Washtenaw Jewish News Presort Standard In this issue… c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor U.S. Postage PAID 2939 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 Training Shabbat Election Leadership, in the 2012 Building Park Community

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October 2012 Tishrei/Cheshvan 5773 Volume XXXII Number 2 FREE Main Event features bestselling author Jonathan Safran Foer on October 28 Mimi Weisberg, special to the WJN hen Shel Markel reflects on his year will celebrate the responsibility every- Named one of Rolling Stone’s “People of Jewish giving, he sums it up: one shares as individuals and as a commu- the Year” and Esquire’s “Best and Brightest,” W “We have to take care of our- nity of passing on Jewish values and customs Safran Foer is the author of the international selves because no one else will.” through stories, memories and actions. bestseller, Everything is Illuminated, which was His son David learned that lesson grow- “We are so grateful to the Markels for serv- named Book of the Year by The Los Angeles ing up—not by the words spoken by his dad ing as Main Event chairs this year,” says Federa- Times and was named the decade’s best work Shel and mom Geri, but by their actions. “It tion President Laurie Barnett. “Their personal of Jewish fiction. His second novel, Extremely was a natural part of my life and I knew it passion and commitment represent the unique Loud and Incredibly Close, won multiple awards was important.” gifts of individual and family philanthropy, es- and was released as a movie in 2011 starring This commitment to Jewish life continues pecially toward the Jewish Federation.” Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Most recent- to be a shared gift between them. That’s why Main Event keynote speaker, Jonathan Sa- ly, Safran Foer co-authored the New American Shel and Geri, and David, and his wife Stacy, fran Foer, also recognizes the value of legacy of Haggadah with Nathan Englander. are co-chairing the Jewish Federation’s Main Jewish life. An accomplished prize-winning au- The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Ar- Event on Sunday, October 28, featuring best- thor, Safran Foer comes from a tight-knit Jew- Jonathan Safran Foer bor invites the entire community to attend the selling author Jonathan Safran Foer. The event ish family. As a child, he promised himself that Main Event. A family gift of $100 is required will begin at 4 p.m. at Washtenaw Community he wouldn’t make his children waste a minute doing anything terribly unlike what our parents and admission is $36/adults; $18/students. For College’s Morris Lawrence Building. in a Hebrew school classroom and yet now he did. Or their parents. Or their parents’ parents’ more information, contact Mimi Weisberg, With the theme L’dor v’dor—from gen- can’t imagine doing anything differently for his parents’ parents...traditions of all kinds compel [email protected] or 677-0100 or eration to generation—the Main Event this own children. He writes: “It’s hard to imagine our parenting choices.” register at www.jewishannarbor.org. n Environmental activist Maria Gunnoe Federation recruiting teens for Ann to receive Wallenberg Medal Arbor/Nahalal Student Exchange Penny Schreiber, special to the WJN Eileen Freed, special to the WJN ppalachian environmental activist Ma- the forced removal of their Cherokee peoples he Jewish Federation’s ria Gunnoe will be awarded the 22nd from Georgia and settled safely in the fertile Ann Arbor/Nahalal A University of Michigan Wallenberg hollows of central Appalachia. She comes T Community-to-Com- Medal on Tuesday, from a long line of coal miners, including her munity committee (C2C) is re- October 23, 2012, at Cherokee grandfather, who in 1950 purchased cruiting ninth graders for the Ann 7:30 p.m., in Rack- the land where her home stands. Arbor/Nahalal Student Exchange ham Auditorium. In 2000, a 1,200-acre mountaintop re- 2013. The Ann Arbor/Nahalal y After the medal pre- moval mine came to the ridge above Gunnoe’s Student Exchange Program is a sentation, Gunnoe home. Today her house sits directly below a two-part exchange in which 9th will give the Wallen- ten-story valley fill that contains two toxic grade students from Ann Arbor berg Lecture. ponds of mine waste. Her property has flood- spend their February vacation in : A ntrim C as k e : In 1996, Gun- ed seven times since the mine opened. Most of Nahalal, Israel. The following Oc- noe, a lifelong resi- her home was destroyed in a 2003 flood and tober, during the Sukkot break, o cre d it dent of Bob White, t her yard was covered in toxic coal sludge. Her their counterparts from Nahalal Boone County, well and ground water have been contami- Top row: Seth Kronick, Julie Barnett, Adam Kahana, Isaac ph o will come to Ann Arbor. Shore Middle row: Claire Fishman, Jonah Schmidt West Virginia, be- Maria Gunnoe nated by mine waste, and her family now uses gan her fight against bottled water for cooking and drinking. Student Exchange 2013 With their Nahalal friends in Jaffa environmentally devastating mountaintop re- Gunnoe is a fearless advocate for environ- Part One of the 2013 exchange will take interaction with local teens, and visits to Jeru- moval coal mining and valley fill operations mental and social justice. At great personal place during the Ann Arbor Public School’s salem and Tel Aviv. Students and their families in Appalachia. Boone County is one of the risk, she rallies communities that face the de- 2013 February break, leaving Thursday, Feb- will be asked to serve as hosts for the Nahalal most active mountaintop removal regions in struction of their natural environment, and ruary 14 and returning Monday, February 25. delegation in September 2013 (specific dates the United States. To date the practice has de- works to educate and build citizen advocacy. The extra day will enable the teens to partici- to be determined). The Nahalal students will stroyed an estimated 500 mountains and bur- A medical technician by training and a for- pate in local Purim activities on Sunday. Par- have a similar program of touring, school at- ied or polluted well over 2,000 miles of rivers mer waitress, Gunnoe first volunteered with ticipants will be hosted by families in Nahalal, tendance and teen interaction. and streams. local advocacy organizations and then began and the program will include experiencing The Student Exchange is funded by the Gunnoe’s family came to Boone County in working for the Ohio Valley Environmental the Nahalal Regional High School, touring Federation’s Partnership2Gether Commu- the early 1800s, when her ancestors escaped Nahalal and the surrounding region, plenty of Continued on page 2 Continued on page 15 ILetter to the Editor

2935 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 To the WJN editor: voice: 734/971-1800 As current and past board members of Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, and as fax: 734/971-1801 members of several of Ann Arbor’s Jewish congregations, we want to respond to Henry e-mail: [email protected] Brysk’s letter attacking ICPJ and one of our employees, Chuck Warpehoski. www.washtenawjewishnews.org There are several things in the letter that are untrue. As just one example, the letter writer states that ICPJ has “refused to condemn the Herskovite harassment of Beth Israel Congregation,” when in fact, over seven years ago, in 2005, ICPJ wrote to the group that protests outside of Beth Israel, telling them that the vigils needed to end and that they Editor and Publisher Susan Kravitz Ayer were “hurtful” and “counterproductive.” It is extremely troubling to us that the WJN chose to let Mr. Brysk smear ICPJ, and Calendar Editor our staff person Chuck Warpehoski, without verifying facts. While Mr. Brysk is entitled Claire Sandler to his opinion, the WJN needs to be able to differentiate between fact and opinion, and should not feel obligated to publish letters that contain untruths. Advertising Manager We work with ICPJ because we want to work with other people of faith and passion on is- Gordon White sues of peace and justice. We invite you to join us. You can find us on online at www.icpj.net. Design and Layout Dennis Platte Michael Appel, member of Beth Israel Congregation Rebecca kanner, member of Beth Israel Congregation Staff Writer and the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah Mary Bilyeu, Sandor Slomovits, Rochel Urist deb kraus, member of Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah Contributing Writers Ruth kraut, member of Beth Israel Congregation Halye Aisner, Rabbi Lisa Delson, Hadar Dohn, Emily Eisbruch, Susan Fisher, Karen Freedland, Bob Milstein, member of Temple Beth Emeth Eileen Freed, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Rachael Amy Rosenberg, member of Temple Beth Emeth Hoffenblum, Shoshana Jackson, Ron Kampeas, Cindy Klein, Holly Leber, Cnaan Liphshiz, Nancy and the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah Margolis, Diego Melamed, Soo Ji Minn, Edmon J. Rodman, Ben Sales, Mae Sander, Elliot Sorkin, Daniel Treiman, Tom Tugend, Jessica Webb, Corrections to September Vitals Mimi Weisberg Our apologies to all those mistakenly listed in the Condolences section of the September The Washtenaw Jewish News is published monthly, with the exception of January and 2012 Washtenaw Jewish News. Many of those receiving “Mazal tovs” were accidently “copied July. It is registered as a Non-profit Michigan and pasted” into the Condolences list. Corporation. Opinions expressed in this pub- lication do not necessarily reflect those of its Wallenberg medal, continued from page 1 editors or staff

Coalition (OVEC) to educate her neighbors about the environmental dangers of moun- Member of taintop removal. She organized meetings and trained community members to read mining American Jewish Press Association permits, write letters to the editor, and speak with the media. She also showed them how to organize nonviolent protests and created neighborhood groups to monitor coal companies for illegal behavior and report toxic spills. She is in the vanguard of activists who recognize that environmental justice is critical for the survival of small rural communities that face powerful political and economic interests. In May 2011, Gunnoe wrote on the blog ThinkProgress that “Neither the coal industry nor our politicians have kept their promises of prosperity to the people. The people in these moun- tains are being exploited for the coal. I have seen all of the prosperity leave these Appalachian communities on coal trucks and coal trains, and what we have to show for it is polluted water in our wells and streams, depopulated communities, and sick people with inadequate health care. . . . Today our mountain culture is under attack.” ©2012 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. In return for her passionate activism, mine managers have singled out Gunnoe as an en- All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw emy of mine workers and their jobs. She has received threats on her life and her children are Jewish News may be reproduced without frequently harassed at school. Her daughter’s dog was shot dead, wanted posters featuring her permission of the publisher. photo have appeared in local stores, and she has had to take serious measures to protect her Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should family and property. not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the editor at [email protected]. Name will be Maria Gunnoe’s advocacy has led to closure of mines in the region and stricter regulations for withheld at the discretion of the editor. the industry. In 2009, she won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her work. Circulation: 5,000 This year, 2012, marks the one-hundredth anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg’s birth. A 1935 Subscriptions: graduate of the University of Michigan College of Architecture, Swedish diplomat Wallenberg $12 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County saved the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews near the end of World War II. Work- $18 first-class su bscription ing in Budapest in the late 1930s, Wallenberg came into contact with many Jewish refugees Make your next mailer, The deadline for the November issue of the brochure, invitation or from Europe. In 1944, at the request of Jewish organizations and the American War Refugee Washtenaw Jewish News, any design project a Board, the Swedish Foreign Ministry sent Wallenberg on a rescue mission to Budapest. Over is Monday, October 8. the course of six months, Wallenberg issued thousands of protective passports. He confronted Publication date: Monday, October 29 Hungarian and German guards to secure the release of Jews whom he claimed were under Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News Swedish protection, placing some 15,000 Jews into thirty-one Safe Houses. are available at locations throughout After reporting to Soviet headquarters in Budapest on January 17, 1945, Wallenberg van- Washtenaw County. ished into the Soviet Gulag. Although the Russians claim that Wallenberg died in 1947, the results of numerous investigations into his whereabouts remain inconclusive. n by Dennis Platte IIn this issue… Advertisers ...... 31 Congregations ...... 8 Seniors ...... 6 Armerican Jewry ...... 30 Israel ...... 16 Youth/Teens ...... 12 Kosher Cuisine ...... 25 Vitals ...... 31 734.483.9619 Calendar ...... 26 [email protected] Best Reads ...... 23 On Another Note ...... 24 World Jewry ...... 21

2 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 ICommunity Women’s Philanthropy strong and growing Mimi Weisberg, special to the WJN elcome to the world of female found in the Torah. The ancient symbol was philanthropy! Andrea Pactor, as- carved in the entranceways of the earliest syna- W sociate director of the Women’s gogues, woven into fabrics and hammered into Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University, silver and gold. The intricate covers for the han- commented, “Women are taking ownership.” dles of the Torah scrolls are called “rimonim” The Institute has found that female-headed or pomegranates. In 1981, in Allentown, Penn- households are more likely to give to charity than sylvania, the Women’s Division of Federation male-headed households; and that in nearly all decided that another level needed to be created ercy’sAT THE BELL TOWER income groups women give more than men. to capture women who were committed but Decades ago, Jewish Federation of North couldn’t afford the $5,000 gift of Lion of Judah America (JFNA) discovered that as women and thus, Pomegranate was created. In Ann Ar- HAPPY HOUR Tuesday-Friday 4:30pm-6pm gained more independence by becoming a bor, there are 24 women who give a minimum force in the workplace, that they wanted inde- gift of $1,800 to the Annual Campaign and DINNER Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-9pm, Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-10pm pendence in giving as well. JFNA discovered thanks to “Lion,” Carol Amster, who has been *bar open 1 hour later women’s philanthropy and levels of giving, with soliciting these women, the list is growing. programs such as Lion of Judah Endowment Locally, Women’s Philanthropy (formerly Join us for our HALLOWEEN DINNER Tuesday, October 30th @ 6pm and Pomegranate status. Inspired and guided called Women’s Division) is a vibrant group Costume party for the entire family @ 4:30pm by the tradition of tzedakah (righteousness/ of women who value Jewish life and want to charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), build Jewish community. Jewish Federation of Please check our website for details! the National Women’s Philanthropy of JFNA Greater Ann Arbor is committed to women dedicated itself to the continuity, connectiv- who want to network, learn, celebrate tradi- 300 S. Thayer • (734) 996-3729 • http://www.mercysrestaurant.com • Valet parking available. ity and thriving future of our North American tions, and make an impact locally and through- communities, Israel and the Jewish People. In out the world. There are currently three events 1972, Lion of Judah was established in Miami for this year—a Lion of Judah appreciation lun- with 16 Jewish women and was the largest cheon at the home of Carol Amster in October, arm of Jewish Federation. There are now over “Celebration”—the Women’s Event of the year 16,000 Lions worldwide. There are 13 “Lions” on March 10, and an appreciation event for Li- in Ann Arbor today who annually contribute ons and Pomegranates in the Spring. n the minimum gift of $5,000 or more. Contact Mimi Weisberg at 677-0100 or mimi@ One of the seven species named in the Bible, jewishannarbor.org if you would like to partic- the pomegranate is said to contain 613 seeds, ipate, help plan an event, and/or make a gift to one for each of the mitzvot or commandments this year’s Annual Campaign. Federation trip to Philadelphia planned for 2013 Susan Fisher, special to the WJN Philadelphia —where this nation was born; partake in the promise of America – they came Philadelphia—where many of this nation’s to invest the hopes and dreams along with their most historic documents were written; Phila- energy and ingenuity. delphia—the city of Brotherly Love: Philadel- The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Ar- phia—now the home of the National Museum bor is organizing a trip to Philadelphia to visit of American Jewish History, the only museum the museum and all the other attractions of in the nation dedicated exclusively to collecting, this city which played such a storied role in preserving and interpreting artifacts specific to the history of the United States. With guest the American Jewish Experience. speaker and guide, Deborah Dash Moore and The National Museum of American Frederick G. L. Huetwell, professor of history Jewish History located on Philadelphia’s and director of the Frankel Center for Judaic Independence Mall, is designed to present edu- Studies at the University of Michigan, this cational programs and celebrate the history of trip promises to be an excellent opportunity Jews in American. Its location, in the birthplace to visit this exceptional new museum. of American freedom, is most fitting as the Mu- The trip will take place from June 17-19, seum celebrates the freedoms that have made it 2013, and will be escorted by Mimi Weisberg. possible for Jewish Americans to flourish. Board a luxury motor coach on June 17 and The Museum, which formally opened in spend time with friends and colleagues from October 2010, has received rave reviews both the Jewish community who have pledged a gift for its architecture and the quality and compre- of $500 or more to the 2013 Annual Campaign. hensiveness of its permanent and special col- For more information, contact Weisberg at the lections and exhibits. It celebrates the Jews who Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor at 677- over the last 350+ years came from every cor- 0100 or [email protected]. ner of the globe and from every station in life to Calling all artists for JCC’s Art, Fashion and Gifts Galore event Nancy Margolis, special to the WJN The Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann selling pottery, toys, fiber art, painters, weav- Arbor invites artists of all kind, to participate ers and Judaica. Fashions for men, women in their Art, Fashion and Gifts Galore event on and children will be on sale, including out- Sunday, December 2 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the door wear and camping equipment. Gourmet JCC. Exhibitor tables/booths are 8 foot long. foods for gifts will be available as well as a food Each table is $100 for the day. Tables may be court to sustain shoppers. shared, if artists wish. All tables must be paid for For more information or to reserve a table, in advance and include two admission tickets. contact the JCC at 971-0990. Vendor table reser- Patron admission to the event is $5 per person. vation deadline is November 1. Forms can also This fundraiser will feature a wide array be downloaded from the JCC website: www.jc- of vendors, including jewelry makers, artists cannarbor.org. Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 3 IJewish Family Services

The legacy of Herb Amster: reflections and achievements Cindy Klein, special to the WJN t is the second yahrzeit of Herb Amster, be- going support for the agency that he loved. Herb May, 2012, as director of the Amster Center. Her JFS’ clients’ medical appointments more pro- loved husband of Carol, friend and mentor served on the JFS board of directors for many first charge was to develop a Professional Advi- ductive. Volunteers meet with clients before ap- Ito many people and organizations in the years. As a businessman, he was always develop- sory Council (PAC) to help direct the vision for pointments, transport and accompany clients to Ann Arbor community, and long-time support- ing ideas that would help produce stable streams the center. Norman Herbert, retired treasurer appointments, support clients by ensuring med- er of Jewish Family Services. Marking a yahrtzeit of income, and he believed that a non-profit or- of the University of Michigan, chairs the PAC. ical professionals answer the client’s questions can bring reflection upon the life of the person ganization could operate in the same way. “Do Other members include David Barfield, Steve and that the client’s concerns are addressed, and that is gone, and of the legacy that they left. good things, but remember the bottom line so Klein, Bruce Moyer, Chuck Newman, Ed Pear, afterwards provide a report on what transpired. Together with Carol, Herb did much for the that you can do more good things,” was one of Josh Pokempner, Tom Porter, Carol Amster, This report is essential to caregivers who live community. Only a few of his accomplishments Herb’s favorite sayings. Phyllis Herzig and Bob Miller. Ex Officio are: far away or can’t accompany the patient them- are listed here. Herb was a founder of the Jewish The Herb Amster Center was created by Car- Anya Abramzon, Sarah Okin, Alan Cotzin and selves. Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, he ol Amster and JFS as a separate division in July of Elina Zilberberg. JFS has already sold the program’s curricu- served on the board of the University Musical 2011. The center is tasked with creating revenue- Only four months into Okin’s tenure, the lum to several out-of-state agencies. Society for many years, and founded the Amster generating, profitable lines of businesses. What Herb Amster Center is already making progress. The Amster Center is developing a business Lupus Research Fund at the University of Michi- will a nonprofit do with all that profit? “Use it to “This social entrepreneurship model is a perfect plan to make marketing and sales of the curricu- gan and the Amster Butterfly Lupus Walk. Herb subsidize JFS programs that are suffering due to solution to a scary reality for residents of Washt- lum more effective, which will increase revenues and Carol also received the Jewish Federation funding cuts, or the increased number of agen- enaw County; a logical answer to the commu- to support the Ann Arbor area clients served by of Greater Ann Arbor’s Humanitarian Award. cies competing for grants,” says Abramzon. “Our nity’s needs through monetizing some of JFS’ the program. In 2010, David Shtulman, executive director of goal is not to line our pockets, it’s to do good services. We’re starting with what we know,” says Okin, the members of The Herb Amster the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, was things, but to remember the bottom as Herb Okin, “and considering projects like Partners in Center PAC, and the JFS staff and board are quoted in an article in Ann Arbor.com as stating Amster taught.” Care Concierge™.” (Formerly, Patient Partners.) looking forward to the next steps in the process. Herb “really embodied altruism.” “Herb was In December, 2011, Ora Pescovitz opened “We’re pitching the program nationally and lo- The coming year will bring research into other dear to everyone at JFS because of his deep car- her home to hold an event attended by over 60 cally, approaching insurers, hospitals and other businesses and revenue-building programs. A ing for the people we serve and by acting on his community leaders to learn more. They offered organizations. The program has been around formal kick-off and report on the progress of commitment by serving on the board, introduc- their expertise and financial support and helped for years, and when we talk about it people get Herb Amster Center will take place at JFS’s 20th ing new supporters to the agency as well as lend- JFS chart the course the Amster Center is on. A excited. The problem is, we’re a nonprofit, and Anniversary on Sunday, April 21, 2013. n ing financial support,” said Anya Abramzon, JFS grant was received from the Ann Arbor Area we don’t charge for it. That means we’re limited For more information about JFS programs and executive director. Community Foundation to help build infra- in the number of people we can serve by the The Herb Amster Center, call 769-0209, email In July, 2011, Carol Amster announced to JFS structure and research business lines. number of dollars we receive in grants.” Sarah Okin at [email protected] or that Herb’s legacy would be one of creating on- Ann Arbor native Sarah Okin was hired in Partners in Care Concierge™ exists to make go online to www.jfsannarbor.org. JFS’s first English as a Second Language class has 10 year reunion Cindy Klein, special to the WJN ewish Family Services was founded in opportunity of the reunion to interview the and just graduated from Eastern Michigan ing in the Slavic Department at University 1993 to help resettle Jews emigrating former clients about their experiences over with my bachelor’s in health care administra- of Michigan for the last eight years doing or- J from the former Soviet Union. Barbara the years. tion. I’m looking for a job in that field, but dering. “I got the job with U of M because I Schreier was JFS’s first English as a Second Lan- Nina and her husband Dmitry arrived in until then, WCC is a great place to work.” worked on my English. And I am still there. I guage teacher, working from 2001–2010, and the U.S. in the summer of 2001 with their Aleksandra arrived with her husband in love it! JFS helped me a lot”. with her students, held the first International teenage sons, Peter and Yuri. “I was worried, the summer of 2001 also. “We came in July It was very moving to see the lasting Luncheon in 2001. “I thought it was impor- because my parents friendships that had formed, and the depth tant that, in addition to learning the language, couldn’t come with of feeling that the students had for Barbara, the students should learn what it was like to be us. I cried all the for JFS, and for each other. To a person, every- in an American home,” said Schreier. In 2002, time with worry. one credited JFS as part of the reason for their a potluck was held at Schreier’s house, and the But JFS was my fam- success. But Barbara gave her former students concept of the JFS International Luncheon ily, and helped calm credit as well. She said, “I think I learned more was born. me and helped me from them than they learned from me.” Several times a year, current and past stu- bring my parents The State Department has eased security dents, board members, staff and other inter- over two years later. restrictions, and JFS has learned it will be re- ested people would gather for a pot luck meal I am an accountant, settling a great number of refugees over the with dishes created by the students. Food and I learned Eng- next year. “Welcoming strangers is such a would vary from borscht to Brazilian chick- lish with my sons core tenet in Judaism,” said Mira Sussman, en, kibbe and falafel to French crepes, sushi, and husband in JFS director of Resettlement Services. One Chinese dishes and African treats. Cultures Barbara’s class. JFS of the fundamental points of the JFS vision were shared, English was practiced in a social Employment Ser- is “hachnasat orchim”: welcoming guests, and setting, and board members and funders got vices helped Dmitry JFS’s resettlement work embodies this. to see the impact of JFS’s work in the com- get a job interview Staff will be very busy helping these new munity. “There was something special about with Re-Cellular. I will never forget that Bar- and then went to visit New York City and 9/11 U.S. residents find housing, learn to speak this first class,” Schreier said. “We were like a bara made him practice his interview over happened. I was never so scared and confused. English, develop work skills and find jobs. JFS family, and they’ve always kept in touch with and over and over. But my husband got the We had so little English, but after a week we will provide them with food and clothing, and me and with each other.” job, and is still working there—for 10 years.” rented a car and came home. We started Eng- help them learn to function in our commu- A few weeks ago, one of the group members Nina and Dmitry’s sons have both married lish class at JFS. I was afraid to talk, but then nity. It couldn’t be done without community called Schreier so ask if she would be willing young women originally from the Ukraine, my English got better and I am not scared support: donations of food, clothing, furni- to host a 10 year reunion at her home. “How and the older son, Peter, has a beautiful five- now. Everybody in the class was like family. I ture and money; and volunteering as conver- could I say no? I love these people.” The stu- month-old baby. love JFS! They even came to court and helped sational partners, English tutors, assisting dent organized the event which was a potluck Adriatic was a newspaper and television me with I traffic ticket I got back then. My with job searches and job coaching. held at Schreier’s home on August 10, 2012. journalist in Albania who left with his family husband got a job with JFS help. He is still To learn more about JFS’s work with refu- Cindy Klein, the JFS Development Associ- for political reasons. “I am working for eight there—he’s an engineer with Consumer’s En- gee resettlement, English as a second language ate, felt it was important to see the impact of years in a restaurant now. The work is steady, ergy. JFS is a great place for people like us.” and its citizenship program, plan on attending JFS programs first hand. She writes the grants the money is good and I am happy.” His for- Tatiana said-“I don’t work; I am retired. the JFS International Thanksgiving and Citi- and courts the donors, and it is much more mer wife, Cozetta, who was also at the reunion But I take art classes at the WCC. I like the zenship Fair at Cobblestone Farm on Sunday, meaningful to see the see the programs in ac- said, “Once JFS helped me get my English, I classes because I can do something I am good November 18, from noon to 3 p.m. For addi- tion and get to speak directly with the clients. got a job at WCC (Washtenaw Community at and because I hear good English in the class tional information about JFS, call 769-0209 or It is then easier to explain a program or ex- College) in the nursing department, because I so I can speak better. I still want to do better.” go online: www.jfsannarbor.org. n press the outcomes in writing. She used the used to be a nurse. I finished my degree there Another woman, Galina, has been work-

4 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 SAVE Support, Guidance and Solutions. THE DATE International Thanksgiving and Citizenship Fair Sunday, November 18, 2012 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. Cobblestone Farm 2871 Packard Rd. Ann Arbor Michigan 48104 Jewish Family Services has licensed clinical social workers who can support Family-Friendly event; you through everyday life stressors or unexpected crises. tours of the farm house We provide assistance and direction to create a plan to achieve your goals. will be available. JFS operates on a fee-for-service basis. Medicare and private insurance accepted. JFS 20th Anniversary

Case Management/Services Coordination: is Sunday, Psychosocial Rehabilitation 2245 S. State Street • Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health www.jfsa nnarbor.org • 734- 769- 0209 Employment Development Services April 21, 2013.

To learn more about Counseling Services at JFS or to schedule an assessment, call 734-769-0209. Mark your 2245 S. State Street, Suite 200 • Ann Arbor, MI 48104 calendars! Tel: (734) 769-0209 Fax: (734) 769-0224 [email protected] Equal Opportunity To• give, go to jfsannarbor.org• Employer/Programs www.jfsannarbor.org Jewish Family Services Lives Transformed. Hopes Realized.

We are Michigan Jews Moving Forward Voting to Re-elect President Obama He shares our values, advancing policies that both strengthen the middle class at home and our alliances abroad. Compare his record with Mitt Romney’s promises. The choice is clear • Unwavering allegiance to israel • creating jobs for americans • creating the affordable care act • Protecting women’s rights • Protecting voters’ rights • Protecting aging americans find out how to add Your name: [email protected]

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Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 5 ICommunity

Jewish Community Center offers wide range of adult classes and programs Halye Aisner, special to the WJN The Historical Roots of Modern fulness-based meditation practices in the instituted the festival’s Jewish World Mu- Sunday, November 11, at 9 a.m. Books must community. Dr. Benn has also conducted sic Showcase and Progressive Jewish Music be written by a local Jewish author or have Judaisms class with Todd Endelman research studies on meditation that have Showcase events. He has been interviewed as Jewish content. Deadline for submission is The Jewish Community Center of been published in academic journals. Dr. a Jewish music expert by Israeli National Ra- Friday, October 12. Greater Ann Arbor will offer a new three- Benn received her PhD from University of dio and Canada’s CFRC, been profiled in the week course from their Jewish Cultural Arts Michigan and subsequently completed ad- Detroit Jewish News and in 2008 was ranked Film Discussion Group with Russ Collins and Education Department. Todd Endel- vanced training programs with many gifted the 36th most influential Jewish “Twitterer” The Film Discussion Group is led by the man will lead the class entitled The Histori- teachers and healers, including Jon Kabat- by the Jewish Telegraphy Agency. Zaientz Michigan Theater’s Executive Director, Russ cal Roots of Modern Judaisms on Monday, Zinn, James Gordon, Rachel Naomi Remen has consulted on Jewish music for radio and Collins. The classes take place on Mondays, October 29, Thursday, November 1, and and Brian Weiss. television programs and has spoken to audi- from 7-8:30 p.m. at the JCC. Class dates Monday, November 5, from 7–8:30 p.m. at The cost for this 3 series course is $80 for ences across South East Michigan. include October 22, November 19, and De- the JCC. JCC members and $100 for non-members. Registration is not required for this class. cember 10. Dates for 2013 include January Endelman’s class will discuss the four The cost is $5 for JCC members and $10 for 14, February 18, March 11, April 8, May 13, varieties of Judaism dominate in Jewish life Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra non-members. For more information, con- and June 10. today: Reform, Conservative, Modern Or- The afternoon concert series will present tact Karen Freedland at karenfreedland@jc- Participants will engage in lively discus- thodox, and Ultra-Orthodox. The differences members of the Ann Arbor Symphony Or- cfed.org or 971-0990. sion not only of movie plots and characters, among them are often so great as to suggest chestra on Wednesday, October 3 at 1 p.m. but also of the unique cinematic elements that they are not merely branches of one re- at the JCC. Guests will Tai Chi that send subtle messages to viewers. Films ligion but distinct religions. This course will enjoy the talents of Arie A Tai Chi class through Washtenaw selected will include popular blockbusters, examine the historical roots of these four Lipsky, A2SO on cello, Community College (WCC). Classes will independent films, thought-provoking dra- streams, beginning in the nineteenth centu- Aaron Berofsky and take place from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the JCC mas, intense thrillers, and more. ry, when they first crystallized. The class will David Ormai on violin on Wednesdays, beginning October 3. For read documents from the period describing and Kathryn Votapek eight weeks, instructor Karla Grosbeck of Stretch and Kvetch Yoga what each hoped to achieve and how each on viola. Good EnerChi Studio will bring her grace Stretch and Kvetch yoga class will be of- viewed the failures of its competitors. Refreshments will and wisdom of Tai Chi to the JCC. Gros- fered through November 1. The class takes Endelman is Professor Emeritus of His- be served at 1 p.m. and beck teaches traditional low impact Tai Chi place on Thursdays, from 6–7 p.m. at the tory and Judaic Studies at the University the concert will begin at moves that promote the flow of good energy JCC. Natalie Berry, staff instructor from A2 of Michigan, where he taught for twenty- Arie Lipsky 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 through the body. Improve balance, health Yoga, understands the needs of our bodies as seven years. Prior to coming to Ann Arbor, and are available through Ann Arbor Sym- and memory with this effective class. Fees it ages. The class is geared to those who want he taught at Yeshiva University and Indiana phony Orchestra or at the door. and registration details can be found on the to stretch and strengthen through yoga, and University. He is a specialist in the social WCC website. at the same time feel comfortable at your history of European Jewry and the history Osher Lifelong Learning Institute level. Pre-registration required. n of Jews in Britain. His most recent book is The JCC will host Osher Lifelong Learning Local Authors sought for book festival For more information on JCC programs, Broadening Jewish History: Toward a Social Institute classes. Offerings in October The JCC invites local authors to partici- contact Karen Freedland at karenfreedland@ History of Ordinary Jews. include: pate in the 25th Annual Jewish Book Festival jccfed.org or 971-0990. The cost for the class is $100 for JCC • Understanding the Generations, Wednes- local authors’ event, which will take place members and Registration is required by days, October 10–31, 10–11:30 a.m. October 22. Cost is $100 for members and • Investing in Retirement, Mondays, October $125 for non-members. 15–December 3, 1–2:30 p.m. • A is for Aging, B is for Birthdays: Changing SPICE* of Life Programs Meditation for Wellness Attitudes Towards Aging, One Child at a *Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural and Educational Programs for Adults A three-session Meditation for Wellness Time, Tuesdays, October 23–November class will take place on Thursday, October 6, 10–11:30 a.m. Jessica Webb, special to the WJN 18; Tuesday, October 23; and Tuesday, Oc- Registration takes place through OLLI at Tuesdays poetry and creating a picture with words. tober 30. Classes will take place from 7–8:30 www.olli-umich.org or 998-9351. p.m. at the JCC. 11 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Thursday, October 11 Dr. Rita K. Benn, of the University of “The Silver Age of Yiddish Music” Faquhar. $4 per session. noon: Home- 12:30 p.m.: A registered nurse from Michigan, will bring her experience and tal- “The Silver Age of Yiddish Music” will take made Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person. Care Response will provide free blood ents to this course offering. The goal of this place on Monday, October 15, from 7-8:30 1 p.m.: Mah-jongg, bridge and other card pressure checks. series is to introduce participants to the sci- p .m. This lively presentation of music and games, board games, Wii sports, and 1 p.m.: Ann Arbor lo- ence and practice of meditation techniques current information about Jewish music quilting and other craft projects. cal and musician, Lau- for promoting health and wellbeing. In the today will be led by Jack Zaientz, an Ann rel Federbush, will play first session, participants will learn about Arbor area research scientist who blogs Thursdays a selection of music on the scientific research that supports the ben- about contemporary Jewish Music. 10 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria her harp. Federbush’s efits of meditation for wellness, and experi- Zaientz says, “American Jewish music is Faquhar. $4 per session. 11 a.m.: Current repertoire includes ence some simple meditation practices. In exploding. Bands and labels and venues are Events with Heather Dombey. Enjoy a dis- Classical, Celtic and the second and third sessions, participants multiplying. Rock, Hip Hop, Reggae, Punk, cussion of this week’s news. Bring in items Contemporary. Laurel Federbush will learn and practice additional mindful Klezmer, Sephardic, Choral, Jazz, Chassidic- of interest for group discussion. Noon: techniques and share their experiences with Pop, Bible-gum, Beat Box, House, Socialist Homemade Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per Thursday, October 18 each other through facilitated discussion. Yiddish Gothic, World Chamber / Art Mu- person. 1 p.m.: Thursday Special Events 1 p.m.: Presentation by Eileen Freed, In order to maximize the experience and sic. A revolution is happening but we’re and Presentations (See below for details). who will share her experiences and pic- understanding of meditation and connec- scattered across a big nation with no com- tures from the 2012 London Olympics in tion to wellbeing, it will be important that mon media to connect us .... except the net. Special Events her presentation entitled: What do Mia participants commit to practice techniques Will it be enough? “ and Presentations Hamm, the Freed Family and a Rubber learned in class during the week. Handouts This program will introduce the audi- Chicken Have in Common? of readings, websites and resources will be Thursday, October 4. ence to the many genres of Jewish music Thursday, October 25 provided to help participants deepen their that is out there and it is hard to find. He Noon: Join in for lunch with the stu- 1 p.m.: Presentation by meditation experience once this introduc- will play the music and talk about the artists dents from the Ann Arbor Nahala Stu- Idelle Hammond-Sass, tory series is over. with great enthusiasm that always excites dent Exchange. a local jewelry designer Dr. Rita Benn, PhD has been trained as the listener 12:30 p.m.: Birthday celebration for all and Rec & Ed instruc- developmental and clinical psychologist Zaientz is a blog master and musical with October Birthdays. Bring family and tor, who will discuss the and is the director of the Faculty Scholar’s schadchen of Teruah, a popular blog that friends for lunch and birthday cake. process of making jew- Program in Integrative Healthcare at the charts contemporary Jewish music. Zaientz, 1 p.m.: Presentation by Linda Grekin, for- elry and provide a dem- University of Michigan. She has taught an Ann Arbor area research scientist and a mer English, drama and creative writing onstration. mind-body practices to students and pro- member of Temple Beth Emeth, is co-chair teacher, will discuss the process of writing Idelle Hammond Sass fessionals and facilitated many group-based of the Detroit Jewish Community Cen- workshops and interventions using mind- ter’s Stephan Gottlieb Music Festival and 6 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 Genesis offers space for many Soo Ji Minn, special to the WJN hen Angela Quintieri was ready to Quintieri’s new land- ing available space for two sides, so there is plenty of natural light. There expand her Montessori preschool, lord, Genesis of Ann Arbor, the community to use. is a courtyard just outside the Social Hall that may Wthe Ann Arbor Children’s House, is all about making accom- The Sanctuary is be used in the warmer months. A small lobby she thought she had found a suitable space in a modations. Formed in used primarily for the leading to the restrooms and a large coatroom are church in downtown Ann Arbor. “It was last No- 1975, Genesis represents a religious observances of located at the entrance to the Social Hall. The ad- vember 2011,” recalls Quintieri, “and we wanted special relationship between both congregations. It jacent kitchen, installed in 1995, is fully equipped to double our enrollment from 12 to 24 children.” St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal may be made available, with the best commercial equipment. A smaller She was about to sign the lease until the site failed Church and Temple Beth with approval of the social hall and kitchen, as well as a variety of the fire inspection. School was going to start again Emeth, a Reform Jewish clergy, for community meeting rooms and classrooms also are available in the fall and Quintieri had to start her search Temple. Both congregations use, non-member wed- for rental. There is ample parking, both on the from scratch. “We got a list from the Internet and maintain their separate dings, or concerts. The premises and overflow parking across the street. spent the next 3 months calling every religious identities to worship and room holds up to 450 The building is immediately noticeable to establishment in Ann Arbor. Most people didn’t be fruitful in the ways that people, but because of anyone who drives by—a large Star of David respond to messages. Some didn’t want to share are unique to both under- its semi-circular design, and cross stand side-by-side on the front lawn. their space.” Finally, she found Marvin Wagner, standings of the nature of it is suitable for as few Indeed, nearly everyone who comes inside feels the administrator for Genesis of Ann Arbor. “He God. Their actions stand as 50 people. The Social immediately comfortable. “We are happy to be called us back immediately and was very accom- as a symbol of the power The Ann Arbor Children’s House has a Hall is an attractive, air- here, says Quintieri. “We are proud to be here— modating, professional, and welcoming. He met of reason and love to over- new home at 2309 Packard Street conditioned room that it’s amazing that it’s a shared religious space.” And with us to meet our needs and working with all the come distrust and the prejudices of their separate measures approximately 48 x 70 feet. It accom- for at least the next three years, the Ann Arbor’s inspections was able to make reasonable accom- histories. The facilities of Genesis are intended to modates up to 210 people seated at round tables Children’s House will call Genesis their home. modations.” The Ann Arbor Children’s House serve the shared interests—as well as the special and 190 people seated when there is a dance floor. For rental information, contact Marvin Wag- moved in mid-summer and started school right needs—of each congregation. Implicit in the A wood parquet dance floor can be rented at an ner, Genesis adminstrator, at 665-8883 or visit on schedule on September 4, in their new home shared use is the recognition of responsibilities to additional cost. The carpet is patterned in blue www.genesisa2.org. n at 2309 Packard Road. serve the broader Ann Arbor community, mak- hues and the room is completely windowed on National consultant Rae Ringel motivates community volunteers Eileen Freed, special to the WJN he Jewish Federation of Greater Ann munity, locally and port and promote the missions of their agencies. product—ending every board meeting with an Arbor kicked off its 2013 Annual Cam- internationally.” In addition to creating clear expectations, roles inspirational little story to remind everyone of Tpaign September 10 with a launch Shtulman was and responsibilities, Ringel encouraged board why we are here to begin with!” program attended by over 40 community vol- taken with Ringel’s chairs and executive directors to check in with unteers and Federation board members. The notion that, just as volunteers regularly to ensure they are “having Building Jewish community together program was facilitated by Rae Ringel, a leader- lighting Shabbat can- a great experience” while serving the organiza- Federation President Laurie Barnett attend- ship trainer and former director of Professional dles, sharing holiday tion. Tilly Shames, executive director of Uni- ed at both programs. “In both sessions,” she said, and Volunteer Development at United Jewish meals, and partici- versity of Michigan Hillel said, “Rae helped us “Rae set just the right balance of inspiration and Communities. Participants donned hard hats, pating in tikkun olam recognize how much more effective, more ef- tactics. She encouraged us to be in touch with and, after constructing their meals from the (social justice) are all ficient, and more fun our boards will be when and communicate our passion for Jewish com- offerings donated by Simply Scrumptious Ca- Rae Ringel ways of expressing we add this kind of value to their experience as munity in all that we do. And she applauded us tering, focused on how to “Build Jewish Com- Jewish values, so too lay leaders.” for embracing our mission of fundraising this munity Together.” is participating in the annual campaign. “If Ringel shared a tool for creating a brit kodesh year—that this is the year to regain our mo- Jewish community is important to us we need (sacred covenant or partnership) to guide the mentum and bring up the campaign.” “Solicitation” is a sacred Jewish act to understand that supporting it is something lay/professional relationship. Aura Ahuvia, stu- “We are so pleased to have been able to bring Rather than narrowing in on campaign and we must gladly do for ourselves, not a burden dent rabbi of the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Rae to Ann Arbor to motivate and educate our solicitation techniques, Ringel asked the group imposed on us by others,” he said. “Rae helped Havurah was impressed with the idea that sacred volunteers and to provide meaningful leader- to reconsider the work of fundraising and the to make that clear.” partnership ought to underlie Jewish organiza- ship development to our local organizations,” annual campaign as a “powerful vehicle for As a long-time campaign volunteer and for- tions. “The notion that ‘we are strengthened and said Mimi Weisberg, Federation campaign di- community engagement.” She said that the basis mer Federation board member, Jerry Lax has uplifted when... we believe that we are made bet- rector. “It is important to be reminded, from for the Federation model is the once-esteemed been to many campaign kick-off training pro- ter by our partner’s successes’ is not just a good time to time, that the work of community and honored position of the “gabbai tzedakah” grams. “We’ve had several motivational speak- principle for boards, staff and members, but also building is sacred and meaningful. Our cam- who would travel from shtetl to shtetl collecting ers in past years, but none who displayed more for religious communities,” said Ahuvia. paign volunteers are our ambassadors, enablers, a Jewish “tax” that was placed in a kuppah (liter- energy or creativity than Rae,” he said. “Her em- Hadar Dohn, Hebrew Day School’s new connectors and matchmakers,” Weisberg con- ally, the money would be put in an iron pot) to phasis on discovering the major interests and Head of School, appreciated the opportunity tinued. “They do this important work because be distributed to individuals, families and insti- goals of prospective donors should serve us well, to learn with several of her board members. “I they want to continue and grow the exceptional tutions in need. as should the realization that if campaign par- thought that her presentation was terrific,” said programming and services offered by the Fed- Instead of feeling apologetic when asking ticipation and contribution do not increase, the Dohn. “It helped me to affirm that HDS has a eration and its partner agencies here in Ann Ar- others to give, said Ringel, volunteers should community cannot achieve its expanding list very functioning board, one that understands bor and around the world. We are grateful for view asking for a campaign pledge as giving of worthy program objectives.” He continued, its role clearly. My ‘take away’ was the comment their noble and honorable service on behalf of fellow community members an opportunity “Rae usefully quoted Will Rogers: ‘It doesn’t that she made about always going back to the our community.” n to do a mitzvah—to become partners in sus- matter if you’re on the right track—you’ll still taining and building a vibrant Jewish commu- get run over if you don’t keep moving.’” nity. “What I loved about Rae’s presentation is how she changed the act of asking someone for Community leadership development money from an uncomfortable chore to an act The Federation offered a second session of righteousness,” said David Shtulman, execu- with Ringel, a globally recognized innovator tive director of the Federation. in the field of not-for-profit fundraising and board development, to professional and lay The “power and beauty” of the leaders from across the Jewish community. annual campaign Thirty representatives from ten organizations “Although some think it a bit old fash- gathered on September 11 to discuss the unique ioned, there is power and beauty in the con- nature of the lay professional partnership in the cept of the unrestricted annual campaign,” Jewish community. said Ringel. “It gives the community the flex- Ringel emphasized that it is the role of board ibility to change direction when needed, and members and other volunteers to be organiza- it serves to meet the needs of the whole com- tional ambassadors with a responsibility to sup- From left: Phyllis Herzig, Steve Gerber, Joyce Gerber, Ed Goldman and Jerry Lax Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 7 I Congregations

Beth Israel Congregation programming This month at Temple Beth Emeth Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN Rabbi Lisa Delson, special to the WJN Tradition and Change: How Our For the eighth year in a row, on Tuesday, Oc- Visiting scholar RSVP contact Rabbi Delson at ldelson@tem- tober 9, after the Simchat Torah Shaharit and plebethemeth.org or register on the website Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law Hallel services which start at 8:30 a.m., there Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger www.templebethemeth.org. Thursday evenings, following the 7:30 minyan, Tuesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. will be a free Pancake Breakfast in the Social Hall beginning October 4. Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger was Temple from 9:30–10:30 a.m. for congregants and visi- Spirituality Book Club The decisions on Jewish law in Conserva- Beth Emeth’s rabbi from 1975–1983, and tors, followed by the Hakafot, the Torah proces- Thursday, October 4; Noon–1 p.m. tive Judaism are made through the process of currently serves Beth El Congregation in sionals, and the rest of the service. This lunchtime session of the book club fo- teshuvot (answers to questions) produced by the Fort Worth. His recently published book, cuses on Our Religious Brains: What Cognitive Rabbinical Assembly in the United States and in Shabbat Limmud Our Religious Brains: What Cognitive Science Science Reveals about Belief, Mortality, Commu- Israel. These texts provide a fascinating insight Saturdays, October 13, October 27. Reveals about Belief, Morality, Community, nity, and our Relationship with God, by Rabbi into questions of Jewish traditions, values and 9–9:45 a.m. and Our Relationship With God, examines Ralph Mecklenburger. Contact Annie Rose for principles. In this eight-week course, students Adults are invited for Torah study over coffee the implications of cognitive study on theol- further details at [email protected]. will study several of the teshuvot and discuss and cake. The discussions, led by Rabbi Dobrusin ogy. What is free will? How does one appre- their meaning for their own lives. or Rabbi Blumenthal, are informal, lively and ciate the meaning of life? How does religious Adult Bínai Mitzvah Class Rabbi Robert Dobrusin will facilitate this participatory. The study begins with traditional experience play out in the brain? Please join Sunday, October 14, 21, 28 course that includes questions such as: Are we texts and participants add their own thoughts on Rabbi Mecklenburger as he discusses these If you did not have the opportunity to obligated to register as potential organ donors? the Torah or Haftarah portion of the week. topics and others in his book, which is avail- celebrate your bar/bat mitzvah when you Is Israel permitted to trade land for peace? Are able through all major booksellers. The Tem- were 13, now might be the time for you to tattoos and body piercing permitted according Pizza in the Hut (the Sukkah) ple office has five copies available for loan embark on this journey. Cantor Rose and to Jewish law? Do you have to be in the room to Wednesday, October 3, 6 p.m. (665-4744). Contact Cantor Rose for more Rabbi Levy each will teach four class ses- be counted in a minyan or can you join a min- This event is geared to families with children information: [email protected]. sions. Once classes have concluded in late yan virtually? These and other relevant ques- in elementary school, and honors the principle If you cannot attend this session, Cantor fall, participants will continue with individ- tions will be studied and discussed. of eating meals in the Sukkah. RSVP by Septem- Rose is still holding her Thursday afternoon ual, paired or group b’nai mitzvah study. For ber 28. $7 per person. class on October 4 at noon. further information, contact Cantor Rose, The “Other” in Jewish Tradition: [email protected]. Challenges and Opportunities Sukkot and Shmini Atzeret Services Weekly musical meditations Tuesday evenings, beginning October 15, Morning Sukkot services will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 6:15– Trop Class with Cantor Rose 8 p.m. Monday, October 1, and Tuesday, October 2, 9:30 7:15 p.m. Monday, October 15, 22, 29 ; Noon–1 p.m. Following on the success of last year’s Engag- a.m.–noon. As part of the congregation’s celebra- Cantor Annie Rose collaborates with John Cantor Rose leads class members through ing Israel Program, Beth Israel will offer another tion of Sukkot, there will be a kiddush luncheon Goodell, St. Clare’s music director, in musi- the trop (cantillation) of the weekly Torah series from the Shalom Hartman Institute. This in the Sukkah on the first day of Sukkot, and a cal meditations in the sanctuary. Drop by on portion, discussing the implications of the course explores the way “others”—women, mi- kiddush in the Sukkah on the second day. The lu- the way home from work, on the way to a trop on the text. Class members are not re- norities, non-Jews—have been treated and mis- lav and etrog are used in the ancient ceremony of meeting, or other evening activity. Take time quired to know trop; materials are provided treated in Jewish texts and tradition. For most of the lulav and etrog processions, as well as during for meditation, personal prayer, or thought to explain the system as we go through the history, Jews were the outsiders in every society the Hallel Service on both those days. accompanied by music. year. The Torah discussion is completely in which they lived. Today, the question of Jew- On the following Monday morning, Octo- participatory. All insights are welcome. For ish relations with others has been transformed ber 8, there will be a Shmini Atzeret morning TNT Sushi in the Sukkah further information, contact Cantor Rose, Saturday, October 6, 7 p.m. at the home of in light of the power and influence Jews enjoy in service at 9:30 a.m. [email protected]. Rabbi Lisa Delson and Brent Pliskow Israel and in the Diaspora. Moreover, contem- What does Japanese culture and Sukkot porary mores and beliefs challenge the bound- Thirsty Third Thursday Jewish Hikers of Michigan have to do with one another? Probably not aries that conventionally separated insiders and Thursday, October 18, after the Sunday, October 21, 1–3 p.m. a lot, but the sushi tastes good. Join Rabbi outsiders in Jewish communities. We now face 7:30 p.m. minyan This mouth the hike will be in Barton Delson and Brent for this fun evening with the challenge of creating an ethic of member- Men’s Club offers this once monthly event Park. The hikes last between 1 ½ – 2 hours others in their twenties and thirties, singles ship that simultaneously acknowledges the im- after the evening service, enjoying coffee and and are not physically demanding. No pets and couples are welcome. $10 includes portance of communal strength and also the snacks at a local establishment, while discuss- please. For more information or to be added “kosher-style” sushi and Asian-inspired ap- unique Jewish sensitivity to the rights and needs ing the weekly parasha (Torah portion) or other petizers, BYO drinks (alcoholic or not). To of those who are outside of our community. topics of Jewish interest. For more information, continued on next page This course will be facilitated by Rabbi Blu- or to suggest topics of interest please contact menthal, with lectures by renowned scholars Shelley Aronson at [email protected]. No Beit Café: Adult Education Night with text study and discussions. Contact Mary reservations are required. For the third year in a row Temple Chanting contains elements of study, at 665-9897 or [email protected] to Friday Night Lights and Gan/Alef Torah express your interest in this learning opportu- Beth Emeth will be offering Beit Café: prayer, singing, and meditation. nity and request the registration form. There is Consecration Adult Education Nights. Members of TBE • The Jews of Turkey and their Synagogues a charge for this series. October 26, 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service, and the Ann Arbor community will teach (400 BCE– early 20th century) with 7 p.m. Dinner about issues related to being Jewish in the Shelley Perlove, 8 p.m. Lunch and Learn This is a family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat modern world. Come and choose from Dr. Shelley Perlove, professor emerita of October 10, 17, 24 and 31, noon – 1:15 p.m. service, including the consecration of kindergar- two offerings on October 22, at 7 p.m. and Art History, presents a richly illustrated Rabbi Dobrusin and Rabbi Blumenthal offer a ten and first grade Beth Israel Religious School as two offerings at 8 p.m. As always, there will history of the Jews of Asia Minor, with wide range of exciting topics throughout the year, well as Hebrew Day School students. The cost for be coffee and tea, a special dessert and a special emphasis on the monumental and lively discussion is encouraged. These sessions the dairy dinner is $7 per person, with no charge chance to connect with others in between synagogue of the sixth century C.E. of take in the Garfunkel Schteingart Activity Center for children ages 3 and under. Registration and the two sessions. ancient Sardis in present-day Turkey, (2010 building). Participants are asked to bring a payment is due by Monday, October 22. This month TBE presents: as well as the extraordinary late 19th dairy lunch. Drinks and desserts are provided. • Eating for a Healthy World presented by century synagogues. Baby Shabbat Interfaith Council on Peace and Justice, These Jewish communities, separated Saturday October 12, 9:30 a.m. Simchat Torah and the International 7 p.m. by hundreds of years, benefitted from Babies born over the past year are officially Shul of Pancakes The session will focus on the following religious toleration and political inde- welcomed to the congregation during this spe- On Monday, October 8, at 6 p.m., there will areas: eating local and with the seasons, pendence. The synagogue at Sardis, in cial ceremony during the Shabbat morning Ser- be a Congregation Erev Simchat Torah Dinner choosing whole and organic food, re- scale and location, evokes a high level vice. The ceremony takes place around 11:30 with new members invited at no charge. The ducing meat and dairy, and decreasing of confidence, while those in Istanbul a.m. The weekly parasha (reading from the meal includes a salmon dinner (vegetarian en- packaging and food waste incorporate architectural elements Hebrew Bible) is from the first chapters of trée available) with fish sticks available for chil- • I want to pray but I don’t know where symbolic of their history of freedom the book of Genesis. Babies are also present- dren. The cost is $13 for adults, $5 for children to start with Cantor Annie Rose, 7 p.m. within the Ottoman Empire. ed with T-shirts marking the date of their aged 4 to 10 years old; children 3 years old and • An Evening of Chant with Linda Greene, future Bar/Bat Mitzvah year, followed by a Save the following dates for Temple younger are free. Payment in full confirms the 8 p.m. special kiddush for everyone present, with the Beth Emeth’s upcoming Beit Cafes: De- reservation. This is followed at 7 p.m. by a Sim- Join Linda Greene in a chant circle name of each baby decorated on the cakes. cember 17 and February 25. chat Torah Maariv Service with family friendly based on the work of Rabbi Shefa Gold. Torah processionals and snacks. continued on page 10 8 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 ISukkot

The mitzvot of Sukkot Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN uring the holiday of Sukkot we find dwelling in the sukkah immediately upon the kah while in the sukkah, but, during the holi- We learn something from the Shofar, we there are many mitzvahs. One of the setting of the sun. day, even if they have to go out of the sukkah learn something from Yom Kippur, so what else D mitzvahs is the mitzvah of dwelling The second advantage of the mitzvah of (to pray, or to purchase food, etc.) it is consid- do we learn from Sukkot? Sukkot gives us the di- in the sukkah. Even though it’s only one of the sitting in the sukkah versus the four kinds is ered as if they are still surrounded by the influ- rection and inspiration and strength so that we mitzvahs, nevertheless the holiday is called Suk- that we only perform the mitzvah of the four ence of the sukkah. This goes back to the idea should have the ability to fulfill the quote from kot (because of the kinds once per day. We pick them up, say the of being a complete person by having a house. Proverbs that says, “One should know Hashem mitzvah of sitting in blessing, perform the motions and we’re fin- During Sukkot, the sukkah is our house—so in all of his ways.” This means that what is de- the sukkah) and not ished with the mitzvah for the day. Yes, we can we are complete by having a sukkah. Just like a manded from a Jew is not only to serve Hashem for the other mitz- wave them during Hallel service but the mitz- homeowner can go out of their house for a va- when we are praying or studying Torah, but vahs of the holiday. vah is only once per day - as opposed to sitting riety of reasons and still say that they are hom- even when doing personal, mundane activi- For example, even in the sukkah, which is available 24/7 during eowners and have a home that they live in even ties. These as well should be done for the sake though we wave the the holiday. when they are not physically in their house, the of Hashem. In other words, include Hashem in four kinds, we don’t The third advantage of the mitzvah of sit- same applies to the sukkah owner—even when everything that you do. This is what the sukkah call it the holiday of ting in the sukkah versus the four kinds we away from the sukkah, we can say that we have teaches us. During the seven days in the sukkah, the four kinds. So dwell in the sukkah. That means we should do a sukkah and are associated with its benefits we do all of our mundane activities there—not why do the Torah Rabbi Aharon Goldstein all of our activities in the sukkah—in the day- even when not physically inside its walls. just prayers and other mitzvot of the holiday— and the rabbis name this holiday after the mitz- light hours as well as the nighttime hours. The our everyday activities all become mitzvahs. vah of dwelling in the sukkah and not after the Torah doesn’t say we should “enter” the suk- They become mitzvahs by virtue of our being other mitzvahs we do during this holiday? kah or “observe” the sukkah, it says “you shall During the seven days in the in the sukkah. This is no contradiction. We can One of the explanations that the rabbis sit in the sukkah”. The Rabbis tell us that “sit” do our mundane activities and serve Hashem give is that there is something unique in the is interpreted as “dwell”. That means it is our sukkah, we do all of our all at once while in the sukkah. From this we mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah as opposed house during the holiday—our base of opera- can learn that throughout the rest of the year to the other mitzvahs—especially the mitzvah tions and the place to which we return from mundane activities there— we can also intertwine our mundane activities of the four kinds. The first quality in which our travels - the place in which we do all of our as part of our service to Hashem. The sukkah we see that the mitzvah of sukkah is superior usual activities. not just prayers and other and the holiday of Sukkot teaches us this and to the other mitzvahs is that the mitzvah of The fourth advantage of the aspect of also gives us the strength to carry it out during sukkah begins at the moment the holiday dwelling in the sukkah versus the other mitz- mitzvot of the holiday— the rest of the year—thus creating mitzvahs out begins. As we know, the Jewish day does not vas, is that the other mitzvas are associated our everyday activities all of otherwise mundane activities. begin in the morning but rather at sunset. For with a specific activity. For example, when we Further, the Talmud tells us about the example, this year Sukkot will begin at sunset perform the mitzvah of the four kinds, we are become mitzvahs mitzvah of sukkah- that it’s called a mitzvah Sunday, September 30. As soon as the holi- doing a specific activity—making a blessing on kallah—an easy mitzvah. Why is it consid- day commences we are obligated to sit in the the four species while using particular limbs So these are the advantages of the mitzvah of ered easy? When we resolve during Sukkot sukkah. This is different from the mitzvah of of our body - that is our hands. We can’t per- the sukkah over the other mitzvahs of the hol- that the lesson we will take from the holiday the taking of the four kinds that begins the form the mitzvah with any other part of our iday—especially in relation to the four species. is, that throughout the year, whatever we next morning because the mitzvah is only body–only with our hands can we perform the This is why the holiday is called Sukkot —since should be doing, we will be serving Hashem. performed during the daylight hours. There- mitzvah. This is different than the mitzvah of the advantages of the sukkah are so much great- In other words, all that we do is in the service fore, we have to wait the entire night, until the dwelling in the sukkah in that, in this mitzvah, er than the other mitzvahs. Now what kind of of Hashem—and nothing should prevent us sun rises, to perform the mitzvah of the four there is no particular part of the body associ- lesson do we learn from this? We know that the from fulfilling Hashem’s will. Once we make kinds. There’s a famous story of Rabbi Levi ated with it nor is there any particular activity month of Tishrei is not just an ordinary month that resolution, Hashem gives us the strength of Barditchev who would be so excited to do associated with it. Being in the sukkah encir- of the year—but it is a month that has impli- to make it easy for us so that even when we are the mitzvah of the four kinds that he wouldn’t cles the entire body, no specific limb and no cations for the rest of the year. everything that tending to our physical, mundane needs we sleep the first night of Sukkot. He stayed awake specific activity fulfills the mitzvah—just be- happens during the month of Tishrei—which will be able to turn it into a dwelling place for all night in order that he could watch the sun ing there, going about your normal business, includes: Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hashem. Hashem will make it easy for us to do rise so he could perform the mitzvah at the is all that is required. etc., gives us strength and inspiration in our this for Him. Indeed, this is the purpose of our first possible moment. This is the advantage The Fifth advantage of the aspect of dwell- service to Hashem not only for Tishrei, but is existence—to make the world a dwelling place of the mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah over ing in the sukkah versus the other mitzvas, our extended throughout the year. Every particular for Hashem. When we do our part, Hashem the mitzvah of the four kinds—we have about rabbis tell us—that a person without a house is mitzvah that we do during the month of Tishrei does His part by giving us blessings, strength, 12 hours to wait before we can make a bracha considered incomplete. An interesting point is; gives us strength and inspiration and direction health, wealth, children and everything in the on the lulav versus fulfilling the mitzvah of not only is the person surrounded by the suk- for the remainder of the year. best way possible. n

TBE, continued from previous page to Jewish Hikers of Michigan’s email list, the second Wednesday of every month for If one is interested in coming to the first Men’s Torah Study contact Eli Avny, 883-9522 or jewish.hikers@ a book club all about food. Each month a meeting (or cannot come on October 10 but Wednesdays, October 10 and 24; 7:30 p.m. gmail.com. new book related to food and Judaism will would like to participate), contact Rabbi Del- Those who are a part of Men’s Torah be read, from Jewish authors to ideas of son at [email protected] and she Study have found it to be stimulating, an Families with Young Children (FYC): kashrut and Jewish family food traditions, will send a few articles for the first meeting. opportunity for growth, and fun. The ses- Shabbat Service times Every Shabbat! ethical eating, health and wellness, and sions are lay-led and generally last until 8:30 Tot (0–5 years old) Shabbat Services led by holiday celebrations. At the first meeting on Women’s Torah Study p.m. or a bit thereafter if the discussion is at Rabbi Levy and Cantor Annie Rose, 5:30 p.m. October 10, a couple of articles from The Mondays, October 1 and 15, 7– 8:30 p.m. a point where no one wants it to end. The Dinner for Tot Shabbat and Sukkot Sha- Sacred Table: Creating a Food Ethic will be Twice each month a gathering takes place sounds coming from the room include ear- lom, 6 p.m. read. This book is an anthology of articles by in the Adult Lounge for an engaging study nest voices in deep discussion and the happy Shira (Song Session), 6:30 p.m. rabbis and scholars intrigued by the issues session covering the Torah portions of the noise of laughter. New members are always Sukkot Shalom (6–10 years old) Shabbat surrounding Judaism and food. A reading two weeks ahead. All women are invited to welcome. The delicious refreshments that are Services lead by Rabbi Delson and Cantor list for the year will be delevoped, so bring join Temple Beth Emeth for every session a part of every session are always in sufficient Annie Rose, 6:30 p.m. books and/or ideas. Some of the books on or on a drop-in basis. The award-winning quantity to provide for men coming for the Popsicle Oneg, 7 p.m. the list so far are The Omnivore’s Dilemma volume The Torah: A Women’s Torah Com- first time. Contact Roger Stutesman at rg- Dinner is $5 per person but it is on us if by Michael Pollan, Miriam’s Kitchen by mentary is used as the central text, with other [email protected] or at 327-9215 you are joining us for the first time! Elizabeth Ehrlich, and The Book of Food: sources also used in the study. Some mem- with questions about Men’s Torah Study. Re- bers have been studying Torah for years; Food for Thought: A Jewish Food An Odyssey from Samarkand to New York by member the words of John Donne (late 16, Claudia Roden. others are just beginning to explore. Cantor early 17 century poet), “And therefore never Book Club with Rabbi Delson The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. but come Rose sends study materials to everyone in send to know for whom the bell tolls; it calls Wednesday, October 10, 6–7:15 p.m.in Rab- at 5:30 p.m. and bring dinner for a time of the group before the study sessions. To join thee to Men’s Torah Study.” bi Lisa Delson’s office schmoozing. the group and receive materials, email her at Join Rabbi Delson and Robin Little on [email protected].

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 9 I Community

Shabbat in the Park

Shabbat in the Park, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of 1 2 3 Greater Ann Arbor, was held on Friday, August 31. Close to 200 people gathered to celebrate Shabbat with a picnic at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor.

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1. Chava Kopelman with her 7. Nancy Margolis with her son, Larry, his granddaughter and son-in-law wife Haley, and daughter Hannah 2. Rabbi Sara Adler and her daughters 8. (l. to r.) Phil Margolis, Malcolm Cohen, 3. Debra Chopp with her son David Shtulman and Judy Cohen 4. Ira Horowitz and Rabbi Kim 9. Kids and adults all enjoyed a fun evening Blumenthal with their son Andrew 10. Caterer Lori Shepard served dinner 5. Laurie Gendron with her parents 11. Everyone enjoyed the delicious picnic 6. Four young friends prepared by Simply Scrumptious Catering

11 Photographs by Susan Ayer

“Soup in the Sukkah” is October Jewish Women’s Circle event BIC, continued from page 10 Mae E. Sander, special to the WJN Tot Shabbat Shabbat while also learning prayers and dis- Shorter days, cooler evenings, a wide variety Goldstein explains that soup is a perfect Saturday, October 13, October 24, 11:15 a.m. covering more about Shabbat and other holi- of fall vegetables, and a week of meals in the dish for Sukkot, which celebrates unity, be- Tot Shabbat is a Saturday morning pro- days through discussions, games, and activities. Sukkah – these are all good reasons to enjoy cause eating a hot soup together can unify a gram/service for parents and their children Mini Minyan meets the second Saturday of the soup. Accordingly, “Soup in the Sukkah,” the group of people. The women at the meeting 2–5 years old which includes songs, stories, month throughout the school year. Jewish Women’s Circle event October 3, will will learn more about the meaning of Sukkot and prayers. This program will be run this take place in the sukkah in Esther Goldstein’s while eating this soup together in the suk- month by Peretz Hirshbein on the 2nd Kehillat Shabbat back yard (weather permitting; otherwise in- kah. Attendees are encouraged to bring fa- Saturday of the month, and Jessica Kander Saturday, October 13, 11a.m. doors). The focus will be on cooking and eat- vorite soup recipes with them to share, or to on the fourth Saturday of the month. It in- Kehillat Shabbat is an interactive service ing soup and also on the relevance of Sukkot, be ready to describe their own techniques for cludes the mysterious “Shabbat Box,” Torah for older elementary students. The children the holiday of unity. soup making. processions with stuffed Torah toys, and a help to lead the prayers and enjoy games and “I’ll share my favorite ‘magical’ soup The Jewish Women’s Circle provides an op- Kiddush for tots. Preschool sized tables are discussions on themes relating to the Torah recipe,” Goldstein, Jewish Women’s Circle or- portunity for Jewish women to meet new friends, set up for the regular Kiddush so that fami- portion or other aspects of Jewish life. Kehil- ganizer, has promised. “This vegetarian soup socialize, and learn about a variety of issues. It lies may easily attend with their children fol- lat Shabbat meets the second Saturday of the is never quite the same twice, and it improves is open to all, no affiliation necessary. “Soup in lowing Tot Shabbat. There is no charge for month throughout the school year. every time it’s reheated. I make this soup for the Sukkah” will take place October 3, at 7 p.m. this monthly program. All of Beth Israelís events, educational offer- each of my grandchildren’s birthdays. I freeze Donation requested: $10. Spaces are limited. To ings, and recreational programs are open to the batches to serve at lunches or dinners at home, sign up for this meeting and to receive future in- Mini Minyan (Kindergarten–2nd grade) general community. If you would like further or give to friends when they need it. I really vitations from the Jewish Women’s Circle, send Saturday, October 13, 11 a.m. information, call 665-9897 or visit www.bethis- enjoy soups, especially this one – soup warms email to [email protected]. At Mini Minyan, kids celebrate Shabbat rael-aa.org, or Beth Israelís facebook page. the soul and soothes us when we eat it.” with the songs and stories they loved from Tot

10 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Sukkot

Down on America’s next big etrog farm By Chavie Lieber (JTA)—Matt Bycer is like any other 33-year- 2007, many observant Jews were forced to His first attempt at etrog farming ended in them with specialized water. When winter sets old attorney who wakes up at the crack of rely on a rabbinic loophole to procure Israeli failure, when he rented a 2,700-foot house and in and the temperatures drop to near freezing, dawn to exercise. etrogs because of an insufficient supply from kept the etrogs indoors, surrounding them with Bycer wraps the plants in Christmas lights to Except that rather than sweating to a the Diaspora. florescent lights and tinfoil-covered walls. keep them warm. P90X regimen, Bycer, in a T-shirt, shorts and Etrogs retail from a few dollars to sev- “The whole thing was a disaster because I “I really have to spend a lot of time being on cowboy hat, lugs 170 buckets of water across eral hundred dollars, with most in the $20 had no idea what I was doing. There were bugs top of them,” he said. “All it takes is one day of his backyard in Scottsdale, Ariz., to water his to $50 range, or sold as part of a set along everywhere, the plants were too wet and every- bad weather, even if it’s a drop too cold or the etrog farm. with the three other Sukkot species: lulavs thing just died,” he said, laughing. “But part of sun hits a tree too long, and the whole plant can The Phoenix native has been nurturing (palm fronds), hadassim (myrtle branches) being a citrus farmer is catching on as you go, die. And all it takes is one spider mite to eat the his citron project since he first started col- and aravot (willow branches). so I learned I had to let the plants dry out in plant and it’s done.” lecting etrogs in 2007. With a 60 percent sur- The only large-scale etrog supplier in between watering them.” And, of course, because Jews cannot agree vival rate for each etrog tree he plants, Bycer the United States currently is a Presbyterian Bycer started again and now has nearly 200 on which etrog variety is optimal, Bycer has is optimistic that he’ll be up for production farmer from northeast California named healthy trees. With each tree capable of produc- planted an array of specimens: Moroccan etrog, in five years and able to sell the valuable fruit John Kirkpatrick, who was profiled in a Tab- ing up to 40 fruits, he hopes his sales soon will which has an hourglass-like strip around the to Jews across America. let magazine article last year. number in the thousands. middle; Chazon Ish or Balady etrogs, which The etrog (also pronounced esrog) is one Bycer says he is aware that many who have After marrying in 2010, he moved the plants are covered in bumps and are very popular; of four plant species that Jews are enjoined to tried have failed to grow etrogs, including outside to a makeshift greenhouse with walls cov- Yanover or Diamente etrogs, which are greener pick up and shake daily during the weeklong friends of his in Florida and Texas who found ered in foil. Bycer inspects them on a daily basis. and smoother; and Yemenite etrogs, which are holiday of Sukkot, which this year begins on the climate was too humid. The fruits need a To keep his crop organic, Bycer uses significantly larger than average. the eve of September 30. dry and sunny climate, which is why most of chemical-free pesticide alternatives such as Once the trees begin to produce fruit, “I’m a patent lawyer by day and farmer by them are grown in Israel. Southern Europe, es- fish oil soap or nicotine-based insecticides. Bycer hopes to supply underserved com- dawn,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to run this esrog pecially Italy, also is a major source for etrogs. He plants the etrog seeds in small pots right munities throughout the United States that farm, and a lot of people laugh at me and think With Arizona practically as dry as Israel’s after Sukkot and incubates them inside, then don’t have easy access to etrogs. Bycer says its kooky, but I have a huge backyard and I like Negev Desert, the Copper State appears to be moves the plants outside once they start his wife, Elly, encourages his etrog venture, working outside. I’m really dedicated to this.” an optimal place to grow American etrogs. sprouting six months later. although she’d prefer he’d spend less time Bycer started his etrog farm after dis- What started as a hobby has become Bycer’s “The community here has been so support- outdoors and more time helping with their covering there was a need for U.S.-grown part-time job. He estimates that he puts in at ive,” he said. “Everyone donates their etrog to 6-month-old daughter, Nava. etrogs—particulary every seventh year dur- least 15 hours a week and nearly $10,000 every me after Sukkot so I can plant their seeds.” “Never mind that I smell like fish oil from ing the “shmitah” sabbatical, when the To- year. His methods for etrog care come from Etrogs grow best in 95-degree temperature; inspecting the leaves so much,” Bycer said, rah’s command that the land of Israel lie reading material from the horticulture depart- Arizona highs can soar well into the triple digits. “my wife tells me she knows it makes me fallow handicaps Israeli etrog farmers. The ments of the University of Arizona and Univer- So Bycer shields his etrogs with a shade struc- happy because I’m always smiling when I’m last time such a shmitah year occurred, in sity of Florida. ture and special cloth, and he constantly sprays out there.” n

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 11 I Youth Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra How to read a school Hadar dohn, special to the WJN November 4, 4pm oving one’s knowledge of a school though I had begun my exploration in the sum- Michigan Theater from theory to practice takes time. mer, a school is not complete without teachers MLike learning to read, it requires a va- and children. My first chapter taught me about Preconcert activities start at 2:30pm! riety of tools. Good readers get clues from the title, purpose and intent. I walked around the school the table of contents, the illustrations, language, and looked for clues to tell me about the teachers’ approaches. The actual activities served a larger goal than it first appeared. In one such lesson, for example, I watched the second graders explore vegetables and plants. They circled their plant parts on a chart, looked at the plants under a microscope, tasted some leaves, and wrote about their findings. Some of the sub-curriculum was learning that their teacher was a gardener, and that she, too, was learning new things every day, Carnival of like which common plants are edible. They also saw that opportunities for touch and movement were going to be a major component of their the Animals learning experiences this year. Reading a school means reading the players. also featuring: I watched as children continued to get to know one another as friends and learners. At T’fillot Raccoon Tune & selections from

The Lion King The excitement is palpable as an HDS second grader explores plants Your seat is waiting... and vegetables with his class and style of the author. “Good read- Call (734) 994-4801 or click a2so.com ers,” I heard first grade teacher Ellie Grudzien say, “can ‘read’ the book Sponsored by Benard L. Maas Foundation through pictures, words, or by re- telling the story.” When I am trying to “read” a school, I get my clues An HDS kindergartener is paired up with her fifth grade from all the components of the reading buddy school: the children, the teachers and staff, the parents, and the board. I find that (prayers), I saw children leading prayers and par- using the first grade’s approach to reading helps ticipating in conversations. Skills and leadership me to define the wider perspective of Hebrew were presented as important values. Your Downtown Day School: there is more than meets the eye The parents are the school’s co-authors. They and there is a culture of the school that is inter- identified areas to which I must pay attention. I Grocery Store twined with the learning that takes place. These strongly believe in the partnership between school past weeks brought me a wealth of moments to and home. Together, we are able to meet the goals observe and engage with my new community. that we share. Over the summer, while meeting Most notably, the vibrant and happy sounds in with parents, I learned some topics about which the hallways affirmed my sense of belonging in they care deeply. the school. Meetings with the board and other commit- Let’s begin with the prologue to HDS. This tees have also shown me the level of dedication summer, I invited teachers to meet with me prior and commitment on which the school relies. The to the start of school, and those who were in town administrative team members are the editors, 216 N. FOURTH AVE took me up on the offer. One even Skyped from continuously checking in, clarifying, probing, ANN ARBOR, MI Israel. This gave me perspective and understand- and supporting. I am pleased to know that the 734 . 994 . 9174 ing of the community of teachers. Additionally, a leadership team is guided by vision and a clear PEOPLESFOOD.COOP dedicated group of teachers met to explore two mission, and is unified and working towards professional development opportunities. Many common goals. attended the Elementary Mathematics Laboratory I hope that you, too, gather pieces of infor- at the University of Michigan’s Teaching Works. We mation from a variety of sources and remember observed Debra Ball, a master teacher and dean of that reading a school means reading all of them. the School of Education at the university, and were It is important to look at the school as a whole, able to debrief and discuss what we saw. And, when since much thought and process have gone into given a rare opportunity to attend an intimate the planning, and the teachers have the children’s gathering with Rushton Hurley, a renowned edu- best interests at heart. As I “skim” through HDS, I cational technology guru, several teachers jumped look forward to reading the school more deeply, at the chance to meet him. Both workshops hap- understanding that this “book” is not stagnant, pened before teachers were contracted to return to but forever evolving, and venturing to write the october is national work, and yet they chose to give up some of their next sequel. co-op month vacation time to learn together. This was an exhila- Recruitment activities this year include: The rating opening to my next HDS chapter. Taste of HDS events on October 14 at 3:30 p.m. and the Our orientation week was our table of con- (Music and Movement) and November 18 at tents, where our faculty and staff came together 3:30 p.m. (Science Exploration); and an open 2012 united nations for the first time, energized and excited. We dis- house on January 13 at 10:30 a.m. Contact ad- international year cussed what we were going to examine right away [email protected] for more information and as well as topics and themes that we will return to RSVP. n of cooperatives to later in the year. These ideas will become our appendix. This time together led into the first Hadar dohn is the new Head of School at the week of school as the official first chapter. Al- Hebrew day School. 12 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 13 I Youth

Camp Raanana’s new venue a success Camp Tavor Summer of 2012 highlights Shoshana Jackson, special to the WJN Emily Eisbruch, special to the WJN amp Raanana, the Jewish Community Center, Romulus Athletic Center, Northfork t was an exciting summer at Camp Funders Network and a $500 grant from the Center of Greater Ann Arbor’s outdoor Farms, and the Imagination Station. The field Tavor for Ann Arbor youth, with over Alliance for Jewish Education of the Jew- Csummer day camp for children enter- trips were the highlight of the week for many I50 campers from this area enjoying the ish Federation of Metro Detroit were also ing grades K-10, had an incredible summer this campers and were wonderful opportunities for fun and educational programs offered at the awarded to Tavor for the 9th graders to use year. This is Camp Raanana’s first year at the campers of different ages to enjoy educational summer camp. Fifth grader Dana Steiner, a towards tzedakah. After working hands-on Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in Chelsea, MI. The and fun activities together. first time Tavor camper says, “At first I was at a few local organizations, the teens chose new location features an archery range, boat In addition to the weekly field trips, Camp nervous, but then I met so many people and to donate these funds to Ministry with Com- launch, fishing dock, outdoor theatre, and state- Raanana offered a number of special events by the end I didn’t want to come home.” munity (local agency providing essential ser- ly White this summer. Camp Raanana hosted Nelson Dana mentions that she never got bored, and vices to those in need) and Fair Food Matters Pine for- the Animal Guy from Wildlife Safari who especially enjoyed many songs and games. (an educational agency). ests. The taught campers about the difference between camp ex- domestic pets and exotic pets and shared some perienced of his exotic friends with us: he wrestled with a excellent very playful alligator and had counselors help enrollment carry a giant python! The campers showed off numbers, their team spirit during the Camp Raanana with sev- Survivor Challenge, a day of color wars and eral ses- skill challenges such as fire-building and boat- racing. To mark the half way point of the summer, everyone participated in Spirit Week, which featured fun theme days including Wacky Hair Day and Coun- Samantha Markel selor/Celebrity Impersonation Day. All the campers also had a great time sing- sions being at or near ing and dancing when the Israel Scouts capacity. Camp Raa- Friendship Caravan visited camp for nana always prides it- Israel Day and performed at the JCC in self on its experienced the evening. And for Messy Day towards and dedicated staff the end of the summer, the campers got members, and this themselves and their counselors full of year’s counselors and frosting, syrup, whipped cream, and specialists were no ex- other sticky substances during a variety Gaya Pedersen (left) and Dana Steiner (right), shown with a new friend, were two of the over fifty ception. The camp was Counselor Eric Shayna with of very messy games. Ann Arbor area youth who enjoyed the summer at Camp Tavor. delighted to welcome camper Charles Platt The final special event of the year was some outstanding first Shabbat at the Lake, Camp Raanana’s time staff members, as well as many well-loved annual closing event. All camp families were Another first time camper from Ann Arbor, Scenic Tavor bikeathon returning counselors. invited to camp for a wonderful Shabbat dinner Gaya Pedersen, echoed Dana’s comments, Finally, even parents had wonderful op- This summer, campers entering grades K–2 overlooking the lake, followed by performances saying “It felt like I was at home. I am excited portunities sponsored by Camp Tavor. For enjoyed swim lessons, arts & crafts, music, Ju- by all the camper groups. The campers work to go back again.” example, several Ann Arbor parents partici- daics, nature exploration, archery, free swim, very hard on their performances to make Shab- In addition to Tavor’s usual program- pated in a scenic and fun (3rd Annual) “Tour Shabbat celebrations, boating, and weekly spe- bat at the Lake a very memorable and moving ming, which emphasizes friendship, coop- L’Tavor “ bike ride fundraiser through the cial events and field trips. Campers entering event each year. eration, taking responsibility, learning some rolling hills of western Michigan. The ride grades 3–5 participated in these camp activities New for 2012, Camp Raanana held a week- Hebrew vocabulary in the most natural way culminated in a triumphant arrival at Tavor and also got to choose an enriching specialty long overnight program for all ages, with a two- (daily usage and repetition), and enjoying Vistors Day in early August, with campers each week, including Clay Creations, Digital night option for campers not ready for a full the summer, there were some very special and staff applauding the bikers, some of Photography, Martial Arts, Basket-Weaving, week. Programming included campfire cook- aspects to summer of 2012. which had biked all the way from Chicago. and Water Wonders. Finally, campers entering outs, sunset swims, lodging in bunkhouses, a Ruth Kraut, mom of camper Joel and grades 6–8 participated in Camp Raanana’s Pi- mid-week talent show, and night programming The Camp Tavor farm counselor Gabe, biked the 37 mile leg of the oneer Adventure Program. The Pioneer camp- like an Owl Prowl. One standout is the amazing growth of bikathon, from Niles, Michigan to Camp ers enjoyed exciting field trips and fun mitzvah Although summer has just ended, plan- the Camp Tavor farm, which—thanks to Tavor in Three Rivers. “It was a great op- projects each week, participated in activity ses- ning for the next season is already under way, the dedication of staff and much help from portunity to meet other families connected sions and Shabbat celebrations at camp, and and the Camp Raanana staff looks forward to campers—provides a wonderful bounty, with Tavor and challenge myself physically. joined the rest of camp for weekly special events welcoming many new and returning campers including over 300 pounds of tomatoes, The last rest stop was at a farm and produce and all-camp field trips. next year. Brochures for the 2013 camp season 64 pounds of potatoes, 26 pounds of basil, stand near Tavor and it was nice to ‘meet the This year’s all-camp field trips included will be available in January. For questions about and more. The dining hall at Tavor features neighbors.’” For those who are a little less visits to Splash Universe, the Howell Nature Camp Raanana, call 971-0990. n a chalkboard on which is written the foods ambitious, a 10-mile bike ride leg is also part from that meal that were grown locally, right of the Tour L’Tavor. in Tavor’s own garden. Why is the garden called a farm? Because of its impressive size, Community year round and the fact that in addition to abundant In addition, the local Ann Arbor Ann Ar- vegetables, it features chickens and goats. bor branch of Habonim Dror (the umbrella organization that Camp Tavor is a part of) Community service spotlight will be running activities for local Tavor Also of note is the community service em- campers and families throughout the school phasis at Tavor, with field trips to local ser- year. This group of “Tavorniks”, known as vice organizations for a volunteer day (called Ken Pardes, is a great place for campers to Tikun Olam). In addition, this past summer, continue to be a part of the Tavor commu- the Tavor teenage campers had some great nity year-round and to continue the unique opportunities to experience the importance education they experience at Tavor. of tzedukah (charitable giving). Bar/bat Ken Pardes is also a great place for new mitzvah age campers were given $180 from or interested kids and families to meet cur- Tavor, which, as a group, they were asked to rent Tavor campers and staff. For more in- donate to a charity of their choice. The first formation on Ken Pardes, contact Miriam session campers chose ASPCA (American Michaels by emailing ken.annarbor@gmail. Society for Protection of Animals). com. Also, for more information on Camp A $1,500 grant from the Jewish Teen n Nathan Elyakin, Eli Driscoll, and Max Klarman Tavor, see www.camptavor.org

14 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Youth/Teens

JCC’s Teen Leadership Council to host large event in December Teen Leadership Council Rachael Hoffenblum, Special to the WJN kick-off event a success he Jewish Community Center of Greater Rachael Hoffenblum, special to WJN Ann Arbor’s new Teen Leadership Coun- The Jewish Community Center of Greater Tcil is planning a year-end event. The Ann Arbor’s Teen Leadership Council held event, a Chanukah party, will be held on Tuesday, its kick-off event on Sunday, September 9. December 11, from 7–9 p.m., at the JCC. The Local teenagers met at the JCC for a lead- party will be open to Jewish teens in Washtenaw ership training facilitated by Lori Roddy, County. There will be no charge for this event. associative executive director of Neutral The JCC’s Teen Leadership Council (TLC) Zone, as well as Shayna Goodman and Ra- is a pluralistic program that aims to bring to- chael Hoffenblum, who are both JCC in- gether Jewish teens in the Ann Arbor area and terns. The training, entitled “What Makes provide a meaningful Jewish experience that a Good Leader? Putting the ‘Leadership’ in inspires them to be leaders in their community. Teen Leadership Council,” explored what it The TLC provides a safe environment where means to be a leader—especially a Jewish teens can learn, grow and be embraced as a Jew- leader—in the community. These lessons ish teen regardless of affiliation. One goal of the will come in handy as the teenagers begin to program is to have the teens involved with the plan their end-of-semester event. TLC plan one large event per semester as a way The Teen Leadership Council’s next event to build confidence and ability in skills related will be a Dinner & Discussion on Sunday, to leadership, problem solving, fundraising, and October 30, from 6:30–9 p.m. The council task-management. will host an end-of-semester event on Tues- For more information about the Teen Leader- day, December 11, from 7–9 p.m. ship Council or to RSVP to the Chanukah party, First row: Claire Fishman, Adira Cohen, second row: Shayna Goodman (intern), Hana For more information about the JCC’s call 971-0990. RSVP deadline is December 1. Berkooz, Sara Norich, Sarah Cooke, Molly Mintz, Rachael Hoffenblum (intern) Teen Leadership Council, call 971-0990, or visit www.facebook.com/jcctlc. Nahalal student exchange, continued from page 1 Jewish Mama’s Group nity-to-Community allocation; participants lies who would like to participate but for more about the program. All 9th graders and will be asked to cover only the cost of their whom the full cost is prohibitive. their parents are invited to attend. with Noreen DeYoung flight, trip insurance and pocket money dur- An information meeting will be held Halye Aisner, special to the WJN ing the trip. Thanks to a generous grant from Sunday, October 14, at 3:30 p.m. at the Jew- Student Exchange Experience The Jewish Community Center of Greater the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Founda- ish Community Center of Greater Ann Ar- Since 2010, 30 Ann Arbor teens have par- Ann Arbor will offer a Jewish Mama’s group tion, some funds are available to assist fami- bor. This is an excellent opportunity to learn ticipated in the Student Exchange and estab- at the JCC. Classes will be held Monday eve- lished friendships for a lifetime. The trip has nings from 7:30–8:30 p.m. on October 22, a significant impact on the teens’ connection November 28, December 18, January 21, to Israel and their Israeli peers. “It was amaz- 2013 and February 18, 2013. Another set ing being in the birthplace of my religion,” of classes will be held Tuesday mornings said Julie Barnett. “I cannot wait to start from 10–11 a.m. on October 23, Novem- planning the return visit to Ann Arbor for ber 28, December 19, January 22, 2013 and my new friends.” February 19, 2013. This October, the local teens are hosting This class will discuss how to raise self- their counterparts for ten days during which reliant, compassionate, and ethical children. the Nahalal teens will experience school, the Participants will explore these issues and University of Michigan campus, and Jewish gain insight and support from other moms life in Ann Arbor. Participants on both sides while reading and discussing The Blessing of of the ocean develop such a close bond that a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogul. The book they use Facebook to count the days together addresses the challenges faced by parents as until they see one another. they try to uphold The friendships forged by the Student their own values Exchange participants do not end abruptly. that are often at In addition to maintaining their connections odds with the cur- through social media and Skype, there have rent culture, using Claire Fishman (3rd from left) & Julie Barnett (2nd from right) at the Kotel (Western Wall) with been two summer experiences comprised a Jewish lens to their Nahalal friends of previous participants. This past summer, understand ways six Nahalal teens volunteered at the JCC day to define appropri- camp, Camp Raanana, and spent a lot of ate expectations, quality time with their friends from past del- help children real- egations. The enthusiasm for continued pro- ize their potential gramming is testament to the strong bonds without creating formed during the Student Exchange. stress, learn the The Ann Arbor/Nahalal Partnership is an connection between privileges and respon- integral part of the Michigan/Central Gali- sibilities, and more. lee Partnership2Gether program led by the Noreen DeYoung, JCC director of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Department of Early Childhood, Youth and Cooperative programs are developed with Family Programming will lead the class. DeY- communities in Michigan and those of Naz- oung has a masters of education and has 30 areth Illit, Migdal Ha’Emek and the Regional years’ experience as an educator. She is the Council of Emek Yizrael (Jezreel Valley). De- mother of two children and a grandmother. veloping a closer relationship with Moshav The cost for this course is $60 and in- Nahalal, a village in the Jezreel Valley, has cludes the book, food and childcare. For allowed members of both communities to more information or to register, contact learn from and interact more closely with Noreen DeYoung at noreendeyoung@jc- one another. For information or to register, cfed.org or 971-0990. visit www.jewishannarbor.org or contact Ei- The group at the Ann Arbor/Nahalal Park with Nahalal Mazkir (board chair), Yadi Betzer (on leen Freed at 677-0100 or eileenfreed@jewis- bike) and C2C co-chair Yair Hammer (bottom right) hannarbor.org. n Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 15 I Israel

As French community grows in Israel, baguettes join pita By Ben Sales NETANYA, Israel (JTA)—On a street off In- “The kids, they aren’t French, they’re Israeli. dependence Square, storefronts advertise “La They know Hebrew better than French,” he said. Your feet are in good hands Creperie Galette,” “Nouvel’hair” and “Agence With 600,000 Jews, France is the world’s Immobiliere.” third largest Jewish community behind Israel Families lounging under parasols at cafe and the United States. The immigration levels tables chat in French and enjoy a sunny after- of the past few years mean that one of every 300 noon, Nearby, the Mediterranean waves lap up French Jews is making aliyah—more than five against tranquil beaches. times the annual rate of U.S. residents moving But in the local language, Independence Square to Israel. French Israelis say that anti-Semitism is called not La Place de L’Indépendance but Kikar in France motivates Jews to come to Israel, as Ha’atzmaut. And this scene takes place not in Nice the growing French community here becomes or Cannes but in Netanya, a coastal Israeli city increasingly attractive. about halfway between Haifa and Tel Aviv. “They began to understand that they are The scene is not unique. From Netanya to less than 1 percent of the [French] population Jerusalem and all the way south to Eilat, Isra- and Arabs are larger,” said Avi Zana, director of el’s French community is growing and leaving Ami, an Israeli organization that aids French its mark on Israeli society. Some 2,000 French immigrants. “The only option is to close ranks Jews have arrived in Israel annually since in the community, to express themselves less as 2009, with this year’s numbers apace. Jews. Jews feel comfortable, safer in Israel.” French immigration first spiked above 2,000 Attacks against Jews and Jewish sites have in 2002 and reached nearly 3,000 in 2005. The made the country’s Jewish community inse- French Consulate in Tel Aviv estimates that as cure, from the crashing of stolen cars into a many as 150,000 French Jews live in Israel, al- synagogue in 2002 through the abduction and though only about 70,000 are officially known subsequent death of Ilan Halimi, 23, in 2006, to the consulate. Many split their time between and to the Toulouse shooting at a Jewish school Israel and France. in March in which four Jews were killed. The “The kids were small and we said, ‘It’s better to SPCJ, the French Jewish community’s protec- come’ ” to Israel, said Avraham Doukhan, a French tion service, documented more than 90 anti- real estate broker who made aliyah 15 years ago. Semitic incidents in the 10 days that followed Doukhan says the younger generation of French the Toulouse shooting. immigrants generally is integrating well. Continued on page 30

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16 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 At one Jerusalem shul, prayer’s not three times a day, it’s morning to night By Ben Sales JERUSALEM (JTA)—On the ground floor in a loud foyer, some stopping to talk, oth- serves the diverse neighborhood of Katamon, to its current location from Jerusalem’s Old of a building on a leafy residential street in ers reading religious pamphlets, and oth- bringing together Ashkenazim and Sep- City in 1948, that left the space with pink southern Jerusalem, two men squeeze past ers inserting coins into a stack of tzedakah hardim, haredi and modern Jews, and Ameri- marble walls and shiny wooden arks with each other in a crowded foyer. boxes that evokes an apartment building’s cans, Russians and native-born Israelis. Not intricate curtains. The ubiquitous clocks are One is wearing a small, flat, glistening far away, Israelis of all stripes fill restaurants, his doing, as are the coin slots that worship- black hat and a long coat, the typical dress cafes and shops on Emek Refaim Street. ers must feed to activate the sanctuaries’ air of some Chasidim even in the summer heat. Far from doubling as a “You see the range that’s available in Is- conditioners. The other seems dressed to the season, his rael, and people respect each other,” said Hudja opts for a straightforward and ca- head bare save for a kipah. His tight black T- community center, as most Michael Schein, 30. “This is very much a sual management style. The Shtiblach runs shirt reads “And the Oscar goes to ...” communal institution. It’s not like a haredi on a budget of about $11,400. To obtain these They are two of approximately 1,200 American and some Israeli neighborhood.” funds, Hudja sits behind a long folding table men, according to a fundraising flier, who But in a city known more for its religious in the back of the foyer, accepting donations arrive daily to pray at the Shtiblach, a four- synagogues do, it has a tensions than for its tolerance, even the and writing receipts that sometimes include room synagogue known to some locals as a Shtiblach has its limits. Little space exists for a dedication to a sick person. minyan factory. The Shtiblach—Yiddish for singular purpose: all prayers, female worshipers; in one room they must He reminds worshipers that membership “small synagogues”—hosts 50 prayer servic- all the time, from 6 a.m. peer through a hole resembling a skylight to is $7.60 monthly, while $12.60 will make the es daily, one every 15 to 30 minutes morning, witness the service. Schein calls the women’s donor a “friend” of the Shtiblach and $25 a afternoon and night. to midnight section “very non-ideal.” “generous person.” A flier notes that only 300 “It’s an opportunity to pray at uncon- And while leaders may choose any ver- of the 1,200 people who worship there daily ventional hours,” said Kenny Fisher, 50. “You mailboxes. With the sanctuaries’ doors open, sion of Orthodox prayer, services of other have paid membership dues. don’t get the feeling of a community shul, a cacophony of worshipers is heard. Outside, denominations are not welcome. “Whoever takes a candy needs to pay,” but it offers the convenience of minyans on a front lawn filled with picnic tables, four Shlomo Hudja, who runs the Shtiblach’s Hudja instructs a man taking a sucker from throughout the day.” men attempt to start yet another minyan. day-to-day operations, has no qualms about a cabinet. “I paid for those.” Indeed, the Shtiblach is no place for wed- Across from them, two haredi Orthodox men prohibiting non-Orthodox worship. When he isn’t filling out donation slips or dings, bar mitzvah receptions or charity contemplate buying a snack from a vending “There are no Conservative, no Reform, breaking big bills for worshipers from a big drives. There are no paintings or stained- machine. no nothing,” Hudja said. “It’s a Jewish place, box of loose change, Hudja is schmoozing. glass windows. Its walls, instead, feature Within the sanctuaries, each service’s lead- not a place for them.” He comes to the Shtiblach every day from clocks and bulletin boards stuffed with fliers er chooses the prayer style, be it Moroccan, In his mind, though, the Shtiblach is a 6:15 a.m. to midnight—with breaks—and advertising minyan times, membership dues Lithuanian, Chasidic or anything in between. bastion of diversity. claims to remember all of the regulars. It’s or the occasional class. Far from doubling as The Shtiblach is hardly the only minyan “It’s like New York,” he said. “People from easy, he says, to settle a religious dispute, a community center, as most American and factory in Jerusalem; others dot Jerusalem’s all over the world. There’s nothing like this.” such as whether to say confessional prayers some Israeli synagogues do, it has a singular haredi Orthodox neighborhoods, while the Since Hudja began running the Shtiblach on Israel’s Independence Day. Dealing with purpose: all prayers, all the time, from 6 a.m. Western Wall may host even more minyans at three years ago—he calls himself the CEO— individual complaints is the hardest part of to midnight. greater frequency than does the Shtiblach. But his biggest accomplishment perhaps has his job. Despite the military efficiency with which unlike those other minyan factories, which been in improving its efficiency, finances “You need seven souls to survive,” he said. “A services stop and start, the place presents an aside from the Wall cater to relatively homo- and outward appearance. He commissioned Jew stops complaining only when he dies.” n aura of controlled chaos. Men come and go geneous religious populations, the Shtiblach a renovation to the Shtiblach, which moved

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Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 17 I Israel

Jewish refugees from Arab lands seek to counterbalance Palestinian claims By Ben Sales TEL AVIV (JTA)—Naim Reuven was only 8 Then, on Sept. 21, the WJC, the Conference “It restores parity to Arab-Israeli diplomacy,” generations. If their lives had not been so inse- when he left Baghdad more than 50 years ago, of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organi- Diker said. “That narrative has become distorted cure, few of them would have left.” but he still remembers going with his father to zations and the Israeli Foreign Ministry will host in recognizing and advancing the narrative that Reuven said he does not see himself as a catch fish in the Tigris River. a similar conference at United Nations head- the Palestinian Arabs are the sole aggrieved party refugee from Iraq. “I’m Israeli for everything,” His dad worked in a laundromat, a middle- quarters. “It’s important that the world accept in this conflict.” The issue of the rights of Jewish he said. class father of six and one of Iraq’s more than and recognize that most of them were forcibly refugees from Arab countries is now new, but Clara Yona Memshumar, whose parents left 100,000 Jews. Baghdad’s Jewish community exiled and subjected to the worst kind of anti- Diker said it has risen in prominence now be- Libya for Israel in 1947 and 1950 before marry- suffered a pogrom in 1941, but Reuven, born a Semitic assault,” which included Jews being “at- cause of a parallel effort by Knesset members to ing, said her family left not under duress but “out year later, has only fond memories of his child- tacked, assaulted, killed, robbed,” Diker told JTA. celebrate Mizrahi history and culture in Israel. of religious faith. They always said, ‘Next year in hood there—until Israel declared independence “This issue has been largely ignored by Jewish Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who is Jerusalem.’ ” “From my parents’ stories it was the in 1948. leaders over the past number of years. They were leading the effort, introduced a resolution in the fulfillment of the dream,” said Meshumar, who “When Israel was established it began, there resettled, so it wasn’t perceived as an acute bleed- Knesset two months ago to declare a memorial also serves as the academic director of Kedma, an was hate,” said Reuven, now 70. “We had a neigh- ing.” In addition to the WJC efforts, the Israeli day commemorating Mizrahi communities and Israeli nonprofit that in part promotes the teach- bor we got along with, and then there was hate.” Knesset is slated to vote soon on a resolution to establish a heritage museum for them. Ayalon will ing of Mizrahi history in Israeli schools. “They He still remembers the fear when grenades were establish a day commemorating the history of speak at the upcoming WJC conference along were not Zionist in the European sense, but they thrown into his family’s synagogue. Jews from Arab lands and to found a museum with other Israeli and international politicians. were Zionists. The moment that legal immigra- In 1951, after three years of increasing ani- focused on that history. The U.S.-based Justice “All those Jews wanted to be part of the tion became possible, most people went.” mosity and persecution, the Reuvens moved to for Jews from Arab Countries also advocates for Jewish rebuilding” of Israel, Ayalon said. “But While the Palestinian refugee community Israel, where the government placed them in an the refugees’ rights. the fact that they were harassed, that they were places its refugee status at the center of its identi- immigrant absorption camp and gave Reuven’s While the campaign for the Jewish refugees killed, that they were robbed of their dignity ty, Meshumar and other Mizrahi Jews said their father agricultural work. Reuven now lives in Tel ostensibly is aimed at winning some recompense as human beings is something that has never families made no formal effort to preserve the Aviv’s low-income Hatikvah neighborhood, re- for Jews from Arab countries and their descen- been recognized.” memory of their former homes or commemo- tired after a career in construction. dants—known in Israel as Mizrahim, Hebrew Most Mizrahi Jews who moved to Israel did rate their exodus from Middle Eastern countries More than 800,000 Jews lived in the Arab for Easterners—it’s also part of a political effort so because they faced persecution in their home beyond telling stories or performing Mizrahi world at the time of Israel’s founding, but more to create a Jewish parallel to Palestinian refugee countries, according to Maurice Roumani, a Jewish rituals during holidays. than 600,000 left, fled or were forced out of their claims from Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. professor at Ben-Gurion University and an ex- By contrast, Palestinian families retain me- homes after Israel’s birth. The once-thriving Advocates want the Jewish refugee issue to serve pert on Libyan Jewry. While Jews had lived under mentos of their former homes in present-day communities they had established in places as a counterbalance to the Palestinian refugee Muslim rule for centuries with restricted rights, Israel, such as keys or land deeds, and annually such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Iraq, issue in any future Israeli-Palestinian peace ne- their situation became increasingly precarious commemorate losing their homes during Isra- Syria, Yemen and Tunisia shrunk and, in some gotiations, and want recognition and monetary during the years leading up to Israel’s founding. el’s establishment, which they call the Nakba— cases, virtually disappeared. In many cases the compensation for Jewish refugees to be a part of When Israel declared independence, Jews across the “catastrophe.” emigrants were forced to leave behind much of any final-status deal. the Arab world lost rights and in many cases Israel and the Palestinian Authority haven’t their property. While no mechanism for such compensa- citizenship, and expulsions followed in the years negotiated directly since 2010, but Diker said As part of an effort to have those Jews recog- tion exists now, Diker envisions an international and decades following 1948. that creating parity between refugees could al- nized as refugees and demand compensation for fund that would resolve claims for Jewish and “The claim that Jews left on their own is not low the parties to resolve their respective refugee their lost property, the World Jewish Congress Palestinian refugees. Meir Kahaolon, chairman reflecting the truth of history because the true claims separate from negotiations on borders will be hosting a conference in Jerusalem next of the World Organization of Libyan Jews, which history shows that Jews could no longer contin- and security. “You don’t need a final status agree- week focused on “raising the flag of rights of is collaborating with the WJC in its campaign, ue living there without having their lives threat- ment in order to solve the refugee problem,” he Jewish refugees from Arab countries,” according says Mizrahi Jews have listings of 80 percent of ened,” Roumani said. “Jews from Arab countries said. “We’re not adding a claim. We’re recogniz- to WJC Secretary General Dan Diker. the property left behind in Arab countries. had been living in continuous insecurity for ing a claim.” n Palestinian economic protests point to uncertain future for PA, Israel By Ben Sales TEL AVIV (JTA) – Could the Palestinian Author- The P.A. crisis began in earnest in July, when Ibrahim Azizeh, the Palestinian project man- financial crisis in the P.A. and we are working be- ity’s budget woes end up costing Israel? an aid shortfall caused by regional instability and ager for the Joint Palestinian-Israeli-International hind the scenes in very tangible ways to help them,” Growing economic protests in the West Bank a bad global economy threatened to leave it with- Economic Working Group, says donations are not the official said. “This idea that Israel is responsible could lead to increased regional instability and per- out enough money to pay that month’s salaries. a long-term solution. “They should invest instead for the financial crisis, this is knee-jerk behavior for haps even the end of the Palestinian Authority, ex- Even after a $100 million Saudi loan closed the P.A. of lending money and giving money away,” he said too many Palestinians. Obviously the international perts are warning. At this point, however, they say budget gap, the authority received harsh criticism of the international community. “They should be community is ready to help the Palestinians, but the protests are unlikely to result in an eruption of from the World Bank. In a July 25 report, the World the ones employing.” there’s no doubt that some of their problems are violence against Israel. Bank noted, “While the Palestinian Authority has Dan Goldenblatt, the co-CEO of the Israel-Pal- homegrown.” The unrest began last week in response to the had considerable success in building the institu- estine Center for Research and Information, said Abdullah and Goldenblatt fault Israel’s West rising cost of living in Palestinian cities, as well as tions of a future state, it has made less progress in that responsibility for solving the crisis lies with Bank policies, but neither sees this round of Pal- to a delay in paying P.A. employees. Thousands of developing a sustainable economic base.” Israel as well as the international community. He estinian popular unrest leading to violence against protesters in Nablus and Hebron burned tires and With protests expected to flare up again next called for amending the 1994 Paris Protocol, which Israel. Goldenblatt said that a third intifada, follow- threw stones on Monday, injuring 50 people. week, economics experts say that Israel and the in- governs economic relations between Israel and the ing the first two in the late 1980s and early 2000s, is The P.A. Cabinet responded by paying employ- ternational community must do more to keep the Palestinian Authority. Under the protocol, Israel not “something that a vast majority of the Palestin- ees half of their August salaries, cutting spending Palestinian Authority afloat. They are particularly collects taxes for the authority and then transfers ians are even considering.” and lowering taxes. And on Tuesday, Israeli Prime concerned about the shortfall in the Palestinian the money. The Palestinian Authority’s tax rates Nor, Azizeh says, should Israel worry that Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the Authority’s budget, which relies heavily on inter- also cannot deviate significantly from Israel’s. Hamas – the terrorist organization that governs the transfer of an advance of about $65 million to the national aid. “If the Palestinian Authority is not “There is consensus that it was more beneficial Gaza strip – will step in to solve the Palestinian Au- Palestinian Authority. “We are working on several going to get support from donors, it will not be to Israel than to the Palestinians,” he said of the Pro- thority’s financial difficulties, because Hamas lacks fronts in order to help the Palestinian Authority able to survive six months from now,” said Samir tocol. “Hope that it would be temporary put pres- the international recognition needed to facilitate cope with its economic problems,” Netanyahu said Abdullah, the director general of the Palestinian sure on the sides to sign.” Goldenblatt also called for economic development. in a statement on September 11. “We have made Economic Policy Research Institute. renewed negotiations between Israel and the Pales- Moreover, reports have surfaced recently that several changes in the taxation agreements. We are P.A. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, seen as an tinian Authority. The two sides have not negotiated Hamas is considering declaring the Gaza Strip advancing certain transfers. We have also helped architect of the Palestinian economy, has been a directly since 2010. independent and severing its ties with the P.A.- with Palestinian workers and with a series of other target of the protests, but P.A. President Mahmoud An Israeli official who insisted on anonym- controlled West Bank. Senior Hamas officials steps in order to make things easier for them.” Abbas has stuck by his side. Abdullah says that if ity said that blaming Israel for the P.A. economic have denied these reports. But even if Israel need In 2009, in his policy address at Bar Ilan Uni- Fayyad were to resign that would undermine the crisis was “ridiculous.” He noted Israel’s recent not worry now about a violent uprising, Abdul- versity, Netanyahu had called “upon the leaders of Palestinian Authority’s relationship with its donors. $65 million transfer to the Palestinian Authority lah said that it should not feel isolated from the the Arab countries to join together with the Pales- “He’s not going to resign,” Abdullah said. “He’s a and added that in July, the P.A. and Israel agreed unrest either.“These protests will turn against the tinians and with us to promote economic peace. good fighter and he can’t leave this to others who on an arrangement to crack down on tax evasion real cause of the plight of the Palestinians,” he said. Economic peace is not a substitute for peace, but it have very little experience and very little knowledge and to facilitate movement of goods from Israel to “One day, maybe not tomorrow or next week, it is a very important component in achieving it.” of how to have relations with donors.” the West Bank. “We have no intention of seeing a will turn against the Israeli occupation.” n

18 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Election 2012

Meir Soloveichik vs. David Wolpe: Two rabbis, two parties, two political philosophies By Daniel Treiman REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK His reference to the primacy of God over dedication to the principle of God-gifted liber- referred not dissimilarly to America’s calling as CHARLOTTE, N.C. (JTA)—Republicans government, and the notion that our rights are ty, so America can remain a beacon of faith and “a beacon of freedom to the world, and an ally and Democrats may not have much common derived from the former rather than the latter, freedom for generations to come,” he said. of free countries like the State of Israel, an island ground this election year, yet their national garnered applause from the delegates at the Wolpe—in addition to working in a sly ref- of liberty, democracy and hope.”) conventions shared one feature: Both gather- convention, where many speakers went on to erence to Jerusalem, the Democratic conven- Democrats, of course, have railed against ings were blessed from the podium by promi- assail what they see as President Obama’s tres- tion’s topic du jour—had a different focus in his the philosophy of hyper-individualism that nent American rabbis.The Democrats had passes against religious liberty. Among the main benediction late Wednesday night in Charlotte. they see as reflected in Rep. Paul Ryan’s admi- Rabbi David Wolpe, a best-selling author and sources of ire is the administration’s application Speaking to a largely empty convention hall ration for Ayn Rand and as embodied in Re- leader of a prominent (capital-c) Conservative of the health care reform law’s birth control after the roll call vote to renominate Obama, publican budget proposals. Former President synagogue in Los Angeles. The Republicans coverage mandate to employees of religious- Wolpe acknowledged that America is “founded Bill Clinton in his Democratic convention ad- had Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, a rising star within affiliated institutions—a policy that Soloveichik on the highest principles of freedom and re- dress painted this election as a choice between Modern Orthodoxy and a regular contributor himself had testified against before Congress. sourcefulness and creativity and ever-renewed “a winner-take-all, you’re-on-your-own soci- to (small-c) conservative publications. More broadly, the finitude of government’s strength.” But individual freedom, for him, is ety” and “a country of shared opportunities But beyond the kipot that they both wore on rightful purview is an animating theme of con- not the sum total of America’s mission. and shared responsibility.” their heads and the Hebrew sprinkled through servative politics and a notion that Republicans Indeed, Wolpe immediately added, “And While eschewing any overt partisanship, their addresses, the rabbis used their remarks to think Democrats do not get. (Though when we understand that those worthy ideals stand Wolpe in his benediction made a similar dis- highlight very different themes. Indeed, each of it comes to civil liberties and abortion rights, alongside the commitment to compassion, to tinction, noting the importance of community their blessings spoke powerfully to the contrast- many Democrats would say the same about goodness, our sacred covenant to care for those and hinting at the vulnerability of the lonely ing political ideologies of the parties that they their GOP opponents.) Republicans lambasted who are bereaved and bereft, who are fright- individual. were addressing. a video shown at the Demoratic convention as- ened, who are hungry, who are bewildered and “You have taught us that we must count on Soloveichik, in his invocation to open the serting that ”Government is the only thing that lost, who seek shelter from the cold.” one another, that our country is strong through first full day of the hurricane-delayed Repub- we all belong to. We have different churches, Our responsibilities are not only to our- community, and that the children of Israel, on lican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., different clubs, but we’re together as a part of selves, he suggested, and similarly our nation the way to that sanctified and cherished land, invoked themes that resonate deeply with Re- our city or our county or our state.” Republican has obligations to the world as both a refuge and ultimately to that golden and capital city of publicans—freedom, liberty, faith. presidential nominee Mitt Romney responded and an example. Jerusalem, that those children of Israel did not “We Americans unite faith and freedom in on Twitter: “We don’t belong to government, “As your prophet Isaiah has taught us, ‘Shiftu walk through the wilderness alone.” asserting that our liberties are Your gift, God, the government belongs to us.” yatom, rivuh almanah,’ defend the orphan and Liberty and community—the tensions be- not that of government, and that we are en- In his closing exhortation, Soloveichik hint- fight on behalf of the widow,” he said. “We know tween these values have long animated Ameri- dowed with these rights by You, our Creator, ed at the notion popular among conservatives that our lamp is lifted not only to illuminate our can politics and become pitched battle lines in not by mortal man,” said Soloveichik, who has that we are in danger of losing, and must re- way but to serve as a beacon to others that here, the current elections. And they provided two made common cause with religious conserva- cover, a proper understanding of liberty. this land, is a place where the dreams of a weary rabbis with very different themes for their ad- tives on issues such as abortion. “And help all of us as Americans renew our world flourish and endure.” (Soloveichik had dresses to two very different parties. n In campaign for Jewish votes, GOP has the money, Dems have the history By Ron Kampeas KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (JTA)—In the battle for because the volunteers were housed in a lower- percentage, could swing the vote in closely fought domestic issues—something that the phone can- Jewish votes this November, both parties acknowl- level hotel room that did not have reception. And states. “Our goal is to get to those leaners,” Brooks vassers at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel outside edge the other’s advantage: Republicans have the some door-to-door canvassers were dropped off said two weeks ago in Tampa, Fla., at the Republi- of Philadelphia discovered. money and Democrats have the history. in areas such as Blue Bell that appeared to have can National Convention when he first rolled out David Edman, 57, a health care consultant from The funding disparity was evident on Sunday few Jews and where houses were adorned with plans for the outreach blitz. Ultimately, he predict- Wayne, Pa., said the callers he reached on Sunday and Monday when the Republican Jewish Coali- Christian symbols. ed, “the undecideds will shift dramatically.” tended to want to talk more about the economy. tion rolled out major voter outreach bids in three Striding along the broad paths leading to It’s an argument Democrats are taking seri- “It’s been about 50-50,” he said in terms of callers major Jewish population centers: the suburbs of double doors in the wealthy neighborhood of ously. Days after Brooks announced his plans, Ira who were receptive to the RJC message. “I talked to Cleveland and Philadelphia, and in Broward and Gladwyne, Carol Eberwein, a 70-year-old retiree Forman, the top Jewish outreach official for the two people who said health care was their most im- Palm Beach counties in South Florida. sporting a white “RJC Victory Team” T-shirt, Obama campaign, gave a PowerPoint presentation portant issue. They seemed elderly and they were The operations included expensive mecha- said she had not set foot in a synagogue for four at the convention center in Charlotte, N.C., the site leaning” toward Obama, Edman said. “I ask people nisms unheard of in any Jewish outreach operation years, infuriated with her fellow Jews for handing of the Democratic National Convention, in which to keep an open mind.” for years, if ever: Banks of volunteers phoning vot- Obama a substantial majority. “If these damned he outlined what a 10 percent swing in the Jewish Dara Fox, 46, a homemaker from Manassas, ers identified beforehand by researchers through Jews vote for Obama” this year, she said, “I’m not vote could cost Democrats. Obama is believed to Va., who awoke at 4:30 a.m. to ride a bus in for the “microtargeting,” a system that uses market re- likely to go back.” have earned between 74 and 78 percent of the Jew- day, said she got nothing but answering machines search and other factors to narrow respondents to The RJC’s outreach overall has won national at- ish vote in 2008; Gallup tracking polls had him at and hang-ups after an hour of calls. She said she those likeliest to switch their vote. tention. Its drive includes “My Buyer’s Remorse,” a 68 percent in July. Should Obama’s Jewish support also encountered the economic argument against Volunteers also distributed leaflets to homes in TV ad campaign targeting swing states and featur- fall to 65 percent on Election Day, in Florida he voting for Romney among her liberal Jewish suburbs with high Jewish concentrations. ing Jewish voters who supported Barack Obama in could conceivably lose 83,500 votes, according to friends in northern Virginia—another swing state The effort attracted hundreds of RJC volun- 2008 but are now voting against the president. The Forman’s chart; in Pennsylvania, 41,500 votes; and where a shift in the Jewish vote could conceivably teers from across the country to the three target same theme appears on the leaflets that volunteers in Ohio, 19,000 votes. make the difference. “I am at a complete loss as to areas in states that both parties have identified as tucked into mailboxes on Sunday and Monday. In its outreach literature, the RJC stresses Israel how liberal Jews have taken Israel and put it in a having enough undecided Jewish voters who could “We had high hopes for Barack Obama,” they say. and the threat of a nuclear Iran. The leaflet distrib- separate bubble,” she said. decide the election. Among the volunteers were “Now, we have only buyer’s remorse.” Also featured uted to suburban homes this week is mostly about Democrats, however, are not sanguine about dozens of students whose hotel stays over the Sab- in South Florida are billboards reading “Obama, the Middle East, with the economy relegated to less the prospect of Jewish voters compartmentalizing bath were paid for by the RJC. “This effort—both Oy Vey!” and “Had enough?” Passers-by are di- than a third of the content. By contrast, the NJDC any concerns they have about Israel and focus- in terms of numbers of participants and scope of rected to the “My Buyer’s Remorse” website. handout is split evenly between the Middle East ing instead on areas of domestic agreement with the effort—was unprecedented and historic,” the Democratic outreach is considerably more and other issues: the economy, health care reform Obama. Echoing a common complaint among RJC’s executive director, Matthew Brooks, told JTA modest. The National Jewish Democratic Council and social issues such as abortion and gay mar- Obama’s closest Jewish backers, Wexler, speaking in an email. is canvassing the same areas with volunteers hand- riage. Republicans recount well-known instances Monday to the B’nai B’rith International policy Democrats, slightly slackjawed, said they could ing out postcards calling the Obama-Biden ticket when Obama has differed with Israeli Prime Min- conference, said the question he hears from Jew- never match the effort, which is part of an overall “the choice of American Jews.” ister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly on what ish audiences that vexes him most is the “kishkes” push that Brooks has priced at $6.5 million. “We The NJDC’s president, David Harris, said his terms negotiations with the Palestinians should question: Does Obama “get” Israel in his gut? will be outspent,” acknowledged Robert Wexler, group could not match the RJC outreach, but that resume, and they note that Iran continues apace “I get done with the litany of 30 things the pres- a former Florida congressman and one of the it was not necessary to do so because of the Demo- in its suspected attempt to build a nuclear weapon. ident has done for Israel, and then I get asked, ‘Yeah, Obama campaign’s chief Jewish surrogates. Dem- crats’ traditional advantage among Jewish voters. Democrats note enhanced security cooperation Wexler, I know about all that, but in his kishkes ocrats have said previously that they hope to raise “We start from an inbuilt advantage, that since with Israel, Iran’s increased isolation under Obama does he really feel it?’ ” Wexler recounted, his voice $1 million to $2 million for their Jewish outreach the New Deal the vast majority of American Jews and the administration’s efforts to block anti-Israel rising in frustration. “Short of joining the IDF itself, efforts. have voted Democratic,” he said. efforts at the United Nations. I’m curious as to what President Obama could do The RJC’s efforts in suburban Philadelphia It’s a history that Republicans acknowledge, The emphasis on the economy and social is- to convince some in our community.” n were not without mishaps. Cellphones leased for which is why the focus is on “microtargeting” the sues makes sense for the Democrats because the the occasion did not work for hours on Sunday undecided Jews who, despite their relatively small gaps between Jews and Republicans are wider on Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 19 Give yourself the

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20 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I World Jewry

Latin America’s Jewish communities grow, confront challenges By diego Melamed BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA)—When the of the region’s Jewish leaders polled recently by the Sao Paulo Hebraica Sports Club and Community American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Center in Brazil opened the Aleph School earlier believe that conditions in their countries are good this month, it welcomed 450 students and had 120 enough to further develop Jewish life. Only 10 per- more on the waiting list for next year. cent reported that living as a Jew is risky. Brazilians Hebraica, which is similar to an American Jew- self-reported the most positive feedback, Venezu- ish community center, has reached 24,000 mem- elans the most negative. The poll’s full results will bers and has a $30 million budget. Meanwhile, Sao be released at the Nov. 12 JDC meeting of Latin Paulo’s oldest synagogue, Temple Beth El, recently American and Caribbean Jewish community lead- dedicated a new building, leaving the original one ers, which will convene in Quito, Ecuador. to become the Jewish Museum of Sao Paulo. Venezuela is the notable exception to the wave In Panama, the Jewish community has grown of positivity among Latin American Jewish com- by 70 percent in the past 10 years. The 8,000-mem- munities. Political insecurity, economic challenges ber community in that period has seen a rise from and state-sponsored anti-Semitism in the country three to 10 b’nai mitzvah a week. have prompted significant Jewish emigration in re- In Argentina, the number of children in Jewish cent years, with most expats moving to the United preschool programs has soared by nearly 1,000— States, Israel, Spain, Colombia or Panama. Venezu- Let Encore Sell It For You: from 3,952 in 2005 to 4,914 in 2012. ela now has an estimated 9,000 Jews, down from Electronics • Musical Instruments Nearly wherever one looks, Jewish life is grow- about twice that number a decade ago, according Designer Items • Antiques & Collectibles ing in Latin America, which is now home to an to the JDC. Automotive Parts • Sporting Goods estimated 500,000 Jews. The growth comes as the The race for president in Venezuela has seen Camera & Audio/Visual Equipment region continues to transform economically as the incumbent, Hugo Chavez—a close ally of Iran part of a social evolution following the end of mili- and acerbic critic of Israel—use state media to lob Finding New Homes tary dictatorships that ruled many countries into anti-Semitic broadsides against his rival, Henrique for Great Stuff! the 1980s. Capriles Radonski, a grandson of Holocaust sur- From 2000 to 2010, poverty in the region vivors who identifies as Catholic. The election is 1958 South Industrial dropped from 44 percent to 32 percent of the pop- scheduled for Oct. 7. (in the Colonial Lanes Plaza) ulation, according to the Economic Committee for In Chile, home to 15,000 Jews among a Pales- 734.761.6187 Latin American and the Caribbean, or CEPAL. In tinian Diaspora as large as 400,000, Rabbi Chaim EncoreOnlineResale.com large part it is because of the increase in jobs that Koritznisky is much more positive. has come from rising prices for the region’s com- “Four years ago I was invited to Santiago by modities and natural resources, such as copper, five families to build a new synagogue community oil, soybeans, meat, fruits and other agricultural called Ruach Ami,” said Koritznisky, who heads products. a Reform congregation. “The founders felt that And more growth is on the horizon. Latin there was a void in the Jewish community for those America will contribute to global growth more searching for a Judaism that was egalitarian, inclu- than Europe in the next seven years, according to sive, spiritual. We also offer a welcoming home for CEPAL, which released a study in August that said interfaith couples and families, gays and lesbians.” the 2013-2020 period “will be a low-growth cycle A hundred families now belong to the temple for industrialized economies while it will display and more than 500 people are expected to arrive dynamism in emerging economies.” for the coming High Holidays services. Despite the growth, challenges remain for Also in Santiago, the Dr. Chaim Weizmann many Jewish communities. Hebrew Institute has seen sustained growth. In “We have strong signals of a new flourishing 2005 there were 265 children aged 2 to 5 in the pre- situation, but we also will still have a variety of school. Today the number is at 373, according to problems, like the poor knowledge about Juda- Sergio Herskovitz, the school principal. ism in our members and some type of hidden Similar stories in the region abound. In Panama anti-Semitism in the general society,” said Alberto City, a decade ago there were barely any children at Milkewitz, director of the Isaraelite Federation of weekly activities at Kol Shearith Israel synagogue. Sao Paulo. Now nearly 60 young people participate in weekly But that hasn’t dimmed optimism among Jew- ish leaders. Some 83 percent of approxiately 400 continued on page 23

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 21 I World Jewry

At Uman clinic, Jewish pilgrimage of From under police protection, Europe’s thousands presents unique challenges Jewish gems try to shine By Cnaan Liphshiz By Cnaan Liphshiz UMAN, Ukraine (JTA)—Like an extra in a spa- tor and resuscitation machines, as well as several BRUSSELS (JTA)—Under the gaze of a dozen Rubinfeld adds, “It is a sad fact of life that ghetti Western, a young Israeli man is catapulted tons of other medical equipment, and Israeli and police officers, a single file of Belgians forms synagogues in Europe today get the same pro- straight out of the doorway of the Uman Emer- American medicines. On some days the staff treats outside the Great Synagogue of Europe. tection as airports.” gency Clinic. more than 400 patients, pulling 16-hour shifts. Waiting to enter the shul on its annual The deadly March 19 attack in Toulouse, Furious, he tries to re-enter but changes his “The primary goal is saving lives, but the sec- “open day”—when the synagogue throws open France, by an Islamist that left four dead at mind after receiving another forceful shove from ondary goal is giving quick service so people can its doors to the public—many on this Sunday a Jewish school prompted Belgium’s Jewish Leonid Schpitz, head nurse and chief bouncer. return to pray right away,” says Nachi Klein, the seem puzzled by the police presence. communities—themselves no strangers to an- Schpitz, a burly man with a low tolerance for clinic’s co-director. “Open” is a relative term for Jewish institu- ti-Semitic violence—to ratchet up their already misbehavior, belongs to a team of 10 medical pro- Most of the staff are not Breslavers. Schpitz and tions in Western Europe. On a continent where robust security arrangements. Last month, fessionals—only some of them Jewish—who staff nurse Simon Eisenstadt were both born in Ukraine fears of anti-Semitic terrorism run high—and dozens of Jewish rescue workers from Antwerp the clinic in this small Ukrainian city every Rosh before immigrating to Israel and do not regularly where memories are still fresh of this summer’s held a drill simulating a deadly bombing at a Hashanah, when tens of thousands of Jewish fol- wear a kipah. Dr. Ahmed Yunis is one of two Israeli bombing of an Israeli tourist bus in Burgas, Jewish school. lowers of the Breslaver rebbe pour into Uman. Arabs on the team. Bulgaria—opening doors is a complicated Despite the lines and the military-style se- The Breslavers—most of them Chasidim but It’s the team spirit that brings Yunis back every matter. Security is an omnipresent concern. curity instructions, some 200 people visited the many of them fellow travelers—come to Uman to year, he says. “Taking pictures, taking notes and filming Brussels synagogue on Sunday. In Antwerp, or- pray near the grave of their rebbe, Rabbi Nachman “I don’t feel any connection to the spiritualism are forbidden,” Raphael, a community guard, ganized guided tours drew a few hundred peo- of Breslav, who founded the Breslaver movement. here, and I’m a pretty spiritual guy,” he says. “I just says at the entrance. ple to the city’s Jewish He died in 1810 at the age of 38. Nachman had no like the team, I like working with good people. It’s “Bags will be searched. neighborhoods, where heir, so his gravesite remains the closest his devo- hard work but good money.” Visitors will hear a The European Day of Jewish at least 10,000 haredi tees can get to their rebbe, and it has become a ma- As Rosh Hashanah begins, radios are switched 45-minute lecture Orthodox Jews live, jor pilgrimage site. Rosh Hashanah is the climax off and the small clinic is filled with the sounds of and then leave. Cel- Culture was born 16 years ago according to Israel’s of the pilgrimage, when up to 30,000 Jews arrive the dozens of men praying. Yunis cleans the raw lular phones must be Beit Hatfutsot mu- in the city, sleeping in tents, cramped rental apart- stitches of a patient who had his lymph glands sur- switched off.” in Strasbourg, France, as a seum. In total, some ments and villas. gically removed just days earlier. The European Day 40,000 Jews live in Uman has numerous synagogues, ranging “He shouldn’t be traveling anywhere, but go of Jewish Culture was way to build bridges between Belgium, according to from shuls with seating for thousands to cramped tell that to religious people,” Yunis says, shaking his born 16 years ago in the the World Jewish rooms no larger than studio apartments. The busi- head after the patient leaves. Later he tries to per- Strasbourg, France, as the Jewish community and Congress. est, Heichal Zion, stands on a hill overlooking the suade a patient who is “on a spiritual journey pu- a way to build bridges non-Jewish Europeans Meanwhile, hun- grave site. It can hold about 1,500 people, but at rification” to drink cough syrup despite the small between the Jewish dreds of visitors least 5,000 congregate outside its walls to pray on amount of alcohol it contains. community and non- poured into Brussels’ Rosh Hashanah. Many Jews also pray on the streets Next, three young men storm into the clinic Jewish Europeans. Today, Jewish institutions Jewish museum. Many came directly from in groups of 10 to 50. leaving a bloody trail. They stepped on broken in 28 European countries open to the public the Belgian Beer Weekend, which coincided Most of the pilgrims are Israeli, and some are glasses upon entering a nearby lake, which they on the first Sunday of every September, each with the Jewish culture day. Tipsy and thank- new recruits to the movement from Israeli prisons used as a mikvah, or ritual bath, for a purifying dip year highlighting a different theme. ful for the sunny weather, the visitors appear and neglected urban areas, where Breslavers (also before the holiday. Locals scatter the shards delib- Sahra al-Assad, a young Muslim woman especially receptive to the theme: Jewish hu- pronounced Bratslavers) do much of their out- erately along the banks, Schpitz says. wearing a tight turquoise hijab, is among mor. reach work. Outside the stitching room, three asthma pa- those standing in line to enter Brussels’ main “Some of you may find it unfair that Jews It all makes for a raucous atmosphere on the tients inhale fumes from a row of buzzing nebu- synagogue. She says she is curious to see a can make jokes about Jews with impunity eve of Rosh Hashanah in Pushkina, the Uman lizer machines. local synagogue. She has seen a synagogue whereas non-Jews can’t,” Jewish Belgian hu- neighborhood where most of the Jewish pilgrims During the holiday, the clinic will treat several once before, in Spain, but never in her home morist Richard Kenigsman tells a small audi- stay. The streets are bustling with men, many of heart patients and evacuate one of them to Kiev. country of Belgium. ence at the museum’s entrance. “The solution them wearing festive white robes. Negotiating a But mostly the clinic treats cases of indigestion, di- “I came to better understand the religion of is simple enough: Convert!” path between the large potholes that scar the as- arrhea, ingrown toenails, scrapes and blisters. my brothers,” she says. “There are many things Back in the main synagogue of Brussels, phalt of Uman’s poorly lit streets, they pop in and “Yeah, we get lots of nudniks,” Yunis says, using that set us apart, but I’m convinced we are inti- professor Thomas Gergely, a linguist from Uni- out of the yards of houses that their friends are the Yiddish term for “pains in the neck.” mately linked.” versite Libre de Bruxelles, delivers a lecture fo- renting from locals. Children scamper all around, Landesman has been running Uman’s Rosh Asked for her thoughts about the security cusing on Judeo-Christian similarities. even on rooftops. Some men engage in group hugs Hashanah clinic for the past few years. In his regu- arrangements, she offers, “It reflects a genu- “I don’t mean to shock you, but the Chris- and conversations about spirituality, while next to lar life he works for United Hatzalah, the Ortho- ine anxiety.” The friend accompanying al-As- tians among us are worshiping a man who was them groups of young, excitable men shove, curse dox Jewish emergency services organization also sad, a Catholic woman who identifies herself as born Jewish, lived Jewish and died Jewish,” he and shout as they roam the small area looking for known as Hatzolah. Along with the Orthodox Sandra, says she has been curious about Juda- tells the audience. trouble. Stabbings occur here almost every year, rescue and relief group ZAKA, Hatzolah provides ism ever since a visit to a synagogue in Egypt. Raphael, the security guard, asks one of the and visitors sometimes try to steal medicine from most of the clinic’s annual budget of approximate- “It was hidden and we weren’t even allowed visitors to step aside after discovering that he is the Uman Emergency Clinic, according to its staff. ly $70,000. to take pictures,” she recalls. “I thought I could recording Gergely’s speech. The visitor tries to During the pilgrimage season, the clinic treats A native of Monsey, N.Y., now living in Israel’s photograph here in Brussels.” argue, but Raphael tells him he must stop re- patients for free, dealing with everything from life- Galilee region, Landesman first came to Uman as a Pointing at herself, Sandra asks, “What are cording or leave. The guard softens only after threatening injuries or illnesses to mild cases of the kitchen worker 17 years ago. It was shortly after the they afraid of? If they want people to get to noticing the man’s Israeli accent. flu and even homesickness. fall of the Iron Curtain, around the time that Rosh know the Jewish community, just let us in.” “Next time, it would be helpful if you say “In this foreign, unfriendly place, we are more Hashanah started to turn into a massive pilgrim- Joel Rubinfeld, co-chairman of the recently you’re from Israel,” Raphael says with a smile. than a clinic,” says Yossi Lifshits, a paramedic from age holiday here. established European Jewish Parliament is After the speech, al-Assad exits the syna- Jerusalem who has been working at the clinic for The clinic was established the following year in based in Brussels, says many Jewish communi- gogue smiling. six years. “We are a piece of old familiar home, a a rented apartment by Rabbi Menachem Mann, ties in Western Europe are facing the dilemma “It was beautiful—spiritually, I mean,” she place where you can get a warm cup of tea and talk a well-known and well-connected Breslaver from of openness vs. security. says. “When I talk to Arabs and Jews here, it about your problems.” Israel. Schpitz, who has experience working with “We want to open up to the general public seems like the conflict there”—in the Middle Running the clinic during the chaotic holiday haredi Orthodox patients, was its first nurse. to fight anti-Semitism and ignorance, but that East—”is the only thing they can talk about, requires a firm hand, says Avigdor Landesman, the This year marked the first time that the clinic is difficult precisely because of anti-Semitism. like it’s our only common theme. But I feel also clinic’s New York-born co-director. operated from a prefabricated house inside the It’s a chicken and egg problem,” says Rubin- a little bit Jewish, not just Muslim. I’ve heard “Here, even a mild cold can turn the pilgrim- main compound of the World Breslav Movement, feld, who previously led the umbrella group about the Holocaust my whole life and it’s my age into a nightmare,” Landesman tells JTA. “Be- which coordinates much of what goes on in this representing Belgium’s French-speaking Jews, story, too. That’s why I’m here.” n fore there was a clinic, a high temperature or a Uman neighborhood. CCOJB. “If I were an operative planning an at- heart tremor meant a 200 kilometer [about 125 Klein says he sees the clinic as a religious mis- tack, I would use today for reconnaissance.” miles] drive to Kiev. Now it can be easily treated sion. “After the holiday comes the day of reckon- The “trick,” he says, “is to find a careful bal- right here.” ing,” Klein says, referring to Yom Kippur. “Just like ance between caution and openness. If hun- The clinic has three hospital beds and is all the others here, I came to get the best lawyer in dreds come to visit despite the complications, equipped with an electrocardiogram, defibrilla- the world, Rav Nachman, to argue for me.” n it’s a sign the balance is being reached.”

22 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Best Reads

The compelling life and work of John Hirsch Rachel Urist, staff writer A Fiery Soul: The Life and Theatrical Sybil as his tutor, he demonstrated high tapped to head the dramatic division of Ca- and memories. Times of John Hirsch school equivalency. His formal schooling nadian television, CBC (1973-78), and then The other significant prop, the cart, is by Andrew Wilson and Fraidie Martz had ended at age 13, but he enrolled at the the Stratford Festival, where he was artistic straight out of Brecht’s Mother Courage, which This book examines the extraordinary life of University of Manitoba and graduated with director from 1981–85. Hirsch was notorious Hirsch directed many times. The cart morphs Hungarian-Canadian director, John Hirsch. honors four years later. In 1958, six years for his temper, obstreperous outbursts, budget into a shelter, bookcase, puppet stage, train, and Born in 1930, he spent his brief childhood after graduating, he founded the Manitoba overruns, and a penchant for enraging trust- more. Simple cloths of different lengths and as “Jansci,” short for “Janosh.” His bar mitz- Theatre Center (MTC), where he was artis- ees. He infuriated and even humiliated many. colors become a shawl, robe, tablecloth, river, vah was hastily arranged and took place in But he nurtured others. He also chuppah (a wedding canopy). Upstage, double his back-yard. Shortly thereafter, his parents learned that he was at his best as a doors open onto an alcove that harbors a Torah and brother were deported. They were never freelance director, which is how he scroll and later a shrine of broken furniture, in- heard from again. For the next three years, spent his last 12 years. He was gen- cluding a piano keyboard slumped against chair Hirsch survived on his wits and the kindness erous in surprising ways, bestow- and cabinet pieces. In their book, Wilson and of strangers. At 17, he arrived in Winnipeg, ing gifts on people he appreciated. Martz describe a trip Hirsch made to his child- thanks to the Canadian Jewish Congress’ In 1967, Hirsch was awarded the hood home in hopes of finding some vestige of War Orphans Project. His other options Order of Canada by the Governor family. Instead, he found a mountain of shards, were South America and Palestine. He chose General. family treasures piled as refuse. The image of Canada, because it felt safest—even though My decision to read this book that wreckage is, clearly, the physical model for he knew not a word of English. was dictated by the best show I the play’s shrine. Hirsch’s life in the theatre was both a saw last summer at the Stratford Both the book and the play underscore the calling and a means of holding onto his lost Festival in Ontario. It was Hirsch, a correspondence between Hirsch’s traumatic family. His mother, who spoke five languages one-man tour-de-force. The play past and his tyrannical directing style. His past and had a flair for drama, conducted fre- was co-written by the show’s star, also generated his proclivity for plays that ad- quent salons in the family home in Siofok, Alon Nashman, dress the weight of human destiny. Chekhov, he Hungary. She played the piano, painted, and and his director, insisted, is unjustly served unless the audience basked in the company of writers, musicians, Paul Thompson, is moved to both laughter and tears. Hirsch dancers, and other artists. Hirsch often told and I wish I could brooked no laziness and suffered no fools. But of dancing, at age 3, for the aged ballet-leg- tell you where and he was also described as “rabbinical” for his end, Nijinsky, at one of his mother’s soirées. when you will be probing, analytical lectures to his casts during Hirsch’s maternal grandmother, who lived John Hirsch able to see it in fu- rehearsal periods. Among the plays he directed in Budapest, was another cultured woman. tic director for seven years. MTC ture. As of this writ- repeatedly were Brecht’s Mother Courage and Hirsch was sent to live with her during some became a model for regional the- ing, there are no her Children, Shakespeare’s The Tempest and of the most dangerous periods. But she died atres across the continent, and known plans of a Midsummer Night’s Dream. The magical isles of before Hirsch’s parents were deported. Hirsch’s talent as an innovative new production. (I Shakespeare became refuge not just for the plays’ In Winnipeg, Hirsch was placed with the director earned him an interna- hope it turns up; I characters, but for Hirsch himself. As for his Shack family. Alex and Pauline Shack were tional reputation. He was known want to see it again.) several productions of The Diary of Anne Frank Ukranian-born Jews who took an immedi- for his direction of the classics: Wilson and Martz and S. Ansky’s The Dybbuk, we can only try to ate liking to Hirsch, as did their daughter, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Brecht, gratefully acknowl- imagine the wrenching connotations each play Sybil, who became a devoted sister to her new Shaw, Tennessee Williams, but edge the contribu- had for him. People who saw his productions of brother. The Shacks provided nourishment for he also staged The Diary of Anne tions of Nashman those plays say the experience is indelible. body and soul, offered unqualified acceptance, Frank, and S. Ansky’s haunting and Thompson to Hirsch hid his homosexuality for many and never balked at his strange passions, and The Dybbuk. He was enchanted by A Fiery Soul. For years. He came of age along with HIV, and in eccentricities. In later years, Sybil said of her musicals and staged Sondheim’s anyone who expe- 1989, he died of AIDS. He was 59. brother: “He came to us as a boy aged beyond A Funny Thing Happened on the rienced Nashman’s Wilson and Martz take their title from a his years, but in many ways he was a man who Way to the Forum more than once. He was thrilling impersonation of Hirsch, this book is Dryden poem quoted by Hirsch’s friend, poet wanted to find his childhood.” good with children, and directed at several a must-read. Arthur Adamson, who was often a guest at the Hirsch distinguished himself as a quick notable youth theatres in Canada. He was The play, Hirsch, brings the man to life on a Shack home. Adamson said that this poem cap- learner and theatre aficionado. In Europe he guest director at Lincoln Center (New York small, bare stage. (At Stratford, the show was in tured his Hirsch’s “mercurial personality, which had dabbled in puppetry. In Canada, he turned City), the Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), the Studio Theatre). Like the figure it celebrates, could change in minutes from gleeful amuse- the Shacks’ basement into his workshop, built the Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis), Yale Rep, this show has a grandeur born of ingenuity. For ment to cascades of indignation.” a portable puppet stage, and constructed pup- & Habima (Israel), among other theatres of much of the play, the sole props are one small A fiery soul, which is working out its way pets for the shows he presented about town. the world. He worked with some of the great- suitcase and a wooden cart. The suitcase here Fretted the pigmy-body to decay “Ma Shack” became aware of the ferocity of est names in contemporary theatre: Maggie replaces the train as universal symbol of the ho- And o’er inform’d the tenement of clay his drive when she found her wedding dress Smith, Alan Bates, Zoe Caldwell, Nicholas locaust. Rather than hear the rumble and whis- A more memorable quotation is from in shreds. He had used it to make puppet cos- Pennell, Len Cariou, Martha Henry, Anthony tle of trains, it is the suitcase that evokes Hirsch’s Hirsch himself, who used to say that he was “a tumes. She made no scene. Given her indul- Hopkins, Roberta Maxwell, and Christopher wandering, across land and sea in search of lost member of four mafias: Hungarian, Jewish, ho- gence, it’s no wonder that Hirsch continued to Walken, among many others. family. The suitcase serves many practical pur- mosexual and Winnipeg.” n live at their home – his home – for 28 years. Hirsch acquired what was, for him, a bit- poses, too. On stage, the simple becomes a step- After his first year with the Shacks, with tersweet taste of management, after being stool, a security blanket, a repository for toys

Latin America, continued from page21 events and the total budget of the community has new Jewish center two years ago. Last Chanukah, International Jewish organizations are no- and the global Jewish community. And last tripled. The community has been strengthened in about 150 people came out for a celebration. ticing the increased Jewish activities. Last No- December, Bnai B’rith International held its In- part by Jewish immigrants from Venezuela and “We started from zero,” Rabbi Diego Elman of vember the ROI Community, which convenes ternational Policy Conference in Montevideo, even Argentina and Uruguay, says Gustavo Krasel- Judaica Fundation, the Nordelta temple, told JTA. creative Jewish social entrepreneurs, celebrated Uruguay—the first time the international event nik, the rabbi of Kol Shearith Israel. “We are very “This year we started a monthly Shabbat with an an Ibero-American gathering in Buenos Aires was held in Latin America. optimistic about our future,” he said. average of 60 people; most of them are children.” to “propel the Latin American Jewish spring” “This region has a vibrant reality and an Argentina, with 285,000 Jews, is home to the The growth also has brought the need for more and to spotlight the region’s “dynamic Jewish incredible production of knowledge and Jew- region’s largest Jewish community. The growth Jewish teachers. In 2006, a new training center to social entrepreneurs.” ish life,” Shai Pinto, the vice president and COO in preschool children there has been matched by prepare Jewish teachers was opened in Buenos Ai- The same month, the Jewish Agency’s board of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, a rise in Jewish high school and college students. res. It’s had 35 graduates. of governors met in Argentina—the first time told JTA. “In our movement Latin America is In Buenos Aires alone the number has risen from “It’s a good start, but there is a scarcity of in 15 years that its summit was held outside the fastest growing region.” Fabian Triskier, the 15,593 to 19,162 in the past seven years. teachers in every main city of the region,” said of Israel. The following month, Jewish Agency JDC’s Latin America director, says, “Our con- In the capital city, the economic recovery al- Leticia Baran, the supervisor of Argentina’s De- Chairman Natan Sharansky announced a $1 clusion is clear: The Jewish community of Latin lowed real estate developments such as Nordelta, partment of Jewish Education. “We’re starting million fund to strengthen the connection be- America is moving forward.” n a gated community with artificial lakes, to erect a to export Jewish teachers to other countries.” tween young South American Jews to Israel

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 23 I On Another Note/Film

Pianist Rabinovich to perform with A2SO on October 6 Sandor Slomovits, staff writer t the second ever performance of to a group of young Russian musicians who the orchestra.” Maestro Lipsky adds, “The But while Rabinovich may like a good Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, immigrated to Israel the year before. Some Brahms 1st concerto is quite demanding; it rock band, he’s sticking to traditional digital Ain Leipzig in 1859, the audience played the violin and some played the piano. requires incredible technique and immense piano music, his classical career. His debut hissed, to show their displeasure with the Roman was lyricism—attri- recording will be coming out in March 2013, brand new composition. Afterward, Brahms, the youngest butes which Ro- on the Orchid Classics label. The record- only 25 years old and just beginning to work but the most man obviously ing is inspired by ballet music. It consists in larger musical forms like concertos and promising. I possesses.” of three famous ballets of the 20th century: symphonies, wrote to his good friend, Joseph followed his And there’s Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Stravinsky’s Joachim, one of the most prominent violin- career closely more to this Petrushka, and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, ists of the 19th century, “I am only experi- and invited fine pianist which Rabinovich arranged for piano espe- menting and feeling my way; all the same, him to solo than meets the cially for this recording. And he’s also work- the hissing was rather too much.” with me in ear. Rabinovich ing on new recital programs for the next few When Roman Rabinovich returns to Ann Buffalo, Ash- is also a talent- seasons. “I’m particularly interested in ex- Arbor on October 6 to perform that same land and here ed visual art- ploring the music of J S Bach.” Next season concerto with Maestro Arie Lipsky and the in Ann Arbor.” ist, who often he will be playing recitals at Carnegie’s Zan-

Ann Arbor Symphony, the young pianist When Rab- : j o se franch - ballester combines ex- kel Hall, and will also embark on a European can be quite certain that neither he, nor the inovich plays hibitions of his tour in 2013. He’s also looking ahead to 2014,

Brahms concerto will be greeted with hiss- the Brahms Pi- o C re d it work with his when he’s “anticipating a big US tour with a ing. In fact, it’s probably quite safe to assume ano Concerto t concerts. “Since major Israeli orchestra.” that both the musician and the music will be with the A2SO P h o I was young, But for now he’s looking forward to re- welcomed very warmly and enthusiastically. in October, it Roman Rabinovich visual art and turning to Ann Arbor. “I am pleased to say Rabinovich is one of the rising stars of the will be his first public performance of this music have both been an integral part of my that this will be my third appearance with classical music circuit, having won the presti- concerto. Maestro Lipsky says, “After his last artistic life and I am equally passionate about Maestro Lipsky and the Ann Arbor Sympho- gious Artur Rubinstein competition in Israel concert in Ann Arbor, when he wowed our both. I have painted with oil and pastel and ny. Over the years, the orchestra and I have two years ago and now regularly performing audience with Rachmaninoff 3rd piano con- I especially love sketching freely wherever I developed a great relationship with one an- throughout the United States, Europe and certo, we discussed what will be his next con- find myself. I am always excited to discover other and it is very satisfying to return and Israel. He has appeared two previous times certo to learn and the Brahms was his choice.” new mediums to express myself, and have continue growing together. I feel that this fa- with the A2SO, but his association with Mae- “I am especially excited to perform this work,” been working digitally on my Ipad this past miliarity helps enhance the music making to stro Lipsky goes back much farther, in fact it says Rabinovich, “because it is among my very year.” Some of that work can be viewed on go to a deeper and more satisfying level.” dates all the way to his childhood. “I have had favorite pieces of all time. It is an early piece his website, romanrabinovich.net, but don’t Maestro Lipsky adds, “I am really looking the pleasure of knowing and working with of Brahms and is very symphonic. Brahms look for similar electronic expressions in his forward to hear Roman play this concerto Maestro Lipsky since I was 11 years old,” he continues the tradition of Beethoven’s con- music. “I never played electronic music,” says and I am sure that our audience is going to says. Maestro Lipsky adds, “When I guest certos, in which the piano part is simultane- Rabinovich, “but I like to listen to some elec- enjoy it.” n conducted in Israel in 1995, I was introduced ously integrated into and juxtaposed against tric music. I like a good rock band.” In Hollywood’s The Possession, the dybbuk is back By Tom Tugend LOS ANGELES (JTA)—Thought your daugh- In a stormy session, Em is freed of the dyb- off on eBay. The high bidder was Jason Haxton, shon, a professor of Hebrew at the Jewish Theo- ter’s odd behavior was just another preteen buk—the dislocated spirit of an odious sinner a medical museum curator who investigated the logical Seminary in New York who specializes on phase? There may be an alternate explanation: who dies before repenting and now seeks refuge story over many years and turned it into a book, the Jewish theater. The dybbuk is back. from avenging angels. It then infests her father un- The Dibbuk Box. In our time, she says, the dybbuk theme is The malevolent spirit from 16th-century Jew- til it is finally forced to beat a protoplasmic retreat Haxton’s story is rooted in the actual world, still alive in the Chasidic world and is connected ish mysticism and folklore reappears in The Pos- back into the box. Though seemingly defeated, with people sending emails and buying and selling historically to kabbalistic teaching on the trans- session, a Hollywood film featuring Matisyahu and the dybbuk eventually extracts its revenge. on eBay, but in the end he leaves it to the reader to migration of souls. Nahshon adds that the dyb- Kyra Sedgwick that opened August 31st. There is no gain in saying that the PG-13 decide whether the story is a hoax. Bornedal now buk theme is found in various forms in almost In keeping with the times, the spirit has migrat- movie is quite frightening, even to the mature owns the box and has it buried in his backyard. every culture and religion. ed from the Eastern European shtetl of S. Ansky’s skeptical mind. That said, it also is fairly safe to “I’m not superstitious,” he tells JTA, saying In Jewish tradition, the dybbuk is almost in- iconic play The Dybbuk to contemporary Ameri- wager that The Possession will not win any Oscars, that for a few weeks he has worn the ring found variably male, usually possessing a female soul and can suburbia and the home of Clyde Brenek, a high though young Canadian actress Natasha Calis, as inside the box. Still, he acknowledges twinges body. This scenario gives the possessed woman a school basketball coach conflicted about the divorce the possessed girl, is convincingly frightening. of concern while flying, aware that the ring was “voice” to say what is normally repressed, including from his wife and the father of two daughters. Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the sorely tried father along for the journey in his suitcase. sexual desire, Nahshon says. But in “The Posses- Clyde takes the girls—Hannah, 15, and Em, turns in a solid performance, while Sedgwick Bornedal speculates that the dybbuk’s pos- sion,” the gender identities are murkier. The dyb- 11—to a yard sale, where Em is oddly attracted to is stuck in the role of his shrill, angry ex-wife, session of Em was largely an allegory on her buk, however, is female, Bornedal says. a small box inscribed with Hebrew letters and per- Stephanie. Matisyahu as the exorcist makes an inner fears at a time when her parents were What is clear is that the dybbuk remains with suades her father to buy it. At home, overcome with impressive screen debut. going through a bitter divorce. While shooting us in theatrical performances and books. curiosity, Em is in her room when she pries open Horrormeister Sam Raimi is the co-producer, the movie, he says he concentrated on the pro- Just before the opening of The Possessed, a Los the box and finds a bird’s skeleton, a lock of hair, with Danish director Ole Bornedal at the helm of duction rather than worry about the dybbuk’s Angeles theater concluded the stage run of The strange carvings and an ancient-looking ring. the film. The Lionsgate/Ghosthouse production alleged powers. He maintained this attitude, he Exorcist with a different approach than the famed Predictably, terrible things begin to happen. is based on a 2004 Los Angeles Times article by says, even when all the neon light fixtures ex- 1974 movie, but also based on William Peter Em stabs her dad’s hand with a fork and giant Leslie Gornstein titled “A jinx in the box?” which ploded one day on the set in Vancouver, Canada, Blatty’s novel. moths invade her bedroom. Her father disposes gives it a conceivable claim to veracity. and when a fire destroyed all the props used in The dybbuk theme also showed up in the of the box in a distant dumpster, but she sallies Gornstein’s article tracked a mysterious box— the movie shortly after the film wrapped. 2009 movie A Serious Man by Joel and Ethan forth in her nightgown across a dark deserted inscribed with the His new film Coen. The film opened with a visit by a presumed street to retrieve it. words from the attests to the dybbuk in an Eastern European shtetl, while its The increasingly desperate father seeks med- Shema prayer— continuing fasci- central character is a man beset by slights and ical advice; an MRI reveals strange apparitions allegedly brought nation with the setbacks that neither he nor the wise rabbis he within the girl’s body. A psychiatrist is ineffec- to America by an spiritual posses- consults can explain. tive. Finally, a professor recalls the dybbuk story aged Holocaust sion theme, espe- . and advises Clyde to travel to Brooklyn and ap- survivor. It passed cially in movies In recent years, the restored Dibbuk has peal to an old Chasidic rabbi. through the that reenact the screened worldwide in venues ranging from the Clyde’s pleadings are rejected by the rabbi, hands of various viewer’s dream- Austrian Film Archive to an outdoor screening but the rabbi’s son, played by the reggae and calamity-prone like fears while he at the Hollywood Bowl, said Lisa Rivo, the film alternative rock musician Matisyahu, takes pity owners until it is safe in his seat, center’s associate director. n and agrees to try an exorcism. was auctioned says Edna Nah-

24 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Kosher Cuisine

Celebrities offer memorable recipes Mary Bilyeu, staff writer e’ve just begun a new year, with Memories by Marilyn Hall and Rabbi Jerome provide his wife, Lucille Ball, with a steady his playing baseball on Saturdays (giving the a flurry of festivities. Can it be Cutler—an eclectic assortment of entertain- supply of blintzes, which they would store in neighbors a reason to engage in lashon hara), W that, after Simchat Torah, there ers and athletes offers recipes and remem- the freezer (as many as 35 at one time); “Lucy and Mel Torme remembers singing with his will be no more Jewish holidays to celebrate brances of growing up Jewish. Of course, reheats them and then sits down with a lot of family members ... those who could still pry until Chanukkah in December? because the book was published in 1975 sour cream and enjoys!” And Florence Hen- themselves away from the dinner table after According to Blu Greenberg, author of some of the names are now unfamiliar, many derson, who’d never eaten kosher food until an elaborate meal, that is. How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household: of the contributors have passed on, and I only she met her future husband, believes that “if So this Shabbat, be sure to tell stories of “The month of Heshvan sometimes goes remember a few of them from appearances religion could proselytize by food, Judaism your own past—remembrances of meals, of by the name Mar Heshvan. There is a special on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson could get a lot of converts.” people, of those no longer with us. Tell poi- explanation for this: the Hebrew word Mar rather than for the particular achievements Three of the contributors to this cookbook gnant stories and funny ones. In addition to has two meanings: bitter and that had made them famous. offer specific memories of Shabbat and reci- preparing a new dish, perhaps also serve one mister. One tradition has it that But the stories are wonderful pes appropriate to serve for the weekly holi- that your family hasn’t eaten in years and has because Heshvan contains no to read nonetheless, as pride day. Neil Diamond recalls his grandmother’s forgotten. Shabbat, just like other holidays, is holiday or special observance, in being Jewish shines through Friday preparations, Hank Greenberg tells a time for establishing traditions and creat- it has a taste of bitterness to it. with warmth and with humor. of his mother’s observance juxtaposed with ing memories. n Another more endearing tradi- William Shatner offers tion is that the Rabbis felt sorry the story of tasting too much for the month of Heshvan, with horseradish at a seder when Hank Greenberg - Beef Stew Mamilige its lack of any special day, and he was very young, saying “It My mother was a typical orthodox Roumanian Jewish lady. She baked her therefore, to puff it up a bit was the Queen’s Coronation, own bread, made chicken and chicken soup for Friday and blessed the candles and to give it some honor, they Fourth of July and Simchas To- .... When I was playing ball in high school, spending my weekends on the field called it Mister Heshvan.” rah, all rolled into one.” Monty (defaming the Sabbath), coming home dirty and bedraggled, the neighbors But wait .... Shabbat comes Hall remembers that his grand- weren’t so tolerant. Their gossiping was always the same. “The Greenbergs are every Friday at sunset, without mother shared a recipe with a such a nice family. It’s a shame one of them had to be such a bum.” fail, even throughout Heshvan. non-Jewish neighbor by giving 3 pounds stewing beef, cut in large pieces It is greeted like a queen, and blessings are of- vague directions in Yiddish— 1 teaspoon salt fered to acknowledge how special it is: Baruch ”’A bisel mehr, a bisel wenegar’ (English pepper to taste atta Adonai, mekadesh haShabbat—Blessed translation: ‘More or less.’)” Barry Newman 3 medium onions, chopped are You, God, who makes the Shabbat holy. considers his mother to be “a Jewish taxider- 2 leeks, cut up (white part only) It is a day of rest and respite, a day set apart mist. Whenever I was near her and I opened 2 tablespoons oil or other fat from the others. Shabbat is a weekly holiday my mouth, she would stuff food in it.” Henny 3 cloves garlic, put through garlic press commanded in the Torah, and it warrants a Youngman tells jokes: “My mother’s cooking 1 bay leaf special dinner with ritual foods, candlelight, was so bad ... her matzo balls were in demand 1/2teaspoon thyme family and friends… celebratory attributes. for hockey pucks.” 2 ounces brandy Many people have wonderful memories Others share anecdotes about early stages 2 cans beef broth of childhood, and particularly of Shabbat: in their careers, or of the introduction of 1 cup Burgundy wine the trips to grandparents’ homes to spend non-Jews to the joys of Jewish cuisine. Kirk 2 carrots, sliced an evening with relatives, matzah ball soup, Douglas was excited to tell his mother that 2 tablespoons chopped parsley multi-course dinners ... traditions. There he’d “just signed to star in three motion pic- Season meat with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven or heavy pan, saute chopped onions and might also be memories of tough brisket or tures”. Her response? “That’s nice, but are leeks in 2 tablespoons oil till onions are golden brown. Add seasoned meat, crushed garlic, of over-boiled and flavorless chicken, perhaps you eating enough?” Joey Bishop’s family bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Toss to combine, and brown meat. Add brandy and set a touch of indigestion. But generally people’s “kept a strictly kosher house”; so when he aflame. Spoon till flame subsides. Add beef broth, Burgundy wine and carrots. Bring to boil. memories of Shabbat seem to bring smiles. appeared at a nightclub, his parents “would Reduce heat to simmer meat and allow to cook until meat is tender (about 2 hours). Correct In a small cookbook I found at a thrift come and bring a fork, a plate, and a can of seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve shop—The Celebrity kosher Cookbook: A Bumblebee salmon for dinner.” Gary Mor- with mamilige. Sentimental Journey with Food, Mothers and ton was “in constant search” for resources to 4 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups cornmeal Neil Diamond - Gedempte Fleish (Beef Pot Roast) 4 tablespoons margarine In my grandmother’s home and the homes of many Jewish families, it Bring water to boil. Add salt. Add cornmeal slowly, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Cook, was customary to clean the house and wash the floors on Friday. No stirring till mixture thickens. Add margarine. Continue to cook till mixture leaves sides of sooner did the floors dry than they were covered with newspapers so they pan. Stir occasionally during cooking. Turn out on a platter. Serve with gravy from stew. would stay clean. As any New York Jewish family can tell you - for they Serves 6. are all connoisseurs of linoleum “paper placement”—it is much better to spread out the New York Times than the Daily News. Not only does the Times cover more area, but since it has fewer pictures and black on the Mel Torme - Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing pages, it leaves fewer smudges when you remove it .... In our minds, clean I grew up in Chicago. On Friday nights at my grandmother’s we would have the newspapers on the floor meant a yuntifdik (holiday) feeling. traditional Eve of Sabbath dinner. After the meal, those of us who were still able 1 package onion soup mix got up and went to the back porch. My uncles Art and Al, my dad and I, sang 1 cup water songs in harmony to work off our meals. The songs weren’t the traditional Sab- 2 slices chuck, approximately 2 pounds each bath songs but World War I tunes. I played the uke, one of my uncles the clari- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste net, and we sang in three-part harmony. So, oddly enough, my grandmother’s 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste dinners were primarily responsible for the creation of the “Mel-Tones.” 1 teaspoon minced garlic, or to taste 1 box yellow cake mix: Make as directed except add 1 egg and use whole milk in place of water. 6 potatoes, cut in quarters Icing: 1 green pepper, cut in quarters 3-ounce package cream cheese 6 carrots, cut in quarters 2 or 3 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature 2 stalks celery, cut in quarters 1 teaspoon vanilla dash of catsup 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate In a large skillet, dissolve onion soup mix in cup of water. Trim off fat and cut meat into bite- 3 squares unsweetened chocolate size pieces. Add to onion soup mix. Season with salt, pepper and garlic. Cover and simmer 1 2 or 3 cups powdered sugar hour. Lay potatoes, pepper, carrots, celery across top of simmering meat. Sprinkle catsup on Melt 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate and 3 squares unsweet- top of meat and vegetables and cook another 1-1/2 hours. ened chocolate over a double boiler. Allow chocolate to cool Side dishes: Serve potato pancakes, or kasha varnishkas, or crumble matzo into bowl and at room temperature. Combine cream cheese, sour cream and vanilla. Add cooled, melted choco- cover with gravy from pot roast. late. Add powdered sugar till desired consistency is reached. Spread over top and sides of cake. Serves 5. Serves 4–6. Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 25 I Calendar

(Ecclesistes), the book read during Sukkot. Presentation: JCC Seniors. A registered nurse October 2012 Thursday 4 Examination of the human experience of joy, from Care Response will provide free blood laughter, togetherness, sorrow and grief. Din- pressure checks at 12:30 p.m. Ann Monday 1 SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- ner provided. RSVP to Julie at jhaines@tem- Musical Presentation: JCC Seniors. Local musi- ria Farquhar, $4 per session, 10 a.m. Current plebethemeth.org. 7:30–8:30 p.m. cian Laurel Federbush will play a selection of Sukkot Services: BIC. Shaharit at 9:30 a.m. Mincha Events with Heather Dombey, 11 a.m. Dairy music on the harp. Her repertoire will include Ma’ariv at 7 p.m. Lunch Buffet, $3/for adults over age 60, Noon. Monday 8 Classical, Celtic and Contemporary. 1 p.m. Special events and presentations at 1 p.m. Sukkot Services: Chabad. 9:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Tradition and Change: BIC. “How the Conservative Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Lunchtime book English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law.” 8 p.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. After centuries of club session focusing on first book of the year, Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. not being encouraged to study Torah, women Our Religious Brains: What Cognitive Science Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jew- are now empowered to do so. Join a unique Reveals about Belief, Morality, Community and at Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State ish legal system by following the intriguing experience to study and discuss what the To- Our Relationship with God, by Rabbi Ralph Street. For more information, contact JFS at discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a rah says through the voices of women. For Mecklenburg. For information, contact Can- 769-0209 or email [email protected]. composite of practical law, logical argumenta- information, contact Cantor Annie Rose at tor Annie Rose at [email protected]. Ongoing. tion and moral teachings. Study of the original [email protected]. 7–8:30 p.m. Noon–1 p.m. Shemini Atzeret: BIC. Shaharit with Yizkor. 9:30 a.m. Talmud tractate. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. Lunch and Monthly Birthday Celebration: JCC Shemini Atzeret: Chabad. Morning services and Tuesday 2 Seniors. Meet students from Ann Arbor Na- Yizkor at 9:45 a.m. Afternoon and evening ser- hala Student Exchange at noon. Birthday Friday 12 vices at 6:30 p.m. Sukkot Services: Chabad. 9:45 a.m. celebration for all with October birthdays at Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All 12:30 p.m. Bring family and friends for lunch Erev Simchat Torah Dinner: BIC. 6 p.m. Yiddish Open House: JCC. 1:30–3 p.m. ages and levels welcome including UM and and birthday cake. Simchat Torah: BIC. Ma’ariv and Hakafot. 7 p.m. Annual Fall Retreat: AARH. Weekend shab- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Presentation: JCC Seniors. Linda Grekin, former Simchat Torah: Chabad. All-night dancing start- baton for all community members featuring Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. English, Drama and Creative Writing teacher, ing at 8 p.m. music, lay-led services, communal meals and For information, call 936-2367. will discuss the process of writing poetry and activities for all ages including hiking, games, Sukkot Services: BIC. Shaharit at 9:30 a.m. Min- creating a picture with words. 1 p.m. dancing, yoga and thoughtful discussion. Visit Tuesday 9 www.aarecon.org for more information. Held cha Ma’ariv at 7 p.m. Stretch and Kvetch Yoga: JCC. Stretch and at Emrich Center in Brighton. For information SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- strengthen through yoga. Led by Natalie Berry, Simchat Torah: Chabad. Morning services with or to make a reservation, contact Jennifer Co- ria Farquhar, $4per session or 3 sessions for staff instructor from A2 Yoga. Pre-registration Torah dancing Afternoon evening services at hen via www.aarecon.org/contact-us or leave a $10, 11 a.m.; Dairy Lunch Buffet, $3, Noon. required. For information or to register, con- 6:45 p.m. at 9:45 a.m. message at 445-1910. Mah-Jongg, Bridge and other card games, Wii tact [email protected] or phone 971- Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot sports, quilting and other crafts, 1 p.m. 0990. 6–7 p.m. Thursdays. ages and levels welcome including UM and Shabbat for ages 5 and under at 5:30 p.m. Tot Hebrew 104: TBE. 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Tradition and Change: BIC. “How the Conserva- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s and Sukkat Shalom dinner at 6:00 p.m. Sha- tive Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law.” Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Hebrew 101: TBE. 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. lom Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. 8 p.m. For information, call 936-2367. Spirituality Book Club Meeting: TBE. With Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- Visiting Scholar Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger, Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jew- ria Farquhar, $4per session or 3 sessions for former TBE rabbi and currently serving Beth the calendar. El Congregation in Forth Worth. Rabbi Meck- ish legal system by following the intriguing $10, 11 a.m.; Dairy Lunch Buffet, $3, Noon. lenburger will discuss topics from his recent discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a Mah-Jongg, Bridge and other card games, Wii book, Our Religious Brains: What Cognitive composite of practical law, logical argumenta- sports, quilting and other crafts, 1 p.m. Saturday 13 Science Reveals about Belief, Morality, Commu- tion and moral teachings. Study of the original Simchat Torah: BIC. Shararit and Hallal at 8:30 nity and Our Relationship with God. Copies of Talmud tractate. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. a.m. International Shul of Pancakes at 9:30 Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. book available for loan from Temple office. For a.m. Torah Reading and Hakafot at 10:30 a.m. Morning Services: BIC. Shabbat Limmud at 9 information, contact Cantor Rose at cantoran- Friday 5 Mincha and Ma’ariv at 6:45 p.m. a.m. Sixth Grade Shabbat Morning Program [email protected]. 7:30–8:30 p.m. Hebrew 104: TBE. 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. at 9:30 a.m. Baby Shabbat at 9:30 a.m. Kehillat rd th Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Cha- Yiddish Open House: JCC. 1:30–3 p.m. Shabbat for 3 –5 Grade at 11 a.m. Mini Min- Hebrew 101: TBE. 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. nd bad. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- yan for K–2 Grade at 11:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Cha- standing it is no simple matter. Study the text at 11:15 p.m. Shabbat for ages 5 and under at 5:30 p.m. Tot bad. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- in the original, with the classical Rashi com- Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. and Sukkat Shalom dinner at 6:00 p.m. Adult standing it is no simple matter. Study the text mentary. 8 p.m. Every Tuesday. Shabbat Dinner–Brotherhood BBQ at 6 p.m. in the original, with the classical Rashi com- Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. Shira and Sukkat Shalom for ages 5 through mentary. 8 p.m. Every Tuesday. Wednesday 3 10 at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Third Sunday 14 Grade Shabbat Service with Youth Choir at Wednesday 10 Tai Chi: JCC. First session of eight-week class 7:30 p.m. Planning Meeting: BIC Men’s Club. 9:30 a.m. offered through Washtenaw Community Col- Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. Understanding the Generations: Osher Lifelong Sukkah Deconstruction: BIC. 9:30 a.m. lege at the JCC. Taught by Karla Grosbeck of Learning Institute. Class hosted at the JCC. 10– Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Good EnerChi Studio. Fees and registration Saturday 6 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through October 31. the basic text of Chassidism and discover the information found on WCC website. For in- Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. formation, contact [email protected] Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50 a.m. or phone 971-0990. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Food for Thought: A Jewish Food Book Club: Sunday Minyan: BIC. Moves to Winter hours. 5 p.m. Learner’s Service: AARH. Second of nine month- Afternoon Concert Series: JCC. Ann Arbor Sym- TBE. Bring your dinner at 5:30 p.m. to Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. For informa- ly sessions held at the JCC and led by rabbinic schmooze before meeting begins at 6 p.m. tion, contact Cantor Rose at cantorannie@ phony Orchestra, featuring Arie Lipsky on cello, intern Aura Ahuvia who will guide partici- Aaron Berofsky and David Ormai on violin, and RSVP to Rabbi Delson at ldelson@tem- gmail.com. 7:45–8:45 p.m. pants through the historical, geographical and plebethemeth.org. 6–7:15 p.m. Kathryn Votapek on viola. Refreshments served at political traditions of the Saturday morning Weekly Musical Meditations: TBE. Cantor An- 1 p.m.; Concert begins at 1:30 p.m. $8/ticket avail- service. For information, visit www.aarecon. Monday 15 nie Rose will collaborate with John Goodell, St. able through Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra or org or call 445-1910. 10 a.m.–noon. at the door. For information, contact karenfreed- Clare’s Music director, in musical meditations English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. [email protected] or phone 971-0990. 1 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. in the sanctuary. Take time for meditation, Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– Pizza in the Hut: BIC. 6 p.m. personal prayer, or thought accompanied by Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays at music. 6:15–7:15 p.m. Weekly Musical Meditations: TBE. Cantor An- Sunday 7 Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. nie Rose will collaborate with John Goodell, St. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Hashanah Rabbah: Chabad. Morning services at Clare’s music director, in musical meditations Men’s Torah Study: TBE. Meets twice a month or email [email protected]. Ongoing. 9 a.m. Everyone will receive a bunch of willows in the sanctuary. Take time for meditation, for evening of learning. Refreshments served. Investing in Retirement: Osher Lifelong Learning for the services. Afternoon-evening services at personal prayer, or thought accompanied by For information, contact Roger Stutesman at Institute. Class hosted at the JCC. 1–2:30 a.m. 6:45 p.m. Special event all-night Dancing with music. 6:15–7:15 p.m. [email protected]. 7:30 p.m. Mondays through December 3. the Torah. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Trop Class: TBE. With Cantor Rose. For information, Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Thursday 11 contact [email protected] Noon–1 p.m. Soup in the Sukkah: Jewish Women’s Circle. the basic text of Chassidism and discover the Women’s Torah Study: TBE. With Cantor Rose. For in- Presented by Esther Goldstein in her backyard beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. Sukkah or in her home, depending upon the SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- formation, contact [email protected]. 7 p.m. Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing: BIC. 12:15 p.m. weather. Focus will be on cooking, eating soup ria Farquhar, $4 per session, 10 a.m. Current The Silver Age of Yiddish Music: JCC Cultural and on the relevance of Sukkot, the holiday of Simchat Torah Service: TBE. 6:30 p.m. Events with Heather Dombey, 11 a.m. Dairy Arts and Education. Lively presentation of unity. $10 donation requested. Space is lim- Simchat Torah Study Session: TBE. Rabbi Levy Lunch Buffet, $3/for adults over age 60, Noon. music and current information about Jewish ited. RSVP to [email protected]. 7 p.m. leads a deeper look into the Book of Kohelet Special events and presentations at 1 p.m. music today. Led by Jack Zaientz, Ann Arbor

26 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 area research scientist and blogger about con- and Sukkat Shalom dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira een DeYoung, Director of JCC’s Department of temporary Jewish music. Registration required. and Sukkat Shalom for ages 5 through 10 at Early Childhood, Youth and Family Program- Saturday 27 $5/members; $10/non-members. For informa- 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Brotherhood ming, will lead the class. $60 fee includes cost of tion or to register, contact karenfreedland@jc- Shabbat Service with Kol Halev at 7:30 p.m. book, food and childcare. For information or to Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. cfed.org or phone 971-0990. 7–8:30 p.m. 7th Grade Shabbat Family Dinner: BIC. 7 p.m. register, contact [email protected] or Shabbat Limmud: BIC. 9 a.m. Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. phone 971-0990. 10–11 a.m. Tot Shabbat: BIC. 11:15 a.m. Tuesday 16 A is for Aging, B is for Birthdays: Changing Attitudes Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. Saturday 20 Towards Aging, One Child at a Time. Osher Life- Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All long Learning Institute. Class hosted at the JCC. 10–11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through November 6. Sunday 28 ages and levels welcome including UM and Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Hebrew 104: TBE. 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. Gan Katan: BIC. 10 a.m. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Hebrew 101: TBE. 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. For information, call 936-2367. Saturday Morning Services: AARH. Interactive Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Meditation for Wellness: JCC Cultural Arts and the basic text of Chassidism and discover the SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- community service held at the JCC featur- ing music, singing, modern English readings Education. Second session of three-session beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. ria Farquhar, $4per session or 3 sessions for class. 7–8:30 p.m. See October 18. $10, 11 a.m.; Dairy Lunch Buffet, $3, Noon. alongside traditional prayers and thought-pro- Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. For informa- “The ‘Other’ in Jewish Tradition: Challenges and Mah-Jongg, Bridge and other card games, Wii voking Torah discussion, led by rabbinic intern tion, contact Cantor Rose at cantorannie@ Opportunities:” BIC. 8 p.m. sports, quilting and other crafts, 1 p.m. Aura Ahuvia. For information, visit aarecon. gmail.com. 7:45–8:45 p.m. org or phone 445-1910. 10 a.m.–noon. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Cha- Hebrew 104: TBE. 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. bad. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Monday 29 Hebrew 101: TBE. 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. standing it is no simple matter. Study the text “The ‘Other’ in Jewish Tradition: Challenges and in the original, with the classical Rashi com- English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. Opportunities:” BIC. 8 p.m. Sunday 21 mentary. 8 p.m. Every Tuesday. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– Lecture: EMU Jewish Studies. Dr. Pamela Nadell, Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and the basic text of Chassidism and discover the Wednesday 24 at Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Gender History, Chair of the Department of beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. Street. For more information, contact JFS at History, and Director of the Jewish Studies Pro- October Hike: Jewish Hikers Of Michigan. For Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. 769-0209 or email [email protected]. gram at American University will present, “The more information or to be added to the JHOM Weekly Musical Meditations: TBE. Cantor An- Ongoing. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire: Out of Tragedy email list, contact Eli Avny at jewishhikers@ nie Rose will collaborate with John Goodell, St. Trop Class: TBE. With Cantor Rose. For information, Comes Social Justice.” Eastern Michigan Uni- gmail.com or by phone at 883-9522 or email Clare’s Music director, in musical meditations contact [email protected] Noon–1 p.m. versity Student Center Auditorium. 7 p.m. Rabbi Lisa Delson ldelson@templebethemeth. in the sanctuary. Take time for meditation, “Historical Roots of Modern Judaism” Class: Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Cha- org or by phone at 665-4744. 1 p.m. personal prayer, or thought accompanied by JCC Cultural Arts and Education. Three- bad. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Detroit Outing: BIC. Trip to Isaac Agree Down- music. 6:15–7:15 p.m. week course covering the four varieties of standing it is no simple matter. Study the text town Synagogue in Detroit. Noon. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Judaism that dominate Jewish life today: Re- in the original, with the classical Rashi com- form, Conservative, Modern Orthodox and mentary. 8 p.m. Every Tuesday. Men’s Torah Study: TBE. Meets twice a month Monday 22 for evening of learning. Refreshments served. Ultra-Orthodox. Taught by Todd Endelman, For information, contact Roger Stutesman at UM Professor Emeritus and author of recent Wednesday 17 book, Broadening Jewish History: Toward a So- English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. [email protected]. 7:30 p.m. cial History of Ordinary Jews.” $100/members; Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. $125/non-member. Must register by October Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays at Thursday 25 22. For information or to register, contact Weekly Musical Meditations: TBE. Cantor Annie Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. Karen Freeedland at karenfreedland@jccfed. Rose will collaborate with John Goodell, St. Clare’s For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- org or phone 971-0990. 7–8:30 p.m. Also Music director, in musical meditations in the sanc- or email [email protected]. Ongoing. ria Farquhar, $4 per session, 10 a.m. Current tuary. Take time for meditation, personal prayer, or November 1 and 5. Trop Class: TBE. With Cantor Rose. For information, Events with Heather Dombey, 11 a.m. Dairy thought accompanied by music. 6:15–7:15 p.m. contact [email protected] Noon–1 p.m. Lunch Buffet, $3/for adults over age 60, Noon. Hebrew 103: TBE. 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Tuesday 30 Beit Café: Adult Education Night: TBE. Two of- Special events and presentations at 1 p.m. ferings at 7 p.m. and two at 8 p.m. 7–9 p.m. Presentation: JCC Seniors. Idelle Hammond- Thursday 18 Sass, local jewelry designer and Rec & Ed in- Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All Film Discussion Group: JCC. With Russ Collins, ages and levels welcome including UM and Executive Director of the Michigan Theater. structor, will discuss the process of making SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- jewelry and provide a demonstration. 1 p.m. non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Once a month lively discussion and viewings Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. ria Farquhar, $4 per session, 10 a.m. Current Tradition and Change: BIC. “How the Conservative of popular blockbusters, independent films, For information, call 936-2367. Events with Heather Dombey, 11 a.m. Dairy thought-provoking dramas, intense thrillers, and Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law.” 8 p.m. Lunch Buffet, $3/for adults over age 60, Noon. SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- more. For information, contact karenfreedland@ Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Special events and presentations at 1 p.m. ria Farquhar, $4per session or 3 sessions for jccfed.org or phone 971-0990. 7–8:30 p.m. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jew- $10, 11 a.m.; Dairy Lunch Buffet, $3, Noon. Presentation: JCC Seniors. Eileen Freed will ish legal system by following the intriguing Jewish Mama’s Group: BIC. Evening classes meet Mah-Jongg, Bridge and other card games, Wii share her experiences and pictures from the discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a once per month. Participants will discuss how sports, quilting and other crafts, 1 p.m. 2012 London Olympics in her presentation, to raise self-reliant, compassionate and ethical composite of practical law, logical argumenta- Hebrew 104: TBE. 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. “What Do Mia Hamm, the Freed Family and a children. Group will read and discuss The Bless- tion and moral teachings. Study of the original Rubber Chicken Have in Common?” 1 p.m. ing of the Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogul. Nor- Talmud tractate. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. Hebrew 101: TBE. 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Meditation for Wellness: JCC Cultural Arts and Ed- een DeYoung, Director of JCC’s Department of Meditation for Wellness: JCC Cultural Arts and ucation. Three-session class led by Dr. Rita Benn, Early Childhood, Youth and Family Program- Friday 26 Education. Second session of three-session PhD who directs the Faculty Scholar’s Program ming, will lead the class. $60 fee includes cost of class. 7–8:30 p.m. See October 18. in Integrative Healthcare at the University of book, food and childcare. For information or to Yiddish Open House: JCC. 1:30–3 p.m. Tradition and Change: BIC. “How the Conservative Michigan. $80/members; $100/non-members. register, contact [email protected] or Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law.” 8 p.m. Fro information, contact Karen Freedland at Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot phone 971-0990. 7:30–8:30 p.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday—for Women: Cha- [email protected] or phone 971-0990. Shabbat for ages 5 and under at 5:30 p.m. Tot bad. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- 7–8:30 p.m. Also October 23 and 30. and Sukkat Shalom dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira Tuesday 23 and Sukkat Shalom for ages 5 through 10 at standing it is no simple matter. Study the text Thirsty Third Thursday: BIC Men’s Club. 8 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Birthday and in the original, with the classical Rashi com- Tradition and Change: BIC. “How the Conservative Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All Anniversary Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. mentary. 8 p.m. Every Tuesday. Movement’s Rabbis Interpret Jewish Law.” 8 p.m. ages and levels welcome including UM and Friday Night Lights: BIC. With Gan/Alef Conse- Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s cration. Service at 6 p.m. followed by dinner Wednesday 31 Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jew- Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. at 7 p.m. For information, call 936-2367. ish legal system by following the intriguing Fourth Friday Shabbat Service: AARH. Musi- Lunch and Learn: BIC. Noon. discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a SPICE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Ma- cal Kabbalat Shabbat services held at the JCC Weekly Musical Meditations: TBE. Cantor An- composite of practical law, logical argumenta- ria Farquhar, $4per session or 3 sessions for and open to all. Led by rabbinic intern Aura nie Rose will collaborate with John Goodell, St. tion and moral teachings. Study of the original $10, 11 a.m.; Dairy Lunch Buffet, $3, Noon. Ahuvia. Services followed by vegetarian pot- Clare’s Music director, in musical meditations Talmud tractate. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. Mah-Jongg, Bridge and other card games, Wii luck dinner. Pizza for children before services in the sanctuary. Take time for meditation, sports, quilting and other crafts, 1 p.m. at 6 p.m. Childcare provided during services. personal prayer, or thought accompanied by Friday 19 Jewish Mama’s Group: BIC. Morning classes meet Reservations preferred. Contact Jennifer Co- music. 6:15–7:15 p.m. once per month. Participants will discuss how hen at www.aarecon.org/contact-us or phone Hebrew 103: TBE. 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Yiddish Open House: JCC. 1:30–3 p.m. to raise self-reliant, compassionate and ethical 445-1910. 6–10 p.m. Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot children. Group will read and discuss The Bless- Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Shabbat for ages 5 and under at 5:30 p.m. Tot ing of the Skinned Knee, by Wendy Mogul. Nor- the calendar.

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 27 Calendar Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim I Book by James Lapine

Weekly Friday night Shabbat services Shabbat Services: TBE. Torah Study with Rabbi Levy at 8:50 a.m. Morning Minyan with Rabbi Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at UM Hil- Delson and lay leaders at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary lel. Call 994-9258 in advance to confirm time. Service at 10 a.m. most weeks. Call the office Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. at 665-4744 or consult website at www.tem- Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 5:30 p.m., plebethemeth.org for service details. followed by tot dinner. Sukkat Shalom service Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday at 6:30 p.m. for “tot grads,” preceded by din- Meals: AAOM. Call 662-5805 in advance. ner. Shira at 6:30 p.m. Oneg for Tot and Sukkat Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every Shalom families at 7 p.m. Traditional Service at Shabbat and Holiday. Call 995-3276 in advance. 7:30 p.m. Once a month Middle School Service at 7:30 p.m. For information, call 665-4744. Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Frequently listed phone numbers Havurah. 6:15 p.m. at the JCC the last Friday and addresses of organizations: S u n day each month. Musical Shabbat service followed Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM) by vegetarian potluck. Pizza nosh for the kids 1429 Hill Street 994-5822 in at 6:00 p.m. Childcare provided during the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah (AARH) service. All are welcome to attend. For infor- P.O. Box 7451, Ann Arbor 913-9705 mation, call 975-6527, email mamacohen@ the Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) Park comcast.net, or visit www.aarecon.org. 2000 Washtenaw Ave. 665-9897 Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle-lighting Chabad House time. Home hospitality available for Shabbat meals 715 Hill Street 995-3276 and Jewish holidays. Call 995-3276 in advance. EMU Hillel 965 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti 482-0456 Weekly Shabbat services Jewish Community Center (JCC)

with George Shabbat Services: AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 971-0990 a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sun- Directed by Mark Madama Reserved Seating $26 and $20 Jewish Cultural Society (JCS) set. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/ 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 975-9872 Music Direction by Students $10 with ID Ma’ariv with Seudah Shlisheet and Dvar To- Jewish Family Services (JFS) Cynthia Kortman Westphal League Ticket Office rah every week. Torah topics and a bite to eat. 2245 South State Street 769-0209 & Alexander Gemignani 734-764-2538 Discussions led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and Jewish Federation tickets.music.umich.edu other local scholars. Home hospitality avail- 2939 Birch Hollow Drive 677-0100 able for Shabbat meals. UM Hillel. Department of Musical Theatre Pardes Hannah Shabbat Services: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Morning child- 2010 Washtenaw Ave. 761-5324 October 11 & 18 at 7:30 PM care from 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. October 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 8 PM Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) Shabbat Services: AA Reconstructionist Havurah. 2309 Packard Road 665-4744 October 14 & 21 at 2 PM Learners’ Service held first or second Saturday UM Hillel Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre each month at the JCC from 10 a.m.–noon. Dis- 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 cussion-based format with changing topics, fo- cusing on historical, geographical, and political sunday ad for WJN.indd 1 9/24/12 1:54 PM traditions of different parts of traditional service each month. For info, email [email protected] or Shabbat Candlelighting call 913-9705 or visit www.aarecon.org. Shabbat Services: Chabad. Morning services at October 7 6:35 p.m. 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 minutes be- 14 6:23 p.m. fore sundown. October Shabbat Services: Pardes Hannah. Gener- October 21 6:10 p.m. ally meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each 28 5:58 p.m. month. Call 663-4039 for more information. October 10 a.m. Led by Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg.

Chelsea Flower Shop, LLC 203 E. Liberty St. Phone 662-5616 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 www.chelseaflowersllc.com Over 60 years of excellent services Sabor Latino November 3, 2012 Rodrigo Michigan Theater Ravel Bolero 8:00pm Strauss Don Juan Special Guest Marco Sartor, guitar Your seat is waiting... (734) 994-4801 www.a2so.com A2SO is seeking volunteers & interns; call or click to find out more. 28 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus The Jean & Samuel Frankel CenTer For JudaiC STudieS and The Frankel inSTiTuTe For advanCed JudaiC STudieS 28th Anniversary Dinner oCTober and november, 2012 OctOber 10, 4 pm When: November 11, 2012 Lev raphaeL, authOr Of my Germany OctOber 25, 12 nOOn Where: Congregation Shaarey Zedek “breakinG the Jewish tabOO On Germany” tatJana Lichtenstein, frankeL feLLOw 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 “makinG Jews at hOme: ziOnism Who: Guest Speaker Father Patrick Desbois as a strateGy Of inteGratiOn in Contact: 248.553.2400 ext. 29 or www.holocaustcenter.org OctOber 11, 12 nOOn interwar czechOsLOvakia” JOnathan freedman, frankeL feLLOw 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 “transfOrmatiOns Of a Jewish princess: saLOme and the nOvember 15, 12 nOOn remakinG Of the Jewish w Oman’s andrea sieGeL, frankeL feLLOw bOdy frOm sarah bernhardt thrOuGh “what can pOetry and Literature teach betty bOOp” new mOthers? heaLth prOmOtiOn and 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 the earLy arab-ziOnist cOnfLict” 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 OctOber 17, 7 pm (6:30 receptiOn) “Jews & hiGher educatiOn in the u.s.: nOvember 29 12 nOOn inteLLectuaL assimiLatiOn & its harvey GOLdberG, frankeL feLLOw Henrietta and Alvin discOntents” ( paneL with danieL hOrOwitz, “rituaL mutuaLity amOnG musLims and Father Patrick Desbois has received Weisberg, Honorees smith; kirsten fermaGLich, msu; and Jews in nOrth africa” international acclaim for locating debOrah dash mOOre, u-m) 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 915 e. washinGtOn street the mass gravesites of Eastern rackham, assembLy haLL december 6, 12 nOOn Europe, so that countless Jews killed Lisa siLverman, frankeL feLLOw OctOber 18, 4 pm “the art Of LOss: madame d’Ora, during the Holocaust will no longer david fishman, Jts phOtOGraphy, and the return Of Jewish be forgotten. Hear his moving “the first hOLOcaust museum: prOperty after the hOLOcaust” the Jewish museum in v iLnius/viLna, 202 sOuth thayer street, rOOm 2022 testimony and support our mission 1944-1949” of education and tolerance. 915 e. washinGtOn street Father Patrick Desbois, rackham, east cOnference rOOm Guest Speaker fOr the Latest, “ Like” u-m Judaic studies On facebOOk Or find us at www.Lsa.umich.edu/Judaic. J [email protected] Together We Will Preserve 202 sOuth thayer street, ste. 2111. ann arbOr, mi 48104. 734.763.9047. Memories and Build a Better World.

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 29 I American Jewry

Jews in the Bible Belt’s small towns face curiosity, ignorance By Holly Leber CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (JTA)—Sometimes, While many people have a respectful curiosity critical mass.” It is the lack of critical mass that led gion evokes a certain respect, particularly in an area Benjamin Rosenthal thinks about leaving the small about Judaism, others think it’s their duty to spread Kassoff to suggest holding services only every other where faith has such a stronghold. town of Indianola, Miss., pop. 11,000, where he the word of Jesus, the rabbi said. “It’s impossible to week at Hebrew Union, and also led the Blumberg “I think people see that we’re Jewish, and that spent most of his life. He wants to go somewhere stop in the South,” he said. The Perlsteins say that Family Jewish Community Services to launch the we’re proud of our religion and we hold it strong, bigger, with more Jews. “It’s very easy to lose your drive is not born of malice, but simple ignorance Family Relocation Project in Dothan, which offers and I feel like people have a strong respect for that,” identity in the Bible Belt in a town when you are the of other beliefs. This is a common sentiment ex- up to $50,000 financial assistance to Jewish families Rosie Perlstein said. “Maybe it’s because they’re religious minority,” said Rosenthal, 25. pressed by Southern Jews. willing to relocate to Dothan for at least five years. so religious. The idea of being proud of who you In the Bible Belt, religion rules and Jesus is king, “The rank-and-file citizenry here knows Juda- Stephanie Butler, 34, her husband Ken, also 34, are instead of working on assimilating, I’ve found particularly in the small towns and cities that make ism and respects Judaism, but doesn’t understand were one of less than five families to take up the of- people to really respect that.” She said her family is up the region in the U.S. South. Jews comprise less Judaism, doesn’t understand why we don’t accept fer. In 2010, they left St. Petersburg, Fla. for Dothan. in Chattanooga to stay—on a mission to enrich the than 1 percent of the population in the South, ac- Christ into our heart as our savior,” said Robert The Jewish community in their new home, she Jewish community in a small city in the Bible Belt. cording to Louis Schmier, a professor of history at Goldsmith, executive director of the Blumberg said, is close-knit, but very small indeed. Of more Rosenthal, on the other hand, says he’s not Valdosta State University in Georgia, with most liv- Family Jewish Community Services of Dothan, than 66,000 residents, only 65 families in the area certain he’ll remain in his small town. He had left ing in large cities like Atlanta and Charlotte. Some Ala. His wife, Lynne, is one of the traveling rabbis, are Jewish. “Here there are people who have never Indianola for the University of Memphis, where he so-called circuit rabbis travel hundreds of miles to as is Debra Kassoff. Based in Jackson, Miss., Kassoff met someone who is Jewish,” she said. “Whether was active in Hillel and surrounded himself with different congregations, often with fewer than 50 makes a nearly 450-mile round-trip to Greenville, or not I feel responsible for educating them, they Jewish friends – an experience that differed greatly members. One of the first questions a newcomer Miss., every other weekend. Rosenthal is among always have a lot of questions. They have an in- from the private, Christian-based school he had in the South is typically asked is “What church do her congregants, traveling 30 miles to Greenville’s teresting perspective about Jews being the chosen attended growing up, where students prayed in y’all go to?” Hebrew Union Temple. people. They’re like, ‘Oh, I respect you so much.’ Jesus’ name daily. After college, he moved back to A self-described “displaced New Yorker” from Kassoff previously had been director of rab- And I’m like, ‘you don’t know me.’ They have pre- Indianola, where he works as assistant director of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Schmier, 70, moved binic studies at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute conceived notions about who and what Jews are.” information services at South Sunflower County South in 1962 with his own stereotypes. “My im- of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, which runs the Still, she said, she has not experienced bigotry Hospital. “It is a lot better than it was when I was age was that on Saturday night every Southerner Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, from or anti-Semitism during her time in Dothan. Like- a child,” he said. “Coming back and being more got himself liquored up, put on his sheet and went 2003 to 2006. While there, she traveled a six-state wise, said Kassoff, many of her congregants in mature helped.” out looking for—” he said, using two unquot- region, conducting services in different cities that Greenville have told her they have encountered He says he doesn’t associate with the people able terms for Jews and blacks. In reality, he said, did not have a full-time rabbi. confusion, but not cruelty. from his childhood who tried to use his religion “They’re a nice people down here.” “There’s a world of difference between a Bos- Rosenthal, however, said he has experienced against him and he has a serious girlfriend who Nice, and often curious, says Rosie Perl- ton sensibility and a Jackson or Greenville sensibil- some mild instances of anti-Semitism. “As a child, is in the process of converting to Judaism. Some- stein, whose husband, Shaul, is rabbi of Chabad ity,” said Kassoff, who served as the rabbi at Temple “I got told I was going to Hell because I killed Jesus. times, he says, he struggles with a feeling of respon- Lubavitch of Chattanooga. Emanu-El in Marblehead, Mass., from 2006 to It frustrated me to no end,” he said. One time, he sibility he feels toward his tiny community. “People are always calling and always want to 2010. “In Boston there is a large Jewish community. added, a colleague asked him what he was doing “I don’t want the Jewish culture and the Jew- learn about” Judaism, she said. “People ask in a nice People can be Jewish, but not really show up,” she for Easter. “You know,” she said, “because that’s the ish community to die off in the Bible Belt,” he said. way. They’re polite. They’ll ask about different holi- said. “In a place like Greenville, that is not as pos- day y’all killed our lord and savior.” “But then, a part of me wants to get out.” n days.” The Perlsteins moved to Chattanooga from sible. It’s not possible to take for granted that there The Perlsteins’ experience has been a little dif- Brooklyn in 2009. will continue to be services. We don’t have the same ferent. They say their family’s devotion to their reli- French community, continued from page 16 In 2004, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel For all its growth, though, the French com- unlike Russian or Ethiopian immigrants, French munity already here does not get enough respect Sharon called for French Jews to immigrate en munity in Israel has remained insular, settling Jews can return to a safe, democratic country. from native-born Israelis. masse to Israel, causing controversy in France. in concentrated areas and establishing centers Many French Jews thus have chosen to pur- “The Israeli people laugh at the French ac- But Christophe Bigot, the French ambassador to of French culture, as in Netanya’s Independence chase apartments here for a potential future im- cent,” said Zana, who has lived here for 35 years. Israel, praised France’s fight against anti-Semitism Square. Many French citizens here speak no He- migration, as well as for vacations. Coastal cities “They look at them as tourists. The Israeli ap- and said that positive feelings, rather than fear of brew. “They want to be like they are in France, to have proven popular for French buyers both proach is not right, not responsible.” attacks, should drive immigration to Israel. not be mixed,” said Barbara, 26, who moved here because they recall the French coast and already But Zana hopes that French Israelis, who tend “Real immigration should be driven by Zi- from France eight years ago. “If they stay with include large French communities. The pur- to be traditionally observant and politically to the onism, religious beliefs, familial reasons, but not only the people they know, they won’t know chases, however, may have made buying a home right, will become more involved in Israeli politics by fear,” Bigot said. “On the French side we’ve how the state works,” she said, asking that her last more difficult for Israelis, according to real estate and society. He notes that they have already con- taken every action to ensure the security of the name be withheld because of job concerns. agents in Netanya. tributed much to Israel, from a solid work ethic to French Jewish community. That doesn’t mean French immigrants’ behavior, however, is French immigrants feel “like the city is theirs, a democratic tradition and better taste in food. it’s always successful, of course.” not unusual among immigrant populations in but it’s not theirs,” said Myriam Luzon, a French “The boulangerie, patisserie, all of the fine The French Consulate has taken notice of the Israel, as Russian and American expatriate com- resident of Netanya. “They do what they want, food, that’s not Ethiopian or Russian influence, growing expatriate community here and pro- munities also have formed. Also, French Jews do but there are Israelis here, too.” it’s French,” he said. “The falafel is not more Is- vides myriad services including financial assis- not feel completely rooted to life here, expatri- A few French Jews in Netanya said they ex- raeli than the baguette; it just got to Israel before tance, French-Israeli schools and cultural events ates say. France is a quick flight away, and a sal- pect the majority of France’s Jews to move to the baguette. I don’t think in another 20 years such as film festivals or theater. ary in euros rather than shekels is tempting. And Israel within the next decade. Zana said the com- we’ll be eating baguettes less than pita.” n

30 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 I Vitals

Mazel tov Tema Cohen on her bat mitzvah, October 6. Julia Friedman on her bat mitzvah, October 6. Daniel Kennedy on his bar mitzvah, October 27. Elliot Sklar on his bar mitzvah, October 27. Bob and Carol Milstein, on the marriage of their daughter, Naomi, to Rob Mapes in August 18. Ann S. Epstein, on the birth of her grandson, Oscar Milton Dixon-Epstein, born on August 10, to Rebecca Epstein and Milton Dixon. Bonnie Sarnoff and William Knafl, on the birth of their grandchildren, Adam Elliot and Livia Pearl Berchad, born on August 23, to Rebecca and Ben Berchad. Alan Levy and Susan Pollans, on the marriage of their daughter, Alissa Levy-Pollans, to Daniel Mickelson, on August 11. Jeffrey Spoon and Terri Ginsburg; and Elliot Ginsburg and Linda Jo Doctor ; on the birth of their grandson, Asher Bernard Ginsburg, son of Jacob and Amy Bennecoff, on August 30. Bob and Laurel Hern on the marriage of their son, Ari, to Theresa Lawrence. Rich and Sally Adler on the marriage of their son, Steven, to Jessica Lazarus. Robert and Mimi Weisberg on the marriage of their daughter, Allison, to Ari Pescovitz. Maureen and David Ginsburg on the birth of their granddaughter, Nina Joyce Hirshberg, daughter of Leah and Alex Hirshberg. Ron and Lonnie Sussman on the marriage of their son, Eitan, to Joanna Smither.

Condolences Liz Brater on the death of her father, Morton J. Schussheim, August 20. Steven Goldstein on the death of his mother, Alma Lakin, August 27. Jason and Mitchell Cohen on the death of their mother, Irene Cohen, August 12. Marcy Waldinger on the death of her brother, Leslie Bohm, August 20. Jill Pritts on the death of her father, Justin Gallon, August 26. Irene Butter on the death of her brother, Werner Hasenberg, August 30. Mike Belzer on the death of his mother, Geraldyn ìGerryî Ruth Belzer, September 2. I Advertisers Afternoon Delight ...... 21 Jewish Family Services ...... 5 Amadeus Cafe/Patisserie ...... 2 Jewish Federation ...... 17 Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra ....12, 28 Joe Cornell Entertainment ...... 30 Bank of Ann Arbor ...... 3 Josephson & Fink ...... 30 Bennett Optometry ...... 31 Ken Lussenden ...... 21 whaT nationalLy recognized Bivouac ...... 3 Mast Shoes ...... 16 Center for Plastic and Reconstructive . Mercy’s Restaurant ...... 3 Surgery ...... 20 Michal Porath, Realtor ...... 20 leadership program wins Chelsea Flower Shop ...... 28 Midwest Traveler’s Health ...... 21 Dennis Platte Graphic Design ...... 2 Modern Mechanical ...... 31 rave reviews from: Encore Online Resale ...... 21 MOSA Audiology ...... 20 • Bootstrapping Entrepreneurs • Food Co-op General Managers Fawzi’s Westgate Auto Repair ...... 11 People’s Food Co-op ...... 12 • Corporate CEOs • MBAs Frankel Center ...... 16, 29 Probility Physical Therapies ...... 20 • Nonprofit Leaders • Nationally Known Business Writers Gold Bond Cleaners ...... 3o Stealth DJ ...... 28 • Bankers • Naval Engineers Cantor Samuel Greenbaum; mohel ....31 Susan Ayer Photography ...... 21 • Busboys • Bartenders Carol Hoffer, CLU, CASL ...... 2 Temple Beth Emeth ...... 32 • Creative Attorneys • Training Professionals Holocaust Memorial Center...... 29 University Musical Society ...... 13 • Public School Teachers • Liberal Arts Majors Interim Health Care ...... 29 University Productions...... 28 • Successful Restaurateurs • Anarchists The Jewish Council for Education Village Apothecary ...... 2 • Psychology Professors • And Food Lovers from all over the world? and Research...... 5 Zingerman’s ...... 31 • Booksellers Only one that we know of!

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Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012 31 Shabbaton: Making Connections through Advocacy and Action Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center Friday - Saturday | November 16-17

Temple Beth Emeth has the amazing opportunity and privilege of having the URJ’s Religious Action Center staff join us for a Shabbat of study and action—the first program of this kind. Friday Night 6 pm FREE Catered Shabbat Dinner with RSVP 7:30 pm Service and Keynote: Mark Pelavin, Senior Advisor to the President of URJ & Associate Director of RAC, “What is the Upcoming Political Climate for the 113th Congress and What Does It Have to Do with Me?” Saturday 10 am Shabbat Morning Service 11:30 am FREE Kiddush Lunch Noon Learning Session: “Jewish Action and Becoming an Effective Advocate,” with Barbara Weinstein, RAC’s Legistative Director & Isaac Nuell, Congregational Social Action Manager 1 pm Roundtable Conversations with Local Social Justice Advocates. Hear from local experts on issues that TBE members might be interested for future action, such as the environment, Planned Parenthood, Safe Schools Improvement and housing in Washtenaw County. 2:30 pm Wrap up with RAC Staff

Saturday | Teen Program 6-8 pm FREE Dinner and Program: “Judaism and Anti-Bullying.” Our teens (9-12th grade) will an opportunity to learn from the RAC staff about the intersection of Judaism and the Anti- Bullying movement in the US. This program will replace the regularly scheduled Sunday night religious school (November 18). Dinner and dessert will be provided.

This whole weekend is FREE and brought to you graciously by the Sidney Davidson Fund.

The Sidney Davidson Memorial Fund was created in remembrance of Sidney Davidson (1919-2007), father of TBE member Vicki Goldwyn, and a pioneer in the field of financial accounting. Davidson wrote many accounting texts, including the widely used Financial Accounting: An Introduction to Concepts, Methods and Uses. He held many highly regarded positions, including president of the American Accounting Association, vice chairman of the Financial Accounting Foundation, and vice president of the American Institute of CPAs. Sidney taught at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business for 41 years, serving as its dean from 1969 to 1974. He was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 1983. His daughter says that “my Dad, sometimes called a visionary, had at his core a passion for learning and a passion for people.”

Sidney Davidson

Temple Beth Emeth | 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-665-4744 | www.templebethemeth.org

32 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2012