The Jewish Indiana Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 86, Number 3 • April 8, 2020 • 14 Nissan 5780 www.jewishpostopinion.com • https://go.usa.gov/xn7ay

Cover Art by Jackie Olenick (see About the Cover on p. 3) 2 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Prayer in a Time Affirmations for Healing BY RABBI ZALMAN of COVID-19 SCHACHTER-SHALOMI, z”l BY LOUIS M. PROFETA, M.D. From Meditations for Healing by Rabbi Zalman Prayer is a funny thing. I Schachter-Shalomi (Aug. guess it’s like an N95 pro- 17, 1924 – July 3, 2014). tective mask to guard you from COVID-19.You don’t 1. I take an active participation in my realize how valuable and own healing. precious it is until you’re 2. I make a space for divine spirit to without it, and sadly we Dr. Profeta enter into my life. are all running low. For the 3. I invite the energies of radiant light past 25 years of my career as an Emergency and bodily vigor to enter into my body, to Physician, I bet my partner Dr. Jaime Harper cleanse and purify, to make me whole. and I have passed by them on the droplet 4. I listen to my body and I ask,“What isolation precaution carts a thousand are you teaching me?” times without so much as giving them a 5. I change to a rhythm more conducive second glance. Just a simple box of masks to joy. that now may be all that separates us from 6. I take in air and food, which is whole- dying… from not being able to grow old some for my body, emotions, and mind. with the people we love. Now we get 7. I avoid and eliminate, get rid of and dressed, we go to work, we hug our spouses vent the unwholesome. and kids goodbye, and we wonder: The new reality for front line health care 8. With every sigh, I drop some of the Is today the last day of our lives that we professionals – Dr. Profeta (above, Dr. load and weight I bear in me. will be healthy? Is today the day we get sick Harper (below). 9. With every breath, I move to become from those who come to seek our help? Is this a vessel for God’s love and blessing. the day? fade a bit over time. 10. With every breath, I heal and give We forget sometimes about prayer. We Jaime and I are both alumni of Lori thanks. pass by it on a daily basis. It waves to us at Palatnik’s (founder of the Jewish Women’s Read tributes to Rabbi Zalman at: jewish- times, trying to get our attention like a child Renaissance Project) vision of Judaic postopinion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/ wanting to catch a ball with a father too awakening. Jaime recently went on the 08/NAT_8-20-14F.pdf wrapped up in a business call to notice. Momentum (momentumunlimited.org) Some years ago my oldest son fell ill trip to Israel, and she will tell you it was j i with leukemia. Jaime came to visit him in one of the greatest moments in her life. A member of the Indianapolis Forensic Services the hospital in New York. She brought few years prior I had gone on the men’s Board. He is a national award-winning mandel bread. It was the worst singular trip to Israel. We both made friends we writer, public speaker and one of LinkedIn’s period of time in my life, but at the same will carry with us forever – friends that Top Voices and the author of the critically time it was also the most immersive and have been flooding us with texts of acclaimed book, The Patient in Room Nine incredibly spiritually awakening experience. support, and offers of food and a deluge of Says He’s God. Feedback at [email protected] All because I found prayer then. I showered “hey, hang in there, we’re proud of you, is welcomed. For other publications and in it. I drank it, soaked myself in its soothing we love you, and we’re praying for you.” for speaking dates, go to louisprofeta.com. waters, and I let it pour over me. I surren- One such text came from Lori Palatnik. For college speaking inquiries, contact dered to it. But as things go, sadly I let it Lori texted me the other night while I [email protected]. was at work. “How bad is it?”she asked. Editor’s Note: “Bad as bad can be, Lori,”I responded. A beautiful prayer for health care profes- “In the last war here in Israel, someone sionals was written by Rabbi Ayelet S. out there made a website matching people Cohen. Please think of the healers all around to soldiers. Every soldier had someone the world in this crisis everyday and include praying for them…What is your Jewish this in your daily prayers: name and mother’s Jewish name? Not only do you have someone davening A Prayer for Health and Healing (praying) for you – it’s me,”she tells me. of Healers Later that night I donned my mask, my May the One who blessed our ancestors gown, my goggles and gloves, and walked Bless all those who put themselves at into the room where the man of about risk to care for the sick sixty lay gasping and coughing. He Physicians and nurses and orderlies labored with each breath, a look of fatigue Technicians and home health aides and panic spreading across his mottled EMTs and pharmacists face. I thought to myself: And bless especially /an individual or I wonder who is praying for him. I other categories of health workers/ wonder who is praying for the rest of us. Who navigate the unfolding dangers of Dr. Louis M. Profeta is an emergency the world each day, Dr. Profeta (R) at The Wall. physician practicing in Indianapolis and a (see Profeta, page 5) April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 3 Editorial About the Cover Inside this Issue “Holy Ground” By Jackie Olenick Prayer in a Time of COVID-19...... 2 Did you ever have a song pop in your Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, z”l: head whose lyrics echo what you are This fine art giclee Affirmations for Healing ...... 2 thinking at the time? The next two depicts Moses standing About the Cover ...... 3 paragraphs were part of my editorial for at the Burning Bush. Jennie Cohen: (Editorial)...... 3 our February Indiana edition. In Hebrew around it, Memorable Seders in Wartime...... 4 J. Olenick “Remove your sandles Rabbi Benzion Cohen: (Chassidic Rabbi) To remind myself and others than even from your feet, for the ground on which Return to Hashem...... 6 in the midst of challenging times it is also you stand is Holy.”~ Exodus 3:5. Along the Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso: possible to have positive experiences, the top of the burning bush in Hebrew, (G-d We Welcome the Stranger ...... 6 phrases below are excerpted from the called,) “‘Moses! Moses!’And he replied, Amy Lederman: (Jewish Educator) book, 14,000 Things to be Happy About by ‘Here I am.’”~ Exodus 3:4. The Ten Commandments Barbara Ann Kipfer. She introduces her list Jackie Olenick is a Judaic artist and of Caregiving ...... 7 by saying that she sometimes brightens a jewelry designer residing in Bloomington, Obituary: Dr. Mark Hasten ...... 8 gray day by flipping through her list to Ind. Her work can be seen on her website at Melinda Ribner: (Kabbalah of the Month) cheer herself up, and she urges her readers www.jackieolenickart.com. Contact her at Nissan – Influx of Grace to find the happiness that comes from [email protected]. and Compassion ...... 9 noticing and enjoying the little things in Miriam Zimmerman: (Holocaust Educator) life. 50 from the book: j i The Politics of Remembrance...... 10 • pajamas at breakfast • a baby’s first Simply put, the song is about appreciating New Bubbe & Zayde’s Playroom...... 11 tooth • a baseball game going on extra the beauty of one’s surroundings. I could Simcha Announcements...... 11 innings • toddler’s vocabulary • eight not remember all of the lyrics so I looked Obituaries ...... 12 hours of sleep • dinner with laughter • them up on YouTube at the following link: Bit of Wit...... 14 ghost stories and marshmallows by fire (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_GommH Rabbi Irwin Wiener: (Wiener’s Wisdom) • watching the winning touchdown • 5rJ8). There I found a beautiful video Can We Ever See God?...... 16 weathered docks on tall stilts • a cardinal’s accompanying the song and it had a Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel: (Media Watch) brilliance against the snow • third mark- prelude to it. That introduction, also sung Review of The Song of Names ...... 17 downs • bar stools • dreaming on the river by Armstrong, strongly resonated with my Pesach Recipes: bank • western sundowns • when friends editorial from February. Below are the From One Pot, One Pan...... 18 drop in • deep dish apple pie • looking lyrics followed by the prelude. Stephen Schuster: irresistible • floats and fireworks • star Tradition in First-Person Plural...... 19 gazing • a road winding through orchards Lyrics: I see trees of green, red roses too Bit of Wit...... 19 • learning to play a musical instrument I see them bloom for me and you. Morton Gold: (As I Heard It) • old-fashioned hot fudge sundaes • And I think to myself…What a wonderful Review of Rejoice! Honoring singing to your favorite music • puppy world. the Jewish Spirit...... 20 love • stretching out on the carpet with I see skies so blue and clouds of white Sue Swartz: (Book Review) games and puzzles • an extended vacation The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. Review of In the Time of Leaving ...... 20 • greasing and dusting cake pans • the And I think to myself…What a wonderful Rabbi Israel Zoberman: (Book Review) smell of the sea • dining by the window • world. Review of Agony in the Pulpit...... 21 wearing real jewelry • collapsing in bed The colors of the rainbow so pretty in Isaac Mayer Wise Lifetime Achievement and cuddling • shiny hair • cleaning off the sky. Award for Dr. Zola...... 22 your desk • going barefoot on closely Are also on the faces of people going by. Cincinnati Holocaust Museum...... 24 cropped grass • complimenting a total I see friends shaking hands saying: How stranger • flipping coins into a fountain • do you do? They’re really saying: I love you. TheJewish the delights of finding the first spring I hear babies cry, I watch them grow flowers • discount tickets • unplugging They’ll learn much more than I’ll never Post&Opinion Jewish News and Opinion since 1935. the phone • blowing the wrapper off the know. straw • writing a love letter • someone And I think to myself…What a wonderful 1389 W 86th St. #160 who says you are beautiful • the book that world. Indianapolis, IN 46260 makes the difference • someone fixing Yes, I think to myself…What a email: [email protected] something without being asked • self- wonderful world. phone and fax: (317) 405-8084 sticking stamps and envelopes • laughing Oh, yeah! website: www.jewishpostopinion.com until you cry • ice carvings • a breath of publisher & editor: Jennie Cohen fresh air • buggy rides Prelude: Some of you young folks have graphic designer: Charlie Bunes been saying to me, “Hey Pops, what you Shortly after this was published the mean ‘what a wonderful world’? How world it would be if only we’d give it a song,“What a Wonderful World”by Louis about all them wars all over the place? chance. Love baby, love. That’s the secret, Armstrong (1968) came to mind. It was You call them wonderful? And how about yeah. If lots more of us loved each other written by producer Bob Thiele and hunger and pollution? That ain’t so we’d solve lots more problems. And then composer and performer George David wonderful either.” this world would be a gasser*.That’s wha’ Weiss. Inspired by Armstrong’s ability to “Well how about listening to old Pops ol’Pops keep saying.” bring people of different races together, for a minute. Seems to me, it ain’t the *definition of gasser: dated slang for a joke or Weiss recounted that he wrote the song world that’s so bad but what we’re doin’to something that is very thrilling or entertaining specifically for him. it. All I’m saying is see what a wonderful (see Editorial, page 5) 4 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 then, in our struggle to keep His divine Memorable Seders principles alive.” Michael Blain became a U.S. citizen only in Wartime after he returned from Korea. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a I have celebrated Pesach B.S. degree and lived in Cleveland from 1957 in several countries, in to 1971, working for the World Publishing many cities. But the most Company. In 1971 he was transferred to memorable one took place Indianapolis, later joining Israel Bonds as in Korea in 1953. As I Executive Director. Blain retired in 2007 after reported to the London 33 years with the Israeli Bonds Organization. Jewish Chronicle (JC), the Michael Blain In Rochester, N.Y., he met and married Passover services “were the nicest I have Sylvia Kramer. They have three sons, twelve had for many years.”And I also reported to grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. the New York 92nd Street Y Bulletin that At the Pesach seder in Korea 1953 – The Blains moved back to Cleveland a few “the troops spent a very pleasant Pesach.” Michael Blain (front right). years ago to be near their son. Another reason why this Pesach was so memorable is that I was reunited with be freedom.” two of my childhood friends, Joe Klein All branches of the armed forces provided (Cleveland) (below), and Sidney Farkas their men with three-day passes and (New York).We had met in Prague in 1946, transportation to reach the services on 15 and 16-year-old orphaned Holocaust time. The National Jewish Welfare Board survivors. Together with 100 boys and girls shipped tons of matzos, wine, Hagadas and we were preparing to travel to London other ritual provisions. Pesach gift packages where we were hosted by the Jewish with matzos, gefilte fish, nuts, chicken and community until we found other countries Israeli chocolates sent by the Passover where to settle. League of Philadelphia were distributed to the troops before they returned to their units. To this day I am most grateful to the Army, the six Jewish Chaplains in Korea More Korean G.I.s enjoying the seder. and the Jewish Welfare Board for making sure every Jewish GI had a chance to be at Two Passover Seders for soldiers a seder in the middle of a war. during World War II I still have the invitation and instruc- Jessie (Levin) Bernstein, tions Chaplain Norman Goldberg sent to of blessed memory, organ- Jewish troops. He writes that: “now, more ized a Passover Seder in than ever, it is important for you to show Naples, Italy in 1944. She interest in the culture and religion of your was a dietitian for the forefathers by joining your fellow Jews to United States Army and celebrate Pesach.” she served six station Bernstein, c1944 The letter includes a message from the hospitals at that location starting in 1943 Michael Blain (center) reunited with child- Commanding General, Thomas Herren, for a year and a half. hood friends, Joe Klein (left) and Sidney In which he writes: The beginning of 1944 Farkas (right) in Korea 1953. “I take this opportunity to greet all saw a lot of artillery and Jewish personnel on the occasion of the airplanes dropping bombs. Joe Klein and I arrived in New York on Passover festival. That historic victory of After the fighting subsided Dec. 15, 1949. A few months later, the freedom over slavery marked the first such and a couple of months Korean War broke out. Within a year of our struggle which was to be repeated in every before Passover, Bernstein arrival we were drafted and sent to Korea. age. We in Korea are fighting for this asked permission to hold a Bernstein (While living in London, I read the Jewish physical and spiritual freedom. May the Seder for the Jewish soldiers who were Chronicle regularly and it followed me to Almighty God deem us worthy of that hospitalized in her area. The army issued Korea. I wrote several reports and sent freedom today and assist now, as He did her cans of beef which she immediately photo to the JC which usually appeared exchanged for canned chicken. on the front page.) Naples is a port city and when she My report to the JC continues: heard the Navy was in town, she got a “…distinguished guests included driver and a jeep to take her to talk to their General Maxwell Taylor, 8th Army captain so she could see about getting Commander, Jewish Welfare Board more food items for the Seder. He was not Officials and non-Jewish Chaplains. Jewish but was very supportive of her “General Taylor followed the entire mission. He took her canned chicken and Seder service from the Hagada. exchanged it for what turned out to be In a brief address to the ‘man of the much tastier frozen chicken on the bone. Jewish faith’ he compared the fight of the She also was able to get a half crate of enslaved Israelites with the fight we are fresh eggs. The dehydrated eggs they had now engaged in. As the Red Sea parted for were no comparison to fresh eggs which the Israelites, so may a Red Sea open for no one had seen for more than a year. these people (Koreans) at which end will The candles are lit at the start of the seder. (see Wartime Seders, page 5) April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 5 PROFETA changes and improvements that resulted. the wait staff who worked in the officer’s (continued from page 2) Three examples of Seders held during mess hall. At the last minute, all the waiters wartime are on page 4 so you can see got scared and were going to leave. To tend to those they have sworn to help. how people managed to observe Passover At that time the Catholic Church had Bless them in their coming home and during very difficult situations. instructed their members not to listen to bless them in their going out. My meditation teacher gave an analogy the religious services of any other religion. Ease their fear. Sustain them. for our current Coronavirus situation. He Bernstein ran and found their Catholic Source of all breath, healer of all beings, said the sun is always shining but some- chaplain who knew some Italian. She Protect them and restore their hope. times clouds float by and cover the sun. asked him to tell the waiters that half of Strengthen them, that they may bring The clouds eventually pass. I could relate the service would be in Hebrew which strength; well to this because when I lived in San they would not be able to comprehend Keep them in health, that they may Francisco frequently the mornings were and the other half would be in English, bring healing. filled with fog but by noon the sky was also not understandable to them without Help them know again a time when clear. Hence the name of the minyan I a translator. He convinced them that they they can breathe without fear. attend was called Fog City Minyan. would not be violating any rules. Bless the sacred work of their hands. This reminded me of a chant by Rabbi A Jewish chaplain from Caserta Army May this plague pass from among us, David Zeller, z”l, titled, “This Too Shall Headquarters had about 300 of the speedily and in our days. Pass”. The lyrics are: “The flowers are Maxwell House Coffee Haggadahs that he opening, the clouds they are opening to brought for the men to use. On the night j i rain and to the sun to all the ways of the of the Seder about that many soldiers showed EDITORIAL one. This too shall pass like the moon on up in their hospital robes. Probably less (continued from page 3) the rise like the look in your eyes.” than half were Jewish but the men had In his notes about the chant Rabbi heard there was going to be a great meal! This reminded me of a suggestion that Zeller wrote: King Solomon decreed that There was no way to tell which ones pain management experts make to help a ring be fashioned for him that would were Jewish so all of them were accepted. alleviate physical pain. If a person’s right suit him for all occasions and moods, from All sat down and participated in the Seder. foot is hurting, they say focus on your the happiest to the saddest. All attempts None of the other hospitals had a Passover right ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip or your were dismissed until one wise goldsmith Seder that year. It turned out to be a left foot, leg, arm, hand – whatever places appeared with a ring on which was wonderful evening for all in attendance. in your body that are not hurting. If you engraved the words,“This too shall pass.” tighten the muscles in those places and This song along with 16 other inspiring Professor Irving Fine, z”l, told of a Seder then relax them, this will help reduce the chants and songs from around the world he attended in 1945 at tension caused by the contracting of those are from a recording by him titled “Paths of the Manila racetrack in muscles that was caused by the pain. It the Heart” and can be found at this link: the Philippines. General also temporarily takes thoughts away from http://davidzeller.org/pathoftheheart/ McArthur had given a 3- the painful place. Rabbi Rayzel Raphael wrote a song with day leave to all the Jewish These phrases and lyrics above are lyrics relevant to our current situation with soldiers so they could similar. They remind us that even in this same message. It can be seen on her observe the holiday. It traumatic times, not everything is a Facebook profile. She wrote: I’ve written was held at the racetrack Irving Fine disaster. Possibly some situations are still a little ditty to sing to help us through. because there was no other place big okay, even going well. I have heard that It’s based on a Jewish saying: “Gam zeh enough to fit all of the attendees. Jews climate change is improving partly ya’avor”(This too shall pass). attended from all over the Southwest because people are not traveling to Blessings for a healthy Pesach! Pacific, such as New Zealand and Australia comply with social distancing. Jennie Cohen, April 8, 2020 and other places such as the United States. As I have seen in the recent writings of Twelve rabbis led thousands of soldiers others during this time of quarantine, j i and several hundred people had volun- they appreciate finally being able to have WARTIME SEDERS teered to help out. There were no dishes quality time to communicate with close (continued from page 4) but their plate was their mess kit where family and friends. They are thankful to be he found matza and a piece of gefilte fish. doing activities they never found time to The officers were already being favored Professor Fine went with five others from do before, such as what one friend wrote with fresh fruit and vegetables so she was where they were stationed to Manila and that she accomplished: yard work, clean out able to get those fresh greens for the Seder it took them an hour and half to get there. closets and drawers, rearrange furniture plates along with the fresh eggs. The It was 95 degrees that day, but that was and pictures, cook enough to feed an army. Jewish Federation saw that they got all of normal temperatures for that time of year. Personally, I am immensely enjoying the the matza and Mogen David wine they Fine said that that was the largest Seder he free live concerts on Facebook by Nefesh needed for the Seder. She used white has ever attended – with 17,000 soldiers Mountain’s Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg. sheets for tablecloths. Jacques C. Morris, z”l, from Louisville Also many synagogues and organizations None of the cooks were Jewish except one thought he was also at that Seder.He have religious services, meetings, classes but they all pitched in. They had one little admitted that it had been almost 70 years and events online and many thoughtful hand grinder which they used to make and he might have confused the year, but discussions by respected teachers and matza meal for the matza ball soup. About he thought the Seder took place in 1944. leaders are being offered free on social media. two weeks before the Seder, Bernstein put He was stationed in Manila so it was not At other times in history, humans have notices about the date and time on the difficult for him to get to it. He said the faced great challenges. From studying them bulletin boards of all six hospitals. Seder table was on the track itself but the we can see growth and strength that were She didn’t want the hospitalized soldiers soldiers filed into the stands. He also gained from the struggles. I wouldn’t wish to have to stand in line for a Seder so she remembers being grateful to get wine in difficulties on anyone but I am grateful for the hired 45 extra waiters who were friends of his canteen for the Kiddish! 6 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 prayers. There, in the prayers that we say Chassidic Rabbi every day is hidden the glory of Hashem. We Welcome Sometimes you may find Hashem in the BY RABBI BENZION COHEN B.H. great outdoors, but again, only if you look. the Stranger Therefore, many of us, including my new BY RABBI DENNIS C. SASSO Return to Hashem friend, have little or no contact with Him. Of course I didn’t blame him. He had I speak proudly as an We are coming up to Pesach, the holiday lost most of his family in the Holocaust. American citizen who is a of freedom. So I'll share with you a story But then, what could I do? A few times I Latino immigrant (Panama), about exile and liberation, and wish all of gently suggested that he put on tefillin. and as a Jew. you a kosher and happy Pesach. Doing a mitzvah is one way to find At the heart of the In my rounds in the local hospital, I greet Hashem. Each of us has a G-dly soul, a Jewish heritage and experience there is a the patients with a smile and a blessing, spark of Hashem deep in our heart. tradition of fair treatment and hospitality and suggest they put on tefillin. This is Sometimes just doing a mitzvah can towards the immigrant. Even more often how I greeted Yaakov. He seemed to be in awaken our soul. Each time he politely than the commandment “to love your his 50s, but soon I found that he was in refused. After half an hour a doctor came neighbor,”the Bible asserts: his 70s. In response he smiled back and to speak to him. We said goodbye. He “The stranger who sojourns with you pointed to the other patients in the room. thanked me for visiting with him and shall be to you as the home born, and you He said “Look. These men are religious. asked me to come and visit again. shall love him as yourself; for you were Help them put on tefillin.”I said “And why The next day I looked for him, but didn’t strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus not you?”We got into a lively conversation see him. The day after, I found him in the 19:33-34) and he told me his life story. same room but in a different bed. I asked him “For the Lord your God befriends the He was born in Romania, 74 years ago. why he was in the hospital. He told me that stranger, providing him with food and His family was religious, and he still he had a blood clot, a thrombosis, in his leg. clothing. You too must befriend the remembers going to shul with his father He complained about the doctor in his stranger, for you were strangers in the before the war. During the war the Nazis local clinic. He had gone to the doctor land of Egypt.”(Deuteronomy 10:17-19) murdered 60 members of his family; because of sharp pain in his leg. The This type of injunction is repeated a uncles, aunts and cousins. After the war doctor had sent him to do a test. The next total of 36 times in the Torah – the Hebrew his father again went to shul, but he didn’t day had been election day, and the clinic Scriptures. want to, and his father let him stay home. was closed. The third day he brought the Migration has been a central theme of I asked how they survived the results of the test to his doctor, who then the Jewish historical experience since Holocaust. He told me that his father was sent him to consult with a surgeon. The biblical times when Abraham and Sarah friends with a non-Jewish farmer, who surgeon sent him straight to the hospital. set forth in search of the Promised Land. offered to hide them. For three years they In the emergency room of the hospital, they Later, famine forced the Israelites to flee secretly lived and worked on the farm. told him that he had come just in time. A Canaan and resettle in Egypt, eventually After the war they found out that this few more hours of delay could have cost to return to the Promised Land.This expe- farmer had similarly saved two other him his leg. He was quite upset that the rience has been mirrored in American- families. During the war the three families first doctor that he saw didn’t realize how Jewish life with the immigration of Jews to didn’t know about each other. That way serious his condition was. I told him not to the United States in search of religious if one of them was caught, they wouldn’t blame the doctor. She is only human and freedom and economic opportunity. As a reveal the others. The farmer knew that if had done her best. He should thank reflection of our history, and based upon he was caught he would be killed first. Hashem that he still had both legs. Again the biblical imperative to welcome the Hiding Jews was very dangerous, because I gently suggested he put on tefillin, and stranger, the American Jewish Community many of the local Romanians collaborated again he firmly but politely refused. has been and remains a strong advocate for with the Nazis and helped them find Jews I didn’t push the issue. On one hand, we (see Sasso, page 7) that were in hiding. After the war, all three try hard not to give up on anyone. On the of the families gave their houses to this other hand, we realize the importance of j i farmer as a token of gratitude. being patient and loving, especially when again. He told me about the shul where My heart went out to my new friend. dealing with special people, like survivors his father had prayed, and said that now Twenty minutes ago we had been of the Holocaust. So even if I don’t see he is going to start praying there. complete strangers, but he had opened immediate results, I am happy to at least Three times a day we pray to Hashem: his heart to me and told me his story. A plant a seed, which hopefully will bear “Sound the great shofar for our freedom, friendship had started. How could I help fruit sometime in the future. The Torah raise a banner to gather our exiles, and him? For 63 years he had been living in says “He who comes to purify himself (or bring us together from the four corners of exile, far from home, far from our Father, others) is assisted from Above.”If we try to the earth into our land.” I had the good our Creator, far from the shul, where we be better, to purify ourselves, then Hashem fortune to help a Jew return to our Father. gather together to pray to Hashem. helps us to succeed. And if we try to help Soon we will hear the great shofar, and all It is true that all of us are in exile, even others to go in the right direction, Hashem of us will be gathered to the Holy Temple those who are fortunate to live in the Holy gives us assistance. in Jerusalem. But it is up to us. We have to Land. One of the basic aspects of exile is When I met my new friend the next day do mitzvahs to bring Moshiach, now! that Hashem has hidden Himself. If you want I was in for some pleasant surprises. He For a start, we aren't allowed to eat or to find Him, you must decide first to look had thought carefully about what had possess chametz during Pesach. So we either for Him. Even to go to shul, His house of happened with his leg. What was his con- get rid of it or sell it. prayer is not enough. First, you have to learn clusion? It was a miracle that he still had Rabbi Benzion Cohen lives in K’far the inner meaning of the prayers. Then in two legs. Hashem had actually made him a Chabad, Isarel. He can be reached by email at the shul you must make efforts to concentrate miracle. That was the first surprise. Then [email protected]. Reprinted from and meditate on the meaning of the came the second. He decided to go to shul April 1, 2009. April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 7 upon our deepest, most compassionate SASSO Jewish and often most loving selves. Regardless (continued from page 6) of religious affiliation or lack thereof, taking care of another person who has fair and just immigration and refugee policies. Educator lost the capacity to care for themselves has There is much talk these days about the potential to be a truly holy, spiritual “American Exceptionalism,” the notion BY AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN experience. that America is special, unique. I believe I am not an expert in the field, nor do in American exceptionalism, not as an The Ten Commandments I pretend to be. But during the years I endowment or guaranteed condition, but cared for my husband, I found that these as a constant striving, an achieved status. of Caregiving strategies kept both of us going strong: Our uniqueness is expressed in the diver- 1. A positive attitude is often the most sity of our citizenship and in the quest to The job description might read some- important ingredient in the recipe of continue to be a refuge for those “yearning thing like this: “Looking for someone 24/7 caregiving. to breathe free.” with the patience of a saint, the wisdom of 2. Communication is key: For both the Let us continue to labor for an America the Dali Lama, the goodness of Mother caregiver and the patient, it is essential to that is both secure and friendly, strong and Teresa, and the ability to find the humor in cultivate respectful ways of communicating hospitable. Let us champion just and fair the most difficult of situations. Must be needs, feelings, concerns and frustrations. business opportunities, the protection of fluent in the language of love.” 3. Use available tools and resources – civil rights for all, the health, education and How many of us will find ourselves Online help, family, friends and neighbors, well being of our children and families. taking on the arduous role of caretaker for list serves to share information like Caring This is the American exceptionalism to a loved one, family member or friend in Bridge and support groups can help which we all should subscribe. our lifetimes? How many of us can lay reduce the daily demands. Reprinted with permission from the claim to even a few of the qualifications 4. Be open to change and let go of the Indianapolis Star April 5, 2011. that are necessary to do so? outcome – A caregiver who is able to be My own experience involved caring for flexible and adaptive will often reduce the To learn more of what the intersec- my husband who, at the age of 61, was stress of the situation. tion of our ancient Jewish tradition and diagnosed with cancer. I never really 5. Don’t spend unnecessary time or modern neurobiology says about thought of myself as a caregiver during waste hours going down the Internet achieving good health in the midst of the 3 years, 7 months and 11 days of his “Rabbit Hole” looking for answers. Ask the pandemic, read Rabbi Moshe ben illness. I saw myself as his wife; devoted to experts, doctors, medical staff for guidance. Asher’s column titled “Sealing the caring for him as part of a loving marriage 6. Be open to health care alternatives Heart and the Truth”on our website at and lifetime commitment. But statistically, such as acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, the following link: jewishpostopinion I fell into the category of the more than 60 CBD, and other holistic remedies. .com/?p=3819 million unpaid caregivers who, according 7. Plan something simple to look forward to the National Alliance for Caregiving to every day – A new recipe, a t.v. show, or a A mission to the border and AARP, are actively engaged in caring walk around the park can bring joy to a day. Rabbi Sasso returned from Texas on for a chronically ill, disabled or aged 8.Take care of the caregiver – Make time February 24, 2020 where he spent a week family member or friend, often without to engage in self care every week. Ask a counseling and translating for immigrant training or support. friend to cover while you take a walk, go to asylum seekers entering through the U.S. Caregivers typically help with activities a movie, or do something that feels like it’s southern border. The Dilley Pro Bono of daily living such as bathing, dressing, “just for you!” Project operates out of the South Texas meal preparations, household tasks and 9. Focus on the good things, no matter Family Residential Center. managing finances, but the real work how small. Express gratitude whenever Rabbi Sasso was part of an 11 person team comes in what can’t be measured by possible. (lawyers, counselors and interpreters), cooked meals or loads of wash. Because at 10. Remember this beautiful quote by sponsored by COIN (Coalition for Our the heart and soul of caregiving is the Vivian Greene: “Life isn’t about waiting for Immigrant Neighbors) and coordinated deeply human undertaking of under- the storm to pass, it’s about learning how by attorney Julie Sommers Neuman. The standing, honoring and dignifying another to dance in the rain.” detention center, which serves only mothers person at what is often their most vulner- Caregiving is so much more than and minor children, is the only facility that able time of life. managing daily activities, household tasks allows for this type of legal pro bono service. Caregiving is as unique as the individual and health care. It is a chance to deeply Rabbi Sasso described the experience as for whom one is caring. In the simplest of appreciate and value life while offering both “heartbreaking and inspiring.” The terms this means that one size fits…one. dignity, love and acceptance to another number of detainees allowed to enter A caregiver may often need to be a fierce human being. under asylum laws has significantly advocate, a diligent gatekeeper, the one Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an author, decreased over the past couple of years. who has to initiate the most difficult con- Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney Rabbi Sasso commented: “As an versations about things never discussed who lives in Tucson. Her columns in the AJP immigrant people and as a nation of before in a family. Caregiving challenges have won awards from the American Jewish immigrants, it is incumbent upon us, in us to learn about medications, wheel- Press Association, the Arizona Newspapers the words of Arthur Ashe to, ‘Start where chairs, medical tests and scans, bodily Association and the Arizona Press Club for you are, use what you have, do what you can’ functions and often, the details of death excellence in commentary. Visit her website at for our neighbors and for the stranger.” and dying. In short, it’s a crash course in amyhirshberglederman.com. Rabbi Dennis Sasso has been senior life, love, and often, a loss for which most rabbi at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in of us are never prepared. Indianapolis for more than 40 years. He set an But caregiving can be a deeply rewarding example of taking action to make a difference experience because it requires us to draw with our current immigrant situation. 8 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Dr. Mark Hasten, Jewish all-encompassing dominant force in many fields of education and he realized that Philanthropist, Business- vision in his lifetime, while also creating a great opportunity for a young Jewish man man, Founder of Hasten or woman to gain their academic training Hebrew Academy of necessary to pursue their careers of choice.” “We have lost more than the crown of Indianapolis, and Touro our head,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, Touro President, at a funeral held Sunday at College Chairman, Touro’s Lander College for Men-Beis Dies at 92 Medrash L’Talmud.“Dr. Hasten was like a brother to Touro founder, Dr. Bernard NEW YORK, NY – The Touro College and Lander, and he was my mentor and father. University System mourns the loss of Dr. He spoke to our students often of the Mark Hasten, chairman of the board. Dr. four P’s necessary for success – patience, Hasten passed away on Friday, February persistence, positivity and perseverance 28, in Indianapolis. He was 92 years old. and he exemplified all those traits. Dr. Mark Hasten was a visionary leader “His perseverance to accomplish goals and ardent supporter of Touro. An engineer in his personal and professional life came as well as an entrepreneur in myriad along with a certain toughness. He led an businesses, including banking, real estate amazing life and his brand of toughness and health care, Dr. Hasten long focused enabled him to get important things done. his philanthropic interests on education. in Dallas and in 1959, earned a Bachelor of He was tough when he fought the Nazis, Chairman during Touro’s most significant Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. liberated Majdanek, fought for Israel’s period of growth, he helped Touro launch He then spent nine years working for independence and talked his way into its western divisions in California and General Mills in Minneapolis, first in engineering school at Southern Methodist Nevada and was a major contributor to research, then as Chief Design Engineer for University when he could barely speak the establishment of Touro’s Lander Corporate Engineering. While there, Hasten English. College for Women – The Anna Ruth invented and designed the products and “He brought that perseverance and and Mark Hasten School, in Manhattan. machines that produced the bendable toughness to his role at Touro and he led us During his 25-year tenure as Chairman of straw, Cheerios, Pringles and Bugles. through a tremendous period of growth. the Board, Touro’s student body doubled In 1967, Hasten was invited by his His toughness was always tempered with in size – from 9,000 to over 18,000 students. younger brother, Hart, to join his health- kindness, humility and a collaborative Touro became one of the leading and care business in Indianapolis, Ind. Hasten spirit. He was a leader in business, largest health care educators in the U.S., insisted that the company be Sabbath- government and education and always and its university system grew to 34 observant. As the business grew, they remained approachable, humble, warm campuses and locations, mostly in New worked closely with banks to raise capital. and engaging.” York but also in California, Nevada, Eventually, they decided they would According to Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Moscow, Israel and Berlin. rather finance their projects themselves Executive Vice President, Touro College and they acquired a total of 36 banks and University System,“Mark Hasten is a Fighting for Jewish Survival on all Fronts under the First National Bank and Trust hero for the Jewish people, the State of Hasten was born in Bohorodczany, name. They divested their bank holdings Israel and higher education. He is the hero Poland, in 1927. He and his family in 2007. of people of good faith who wish to survived WWII in Kazakhstan, where he The brothers worked together for 40 achieve on behalf of others,” said Rabbi entered the military. The young Hasten years and were partners in both business Moshe Krupka. “Touro exists to prepare fought with the Polish Brigade of the Red and community service. With no Jewish our students to set and achieve goals, and Army against the Nazis on the Eastern day school in Indianapolis, they decided to then keep striving in their lives to be Front during World War II and participated create one. The Hasten Hebrew Academy successful in their career and personal in the liberation of the Majdanek began with 13 children in 1971, and its lives. Dr. Hasten saw what he created at Concentration Camp in Poland. In a roster now numbers over 150. The school Touro as incredible vengeance against displaced persons camp, he joined the produced numerous illustrious graduates Hitler and the anti-Semites he encoun- Irgun Tzvai Leumi and was aboard the who are engaged in full Jewish lives. tered early on in his life. He led Touro with Altalena, the famous ship, which was sunk tenacity and a force of personality that was by order of Prime Minister David Ben- Visionary Leadership for Touro unmatched.” Gurion. Hasten joined the Israel Defense Always passionate about education and Forces in 1948, and participated for two especially interested in higher education A Heart in Every One of His Organs years in Israel’s War of Independence. that offered a Jewish environment, Hasten Rabbi Michael Hasten recounted the joined the board of Touro College in 1977 words of the family’s rabbi in Minneapolis From Southern Methodist University to and became chairman in 1995. He and who said,“your father had a heart in every General Mills and First National Bank Touro founder, Dr. Bernard Lander, were one of his organs... He gave money to In 1952, Dr. Hasten married Anna Ruth extremely close, sharing a vision for building Jewish causes when he had money and Robinson and they emigrated to the from the ground up. when he didn’t have money.”Hasten said, United States in 1953. Hasten’s education “My father had that wonderful blend of “My father had incredible gratitude to had been suspended at age 12 by WWII being a visionary and a person with the Hashem for saving his life early on. After and he realized he needed training in courage to pursue those goals,”said Rabbi he was saved, my father was literally order to advance professionally. He Michael Hasten, noted educator. “He everywhere in Jewish history over the enrolled at Southern Methodist University really envisioned how Touro could be an (see Dr. Hasten, page 9) April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 9 have to let go and connect to the True DR.HASTEN Kabbalah power. Letting go and trusting God is (continued from page 8) easier said than done. Prayer, meditation, of the Torah learning can help us to relax, feel course of his life.The only thing he missed Month connected and protected. was Mashiach. Just a short while ago, he The healing dimension for this month is said to me ‘if we could just bring Mashiach BY MELINDA RIBNER speech. It is through our own words that now, I’d be the engineer to build the we redeem or enslave ourselves. Words are vessels of the 3rd Beit Hamikdash…’” Nissan – Influx of very important in Judaism. Make a strong Dr. Mark Hasten truly lived a remarkable effort particularly this month to increase life and he always expressed gratitude for Grace and Compassion virtuous speech, and eliminate loathsome the opportunities he was granted. Looking and forbidden speech. Remember you back at his life a few years ago, Hasten The new month of Nissan began at sunset have the right to limit what you hear from said, “I saw Gehinnom and lived Gan on March 25th. The month is called the others as well. Words of prayer, words of Eden…I’ve worked my entire life to create “Chodesh Ha’Aviv” the month of Spring. blessing, and words of love are the best success for Yiddishkeit-Judaism and for The spring air makes us aware of the new words we can say today. those around me and as a lifelong inven- life emerging in nature and reminds us to We need to remember that we do not tor and creator, I believe success is the also pay attention to the new energies have to listen to loshon hara or loathsome mother of invention.” stirring within us, including an influx of speech. We can simply inform the other Mark Hasten is survived by his wife, grace and compassion in this month. This person of this and direct the conversation Mrs. Anna Ruth Hasten; his daughters is a challenging and scary time for most of to a higher plane. Note how your energy Judy Kaye and Monica Rosenfeld; sons us, so it is good to know that the month increases when you engage in virtuous Edward Hasten and Rabbi Michael of Nissan is known for its miracles and speech and decreases when you engage in Hasten; his brother and his wife, Hart compassion. The Jews were redeemed loathsome speech. When we speak loshon and Simona Hasten, and numerous from bondage in the month of Nissan after hara, even if we believe it to be true but grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces witnessing plagues and it is predicted that it does not serve a holy purpose, it will and nephews and extended family members. the final redemption will also take place in backfire and we will bear negative conse- Nissan. May we see miracles in Nissan. quences. Let our speech bring us together. During Nissan we celebrate Passover, Make a conscious effort to refrain from See Historical Digital Issues of which is the celebration of the miraculous blaming or criticizing others, our politicians, The Jewish Post & Opinion since 1930 departure of the Jewish people from the or even oneself. at https://go.usa.gov/xn7ay, bondage of Egypt. Prior to the exodus, the Ask yourself “What does my soul want Read recent digital issue online at: Jewish people witnessed ten awesome and need to shine more brightly in the plagues. With every plague, physical reality world?” “What does God want of me?” www.jewishpostopinion.com as they knew it crumbled before their eyes Listen for guidance, and then let’s begin to Follow us on Facebook at: but each plague also brought forth a deeper act in large and small ways that are in Jewish Post & Opinion, newspaper faith and revelation of Godliness. Today, alignment with our inner knowing. This many feel that we are enduring a plague time is one of great introspection and self Follow us on Twitter at: of biblical proportions. In a very short reckoning.You may become more aware of #JewishPostOpin amount of time, our reality has dramati- the choices between the higher knowing cally shifted. Many of the anchors that of the soul and the needs and desires of have defined our lives are not available to the ego mind. Make an effort and pray for God may be the safest place to be. There us now. We sit in quarantine and reminis- the strength to choose what your higher will be many wonderful spiritual gifts from cent of the Jews in ancient Egypt who sat self, your soul, and God would want you the challenge we are now facing. in their homes before their departure in to do and not what your limited fearful May we let go of limiting false beliefs the middle of the night. Similarly, we are ego-mind wants. about ourselves, and others during this praying that this virus will pass over us Just as the Jewish people called out to month of Nissan. I pray that you and and we will miraculously celebrate God when the slavery they experienced in everyone emerges stronger, more loving Passover in a new and more meaningful Egypt became too intense, we call out to and more empowered after we pass way than ever before. God when we feel the call within ourselves through this challenge. May we find Paradoxically, we express our love by for a new way. For many of us, it is when greater trust and faith this month and take practicing social distancing and quaran- we truly feel the heavy toll that limitations meaningful steps to greater freedom in tining to delay the spread of this virus. and challenges have placed upon us that our lives. This virus is uniting us and making us we are ready to move away from what is Melinda Ribner, L.C.S.W. is also the increasingly aware of how important each familiar. Nissan is the time to go forward, author of Everyday Kabbalah, Kabbalah person is to the well-being of the commu- to be open to the new. Month by Month and New Age Judaism, nity. If we can be carriers of illness to Many times, people are unhappy and The Secret Legacy of Biblical others, we can and must also be carriers repeating old patterns in their lives, but Women: Revealing the Divine Feminine. of healing as well. Whether we are in they hold on to what is familiar because Internationally known for her pioneering quarantine or not, this is a time to turn to that makes them feel safe. But in truth, work in kabbalistic meditation and healing, God through prayer, meditation and holding on to something that is toxic, that she is also a spiritual psychotherapist and doing good deeds. Therein lies our protec- is limiting, does not offer real security, for more than 30 years has used kabbalistic tion. It does not matter where we are but only the illusion of security. Being wisdom as part of treatment. She offers a free physically. What’s important is what is open to new possibilities within ourselves newsletter on meditation, healing, kabbalistic taking place within us and in our relation- takes letting go of limiting ways we have energies of the months, holidays, and ship with God. We can only do our part to defined ourselves. It takes the willingness more. www.kabbalahoftheheart.com. Email: protect ourselves and others and then we to be vulnerable. Being vulnerable before [email protected]. 10 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 in the middle of winter – frigid Poland or cization of the 75th anniversary commem- Holocaust balmy Jerusalem? January is Poland’s oration. Alex, representing his mother, coldest and snowiest month, with average Mengele twin Eva Kor, of blessed memory, high temperatures 33.8°F and average low, attended a dinner for survivors and their Educator 23°F. Jerusalem has daily high temperatures families the night before the commemora- around 54°F, rarely falling below 45°F or tion ceremony. He learned about some of BY DR.MIRIAM L. ZIMMERMAN exceeding 63°F. the political machinations going on To see how it played out, I compared the behind the scenes. The Politics of list of State Delegations to Poland’s 75th Three of the presidents pulled out of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Israeli forum, (reminding me of a middle Remembrance to the Yad Vashem guests at the Holocaust school party where attendance signifies Forum. For example, the United States sent prestige, depending on who attends and This article is the 2nd in a series of four Vice President Mike Pence to Jerusalem who does not, “If Pat goes, then I’m not (see the 1st, “Anticipating Auschwitz” while Secretary of the Treasury Steve going;”or, vice versa.). below) about the 75th anniversary celebra- Mnuchin got stuck with Poland. (Did Pence H.E. Mr. President Andrzej Duda of tion of the liberation of Auschwitz on Jan. pull rank to go to the milder climate?) Poland did not attend the Israeli forum, 27, 2020, attended by this author. The His Excellency (H.E.) Mr. Armen allegedly because he was not allowed to Auschwitz Museum currently has a three- Sarkissian, president of Armenia, jour- speak. He evidently wanted to refute some hour video of the entire commemoration neyed to Jerusalem while Ambassador of the assertions H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, ceremony posted on its English website, Samuel Mkrtchian of Armenia made his president of Russia, had made at a prior http://auschwitz.org/en/. pilgrimage to Poland. Prince Charles went international event, unrelated to the to Israel; his wife Camilla, Duchess of Holocaust. Israel clarified that only the Israel as a nation remembers the Cornwall, to Poland. (Can we make current leaders of the Allied nations which Holocaust on Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, conclusions about who holds the power in liberated Europe from the Nazis: U.S., the “Day of (Remembrance of) the this power couple?) U.K., France, and Russia were invited to Holocaust and the Heroism.” “Yom But I do not wish to go down the alphabet speak. Despite this explanation, President HaShoah,” as it is often called, marks the of dignitaries who attended each event. To Duda pulled out of the forum and spoke anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto summarize: out of the 47 dignitaries who in Auschwitz on January 27, welcoming Uprising on the 27th of the Hebrew attended the Jerusalem Forum, 28 were survivors, their families, and dignitaries in month of Nisan. Israel’s Knesset passed presidents, one vice president, five kings the Birkenau tent. the resolution to enact this holiday on or princes, and three prime ministers. H.E. Mr. President Gitanas Nauseda of April 12, 1951. In Poland, 54 dignitaries attended, Lithuania, allegedly also decided to opt out The General Assembly of the United including 11 presidents; 10 prime ministers; of Yad Vashem for Auschwitz, in solidarity Nations adopted resolution A/RES/60/7 in one deputy prime minister; and four with President Duda. Independent of November 2005, which declared that the royals, consisting of two kings, one crown either of these presidents, H.E. Mr. United Nations would designate January prince, and one crown princess. Thus, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine 27 as an annual International Day of more top officials paid their respects to followed suit. Presumably, President Holocaust Commemoration. The date victims of the Holocaust in Israel, where Zelensky protested Putin’s speech by marks the anniversary of the liberation of many Holocaust survivors and descen- doing so. (It is helpful to remember that the Auschwitz death camp by Soviet dants live; rather than in Poland, whose Russia and Ukraine currently are at war troops in 1945. 3.1 million Jews were reduced to a with each other.) By linking Holocaust remembrance to fraction. Today, “Fewer than 10,000 Jews I use the words “allegedly,”“presumably,” the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Israel and live in Poland, a country once known as “no doubt,”and “evidently,”because, like a Jews worldwide emphasize the heroism of the center of European Jewish life,” preteen preparing for a sock hop, who can the victims. By linking the commemora- according to the World Jewish Congress. know the preadolescent mind? (Middle tion to the Auschwitz extermination camp, school synergy, “If she’s going, I’m not the international observance emphasizes going.” For that is the mentality of these their victimage. Each observance makes world leaders as exhibited by their behavior.) an implicit political statement. If our president spoke at Auschwitz, Instead of observing International with President Zelensky in view, no doubt Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel held its he would have made it about his “perfect Fifth World Holocaust Forum beginning phone call”to that leader in the prior year. January 23, 2020 at Warsaw Ghetto Square In Jerusalem, both Vice President Mike in Yad Vashem, Jerusalem. Yad Vashem, as Pence and Israeli President Benjamin most readers know, is the Israeli institution Netanyahu shamefully used the event to dedicated to Holocaust research, education, complain about Iran, comparing that archive, and commemoration. Photo taken inside the tent at the Gate of Death country’s antisemitism to that of Nazi According to the Yad Vashem website, in Birkenau; courtesy Auschwitz Museum. Germany. “At the invitation of the President of the H.E. Mr. President Frank-Walter State of Israel, some 50 members of royalty, The liberation ceremony took place in Steinmeier, president of Germany, attended presidents, prime ministers and parliamen- Auschwitz II, Birkenau. A heated tent both events; one of the few dignitaries tary leaders from Europe, North America that took three months to erect over the able to speak from the perpetrator’s point and Australia attended the Fifth World infamous “Gate of Death” of Birkenau of view. His eloquence in Jerusalem clearly Holocaust Forum titled, ‘Remembering displayed huge jumbotron screens to give placed the blame on the German people; the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism’.” visibility to speakers. his words infused with humility and guilt. If you were a world leader, where would you I am grateful to Dr. Alex Kor for describing “Those who murdered, those who rather go for a Holocaust commemoration to me in a personal phone call the politi- (see Zimmerman, page 15) April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 11 New Bubbe & Zayde’s grandparents are Reina and Paul Wertman. Simcha Announcements Paternal grandparents are Arnie Lewin Playroom at Hooverwood and Harriet Greenland. Arielle has an older brother, Sammy Max, age 4 and On Feb. 16, 2020, the ribbon-cutting Mazel Tov to… sister, Annie Rose,2. and dedication of the new “Bubbe & Zayde’s Playroom” was held at Hooverwood. It is Jake and Deena Lewin on the birth their Elie and Hadar Leshem on the birth on the “main drag” as people enter the daughter, Arielle Jamie Lewin (below), of their son, Zohar Shalom Leshem building. Hooverwood & Kraft Commons on Feb. 12, 2020, in Teaneck, N.J. Maternal (below), on January 30, 2020 in Tekoa, residents can take their young guests to Israel. His maternal grandparents are play with toys & books for the younger Daniel Yosef and Yardana Cope Yosef set; and games, art supplies and activities of Tekoa, Israel. His paternal grandparents are there for older children. The room is a are Rabbi Zvi and Julie Leshem (Jerusalem) and his paternal great-grand- parents are Michael and Sylvia Blain (Cleveland).

place for multi-generation interaction, where children can enjoy being with resi- dent family & friends and residents can experience the joy of watching their guests at play. The dedication was followed by a bagel & lox brunch. PJ Library offered activities for the children in attendance. POSTPONED

Happy Passover! from

Nora Plaza Shopping Center 1300 East 86th Street Mon.-Thurs. 10a – 7p Fri. & Sat. 10a – 6p, Sun. 12 – 5p 846-5718 Please visit our new website: www.goodmansshoes.com 12 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Academy on March 1, 2020. In lieu of but she also had a passion for gardening, Obituaries flowers, all memorial gifts may be made to antiquing, mahjong and bridge. She was the Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis, a member of Hadassah and B’nai Brith, Maureen (Garber) Bronicki, 83, 6602 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN including bowling in the B’nai Brith beloved wife, mother and grandmother 46260. Arrangement entrusted to Aaron- league. passed away on Feb. 22, 2020 surrounded Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. (See more She is survived by her loving husband, by her family. Maureen was born on Aug. details in obituary on page 8.) George Wayne Moss; children, Edward 9, 1936 to Morris and Libbie Garber. She Jason (René) Arkin; Cindy Arkin (Mark) graduated from Shortridge High School, Sidney Ronald Gurvitz, 84, passed Voigtmann, and Bart Ball; nine grand- class of 1955. During the 1980s and 1990s away March 10, 2020. Loving husband, children, Dr. Jordan Arkin (Ryan) Baum, she worked as an interviewer for Walker father, grandfather and great-grandfather Alison Arkin, Chloe Arndt, Anna Arndt, Research. Maureen was an avid bowler Mr. Gurvitz died in Florida. He was born Lindsay McKasson (Alon) Farahan, Robert and participated in several bowling on Nov. 28, 1935 in Richmond, Ind., to (Janice Chen) Voigtmann,Andrea Voigtmann leagues. Her greatest joys were her family. Arthur and Lena Gurvitz. He was an (Stuart) Fuess, Andrew McKasson, and She is survived by her husband of 57 astute businessman, owning Hoot Madeline McKasson; and five great- years, Jack; her children, Laurie Bronicki Package Liquors and working in Real grandchildren, Max Baum, Zara Baum, Ari Freeman (Edward Freeman) and Melissa Estate. He was known in the community Baum, Nolan McKasson, and Donovan Bronicki and grandchildren, Sarah and as both Mr. Hoot and Mr. Patch. Voigtmann. Norma was preceded in Max. Maureen was preceded in death by Mr. Gurvitz was active in the Jewish death by her son, Lance Ball. her parents and brother, Lewis Garber. community, serving on the board of directors In the interest of safety, the family will Graveside funeral services were held for both Congregation B’nai Torah and be privately holding graveside services. February 24th in B’nai Torah Cemetery. Jewish Family Services. Friends are invited to view the service Memorial contributions may be made to His greatest legacy was his wife and virtually by visiting the obituary online at Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org/. family who survive him. His wife of www.arnmortuary.com. Arrangement entrusted to Aaron-Ruben- almost 62 years, Devera Frankovitz Nelson Mortuary. Gurvitz; children, Stanley Gurvitz, Sherry Mitchell Eric Solomon, 63, an Gantz Schwartz (Robert), Marcia Dadon, attorney who practiced law for many years Dr. Mark Hasten, Seth Gurvitz, and Joshua Gurvitz (Rena); 8 in downtown Indianapolis with his late 92, passed away in grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and brother Martin Solomon, passed away. Indianapolis on Feb. 28, siblings, Anita Travis, Cheryl Barton and Mitchell was a son of the late Federal 2020. He was born in Terry Gurvitz (Vivian). Judge Bender Solomon and the late Bohorodczany, Poland on Funeral services were held on March Mildred Solomon of Albany, N.Y., where June 28, 1927. It is with 12th at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary Mitchell grew up. His surviving brother, great sorrow the Hasten, with burial following in B’nai Torah Noal Solomon, lives in Wayne, N.J. with Rosenfeld, and Kaye families mark the Cemetery. Memorial contributions may his wife Jayne. Other survivors include passing of their husband, brother, father, be made to Shlamith School for Girls, Marty’s wife Andrea and their children grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Cleveland Hebrew Academy or Chai Sophie, Ben and Ethan of Indianapolis Dr. Hasten was a hero of Israel, proud Lifeline. and Noal and Jayne’s children Elisa American, and an extraordinary figure in (Austin) Kaplicer and Adam Solomon, as the history of the Jewish people. He will Norma Gullett Arkin well as Elisa and Austin’s children Asher be sorely missed by all who loved him and Moss, 85, of Noblesville, and Layla. Mitchell enjoyed golf and the cherished his friendship. passed away March 16, horse races, and loved Caribbean cruises. Dr. Hasten was appointed by Governor 2020. She was born at He was very close with his brothers. Evan Bayh as the Chairman of the Indiana Fort Benjamin Harrison on Burial was at Mokane Kodesh, B’nai Department of Financial Institutions. A Dec. 1, 1934 to Cecil and Torah Cemetery in Indianapolis on March proud Hoosier, Dr. Hasten was honored as Margaret (Rittenberry) 24th. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in a Sagamore of the Wabash, was a Shriner Gullett. Norma proudly served in the Mitchell’s memory may be made to and renowned philanthropist and human- United States Air Force in her early years Lubavitch of Indiana, 2640 W 96th St, itarian. During the 1960s, Dr. Hasten was and later became a homemaker and care- Indianapolis, IN 46268 or Hasten Chief Mechanical Design Engineer at giver. Norma’s greatest joy was family, Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis, 6602 General Mills Corporation, with 21 patents for many household and food The Jewish Funeral Home of Greater Indianapolis products. Along with his brother Hart, Aaron Dr. Hasten founded the Hasten Hebrew 317-873- 4776 Academy of Indianapolis in 1971, and they Ruben ARN 11411 N. Michigan Road were also successful real estate developers just north of I-465 and bankers. Nelson He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna Ruth (Robinson) Hasten; his life- long business partner and brother, Hart (Simona) Hasten, children Edward, Michael, Monica and Judy, their spouses and numerous grandchildren, great-grand- children, and extended family members. Burial services were held in Israel, and a memorial service was held at the Cultural Arts Center of the Hasten Hebrew April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 13 Hoover Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Hebrew Congregation. In 2005 Allane and Indiana State University. In 1953, she Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben- Karl moved to Westminster Village. married Karl B. Zucker of Cleveland Nelson Mortuary. Karl is survived by his wife, Allane, and Heights, Ohio. The Zuckers moved to their children: Jeffrey (Susan Michael), Terre Haute in 1964. Loretta Hirsch, 84, Nelson, and Shani (Jonathan Goodall). Allane taught Spanish and French in the of Aventura, Fla., passed Jeffrey (Yosef) and Susan (Shoshana), live Vigo County School system. She later sold away March 24, 2020. She in Israel, as do their three children, Leah insurance for a number of years. She was was born in Indianapolis (Benyamin Rosental),Yuval, and Miki (Emi an active member of the United Hebrew on Sept. 11, 1935. Loretta Zait) and four great grandchildren. Congregation, involved with the Indiana earned her BA from Graveside funeral services were conducted Jewish Historical Society, the Parents of Indiana University in March 15th in Highland Lawn Cemetery. North American Israelis and the ISU French Bloomington and her MA from Butler Arrangements by Callahan & Hughes Club. She enjoyed going to the symphony University. She then taught kindergarten Funeral Home (callahanandhughes.com), and was known as an excellent cook. and first grade for over 30 years at 605 South 25th Street, Terre Haute. In lieu Allane was preceded in death by her Indianapolis Public School (IPS), retiring of flowers donations may be made to the parents and recently her husband Karl B. in 1996. Loretta also taught kindergarten United Hebrew Congregation, CANDLES Zucker. Allane is survived by three at Beth El Zedeck Sunday School for over Holocaust Museum, or Westminster children, Jeffrey (Susan Michael), Nelson, 20 years. She enjoyed traveling the world Village Memorial Fund. and Shani (Jonathan Goodall); three and was an avid gardener. grandchildren, Leah (Benyamin Rosental), She is survived by her children, Bruce Allane P. Zucker, 89, Yuval, and Miki (Emi Zait) and four great- Hirsch and Marla Hirsch Schwartz (Allen of Terre Haute passed grandchildren (Peleg and Boaz Rosental, Schwartz); grandchildren, Evan Schwartz away March 25, 2020 Naomi and Avidan Zucker). and Arielle Schwartz; and sister, Gertie at Westminster Village Private graveside funeral services were Dock. Health Center. She was conducted on March 27th in Highland Loretta was preceded in death by her born May 16, 1930, in Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements by husband, Michael Hirsch; and parents, Cleveland to Sara and Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home (calla- Ben and Dorothy Siegel. Graveside services Simon Pocrass. She attended Cleveland hanandhughes.com), 605 South 25th were held at Congregation Beth-El Heights High School and graduated from Street, Terre Haute. In lieu of flowers Zedeck North Cemetery. Memorial contri- Mather College of Western Reserve donations may be made to the United butions may be made to the donor’s University in 1952 with a degree in Hebrew Congregation, CANDLES favorite charity. Arrangement entrusted to Spanish and French. She later received her Holocaust Museum, or Westminster Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. graduate degree in education from Village Memorial Fund.

Karl Bruce Zucker, 92, of Terre Haute passed away March 13, 2020 in Westminster Village Healthcare. He was born August 27, 1927 in Cleveland to Jay H. Zucker and Cyril H. Gutentag Zucker. He had an older brother, Malcolm, and an older Time for some cleaning! sister, Henriette. After graduating from Spring is Here! Cleveland Heights High School in January of 1945 he attended and graduated from the University of Chicago in 1948 and then earned a PhD. in psychology in 1956 at Western Reserve University. On August Perfect Touch 2, 1953 he married Allane Pocrass. They had three children: Jeffrey, Nelson, and Shani. Cleaners After teaching psychology at Ohio Northern University for three years he interned in clinical psychology at the VA Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and later became a Diplomate in Clinical 8435 Ditch Road Psychology. From 1958–1964 he served as the chief psychologist at the Youngstown, Ohio Child Guidance Center. The family 259-7837 moved to Terre Hate, Ind., in 1964 where he taught in the School Psychology Training Program, one of the first school Serving your community psychology programs to receive accredita- tion from the American Psychological Association. During that period he for over 25 years. received the Caleb Mills Teaching Award. He also served as President of the United 14 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Bit of Wit

You know you grew up Jewish when: You did not respond to the teacher calling roll on the first day of school because you thought your name was “Princess”. You’ve had at least one female relative who drew eyebrows on her face that were always asymmetrical. You spent your entire childhood thinking that everyone calls roast beef “brisket.” Your family dog responds to complaints uttered in Yiddish. You thought pasta was the stuff used exclusively for kugel and kasha with bowties. You were as tall as your grandmother by age seven. You never knew anyone whose last name didn’t end in one of 6 standard suffixes (- man, -witz, -berg, -stein, -blatt or -baum). You grew up and were surprised to find out that wine doesn’t always taste like year-old cranberry sauce. You can look at gefilte fish without turn- ing green and you thought there was a fish called lox. You know how to pronounce numerous Yiddish words and use them correctly in context, yet you don’t exactly know what they mean. You have at least six male relatives named Michael or David. Your grandparent’s furniture smelled like mothballs, was covered in plastic and was as comfortable as sitting on sandpaper.

Sierra Levin in the Indianapolis Ballet’s Company production of “Swan Lake”, cho- reographed by Victoria Lyras. See interview of her by Sierra Krichiver in next issue. Photo by Sonja Clark, Moonbug Photography. April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 15 ZIMMERMAN Holocaust commemoration should be taxes to this great country. (continued from page 10) about the survivors; politicians should be Dad’s diploma from the University of seen and not heard. Politics should be Berlin Medical School became his ticket planned and helped in the murdering, the replaced by lessons learned from the out of the Nazi inferno. (With stricter many who silently toed the line: They Holocaust, with a prescription for the immigration policies imposed by the were Germans.The industrial mass murder future, free of hatred, racism, and xeno- current U.S. administration, I wonder if of six million Jews, the worst crime in the phobia. We denigrate the memory of today, Dad could obtain a visa for what, in history of humanity, it was committed by victims and the sacred resting place of his time, was a land of freedom and my countrymen. The terrible war, which their remains, scattered by the winds over opportunity for all who qualified.) In the cost far more than 50 million lives, it Auschwitz from 1941 to 1945, when we 1930’s, the Statue of Liberty beckoned to originated from my country. reference current petty politics. When that oppressed people everywhere, with the “75 years after the liberation of happens, the commemoration exploits the promise that this is a land where one Auschwitz, I stand before you all as heroism and suffering of those lost and of might achieve anything. It is up to you. President of Germany – I stand here laden those who survived. It is now about the I was reared in a patriotic household. with the heavy, historical burden of guilt.” egos and agendas of current heads of state. Every day, Dad raised the U.S. flag on a President Steinmeier concluded his talk These world leaders could have demon- flag post which he installed outside our by quoting from a survivor of Auschwitz. strated a vision of how the world could front door; and every day, he brought the “‘Who knows if we will ever hear again work together to create peace and pros- flag indoors. (I want to tell my California the magical sound of life? Who knows if perity for all, resulting in a world with no neighbors who leave their U.S. flags aloft we can weave ourselves into eternity – more hatred, no more death camps, and 24/7, that instead of being respectful, they who knows?’ Salmen Gradowski wrote no more genocides. Unfortunately, their are denigrating their flags, which soon these lines in Auschwitz and buried them collective words and deeds fell short of display the ravages of time and weather.) in a tin can under a crematorium.” any such a vision. Dad first told me about Eva Kor when I President Steinmeier began and ended was in high school. The intensity in his his talk by reciting in Hebrew, the eyes has stayed with me. “You’ll never Shehecheyanu prayer, “Blessed be the guess who has settled in Terre Haute.” Lord for enabling me to be here at this I could not.“Eva Kor, a Mengele twin,” day.” For the complete text of President was his awestruck answer. No doubt it Steinmeier’s speech, browse to: bunde- was my blank stare that inspired him to spraesident.de/SharedDocs/Reden/EN/ give me an immediate crash course in Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/Reden/2020/01/ medical experimentation in concentration 200123-World-Holocaust-Forum-Yad- camps, and the notorious “Angel of Vashem.html. Death,” Dr. Josef Mengele. Eva and her In my opinion, President Steinmeier survivor husband Michael Kor, a pharmacist, gave the most appropriate speech, became close family friends. I wonder if Birkenau Memorial Monument at night acknowledging guilt, and invoking the the Kor household was as patriotic as ours. surrounded by striped flags in tribute memory of survivors. Unlike Poland, Dad graduated from medical school in to Holocaust victims. Photo by Richard which passed a law in 2018 criminalizing, 1934, the last year that the Third Reich Zimmerman. “perceived attacks on Polish actions permitted Jews to graduate from profes- during World War II. The law, which was Anticipating Auschwitz sional schools. As a medical student, he recently ratified by the parliament in Not many couples celebrate retirement witnessed the demise of his chosen pro- Warsaw and which President Andrzej by going to a death camp. My husband fession under the Nazis. At the end of his Duda announced he will sign, threatens Richard and I have joined the CANDLES life, he gave lectures to physicians for their up to three years imprisonment of anyone tour to Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau continuing medical education credit on Nazi who ‘publicly and untruthfully assigns for the 75th anniversary of its liberation. medical ethics; rather, the lack thereof. responsibility or co-responsibility to the “CANDLES” is an acronym for “Children After his graduation from medical Polish Nation or the Polish State for Nazi of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiment school, he could not obtain a license to crimes,’”according to The Atlantic online, Survivors,” an organization of surviving practice medicine. Unlike my grandfather, Feb. 6, 2018. “Mengele twins.” It is our first trip after who, as a decorated World War I veteran, retiring from our mediation practice of felt safe from Nazi persecution, Dad 18 years. became highly motivated to leave. Mengele twin and forgiveness advocate Stripped of his possessions, his livelihood, Eva Mozes Kor, of blessed memory, started and his citizenship, he entered this country CANDLES in 1984. Eva Kor grew with the hope that here, he could achieve CANDLES into Indiana’s only Holocaust his dreams. He did just that – marrying my museum, opening in 1995, in my home- mother, rearing three children in idyllic town of Terre Haute, Ind. Unfortunately, Eva southwestern Indiana, and practicing passed away on July 4, 2019, in a Krakow medicine in Terre Haute for 53 years, until hotel, while leading a tour to Auschwitz. cancer took him in 1990. Survivors at the candle lighting at the Eva might have forgiven her Nazi When people asked him how the Birkenau Memorial before the ceremonies. tormentors, but I have not. My father, Holocaust could have happened in such a Photo by Richard Zimmerman. Werner Leo Loewenstein, also of blessed cultured, modern, and sophisticated nation, memory, was able to emigrate from he gave the following answer: “It isn’t well Denial is always the last stage of genocide. Germany, arriving at Ellis Island with less known now, but the Nazis had a racist President Duda missed the opportunity in than $5 in his pocket, on April 15, 1937. ideology that resulted in scapegoating and Auschwitz to clarify the record as to Polish He used to say that Tax Day was his day of extermination of undesirable people. They complicity in the Holocaust. liberation and that he did not mind paying (see Zimmerman, page 16) 16 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 ZIMMERMAN the government is to keep our democratic Wiener’s (continued from page 15) institutions strong, maintain a free press, and keep oneself informed about current had an extensive and very effective propa- events. Wisdom ganda machine that convinced the people Although we will have professional it was so.And they had doctors to carry it out.” Auschwitz guides to take us through the BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. This unholy trinity: racist ideology, camp, Eva’s son Dr. Alex Kor, “will be propaganda, and medical murder makes taking the lead at several of the locations Can We Ever See God? Auschwitz understandable. It became the most important to Eva’s story,” according cornerstone of my Holocaust class at to Beth Nairn, volunteer coordinator of The great sage Rabbi Abraham Joshua Notre Dame de Namur University in the CANDLES tour. Alex, too, has taken up Heschel wrote,“God is in search of man, Belmont, Calif., which I have taught for 25 the mantle of Holocaust witness, carrying as man is in search of God.”We all desire years. As a second-generation Holocaust on the work of his mother. to know God, to feel God’s presence in survivor, I felt it was an important duty to Dad couldn’t wait to obtain his U.S. our lives and, of course, to seek the help of educate students on the dangers of dema- citizenship so he could join the U.S. Army God in times of trouble.Yes, it is true that goguery, racism, and misinformation. For and fight the Nazis. As a German-speaking God searches for us as strongly and as years, I have taught my students that the doctor, he was put in charge of captured, curiously as we search for God. best way to avoid a dictator taking over injured German prisoners of war. To understand this better we need to As part of an advance battalion, he recount the episode in Exodus, 33:18 as j i entered the concentration camp at Moses asks to see God’s glory. In reality, We all need to feel the nearness of God. Buchenwald shortly after its liberation. Moses wants to see God because even he It is hard to imagine, and we are no different “Buchenwald scarred me for life,” was a found it difficult to understand a concept than those who left Egypt in search of this mantra that echoed throughout his life, or a perception of something that can’t be nearness. We have our Golden Calves, and mine. From Dad, I inherited both imagined.“You will not be able to see My whether it is wealth or beauty. However, survivor and liberator guilt. A curse or a face, for no human can see My face and we neglect to remember that we can find blessing? According to my three adult live.” Picture yourself having a conversa- God’s nearness with everyday living or children, a Holocaust filter channels all my tion with a spirit that is alive and yet not recovery from illness or the birth of a child or perceptions and behaviors. formed. Most would say that you were a marriage. Each day is an experiment that In my Holocaust class, I teach my mad or worse, perhaps, even delusional. brings completion and fulfillment if we will students that the same genocidal motives Then the climax of the encounter, “I it because we remember to love and allow that goad nations to destroy other peoples shall shield you with My hand until I have ourselves to be loved. Most of all we need exist within each of us. From the micro- to passed. Then I shall remove My hand and to show gratitude by sharing with others. the macro- level of human behavior, these you will see My back, but My face may not However, to me, the most important motives include scapegoating; all or nothing be seen.”God is invisible to the naked eye aspect of Passover is that our very existence thinking such as,“You’re either with me or and here we learn about God in human is a compliment to God for the imprint on against me;” lack of self-esteem coupled terms about God’s hand, God’s face, God’s our lives as attested to by our ancestors. with an exaggerated sense of shame; and back. It is impossible to think or describe And our very existence will remain a the need to feel pure and innocent in the things other than how we were created as testament to our ability to persevere and eyes of one’s deity or peers. human beings. We touch, we feel, we prosper so that future generations will This listing is subjective and incomplete; smell, we hear and we see. These things hear the same story and marvel as we do experts from other fields might add more. we can understand, but to realize that to the timeless message of emancipation. But whether on the interpersonal or the there is a spirit that moves about the Generation after generation retells the global level, humanity needs to learn how universe with none of these characteristics story because it fulfills the wishes and desires to take responsibility for these internal just does not seem possible. of all humankind. And as Moses exhorts motives of destructive defensiveness. Moses too has his doubts. It started with Pharaoh to “let the people go” in their For a week or so, the 75th anniversary of a bush that burned and was not consumed desire to worship God in peace and secu- the liberation of Auschwitz will remind and continued through the ordeal of rity, we are reminded that this is a clarion the world of what can happen when a plagues and torments described but call for all people to be able to feel secure. mad dictator seizes control of a powerful impossible to imagine. It was followed Yes, we searched for God, we still search nation. But for me, it is not enough just to by a tumultuous voyage that witnessed for God. God searched for us and still remember. To prevent a future Auschwitz, miracle after miracle culminating in a searches for us, and this episode in history we must collectively realize that motives spiritual connection that made Israel affirms that the search is not complete and for genocide reside in each of us, and it is distinct in every way. may never be. Just as we search for the our individual responsibility not to act on It is this distinction that makes Passover leaven before the Passover begins, and as those impulses. In approaching Auschwitz, so significant. People fight for independence we search for the Afikomen during the I am reminded of what can happen when and freedom every day in all corners of the Passover Seder, we need to continue to a majority of the people are unable or globe and yet, Israel’s fight was explicit in probe because Passover is the continuing unwilling to do so. that it contained an element of intimacy search to see God. Dr. Miriam Zimmerman is professor with God. We constantly struggle to main- Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of emerita at Notre Dame de Namur University tain that connection. Our ancestors found the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation near (NDNU) in Belmont, Calif., where she it difficult coming from a culture that Phoenix, Ariz. He welcomes comments at continues to teach the Holocaust course. She saw many gods and now re-taught about [email protected]. He is the author of two can be reached at [email protected]. one God. They could not understand the books: Living With Faith, and a modern and You can read Dr. Zimmerman’s coverage of difference between invisible and visible. contemporary interpretation of the Passover the 50th anniversary of the liberation of The Golden Calf represented the visibility Haggadah titled, Why is This Night Different? Auschwitz in 1995 at this link: jewish- of God and that gave them comfort. (Reprinted from an earlier edition.) postopinion.com/?p=3699 April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 17 been prating to his Gentile friend-brother, Media Martin, that Jewish ethnicity is “insoluble in water,” and that Jews cannot convert, but that “religion you can take off, like a Watch coat.”There is no such ritual in the novel, where Dovidl and Martin celebrate their BY RABBI ELLIOT B. GERTEL b’nai mitzvah together and never discuss abandoning Judaism. The Song of Names Years later, Martin locates the long- missing Dovidl by tracing him through his – Holocaust Fiction heart attack caused by the concert that rare violin, a gift from Martin’s father. In never was. his first moments alone with Dovidl he Meets Philip Roth? Thirty-five years later Martin will decide punches him in the face, crying: “My to search tirelessly for his childhood com- father put everything he had into you, you Like the novel by Norman Lebrecht on panion. In his early London years, Dovidl ungrateful bastard. He treated you as a which it is based, the film, The Song of follows the news of the German invasion favorite son for 12 years.” In the novel Names, is torn between two genres: of Poland and understandably fears the Martin does not blame Dovidl for his Holocaust fiction and Philip Roth romps. worst. He glances regularly at a photo- father’s death until it suits his purposes Directed by Francois Girard and adapted graph of his parents and two sisters and (compare pp. 8, 249). In the novel he does into a screenplay by Jeffrey Caine, the film cries. He suffers. He plays all the time, note that his father suffered financial ruin tells the story of Dovidl Eli Rapoport, even in the bomb shelter during German because the concert was not insured. whom we meet as a nine-year-old violin air raids, heartening the people. Even his Dovidl explains what happened to him, prodigy brought to London by his father violin duel with a teenage Jewish violinist, reminding Martin, in good Philip Roth for musical training. The violin masters also from Warsaw, inspires his neighbors fashion, “‘Get laid,’ you said, ‘so I did.’” place the lad with a proper British family, in the bunker. That is how (in the film, but not in the the Simmonds, a kind and generous But there is something amiss with Dovidl. novel) Martin jokingly suggested Dovidl couple who have a son of the same age, During a bike ride, he steals a bottled spend his time between the morning Martin. At first the boys clash, but then drink from a vender. While walking the rehearsal and the afternoon concert on that they develop a genuine affection for one bombed streets of London with Martin, fateful day. After the sexual encounter, another and bond as brothers. Dovidl removes bracelets from the body of Dovidl explained, he had to take a bus but Though Christian, Martin’s father assures a woman killed in the German attack. ended up in the wrong neighborhood, a Dovidl’s dad that he will see that Dovidl Appalled, Martin admonishes him to Hasidic community.Yet his Yiddish conver- receives a Jewish education and a bar mitzvah respect the dead. Retorting strangely sations on the street brought him into ceremony, and that Jewish holidays and Dovidl asks, “Why? Because they are contact with people who had known his customs (including kashrut, the dietary dead?” He then points out that many family at the concentration camp. laws, as we later learn), will be honored. people died – shot, burned alive – and Another synagogue scene follows, in a This strange arrangement and other that no one knows their names. “Which humble Hasidic shtiebl. The young rebbe peculiarities in the film prodded me to one am I supposed to feel for?”he asks. tells Dovidl that the Hasidic inmates read Lebrecht’s novel. The author is a It is a bizarre, isolated scene and seems to belonging to this sect committed the highly skilled, erudite, insightful and witty emerge from nowhere. In the novel, Dovidl names of the dead to memory in a song writer, and is very knowledgeable about takes the bracelet but there is no sustained that was later written down. This is, of Judaism and familiar with its sacred texts. discussion between the boys. Martin course, the way that the Talmud and In the novel Martin and his parents are dismisses Dovidl’s theft as opportunistic. perhaps even the Torah – the sacred Jewish; the father stands up for the Zionist The film weaves back and forth between literature renounced by Dovidl – were cause and the mother raises money for it. Dovidl’s childhood and teenage years, first preserved. (In ancient times, Tannaim, There is a nice explanation of the origin of young manhood, and middle age. More designated memorizers, preserved and the Rapoport name in the novel that would strange scenes appear out of nowhere, taught the Rabbinic deliberations.) Dovidl have been effective in the film, as well. and testify to Dovidl’s erratic back-and- confesses to Martin that whereas he had The novel does conjure up Philip Roth forth loyalty to, and betrayal of, Judaism abandoned God, God made sure that his motifs: the Jewish man who seduces and and those who have helped him. Does the family was remembered and that Dovidl spooks Gentile women and who is film (like the novel) ascribe his behavior accepted his obligations as a Jew. ambivalent about his mother and father. on the fears and grief of war and of the Dovidl promises to compose a version (In the book these are as true of the narrator, Holocaust, or does it somehow exult in of the song in order to preserve the Martin as of Dovidl.) The film’s Jewish parents Dovidl’s being a flawed character? memories of those lost. He commits to are beloved (because they are martyred?). In a key scene, the teenage Dovidl, sitting shiva for seven days and to hearing Dovidl’s father is depicted as affectionate. despairing of ever learning the fate of his the song in full.Then he makes pilgrimage The film does not elaborate on the moti- family, drags Martin to the synagogue to to Warsaw to play the song for his erst- vation for Martin’s father to take Dovidl be a “witness”to a ceremony contrived by while violin duel rival, the latter having in. It seems that the father is some kind of Dovidl to “renounce the faith of his gone mad from grief over his own family’s impresario (the novel makes this clear), for fathers.” Dovidl has obviously given fate. Then Dovidl plays the song at he arranges a 1951 concert for the twenty- thought to this do-it-yourself ritual, for- Treblinka before the ashes of his family. something Dovidl at a large and presti- mally citing the year (5707, corresponding Still, at the outset of a religious obser- gious venue. But as we learn early in the to 1946–7). He dons a tallit (prayer shawl) vance phase, Dovidl stayed with a woman film, Dovidl does not show up, humiliating and declares that he renounces Torah and who occupied his family’s old Warsaw home and devastating Martin and his father who Talmud and divorces himself from the and had relations with her, requesting that do not know whether he is dead or alive. community of Israel.Then he cuts off parts she take down her crucifix when he was In the film, Martin’s father succumbs to a of the tallit. Up to that point, Dovidl had (see Gertel, page 18) 18 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 GERTEL up. Martin’s wife suggests that this time Pesach Recipes (continued from page 17) Dovidl might run off to become a Buddhist. In the film Dovidl comes with her and that she wait in the car when through; in the novel he does not. The New Cookbook of he visited Treblinka. (Shades of the treat- novel makes him much more cunning, but ment of Gentile women in some Philip tries to explain his bad behavior as the Delicious Meals – Roth novels?) When Martin finds her and result of pressures placed upon him as a reassures her that she did nothing wrong prodigy musician. Quickly and Easily and that she was only a baby during the When Martin and Dovidl were kids, Holocaust, she says: “You don’t have to Dovidl, fearing the worst, had started to For cooks who be guilty to feel guilty.” During her brief recite the Kaddish for his family, but Martin, don’t have much appearance in the film, she is more likable who has scarcely learned the difference time but do want and affecting than Dovidl. between Kiddush and Kaddish, demanded delicious home- Indeed, Dovidl has betrayed Martin’s that Dovidl stop because his parents and made meals, the affection in an unforgiveable way, totally two sisters may still be alive. At the end recipes in One Pot, predictable in this film, which is dead set of the movie, however, Martin has an One Pan by Devorah Kahan and Rachel on making him as unlikable as possible. epiphany of sorts, realizing the extent of Moskowitz, can be fixed and prepped in (Both the novel and the film render him Dovidl’s rottenness, and recites Kaddish just a few minutes with minimal supplies. unlikable, but in different ways.) I would for Dovidl. This is, I dare say, the ultimate Here’s a couple for Pesach: say that even Philip Roth would not have “cancel culture” directed at a Holocaust penned the gratuitous and tasteless sexual refugee who has abused the opportunities Meat Matzah Pizza betrayal which is highlighted in this film. and kindnesses shown to him. In the This dish is a great twist on pizza, and you The betrayal assigned to Dovidl by the novel novel Dovidl acknowledges that he has can even make it on Pesach if you have the is not as far-reaching and is dismissed as a rebuffed the kindnesses, but “pays back” facilities – it makes a great hot meal for Chol Wagnerian device! (pp. 290–1). The novel Martin’s blackmail (absent in the film) Hamoed. It is a delicious meal to make all does, however, depict Dovidl in more with a “trap”of his own. year round! sexual indiscretions (with gambling As regards the film’s actual song for (Yield: 2–3 servings) thrown into Dovidl’s mix), and exults in the names, it is not that original. It is a the marital infidelities of its (Jewish) variation on the traditional melody for the Martin. At one point Lebrecht suggests Memorial Prayer, El Maley Rachamim.Is that Dovidl impregnated the housemaid, there an element of cruelty in the chanting who had to find someone else to marry of the song itself? After all, we are told that and who died in childbirth. after all the memorization, the names were In the end, Dovidl agrees to give a committed to a book. The rebbe sings the concert for Martin. Needless to say, there Rapoport section to Dovidl, going through is suspense as to whether he will show all the names until he comes to Dovidl’s family. Though perhaps intended to make j i him identify with the losses of the Jewish Tip: If you are making this meal for a People as a whole, it seemed a gratuitously 1/2 lb. (225 g) ground beef crowd, you can sauté the vegetables and prolonged way to break terrible news. 2 tablespoons oil cook the meat the night before. This In the novel and, to a lesser extent, in 1 small green pepper, sliced ensures minimal prep time the next day, as the film, the song becomes a sound track 1 small red pepper, sliced all you have to do is assemble the pizzas for Dovidl’s erratic behavior and for the 1 small onion, sliced and bake. Also, you can use leftover agenda of the Hasidim. Dovidl rebels 4–5 white mushrooms, sliced Bolognese sauce for the meat if you have it against his mentors and groomers, and 2 teaspoons salt, divided on hand. the Hasidim rebel against modernity, its 8 oz. (225 g) marinara sauce authorities, and its killing machines. But in 1/8 teaspoon onion powder Matzah Brei the film especially, the song becomes a 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon The first thought that pops into my head vehicle for the selfishness of a gifted artist 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder when you say matzah brei is Pesach, but it and a compelling reason to Kaddish- 2–3 sheets matzah can really be eaten any time. Some people cancel him and to elevate his Gentile like matzah brei sweet and some like it brother as “witness”and as the honorable, Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and l savory. Whichever way you make it, it’s a if not honorary, Jew in the house. Did the ine a baking sheet with foil. Place oil in a great dish that you can eat year round. film mean to render Martin a Gentile in frying pan and heat over a high flame. (Yield: 1 serving) order to suggest that Gentiles make better Add vegetables and sauté for 4-5 minutes, Jews under stress than self-absorbed until they are tender but still have a bite Holocaust survivor musicians (and the to them. Remove from fire and add 1 Jewish Martin of the novel)? teaspoon salt; transfer to a plate and set Rabbi Elliot Gertel has been spiritual aside. In the same pan, brown ground beef leader of congregations in New Haven and over high heat until it’s cooked through Chicago. He is the author of two books, and no longer pink. Turn off flame. What Jews Know About Salvation and Add marinara sauce to meat and add Over the Top Judaism: Precedents and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and spices. Trends in the Depiction of Jewish Beliefs Place matzah on baking sheet and spread and Observances in Film and Television. a thin layer of meat over it. Top with He has been media critic for The National sautéed veggies. Bake for 15 minutes. (see Recipes, page 19) Jewish Post & Opinion since 1979. April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 19 RECIPES Tradition in First- Bit of Wit (continued from page 18) Person Plural 1 Sheet Matzah BY STEPHEN SCHUSTER In 1936, Morris Rabinowitz fled his Water native Germany. He sold his assets and 1 Egg Keeping Judaism Alive made five sets of solid gold teeth with his Salt/Pepper or Sugar & Cinnamon, to taste is a multidimensional, cash, well above the limit he could bring 1 Tablespoon Oil multifaceted and some- into the U.S. times even a multimedia When he arrived in New York the customs Crack the matzah into large pieces proposition. But no event official was perplexed as to why anybody (about 2–3 inches). Soak in room-temper- instantiates the concept of Keeping would have five sets of gold teeth. So ature water to cover for 5 minutes to soften. Judaism Alive more personally and with Morris explained: “Jews who keep kosher Drain all excess water. Crack the egg such universal participation than does our have two separate sets of dishes for meat into a bowl, add salt and pepper or sugar Passover seder. products and dairy products but, I am so and cinnamon and beat with a fork. Add Wherever in the world we Jews are on religious I also have separate sets of teeth.” soaked matzah and mix. Heat oil in a each 15th of Nisan, we make or we find a The customs official shook his head and frying pan over a medium flame. Add the seder. In late March of 1980, for example, said, “Well that accounts for two sets of matzah mixture and fry while stirring until my friend Kenny and I walked into teeth. What about the other three?” egg is thoroughly cooked. Shabbat services at the Tempio Maggiore “Very religious Jews use separate dishes Note: You can add the spices/sugar di Roma – The Great Synagogue of Rome, for Passover, but I am so Orthodox I have either before or after frying. If you are which, from its perch on the banks of the separate teeth for Passover meat and for cooking for multiple people, you may Tiber River, overlooked the former ghetto Passover dairy food....” want to leave it out and let everyone where the city’s Jews were required to The customs official shook his head and choose what they want. live until 1870. Before the evening ended, said, “You must be a man of very strong Tip: You can break up the matzah either Rome’s Jews had settled their quarrel over faith to have separate teeth for meat and before or after you soak it, depending on the honor of hosting us for seder two nights dairy products and likewise for Passover. how small you like the pieces. If you break thereafter, setting our stage for an indelibly That accounts for four sets of teeth. What it up after it soaks, the pieces will be bigger. memorable seder adventure that year. about the fifth set?” If you want small pieces, place in a Ziploc At whatever table we find ourselves Morris looked around and spoke softly. bag before you soak it and crush or pound reclining, the object of and commandment “To tell you the truth,”he said,“once in a it until pieces are the desired size. fulfilled by each seder experience is, of while I like a ham sandwich.” course, the vivid retelling of the grand Submitted by Marvin Migdol, Dallas. About the Authors Exodus pageant. And whereas unbiased When Devorah Kahan was a young narrative historiography is the customary j i child she followed her mother around in method of chronicling bygone events, critical to personalize and contemporize our the kitchen always interested in what was historical analysis is not the principal memories, thereby constantly remaking and going on. These formative years ignited medium through which the collective reforming Judaism as a living thing. her passion of cooking as well as food memory of the Jewish people is kept alive. At Pesach, we exemplify this by observ- photography. After high school Devorah Indeed, while scholarly historiography ing the Mishnaic command b’chol dor elected to go to culinary school at the always recounts in third-person plural vador – in every generation we Jews must Center for Kosher Culinary Arts and hone terms – they, them, theirs – our Passover see ourselves as if we went out of Egypt. her skills. It was at this point that she seder is a unique observance in its first- For in that phrase lies the latent power of began writing her first cookbook while person plural reliving of a group-memory. the Haggadah to move our hearts.Through working for a myriad of food personalities We. Us. Ours. seder ritual, liturgy, and even culinary including Jamie Geller, Dini Klein, the Surely no other historical occurrence has elements, we internalize our Exodus with Kosher Guru, and at Fleishigs Magazine. been kept so personally alive as our Exodus, personal ownership of the pain of slavery, Devorah prefers eating healthy and enjoys and we owe the infinitely renewable vitality the struggle for liberation, and the ecstasy recreating classic desserts into delicious, of our story to ourselves, having never of freedom. Through seder magic, we healthier masterpieces. failed to ardently nurture our first-person effortlessly reach across millennia to slip Rachel Moskowitz has been cooking plural genetic memory. our feet into Israelite sandals as one unified since she was high enough to reach the As we learn through Torah study, our people. And through our seder tradition, kitchen counter. She started developing Hebrew Bible is unambiguous in com- wherever and with whomever we observe recipes in her family kitchen when she manding memory. Its injunctions to it, we again demonstrate to ourselves our was a teenager and her passion has only remember are unconditional and the stubborn determination to keep this Judaism grown since then. With no professional Hebrew word zachar (remember) appears of ours very much alive. Chag sameach! background in food, Rachel likes to say in various forms no less than 169 times. Stephen Schuster lives in Worcester, that most of her knowledge comes from And just in case we fail to be absolutely Mass., with his wife, Julie, and their four experimenting with new techniques and clear on the concept, the Torah often com- children. A writer and engineer, Steve is seeing what happens. She started writing plements the “remember” imperative with CEO and founder of Rainier, one of the lead- One Pot, One Pan while in college. Rachel its partner command,“do not forget.” ing marketing consultancies for complex is also a professional web developer and But as Columbia University’s Yosef Hayim technology companies. Steve has BSEE and designer and when she’s not caught up in Yerushalmi wrote,“collective Jewish memory MBA degrees from Northeastern University code, she enjoys experimenting in the is not about the historicity of the past, but and is an avid musician, hiker, photographer, kitchen and dreaming up new recipes. its eternal contemporaneity.”Our tradition, gardener, and yoga practitioner. He can be Reprinted with permission from One Pot, in other words, is not a dusty obsession reached at [email protected]. (Reprinted One Pan. Israel Bookshop Publications 2019. with antiquity, but rather our unique ability from a previous edition.) www.israelbookshoppublications.com 20 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Aragon and Isabella of Castile in 1469 As I Book Review brings de facto unification of Spain as a Christian nation, a nation in which half its Heard It Jewish citizens are converted in the decades prior under threat of expulsion, pogrom, or death. REVIEWED BY MORTON GOLD REVIEWED BY SUE SWARTZ Esther and her husband Benjamin have done well for themselves. He is a translator Excellent Musicians, While Preparing and scholar, of use to the royal court, but rumors swirl: now that the Moors have Varied Music for Passover, Jews been pushed out, who will rise to power? Who will rule? Who will protect the Jews? is Professional Expelled from Spain On March 31, 1492, as preparations for Passover are under way, Esther and her and Effective In the Time of Leaving. By Shana Ritter. daughters must confront rumor turned to April 2019. 218 pgs. Paperback $12.99. reality: an end to their lives as Jews in A new release (Nov. 2019) has come There is a market in the Jewish quarter Spain, no matter how useful they have out of a CD titled: Rejoice! Honoring the of Toledo, Spain, but there are no shoppers been and no matter how careful. They Jewish Spirit. (Essential Voices USA).It was haggling over chickpeas & olive oil. There have weeks to make the kinds of decisions published by Acis (APL97092). The CD are public baths, that Jews and other people have, and contains nine compositions, all selected bread ovens, and a continue to make: stay or go. Flee towards and conducted by Judith Clurman. place for ritual where? What can be taken, what must be The excellent accompanist is James slaughter of cattle left, what will be risked? Cunningham, and – but no Jewish Write down everything, Esther tells the fine cellists are residents. Two of Chava on the eve of her journey, so even David Miller in 10 synagogues the daughters you have not yet had will track 3 and Raman remain, serving as know what the leaving was like. Write down Ramakrishnan in ornate memorials everything – even if you return someday, track 5. The music to Spain’s once- it will never be as it was. The leaving is varied, and their thriving Jewish will color everything. Chava writes in arrangements are community; the her wrapped silk journal, cherishes her all professional entire quarter is a quill cut from black stork. She carries a and effective. I will make brief comments museum maintained by the government. handkerchief with the smell of almonds and about each selection and then some final How are we to understand the past? the last ceremonial candle lit on her family’s comments about the CD How are we to remember table, each containing an entire story. to sum up. A handsome it? How does the past The women take with them everything booklet with texts and bleed into the present? remembered – the smell of bread, sound commentary is included. These questions permeate of horses on stone, fog rising from the I must add a mea culpa. Shana Ritter’s novel, In river – along with memories that will What follows are merely the Time of Leaving, set in never have a chance to form, that will only my opinions. (Yours may Toledo in 1492, as the remain dreams. The Portuguese have a be different.) J. Clurman entirety of Spanish Jewry Shana Ritter word, saucede, which means longing for Track 1: The Eight Days of Lights confronts the Alhambra Decree (also what is now gone… I hear it in our prayers. composed by Judith Clurman and David known as the Edict of Expulsion) and how Even when there is exaltation, there is Chase. The text is from the liturgy and best to survive. sadness. I think it is always missing home, a was adapted by Ms. Clurman. The music Three women form the backbone of the place where you truly belong. A place you reflects an artistic rendering of the text. story. Esther and her two daughters Sarah will never be asked to leave. The piano part supports the choir and adds and Chava, not yet out of their teens, must Ritter captures this longing perfectly to the enhancement of the composition. weather a time of intense change and throughout her novel, not just for a life left Track 2: Dayeinu (trad.) arranged by danger. The marriage of Ferdinand of behind, but for the words that made Trude Rittmann. This is a vibrant concert that life possible. A thousand years of rendition of the familiar Seder melody. j i manuscripts must be smuggled to Fez and Track 3: Ki Hineih Kachomer composed be described as examples of modern treat- the Ottoman Empire, in trunks and hems. by Ms. Clurman and arranged by Ryan ments composed for a well trained chorus The words are in peril. There is peril in Nowlin. This work features a lovely (which describes the vocal ensemble on every choice. melody enhanced by a tasteful arrange- this disc.) My sole reservation with this We are gone, gone like the petals of the ment. (I confess that this selection along otherwise well trained group concerns the almond trees, one week so full of scent and with the next and the last one are my lapses in intonation in the soprano section. the next scattered on the ground. Yet even as favorites on this CD.) Tracks 7 and 8 are called Songs of Peace the Jews of Spain are scattered, this beautiful Track 4: Shlof Mayn Fegele music by by Jeremiah Klarman, both arranged by novel brings hope: memory, tradition, and Mikhail Lermontov, lyrics by Abraham David Chase. No. 7 is called Hineih Ma Tov story making each arriving possible. Goldfaden and is arranged by Ryan and is nothing like the traditional tune. Sue Swartz is the author of We Who Desire: Nowlin. This beautiful tune of Russian This is particularly well performed. No. 8 Torah Riffs & Poems as well as a visual descent speaks for itself. is a rousing setting of Oseh Shalom. artist living in Bloomington, Ind., where she Track 5: Yeish Kochavim composed by (What’s not to like?) is active in Congregation Beth Shalom. Jonathan Tunick and Track 6: Everlasting Ms. Clurman is to be congratulated for The book is available through Ritter’s Light, composed by David Shire can both (see Gold, page 21) website: shana-ritter.com or amazon.com. April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 21 and perhaps sinful if not unpardonable, is GOLD Book Review that the well – intended pulpit messages (continued from page 20) of swelling pain – could not stop the vast tragedy from unfolding into the destruc- the cohesive ensemble of her choral group tion of no less than two thirds of European as well as the effective range of dynamics REVIEWED BY Jewry and one third of world Jewry. (levels of volume.) The selections were RABBI ISRAEL ZOBERMAN America, however, was silent to our chosen with care and are varied in style bitter cry for help, which was denied and and scope.This is an artistic CD of the kind American Rabbis delayed, rendering it mere words blowing of music that needs to be encouraged. in the wind as if unspoken. We, who have The problem is that there are not an Spoke Out for elevated language to divine heights, abundance of trained choral groups of this discovered that Hitler’s hateful rhetoric caliber to perform this kind of music. European Jews proved more persuasive. The voluminous The recording is produced and engi- pulpit sermons serve to glaringly highlight neered by Silas Brown, who is nominated Agony in the Pulpit: Jewish Preaching in the inability to translate them into for three 2020 Grammy Awards. All scores Response to Nazi Persecution and Mass concrete action to save fellow Jews, so are available from Hal Leonard (www. Murder, 1933–1945. By Marc Saperstein. many, and they relied on us. halleonard.com) and at all your favorite Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College Press. The failure of rabbinic preaching in the sites online for purchase/Spotify 2018. 1,111 pgs. Hardcover $89.10. absence of a corresponding successful Editor’s Note: Judith Clurman was Dr. Marc Saperstein, distinguished author, political campaign to arouse American music supervisor for the movie, Song of rabbi, scholar and professor, taught at leaders and particularly FDR toward Names (see movie review on page 17). She Harvard University (where he earned his redemptive action as our people went conducted the choral/vocal music on the set. doctorate), Washington University, George up in smoke, cannot be eradicated from Dr. Morton Gold is a composer/conductor, Washington University, and was principal our collective consciousness and guilty retired educator and an arts reviewer. of Leo Baeck College in London, England. conscience; nor from American colossal Marc’s late father, celebrated Rabbi failure to stand by basic morality when j i Harold Saperstein, served Temple Emanu- assailed by barbaric forces aimed at It is fortuitous timing of Saperstein’s Eloff Lynbrook, N.Y., from 1933–1980. He subverting and uprooting the Judeo- book with the world-wide dangerous responded to Nazism early on in 1934 Christian heritage of humane values resurgence of anti-Semitism’s alarming with his sermon, “Call to Battle.” Marc’s that Nazism declared, with good reason, specter. It has opened a much-appreciated brother Rabbi David Saperstein was the adversarial to Hitler’s new “Chosen window to revisiting the costly short- illustrious Director of Reform Judaism’s People”and “Aryan Commandments.” comings of response, Jewish verbal and Religious Action Center, as well as the Stephen S. Wises’lobbying efforts before American political, in our darkest times American Ambassador at large for FDR, his trusted “friend”, and some along with hopefully, though not guar- International Religious Liberty. Marc organized mass rallies and appeals proved anteed, learning from them. The late Saperstein’s exhaustive and impressive futile even as the Allies were aware of the incomparable Elie Wiesel wrote of his tome appealed to “Final Solution” being actualized. While profound disappointment, along with my searching and American anti-Semitism, anti-immigration other survivors, that the world failed critical eye as a refugees and isolationism reigned and to learn from the Holocaust given the family member of presented FDR with tough challenges, he genocides that followed. the Holocaust’s failed to assert Presidential moral leadership The organized American Jewish surviving remnant allowing us to undergo a crippling community is far more effective than it of European Jewry. genocide, threatening the future Jewish was before WWII, though even now limits Saperstein states, potential and even survivability. No less to its power and influence exist, always “My book is a than a million and a half Jewish children begrudged and enlarged by our detractors. rebuttal to the perished in the Shoah. The SS St. Louis Dare we remember that in 2017 in accusation that with its human cargo of mostly 937 Jewish Charlottesville, Va., white supremacists American Jews in passengers, including children, sailing marched Nazi-like without bothering to general, and their from Hamburg, Germany, was turned cover their heads with hoods, shouting, rabbinic leaders, in particular, remained away and back from these shores in May “Jews will not replace us.”President Trump silent; that they failed to speak out on 1939 with disastrous consequences. responded, “Very fine people on both behalf of the suffering Jews of Europe The State Department rejected an sides.”Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue and were unresponsive to their pleas. It is opportunity to save 1,000 children, was the scene in 2018 of the worst crime also a rebuttal to the further accusation arguing that they would become Jewish against Jews committed on American that if they had only spoken out, ‘the adults. Bombing the railroads leading soil with 11 Jewish worshipers murdered slaughterer would not have succeeded in to Auschwitz was deemed by FDR a on Shabbat. his task’”(p.xii). diversion from fighting Nazi Germany Scapegoating anti-Semitism and Indeed, it does offer a measure of even while the Allies’, including American xenophobia concerning immigrants and consolation that American rabbis planes, were bombing chemical installations refugees from “certain” backgrounds have representing American Jewry as spiritual nearby. David S. Wyman’s monumental resurfaced. The dreadful “Auschwitz” leaders did not keep silent, raising their classic, The Abandonment of the Jews, does not shockingly resonate to an agonizing voices when their European (what an apt and shaking title!) is a must- American public’s large segment only 70 brethren were being slaughtered on mass read. The New York Times, under Jewish some years following such grave historical in “civilized”Christian Europe. Not to have ownership, buried Holocaust events in events, despite multiple Holocaust spoken would have constituted not only a its back pages. There is a sense of a high Museums. Holocaust education and world sin of omission but also one of commis- conspiracy early on if not to deny the history are essential tools in the never– sion. However, what remains disturbing Holocaust, to diminish it. (see Zoberman, page 22) 22 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 Isaac Mayer Wise ZOBERMAN Lifetime Achievement (continued from page 21) ending struggle against forgetfulness, Award for Dr. Zola ignorance and prejudice with new genocides rising, each unique and the JANUARY 24, 2020 – Dr. Gary P. Zola same. Any democracy is but a fragile participated in a special gala weekend institution as we witnessed, and its honoring Rabbi Joseph essential safeguards are demanding. The Black’s 10-year anniver- State of Israel, the world’s only sovereign sary as senior rabbi of Jewish country and our collective address Denver’s Temple Emanuel. built on the Holocaust’s ashes has become At that time, Dr. Zola a target for those attacking us when received the prestigious powerless and now resenting a measure Isaac Mayer Wise Lifetime of Jewish power that we were so tragically Achievement Award from Dr. Zola lacking when abandoned by the world. the Reform Jewish community of Denver. Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder The award, created in 1983 by Denver’s and spiritual leader of Temple Lev Tikvah in Temple Emanuel and Temple Sinai, honors Virginia Beach, Va. His Polish family lost those who have made significant spiritual, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. hundreds of members during the Holocaust. academic and social contributions to He spent his early childhood among Jewish Reform Judaism and the ideals of modern, Movement. His leadership of The Jacob refugees in Kazakhstan (his birthplace, progressive and pluralistic Judaism around Rader Marcus Center of the American 1945), Poland, Austria and Germany before the world. Jewish Archives ensures the preservation moving to Israel in 1949. For over two decades, Dr. Zola has served of precious documents that tell the story as the Executive Director of The Jacob of Jewish life and leadership in the j i Rader Marcus Center of the American Western Hemisphere. His teaching, the reins of the American Jewish Archives. (In 2010 when The Jewish scholarship, and publications sustain and Jewish Archives from its Post & Opinion downsized their office, transmit our Jewish history for generations retired founder, Dr. Jacob about 50 bound volumes of the National to come.” Rader Marcus, Rabbi Zola edition from approximately 1945–2005 Dr. Zola served the nation as a member has worked tirelessly to and five huge boxes of file photos were of the Commission for the Preservation of innovate, inspire and donated to the American Jewish Archives.) American Heritage Abroad from 2011– increase the funding, pro- Dr. Zola is also the Edward M. Ackerman 2019. He was also the only rabbi and gram, and reputation of the Rabbi Black Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish historian to be appointed Archives. He has brought it to new heights of American Jewish Experience & Reform to the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial success. What better way to celebrate Rabbi Jewish History at Hebrew Union College- Commission’s Advisory Council, spear- Wise’s legacy than by honoring one of the Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) on heading Lincoln observances leading up key guardians of that legacy?” the Cincinnati campus. to the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s Rabbi Black served as an intern with “I am deeply and profoundly honored birth – February 12, 2009. Additionally, Rabbi Zola when he was in Rabbinical to be receiving the Isaac Mayer Wise Zola served as the national chair of the School and Rabbi Zola was serving as Award – particularly as Reform Judaism is Commission for Commemorating the 350 national Director of Admissions for the marking the bicentennial anniversary of Years of American Jewish History, which Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Wise’s birth (1819–2019),” said Zola. was organized to help our nation mark the Religion. Rabbi Black’s 10th anniversary “Words cannot adequately convey my 350th anniversary of Jewish communal life celebration honored his love of Torah sense of gratitude to Rabbi Joseph Black in North America (1654–2004). and learning by focusing on Torah (study, and Rabbi Rick Rheins [Temple Sinai] and Dr. Zola is a widely published scholarly knowledge), Avodah (observance), and the Reform Jewish community of Denver and contemporary author – with numerous G’milut Hasadim (acts of love and kind- for this kind and very generous recogni- articles appearing in many scholarly and ness) – which represent the building tion.” Zola’s keynote address – which national media publications. He is the blocks leading to the repair of the world. focused on Isaac Mayer Wise’s impact on author of We Called Him Rabbi Abraham: Dr. Gary P.Zola is featured on a podcast American Judaism – was titled,“They will Lincoln and American Jewry, A Documentary recorded on Feb. 20, 2020, from the think of me for a Century: The Living History (Southern Illinois University Syosset Public Library in New York. On Legacy of Isaac Mayer Wise.” Press, 2014), and he has co-edited with this edition of “Turn the Page”, Dr. Zola is The award is named for Rabbi Isaac Marc Dollinger a volume titled, American speaking with the library’s Community Mayer Wise because he is considered to be Jewish History: A Source Reader (Brandeis Engagement Director, Jessikah Chautin, the architect of American Reform Judaism, University Press, 2014). He also serves as about the relationship between President having founded the three great organiza- editor of The Marcus Center’s award- Abraham Lincoln to American Jews – who tions of American Reform Judaism in winning, semi-annual publication, The held in him very high regard and often Cincinnati, Ohio: the Union of American American Jewish Archives Journal. claimed him as one of their own. Link to Hebrew Congregations (1873); the Hebrew The gala reunited Dr. Zola and Rabbi Podcast: http://turnthepage.blubrry.net/ Union College (1875); and the Central Black, who met in 1970 when Dr. Zola 2020/02/20/turn-the-page-episode-77/ Conference of American Rabbis (1889). served as Rabbi Black’s camp counselor Past awardees have included Dr. Jacob Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, President of HUC- at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Rader Marcus (1984), Mr. Albert Vorspan JIR, noted that “Dr. Gary P. Zola is a Oconomowoc, Wisc. “Rabbi Gary Zola is (1985), Rabbi Alexander Schindler (1988), preeminent historian of the American one of the preeminent scholars of American Rabbi David N. Saperstein (1990), and Jewish experience and of the Reform Jewish History,” said Black. “Ever since taking Rabbi Dr. Alfred Gottschalk (1991). April 8, 2020 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN 23

Yitzak Rabin called Magen David Adom Israel’s second line of defense. With the coronavirus, we’re the first.

When the COVID19 coronavirus arrived in Israel, the Ministry of Health knew who could best protect everyone’s health. Because Israelis know Magen David Adom has the paramedics, training, and vision to minimize the spread of the disease.

With its innovative home-testing program and cutting-edge video apps, MDA can literally see how patients are recovering — enabling most Israelis to recover at home, where they can infect the fewest people.

Support from Americans like you has helped MDA shield almost all of Israel’s 9 million people from this disease. But this fight has depleted the tools and supplies MDA needs to ensure the infection rates don’t rise. Help Magen David Adom continue to protect Israelis and save lives. Make a gift today. Chag Pesach sameach.

afmda.org/protect 24 The Jewish Post & Opinion – IN April 8, 2020 The Jewish Cincinnati Opened PRESORTED Post &Opinion STANDARD Holocaust Museum US POSTAGE 1389 W 86th St. #160 PAID & Humanity Center Indianapolis, IN 46260 INDIANAPOLIS, IN PERMIT NO. 1321 On January 27, 2019 International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Holocaust survivors and leaders from the Cincinnati community marked the official reopening of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center (HHC) in its new home in Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal – the same train station where a majority of the 1,000 Holocaust survivors and refugees who came to Cincinnati decades before arrived by train to begin their new life. It is the first Holocaust museum in the U.S. with an authentic connection to its site and several local Holocaust survivors were present to speak to their personal connection to Union Terminal and the import role HHC will play in educating future generations about the Holocaust. HHC will also offer a first-of-its-kind Humanity Gallery to introduce visitors to local and global topics that affect us all and allow them to explore historic moments in which individuals were activated to bring about change to their community and world, inspiring visitors to the Gallery to activate their own core strengths and be an upstander to current and future acts of violence, prejudice and hatred. With the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in the US in recent years and genocidal activity around the world, its opening is particularly timely.

Additional notable features of the new Holocaust & Humanity Center include: Deportation Installation, Window Overlooks Train Tracks. Photos’ credit: Drew Money. Eyewitness accounts, interactive experi- ences and artifacts, will allow visitors to witness the strength and courage of the human spirit set against the backdrop of one of the darkest chapters in human history. HHC is the latest addition to the Cincinnati Museum Center housed inside the historic Union Terminal, a working train station and the largest half-dome in the world reopened to the public in November 2018 following a $200 million renovation. Cincinnati Museum Center also includes the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX ® Theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives and has been recognized by Forbes Traveler Magazine as the 17th most visited museum in the country, with more than one million guests annually, expected to increase with the new Holocaust museum. Massacre Installation on Holocaust By Bullets. Visit: www.holocaustandhumanity.org