the Jewish bserver www.jewishobservernashville.org Vol. 82 No. 9 • September 2017 10 Elul 5777-10 Tishrei 5778
New Year Greetings, Shana Tova 5778 page 20 Key words to start up Federation Annual Campaign: Serve more needs By KATHY CARLSON All these firsts have something Out, a women’s philanthropy event set Requests for services and financial in common: the Jewish Federation for Nov. 9. assistance have increased throughout eptember is a time for new of Nashville and Middle Tennessee “We want to connect as many dots Nashville’s Jewish community, from its beginnings – the High (JFNMT) and the annual campaign that as possible for women in our communi- youngest to oldest residents, which also Holidays, returning to school supports it, launching this month. ty,” said Stephanie Townsend, chair of mirrors a rising need for services for Jews and, for your Nashville “The goal for the launch in the Girls Night Out event for women’s around the world. Jewish community, a time to September is to talk to donors about philanthropy. “We want them to have For example, more families request- build up resources to enable the need for serving more people,” says a good time and make connections to ed needs-based scholarships so their Snew beginnings continue into the future. Jewish Federation Assistant Executive give back to the community. Federation children could attend Camp Davis, the A new beginning might be a child’s Director Naomi Limor Sedek, who leads supports so many programs and activities: only 8-week Jewish day camp in Middle first day at Jewish preschool, making new the Federation’s total financial resource Akiva, the GJCC, camps, all different Tennessee. Jewish Federation’s 2017 friends at a BBYO event, taking that development team. parts of the community. There probably scholarship support for Jewish campers first Shalom Taxi ride. It might that first Conversations with donors will take are women who are taking advantage increased 7 percent from the previous sum- Shabbat dinner at Vanderbilt Hillel as a place throughout the campaign, infor- of these activities but don’t really know mer, but requests for assistance exceeded brand-new college student. mally and at events such as Girls Night Federation is supporting them.” Continued on page 2
HOLD THE DATE NASHVILLE 6TH ANNUAL GLOBAL DAY OF JEWISH LEARNING DATE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 TIME: 9:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M. (Complimentary Lunch Included) LOCATION: AKIVA SCHOOL
After learning about the science behind the eclipse, students see it for themselves at Join us for a special day of enriching, fun and exciting Jewish learning Akiva School. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHELLE MANDICO THEME: BEAUTY AND UGLINESS
The eyes have it: Experiencing FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST a full solar eclipse, together SCHOLARS FROM THE PARDES INSTITUTE lot of things get labeled The GJCC hosted a family eclipse OF JEWISH STUDIES once-in-a-lifetime viewing party in the Camp Davis drop-off Rabbi Michael Hattin Rabba Yaa Epstein opportunities, but what area, offering music, games, art projects happened on Aug. 21 and a special presentation from Super MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF THE JEWISH OBSERVER truly was: the chance Science Tennessee. Special eclipse-view- REGISTRATION OPENS ONLINE OCTOBER 9 to witness a full solar ing glasses were sold out before the event. Aeclipse with friends and colleagues Smaller groups of people set up lawn FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MARK FREEDMAN on the Gordon Jewish Community chairs to watch. Others checked the AT [email protected] Center campus. Continued on page 3 OR AT 615-354-1660
A Publication of the Newest shlicha High Holiday Tennessee wants to show Calendar, State Museum Nashville page 19 gains key another side pieces of of Israel, Werthan page 5 Packaging Co.’s story, page 25 WWW.JEWISHNASHVILLE.ORG With LIFE & LEGACY, Akiva helps to secure the next generation of Jewish Nashville
By LARRY HYATT tion is expensive, and we provide gener- secure the future of our school, and our ous scholarships to help make the school community. • kiva School, Middle affordable to Jewish families, net tuition Tennessee’s only Jewish covers only approximately 40 percent of Editor’s note: Larry Hyatt is vice pres- day school, is grateful for Akiva’s annual operating costs. Akiva ident of the board of the Akiva School the strong support we have spectrum of Jewish beliefs and practic- could not exist without the generosity of and chairman of its LIFE & LEGACY received for our LIFE & es, coming from Reform, Conservative, our annual donors, the Jewish Federation Committee. ALEGACY campaign. Orthodox, Chabad, secular and unaffil- and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and As of this writing, almost 40 mem- iated homes. Our curriculum integrates Middle Tennessee, and the endowment bers of the greater Nashville Jewish general and Jewish studies. Our Jewish that our LIFE & LEGACY donors will community have committed to include studies include a Hebrew immersion help create. Campaign Akiva in their estate plans. Their gener- approach to learning, while our gener- We are grateful to everyone who Continued from page 1 osity will help secure a bright future for al studies include a focus on STEAM has made our LIFE & LEGACY cam- available funds. Camp Davis is serving our 60-year-old school. Given the exten- (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art paign possible, including the members of more campers each summer and projects sive research indicating that a Jewish and Mathematics). In fact, Akiva is cur- Akiva’s LIFE & LEGACY Committee; a 15 percent growth in the number of day school education is one of the best rently working towards STEM accredita- the Federation staff; and the Harold campers next summer. predictors of future Jewish engagement, tion and, once complete, will be one of Grinspoon Foundation, which helps Many families also need a hand in their generosity will also help secure the the only schools in Tennessee with this develop and support LIFE & LEGACY, sending children to overnight camp. In future of Jewish Nashville. accreditation. PJ Library and other programs benefiting the past five years, requests for needs- Akiva students represent the full Since providing this quality of educa- Jewish life. It is a great team effort to based scholarships have increased by 150 percent and total awards have risen by 100 percent. The reasons include both increased needs and rising costs of Jewish camping and immersive experiences. The JFNMT supports Jewish cultur- al, religious and social life on a variety of campuses throughout Tennessee includ- ing Belmont, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Vanderbilt University. It is estimated that close to 1,500 Jewish college students attend these schools with over 1,000 currently being served by Hillel and Jewish Student Services. With additional resources we can reach the additional 33 percent. Jewish Federation is helping elderly Nashvillians remain part of the commu- The "5 &1"*"+1of the first shofar blast nity through Shalom Taxi vouchers that help them get to doctor’s appointments as well as get together with friends. Since its The 04""11 01"of apple dipped in honey inception, Shalom Taxi has seen a 98 per- cent growth in ridership, increasing from The )"00&+$0 of a new year 37 rides per month to 73 rides per month. In 2018, Shalom Taxi usage is expected to increase by 20 percent and with increased How will you inspire future generations? support, we can provide the additional rides to seniors in our community. In addition to raising funds, the Jewish Federation’s annual campaign will include donor recognition such as the Nov. 9 Girls Night Out featuring Jane Weitzman, former executive vice pres- ident of Stuart Weitzman and the first %"6" / %" !&0 vice president of Stuart Weitzman retail. “Having Jane Weitzman, who is very 01&)) +,-"+ ,,(. involved in philanthropy, tell her story will inspire women here,” event chair- Inscribe your vision for person Townsend said. Local women will also tell their own stories about a sweet Jewish future with how they’ve connected philanthropical- ly. The event is open to all women. a legacy gift to partners of Any woman interested in volunteering to be on the host committee can contact Legacy & Legacy. Townsend, [email protected]. Early next year, everyone in the community will be invited to participate in “30 Days of Doing Good, ” our mar- keting campaign to educate the entire community about the Jewish Federation’s work locally and abroad. In February, a revamped Tzedakah Tzunday will engage our community and volunteers in new and meaningful Contact Naomi Limor Sedek at (615) 354-1642 or [email protected] ways. Nashville’s congregations will hold Jewish Federation Shabbat services start- ing in February and the community will celebrate the campaign and work of the Jewish Federation in March. “We hope you’ll join us and share your experiences as we work together to strengthen our communities,” said Sedek. • 2 September 2017 The Observer firsthand, not in a text book, or a com- Eclipse puter-based simulation but outside with Continued from page 1 the Universe. progress of the eclipse as totality “Our tradition teaches that on the approached. fourth day of creation, God created lumi- At Akiva School, the whole day was naries. These luminaries were to serve devoted to the phenomenon. Parents, as ‘signs’ to help us identify days and students and others from the greater seasons and years. Some of our Jewish Nashville Jewish community were there, sources view the notion of the eclipse as along with students and teachers from a warning or even a bad omen, as these three Jewish day schools from Memphis signs are no longer functioning as they and Knoxville, Akiva Principal Daniella were intended. But we are also taught to Pressner said in a newsletter to parents. view these warnings as reminders of our “Our children will be rotating substantial responsibility to this world. through educational booths, dancing to Unlike the Greek tragedy, our tradition music about the moon and the sun and teaches us that our actions do, in fact, learning with each other, our faculty, impact this world. We are not helpless; and a NASA representative,” she wrote. in fact, it is our right and responsibility “It is remarkable to think that we will all to be helpful. The eclipse serves as a be watching the moon completely pass reminder that while we may not be the Nashville Federation Executive Director Mark Freedman, left, and his wife, Leslie J. by the sun; in the middle of the day, we ones in charge of the entire Universe, Klein, join family members to usher in the eclipse. will be able to look up into the darkness sometimes we must engage it as if we are, to see the stars. Most awe-inspiring is in whatever capacity we are able.” • that our children will get to experience the workings of our magnificent universe Photographs by Carrie Mills
Gordon Jewish Community Center Executive Director Leslie Sax, left, chats with An attentive owner helps adjust eclipse Carla Rosenthal, past president of the GJCC board of directors, and David Jacobs, glasses for Gatorade the boxer. executive director of the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford, Conn. GJCC Membership and Development Director Dara Freiberg and son Rory look skyward.
GJCC Gallery Curator Carrie Mills and Rich Askey, aka Mr. Rich the Super Scientist, views the progress of the eclipse with son Garrett, roughly three hours before What the camera saw when aimed at his daughter, Aurora. He presented a science demonstration as part of the GJCC’s totality. the eclipse. Family Eclipse celebration.
)URPRXUIDPLOLHVWR\RXUV¤ PD\\RXKDYHDSHDFHIXODQGVZHHW1HZ&260(7,&$1'*(1(5$/'(17,675< %URRNZRRG3ODFH 1DVKYLOOH71 The Observer September 2017 3 From the Federation Community Relations director taking new position with animal welfare group fter nearly five years as working on behalf of our Jewish and wider community tributed so much to the CRC, the Jewish the Nashville Jewish Jewish community has brought and Abbie played a leading role Federation and our Jewish community,” Federation’s director of me, a part of me has longed to in pursuing the CRC’s core mis- said Freedman. community relations, return to the animal welfare sion—advancing Israel educa- Wolf told CRC members, “I am tre- Abbie Wolf is leav- field, and when this opportu- tion and advocacy, combatting mendously proud of all the important work ing that position this nity arose, I felt I couldn’t pass anti-Semitism and engaging in we have done together over the last five Amonth. She will become the director of it up,” Wolf said. social justice causes. years. We have accomplished so much, and external relations for the Pet Community “Abbie served in her “Working in close cooper- overcome so many challenges. I will miss Center, an animal welfare organization role with the Community ation with the three lay chairs working with every single one of you.” • that works with Metro Nashville and Relations Committee ... with with whom she served, Irwin corporate partners to reduce animal great distinction and with Venick, Arthur Perlen and Ron Please join us on homelessness. She had worked in the a full measure of profession- Abbie Wolf Galbraith, Abbie has positioned past for animal welfare organizations al excellence,” Federation Executive the CRC front and center in the heart- Tuesday, September 5, 2017 and has a longstanding commitment to Director Mark Freedman said. “During beat of Jewish life and Jewish public animal welfare issues. her tenure, the CRC expanded its mem- affairs. I am deeply indebted to Abbie 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the GJCC “Despite the deep fulfillment that bership, engaged a broader segment of the and I want to thank her for having con- 801 Percy Warner Blvd, Nashville 37205 For a farewell wine and cheese reception in honor of our outgoing Director of Community Relations Abbie Wolf ORTHODOX CULTURAL Haven’t been to Shul since my Bar Mitzvah Federation Join us to thank Abbie for all her honey honey honey honey hard work and contributions to our community
12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey Rsvp to [email protected]
Opinion letter to the editor To the editor: RE Jerry and I were overwhelmed by the CONSERVATIVE CON outpouring of love and caring and gener- LGBTQ REFORM osity that was shown to our daughter, Risa STRUC honey honey and Drew Herzog and their daughters, honey TIONIST Vivian and Tess, after the devastating fire that took their home this past winter. honey From the calls and visits to the donations 12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey 12 oz pure & natural honey of food, clothing and contributions from friends, neighbors and even strangers, it was so amazing and heartwarming. We were in awe of everyone’s kindness and so appreciative of this wonderful community we live in.
With much gratitude and love, SHANA TOVAH Mimi and Jerry Klein Submission Policy Drop the Labels this year and come together as one Jewish community. The Observer accepts original opinion pieces and letters from Nashville area Religious freedom. It’s an important issue to Jews everywhere. So this Rosh Hashanah, let’s make it a sweeter new year residents on topics of interest to the Today, it’s especially relevant here and in Israel. Which on by standing together. You can do that by giving generously to Jewish community as long as they have reflection, gives Rosh Hashanah an even deeper significance. Federation. Your gift supports our work for a more pluralistic not been published or submitted for pub- Israel and a stronger global community. Because no matter how we may label ourselves — we are all lication elsewhere. Submissions should Jews. That’s what matters. Recognizing that our diversity be sent by the 15th of the month prior to strengthens us. publication to Editor Kathy Carlson at FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT NAOMI LIMOR SEDEK, [email protected] or 801 Percy FOR615-3 MORE54-164 INFORMA2 ORR NAOMTIONI@JE WCONTISHNAACTSH VNAILLEOMI.O RGLIMOR SEDEK, Warner, Suite 102, Nashville 37205. 615-354-1642 OR [email protected] The Observer reserves the right to edit all jewishnashville.org submissions for clarity, length and style. 4 September 2017 The Observer From the Federation Newest shlicha shares her story By KATHY CARLSON anti-Semitism around the world that goes is not the big deal that was 50 years hand-in-hand with Israel’s de-legitimacy, ago and the social situation in Israel is great first interview it couldn’t seem like a better time.” becoming more fluid and multicultural, brought Sharon Ben This is her first time in the United but you can still find discrimination and Ami to the Nashville States and she said she doesn’t know gaps that exists for instance in the acad- Jewish Federation, anyone who has been to Nashville. emy where proportionally fewer Mizrahi where she is the com- She’s not a singer but loves music, so Jews are in professions or are college munity’s fifth shlicha, Nashville’s focus on music was a draw. educated compared with Ashkenazis so Aor Israel emissary. Ben Ami’s grandparents came to being Ashkenazi “still stings. I know “Whenever there is an opening for a Israel from Morocco and the Kurdish what discrimination feels like,” she said. shlicha, they tell you and you interview part of Iraq, Sephardic and Mizrahi She’s eager to hear the personal for the position,” she recalled. “The first Jews respectively. Her parents were the stories of people in Nashville’s Jewish one I got was Nashville and it just clicked. younger children in their families and, community. Given her background, “…The job in Nashville seemed unlike their siblings, were born in Israel. Ben Ami is interested in ‘Tikkun olam’, very dynamic, working with all age Because their families weren’t working to bond the Jewish community groups,” she said. Other communities Ashkenazi Jews, they were considered and strengthen its relations with Israel. wanted their shlicha to focus on specific Sharon Ben Ami underprivileged when they arrived in She also wants to see as much as she can age groups, but the Nashville position Israel, Ben Ami said. As non-Ashke- of the United States and talk to people involved working with children, teens, “When I was with the students, they nazis, her parents had to fight for their about Israeli music and arts. Her mother young adults and seniors, and the variety debated a lot of Jewish and Israeli issues rights in Israel, she said, and sister are “body trainers,” and she is appealed to Ben Ami. and conflicts, and I saw the impact I In the United States people would interested in healthy living, yoga, body Shlichot come to Nashville and could have on other Jewish communities probably consider her white, she said, and soul and its connection to Judaism. other communities throughout the around the world,” she said. “Since then, but in Israel she’s “not from that group,” Ben Ami also wants to share some United States and around the world it became one of my goals to become and her last name isn’t Ashkenazi. Mizrahi traditions, food and music. “It’s through a program with the Jewish a shlicha, and today, with the rising These days, not being Ashkenazi just a little part of who I am.” • Agency for Israel. They help their local communities learn about Israel and help build a bridge between Israel and each Jewish community. Ben Ami will work with synagogues, religious schools and Veteran journalist to speak other community organizations. Ben Ami grew up in Jerusalem and attended The Academic College of Tel on ‘Kotel, conversion, conflict’ Aviv-Yaffo. She decided to become a shlicha when, as a soldier in the sraeli-American journalist Haviv and Jewish world correspondent for the Israel Defense Forces, she accompanied Rettig Gur will speak on Tuesday, Jerusalem Post and director of communi- American and British college students Oct. 3, at the Gordon Jewish cations for the Jewish Agency for Israel. on Birthright Israel trips. Community Center on the topic He is a wide-ranging lecturer on “Kotel, Conversion and Conflict: Israeli politics and history, U.S.-Israel Hot Button Issues in Israel, Where relations, Jewish identity and communal c c STAFF c c IDo We Stand Today?” issues, and Israel-Diaspora relations. He His talk begins at 7 p.m. and will has reported from more than 20 coun- Publisher Mark S. Freedman be followed by a dessert reception. It is tries and previously served as director of sponsored by the Community Relations communications for the Jewish Agency Editor Kathy Carlson Committee of the Jewish Federation and for Israel. Carrie Mills Advertising Manager Foundation of Nashville and Middle From 2010 to 2012 Mr. Gur also Layout and Production Tim Gregory Tennessee. acted, on a volunteer basis, as the vice Editorial Board Frank Boehm (chair), president for government relations of Barbara Dab, Greg Goldberg, SpaceIL, the Israeli team competing in Scott Rosenberg, Liz Foster Google’s Lunar X-Prize competition to Editorial Submissions Policy land the first civilian spacecraft on the and Deadlines moon. He served for three years as an Telephone 615/356-3242 infantry combat medic in the Israel Fax 615/352-0056 The Jewish Observer welcomes the sub- Haviv Rettig Gur Defense Forces, a role in which he con- E-mail [email protected] mission of information, news items, fea- tinues to serve in a reserve capacity. ture stories and photos about events rele- Gur is a political correspondent and To RSVP or more information, ‘The Jewish Observer’ (ISSN vant to the Jewish community of Greater analyst for the Times of Israel and a please contact Barbara Schwarcz at (615) 23315334) is published monthly for $25 per Nashville. We prefer e-mailed submis- commentator and lecturer on Jewish 354-1630 or barbara@jewishnashville. year by the Jewish Federation of Nashville sions, which should be sent as Word history and identity. He was a diplomatic org. • and Middle Tennessee, 801 Percy Warner documents to Editor Kathy Carlson at Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205-4009. [email protected]. Photos must be high resolution (at least 300 dpi) and Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN. Corrections Policy POSTMASTER: Send address changes should be attached as jpegs to the e-mail to THE JEWISH OBSERVER, 801 Percy with the related news item or story. The Jewish Observer is committed to making corrections and clarifications promptly. To Warner Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205 For material that cannot be e-mailed, request a correction or clarification, call Editor Kathy Carlson at (615) 354-1653 or email submissions should be sent to Kathy her at [email protected]. This newspaper is made possible by funds Carlson, The Jewish Observer, 801 Percy raised in the Jewish Federation Annual Warner Blvd., Suite 102, Nashville TN Campaign. 37205. Photos and copy sent by regular mail will not be returned unless prior Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Nashville arrangement is made. Publication is at The Jewish Observer is a member and Middle Tennesseeat www.jewishnashville.org of the American Jewish Press Association the discretion of The Observer, which and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. reserves the right to edit submissions.
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The Observer September 2017 5 National News/Commentary Nashville grapples with Charlottesville events, aftermath ne week after the center – stop yourself EVERY time you to do something, follow the Jewish ideal ing. We do this in concert and regular deadly violence in think the word HATE! and find a more of not just standing up, but thinking communication and coordination with Charlottesville, Va., truthful and healthy word to think the through clearly how our words and law enforcement. You may notice some Nashville’s rabbis spoke same thought. actions will bring about positive change. of these measures. Some of these mea- to their congregations. Enjoy the inner peace and good sures may purposely be done behind the Here are their energy output you create. The Temple: scenes. Please help us be vigilant: If you Othoughts, gathered before Shabbat on Congregation Ohabai Sholom see something unusual, please say some- Aug. 18: Congregation Micah Rabbi Mark Schiftan thing to our staff. ... Rabbi Laurie Rice Rabbi Shana Goldstein Mackler May all of us together move toward Chabad of Nashville I would say that one thing you can Cantor Tracy Fishbein justice and peace, as we work toward Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel do is recall the principle of Hillel: “What Rabbi Michael Shulman healing our nation. Beneath the surface of every terrible is hateful to you, do not do to another.” The events of this past weekend (Editor’s note: The message to congre- experience there lies the opportunity to Replace hate with love. Fill your heart in Charlottesville are shocking and gants listed events that were to take place grow and increase in goodness. Every with kindness and remember the words abhorrent. before readers would receive the September step back can—and must—become the of Leviticus which instruct that we are As a collective Jewish community Observer and were deleted for that reason.) impetus for a giant leap forward. not to hate our fellow in our heart. Then we have been shaken, both by the acts Chabad’s Nashville Tefillin call your congressional reps and tell of violence and by the hateful rhetoric West End Synagogue Campaign encourages Jewish men to put them what you expect as a citizen so that spewed by white supremacist groups who Rabbi Joshua Kullock on tefillin—a sacred pair of black leath- they hear your voice. Spread love, speak organized and led the march and rally We don’t need to dig too deep in er boxes containing Hebrew parchment kindly, and care for others passionately. that claimed the life of three people. our history to discover the lessons of scrolls. We grieve for the three human lives many of the catastrophes that fell upon When one puts on tefillin, they’re lost. We pray for those who are wounded our people in the past. We know what connecting to the Infinite, fulfilling G-d’s Congregation Sherith Israel and hurting still. happens when bigots seize power. We will and reminding themselves to be a Rabbi Saul Strosberg And we stand together in defense know what happens when democracy better person emphasizing the infinite After tragedies like Charlottesville, of the values and ethics we uphold as crumbles and a free and independent potential within every individual. people of conscience want to do some- Americans and as Jews. press is no longer to be found. We know Tefillin is just one part of our broad- thing. They want to respond. They want Even more, most of us – perhaps who wins and who loses when the haters er effort to dispel darkness with light to help. They don’t want to stand idly even all of us – are deeply troubled by are emboldened and enabled. And we and make Judaism accessible to the by. Judaism gives us two responsibilities the incendiary remarks that led to these know how to distinguish between para- local community, including distribut- in this situation: to bring comfort to events, as well as those made subsequent noia and real concerns for the well-being ing Shabbat candles to women, affixing those who have suffered, and to bring to these events, which tried to defend of our country. mezuzahs to doorposts and encouraging to justice those who have done wrong. and equivocate the actions of those who But, above all of those lessons, we the giving of charity. My concern is that much of what people participated in them. also know that the only way to act is by The fact the G-d created each of us, and organizations have said has done Let us be clear: There is no moral proactively raising our voices, by defend- means that we each, no matter race or neither. At a certain point, talk becomes equivalency when it comes to hate- ing the causes that we care about, by creed, are extremely important to Him unfruitful. Speaking up for the sake of filled, bigoted, or biased speech or action. committing to vote in the elections and and we each have a unique purpose in speaking up is not enough. Our actions There are not many sides to this. There by taking responsibility for our decisions. this world, that no else can fulfill. When and our words need to make a difference. is only right versus wrong, and good Healing will require the strength to we recognize that, we will come to appre- Here are a few examples that could make versus evil. embrace and accept the differences of ciate the immense importance and value a difference: To that end, we condemn, in the opinion among ourselves, while making of each and every individual -- especially • Visiting, calling or sending notes to strongest terms, the hate speech, the sure that racists are held accountable by if they are different from us. I encourage the families and communities of the violence and the terror brought about by the rule of law. all people of goodwill to add in goodness victims. those claiming white supremacy. Healing will require that we hold and kindness, to those around you--and to • Sending a check to support increased We want you to know that during our moral ground, that we keep fighting people you may have never met. security of the Charlottesville Jewish these tense times, we are actively engaged for that which is worth fighting, and that There is no room for HATE speech, community. in a number of meaningful responses on we remain committed to working on period. Beyond statements, beyond • Going online to combat hate-mes- several fronts: First, we are taking the behalf of this Nation which, under one marching – Action! Apolitical, aca- sages and hate-groups. steps necessary to ensure the safety and G-d, will continue to stand indivisible demical, political, religious – right, left, It’s my hope that all who feel moved security of all those who enter our build- procuring liberty and justice for all. • Jewish mayor draws strength from family roots By RON KAMPEAS he has been the target of intense baiting younger liberal Jews who note with pride as a Jew. their grandparents’ working class and Editor’s note: Since this article was “I can’t see the world through a black intellectual roots: written, the mayor has reversed his position person’s eyes,” he said at an address earli- “My grandfather was a Jeep mechan- and called for Confederate statues to be er this summer at an African-American ic for the Army on the European front removed from downtown Charlottesville. church, where he urged constituents in World War II and lifetime member not to give in to the impulse to counter of the proofreaders’ union at the New CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (JTA) hatred with hatred. York Times; he lost part of a finger in — Michael Signer, the Jewish mayor of “I can see it through a Jewish per- an industrial accident as a young man,” Charlottesville, has one thing in com- son’s eyes; the KKK hates Jews just as he wrote. “My grandmother organized mon with the white supremacists who much as they hate black people. The seamstresses on her factory floor in New descended on his southern Virginia city stuff with this group online about Jews York City and later worked as a secretary over the weekend: He also opposed the is unbelievable, bloodcurdling. The to Hannah Arendt at the New School.” removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. stuff I’ve gotten on my phone at my In a January speech declaring Robert E. Lee. house, you’d think it was done a hun- Charlottesville “a capital of the resis- Of course, Signer’s reasons for pre- dred years ago.” tance,” Signer described his grandfather as serving the statue would have appalled Michael Signer speaking to “Meet the Signer, 44, a practicing lawyer in a “Jewish kid raised in the Bronx” who was the supremacists: He agreed with local Press,” Aug. 14. PHOTO PROVIDED BY JTA AND Charlottesville, also lectures on poli- “part of the forces that liberated the world TAKEN FROM YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT African-American activists who had tics and leadership at the University from Nazism and fascism, that laid the argued that preserving the statue was a thoughtful approach, more typical of an of Virginia, his law school alma mater. groundwork for NATO and the Marshall means of teaching Virginians about the academic than a politician, has also been His wife, Emily Blout, is an Iran schol- Plan, and for a country that lived up to the horrors of a “dishonorable” cause, the evident in his counsel during the rash ar at the same university, which is in promises of the Statue of Liberty. … Confederacy. of protests that have plagued this city: Charlottesville. “If he were alive right now, I don’t Signer was on the losing side of “Don’t take the bait,” he has said. An Arlington native, Signer is the think I could look him in the face and a 3-2 City Council decision, and the In giving that advice, Signer has child of journalists, but in his author’s say Grandpa, I didn’t fight for the values statue is now slated for removal. But his noted that for the first time in his life, autobiography sounds like many other you fought for.” •
6 September 2017 The Observer National News/Commentary Hate in Charlottesville: The day the Nazi called me Shlomo By RON KAMPEAS “You look like a Shlomo.” are not always identified with hostili- absurd and use that as a way of keeping “You want to talk?” I offered. ty toward Jews. About an hour’s drive an emotional distance from the hate CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (JTA) “I don’t talk to the press,” he said. away, Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery, speech. I counted the wounded, rushed — The white supremacists, for all their “They just lie.” He scampered away. a Confederate monument, has a carefully by stretchers into the back of ambulanc- vaunted purpose, appeared to be disori- The exchange was jarring in how tended Jewish section. es, the less seriously injured patched up ented. personal it was. I’ve been hated directly And yet here it was, the chants of with torn cloths, leaning on friends’ Some 500 had gathered at a park for many things (try being a journalist, “Jews will not replace us” (as?). I had shoulders and wincing. here on Aug. 12 to protest this southern anywhere), but it had been a while — I’d two more personal encounters. At the I retreated to a cafe that was open Virginia city’s plans to remove a statue have to cast back to early childhood — Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, a man only to clergy and the media dispensing of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from since I’d faced visceral hatred just for, wearing a floppy beige sunhat started free water and beer. I filed a story, and on the park. Pressured by the American well, looking Jewish. following me and explaining the lie of the large wall TV, CNN said President Civil Liberties Union, Charlottesville A year ago I had attended at a hotel the Holocaust, the evil of the Jews, the Donald Trump was ready to speak. had allowed the march at Emancipation in Washington, D.C., the unveiling of value of DNA in determining purity. The cafe fell silent. There was, it Park — or Lee Park, the protesters’ pre- the “alt-right,” convened by one of its I retreated as he ran after me, scream- seems, even among this crowd of liberal ferred name. lead theorists, Richard Spencer, who also ing, “My mother says I’m a Jew! My clergy, a thirst for a message of unity That worked for an hour or so, and was in attendance in Charlottesville. MOTHER! Does that mean I’m entitled from a president who has pledged, and then the protesters and counterprotest- That news conference — an expression to something?” (I resisted replying, “Your more often than not failed, to lead us all. ers started to pelt one another with of white supremacy argued in plummy mother’s love.”) Trump engaged in some throat clear- plastic bottles — it was unclear who tones that disguised its hateful content And earlier, filing out of ing about the Veterans Administration, started it. Gas bombs — mildly irritat- — was at a remove from the hatred Emancipation Park, a group of youths and then began, “We condemn in the ing — seemed to come more from the stalking the streets of Charlottesville on surrounded and shouted at me, “Take strongest possible terms this egregious white supremacists. Finally, the sides Saturday. Spencer was polite and helpful that wall in Israel down! An open border display of hatred bigotry and violence, rushed each other headlong and there after the fact. His ideas are toxic, but for everyone!” — a reference to a popu- on many sides.” At “on many sides” the were scuffles. in the airless corridors of a Washington lar theory on the far right that Jews are room erupted into shouts of anger. On So Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe hotel, they seemed denuded of malice; engineering open borders to bring the cue, Trump repeated, “On many sides.” declared a state of emergency and, heed- they seem to be the imaginings of an United States to ruination while keeping There was only one side visibly ing the police, the white supremacists intemperate toddler. Israel pure. They moved on. and overwhelmingly gripped by hate on filed out of the park and started walking, Here in Charlottesville, the hatred Anomalies like these tend to Saturday in Charlottesville. north, but to where no one seemed sure. was present and real and would before bemuse, at least me. What the racists As the day wore on, the White There was talk of meeting at a parking the day ended apparently kill someone, believe to be hurtful jibes come across House refused to retreat from Trump’s lot, but which parking lot, no one was when a car driven by a 20-year-old Ohio more as non sequiturs, as mouthings many sides comment, and the president’s sure. As they approached the Dogwood man plowed through counterprotesters. of the deluded or the possessed. Why tweets didn’t add clarity. Vietnam Memorial, a bucolic hill over- Among the 500 white supremacists Shlomo of all names? “Condolences to the family of looking an overpass, they sputtered to were men and women bearing signs And then the car rammed the the young woman killed today, and a stop for consultations and did what like “Goyim know!” (Know what?) and crowd, and there was a fatality, and best regards to all of those injured, in marchers on a seasonably warm day do: “Jews are satans children.” There were some 35 injured, including five criti- Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!” was They sat on the grass, sought shade and Nazi flags. There were men all in black, cally, and it was harder to pick out the his last tweet of the day. • chatted. T-shirts and slacks and army boots and I had been following at a distance helmets, jogging along with plastic with a handful of journalists and folks shields. There were the men who sang who were there not so much to counter- of “blood and soil” as they marched protest but to deliver an alternative mes- to the Emancipation Park event. And sage. Zelic Jones from Richmond bore a when the white supremacists got their poster with a saying by Martin Luther act together and gathered in McIntire King Jr., “We must accept finite disap- Park, they shouted “Jew” every time the pointment, but never lose infinite hope.” name of Charlotteville’s Jewish mayor, I climbed the hillock to see if Michael Signer, was mentioned. anyone would be willing to talk. On Of course, the hostility was not the way, the marchers had studiously confined to Jews: As targets, Jews were ignored reporters, but I thought, at not even preeminent; blacks were. There rest, they might be more amenable. It were the “White lives matter” T-shirts. was not to be. One man, wearing black Marching along McIntire Road, the slacks, a white shirt, sunglasses and white supremacists shouted the N-word black baseball cap, shadowed me. He at drivers passing by. More prominent moved to stand between me and anyone than the Nazi flags were the Confederate I had hoped to interview. flags and their variants. I looked him directly in the eye. The focus on Jews was anoma- “How’s it going, Shlomo?” he asked. lous: This was supposed to be about “My name is Ron,” I said. I hadn’t the Confederacy and Southern heritage, identified myself as Jewish. and defenders of the Southern cause Ess & Fress Catering 6WDUWRII\RXUQHZ\HDUZLWK(VV )UHVVDQGWKH GHOLFLRXVWUDGLWLRQDOIDUHZHKDYHWRRIIHU7KLV KROLGD\VHDVRQZHZLOOEHWDNLQJSUHRUGHUVDQG ZLOODOVREHRIIHULQJWKHVHLWHPVIRUVDOHDWWKH*-&& 5RVK+DVKDQDK0HQX,WHPVDYDLODEOH6HSWHPEHU +RPHPDGH.UHSODFK6RXS 7ZRODUJHRUGHUV 6SLQDFK.XJHO %HHI&KRSSHG/LYHU R]WXE BBBBBB
