimination appears to have driven Jews to & parve) onds, stir, heat an edge in first and then sliding in the rest of for 30 seconds, be more autonomous, to develop and rely on Doughnuts and potato latkes are the most tra- the doughnut; if you drop the doughnuts into stir, and heat an- their own skills, to not depend on others that ditional Hanukkah foods. Like latkes, dough- the pan an inch or higher from the oil it can other 15 seconds might turn against them at some point. nuts are best eaten the day they are made, but splatter and burn your fingers. You can fry up if needed, until JNS: What has been the reaction among the even on the second day you can get good results to eight doughnut holes at a time. Cook for 45- completely melt- Jewish community to your books? Have some by re-heating them. To make doughnuts look 60 seconds. Use tongs or chopsticks to turn the ed. been afraid that your work may actually cause festive, roll them in colored sugar. doughnut holes over and cook them another When the choco- more anti-Semitism? Servings: 50 45-60 seconds, or until golden. Lift with a slot- Pease: There are a range of opinions. Many feel 1 late is melted, add the oil and sugar and whisk /4 ounce (1 envelope; 7g) dry yeast ted spoon and place on the wire rack to cool. well. Add the soy milk, eggs, and vanilla, and fearful or threatened because they are afraid my 1/4 cup (60ml) warm water Repeat with the remaining doughnuts. efforts will unleash envy and provoke height- 1 whisk again. Add the salt, baking powder, and /2 cup (100g) plus 1 teaspoon sugar, di- Place the sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the ened levels of anti-Semitism. For what it is vided cocoa—and mix. Finally, add the flour in four doughnut holes in the sugar to coat. Store cov- worth, to my knowledge, my books have never 1/2 cup (120ml) soy milk parts and whisk well each time. Scoop the mix- ered at room temperature for up to one day and stimulated anti-Semitism of any kind. If any- 2 tablespoons (28g) margarine, at room ture into the pan and spread it evenly. re-heat to serve. thing, the reverse has been true. Non-Jews have temperature for at least 15 minutes Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top looks dry become more respectful of the positive contri- 1 large egg Note: A warming drawer can be built right and a toothpick inserted in the center comes butions of high-achieving Jews. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract into your kitchen cabinet. It is ideal for keep- out looking a little gooey. Cool for 30 minutes In more than 25 book presentations, [and] ra- 1/4 teaspoon salt ing cooked food hot, warming plates, and even and then freeze for a minimum of one hour. proofing bread dough. dio and television interviews, I have never had 2¼–2½ cups (280–315g) all-purpose flour, Place the decorations into small shallow bowls. plus extra for dusting a negative question or reaction. When I have Pull up the parchment paper to lift the brownie 1/2 cup (100g) plain or colored sugar for spoken before Jewish audiences, they have been out of the pan. Trim 1/2 inch (1.25cm) from the dusting doughnuts Decorated Brownie Bites uniformly gracious and friendly. I think they also sides and cut the short side of the brownie into Canola oil for frying If you’re looking for something other than learned I was not trying to take advantage of Jews long 3/4 to 1-inch (2 to 2.5-cm) wide strips. Cut another doughnut or latkes variation, these by writing about them. In a large bowl, place the yeast, warm water, and each strip into small squares. one teaspoon of the sugar and stir. Let the mix- are great, alternative treats that can be deco- JNS: With rising levels of intermarriage and as- To decorate, press the top or bottom of each similation, do you think that Jews will be able to ture sit for 10 minutes, or until thick. rated with colored sugars, sprinkles, nonpareils, crushed candies, or nuts. brownie into the desired decoration. Store in continue their unique success in the 21st century? Add the remain- an airtight container at room temperature for Servings: 96 one-inch bites Pease: I am worried about this. I am not too wor- ing sugar, soy up to three days or freeze them for up to three ried about the growth in the numbers of secular milk, margarine, 10 ounces (280g) bittersweet chocolate months. n Jews. As long as they retain their Jewish cultural egg, vanilla, salt, values, a disproportionate number of them will and 1½ cups continue to achieve greatness. And I am not par- (190g) flour and Tips for doughnut-making success ticularly worried about intermarriage as long as mix—either with If made properly, fresh doughnuts are never Do not crowd your doughnuts; it causes the oil the families retain the values I describe above and a wooden spoon greasy and have a soft bread-like interior. To temperature to drop. Fry no more than six to they pass those values down. or with a dough make healthier doughnuts, bake the doughnuts eight doughnut holes at a time and no more On the other side of the equation, I have other hook in a stand in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 20 minutes instead than four or five larger doughnuts in one batch. worries. That is, to the extent the haredi Jewish mixer—on low of frying. population is growing quickly, before long it may speed. Add 1/2 While frying doughnuts, stay put and watch become the world’s dominant Jewish group. If so, cup (65g) more If the oil is the proper temperature, frying seals them. They can go from perfect to burnt in I see a decline in disproportionate Jewish achieve- flour and mix in. the outside layer of the doughnut and prevents moments. ment. My concern arises from their inclination to Add 1/4 (30g) cup the oil from seeping in. If the temperature of the Use the following equipment: round cookie shut themselves off from the secular world and flour and mix in. oil is too low, it cannot form an exterior seal, re- cutters in different sizes, a rolling pin, a heavy from secular education as well as their seeming If the dough remains sticky, add more flour, a sulting in greasy doughnuts that have absorbed medium saucepan that can hold 1½ inches disregard for The Enlightenment and The Jew- tablespoon at a time, until the dough becomes too much oil. If the oil is too hot, the outside will (4cm) of oil with space for the oil to bubble up, ish Enlightenment. There is a huge disparity in smooth. burn before the inside is fully cooked and your a candy thermometer—there is no way to fry doughnuts will be gooey and raw inside. Check college graduation rates between haredi Jews (25 Cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and let properly without maintaining oil temperature the oil temperature between batches and adjust percent) and those of the modern Orthodox (65 the dough rise for one hour in a warm place. between 365°F and 375°F (185°C and 190°C)— heat if necessary. percent), Conservative (59 percent), Reform (65 I use a warming drawer (see note below) on a chopsticks or silicone spatula for gently turning percent), and secular Jews. There are also major low setting (about 200°F/90°C), or you can turn The best oils for frying are canola, safflower, or the doughnuts, a slotted spoon to lift doughnuts differences in rates of poverty and in aspirations your oven on to its lowest setting, place the bowl peanut oils. out of the oil, a wire rack, and an aluminum-foil toward secular achievements.. n in the oven, and then turn off the oven. covered cookie sheet to put under the wire rack.

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 27 I On Another Note

The Ragtime Extravaganza returns to the Michigan Theatre San Slomovits, staff writer he Ragtime Extravaganza will return around 1910.) So ragtime takes all these el- it to New York by then as well. Ragtime is and we do it a little bit at a time, so that they to the Michigan Theatre on Satur- ements and makes something unique that melting pot music. understand what we mean and what we’re T day, January 23, 2016. Although this becomes popular across the nation and be- So we have it in the music, we also have it attempting to do. We can’t run from who will be just the fifth annual Extravaganza, the comes truly American. And that Jewish, that in the publishing. We’ve got publishers start- we are. We live in a world where everybody event has already established itself as a favor- Eastern European portion is there in the mu- ing at the beginning of the Tin Pan Alley era, wants to just say let’s move on from where we ite Ann Arbor winter tradition. Each year it sic itself, with those harmonies. we have Charles K. Harris, who wrote After are now and forget about all this history, but has featured a roster of some of the finest I’ll give you a local example. In 1895 Harry the Ball, the first 5,000,000 selling piece. He the history defines us, it’s a part of us. We try local and national musicians, dancers and Zickel wrote a piece he wrote called Black became this huge publisher. You’ve got the to talk about it in our shows, and I think we vaudeville style performers, combined with America. Just listen to this for a second and Whitmore Brothers, you’ve got Leo Feist, do a pretty good job, but it’s delicate. Take Al full house crowds of enthusiastic, knowl- tell me what you hear. Joseph Stern, Edward Marks, the Schubert Jolson, how do you do a show on Al Jolson? edgeable fans of the Americana of the late (Here Pemberton played a few minutes of Brothers, Ted Snyder who hires Irving Ber- When we present that we say, “Obviously, 19th and early 20th century. R4 playing Black America. The tune was in lin, you’ve got major publishers there repre- black face was wrong.” WJN: It’s interesting to me that Irving Berlin wrote Yiddle On Your Fiddle, and other songs with recognizable Jewish influences. He wasn’t shying away from acknowledging that he was Jewish. And of course others did that too. Charles Harris wrote, A Rabbi’s Daugh- ter in 1899. Later there’s Bei Mir Bistu Shein and Dona Dona, and so many others… Pemberton: That’s correct. Different perform- ers addressed it in different ways. Nora Bayes addressed her Jewishness, Irving Berlin certainly…others just wanted to as- similate. You can understand both, I think, trying to eke out a living. Harry von Tilzer, who wrote Take Me Out to the Ballgame, was from Detroit. He was originally named Harry Gumm, his father’s name was Jacob Gumbinsky. In that business world at that time, I guess I can understand. WJN: Anti-Semitism, while nowhere near as lethal to most American Jews, as racism was The driving force behind the annual Ex- a minor key, and though syncopated, the to blacks, was nevertheless very much in ex- travaganzas is the River Raisin Ragtime Re- melody and the harmonies both had a very istence in the late 19th and into 20th century vue, one of the premier ragtime orchestras Old World, Eastern European-feel.) America. So it was a pretty risky thing to do in the country. R4 combines top-notch mu- to publicly proclaim, “Hey, I’m Jewish, and WJN: If you played that now with a typical sicianship with meticulous scholarship and I’m not going to hide that.” klezmer clarinet or fiddle leading it, you attention to authenticity. But lest you think could pass it off as a klezmer tune and no- that an R4 event is dry history or bloodless, Pemberton: I agree. Even much later… I stud- body would say it’s not. academic concertizing, think again. Under ied at the University of Michigan under Abe Torchinsky. He played 23 years with the the leadership of founder and director, Wil- Pemberton: Sure. So it’s there in the music. This senting the Jewish influence as well, there’s Philadelphia Orchestra, and he told me sto- liam Pemberton, R4 totally enters into the is one of the earliest syncopated pieces out no denying that. And you’ve also got the ries. He was from a family of Russian Jews, vibrant spirit of the ragtime era, and the Jan- of Detroit by a band that was led by Harry performers. Tin Pan Alley and vaudeville in- and he told me that that when he came to uary Extravaganzas have all been energetic, Zickel. I’m not certain Zickel was Jewish, tersect, the publishing and the performing, New York, playing clubs, he changed his bigger than life, vaudeville styled entertain- I haven’t done that research, but he was and so we’ve got Fannie Brice and Sophie name to Abe Torchin. He was nervous of be- ment of the highest quality. Extravagant is part of Zickel Brothers, a music publish- Tucker, and Gallagher and Shean. (I think ing a Jew, playing in those clubs, because he the correct adjective! ing company in Detroit, and he wrote this Shean was an uncle of the Marx Brothers, was playing string bass and tuba in any gig Full disclosure: Pemberton invited my syncopated music—it wasn’t called ragtime if I’m not mistaken.) You’ve got Joe Weber he could get. He became a great orchestral brother Laz and I, as the duo Gemini, to par- yet—but this new music was making its way and Lew Fields, and Fields’ daughter is, I be- player but he was making a living playing ticipate in the upcoming Extravaganza. Laz across the country and Detroit had African lieve, Dorothy Fields, the great lyricist, Nora jazz, playing whatever music he could, as we was unavailable and so I offered Pemberton American bands at that time playing this Bayes, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, the list goes all do as musicians. (Laughter) This was not the option of having my daughter Emily, type of music. on and on. n bassist Jacob Warren and myself perform- Often I find myself in rehearsal turn- in 1900; this would have been WWII era. WJN: I was fascinated to read how in the early ing in the Extravaganza, and he accepted our ing to our clarinet player and saying, “We part of the 20th century, Al Jolson brought The 2016 Ragtime Extravaganza will be held offer. He also suggested we perform Jewish need more of a klezmer feel.” The music is African-American performers into venues on Saturday, January 23, at 8 p.m. at the Mich- influenced music of the period for the Ex- asking for it and it’s appropriate, because it where they normally were not yet allowed, igan Theater. The lineup will include Reginald travaganza. would have been played that way at the time. in the same way that Benny Goodman, years Robinson, a McArthur “Genius Award” win- What follows is a conversation I had with That tune, Black America, was in1895. We later, also brought the great African-Ameri- ner pianist/composer from Chicago; Stephanie Pemberton about that aspect of the ragtime era. say that the ragtime era starts in 1897 sim- can guitarist, Charlie Christian, before white Trick, a young stride and ragtime phenom; her ply because those were the first published Pemberton: It’s obvious that there is a huge audiences. husband, Paolo Alderighi, an award winning rags. Obviously there were rags being played Jewish influence in this music. I think very Italian early jazz pianist; the trio of San, Em- by pianists before that, and even by bands Pemberton: Obviously these days that’s hard to often it’s easy for our group (the River Raisin ily and Jacob; jazz pianist and scholar, James before that. And if we go to the end of the address. It is so hard to do because nobody Ragtime Revue) to concentrate on the Afri- Dapogny; the Ragdoll dancers, Lushes La- ragtime era, Scott Joplin’s last piece in 1914, nowadays can think in a historical context. can American origins of the music. I think Moan, the Detroit burlesque dancer; Brinae Magnetic Rag, that has two strains just full It’s impossible, we just can’t remove what we that’s the case, later in history, with jazz as Ali, tap dancer with Savion Glover’s troupe; Yiddish music. In fact there’s quotes, and I now know and put ourselves in our country well. And yet we often say in programs that and Arwulf Arwulf will be master of ceremo- can’t remember who it was at the time, say- a hundred years ago. What was common- ragtime is America’s first original style of nies. The Chenille Sisters were scheduled to ing, “I didn’t know that Scott Joplin was Jew- place, even though it was wrong, was accept- popular music and sometimes we go so far be in the program but have had to cancel due ish!” (Laughter) If you go and listen to that, ed at the time. So we have the whole era that as to say it’s our first example of world music to serious illness. They will be replaced by the you’ll hear it. Joplin was living in New York the R4 is performing from that is called the because it is taking African American ele- vaudeville group, Top Hat Side Show. Toledo’s at the time, and he lived in the neighbor- Coon Song era. There are so many horrible ments, with Eastern European harmonies, Cake Walkin’ Jass Band will open, and the hood of the Yiddish theaters. He was hearing lyrics, with all of this music, and so our job is and western European musical structures, River Raisin Ragtime Revue will be featured that music. He also incorporated the blues trying to address history, not whitewash over and Latin rhythms as well. (So many of the throughout the evening. into that piece, because the blues had made it. We also let people know why we’re doing it ragtime pieces reflect this huge Latin craze 28 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I Calendar

Jewish Community Centers throughout the Jewish Storytellers in America: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. December 2015 Friday 4 United States, Israel and Mexico send teen Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. athletes to compete in an annual Olympics- style event. When not competing, teens take on Lunch and Learn: TBE. Each week, Rabbi Levy Tuesday 1 community service projects, bond with host brings his choice of text from both inside and Friday 11 families, and enjoy social events. For information, outside the Jewish tradition, from the Torah to Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, contact [email protected] or phone the medieval period through to modernity. Drop Social Work Continuing Education Course: and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning 971-0990. 3–4 p.m. Getting Ready for Death: JCC. This course Institute (JLI) course. What is a soul? Where does in when you can and bring your lunch. TBE Adult Rishonim Hanukkah Party: TBE. 3–4:30 p.m. provides an opportunity to explore issues it go after it departs this world? Do Jews believe in Lounge. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Shir Chadash: TBE. 5–6 p.m. surrounding one’s own death, including heaven and hell? 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. understanding the business of death, funeral Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Sukkat Shalom from and rituals, and end of life conversations. For Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. 1:30 5:45–6:15 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service in Sanctuary Biblical Hebrew Grammar: TBE. 7:45–9 p.m. information, contact Jewish Family Services at p.m. Tuesdays. at 5:45 p.m. Tot and Sukkat Shalom Dinner at 769-0209. 8–10 a.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. Unique martial arts instruction 6:15 p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Monday 7 Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Levy: TBE. 12:30– including lessons in how to live a healthy lifestyle, Service from 7:30–9 p.m. 1:30 p.m. be energetic, do well in school and learn about First Friday Shabbat: JCS. Once a month gathering Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. anti-bullying self-defense. 12-week semesters to welcome Shabbat with songs, candle lighting, Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Sukkat Shalom from for belt advancement. Drop-ins welcome. wine and challah. Followed by a short thematic Dilemmas of Faith Series: BIC. 6 p.m. 5:45–6:15 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service in Sanctuary Enrollment open for students and their parents. program in which members of the congregation Keshet: TBE. 6–8:30 p.m. at 5:45 p.m. Brotherhood Latke Dinner from Taught by Rabbi Peter Gluck, 5th Degree Black offer their thoughts. Children always welcome. Memoir Writing Workshops: TBE. 7–9 p.m. 6:30–7:30 p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Belt and martial arts instructor for 18 years. For Held in the JCC lounges. Dinner is $10 per person Service | Hanukkah Service with Worship Band information, contact TBE office at 665-4744 or or $25 for a family of four. RSVP online at www. from 7:30–9 p.m. Rabbi Gluck at [email protected]. Mondays jewishcultural society.org. Begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday 8 in TBE Social Hall and Tuesdays and Fridays in Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Friday evening services: See listing at the end of TBE Core. 4:15–7 p.m. the calendar. Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, the calendar. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Saturday 5 Institute (JLI) course. 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday 12 Beyond Pentateuch: TBE. 7:30 p.m. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Shabbat Limmud: BIC. 9 a.m. Shabbat Morning with the Rabbis–6th Grade: Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. BIC. 9:30 a.m. B’nai Mitzvah: TBE. 10–11:30 a.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Bar Mitzvah: TBE. 10–11:30 a.m. Wednesday 2 Maleve Malka Series Presentation: AAOM. Series Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Tot Shabbat: BIC. 11:15 a.m. of monthly presentations held during the cold, Spirituality Book Club: TBE. 7:30 p.m. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. dark Ann Arbor evenings. Cataracts are the most R&R Hanukkah Party: TBE. Off-site from 6–9 p.m. Sounds of the Soul: BIC. 7 p.m. Group Spirituality Exploration: TBE. 12:30–2 p.m. common cause of blindness on the planet and Public Menorah Lighting and Fire Show: tonight’s presentation of “Sweet is the Light: Interfaith Service of Affirmation and Reception: Chabad. At Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Mahj: TBE. Off-site. 1–3 p.m. Curing Blindness Through the Ages” is offered TBE. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Arbor. 7:30 p.m. by Zvi Kresch. Kresch will address the evolution A Season of Mussar I: BIC. 8 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of Thursday 3 of cataract surgeries, whose history began long Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. the calendar. before anesthesia or antiseptics. Kresch is a faculty 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Adult Jewish Yoga with Shlomit: TBE. Held on the member at the UM Kellogg Eye Center and prior lower level in rooms 9 and 10. Set an intention to coming to UM, he spent time travelling with his Sunday 13 based on weekly Torah portion and work on wife and practicing ophthalmology abroad with Wednesday 9 strength. Bring your own mat. Semester price is The Himalayan Cataract Project. Refreshments Men’s Club Planning Session: BIC. 9:30 a.m. $120 or purchase punch card with 10 classes, 11th served. Held in the UM Hillel Lounge. 8 p.m. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Series 7th Grade Siyyum class free for $100. For information or to purchase Shabbat services: See listing at the end of the Hanukkah Celebration: BIC. 5 p.m. and Brunch: BIC. 10:30 a.m. punch card, contact aostfield@templebethemeth. calendar. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the org. Noon–1:15 p.m. Thursday 10 basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Concert: JCC. Performance by pianist Lillian Sunday 6 and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Freedland, who has attended the Detroit Institute JFS Expansion Celebration: JFS. RSVP to mgress@ Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Noon–1 p.m. of Musical Art and has provided accompaniment Gan Katan: BIC. 9:30 a.m. jfsannarbor.org. 2–4 p.m. Jewish Yoga with Shlomit: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. for modern dance and choral classes with Detroit Social Action Committee Meeting: BIC. 10:30 a.m. Memoir Reading in the Library: TBE. Hear from schools and who has played piano in metro Concert: JCC. UM Hillel concert, featuring music Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the local memoir writers about what it took for Detroit night clubs. For information, contact of Emily Camras, cello performance major at the basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty them to write and publish memoirs. No RSVP [email protected] or phone University of Michigan. Camras has performed and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. necessary. TBE Library. 4:30–6 p.m. 971-0990. 1–2 p.m. all over the world, including Washington, Hanukkah Celebration: JCS. Family oriented Shir Chadash: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. For DC, Moscow, St. Petersburg and London at program featuring candle lighting, singing and Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. practitioners of all levels. Intention and the BBC Proms. For information, contact dancing, games and Hanukkah Shop where kids instruction followed by 30-minute silent [email protected] or phone Hanukkah on the Bowl: Chabad. At Revel and Roll. can purchase gifts for family and friends. Also, meditation. Facilitated by SooJi Min, Judy 971-0990. 1–2 p.m. $10 per person for shoes and games. lots of latkes! At the JCC. 10:30 a.m.–Noon. Freedman, and Quyen Epstein-Ngo. Min, TBE’s Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15– Biblical Hebrew Grammar: TBE. 7:45–9 p.m. executive director, recently completed 16-month Brunch and Lecture: JCC. “From Two Shahs to 2 p.m. the Islamic Republic,” presented by Al Gourdji. mindfulness teacher training program sponsored Midrash in Hebrew: BIC. 1:30 p.m. For information, contact karenfreedland@ Monday 14 by the Jewish Spirituality and Awakened Heart Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. Project. Freedman has been meditating for 20 jccannarbor.org or phone 971-0990. 11 a.m.– years and has attended a three-year training 1 p.m. One Candle for Tzedakah: JCC. Event designed Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. in Jewish Meditation sponsored by Philips Celebrate Hanukkah with Hadassah: Hadassah. to help parents teach children that it is better Keshet: TBE. 6–8:30 p.m. to give than to receive. Many families choose Foundation at Chochmat ha Lev. Epstein-Ngo is Light the menorah, rekindle friendships, and enjoy Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. light refreshments. Take part in fun gift exchange to not exchange gifts on this night, instead a therapist who holds a joint doctoral degree in Women’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Clinical Psychology and Women’s Studies. Meets by bringing wrapped present – one made by you bringing an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys in TBE Chapel. 1:15–2 p.m. or purchased for $10 or less. Suggested donation for Tots for those in need during the holiday season. Enjoy traditional Hanukkah foods, Midrash in Hebrew: BIC. 1:30 p.m. of $10 to Hadassah Hospital’s Campaign, We Tuesday 15 Can’t Stop the Bloodshed, But We Can Stop the games and a special performance by Wild Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. Bleeding. At home of Sue Adler, 3010 Exmoor. Swan Theater. $20/family in advance; $26/at Nachamu Training: TBE. 7–9 p.m. the door. $10/per person in advance; $15/at the Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, For information or to RSVP, contact Maxine Death, and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Sharpen door. Register online at www.jccannarbor.org Solvay at [email protected] or phone 668-1901. Learning Institute (JLI) course. 9:30 a.m. and your wits and knowledge of the Jewish legal or by contacting ethankrasnow@jccannarbor. 1 p.m. 7:30 p.m. system by following the intriguing discussions org. 6–8 p.m. Social Action Film Series: BIC. Showing of The Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite of Great Dictator. 1:30 p.m. Chai’Nukah Party: Ann Arbor ORT. Suggested $18 practical law, logical argumentation and moral (chai) donation to ORT America and a new or Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. Menorah Building: Chabad. At Home Depot on teachings. Study from the original Talmud gently used wrapped book for a Book Exchange. 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. See first Tuesday of month. Carpenter Road. 2–4 p.m. tractate. Thursdays. RSVP to Jayne Reiss at [email protected]. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. Maccabi Games Informational Meeting: JCC. Rides available by request. At home of Ruth Petit. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Learn more about the Maccabi Games, the 6 p.m. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world. Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 29 I Calendar

Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Friday each month. Musical Shabbat service 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. followed by vegetarian potluck. Pizza nosh for Friday 8 8 p.m. Tuesdays. the kids at 6:00 p.m. Childcare provided during the service. All are welcome to attend. For Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Levy: TBE. 12:30– Wednesday 16 information, call 975-6527, email mamacohen@ 1:30 p.m. Wednesday 23 comcast.net, or visit www.aarecon.org. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle-lighting Mahj: TBE. Off-site. 1–3 p.m. KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. See December 21. time. Home hospitality available for Shabbat Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat from DAMES Dinner: TBE Sisterhood. 6–9 p.m. meals and Jewish holidays. Call 995-3276 in 5:45–6:15 p.m. Sukkat Shalom from 5:45–6:15 advance. p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Pre-Service Board Meeting: BIC. 8 p.m. Thursday 24 Reception from 6:45–7:45 p.m. Shabbat Service with Worship Band | Honoring Terri Ginsburg Thursday 17 Annual Chinese Dinner: BIC. 6 p.m. from 7:30–9 p.m. Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. January 2016 First Friday Shabbat: JCS. Once a month gathering Jewish Yoga: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. to welcome Shabbat with songs, candle lighting, wine and challah. Followed by a short thematic Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15– Thursdays. program in which members of the congregation 2 p.m. Friday 1 offer their thoughts. Children always welcome. Midrash in Hebrew: BIC. 1:30 p.m. Held in the JCC lounges. Dinner is $10 per person Friday 25 Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. or $25 for a family of four. RSVP online at www. Nachamu Training: TBE. 7–9 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat Service jewishcultural society.org. Begins at 6:30 p.m. at 5:45 p.m. Sukkat Shalom at 5:45 p.m. Shira at Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Sukkat Shalom from 5:45 p.m. Shabbat Service from 7:30–9 p.m. Thursdays. 5:45–6:15 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service in Sanctuary the calendar. at 5:45 p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Service from 7:30–9 p.m. the calendar. Friday 18 Friday evening services: See listing at the end of the Saturday 9 calendar. Saturday 2 Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Levy: TBE. 12:30– Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. Hebrew in Ivrit: TBE. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Saturday 26 Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 p.m. Sweatshirt Shabbat: BIC. With Cholent Kiddush Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Sukkat Shalom from Luncheon. 9:30 a.m. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of 5:45–6:15 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service in Sanctuary Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11:00 a.m. at 5:45 p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. the calendar. Tot Shabbat: BIC. 11:15 a.m. Service | Birthday and Anniversary Celebration Tot Shabbat: BIC. 11:15 a.m. Service from 7:30–9 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of Sunday 3 Friday evening services: See listing at the end of the calendar. the calendar. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Sunday 10 basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Saturday 19 Sunday 27 and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Men’s Club Planning Session: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Social Action Committee Meeting: BIC. 10:30 a.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Monday 4 basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Shabbat Limmud: BIC. 9 a.m. and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Rishonim Snow Fun: TBE. Off-site. 1–3 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of Keshet: TBE. 6–8:30 p.m. Monday 28 Memoir Writing Workshop: TBE. 7–9 p.m. Library Memoir Program: TBE. TBE Library. the calendar. 4:30–6 p.m. KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. See December 21. Shir Chadash: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Sunday 20 Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Tuesday 5 Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. Memoir Writing Workshop: TBE. 7–9 p.m. Spotlight Series: BIC. “Same-Sex Marriage and Adult Education: JCS. Session facilitated Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, the Constitution,” presented by Richard Primus. by longtime JCS member Bob Davidow. and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning 7:45 p.m. Check jewishculturalsociety.org for updated Tuesday 29 Institute (JLI) course. What is a soul? Where does information. At the JCC. 10 a.m.–Noon. it go after it departs this world? Do Jews believe in KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. See December 21. heaven and hell? 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Monday 11 basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. 1:30 Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Institute (JLI) course. 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. p.m. Tuesdays. Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. Keshet: TBE. 6–8:30 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Monday 21 Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Hebrew 103:TBE. 6–7 p.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. Group Spirituality Exploration: TBE. 6–7:30 p.m. KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. Kidzone Vacation 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Tuesday 12 Days provide fun and adventure for children in Yoga Drop-In: TBE. 6:30–7:30 p.m. K-5 when Ann Arbor Schools and Hebrew Day A Season of Mussar I: BIC. 8 p.m. Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, School have scheduled closures. Children hang Wednesday 30 Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning out in the new KidZone Lounge, complete with 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Institute (JLI) course. What is a soul? Where does computers, games, and a reading area; have KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. See December 21. it go after it departs this world? Do Jews believe in arts and crafts time; play sports; and watch a Wednesday 6 heaven and hell? 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. kid-friendly movie. For information including Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): pricing or to register, visit www.jccannarbor.org, Thursday 31 Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. 1:30 Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. contact [email protected] or phone p.m. Tuesdays. 971-0990. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Also December 22, Mahj: TBE. Off-site. 1–3 p.m. Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. 23, 28, 29 and 30. Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Thursdays. Thursday 7 Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Weekly Friday night Shabbat services Spirituality Book Club: TBE. 7:30–8:30 p.m. Tuesday 22 Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at UM Jewish Yoga: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. Hillel. Call 994-9258 in advance to confirm time. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15– 8 p.m. Tuesdays. KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. See December 21. Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 6 p.m., Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning followed by tot dinner. Traditional Service at 7:30 Wednesday 13 [E]met: An Honest Conversation about Death: Institute (JLI) course. 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. p.m. Once a month Middle School Service at TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. For information, call 665-4744. “Rising from the Rubble: Creating the Museum Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. See first of the History of the Polish Jews:” Frankel Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation. 6:15 p.m. at the JCC the fourth Thursday of month. Institute. Presented by Barbara Kirshenblatt- 30 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 ב"ה

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE GREATER ANN ARBOR JEWISH COMMUNITY.

THANKS YOU FOR YOURCHABAD CONTINUED HOUSE SUPPORT OF ANN AND ARBOR FRIENDSHIP SINCE 1975.

CONGREGATION CHABAD BAT MITZVAH CLUB CAMP GAN ISRAEL JEWISH WOMEN’S CIRCLE BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREP U OF M STUDENT CENTER MIKVAH TRIPS TO ISRAEL WEEKLY SHABBAT DINNERS JEWISH ART CALENDAR ADULT JEWISH EDUCATION HOSPITAL/ PRISON VISITS CHABAD HEBREW SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDES SHABBAT HOSPITALITY JLI: JEWISH LEARNING INSTITUTE LIBRARY KOSHER MEALS FOR VISITORS GAN YELADYIM PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASS TUTORING SERVICES & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 13

DINNER C ELEBRATING 40 YEAR S.

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 31 What’s in a Song? Martin Katz, CURATOR AND PIANIST Friday, January 8 // 8 pm Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre

In this kickoff event to UMS’s Song Remix Series, Martin Katz joins with David Daniels, Frederica von Stade, Jesse Blumberg, Janai Brugger, and William Ferguson for an exploration of song, with each artist performing an individual set.

SUPPORTED BY Maurice and Linda Binkow

Jamie Barton, MEZZO-SOPRANO Martin Katz, PIANO Sunday, January 10 // 4 pm Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre

Jamie Barton is only in her early 30s but has already scored leading roles in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, drawing high marks for her sumptuous voice. PROGRAM Includes works of Turina, Chausson, Schubert, Dvořák, and Rachmaninoff

MEDIA PARTNER WRCJ 90.9 FM

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Wu Han, piano and artistic director Friday, January 22 // 8 pm Rackham Auditorium

PROGRAM Mozart Quartet in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello, K. 493 Schubert Rondo in A Major for Violin and Strings, D. 438 Royal Philharmonic Mendelssohn Double Concerto in d minor for Violin, Piano, and Strings

Orchestra MEDIA PARTNERS WGTE 91.3 FM and WRCJ 90.9 FM PIANO Pinchas Zukerman, principal guest conductor and violin Igor Levit, Monday, January 11 // 7:30 pm Saturday, February 6 // 8 pm Hill Auditorium Hill Auditorium “His superb live performance confirmed the impression of his Founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recording: A major new pianist has arrived.” (New York Times) made its UMS debut in 1950 and last performed in Hill Auditorium over 20 years ago. This concert features Pinchas Zukerman both at the helm and PROGRAM as the featured soloist. The program features Edward Elgar’s “Enigma” Bach Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828 Variations, a set of 14 variations on a single theme, each variation a musical Schubert Six Moments Musicaux, D. 780 sketch of someone in his close circle of acquaintances. Beethoven Sonata No. 17 in d minor, Op. 31, No. 2 Prokofiev Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 PROGRAM Beethoven Egmont Overture, Op. 84 SUPPORTED BY Ilene H. Forsyth Choral Union Endowment Fund Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 MEDIA PARTNER WGTE 91.3 FM Elgar “Enigma” Variations, Op. 36

SUPPORTED BY MEDIA PARTNERS Gil Omenn and Martha Darling and WGTE 91.3 FM and The Last Sonatas by Max Wicha and Sheila Crowley WRCJ 90.9 FM Sir András Schiff, PIANO Tuesday, February 16 // 7:30 pm Thursday, February 18 // 7:30 pm Saturday, February 20 // 8 pm

UMS is thrilled to bring all three concerts of “The Last Sonatas” to Ann Arbor, presented over the course of a week in Rackham and Hill Auditoriums. Sir András Schiff performs the final three sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert.

INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS ARE SUPPORTED BY Joel Howell and Linda Samuelson, TICKETS ON SALE NOW Natalie Matovinović, Jeffrey MacKie-Mason and Janet Netz, and Carl Cohen

MEDIA PARTNERS UMS.ORG / 734.764.2538 WGTE 91.3 FM and WRCJ 90.9 FM

32 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 I Calendar

Gimblett, Chief Curator at the POLIN Museum. Keshet: TBE. 6–8:30 p.m. Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist UM Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium, 525 Tuesday 19 Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Congregation. 6:15 p.m. at the JCC the fourth South State Street. For information, see http:// Women’s Torah Study: TBE. 7–8:30 p.m. Friday each month. Musical Shabbat service www.lsa.umich.edu/judaic/events. 5:30–7 p.m. Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, followed by vegetarian potluck. Pizza nosh for Issues for Aging: Sex As We Age–The Challenges and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning the kids at 6:00 p.m. Childcare provided during and Joys: JFS. At the JCC. RSVP to programs@ Institute (JLI) course. What is a soul? Where does Tuesday 26 the service. All are welcome to attend. For jfsannarbor.org. 7–8:30 p.m. it go after it departs this world? Do Jews believe in information, call 975-6527, email mamacohen@ heaven and hell? 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Journey of the Soul: An Exploration of Life, Death, comcast.net, or visit www.aarecon.org. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): and What Lies Beyond: Chabad. Jewish Learning Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle-lighting Thursday 14 Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. Institute (JLI) course. What is a soul? Where does time. Home hospitality available for Shabbat 1:30 p.m. it go after it departs this world? Do Jews believe in meals and Jewish holidays. Call 995-3276 in Jewish Yoga: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. heaven and hell? 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. advance. Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Noon–1 p.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): “In Home Care:” JCC. Presentation on “aging in Hebrew 103: TBE. 6–7 p.m. Beanster’s Café in UM Michigan League. Weekly Shabbat services place” by Michigan Attorney General’s Office 1:30 p.m. Yoga Drop-in: TBE. 6:30–7:30 p.m. and Office of Consumer Protection. Are you or Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–5:45 p.m. Shabbat Services: AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 a loved one worried about being able to stay in Sounds of the Soul: BIC. 7 p.m. Yoga Drop-in: TBE. 6:30–7:30 p.m. a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sunset. your own home as you age? Topics will include A Season of Mussar I: BIC. 7:30 p.m. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/Ma’ariv what you can do to modify your home now, Beyond Pentateuch: TBE. 7:30 p.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. with Seudah Shlisheet and Dvar Torah every demystifying in-home care, and what to look Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Chabad. 8 p.m. Tuesdays. week. Torah topics and a bite to eat. Discussions for in a nursing home. For information, contact 8 p.m. Tuesdays. led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and other local Rachael Hoffenblum at rachaelhoffenblum@ scholars. Home hospitality available for Shabbat jccannarbor.org or phone 971-0990. 1–2 p.m Wednesday 20 Wednesday 27 meals. UM Hillel. Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15– Shabbat Services: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Morning childcare 2 p.m. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. from 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. Mahj: TBE. Off-site. 1–3 p.m. Shabbat Services: AA Reconstructionist Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Congregation. Morning services held the second Thursdays. See first Thursday of month. Thursday 21 Thursday 28 Saturday of each month at the JCC from 10 a.m.– noon integrating traditional liturgy with music, Jewish Yoga: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. Jewish Yoga: TBE. Noon–1:15 p.m. chanting and contemporary readings including Friday 15 Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15– Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Sit: TBE. 1:15–2 p.m. Torah service and discussion. A morning of songs 2 p.m. and text study takes place the first Saturday of Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Levy: TBE. 12:30– Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. Back Door Food Pantry: TBE. 4–7 p.m. each month. For info, email [email protected] or 1:30 p.m. Nachamu Training: TBE. 7–9 p.m. Guys Night Out: TBE Brotherhood. Off-site @ call 913-9705 or visit www.aarecon.org. Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Issues for Parenting: Promoting Financial Literacy Zamaan. 6–8 p.m. Shabbat Services: Chabad. Friday night services at Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat from for Youth: JFS. At the JCC. RSVP to programs@ Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Shabbat candle lighting time. Saturday morning 5:45–6:15 p.m. Sukkat Shalom from 5:45–6:15 jfsannarbor.org. 7:30–9 p.m. Thursdays. services at 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Service Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. minutes before sundown. Call 995-3276 for | Shabbat Shira with Kol Halev from 7:30–9 p.m. Thursdays. Home Hospitality and Meals for Shabbat and Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. Friday 29 Jewish Holidays. Shabbat Services: Pardes Hannah. Generally meets Friday 22 Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Call Saturday 16 Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat from 663-4039 for more information. 10 a.m. Led by Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Levy: TBE. 12:30–1:30 5:45–6:15 p.m. Sukkat Shalom from 5:45–6:15 Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. p.m. p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Service Shabbat Services: TBE. Torah Study with Rabbi Levy Shalom Gever: TBE. 3:30–5:45 p.m. Shabbat Limmud: BIC. 9 a.m. from 7:30–9 p.m. at 8:50 a.m. Morning Minyan with Rabbi Delson Hebrew in Ivrit: TBE. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Family Shabbat Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat from Friday Night Lights Service and Dinner: BIC. 6 p.m. and lay leaders at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service at 5:45–6:15 p.m. Sukkat Shalom from 5:45–6:15 Bar Mitzvah: TBE. 10–11:30 a.m. Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. 10 a.m. most weeks. Call the office at 665-4744 or p.m. Shira from 6:45–7:15 p.m. Shabbat Service | Shabbat services: See listing at the end of the consult website at www.templebethemeth.org for NFTY from 7:30–9 p.m. calendar. service details. Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. Saturday 30 Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday Meals: Sunday 17 AAOM. Call 662-5805 in advance. Saturday 23 Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every Shabbat Limmud: BIC. 9 a.m. Shabbat and Holiday. Call 995-3276 in advance. BIRS Mitzvah Day: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Torah Study: TBE. 8:50–9:50 a.m. Hebrew in Ivrit: TBE. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty Shabbat Morning with the Rabbis–6th Grade: BIC. Fequently listed phone numbers and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Quiz Night: BIC. 7 p.m. andaddresses of organizations Shir Chadash: TBE. 5–6 p.m. Hebrew in Ivrit: TBE. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Shabbat services: See listing at the of calendar. Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. 100th Anniversary Kick-Off Shabbat: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM) Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. Sunday 31 1429 Hill Street 994-5822 Monday 18 Tot Shabbat: BIC. 11:15 a.m. Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation Shabbat services: See listing at end of the calendar. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the (AARC) basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 913-9705 KidZone Vacation Day: JCC. Kidzone Vacation and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) Days provide fun and adventure for children in Sunday 24 2000 Washtenaw Ave. 665-9897 K-5 when Ann Arbor Schools and Hebrew Day Adult Education: JCS. Check for topic information at jewishculturalsociety.org. 10 a.m.–Noon. Chabad House School have scheduled closures. Children hang Volunteer Brunch and Social Action Film Series: Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Series–6th Grade: BIC. 715 Hill Street 995-3276 out in the new KidZone Lounge, complete with BIC. Showing of Grown in Detroit. 10 a.m. computers, games, and a reading area; have 10:30 a.m. Jewish Community Center (JCC) Tu B’Shevat Celebration: JCS. Celebrate the New arts and crafts time; play sports; and watch a All Ensemble: TBE. 4–6 p.m. 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 971-0990 Year of the Trees with an environmentally focused kid-friendly movie. For information including Jewish Cultural Society (JCS) event. 10 a.m. Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. pricing or to register, visit www.jccannarbor.org, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 975-9872 Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Board Retreat: BIC. 8 p.m. contact [email protected] or phone Jewish Family Services (JFS) basic text of Chassidim and discover the beauty 971-0990. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. 2245 South State Street 769-0209 and depth of Judaism. 10:30–11:30 a.m. Music with Friends @ the J: JCC. Afternoon of Weekly Friday night Shabbat services Jewish Federation Shir Chadash: TBE. 5–6 p.m. music starring Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. 2939 Birch Hollow Drive 677-0100 $10/per person. For information or to register, Hunger Bowl Dinner: TBE Sisterhood. 6–8 p.m. Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at UM Pardes Hannah contact [email protected] or Hillel. Call 994-9258 in advance to confirm time. Kol Halev: TBE. 6:15–7:45 p.m. 2010 Washtenaw Ave. 761-5324 phone 971-0990. Tickets also available at www. Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. a2so.org. 1–3 p.m. Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 6 p.m., 2309 Packard Road 665-4744 Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. Monday 25 followed by tot dinner. Traditional Service at 7:30 UM Hillel p.m. Once a month Middle School Service at 7:30 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 Shalom Gever: TBE. 4:15–7 p.m. p.m. For information, call 665-4744.

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 33 Downsizing? We can help!

Let Encore Sell It For You: Electronics • Musical Instruments Designer Items • Antiques & Collectibles Sterling Silver • Sporting Goods Camera & Audio/Visual Equipment 1958 South Industrial (in the Colonial Lanes Plaza) 734.761.6187 EncoreOnlineResale.com

When you only have one chance to catch that special moment

SPECIALIZING IN: BAR/BAT MITZVAHS, FAMILY PORTRAITS, CHILDREN, FAMILY CELEBRATIONS, DIGITAL IMAGING, BUSINESS RECEPTIONS 734.546.0426 [email protected] susanayerphotography.com A wealth of knowledge. And a knowledge of wealth. New Families mention this ad to save $100. ZZZFDPSWDYRURUJ  H[HFGLU#FDPSWDYRURUJ  ,QDGGLWLRQWRKDYLQJIXQDQG PDNLQJQHZIULHQGVFDPSHUV Our 23 experienced Investment Management and Trust & Estate DW7DYRUOHDUQDERXW Services professionals will oversee your wealth the same way they OHDGHUVKLSVRFLDOMXVWLFH currently oversee $930,000,000 in assets: Totally objectively. By offering VWHZDUGLQJWKHHQYLURQPHQW a wide range of investment styles and asset classes. Charging a set DQGFRQQHFWLQJWR,VUDHO fee and not charging commissions. And always having you and your family’s short- and long-term fi nancial goals in mind. Camp Tavor offers 5-day, 2- To learn more, call Eric Helber at 734-327-1127 or visit boaa.com. week, 3-week and 4-week overnight camp sessions for campers entering grades 3‒12. First-time campers may be Not insured by the FDIC. Not deposits or other obligations of the institutions and are not guaranteed by the institution. eligible for up to $1000 Subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested. off of tuition.  34 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016

Ad Number: PP-BOAA-16591A Trim: 4.812" x 6.375" Perich Job No: 16591 Bleed: NA Colors: 4/C Live: NA Format: 1/4 PG Version: 10.9.14

I Vitals

Mazel tov Samuel Berkooz on his bar mitzvah, December 5. Max Klarman on his bar mitzvah, December 12. Rich and Sally Adler on the birth of their grandson, Elijah Jacob, son of Steven and Jessica Adler. Rabbi Allan D. Kensky on the birth of his grandson, Simon Neal Kensky, son of Eitan and Jen Kensky. Evan Eisman on his bar mitzvah, December 5. Zach Newpol on his bar mitzvah, December 5. Eleanor Mills on her bat mitzvah, December 12. Dalin Adler on his bar mitzvah, January 16.

Condolences Caroline Shevrin on the death of her mother, Barbara Green, October 24. David Allan on the death of his wife, Susan Allan, also mother of Jennifer Allan, October 27. Ruth Bardenstein on the death of her father, Max Bardenstein, October 31. Rachel Beaver on the death of her mother, Carolyn Watson, October 31. Edward D’Angelo on the death of his mother, Evelyn D’Angelo, November 9. Joan Rosenblum on the death of her husband, Robert Rosenblum, November 19. Paul Adler on the death of his father, Jack Adler, November 21. Denise Thal on the death of her mother, Ileane Levine Thal, November 24.

I Advertisers Afternoon Delight...... 6 Frankel Center...... 19 Alex Milshteyn, Coldwell Banker Gold Bond Cleaners...... 24 Weir Manuel...... 3 Jewish Community Center...... 14 Amadeus Cafe/Patisserie...... 2 Jewish Family Services...... 5 Ann Arbor City Club...... 13 Jewish Federation...... 9, 23 Ann Arbor Civic Theatre...... 18 Michigan Theater...... 21 Ann Arbor District Library...... 18 Modern Mechanical...... 9 Ann Arbor Reconstructionist MOSA Audiology...... 16 Congregation...... 34 Pam Sjo, The Reinhart Company...... 2 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra...... 6 Paper Station...... 2 The Ark...... 24 People’s Food Co-op...... 21 Bank of Ann Arbor...... 34 Performance Network Theatre...... 24 Bennett Optometry...... 35 Purple Rose Theatre Company...... 34 Bivouac...... 13 Restaurant Week, Brian Ashin, LMSW, CGP...... 9 Main St. Area Association ...... 19 Brookhaven Manor Apartments...... 6 Revel & Roll...... 31 Camp Tavor...... 34 River Raisin Ragtime Band...... 36 Cantor Samuel Greenbaum; mohel...... 7 Shutter Booth...... 2 Chabad House...... 31 Susan Ayer Photography...... 34 Chelsea Flower Shop...... 34 Temple Beth Emeth...... 6 Dennis Platte Graphic Design...... 9 University Musical Society...... 32 Dorfman Funeral Home...... 7 Zingerman’s...... 35 We’re planting Encore Online Resale...... 34 the seeds for your Shabbat Candlelighting holiday event December 4 4:42 p.m. January 1 4:52 p.m. From family gatherings to corporate December 11 4:42 p.m. January 8 4:59 p.m. parties, we’ll make your special celebration December 18 4:43 p.m. January 15 5:06 p.m. December 25 4:47 p.m. January 22 5:15 p.m. sparkle! Featuring an authentically restored January 29 5:24 p.m. event barn, stunning historic farmhouse, and sustainable, working farm grounds, Cornman Farms will help you put together a holiday memory to Happy Hanukkah! cherish. Contact us now to start planning! from the Washtenaw Jewish News 8540 Island Lake Road • Dexter, MI 48130 www.cornmanfarms.com [email protected]

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016 35 36 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2015/January 2016