March 2009 Adar/Nisan 5769 Volume XXXIII: Number 6 FREE JCC “Raise the Roof” Auction Ruth W. Messinger to speak in Ann Arbor March 31 Leslie Bash, special to the WJN Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN The Jewish Community Center of Wash- n Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. The American Jewish World Service tenaw County’s 2009 Gala Auction will be Ruth Messinger, president of Amer- (AJWS), is an international development orga- held on Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at the O ican Jewish World Service and one nization providing support to more than 400 JCC. The event will raise funds to replace of the most dynamic speakers in America grassroots social change projects throughout and better insulate the JCC’s roof. There will today, will present “Jews as Global Citizens: the world. Messinger assumed the presidency be a raffle and both live and silent auctions at Our Responsibility in the World.” Speaking of in 1998, following a 20-year career in pub- the event, as well as a “build your own dinner her own experiences in the developing world, lic service in New York City. She is an active buffet” catered by Simply Scrumptious, and Messinger will explain how American Jews, member of her synagogue and serves on the live musical entertainment. who enjoy greater affluence and influence boards of several not-for-profit organizations. The money raised will allow the JCC to than ever before, can do their part to allevi- In honor of her tireless work to end the geno- replace its entire roof—some of which is ate poverty, hunger, violence, disease, and op- cide in Darfur, Sudan, Messinger received an more than 40 years old. Providing a new, pression. The entire community is invited at award from the Jewish Council for Public Af- heavily insulated roof will both improve no charge. fairs in 2006. She has been awarded honorary the environment for JCC programs and Sharing the words of dedicated Jews from st i e S he r m an degrees from Hebrew Union College, Hebrew increase the building’s communities across the United States— College, and Reconstructionist Rabbinical energy efficiency. college and rabbinical students, community College, and awards for her service from the A large auction leaders and skilled professionals—Messinger Women’s Funding Network and the Ameri- committee, led by will detail the enormous transformative im- can Jewish Committee. For seven consecutive Fran Martin and pact volunteering and advocacy can make in years, Messinger was among The Forward’s “50 c r e di t C h ry photo Pam Landau, has the modern era. most influential Jews of the year.” Messinger Ruth Messinger been working for “By embracing our obligation to assist all has three children, eight grandchildren, and months to acquire who take seriously our role as global citizens, n people in need, regardless of race, religion, two great-grandchildren. the many items that will or nationality, we have the capacity to ensure we will contribute to tikkun olam, the fixing social justice for coming generations. As Jews of the world.” continues on page 2 “Mussar: Change Yourself, Change the World”: A weekend with Dr. Alan Morinis Steve Merritt, special to WJN major proponent of the teachings talk on “The parsha through a Mussar lens.” ford University, where he earned his Ph.D. and practices of Mussar, Dr. Alan The session following lunch is “Contemplative Morinis has written books, produced feature A Morinis, Ph.D., will visit Ann Ar- Mussar as a transformative practice.” films, documentaries, and television dramas, bor March 20–22 for a series of talks and a “The Torah and Jewish tradition set very and taught at several universities. For the past practical workshop in a community-wide high standards for what a human being 11 years, Morinis’ passion has been the nearly program titled “Mussar: Change Yourself, should be,” says Morinis in speaking of this lost Jewish spiritual discipline of Mussar. His Change the World.” session, “truthful, kind, compassionate, gen- journey is detailed in Climbing Jacob’s Ladder “As our world gets more and more difficult, erous, patient—ultimately packaging this set (Broadway 2002). His guide to Mussar prac- it is easy to become overwhelmed, contracted of virtues together in the injunction: ‘You tice, Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual and paralyzed,” Morinis says, “but from a shall be holy’” (Lev. 19:1). Path of Mussar, was published in 2007. Jewish perspective, that response is not an “Over the centuries, the masters of the The cost for the weekend, including all option.” Morinis goes on to note that Mussar Mussar tradition have developed techniques,” materials and meals (vegetarian), is $50; is a way to “cultivate the inner resources to he continues, aimed at this end, “so that little single-day registration is $30. For a complete help us work with our difficult experiences by little we become someone different from schedule, or to register, go to jewishannar- in a constructive way that fosters growth and who we are today: We become holy.” bor.org and click on the “Mussar Weekend” wholeness for the individual as well as the In the evening, activities will shift to Beth link. For scholarships, student discounts, community.” Mussar is a centuries-old Jew- Israel Congregation. Morinis will speak over Dr. Alan Morinis or other questions, email AnnArborMus- ish spiritual practice that uses contemplation, a light meal on the topic “Why you are how [email protected] or call Merritt at text study, journaling, and other exercises to you are: a Jewish perspective.” This session ex- Sunday morning will feature a workshop on 274-5185. cultivate character traits such as patience, hu- amines the long-debated question of “nature “Integrating the practice of Mussar into your Morinis’ visit is co-sponsored by the Ann mility, gratitude, and trust. vs. nurture.” His talk will build on the Jew- daily life.” It will start at 9 a.m. at the Jewish Arbor Orthodox Minyan, the Ann Arbor The Mussar weekend begins Friday at 6 ish text Orchot Tzaddikim (The Ways of the Community Center of Washtenaw County. Reconstructionist Havurah, Beth Israel Con- p.m. at Temple Beth Emeth with dinner, ser- Righteous), which addressed this question Dr. Morinis is an anthropologist, film- gregation, Hillel, the JCC, the Jewish Cultural vices, and a sermon titled “What is Mussar and about 500 years ago. According to Morinis, maker, writer, and student of spiritual tradi- Society, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann why should I care?” Saturday morning opens the answer found there is highly relevant to tions. Born and raised in a culturally Jewish Arbor, Pardes Hannah, and TBE. n with Shabbat services at University of Michi- us, touching on many issues and questions but non-observant home, he studied an- gan Hillel followed at 11:30 a.m. by a brief critical for living the best possible life. thropology on a Rhodes Scholarship at Ox-

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 UMS Jewish Voices of Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 March Culture Youth Madness Immersion Day

Page 6 Page 13 Page 14 I Community TAILOR MADE SERVICE 2935 Birch Hollow Drive JCC "Raise the Roof Auction" from page 1 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 voice: 734/971-1800 With Me You’re Family be raffled or sold in the live and silent auctions. The auction fax: 734/971-1801 e-mail: [email protected] committee members are Sue Adler, Pat Binder, Judy Cohen, www.washtenawjewishnews.org ILENE FRIEDLAND Eeta Gershow, Laurel Hern, Liz Kirschner, Elaine Margolis, REALTOR Norman Miller, Lisa Molnar, Ruth Petit, and Lisa Weiss. 734-358-7089 Auction items include a one-week stay in a three-bed- Editor and Publisher room condominium in Hilton Head; a one-week stay in a Susan Kravitz Ayer two-bedroom condo in Longboat Key; a one-week stay at a www.ilenefriedland.com Copy Editor condo in Bonita Springs, FL; jewelry by Michal Negrin and [email protected] David Erik Nelson Michal Golan; tickets to the Stratford, Ontario Shakespeare Festival; tickets to the Shaw Festival in Niagra on the Lake; Calendar Editor a gift certificate for photography by John Shultz; a $500 Claire Sandler CD from Ann Arbor Commerce Bank; and a variety of 734-769-3800 Advertising Manager other travel packages, sports memorabilia, restaurant gift Gordon White certificates, books, jewelry, art, lessons, photographic ses- sions, Judaica items, tickets to cultural and entertainment Design and Layout events, clothing, home items, and gourmet foods. Dennis Platte Sponsorships are available to support the roof project, Staff Writers which entitle contributors to tickets to the event as well Judy Cohen, David Erik Nelson, as ads in the auction program. Sandor Slomovits The Gala Auction event will include a buffet dinner and musical entertainment by local musicians Debra Contributing Writers Gombert and Brett Levy. The auctioneer will be Dr. David Aura Ahuvia, Roann Altman, Toby Axelrod, Leslie Magidson, of Jewish Film Festival fame. Bash, Laurie Barnett, Laura Berger, Sara Billman, Auction tickets are $36 per person and William C. Daroff, Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, Eileen Freed, Julie Gales, Tina Gargotta, Terri include two free raffle tickets. In addition, Ginsburg, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Rabbi Altar there will be a Kids’ Night Out Program at Goldstein, Esther Goldstein, Jesse Gordon, Noa the JCC. Families using this program and Gutterman, Ben Harris, Erika Hauff, Kelly Hartog, attending the auction will receive an addi- Peretz Hirshbein, Deborah Huerta, Michael J. tional two free auction raffle tickets. Jordan, Ron Kampeas, Kim Reick Kunoff, Rabbi For further information about auction Robert Levy, Robin Little, Andrea Ludwig, Eszter Margit, Merrill Poliner, Cantor Annie Rose, admission, sponsorships, Kids’ Night Out, Dina Shtull, David Shtulman, Clara Silver, or to donate goods and services, contact Ra- Ronnie Simon,Elliot Sorkin, Bert Stratton, chel Ricca or Rebekah Gamble at rachelric- Hadar Susskind, Tamar Weaver [email protected], [email protected], or 971-0990. n Mailing Committee Ruth Ankiewicz, Beverly Bixler, Ruth Breslaw, Ethel Ellis, Steve Fishman, Esther Goldman, Fran Goldman, Betty Hammond, Jayne Harary, Evelyn Horwitz, Doris Jamron, Marilyn Krimm, Lily Ladin, Doris Miller, Bob and Sophie Mordis, Irwin Pollack, Lotte Rosenbaum, Esther Rubin, Sol Saginaw, Sarah Shoem, Nell Stern Special thanks To Ethel Ellis and Betty Hammond

The Washtenaw Jewish News is a free and inde- pendent newspaper. It is published monthly, with the exception of January and July. It is reg- istered as a Non-profit Michigan Corporation. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of its editors or staff Member of American Jewish Press Association

Zumba exercise classes are offered every day at the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County with instructor Karen Silverman. Zumba is the new dance craze featuring Latin and international rhythms. For more information on classes and registration, contact the JCC at 971-0990.

©2009 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw Jewish News may be ­reproduced without IIn this issue… permission of the publisher. Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the Advertisers...... 35 Kosher Cuisine...... 27 editor at [email protected]. Name will be with- held at the discretion of the editor. Around Town...... 34 On Another Note...... 26 Circulation: 5,000 Subscriptions: $12 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County Arts & Culture...... 6 Rabbinic Commentary...... 10 $18 first-class su­bscription March 2009 March

A Calendar...... 28 Seniors...... 4 The deadline for the March issue of the Congregations...... 16 Youth...... 21 Washtenaw Jewish News is Friday, March 6. Film...... 25 Vitals...... 35 Publication date: Thursday, March 27. Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News Israel...... 17 World News...... 12 are available at locations throughout Washtenaw County. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 2 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 3 3050Packard Sculpture Show Sculpture AnnArbor 48108 Info: (734) 996 8570 996 (734) Info: March2911-4 pm March6:30-928 pm ------Maureen used humor to break down bar down break to humor used Maureen “Peace through Humor” has been ex ming during the exhibition. ming during the exhibition. hibit opening in the Center Amster County’s ofJewishGal Washtenaw Community mean this with developed was March in lery of autumn the From mind. in message ingful 1994 until the summer of 2004, innovative Kushner—an and Maureencreative - teach er from in New York—worked Israel on a project called “The Art and Soul of Peace Through Vision Humor: of Peace From the Hands ofat the Children” invitation of the trav Maureen Ministry Israeli of Education. Galilee Northern the from Israel, over all eled with working Jewish, SouthernNegev, the to as well as children, Druze and Bedouin Arab, create to immigrants, Russian and Ethiopian murals and paintings on the theme of war fears their overcame children The peace. and visions moving and original us give to war of of ofMany peace. the paintings are inspired by teachings from as the well Torah as Bed ouin and Druze traditions. riers and build a trusting The environment. children learned to integrate the values of loving-kindness, compassion, enthusiasm, truth, respect, and gratitude into were theirchildren the way, this In art education. and motivated to transcend their own fears and pain to create a vision of peace, tolerance, and hope. hibited in 175 cities throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in the Knesset repre exhibition inspiring This Jerusalem. in hope sents for the peace, reaching children’s far beyond the shadow of They war. dream that their vision of Peace Through Humor will open the hearts and uplift the spirits of everyone who sees it as it travel around the world creating friendship, compassion, and love. The Peace Through Humor ex hibit is sponsored by the Bobbie and Myron Levine Jewish Community Center Cultural Arts Fund and will be hanging from March through The 2009. May JCC will be offering a variety ofand youth children’s program The Bobbie and Myron The Bobbie and Cultural ArtsLevine JCC mounts “Peace Fund Humor”Through exhibit WJN the to special Gales, Julie distance shortest the is laughter that said is It between two people. The upcoming art ex

------g www. www.jewishan www.thejewishforum.or , or call 995-3276, ext. 15. 15. ext. or call 995-3276, m, . . By clicking on this box, individu g The event will be held at the University of University the at willheld be event The Event organizer and Event Jewish Forum mem Said Zweibel, “We’ve gotten a gotten lot of “We’ve great Said Zweibel, The event will be held at the Jewish Com “The key”, says Federation Executive Director Executive Federation says key”, “The ssistance Fund, go to the Federation website. the Federation to go ssistance Fund, ber Irv Goldfein agrees. He sees this as He ber a perIrv Goldfein agrees. fect occasion to bring together the Jewish and communities of the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Forum’s “The Jewish of Michigan. University organization raison-d’être as an independent is the creation of significant and substantive adults— Jewish for opportunities educational regardless of religious orientation. Partner day one this for Institute Frankel the with ing event is he “We in admits. many ways ideal,” meet our objectives by taking advantage of - back own our in scholars Judaic brilliant the yard. The Jewish Forum is very grateful to willits for staff, its and Institute, Frankel the ingness to invest so much effort in reaching Goldfein out concludes, to the community.” “May this be the beginning of an ongoing, relationship.” educationally rewarding (202 South Building in the Thayer Michigan Thayer Street) register To for this limited- space event, visit the Institute and grateful to our fellows at the sharing for insights.” their Institute 2009. 13, March before dinner will focus on fun, with lots of kid-friendly of lots with fun, on focus will dinner games include will program carnival The foods. and other activities, as well as complimentary popcorn and The cotton candy. highlight is a performance by the local circus troupe Cirque Amongus. Cirque Amongus has received rave reviews performances. their statewide for feedback about our past programs, but we fun more be theme is going think to anythingtop this year’s could What past. the in done we’ve run off to a chance than having with the circus, ifeven day?” for just munity Center Tickets County. of Washtenaw are $30 per family or $12 per person (register before March 6 for discounted rates: $25 per n and $9 per person). family registerinformation to visitor more For jewmich.co narbor.or designated make helpcan to like whoals would contributions in addition to their normal An nual Campaign pledges to the exclu usedwill be that online Fund Emergency Federation sively to meet the emergency needs of the local The funds collected online community. will be made available to Federation beneficiary agen guidelines to according needs client meet to cies the Federation. by being developed David “is Shtulman, that requests must be di due needs client special meeting to related rectly to the economic downturn and not part of the ofnormal operating costs life.” agency For more information about the Emergency A Assistance Assistance box on its website,

------mitzvah

his March 10, Chabad of Ann Arbor to way a unique offer again will once celebrate Purim: Chabad is going to

According to According Deborah Dash Fran Moore, This all-ages event begins at 5 with p.m. a Community This funding supplements the financial, Emergency new a placed also has Federation The Kim Reick Kunoff, special to the WJN the to special Kunoff, Reick Kim How How do we study Jews? Conference makes conversation public kel kel Center director and the Frederick G. L. Huetwell Professor of the History, day prom ises to be an opportunity for great intellectual days? these Jews study we do how “Just growth. The question begets other questions as Jew ish studies expands This exponentially. year,” and established dozen “a explains, Moore Dash up-and-coming scholars study in diverse they fields are how on reflecting and Jews studying Jews—and Jewish culture, religion, history— at the Frankel Institute for Judaic Advanced “for sees an opportunity Dash Moore Studies.” whoanyone is interested to join the conversa are tion. We thrilled to be able to collaborate at Day a sponsoring in Forum Jewish the with Judaic Studies and the Jewish Forum of Detroit The Detroit of Forum Frankel Jewish the and Institute Studies Judaic for Advanced announce the “Dayfirst-ever at theInstitute,” a highlighting conference some of the most groundbreaking topics in Judaic Studies today, An impressive 29. March beto held on Sunday, group of gathered scholars are as underfellows the leadership ofEndelman, the William Todd Haber Professor of Modern Jewish History, Jews: “Studying theme, year’s this proposed who Directions.” New Methods, New Topics, New Chana Kroll, special to the WJN the to special Kroll, Chana Chabad host circus-themed to Purim T the circus, and they’re inviting the entire Jew ish ish community to come along. In the past, on participants taken have programs Chabad journeys to the Far East for Purim in China, back in time to taste the shtetl Purims of old, and back home to Israel for a sabara-style Pu rim. Shternie director Zweibel, of Camp Gan community the for program a hosting is Israel, this year that she hopes will make the reading of the Megillah (the story of the sinis the ofstory (the Megillah the of reading (commandment) to be joyous on Purim even even Purim on joyous be to (commandment) keep. to local Jews for easier plot ter against of the andJews ancient Persia their miraculous salvation). Everyone is in vited5:30 At dinner to come in willcostume. In carnival. evening the by followed served, be even theme, circus evening’s the with keeping counseling and referral assistance being provided already by Jewish Family Services to meet the growing needs of recent months. The Federation and JFS encourage commu er Ann Arbor approved the creation of a new new ofa creation the approved Arbor Ann er the meethelp to Fund Assistance Emergency demands of Jewish families in crisis as a re sult of the economic recession and job lay consists fund initial The area. our hitting offs of a pool of $15,000 and the funds are be ing administered by Jewish Family Services, the primary agency dealing with emergency needs behalf on of community. the Jewish nity who members suddenly findthemselves support of forms other or financial of need in assistance. call JFS for to staff writers WJN staff Great of Federation Jewish the of Board The Federation createsFederation Emergency Fund Assistance I I Seniors

JFS “Patient Partners” guide older March SPICE* of Life *Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Educational Programs for Adults adults through medical appointments Merrill Poliner, special to the WJN Abigail Lawrence-Jacobson and Deborah Renner, special to the WJN ould you feel more comfort- In January, JFS trained a group of 10 vol- Tuesdays Tuesday special events able talking with the doctor unteers to serve as Patient Partners, most of 10 a.m.: The Bible in its Time with Dr. Liz March 3 W if a trusted guide came with whom have extensive experience in health- Fried, February 3–March 24. 1 p.m.: Blood Pressure Clinic A registered you? Would you have more confidence that care-related fields such as nursing, social 11 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- nurse from Care Response will take blood you understood the doctor’s instructions if work, and physical or occupational therapy. quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 pressures, record them, and address any someone provided with a full written ac- These volunteers spent an intense 12 hours Noon: Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person questions. Free. (This event will be repeated count of what was discussed at your appoint- learning about common medical conditions 1 p.m.: Games and Activities. Join in for a vari- on the first Tuesday of each month.) ment? Jewish Family Services is now offering in older adults, medical lingo they may en- ety of games and activities including mahjong, a new program, “Patient Partners,” that pro- counter at appointments, confidentiality, quilting, art projects, and other card games. Thursday special events and vides trained volunteers to accompany older and medical-legal issues. They practiced ac- 1 p.m.: Special Tuesday Events presentations adults to medical appointments so that older tive listening and used role-playing to hone 1:30 p.m.: Yiddish Tish (Yiddish Conversa- adults will not have to face the medical estab- their skills in facilitating communication be- tional Group). Open to the public as well as March 5 lishment alone. tween doctors and patients. University of Michigan faculty, staff, and stu- 12:30 p.m.: Birthday celebration for all Prior to a medical appointment, a volun- Jewish Family Services is one of only a dents, all ages and levels welcome. Beanster’s with March birthdays. Bring your family and teer “Patient Partner” will meet with the older handful of organizations in the nation to Café, ground floor, Michigan League. Free. friends for lunch and birthday cake. adult to review their health concerns and to offer this important service, which has been For more information, call 936-2367. 1 p.m.: Larry Hiss, longtime JCC commu- list any questions the client wants to remem- identified as one of the top needs among older nity member, will discuss his experiences ber to ask the doctor. Patient Partner volun- adults and their caregivers, particularly when Thursdays during and after the Holocaust. teers will also make sure that the older adult’s family members live far away or are unable 10 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- March 12 list of medications is current and complete. In to take off time from work to accompany an quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 1 p.m.: David Owens (one of the Happiness the medical appointment, the volunteer will older adult to medical appointments. The 11 a.m.: Current Events with Heather Dombey. Boys) brings his Nostalgia Radio Show for facilitate communication between doctor and initial program is funded through a grant A Jewish perspective on this week’s news. Bring some great old songs from the big band and patient to ensure that seniors’ health-related from the Anna Botsford Bach Fund for Se- items of interest for group discussion. pre-rock era. concerns are addressed and that doctors’ in- niors of the Ann Arbor Area Community structions are understood. The volunteer Foundation. n Noon: Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person March 19 Patient Partner records all follow-up instruc- 1 p.m.: Thursday Special Events and Pre- 12:30 p.m.: Allison Pollock, MSW, Jewish Fam- If you are interested in having a Patient Part- tions, medication changes, and answers to the sentations (see below for details) ily Services Geriatric Social Worker, will be avail- ner volunteer accompany you or your loved one patient’s questions in a written summary that 2:15 p.m.: Literary Group facilitated by able for discussion, questions, and assistance. to a medical appointment, call Jewish Family is then provided to the older adult, to keep or Sidney Warschausky resumes on Thursday, 1 p.m.: Maria Farquhar, certified in Qigong, Services at 769-0209. to share with family members who could not March 5, with a discussion of La Cousine Reiki, Energy Healing and Fitness, joins us be present at the appointment due to work or Bette by Honoré de Balzac for a demo session and a discussion of the other obligations. rewards and benefits of regular exercise, no Fridays matter what your level of fitness. 1:30 p.m.: Yiddish Reading Group at the March 26 Literature at the JCC Jewish Community Center. March 6, 13, 20, 1 p.m.: Peretz Hirsbein shares slides and and 27. Call Ray Juni for additional informa- memories of his recent trip to Israel. Merrill Poliner, special to the WJN tion at 761-2765 Do you love books—reading them, think- but enjoys the literary group because he can ing about them and talking about them? share his love of literature without having to Would you enjoy a book group with a more prepare lectures or grade papers. Passover seder for older adults and their families on April 6 literary bent? The group members collaborate in Abbie Lawrence-Jacobson, special to the WJN For more than 16 years, the Jewish Com- choosing books for discussion. The titles Following on the success of the past two years’ will include a catered Passover meal, music, munity Center of Washtenaw County’s discussed over the years have ranged from seders, Jewish Family Services and the Jewish and a thought-provoking discussion of the literary group has offered just such an ex- literary classics to current best sellers. The Community Center of Washtenaw County ways in which Passover themes are uniquely perience. On Thursday afternoons from group will begin discussing La Cousine Bette will again be holding a Passover seder for relevant to the lives of older adults. The cost 2:15–3 p.m., the JCC hosts a literary group by Honoré de Balzac at its weekly meeting older adults and their families. This year the for the seder is $25. facilitated by longtime Ann Arbor resident on March 5. seder will take place on Monday, April 6 from Reservations are required by March 27. Sidney Warschausky, University of Michi- Participation is free and open to the 5–7 p.m. at the JCC. Older adults, adult chil- To make your reservation, call Jewish Family gan-Dearborn emeritus professor of Eng- public. For more information, call Merrill dren, and grandchildren are all welcome and Services at 769-0209. Transportation can be lish language and literature. Poliner at 971-0990. encouraged to attend together. arranged through the Jewish Family Services Warschausky found his years of teach- Led by Rabbi Robert Levy and Cantor An- Transportation Service. ing literature at U-M Dearborn a pleasure, nie Rose from Temple Beth Emeth, the seder

JFS Presents the 4th Annual

The Many Faces of Jewish Community Center 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor Depression and Anxiety: Hiding in Plain Sight Please register by March 19, www.jfsannarbor.org or by calling We will explore how seemingly (734) 769-0209. normal behaviors can mask March 2009 March underlying depression and/or $5 suggested donation welcome A anxiety. at the door. Sponsored by Please join us on: Sunday March 22nd 2:00pm – 4:45pm JFS – Your Family in the Community Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 4 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 5 MD 9 MD Elite treatment! 0 MD 0 TM MD www.cprs-aa.com 2 h c Trade Trade 30 minutes for softer, smoother skin. r a 734 712-2323 M s w e Paul Izenberg, David Hing, Richard Beil, Daniel Sherick, Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery N 1 h 0 s 6 i 5 1 w -1 4 e 6 -7 J 8 2 w 7 1 a 4 7 n 3 4 e t 7 3 Ad h ultrasonic peel uses low-frequency sound e p s d e 7 a n e n W o w Lo s S D p a Regularly $125, now just $100! La m m m r o B o AN t c e r . c l e i a Th v D t a a r R n e n m i o s g LO b C AS SEEN ON THE DOCTORS THE ON SEEN AS G @ : O : O e n t r C d o n • Minimize fine lines and increase hydration skin • Lighten sun spots and brighten dull • Manage active acne and Rosacea o i e n e t CENTER FOR PLASTIC & b g o c l m a RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY u a e Ar Call for your savings today: savings Call for your l d P c n v o a r e l The effects are immediate and long-lasting, but these savings aren’t, so The effects are immediate and long-lasting, /4 call for an appointment today. (Not valid with other discounts or offers). call for an appointment today. (Not valid P b P An 1 And now through March 31, save $25 on a DermaSound And now through March 31, save $25 Reichert Health Center, Suites 5001 and 5008, Ann Arbor Arbor Ann 5008, and 5001 Suites Center, Health Reichert waves to combat aging skin and restore your skin’s youthful glow. It can: waves to combat aging skin and restore THE DERMASOUND™ ELITE

------or call677-0100. or Julian Levinson - - - The The members of the nominating com the to sent be may comments Community Deborah Dash Moore, director of the Fran the of director Moore, Dash Deborah - Cen Frankel The winners of the 2008 Jewish National g [email protected] sible for recommending to the current board board current the to recommending for sible of directors candidates to be placed before board. the to election for meeting annual the The annual Federation meeting is scheduled 2009. 27, May evening, Wednesday for mittee are: Malcolm Cohen, chairman; - Federation commu president; Susan Fisher, nity members Harlene Appelman, Stefanie Aronow, and Robin Axelrod; and board and Elyakin, Neal Harrietmembers Bakalar, Barry Nemon. Jewish Federation care of David Shtulman at Jewish Federation appoints appoints Federation Jewish nominating committee WJN the to special Shtulman, David Arbor, Ann Greater of Federation Jewish The in compliance with its by-laws, announces the appointment of the 2009 Nominating Committee. The committee will be respon to to learn that the book had been accepted for publication (and then, as he lay dying, hal lucinated lucinated that I’d been given a two-million- to dedicated It’s book!) the for advance dollar I his wishlived long memory. enough he’d to he’d but hands, his in book the hold to able be variousin out came they as stories the all read and journals, he nodded when I read him the the publisher.” from letter acceptance University the at Studies Judaic for Center kel of Michigan and the Pro Frederick Huetwell fessor of is History, equally “It’s enthusiastic: so exciting when a creative writer and gifted teacher wins such recognition because it re minds us that Frankel Center faculty mem bers not only study they Jewish culture, also produce it. Eileen joins Pollack an exception ally distinguished list of winners of one of been has that awards premiere Jews’ American decades.” four over for annually given ter ter Director and Frederick G. L. Huetwell Pro fessor of His tory Deborah Dash Moore writes, “this is a signal and ex citing honor, a tribute to Julian Levinson’s pio- neering work in expanding our understanding of American Jewish The literature. award speaks to the in tellectual excitement of Judaic Studies at the interdis its especially ofMichigan, University ciplinary character.” Book Awards will be honored on March 5, 2009 at an award ceremony to be held at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, lo cated at 16th15 West Street. The awards cer which beginsemony, at 7:30 p.m., is free and public. the to open ------The Human merican Liter Among those A Associate Associate Profes sor sor Eileen Pollack, Zell Director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and fac ulty member at the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, has been named this year’s recipient of the Edward Lewis Exiles on Main Street: Street: on Main Exiles (Four Way Books, 2008). Books, Way (Four The Pawnbroker. merican Writers and and A n the Mouth n the Mouth I “I’m thrilled,” says Pollack. “Many “Many of says Pollack. the “I’m thrilled,” “Eileen “Eileen Pollack has managed to take the The Edward is Award Lewis pre Wallant Campus Levinson, Levinson, the Samuel Shetzer Professor Kim Reick Kunoff, special to the WJN the to special Kunoff, Reick Kim Eileen Pollack receives Edward Lewis Wallant Award Lewis Wallant Edward receives Eileen Pollack stories stories in my collection were inspired by my who father, was a small-town Jewish dentist (hence the title). He lived just long enough sented sented annually American to an writer whose published creative work of fiction isconsid ered to have significancefor American Jews. The award was established shortly after the untimely death in December 1962 of Edward gifted Lewis Wallant, author of Season the in whoaward past received have years are Chaim Cynthia Potok, Ozick, Thane Rosen baum, Myla Goldberg, Jonathan Rosen, and Krauss. Nicole lives lives of retired Jews and lift them out of the desper and strangeness the reveal to ordinary ation of aging,” writes Wallant Award commit Award Wallant writes aging,” of ation the in professor a Shechner, Mark member tee University State the at English of Department “She does it with love at Buffalo. York of New and and to an that tenderness lives attention recalls that voice a In by. passes usually fiction that of the late Bernard she Malamud, writes of rueful human the predicaments, looming sense of mortality that hangs over us all, and the familiar world suddenly grown unfamil is a Pollack Eileen writer marvelous with iar. an eye for finelife’s print and an ear for its overtones.” and subtle tones modulated Wallant Award for her collection of her for short sto Award Wallant ries, ries, U-M professor wins 2008 National wins U-M professor Book Award Jewish WJN the to special Kunoff, Reick Kim Jean & Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Stud Judaic for Center Frankel Samuel & Jean ies faculty member Julian Levinson has been named recipient of the 2008 National Jewish Book His Award. book, of Jewish American Literature and an asso ary Culture (Indiana won Press), University the Award. 350 Celebrate Studies: American Jewish ciate professor of English, accepted the news “Thiswith is gratitude. really a terrific honor. The book comes out of a very personal need to think through the theparadoxes from title the adapted I ofidentity. American Jewish supposeI which album, Stones Rolling classic reflects thevery same pattern that I discuss in the book. Jewish culture and Jewish books have always been created in dialogue with cultural surrounding This forms. also award recognizes that American Jewish literature central the of One English. in written just isn’t chapters explores the ways Yiddish poets ab sorbed the powerful influenceof theAmeri can bard Walt Whitman and created their American literary idiom.” Yiddish own

Jewish I Ellen Pollack I Arts and Culture Ken Lussenden Contracting University Musical Society presents “March Madness” Month begins with New York Philharmonic and culminates with Dan Zanes and Friends, with extraordinary performances in between Jim Leija, special to the WJN Remodeling he University Musical Society (UMS) voices, and lush orchestral arrangements, admired in reviews. • presents an arts and culture “March authentically recreating and interpreting the At the end of the month, Zakir Hussain T Madness” with 12 world-class per- sights and sounds of this magical time. Sha- and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma unite for an Painting formances over 22 days, beginning with two heen’s international search for the top Arab exhilarating night of classical Indian sounds different programs by the New York Philhar- singers of today includes Tunisian, Lebanese, (March 22, 7 p.m., Rackham Auditorium). • monic under the baton of outgoing music di- and Palestinian vocalists who will sing some Hussain is a classical tabla virtuoso of the Repair & Restoration rector Lorin Maazel (March 7, 8 p.m.; March of the most beloved songs by composers like highest order, a national treasure in his own 8, 7 p.m.) at Hill Auditorium (825 N. Uni- Mohammad Abdel Wahhab, Farid Al-Atrash, country and abroad due to his consistently Specialist versity Ave.). Maazel, who has led more than and the Rahbani Brothers. The Aswat Or- brilliant and exciting performances. His play- 150 orchestras in more than 5,000 opera and chestra includes virtuoso instrumentalists ing is marked by uncanny intuition and mas- concert performances, became terful improvisational dexterity. music director of the New York Hussain is widely considered a Philharmonic in September 2002 chief architect of the contem- after more than 100 performanc- porary world music movement es as guest conductor. Saturday’s with historic collaborations in- program features works by Men- cluding Shakti (which he found- delssohn, Schumann, and Mus- ed with John McLaughlin and L. sorgsky, and Sunday’s program c r e di t C h ri s L ee photo Shankar in the 1970s), Sangam features Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, and (with Charles Lloyd and Eric Stravinsky. Harland), and performances Just a few days later, jazz legend and recordings with artists as Wynton Marsalis returns to Ann diverse as George Harrison, Van Arbor’s Hill Auditorium with his Morrison, Rennie Harris, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra the Kodo Drummers of Japan. (March 10, 8 p.m.). According to Hussain, who last appeared in Down Beat, “[The Jazz at Lincoln Ann Arbor with Ali Akbar Khan Center Orchestra] is not just a in March 2000, is joined by Pan- band on tour, but a religious con- The New York Philharmonic under the directon of Lorin Maazel dit Shivkumar Sharma, who gregation, spreading the word of single-handedly transformed jazz.” This 15-member ensemble comprises who deliver a rich musical experience for the santoor from an instrument of accompa- the finest jazz players on the scene, led by devotees and new fans alike. As a backdrop niment to one that deserves center stage. the incomparable Wynton Marsalis. They to the live performance, a projection screen Rounding out the month, sons and perform a unique repertoire of big band ar- flashes preserved images and film footage of grandsons of the great guitarist Pepe Rome- rangements of Thelonious Monk composi- the great singers of the Golden Age, creating ro perform a 50th anniversary concert as tions; classic Blue Note Records selections a multimedia experience of historical depth The Romeros (Thursday, March 26, 8 p.m., by Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Jackie and lasting emotional impact. Rackham Auditorium). The “Royal Fam- McLean, and Lee Morgan; and modern com- After last season’s stunning solo recital, ily of Guitar” returns to Ann Arbor for the positions and arrangements by current band Yo-Yo Ma returns to UMS with two different first time since 2000. A veritable institution Photo by Susan Prater members. programs featuring artists from the Silk Road in the world of classical music, the Romeros The following evening the Brentano Ensemble in an exploration of both Eastern celebrate their 50th anniversary this season. � Kitchen, Bathroom String Quartet performs with pianist Peter and Western musical traditions in two differ- Celedonio Romero, the founder and creator Serkin and baritone Thomas Meglioranza ent performances (March 13–14, 8 p.m., Hill of the Romeros guitar dynasty, was a re- & Basement Remodeling in a program of mixed chamber music rep- Auditorium). Founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 1998, nowned soloist in Spain who began teaching ertoire (March 11, 8 p.m., Rackham Audi- the Silk Road Project has been a catalyst for his sons as they approached the age of two torium, 915 E. Washington St.) Named for a new kind of conversation, opening avenues or three. Although Celedonio died in 1996, � Interior & Exterior Antonie Brentano, whom many scholars of inter-cultural communication and col- his sons and grandsons continue the Romero Painting and Staining consider Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved,” laborative thinking. The collective is drawn legacy. This unparalleled family ensemble has the intended recipient of his famous love from internationally renowned musicians become the international emissary for guitar confession, the Brentano Quartet transcends interested in exploring the relationships chamber music, their name synonymous � Beethoven to explore music both very old between tradition and innovation in music with style, elegance, and technique. Interior & Exterior and very new. Pianist Peter Serkin and bari- from the East and West. Finally, at the end of the month, kid-rock Custom Carpentry tone Thomas Meglioranza join the string In mid-March the Altenberg Trio Vienna revolutionaries Dan Zanes & Friends present quartet in offering a program that balances presents a program of Takemitsu, Haydn, and two one-hour family performances (March quartet standards with contemporary mas- Dvořák (March 18, 8 p.m., Rackham Audito- 29, 1 and 4 p.m., Rackham Auditorium). As � Wood Floor Installation terpieces. rium). Since its “official” debut during the seen on Playhouse Disney and Sesame Street, & Refinishing Aswat (March 12, 8 p.m., Hill Audito- Salzburg Mozart Week in January 1994, the these all-ages folk heroes create a unique and rium) is a multi-media celebration of the Altenberg Trio Vienna has earned a reputa- joyous 21st-century sound with a rich blend Golden Age of Arab Music featuring four tion as one of the most daring and consistent of traditional American folk songs, Latin and outstanding singers from the Arab world, ensembles of its kind. When forming their Caribbean rhythms, and soulful originals � Drywall & Plaster the Aswat Orchestra, and music director Si- ensemble, pianist Claus-Christian Schuster, from their new Spanish album ¡Nueva York! Repairs & Restorations mon Shaheen. The period from the 1920s to violinist Amiram Ganz, and cellist Alexander and Grammy Award-winning CD, Catch the 1950s is considered the “golden age” of Gebert chose as their namesake the revered That Train! Zanes and his band create a rol- Egyptian cinema, but it was also a golden age Viennese writer and poet Peter Altenberg, a licking “Woodstock for Kids” that is filled � Wallpaper Stripping of song in many parts of the Arab world, par- contemporary and compatriot of renowned with rootsy, whimsical songs brimming with ticularly Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. Many of Viennese artists at the turn of the 20th centu- warmth, wisdom, and wonderful music. these countries’ greatest singers and compos- ry (Schoenberg, Berg, Mahler, Schiele, Klimt, For tickets and additional information, Visit our website: ers reached unprecedented heights of artistry and others). Their choice illustrates perfectly contact the University Musical Society Tick- March 2009 March kenlussendencontracting.com and stardom during this period. One of to- the values captured in the Trio’s music-mak- et Office at 764-2538, or visit www.ums.org. A day’s leading Arab composers and instru- ing: love of beauty, venture toward life, preci- Tickets may also be purchased in person at mentalists, Simon Shaheen, is bringing this sion of style, and a sense of humor. The trio the Michigan League Ticket Office (911 N. Licensed & Insured era back to life. Working with a traditional members have impressive individual reputa- University Ave). The UMS Ticket Office is Arab orchestra and some of the leading sing- tions in chamber music circles and take great open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Satur- 734.995.0715 ers in the Arab world today, Shaheen directs pride in remaining faithful to the style and day 10 a.m.–1 p.m., and closed Sunday. n this evening of classic melodies, soul-stirring tradition of the “Viennese sound” so often Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 6 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 7 .

& present The Jewish Forum The Jewish 9:30 am - 3:30 pm A Day at the Day at the A The Frankel Institute for The Frankel Advanced Judaic Studies Judaic Studies Advanced New Ways of Ways New First-time event fee only $20/person. Or call Kim Kunoff at 734-615-8503. Or call Kim Kunoff Deadline for registration is March 12. history, culture, and religion. religion. and culture, history, Spend a day learning about our Spend a day learning about our Sunday, March 29, 2009 March Sunday, for deails www.thejewishforum.org Visit Studying Jews: Studying part of the conversation on Jewish Institute fellows’ research. Become Become research. Institute fellows’ http://www.lsa.umich.edu/judaic/ Frankel Institute Frankel ------The is a The Cham- The Soul Soul Tripping , , or call (248) 645- o . If you are interested in interested are you If . is a film about singer- or call 971-0990. n call or 971-0990. The Hope . Wolfgang Lotz, . a Wolfgang former captain in An An annual event, Bookstock is presented Jew Detroit the by sponsored is Bookstock Marwil Jewish Film Festival Director David films Two have local ties. The first is Younger moviegoers Younger will enjoy two films Individual movie tickets are $10 each, or a noon–6 p.m. on Sundays, and 10 a.m.– 9 p.m. p.m. 9 a.m.– 10 and Sundays, on p.m. noon–6 Mondays–Saturdays. on by the Friends of a Literacy, group of area literacy and education organizations. More than 700 volunteers work together through- out the year to collect and sort as donations, well as organizing and staffing the weeklong spring sale. Bookstock organizations. nonprofit of communal Jewish For more information about Bookstock, check out www.bookstock.inf ext 365. 7840, ish Coalition for Literacy, the Oakland Litera ish Coalition for Literacy, cy Council, the Detroit Jewish News, CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., and a consortium World War II War by World floodingBritain withforged currency. Magidson selected a British filmto be theFes Attraction. Sixty-Six is a power Featured tival’s ful and funny coming-of-age story set in 1966 England, with Helene Bonham Carter and Ste whose Rubens, Bernieof tale the tells It Rea. ven Cup World 1966 the with coincides mitzvah bar for Soccer the Final. Sadly, non-athletic Bernie, Britain makes it through the qualifying rounds Sixty-six and will play further. in the final, thuseven diminishing the day big his of importance 7 at 8 p.m. May on will the Festival close Purple , Gang chronicling the inner workings of liquor ruthless a ran which mob, Jewish Detroit’s racket during Michigan filmmakerProhibition. H.G. Manos and author Paul R. Kavieff have been invited to attend the showing and answer is other The film. the after questions Afrika Rommel’s Korps and supposedly a lieu pagne Spy tenant becomes colonel SS, in a Hitler’s wealthy German horse breeder who sends champagne to “important” friends, and turns out to be a spy for The Israel. Champagne Spy theexplores unexpected turns Ar Ann life; his in son, Lotz’s borite Oded Gur Arie, will attend the screening following the film. questions and answer that are playing together at 5 on p.m. Wednes May day, 6. can youth in creating relevance and meaning in contemporary Jewish life. deeply moving, hopeful film thatexplores the American Jewish experience and the impact of the through Israel with encounter generation’s a Birthright-Israel program. Taglit viewing for 15all purchased be can pass festival movies. Festival passes cost $65 for JCC mem or ber, $75 for non-members, and can be pur chased at the Jewish Look Community Center. for more information about the Jewish Film Festival and the special festival programming g www.jccannarbor.or at songwriter Rick Recht, who songwriter put Jewish on rock Rick Recht, the map. It is an inspirational film about the impact Jewish rock music has had on Ameri - julie at Gales Julie contact sponsor, a becoming g [email protected]

------Panther Panther on Sunday, May on Sunday, was honored as the , which Counterfeiters, The . This touching comic drama Thiscomic touching . , focuses on , the friendunlikely magazine. Director Ari Folman oodle The Little Traitor

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Festival Festival highlights include a pre-opening Waltzing Waltzing with Bashir Other award-winning films include the The Ann Arbor collection date for any A true book paradise, lover’s Bookstock The festival opens with the award-winning award-winning the with opens festival The olling olling Stone Tina Gargotta, special to the WJN the to special Gargotta, Tina Ann participate Arbor to JCC in Bookstock Julie Gales, Special to the WJN the to Special Gales, Julie 2009 Jewish Film Festival preview Festival Film 2009 Jewish L Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit Lenore the bring will Theater, Michigan the and its for Arbor Ann to Festival Film Jewish Marwil eighth The year. festival will showcase 15 films over five days at theMichigan Theateron East 7. May 3–Thursday, May including from Sunday, Liberty, foreign, are featured films the of Nine Israel. from five showing of follows an El Al flight attendant’s life-affirming life-affirming attendant’s flight Al El an follows adventure to reunite a Chinese boy with the mother that abandoned Thehim Aviv. in Tel film will bepreceded by aReception Sponsor’s ofSim Shepard Lori by catered buffet, Chinese Scrumptiousply Catering. German-made movie German-made Best Foreign Film at the 2009 Golden Globe Academy an win to expected also is and Awards in the Award same category This this ani year. mated film has“a been potent called, andpro found document of war byand its aftermath,” r is a who soldier former Israeli served during the 1982 Israeli-Lebanese and war, repressed his memories of the invasion of Beirut—and specifically the massacre at the to Sabra and Sha attempt his is movie The camps. refugee tila of sense make what he experienced. won the 2008 Best Foreign Language Film Os The movie car. presents a fictionalized account a plan to Nazi secret of Bernhard, Operation destabilize the United Kingdom during the used books or media will be from 15, March 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JCC. The JCC is also looking for volunteers to work at the Park Laurel Livonia’s in held be to sale, spring Volunteers’ I-275). of east Road, Mile (6 Place hours will be recorded and benefit the JCC. or information about the drop-off, more For the JCC at 971-0990. contact volunteer, to offers tens of thousands of donated used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, magazines, and records for sale at bargain prices. Book- 3, sales will stock 26–May April be held from The Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw Washtenaw of Center Community Jewish The County will serve as Bookfor a site donation media and book used largest Michigan’s stock, sale. All Bookstock proceeds benefitMetro- projects. and education literacy area Detroit 3, 3, at 10 a.m. This film, which starsAlfred Mo Israeli Israeli film lina in a retelling of Amos Oz’s novel, in the Basement and soldier British a between develops that ship an 11-year-old Israeli militant fighting against the British occupation in 1947 Just Palestine. a few months before Israel becomes a theirstate, secret friendship is and discovered, the boy is to andbrought to officials the town reported “trial” for being a Through traitor. the eyes of during this seepe what we was like life the boy history. riod of Israel’s I I Community

Temple Beth Emeth to celebrate Leading Hadassah scientist reveals Rabbi Robert Levy’s silver anniversary stem cell breakthroughs Herb Pritzker, special to the WJN Marty Fischhoff, special to the WJN emple Beth Emeth will pay tribute to rabbi’s honor using a prayer book created by n January one of the earliest pioneers in President Mary Sue Coleman and Executive Rabbi Robert Levy with a special pro- AARTY, the temple youth group, and illustrated embryonic stem cell research, Dr. Benja- Vice-President for Medical Affairs Robert T gram of social, community, and reli- by the temple’s Hebrew school students. I min Reubinoff, intrigued an audience of Kelch. The rest of the room was filled with gious events in honor of his silver anniversary Temple Beth Emeth has grown dramatically several hundred people at the University of scientists, researchers, and members of the as the temple’s spiritual leader. The celebration since Rabbi Levy gave his first sermon on April Michigan with the latest advances his labo- public interested in stem cell research. will take place over a three-week period begin- 6, 1984. Temple membership has more than ratory in Israel has made in turning the new After his lecture, Reubinoff told the Ann ning Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 tripled, from about 220 families medical technology into potential treatments Arbor News that the passage of Proposal 2, p.m., with a gala evening of skits, in 1984 to more than 700 today, for neurological diseases. “is a very important step. I think it will really songs, good times, and the shar- according to Ronnie Simon, A professor at Hadassah Medical Center, open new horizons for our collaboration with ing of memories at the Morris temple administrator. Reubinoff was in Ann Arbor on January 28 to [the University of] Michigan.” Lawrence building at Washt- That growth also is reflected present the second annual A. Alfred Taubman The Israeli scientist was also guardedly enaw Community College. in the temple’s religious edu- Lecture. He was a guest of the Taubman Insti- optimistic about the new clinical trial on “It will be an evening of fun cation program. The religious tute, as part of its Israel Initiative, which seeks patients with spinal cord injuries, for which and camaraderie as we honor the school now has 40 teachers, 41 to create collaborations between leading medi- biotech firm Geron recently won FDA ap- rabbi’s contributions to the tem- high school teacher aides, and cal researchers at U-M and Israel. As part of this proval. It represents the first human trials of ple and its families, and thank close to 400 students in grades effort, Reubinoff met with the Taubman Insti- therapies derived from embryonic stem cells him for his guidance, leadership, pre-K–12, a significant increase tute director, Dr. Eva Feldman, to discuss joint and, as such, has received much press atten- wisdom, and friendship over the since the rabbi first came aboard, research on ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclero- tion. Reubinoff called the trial an important years” said Wendy Lawrence, according to temple records. sis, often called “Lou Gehrig’s disease”). Also first step in translating stem cell science into president of the temple’s board In addition to his work in Rabbi Robert Levy of trustees. the local religious community, “The gala is only one way we will thank Rabbi Levy has been influential in leading the the rabbi for his contributions,” she added. temple’s outreach to Israel. The temple is as- There also will be a tribute book in honor of sociated with Kehilat Tzur Hadassah, a young, the event, where temple members and oth- growing congregation affiliated with the Israeli ers in the community can purchase ads to movement for progressive Reform Judaism express their congratulations and apprecia- located in the Judean hills 12 miles southwest tion to Rabbi Levy. Donations to the tribute of Jerusalem. The rabbi includes visits to Tzur book will go to the Melvin and Lois Levy En- Hadassah on the temple trips he leads to Israel, dowment Fund, established by the temple to and the two congregations remain in contact honor the rabbi’s parents. with each other. Tickets for the April 25 event are $50 each in Temple Beth Emeth also has an active music advance, $60 at the door, and can be purchased program under the direction and leadership of through the temple office at 2309 Packard Rd., Cantor Annie Rose, with the full support and or by calling 665-4744. Information on placing encouragement of the rabbi. Its 75-voice adult ads in the tribute book is also available through choir, Kol Halev, has gained an international the temple office and on the temple’s website at reputation as the temple’s ambassador of good- Local Hadassah members with Dr. Benjamine Reubinoff www.Templebethemeth.org will. In 2004 choir members traveled to Eastern The following Saturday, May 2, temple mem- Europe, and in 2007 they traveled to Argentina, making the event special was a large contingent potential treatments. bers will donate their services to Alpha House, re-energizing the Jewish communities they vis- from the Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah, “Benny is doing truly amazing work,” said a shelter for homeless families, where they will ited with liturgical music not heard in years. which came out in force to hear Reubinoff’s Dr. Feldman, a neurologist at U-M. “He is spend a full day painting, cleaning, making re- According to Cantor Rose, the choir is now lecture and to sponsor a luncheon with U-M conducting some of the most important re- pairs, and helping in other ways. This continues planning a concert tour to the Ukraine. leaders afterwards. search in the medical world, and he is bring- the temple’s commitment of service to the com- In addition to the adult choir, there is the The director of the Human Embryonic ing us closer to the day we will be able to use munity, an important value of Rabbi Levy. high school Shir Chadash band and choir, the Research Center at the Hadassah University stem cells to treat human disease. I look for- The celebration continues on Sunday, May 9, middle school Shir Chadash band and choir, Medical Center in Jerusalem, Reubinoff told the ward to working with him.” with a “Day of Learning” at the temple. The top- and the youth choir, all under the direction of near-capacity crowd how he had been able to At the luncheon following his lecture, Reu- ic will be “Day of the Whirlwind: Understanding the Cantor Rose. n apply neurons derived from human embryonic binoff echoed those thoughts. “The connec- the Book of Amos.” The rabbi will lead both the stem cells in experiments with animal disease tion and relationships we are building with For additional information contact, Wendy Law- Shabbat service and the Day of Learning. models. He injected these nerve cells into mice the Taubman Institute is very important,” he rence at [email protected] or Herb Pritz- On May 15 the celebration concludes with with multiple sclerosis or age-related macular said. “We are very much in line with your de- ker at [email protected]. a special family-friendly Shabbat service in the degeneration, and was able to delay the onset or sire to exploit the new science of stem cells in reverse the damage of the diseases. improving the health of people.” He warned that human applications of this From the earliest days of embryonic stem Chief political correspondent for Jerusalem Post stem cell therapy could still be years in the fu- cell research, only ten years ago, Israel and Ha- ture, but the results were encouraging. Alfred dassah have been at the forefront of this new Gil Hoffman to speak April 22 Taubman, in his closing remarks, said that field of inquiry. Eileen Freed, special to the WJN Reubinoff’s work “makes abundantly clear “We are so proud of all that Dr. Reubinoff how critical stem cell research is to medical and Hadassah have accomplished,” said Judi The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor School of Journal- science.” Taubman had been one of the major Schram, past president of Hadassah’s Detroit will present an evening with Gil Hoffman, chief ism and wrote for backers of Proposal 2 on the November ballot, Chapter, who helped organize the luncheon. political correspondent and analyst for the Je- the Miami Her- which successfully lifted many of the restric- Hadassah is an international organization of rusalem Post. Hoffman will speak at Temple ald and Arizona tions on embryonic stem cell research in the Jewish women formed in 1912 to improve Beth Emeth on April 22, at 7:30 p.m., explor- Republic before state. The vote opens the door to increased health-care for all people in Israel. ing the impact of the new administrations in moving to Israel. research with stem cells at the University of “Putting Ben and Eva together, Hadassah Washington and Jerusalem on Israel’s future. A reserve soldier in Michigan, likely one of the reasons for such a and the Taubman Institute, really gives us the Hoffman, called the “most optimistic man the IDF’s Spokes-

March 2009 March large turnout at the lecture. dream team of medical research,” said Schram. in Israel” by Israel Television, has interviewed man’s Unit, he has

A Gil Hoffman In the front row of the Biomedical Science “It’s only a matter of time before stem cell ther- every major figure across the Israeli political lectured in more Research Building auditorium were U-M apy is part of every physician’s tool kit.” n spectrum and has been interviewed by top than 30 states, Canada, England, and Australia. media on six continents. He is a regular analyst For more information, visit www.jewis- on CNN, Al-Jazeera, and other news outlets. hannarbor.org or contact Eileen Freed, eileen- Raised in Chicago, Hoffman graduated magna [email protected] or 677-0100. cum laude from Northwestern University’s Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 8 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 9 (1794) Spring

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artistic director | | | Call or Click For Tickets! For or Click Call 734.764.2538 SUN, MAR 29 THU, MAR 26 WED, MAR 18 SUN, MAR 22 FRISAT, FRISAT, MAR 1314 PROGRAM 130th UMS Season UMS 130th Rackham Auditorium Toyota. Series by is sponsored 08/09 Family The Rachel by Bendit Bernstein. and Mark Sponsored the Arts for as part in part Endowment the National of by Funded of Artistic Genius. Centuries Three Masterpieces: American Times. 107one and Metro Arbor’s Media Sponsors Ann Metro Times. Media Sponsor Metro Performances! Special One-Hour Family Dan Zanes & Friends Zakir Hussain Sharma Shivkumar Pandit Rackham Auditorium Media Sponsor WEMU 89.1 FM. 50th Anniversary Concert Romeros The Rackham Auditorium by Co-Sponsored The Silk Road Ensemble The Yo-Yo Ma Vienna Trio Altenberg Rackham Auditorium Takemitsu Tides Between Haydn Dvořák (“Pastoral”) XV:21 Hob. in C Major, Trio Piano Newspapers. and Observer & Eccentric 91.3 FM Media Sponsors WGTE 65 Op. in f minor, Trio Piano Hill Auditorium performance by is sponsored Friday The Catherine S. Arcure and S. Arcure the Catherine performance by is sponsored Friday The Fund. Herbert Endowment Sloan E. Robert Macek. performance by is sponsored Saturday and Pearson The Toyota. Series by is sponsored 08/09 Family The and 91.3 FM, WGTE 107one, Arbor’s Media Sponsors Ann Newspapers. Observer & Eccentric (1826) (1843-44) (1841) (1884) (1874/ arr. 1922) (1874/ arr.

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THU, MAR 12 WED, MAR 11 TUE, MAR 10 SAT, MAR 7 SAT, SUN, MAR 8 PROGRAM PROGRAM SAT 3/7 SAT PROGRAM 3/8 SUN PROGRAM Hill Auditorium series is supported in partWorld by Arts Performing The of the Arab Mosaic The the Arts; for Endowment Inc; National World, New TAQA Southeast for Foundation DC; Community Washington Foundation, Arts. Arab for Foundation Michigan; and Bustan al-Funun and ArabDetroit.com. News American Arab Media Sponsors The National Endowment for the Arts for as part in part Endowment the National of by Funded of Artistic Genius. Centuries Three Masterpieces: American Newspapers. and Observer & Eccentric 91.3 FM Media Sponsors WGTE (Voices) Aswat Simon Shaheen Azzam Ibrahim Haydn Haydn Wuorinen 2 (“Quinten”) 76, No. Op. Schoenberg String Quartet in d minor, the artists) by (commissioned Quintet New Piano quartet, 41 (for piano, Napoleon, Op. Ode to Beethoven 133 Op. Fuge, Grosse Brentano String Quartet String Brentano Serkin Peter Meglioranza Thomas Rackham Auditorium Hill Auditorium Hill Auditorium Price. and Beverly Laurence by Sponsored Sesi by Motors. Hosted 107one, Arbor’s Ann Times, Metro Media Sponsors WEMU 89.1 FM, Page. and Michigan Chronicle/Front Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Orchestra Center Lincoln at Jazz Marsalis Wynton and Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky Stravinsky by is sponsored Weekend Philharmonic York New The 55 Op. 3 in G Major, No. Suite performance by is sponsored Saturday The Rite of Spring The Ventures. performance MainStreet by is hosted Saturday The the Arts for as part in part Endowment the National of by Funded of Artistic Genius. Centuries Three Masterpieces: American and 91.3 FM WGTE News, Jewish Media Sponsors Detroit Newspapers. Observer & Eccentric Mendelssohn Overture Dream A Midsummer Night’s Schumann Mussorgsky 120 Op. 4 in d minor, No. Symphony Ravel an Exhibition, arr. at Pictures Berlioz 9 Overture, Roman Op. Carnival New York Philharmonic York New Maazel Lorin Hill Auditorium at UMS at Madness March performances month of great A phenomenal for everyone! Rima Khcheich SUPPORT MICHIGAN MADE PRODUCTS AT HILLER’S IRabbinic Commentary/Israel ANNARBORHILLER’SMARKET Arborland Mall, 3615 Washtenaw Ave. OUR OTHER LOCATIONS... Work for peace • COMMERCE TWP. Hiller’s Market, 39950 14 Mile Rd. & Haggerty Rabbi Robert Levy, special the WJN • PLYMOUTH Hiller’s Market, 15455 Haggerty Rd. & 5 Mile he easiest and least productive way So why do people have to die and suffer to decide right and wrong in the and continue to die and suffer if the end is so • WEST BLOOMFIELD Hiller’s Market, 6433 Orchard Lake Rd. T Middle East is to believe in one obvious? The true and good answer is that side’s righteousness. If you only look at the process is needed to bring the plan to a place • NORTHVILLE Hiller’s Market, 425 North Center Street powerful ground assault of Israel in Gaza, where all sides feel engaged in the solution, • BERKLEY Hiller’s Shopping Center, 3052 West 12 Mile Rd. it might appear to you (from let’s say your so that there is real acceptance. • UNION LAKE Hiller’s Market, 3010 Union Lake Rd. European breakfast table) that Israel is out I am sorry to be difficult, but what I just of control. But just go back a week or two said was the true and good answer 30 years or three or four and see the constant mis- ago. Imagine our grandchildren inheriting sile bombardment by Hamas forces against basically the same grinding state of constant EVERYDAY TO civilian centers and the Gazan invasion is so warfare. It matters little if one is Palestinian, clearly justified. No country sits indefinitely or Israeli, or a passionate “cousin” from afar. GOURMET while being constantly bombed. Imagine a world in 30 years with new elec- But then, let’s go back to the blockade of tronics, new communications (Newspapers? Gaza that brought its people such suffering. Maybe yes and maybe no), a bustling econ- Let’s go back further, to the clearly stated de- omy fueled by solar and such. We can not sires of those who control Gaza to wipe Israel fully imagine what will shape and be shaped off the map. by the future, except to know it will be dif- It seems that there will never be a place ferent, apart from the embattled State of Is- for compromise. And yet, anyone interested rael living along side increasingly distraught already knows what that undesired compro- Palestinians. mise would look like and has known it for Ridiculous. That future is neither desirable years. The West Bank and Gaza become Pal- nor practical. The time is not right for peace, estine, with a slight shifting of land to allow the time is past due. I am not smart enough Israel to keep what it has completely built up to know how to get to the peaceful end of this around Jerusalem. Some face-saving beard is struggle. But I do realize that the near future Look For Our Green Tags And Save created to allow for Palestinians to claim that must hold the promise of peace, or the constant their capital is also Jerusalem, and all forms state of war may consume both us and our ene- WIN A $100 GIFT CARD - Register online at of pan-Arab hostilities against Israel cease. I mies. “Wait and see” will not serve our interests. www.hillers.com to receive regular Email updates am sure that I am leaving something out, but Working for peace will. n the plan is simple, mostly fair, the best either and qualify for the gift card in our monthly drawing. side can expect if peace is to be found. must be 18 or older to enter Praying in Israel Noa Gutterman, special to the WJN n my last article, I wrote about my opin- ion on the war with Israel and Gaza, and I my concerns about my then upcoming trip to Israel. Fortunately, my trip began suc- cessfully, and I have been living on Kibbutz Tzuba. Although I have been to Israel be- fore, this experience is completely different h than anything I could have ever imagined. 8t This past weekend was our first Shabbat in il Israel, and to celebrate, we visited the West- pr ern Wall. I had heard that the Western Wall e , a was the best place on earth to pray. Prayer is r ay ev esd supposed to come easy at the Western Wall. pa edn Communication with God works. sso is w Being a firm believer in prayer, I expected ver to feel something incredible. After all, this was the one place in the world that I could effortlessly communicate with God. Prayer . has always come easy to me. It has always

We’re proud to dress your holiday table with traditional foods including Roasted been my personal way to express feelings in Lamb Shank, Mahogany Eggs, Gefilte fish, Charoset, Chocolate Orange Passover a Jewish manner. After all, I’ve been learning Torte, Matzo Mandelbrot, Macaroons, Askinosie Chocolate's NEW Davao Philippines how to pray since I was in the womb. dark chocolate bar and more... , As we entered the old city, the Shabbat bell To view the entire Passover menu, come by Zingerman’s Deli or visit began to toll and I prepared myself for what www.zingermanscatering.com or www.zingermansdeli.com. is supposed to be the holiest place for Jews on earth. The square was swarming with people, To ensure availability, please place your orders in advance. drawn by some invisible force towards the wasn’t it working for me? I decided to try First pick up available Wednesday, April 8th. wall. I joined the throngs of woman, each again, maybe I hadn’t done the right thing. clutching a sliver of paper, their personal Maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough. Never- message to God. As I approached the wall, theless, when I tried to pray again, I got the my heart began to race. I reached the end of same result. I didn’t understand. I felt like I my journey and found myself close enough March 2009 March was stuck in an unsolvable algebra problem. to touch the wall. I reached out my hand and A I had all the parts on the left side of the equa- Choose from roast beef brisket or whole-roasted free-range chicken, pressed it up against the cool surface of the with golden mashed potatoes, four hand-made gelfilte fish, potato kugel tion; I knew what I wanted to pray for and I Jerusalem stone. I closed my eyes and took knew how to pray. Yet, I couldn’t come up and Passover greens, Jewish chicken broth soup with matzo balls and a a deep breath and began my prayer ritual. 6'' chocolate orange Passover torte from Zingerman’s Bakehouse. with my solution of successful and miracu- And realized that I felt nothing. I stumbled lous prayer. I felt no connection to the words backwards in surprise. Everyone around me seemed to be doing the right thing. Why

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw continued on next page 10 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 11 - - And then there is a wonderful parable the parable wonderful a is there then And The Dead Sea is a place of stark beauty, We do We not necessarily become closer to - Psalm the exclaims joy!” with God “Serve I have traveled to Israel during difficult during Israel to traveled have I I hope to see you in Jerusalem this the incredible varietythe incredible of creation. ofSea the is Why is: question The tell. rabbis Galilee, the Kinneret, so alive and the is Dead Kinneret the that is answer The dead? so Sea through flows River Jordan the because alive because alive is It other. the out and side one it takes in and gives out. The Dead Sea, the is rabbis in the dead said, fact, because, river truly be to lives, our In it. of out flow not does as give we must we must not only take, alive, on, reflect to lesson meaningful a is That well. and one that takes on added significance as learning and ben through the land, travel we efiting inWe so should many consider ways. as well what we can give to our brothers in and general, in world the to and Israel, in sisters receive. what we for return fascinating atmosphere, and some fun as the on lowest the spot, this on Standing well. of is a earth, reminder the ofuniqueness the areas its of each lessons the and Israel of land n can teach. and and penitence. Just as God is served in the ways of the spirit, so too can He be served through our As flesh an andexample, body. imagine a savory meal waiting on our table. We can view the food only as a pleasurably satisfymeans we a can basic Or, desire. to view it as a pleasurable means to give us the strength to do good deeds and tikkun olam, as well as an opportunity to acknowledge is This bounty. the for creator our thank and how Judaism connects the physical into the spiritual. Judaism physical. ofthe rejection the by G-d teaches both feasting and fasting. Each can serve a Divine purpose in the right context. ist. “Ess en gesunde heitâ” says the Yiddish much as are humor good and Joy expression. a part of the Jewish character and tradition n solemnity and earnestness. as are urally there are essentials of life that must take precedence. But, for those who can make the trip but have delayed it far too long, I hope that you will be inspired you what by by and written, have I articles the have read elsewhere, to plan to make the trip that so many of our ancestors could dreamed. have only and times, I can guarantee you that Israe lis are always very grateful to see tourists. It certainly helps the economy but, even that know them helps it importantly, more deeply. still care as Diaspora Jews, we, summer! ------Yom KIPURIM which Yom makes them Hebrew the fact, In identical. almost prefix “Ki” means “as,” prefix denoting “Ki” means “as,” a I hope that these articles will help all Yet, Yet, the names of these two holidays Kippur Yom as opposites such could How The relating Kippur of and Yom Purim But, it’s But, also it’s a good place to work on our inappropriate, to think about tourism in Israel at a time when the state faces such con the of aftermath the and issues major our in etched deeply so still is Gaza in flict in But, it fact, minds. is at times like these that our for love Israel is most important, resolu peaceful a for pray and hope we as tion to the current conflict andfor hope and security for Israel and peace for the region. entire of us, no matter what our political or re mean deep the realize perspective, ligious ing that Israel has for us. I know full well that the current economic situation has and nat many impossible for made travel closely closely resemble each other. The original Biblical spelling of KippurYom is actually similarity the two. between and comparison and Purim be alike? Our most solemn and silliest levels of the whole year are somehow together! linked and gladness joy in Judaism, us that, teaches are just as important as serious meditation down, down, but I’m told you are much less likely to get a sunburn because of the heaviness of the air with the evaporating minerals. (I have never bought this and would still not suggest going without a lot of sun screen.) If you have been there before, you notice a difference, and are faced with the absolute reasons— many so for that truth inescapable and ofmany them brought about by the ac tions of human beings—the sea is retreating, retreating, is sea beings—the human of tions much further from the road than it was the last time you visited. So it is a good place to consider our effect on the environment and to think of the world we will be leaving to and grandchildren. our children a is faith Judaism of faith. our understanding that, like most, is challenge to good accustomedis it and to places,” thinking“high about yourself by considering what about this low place can be meaningful on a spiritual level. recognize we furtherbeingdown, by Perhaps, even more deeply the distance between our selves and God. Perhaps we feel closer to the core of the earth, perhaps we just marvel at ------on a different sub different a on ews N hen hen you look at the Jewish cal holi two will notice you endar, days that seem to be opposites: Part of seriesPart this inspiration the of for seem It may and strange, perhaps even Purim, on the other hand, is the exact op exact the is hand, other the on Purim, Yom Kippur climaxes the Yom High Holidays Yom Kippur and Yom Purim are even on op The Dead Sea is a marvelous place to visit. visit. to place marvelous a is Sea Dead The par and watching stop to have you Then, But there is a contemplative element to This year, come to Israel come to This year, WJN the to special Dobrusin, Robert Rabbi Every year I write a series of articles for the for articles of series a write I year Every Jewish Washtenaw ject. This year, I chose to ject. This writeyear, on various places in Israel that a tourist would visit, and some share to thoughts on the mean- ing that those places have for me, as American an rabbi who has been privileged occasions. visitto 12 different on Israel articles came from my excitement about an upcoming Beth Israel hoped I Congregation that, Beyond June. in Israel to trip that my articles would interest everyone who was planning a trip to Israel and - en the trip. make to others courage sures, sures, and concentrating on spiritual mat The mood is solemn. ters. Yom Kippur and Purim. Kippur Yom and is the holiest day of We the Jewish year. spend the day in the synagogue immersed in serious prayer and reflection.It is a time plea earthly from restraining and fasting for Purim and Yom Kippur Purim and Yom WJN the to special Goldstein, Aharon Rabbi W posite. We feast and celebrate, eat, drink and eat, celebrate, and feast We posite. make merry. Everything is topsy turvy and we can hardly distinguish between Haman and Mordechai. Young and old sing, party and masquerade, in an outpouring of hap piness and joy. posite sides of the annual calendar—fall and calendar—fall annual ofthe sides posite spring respectively. continue to descend to the lowest place on earth. These signs are clear reminders that anymore. not in Michigan you’re First of all, it is a fascinating place to watch listen people, to ofthe cacophony languages and, between the mud baths and the sulfur and the mountains behind tryyou, to make ofsense scene. the entire ticipate ticipate in the fun. I have been to Israel 12 times and it wasn’t until my last visit that I actually entered the Dead Sea. Any number went finally I So, out. me kept had ofexcuses in Frankly, I’mfor nota “float”. sure I’ll do it again, but I’m glad I did it once. Once I finally was ableto wash all theoily miner als offI that realized it was skin, trulymy an experience. astounding this place, as well, and different thoughts come to mind as one looks so First, around. ofmuch what happens at the Dead Sea con founds but us. water, it It’s really water isn’t beats sun the and hot It’s it. know we way the

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t if you share that in

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—“sea level.” If you —“sea are level.” in the Gali

love road signs. I am so fascinated them that by I am part of a group on the Internet which posts photographs of The attitude toward prayer in Israel is For those who visit Israel for the first But of all the road signs that I in love Is completely completely different from what I was used to in America. During my short time here I have discovered that it is not as simple as opening a prayer book and following a rabbi. Many people don’t pray at all, and furthermore, don’t lead a Jewish lifestyle. Others pray multiple times a day and find I Wall. Western the at Godwith connections understand an on depends all it that believe I was saying and definitely no connection with God. I felt angry and frustrated, I had at unsuccessful being of anyone heard never As my Wall. trip the Western group left the experienc their described peers my city, old es as remarkable and fantastic. I un didn’t Ifderstand. prayer should work for anyone, I felt that it should work for me. And then, Why sense. make to began it night, that later should prayer be more special at the West should I only be able con to Why Wall? ern nect with God while I stand in front of the remnants of the After Second all, Temple? everyspecialin is God that says Judaism my to have don’t prayers My in place the world. place. holy a in am I because special more be Ann from well as just pray can I that believe I of the center Jerusalem. Arbor as I can from my prayers have don’t to Moreover, be said in a forced and formal While situation. this method withof and connection God prayer may work for many people, it did not work me. for ing of what Judaism means to you. For me, it means that I need don’t the glamour and excitement of the Western Wall to pray. I can pray at anywhere, anytime that I want. Prayer is personal. Prayer is easy, prayer is difficult, and the right time and place elusive. are continued previous from page

­ hayam” I rael, the one that I anticipate most eagerly is the one that reads, very simply: “p’nai time and remember their Bible stories, it is such a thrill to see a sign for Jaffa, the port to call God’s escape to left Jonah which from prophesy; Beersheva, the place where Abra one specific type of sign: the “entering signs” signs” “entering the sign: of type specific one cit and towns into entrance the mark which ies in (Please Massachusetts. contact me at [email protected] But signs.) those about story a have or terest, Israel and me, interest kinds allof signs road signs. interesting look for to place is a great servants ham’s dug seven wells as described in the book of site of Genesis; Megiddo, the tel that was inspiration Michener’s for The Source; and of which course Jerusalem, will be the subject of a future article on travel Israel. to lee, near the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, you you Galilee, of Sea the Kinneret, the near lee, see such a sign where you might not expect to see it—on a ridge above a valley below. south then and east go you as course, of And, signthe Sea, Dead the along Jerusalem from you as expect might you than higher much is

Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, special to the WJN the to special Dobrusin, Robert Rabbi Dead Sea of giving lessons teaches I World I Community

Is Pope Benedict good for the Jews? An Afternoon of Heart and Sole By Ruth Ellen Gruber Robin Little, special to the WJN ROME (JTA) — Always uneasy, the rela- issued statements trying to clarify the issue On Sunday, February 15, Jewish Family Ser- individuals, and services for refugees and tionship between the Vatican and the Jewish and eventually ordered Williamson to recant vices supporters and friends and family of emigres. A matching gift from Rachel Bendit community took another sour turn recently his remarks on the Holocaust. Williamson Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein gathered and Mark Bernstein established an Emergen- when Pope Benedict XVI announced he was apologized for causing the pope “unnecessary in the Michigan League Ballroom to honor cy Aid Fund to assist individuals and families rescinding the excommunication of a bishop distress and problems” with his “imprudent” them as the 2009 recipients of the Claire and impacted by the current economic crisis. who denies the Holocaust. statements — but to date he has not retracted Isadore Bernstein Leadership Award. This The keynote speaker was Simon Greer, While the pope managed to smooth things his stated views. annual award is presented by Jewish Family president and CEO of Jewish Funds for Jus- over somewhat by distancing himself from On Feb. 12, the pope met at the Vatican Services of Washtenaw County to an indi- tice. Greer , a friend of Rachel and Mark (or Bishop Richard Williamson’s Holocaust de- with a delegation from the Conference of nial and, at a meeting last week at the Vatican Presidents of Major American Jewish Organi- with Jewish representatives, announcing plans zations, his first meeting with Jewish leaders to visit Israel in May, the uproar of the past since the crisis. few weeks raises significant questions about Any denial or “minimization” of the Holo- the goals of Benedict’s papacy. caust, Benedict told them, is “intolerable and It also highlights the scrutiny Benedict has altogether unacceptable.” The Church, he said, come under regarding Jewish issues in the is “profoundly and irrevocably committed to nearly four years since he became pope. The reject all anti-Semitism, and to continue to Williamson affair may be the most dramatic of build good and lasting relations between our the Jewish-related crises of Benedict’s papacy, two communities.” but it’s not the first. Benedict also personally announced his “What has been revealed most dramatically upcoming trip to Israel, which also will in- by this episode is something that Vatican ob- clude stops in the West Bank and Jordan. x servers have been noting consistently during Some Jewish representatives at the meeting this papacy in contrast to the previous pontifi- hailed the pope’s words. cate: an amazing lack of consideration of the “We came a long way,” Rabbi Arthur Sch- ramifications of papal actions, and a profound neier of the Park East Synagogue in New York F o : Gr ego ry lack of collegial consultation,” said Rabbi Da- told reporters after the meeting. “We traveled vid Rosen, the American Jewish Committee’s to share our pain, to share our disbelief, but director of Interreligious Affairs. we are leaving with renewed hope of stronger The result, Rosen told JTA, is that time and bonds between Catholics and Jews.” Cr e di t P hoto again the Vatican has ended up “running to Others were more circumspect. Jewish Family Services Board President Steve Gerber presented a gift to honorees put out fires” when it “could have prevented “This meeting was an effort to reconcile, Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein the distress to others and the harm to itself in to bring closure, but it didn’t lay this issue to the first place.” rest,” Anti-Defamation League national direc- vidual or couple who exemplify outstand- Bendit and Bernstein), spoke about Jewish The most recent flare-up is a case in point. tor Abraham Foxman, who also attended the ing leadership and community service. The philanthropy in this time of economic tur- Benedict announced Jan. 24 that he had meeting, told JTA. event was the kick-off for JFS’ fundraising moil. Lt. Gov. John Cherry also addressed the lifted the 1988 excommunication of the Brit- “You cannot say that we oppose anti-Semi- campaign, with gifts going to support JFS’s economic situation in Michigan and empha- ish-born Williamson and three other mem- tism and Holocaust denial and then reinstate a ongoing work with families in crisis, at-risk sized the important role that social service bers of the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway denier,” Foxman said. “Every day that William- children and teens, isolated and low-income agencies, like Jewish Family Services, play in traditionalist group that rejects some of the son remains” a member of the Church “is an older adults, career services for unemployed helping the most vulnerable and needy. reforms of the 1962-65 Vatican II Council. affront. There needs to be action on William- The council’s Nostra Aetate document paved son, so we know that there are no Williamsons the way for formal Jewish-Catholic dialogue in the Church hierarchy.” by repudiating collective Jewish guilt for the Vatican-Jewish relations have been un- Ann Arbor represented at International Melton Conference death of Jesus. der close scrutiny since Benedict was elected Rena Ashkenazi, special to the WJN Just days before Benedict’s announcement, pontiff in April 2005. His predecessor, the Against the background of the global eco- American Division, who set the tone for the Swedish TV had broadcast an interview with Polish-born Pope John Paul II, made foster- nomic crisis, the critical importance of adult four days of professional development. The Williamson in which he denied the existence ing Jewish-Catholic relations and promoting learning took center stage at the recent 14th intensive schedule of workshops, study, and of Nazi gas chambers and claimed that only awareness of the Holocaust a major focus of annual International Directors Conference networking focused on best practices for 200,000 to 300,000 Jews had been killed in his reign. of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School building stronger, sustainable Mini-Schools the Holocaust rather than the more accepted Benedict was John Paul’s “most trusted in Chicago. Gordon Zacks, president of the in each of our communities. Many Directors number of 6 million. theological right hand,” Rosen said. board of directors of the Florence Melton shared their successes and challenges in vari- While the reinstatement of the four bish- From the beginning, Benedict indicated he Adult Mini-School, gave an impassioned re- ous networking sessions, including a World ops was an internal Catholic matter aimed at would continue John Paul’s policy toward the minder that, especially in difficult economic Café where participants shared ideas about fostering Catholic unity, Williamson’s rehabil- Jews. He met with Jewish leaders and made times, high quality learning for adults is a various educational topics. Guest present- itation triggered anger, outrage and a measure historic visits to synagogues in Germany and strategic initiative, not a luxury. Only adult ers included Dr. Amy Sales, director of the of disbelief around the world. the United States. leaders who are informed and knowledge- Fisher-Bernstein Institute for Jewish Philan- “The Vatican has done far more than set His own history played a role: Benedict able about Judaism can continue to inspire thropy and Leadership at Brandeis Univer- back Vatican-Jewish relations,” the scholar grew up in what he has described as a staunch- community giving and guarantee the Jew- sity, and Rebecca Sykes, master storyteller Deborah Lipstadt, an expert on Holocaust de- ly anti-Nazi family, but like other German ish future. Julie Gales, Melton Mini-School and dramatist. nial, wrote on her blog. “It has made itself look teenagers he was forced to join Hitler Youth. director at the Jewish Community Center of The conference also featured a keynote like it is living in the darkest of ages.” He deserted the German army before the end Washtenaw County was among the 37 direc- address by Dr. Jonathan Sarna during a spe- Condemnation rolled in from Jewish of World War II. tors from 35 communities in North America cial evening in honor of Dr. Betsy Dolgin groups, Holocaust survivors, U.S. legislators, Now 81, Benedict undoubtedly is the last and Israel who participated in this year’s con- Katz, the recently retired North American Israeli leaders and German Chancellor Angela pope who will have witnessed the Holocaust ference. The Florence Melton Adult Mini- founding director. A new Melton graduate Merkel, as well as from elements within the era firsthand. School is a project of the Hebrew University curriculum on American Jewry was dedi- Catholic Church. While welcoming his synagogue visits, of Jerusalem. It is the largest global network cated in Katz’s honor. Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican point the Jewish community has chafed at some of of pluralistic adult Jewish education, with Under Julie Gales’ leadership and the man on relations with the Jewish world, com- Benedict’s policies. Mini-Schools in the United States, Canada, sponsorship of the JCC, the Melton Mini- March 2009 March plained that he had not been consulted about The most persistent thorn in the commu- United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and School for adult learning is flourishing in A the matter and did not know about it in ad- nity’s side has been the ongoing controversy Hungary. Ann Arbor. To learn more about Ann Arbor’s vance. over the role of the wartime pope, Pius XII, The theme of the Conference—“Melton: Melto Mini-School, contact Julie Gales at ju- Even more remarkably, the Vatican said the whom the Vatican plans to beatify. Many his- Built to Last”—was introduced by Rabbi [email protected] or 971.0990. pope himself had not been aware of William- torians say Pius turned a blind eye to Jewish Loren Sykes, new Director of the North son’s views. In a frenzy of damage control, the Vatican continues on page 33 Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 12 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 13  1299150

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n Sunday, n February Sunday, 1, more than 30 educators from across South eastern Michigan gathered at the

During the course of the day, the educators educators the day, the of course the During As As it has done with immersion days fo Eileen Freed, special to the WJN the to special Freed, Eileen Educators enjoy a day of Jewish culture Jewish of a day enjoy Educators O were exposed to variety of aspects of Jewish life Jewish of aspects of variety to exposed were and culture with hands-on activities, lectures, and panel presentations. Morning sessions held at the JCC included an optional Torah yoga class, a basic introduction to the laws of kashrut (keeping kosher), a presentation on the nature of Jewish time, and holiday expe gram and recruited volunteers from across the “This Jewish community. was a wonderful opportunity for the to with interact UMS to Federation provide this important service to the - commu said David Shtulman, executive director nity,” Arbor. Ann of ofFederation Greater Jewish the Matthew Weingarten and Kimberly Kunoff, former and current public relations directors at the were Frankel essential Center, to con- ceiving an interesting agenda and assisted in ensuring its success. Area Jewish educators, most notably Cindy Saper (education direc tor at Beth Israel Congregation), and Terri Ginsburg (education Bethdirector at Temple for the in advice significant provided Emeth), interest be would that program a of mulation educators. ing and meaningful to riences including challah braiding and play ing Frankel dreidel. Center Director Deborah Dash Moore gave a presentation about Jew ish immigration and the development of the Zing States, United the in community Jewish founder spoke Ari erman’s about Weinzweig the origin and geopolitical significanceof the bagel, and David Shtulman gave an overview of the Ann Arbor Jewish community and the ofrole Federation. the Jewish the program. Eileen Freed, director of Israel/Overseas and Community Relations at the Jewish Federation, pro ofthe development coordinated cusing on other cultures, UMS Education Manager Omari Rush and Claire Rice (the interim director of Education and Audience Development), sought partnership with the implement and develop to community Jewish Jewish Jewish Community Center to be immersed in Jewish culture for the The day. University Musical Society partnered with the Jewish Jean the and Arbor Ann ofGreater Federation to Studies Judaic for Center Frankel Samuel & a offer “Jewish the Culture Immersion Day,” part of its program of professional develop ment activitiesment K–12 educators. for Marianne Aaron helps Marianne Aaron participants write learn to shalom in Hebrew I Voices of Youth

A shoe, a soul by Jono Sherman I spent the long, quiet ride gazing at the coun- rows in a daze, too overwhelmed to absorb any tryside. Vibrant farmhouses speckled the green lasting meaning. But then, I saw it — a small rolling hills, and the natural beauty allowed my white shoe. Most of the shoes were grey and mind to drift from the fact that I was en route dusty, but this little dress shoe was embellished to Majdanek, Poland, where 79,000 people were with a buckle and small heel. This shoe, which murdered in 34 months. I had read about these must have belonged to a young girl, gave me places, but from a safe distance. Standing at the a glimmer of what might have been, and all gates of the most extensively preserved camp in that had been lost. This shoe was literally one Poland, I could not know what to expect. among thousands, but it may just as well have A Soviet-era memorial towered overhead been the only one in the room. One shoe. One as I entered through the gate. The structure life. Focusing on its faded white hue, I realized distracted me until I saw the rows of barracks, I was there not just to see the terrible things the barbed wire fence, and the towering brick that had happened to my people, but to un- chimney far in the distance. As I entered, I derstand the important fact that before those walked past the camp director’s house, and things happened, each victim had a life, filled felt a cold and anxious quiet overcome me. I with love, pain, and everyday moments. Just prepared myself to see things, until now, I had : J o n S he r m an like me. In that moment, I joined the victim, never fully believed. and could feel the true loss of one small girl I The first building I entered was the gas would never know beyond that she had owned chamber. Walking along the stone path, a group a small white shoe with a shiny buckle. c r e di t photo of ravens crowed in the background. Perhaps This piece is a reflection on the day Jono Sherman their ancestors had been attracted by the cre- who died in that room echoed in my head. My as ”the shoe room”. Cages piled high with shoes spent in the Majdanek concentration camp this matorium’s stench on the wind. Now in the gas body felt cold, my mind was numb. Walking lined the walls. Seeing the forlorn remnants, my past summer. Sherman traveled to Poland, and chamber, I was struck by the creak of the wood out through the door made me think of all the heart clenched to imagine the souls who had Israel, with the Camp Ramah Seminar Program. below my feet, the gray light, the blue stains of men, women, and children who never could. been caged, too. The disheveled shoes were now Sherman is a senior at Community High School. Zyclon-B on the walls. The screams of those I walked quietly toward a barrack known all that remained. I continued to walk along the : J o n S he r m an : J o n S he r m an c r e di t photo c r e di t photo OSRUI for a great summer adventure by Jodie Friedman This picture is ing trip, leaving from my two sum- the boys alone. We mers at OSRUI. all really came to- They portray expe- gether overnight. riences that have all The other photo is added greatly to my one was the girls Jewish life. At camp, and a counselor I learned that even in my tent on the while I was out ex- last night. periencing nature, OSRUI was there are every- such a great adven- day blessings and ture; in fact, my miracles. I learned unit this year was this lesson quickly Moshavah Hateva, because technology or “Adventures in was largely absent Nature,” and I only March 2009 March from the camp. In hope that I can re- A nature, the only turn again someday. thing there is plain old quiet simplicity. This (prayers) and follow kashrut (kosher dietary each other for entertainment, food, shelter, I would recommend this camp to any- was much appreciated after school ended— laws), but being Jewish at camp meant more encouragement, and most of all dependence. body who has the opportunity to go. camp was a way to unwind and start fresh than that. It meant having a support system, The first of these photos was taken this Jodie Friedman is a sophomore at Dexter when I got home. knowing that however far the distance may past summer, on my climbing trip. For part High School. Yes, everyday we would have t’fillot be, somebody cares. On trips we only had of it, the girls went on their own mini hik- Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 14 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 15 - - -

Mara Liasson Mara - - The Main Event went well, from the delicious desserts to Liasson ask to opportunity the given were there were that teens the Event, Main the After ex an did speaker The intellectually. and financially both success a was event the Overall avid Schapiro is in the eleventh grade at Huron Highavid School. is in the eleventh Schapiro at Huron grade D the inspiring speeches. Liasson made a long, intriguing speechintriguing long, a made Liasson speeches. inspiring the Israel. to it related and America, ofpolitics changing the about She spoke about the historic election that pleased challenges the many about but spoke She others. many disappointed also ahead for this country and including the the world, economy, the and war, paying for future social Her security. passionate speaking made the presentation all the more interesting. The Jew local the for dollars halfmillion a over raised Event Main mine being out careers, pursue us to She inspired about for 45 minutes. privately questions the of think model, a “make as such prepared, be to advice important us told She journalism. as well as worst fieldcase specificscenario,” “someadvice, such [stories] as are straightfor eration of Greater Ann Arbor had its annual Main Event in the ofteens the before, the year like Just raiseto order money. Jewish community were invited to meet after the formal part of the evening with the keynote This speaker. year we were meet enough withlucky to Liasson. NPR journalist Mara for struggling pay to Jews of hundreds help could that significant amount a community, ish support to donate to many inspired speech Liasson’s college. and school, food, housing, their those struggling she mentioned. the issues from sure.” not quite sometimes I’m in the mind, work ideas “sometimes And, ward. by David Schapiro David by Fed Jewish the p.m., 7:30 at 2008 11, December Thursday, On Federation Main Event featured inspiring NPR MainFederation Event ton ton for when findlunch, my theyI friendscouldn’t invitedAnnArbor, me from to eat with got team Our JCC. the at racquetballtogether offhad played all we timewe the in and them, It wasexperience, a great matter. but that didn’t roundof in eliminated the first the playoffs, with today. in touch people whom I stilland I met keep wonderful Gilad Eisbruch High School. at Community is a sophomore Houston Maccabi games Houston Eisbruch Gilad by The past two summers I have traveled with other teenagers from Ann Arbor to other cities to participate in the Maccabi games. In 2007, the Ann Arbor delegation participated in the Houston Maccabi games. I wanted to play flagfootball, but I was theonly one from Ann more many had that Carolina North from team a on put got I sport. that in interested Arbor friends to make be able wouldn’t at first thatI Ipeoplewas scared participating did. than we first our to up showed I as soon as but time, miserable a have would I and teammates my with and themselves, introduced and over came all They case. the be wouldn’t that knew I practice, Hous in JCC the to back got we when Even doing. were they drills the with in right jumped I Ann Arbor’s 2007 Maccabi team 2007 Maccabi Arbor’s Ann journalist, Mara Liasson journalist, ceptional job of inspiring us all to be the best we can be. She told us to be optimistic. “Every 4 “Every optimistic. be to us told She be. can we best the be to all us inspiring of job ceptional and us around world the about us informed She Liasson. said new,” something is there years, the hard times that lie ahead. She also explained that by sticking together as a community, times. hard the coming can get through we I Congregations

March events at Beth Israel Congregation Activities at TBE Elliot Sorkin, special to WJN Ronnie Simon, special to the WJN Batman vs. Haman: Will Purim Survive? preschoolers on Saturday March 14. The pro- bi Dobrusin. There is a charge for the meal. TBE Purim Carnival features games and Boys and girls, men and women, all are in- grams theme is “Dancing with the Prayers, ” and Since Rabbi Dobrusin’s arrival in Ann Arbor, vited to dress in costume and attend Beth Israel will reveal the choreography of the prayers— there have been many changes in his life and in separate tot area the times to bow and the times to stand. Partici- the life of the congregation. Rabbi Dobrusin Get ready for another year of Purim merry- Congregation’s traditional Megillah reading, making at Temple Beth Emeth’s Purim Carnival, combined with an interactive Purim Shpiel, to be pants will groove to the aerobic workout of the met and married his wife Ellen in Ann Arbor; Shabbat morning service. Monday, March 9. Rabbi Levy, in full costume, held on Monday night, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. This his children Avi and Mickie celebrated their will read the Megillah at 5:30 p.m., followed by Child care for preschoolers is offered from year, Beth Israel’s sanctuary will be transformed b’nei mitzvah on the bima here. During the a two-hour carnival where pizza dinner and ha- into the Sanctuary of Beth Israel—Gotham 10 a.m.—12:15 p.m., and Moadon/Junior past twenty years the congregation has grown, mentashen are available for purchase. City, where Batman and the boy wonder, Robin, Congregation for elementary-school-age the staff has increased, and programming has High school and middle school youth group will tell the story of the earlier caped crusader, children is offered on weeks when there is no grown significantly. members run great games. In a separate, quieter Mordechai Ben Yair, whose alter ego, Batman, Kehillat Shabbat. Members of the organizational committee area of the building, the tots have their own car- fought crime in Shushan, Persia. Discovering the for this event include Haran Rashes, Carol Fin- nival with a duck pond, fishing game, and other evil tentacles of Haman, son of Hammedatha, Beth Israel’s annual blood drive erman, Pam Landau, Sarajane Winkelman, Ani- easy-to-win activities. Of course, participants spread throughout Persia, Mordechai sends his Beth Israel’s annual Red Cross blood drive ta Liberman-Lampear, Martha and Eric Young, receive prize tickets to redeem at the prize table. own niece, Esther (Jewish name, Hadassah) will run on Sunday, March 1, from 9:30 a.m.— Max Rashes, Avi Dobrusin, Karan Balmer and The public is invited to attend the carnival and under cover into the king’s palace, where she is 3:30 p.m., in the Beth Israel Social Hall. Giving Nikki Klein. is encouraged to come in costume. Tickets for chosen to be the king’s wife. Mordechai watches blood is an easy way to save a life or two, and While Beth Israel is aware that the Jewish games may be purchased in advance by stopping perform an important mitzvah. There is an on- Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s Women’s by the TBE office the week before the carnival, or in terror as Haman not only rises to second-in- are available to purchase on that evening. command to the king, but also hatches a plot to line sign-up with the Red Cross. Donors should Event overlaps with the start of “Dobrusin’s kill all the Jews and confiscate their money. With go to www.givelife.org and fill in the Beth Israel Deli,” it is hoped that people will be able to sponsor code, bic13, to make an appointment. Passover seder at Temple Beth Emeth no super powers, how can Mordechai and his make both events that day. Beth Israel apolo- Temple Beth Emeth continues its annual tra- niece triumph against the entire Persian Empire? Donate baby and personal care items to gizes for the scheduling conflict, but it is a sign dition of a congregational seder on the second Everyone in the community is invited to come of a healthy calendar. night of Passover, Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m. Led and find out. Complimentary coffee, tea, hot SOS Community Services For an invitation to Dobrusin’s Deli and Va- by Rabbi Levy and Cantor Rose, the lively seder From March 9—March 29 community chocolate, and hamantashen will be available riety Show, call 665-9897. uses a Beth Emeth haggadah with many favorite members may drop off items in the Beth Is- throughout the evening. songs. The seder this year will be catered by Sim- rael foyer for SOS. SOS Community Services Passover College The Megillah reading begins with a fun, ply Scrumptious at a cost of $18 per adult and responds with care and respect to families in On Sunday, March 29, Beth Israel Congre- light-hearted (and blessedly short) Maariv ser- $12.50 per child 4–10 (Three percent of each fee need by working in partnerships that result gation will run a Passover College for adults vice, which pays tribute to the Jewish tradition goes to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.) in economic, family, and residential stability. from 7–9 p.m. This program will offer vari- of never being afraid to laugh and have some Tots 3 and under sharing with an adult are free. They assist families (including a large number ous courses on all aspects of the upcoming fun in the performance of a mitzvah. In order to accommodate the community, this of children) in their move from homelessness holiday. Participants may choose an introduc- Giving to the poor is a traditional activity on seder will be open to the public, if there is addi- to self-sufficiency and permanent, stable hous- tion to running the Passover seder, a session Purim. This year the Social Action Committee tional seating available after April 1. Please con- ing. SOS occupies four program and adminis- on Talmudic sources of the Haggadah, courses is sponsoring a Purim Eve collection of cash and tact the office, 665-4744, to inquire about space. check gifts to support the homeless in Washt- trative sites in Washtenaw County. Donations on Passover music, and a cooking workshop enaw County. Checks may be made out to Shel- may include new baby items (diapers, baby for Passover foods. All participants will receive TBE Brotherhood Men’s Seder ter Association, Avalon Housing, or Interfaith wipes, baby washcloths, burp cloths, blankets, From Marinades to Macaroons, a booklet on The Brotherhood of Temple Beth Emeth will Hospitality Network. gowns/sleepers, baby food, formula, baby favorite Passover recipes from members of Beth hold a men’s seder on March 31 at 7 p.m., in the On Tuesday morning, March 10 at 8 a.m., shampoo, diaper cream, baby lotion, comb and Israel Congregation, including all of the recipes Temple Social Hall. The Seder follows the hag- the Shacharit Service includes a Torah reading brush, pacifiers, baby carrier, infant car safety from last year’s Charoset Throwdown. As part gadah of the Men of Reform Judaism (MRJ). and the traditional Megillah reading, followed seat, stroller, bouncer seat/swing, diaper bag, of the Passover College there will be a Hag- This evening will include dinner and the seder by a free breakfast. or a thermometer)or personal hygiene items gadah Museum presented by Elliot Gertel, the lead by Rabbi Levy, with participation from all Beth Israel welcomes participation in all of (shampoo, conditioner, soap, combs, brushes, Irving M. Hermelin Curator of Judaica at the in attendance. A fully catered “Men’s Dinner” is its events and religious services by members of toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene University of Michigan Library system. There included. the entire community. If you wish to be added products, razors, or shaving cream). will also be a Charoset bar for snacks in between This event is open to all men of the congre- to the mailing list or receive email announce- the sessions. gation. Cost for the evening for paid members ments, please call 665-9897. Dobrusin’s Deli and Variety Show is $10. Those who wish to attend may pay their On March 8, at 1 p.m., Beth Israel will cel- Teen Shabbat and Kids Kiddush dues of $40 and enjoy the evening as well. Reser- ebrate Rabbi Robert Dobrusin’s twenty years This special Shabbatm, when Beth Israel Activities for young families vation deadline is March 23. Mail your checks to of service with a special program, “Dobrusin’s teens lead the entire service, takes place on Tot Shabbats for preschoolers and their the temple payable to “Brotherhood.” For more Deli and Variety Show.” Occurring on the day March 28 at 9:30 a.m. Teachers at Beth Israel parents take place on Saturdays, March 14 and information, contact the temple office, 665-4744. before Purim, the event has been designed to fit Religious School will be honored during the March 28, from 11:15 a.m.–noon, and include For all Brotherhood information, visit www.tem- into the joy and celebration of that holiday, and course of the morning as well. After Shab- songs, stories, prayers, and puppets. On Satur- plebethemeth.org/tbe/brotherhood. day, March 14 the Tot Shabbat is run by Peretz attendees are asked to dress like their favorite bat services, at 12:15 p.m., the congregation is Hirshbein. On Saturday, March 28, Jessica sitcom character, as Rabbi Dobrusin is a sitcom treated to a “Kid’s Kiddush,” planned and pre- URJ Vice President to speak at TBE Kander will lead Tot Shabbat. There is no charge aficionado. The Variety Hour will include some pared by interested fifth and sixth graders under Temple Beth Emeth is proud to host national for this program. Kehillat Shabbat is offered to talented acts, and an affectionate “roast” of Rab- the supervision of Karan Balmer, the assistant executive vice president Rabbi Daniel Freelander kitchen coordinator. during Shabbat evening services, Friday March 6 3rd Annual Beth Israel Reads at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Freelander will speak on the reality and growth of inter-faith families in an March’s Kabbalat Shabbat discussion: The BIRS Education Committee has or- address titled “Esther and the ‘Outreach Revo- ganized the 3rd annual Beth Israel Reads pro- lution.’” The entire community is welcome to Reconstructionism and conversion gram with the book The Year of Living Biblically come and hear a powerful leader of the national Aura Ahuvia, special to the WJN by A.J. Jacobs. The Beth Israel Reads program Reform movement on this extremely important is geared towards adults and high-school age Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah mem- non-Jewish) think a person should have to do topic. Shabbat services will be preceded that youth and has the goal of increasing Jewish lit- bers Marcy Epstein and Deb Kraus are lead- to convert to Judaism? What do those who are evening by Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m. Reserva- eracy in our congregation. This year’s choice is ing a new adult learning community entitled personally considering conversion think they tions are required for those wishing to attend the vastly different than those of the past two years. Bereshit, and will be the featured discussion need to do to be(come) Jews? On March 13, dinner, and may be made on the Temple Beth The Year of Living Biblically is a New York Times leaders at the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist the community is invited to join a discussion Emeth website, www.templebethemeth.org, a bestseller and follows one year in a man’s life Havurah’s Kabbalat Shabbat Discussion Friday, of these matters, which will include Ann Ar- week in advance. as he attempts to follow as many of the rules

March 2009 March March 13, from 6:15–7:45 p.m. at the Jewish bor Reconstructionist Havurah members who in the Bible as he possibly can. While written

A Community Center of Washtenaw County. have converted. Sunrise Service at TBE: Birkat HaChama in a light-hearted fashion, this book touches Conversion is a topic that both Jews and The Reconstructionist Havurah’s Kabbalat Mark your calendars, Jewish tradition already on themes that anyone can relate to, all derived has: April 8, the day that ends with the first seder, non-Jews think about within the context of Shabbat Discussion is preceded by candle- from that most quintessential “Jewish” book, belonging to their local Jewish congregation. lighting and a brief Kiddush. It concludes with is a once-in-every-twenty-eight-year Jewish holi- the Bible. There will be a community discus- day that celebrates the power of the sun. All are Within Reconstructionist communities, two a song and sometimes a prayer. All are welcome sion on Saturday, March 28 after Teen Shabbat key questions arise: What do members of the to attend. For more information, contact Aura services, at 1:15 p.m. Reconstructionist community (Jewish and Ahuvia, 975-9045 or [email protected]. continurd on nrxt page Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 16 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 17 ------™ Dexter 734 214.5897 United Behind You. United Behind Mortgage Originator stephen anderson stephen © 2009 United Bancorp, Inc. © 2009 United Bancorp, Learn the melodies of Haftarah with Can Sisterhood Beth Emeth’s Temple This March, Tem by sponsored group, study monthly The tor Annie Rose on Mondays in the Temple Beth Beth Temple the in Mondays on Rose on 12–1 Annie tor from meets Class Lounge. Adult Emeth provid are materials All 30. and 23 16, 9, 2, March ed: calling texts, CDs, by study materials. All are welcome, preferred, Registration charge. of free 665-4744. office, the temple study offers withTorah Cantor Annie Rose, us Our Commentary. ing Torah the new Women’s Study Torah includes reading of the text, com lively and text, the by inspired poems mentary, March on p.m. 7 at begins study Torah discussion. in session 2 meditation a (Parashat At Ttzaveh). the conclusion of p.m.), the (8:30 session study To all who for wish stay. to available is chapel the during use and ofcharge, for free women all to open is study rah available are commentaries Torah For study. further information, contact Sister 665-4744. Hillary Handwerger, hood President ple Beth Emeth Brotherhood, and led by Roger Stutesman, will meet March 11 on Wednesdays, portion is The at and weekly 7: 25, Torah 30 p.m. discussed at each session. For further detail, con [email protected]. tact Roger, wisdom and history from our deepest sources. Torah Study is held in the Temple Beth Emeth Emeth Beth Temple the in held is Study Torah chapel. Rose, Cantor Lunch and Learn with Haftarah Cantillation Study Rose with Cantor Torah Sisterhood Study at TBE Torah Men’s Saline ------734 944.3981 Vice President Vice Mortgage Lending ramona meadows ramona . jewish.hikers@gmail. locally.

pherson-pratt c http://www.templebethemeth.org/ Ann Arbor 734 214.3733 Vice President Vice Mortgage Lending . Web site: site: Web . Join Join us every week for Shabbat Tot at 5:30 Saturday mornings, from 8:50–9:30 a.m., Jewish Jewish Hikers of Michigan (JHOM) is spon denise m m p.m., p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and Shira (Song Fest and Service) at 6:45 dinner p.m. Tot can be which paid at the door. $5, costs Rabbi Levy offers an ongoing modern explora sored by Temple sored Beth by Caring Emeth’s Temple Commu nity and is open to This anyone. hike ismonth’s on March 22 at 1 All p.m. adult couples, singles, and children are welcome. The hikes take place on a monthly basis on different trails in the local All area. skill levels are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring backpacks, munchies, and hours. ½–2 1 approximately lasts hike Each drinks. loca furtherFor information about this month’s tion, or if you are interested in carpooling, con email or 883-9522 at Eli tact co n tbe/jewish_hikers_of_michiga tra on drawing portion, Torah weekly ofthe tion ditional commentaries and scholarship. today’s drawsparticipationand group on relies class This plates, matzah plates and covers, haggadot, Elijah Elijah haggadot, covers, and plates matzah plates, and Miriam cups, kitchen items, cookbooks, pa per goods, as well as toys for kids young and old. In addition to these specific hours, the gift shop 4:40–6from is Wednesday and open on Monday Sunday and p.m, 7–7:30 from evening Friday pm, evening from make 6–7:30 an p.m. To appoint ment for special needs, contact Amy Paberzs, 668-6842. Tot Shabbat—every week Tot Levy study Rabbi with Torah Jewish Hikers of Michigan of Jewish Hikers ------bank, important believes United it’s

Ann Arbor 734 214.2728 Vice President Vice Mortgage Lending charlie chapell Sunday, March 29, from 3–7:30 Temple p.m., Sunday, - expe Shabbat Erev Emeth Beth Temple The The all-ensemble concert is open to the pub Ann Arbor 734 214.3740 Vice President Vice Beth Emeth’s Beth Sisterhood Emeth’s gift shop will be fea rience on Friday, April 3, at rience 7:30 will on p.m., Friday, fea performing Chadash Shir School High the ture Z. Abe by composed service musical original an Morrison and David The Koenig. 30-member high school ensemble features 20 singers and and led by accompanied 10 instrumentalists, the composers. Each Last year Shir Chadash pres tour. on and TBE at music original its ents In in temples two at performed group the year diana, as well as at the This Michigan Theater. tour year’s will be to Cleveland. Recordings of Shir Chadash will be available at the oneg fol lowing services. For further information, con 665-4744. Rose, Annie tact Cantor turing everything for the Seder: Passover Seder dash ensembles will feature a cappella and accom and cappella a feature will ensembles dash panied singers, as well as a full band performing klezmer and jazz. High School Shir Chadash will share brand new music composed especially for this ensemble, including vocal and instrumental Also solos. featured will be two of the songs per Theater Michigan the at Chadash Shir by formed last spring. The 70-voice adult Kol Halev, choir, Bernstein’s Leonard from sectionsmall willa sing favorites. Yiddish as well as Psalms, Chichester Socialthe in follows reception A charge. of free lic, Hall. For further information, contact Cantor at 665-4744. Rose Annie modern additions to the repertoire, such as Middle Yisrael School Chai.” “Ameh Shir Cha Gift Shop’s Passover Bazaar Passover Gift Shop’s FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE at TBE! FRIDAY LENDING Mortgage Lending

betsy cavanaugh betsy - - LOCAL

Ann Arbor 734 214.3796 david kersch david Mortgage Lending Senior Vice President Vice Senior 17 locations throughout Lenawee, Washtenaw, and Monroe Counties and Monroe Washtenaw, 17 locations throughout Lenawee, www.ubat.com During these challenging economic times, we feel it’s even more important for the community to support its unlike That’s own. why, still making it we’re possible our for neighbors many larger banks, to keeping buy this and community healthy sell and homes, growing. we and know we know know how And the letpeople, So this We to call loanmarket, your make us. our make things experience happen. one. a great experience to continue to As a On Sunday, On March 22 Sunday, at 4 p.m., an hour of Choir The Youth will sing favorites such as Over Over 3,000 year ago the Jewish gainedPeople Member FDIC non-stop music will fill the Temple Beth Emeth Emeth Beth Temple music the fill Jewish will music present non-stop A ensembles four as instrumentalists. sanctuary and singers for styles many of new feature this year will be audience sing-along punctuating portion. each “Dona and Dona” and more “Tumbalalaika,” panse of the wilderness of possibilities? Through the teaching and class discussion, will forprepare consider to participants encouraging by seders the sense. of in the broadest the holiday freedom liberation from Egyptian bondage through the mighty hand and the outstretched arm of God. captured event, that of echo the in live Jews Today, through Rabbi in Robert the Levy words ofwill Torah. be “Liberation course, two-part a teaching on can how Torah serve us today Torah,” in our own search for liberation. Sessions are March 10 and 17 at 7:30 No p.m. longer slaves to pharaoh, tradition we by seemingly stillconfined forces lives live be- and Torah can How control. our yond beto role religious confined own its beyond move the key to moving beyond the narrow to the ex TBE's14th Annual All-EnsembleTBE's14th Concert Liberation through Torah with Rabbi Rabbi with Torah through Liberation Levy March 10 and 17 invited to join us at sunrise at Temple Beth Emeth Emeth Beth Temple at sunrise at us join to invited for an eco-service and celebration followed by a glory light the of After breakfast. a winter like this, gather as celebration brief a for community a of Participants comes willnature. “Here the sing, followed Sun!” by “Blessing a of break the Sun” in the earlymorning light. See you fast. March 2009 March A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 18 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 19 I Israel

Critics aside, Israeli officials see successes in Gaza operation by Leslie Susser JERUSALEM (JTA) — A month after the Gaza way for an inter-Palestinian Hamas-Fatah ac- ing the shots with Hamas, not vice versa. And Although the Gaza war inflamed popular war, with Kassam rockets continuing to fall in commodation that could revive prospects for a although Hamas has been conducting a terror opinion against Israel throughout the region, southern Israel, many skeptical Israelis are ques- two-state solution. spree in Gaza against Fatah loyalists, killing and harmed Israel’s close ties with Muslim Tur- tioning whether the war achieved anything. Indeed, Barak speaks of a watershed event several and kneecapping others, there is re- key, it helped restore Israel’s deterrent capacity Since the cease-fire on Jan. 18, militia- in Israeli-Palestinian relations, the full conse- newed talk of a possible reconciliation between by restoring perceptions of Israel as a regional men have fired nearly 50 rockets and mortars quences of which have yet to be fully under- Hamas and Fatah that might allow Palestinian superpower that was dented by the IDF’s rela- at civilian targets in the Gaza periphery. Israel stood. President Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate for all tively poor performance in the 2006 Lebanon has retaliated with targeted assassinations and Right-wing politicians like the Likud’s Ben- Palestinians, making a two-state solution more war. It also showed that the 2006 war may have airstrikes against smuggling tunnels along the jamin Netanyahu, who is likely to form the next realistic than it was before the war. been more successful than first thought: Bttom Gaza-Egyptian border. government, argue that Barak and company Indeed, Fatah will likely get a toehold in line, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah stayed out The skeptics say the current state of affairs is did not finish the job, since they left Hamas in Gaza for the first time since the Hamas seizure of the fighting despite the fact that a fellow Ira- identical to the situation that existed before the power, and that sooner or later Israel will have of power there in June 2007. When Israel as part nian proxy was taking a beating in Gaza. This war: Hamas firing rockets and Israel reacting to go into Gaza again to topple the radical Is- of the lull opens border crossing points, they suggests that the same kind of deterrent model with extreme restraint. So, they say, everything lamists. will be partly supervised by Palestinian Author- could hold for Hamas, too. is back to square one. Even Kadima leader Tzipi Livni says the IDF ity, mainly Fatah, personnel. The war in Gaza had other regional ramifica- Defense Minister Ehud Barak says nothing may have to strike again if Hamas renews weap- The new lull could take a few more days to tions. It was a first major setback for Iran after a could be further from the truth. ons’ smuggling on a grand scale. go into effect because Israeli Prime Minister string of perceived regional successes, especially Barak argues that Hamas took a heavy beat- Nevertheless, all the signs on the ground Ehud Olmert has made it dependent on Shalit’s the American war in Iraq that in crippling Iraq, ing in the war and that the Gaza-Israel border is suggest a relatively long period of quiet in the release, and he is using the opening of the bor- removed the main barrier against Iranian ex- on the verge of a long period of quiet. He sees offing. This is partly because of Hamas’ in- der crossings as a lever to pressure Hamas to pansion and enabled Teheran to create an arc of the daily dribble of rocket fire as nothing more ability to find any effective counters to Israel’s free Shalit. Olmert refuses to open the crossings influence from Tehran through southern Iraq than a pathetic attempt by Hamas to show it’s military moves. In the war, Hamas’ elaborate until a deal on Shalit’s release is struck. and Damascus to Lebanon and Gaza. Thus the still around. And, he says, the fact that Hamas defense strategy against an Israeli incursion col- In return for Shalit, Hamas is demanding war in Gaza not only was a victory for Israel, but keeps saying how close the sides are to a new lapsed. The web of tunnels and booby-trapped the release of 1,400 Palestinian terrorists in Is- also for regional anti-Iranian moderates such as 18-month lull, or Tahadiya, shows just how buildings proved ineffectual, and in the fighting raeli jails, including 450 of its choosing. Israel Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. much they need it. many Hamas fighters and field commanders names 550 others, with the rest mainly women The Achilles’ heel in the post-Gaza war situ- Indeed, it is Israel that is holding out and were killed with minimal Israeli losses. and minors. Among the 450 are the planners of ation is the continued smuggling from Egypt insisting that there will be no deal on a new The IDF estimate is that the Islamist organi- many of the worst terrorist outrages of the sec- into Gaza. Internal Security Minister Avi Dich- lull until the captured Israel soldier Cpl. Gilad zation does not have the stomach to go through ond inifada, including the rash of lethal suicide ter has warned that despite its goodwill, Egypt Shalit is freed. all that again — at least not soon. In other bombings in buses, restaurants, discos and is not moving quickly enough to block the arms The view in the Cabinet and among the top words, the main strategic goal other public places. smuggling routes, which could undermine brass of the Israel Defense Forces is that the of Operation Cast Lead, the establishment Until now, the Israeli government had been hopes for quiet. Indeed, a new Hamas arms war achieved a number of highly significant of a deterrent balance, was achieved. Hamas against most of the 450; now the differences buildup and a new right-wing government in goals: It transformed Israeli deterrence vis-a-vis needs a long period of quiet to rebuild devas- are only over a few dozen names. One of those Israel could mean that the lull might not last as Hamas and in the region as a whole, and it is tated military and civilian infrastructures. slated to be freed is Fatah’s Marwan Barghouti, long as Barak and the other military planners of only a matter of time before this becomes ap- The war also transformed the relationship who is seen as a future Palestinian leader and Operation Cast Lead had hoped. n parent on the Gaza front; it created conditions between Egypt and Hamas. Now in its media- as one who might have the moral authority to for the release of Gilad Shalit; and it paved the tion between Israel and Hamas, it is Egypt call- make peace with Israel. Time for Israel Advocacy 2.0 Museum a beacon of hope in Jerusalem by Amos Kamil by Marvin Hier NEW YORK (JTA) — A recent online search Letter-writing campaigns, used with dis- LOS ANGELES (JTA) — On October 29, In 1964, the highest Muslim authority, the of the phrase “Zionism is racism” yielded cretion, may actually help to change a par- 2008, the Israeli Supreme Court rendered a Muslim Religious Council, even ruled that 1.3 million Web pages. “Israel + apartheid” ticular media outlet’s take on a certain issue. unanimous decision permitting the Simon the adjacent Independence Park (Mamilla turned up a cool 231,000 hits. Type the word But these tactics alone are not sufficient for Wiesenthal Center to resume construction Cemetery) was a “mundras,” an abandoned “Israel” into Facebook or YouTube and more capturing the hearts and minds of people all on its Museum of Tolerance project on the site where building is permissible. Today, than likely you will be confronted with user- over the world who are increasingly going site of the municipal parking lot in the heart mundras is a widely relied-upon categori- generated content created by people who do online for news, analysis and discussion. of western Jerusalem. The court denied the zation and sanctioned throughout the Arab not hold pro-Israel views. As more Jews and non-Jews seek out contention of the project’s chief opponent, world — in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Things are not much better over at the information online, use social networking Sheik Raed Salah, a notorious anti-Semite Arabia and the Palestinian territories. online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Palestinians tools and watch short form videos, we must and Hamas supporter, that the parking lot While traditional Judaism does not have and their sympathizers have added “al Na- train Israel advocates to effectively engage was a Muslim cemetery and allowed con- such a concept, the court noted that “in kba,” an Arabic term meaning “the catastro- these forums. We must garner our commu- struction to resume even on the small por- practice, where public needs required this, phe,” to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War entry. On nal resources to train and unleash the next tion where bones were found. an agreed Jewish law solution has usually Google Earth, sophisticated Palestinian 2.0 generation of storytellers, bloggers and social For half a century, hundreds of Jews, Chris- been found, and this allowed the building to advocates have tagged many Israeli towns and media gurus to tell Israel’s full story in com- tians and Muslims parked their cars every day be carried out in a way that minimized ... the cities with their Arabic names. Both Google pelling ways. on the site, with no protest whatsoever from violation of the graves.” and Wikipedia — two Internet behemoths If the rise of the Internet and the decen- any Muslim groups, religious leaders, non- Since the Israeli government and City of — take cover behind editorial neutrality and tralization of media have shown us anything, governmental organizations or professors. Jerusalem gave us the land eight years ago, the free speech, remaining unmoved by Jewish it is that information will not reach people As the court noted, “for almost 50 years Wiesenthal Center has endured many checks community concerns. unless it is presented in unique ways that the compound has not been a part of the and balances — planning and architectural In short, our adversaries have gone 2.0 in succinctly communicate its point. We need cemetery, both in the normative sense and in meetings, City Council hearings, displaying their battle to delegitimize Israel, and the recent to find innovative ways to tell, share and dis- the practical sense, and it was used for vari- the Frank Gehry model at Jerusalem City military operation in Gaza is yet another indi- tribute those stories in a variety of formats, ous public purposes.” It also said, “During all Hall, placing ads announcing the project cation of how Palestinian activists are using the including e-mail, blogs, vlogs, music videos those years no one raised any claim, on even in Hebrew, Arabic and English newspapers. Web to manipulate the public affairs aspects of and whatever other platforms emerge in this one occasion, that the planning procedures During all these years, while tens of millions

March 2009 March the debate. A Jan. 18 Jerusalem Post article re- fast-paced media environment. violated the sanctity of the site, or that they of dollars were being spent, not a single pro-

A ported that on Facebook, 648,828 users signed It is also clear that we are well outnum- were contrary to law as a result of the his- test was heard. No scholar, ordinary citizen up for the STOP Israel’s War Crimes in Gaza bered, which is why a much more concerted torical and religious uniqueness of the site.” or government official argued that the site application. Only 342,892 users installed Qas- effort is needed. Those of us who care about And, “For decades this area was not regarded was a cemetery. samCount, a pro-Israel application that updates Israel’s agenda and how the future narrative as a cemetery by the general public or by the Why? Because they agreed with the court the user’s status with current data showing the will be portrayed need to mobilize our com- Muslim community.” that “the area has not been classified as a number of Kassam rockets that have been fired “No one,” the court said, “denied this po-

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw into Israel from Gaza. continued on page 33 sition.” continued on page 34 20 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 - - 21 - - - - - or g www. later in later m for details or call Deborah g [email protected] www.CampRaanana.co Lauren Field, assistant waterfront director assistant waterfront Lauren Field, On Thursdays, a Martial Arts class for stu On Fridays, a Clay Creations class will be enrichment In to addition the afterschool Registration and payment for these classes Pictures Pictures and bios of all the camp staff will This core staff well be joined by a diverse and diverse a by joined be well staff core This sports game each week. Students will get to help to get will Students week. each game sports the sportchoose the week. for dents dents in grades K–5 will be offered. Rabbi Pe ter Gluck leads the class, which helps students increase self-esteem, build andself-awareness, fit. physically become offered for students in grades K–5. JCC staff member Rebekah Gamble will teach students how to work with a variety of different clay techniques. clay typescreative demonstrate and on offered is class swimming a JCC, the at classes evenings from Tuesday 5:30–6:30 p.m. at High Point School. Kim Braun teaches this class for swimmers and non-swimmers in grades K–5. are due by March 5. Class fees vary; visit jccannarbor.or at 971-0990. Huerta and crafts, and nature specialists prepare fun prepare and specialists and nature crafts, and age-appropriate daily activities for the campers, while Camp group Raanana’s head counselors make sure each camper is safe and happy throughout the All camp ofday. Camp head counselors Raanana’s and specialists have completed at least one year of college and have in children with working experience extensive assisted The are camp head settings. counselors by an enthusiastic group of junior counselors to and counselors-in-training. In counselor addition, Camp special-needs a added has Raanana the staff this year to ensure that high-function enjoyable an have can students needs special ing camp experience. be posted at the spring. Registration forms, andbrochures, available also are camp the about details further on the For about more website. information Camp Raanana, contact camp director Debo rah Huerta at n 971-0990. Frog Frog rooms at Early the Childhood JCC’s Cen This ter. will sixth be summer Nilsson’s work and she and waterfront, Raanana’s ing at Camp helping Nils team. waterfront excellent an make Braun summer another spend to excited is son swim. learn to children thisspecialists and ofcounselors group talented Camp summer. music, Raanana’s sports, arts ------http:// Kim director Braun, waterfront The JCC has a slate of after school enrich On Mondays, a Net Games class will be there On will Tuesdays, be a Dazzling Des On Wednesdays, a On Sports Wednesdays, Galore class will Lauren Lauren Nilsson is also returning this sum Camp families will be pleased to know that that know to pleased be will families Camp JCC offers enriching after school classes after enriching offers JCC ment ment classes planned for March and April. Classes for elementary students will 11 March and through continue begin Wednesday, the week of April 27. These afternoon enrich ment classes are open to both JCC members and non-members, and run from 4:15–5:15 pm. Supervision before and after the classes is also available. offered for students in grades K–2. HDS gym teacher Kim Braun will lead students in a va riety of net games, including tennis, volleyball, and badminton. serts class for students in grades 1–5. JCC parent parent JCC 1–5. grades in students for class Weinman serts Dahlia designer cake professional and decorate and prepare to how students willteach a variety of desserts. yummy be offered for students in grades 2–5. energetic Kim in different students lead will Braun nana. nana. Braun tremendously enjoys working as Director the since, Waterfront after her family, teaching loves She is swimming. love next her children to can enjoy and appreciate the water andeveryone so come to summer for wait can’t has Braun swimming. start and lake the in jump more than 20 years of experience as a certified and CPR and instructor, water-safety lifeguard, instructor. lifeguard mer as assistant waterfront Camp Raanana’s Lauren as her remember will Families director. Field, as she has gotten married since the end a in BS has Nilsson season. camp year’s of last Michigan Eastern Day from education elementary Hebrew at teaches currently and University and Duck the in worked previously She School. in first through sixth i grades.Zur has summer extensive a as served having experience, camp at Camp for Tamarack three years from 2003– Camp at working to forward looking is He 2006. Jewish bring helping and summer this Raanana campers. the for life to culture Israeli and 2 www.jewishannarbor.org/page.aspx?id=9131 Camp as returning again once is Braun Kim the Raanana’s Waterfront Director. During the school Braun year, is the enthusiastic physical Community the Jewish for teacher education taught has She School. Day Hebrew and Center with working loves and 1999 since JCC at the her current and former students at Camp Raa - - - - - Tomer Zur, Judaic programs coordinator Judaic programs Zur, Tomer The JCC will offer two Out/JCC’s School’s Out program A willSchool’s also be offered only members JCC for are programs These The The JCC is also to excited announce that In In programs in March. A School’s Out pro gram will be offered March 9 on Monday, for Ann Arbor Public School students. Students will celebrate Purim by making hamantashen, decorating masks, and playing carnival games. 5. March by due Registration are and payment on March Friday, 20 for Hebrew Day School students. Students will celebrate the start of spring with a day of spring-themed activities, special craft planting, projects, flower including Registration sun. the in fun some hopefully and 18. March by due are and payment also are students school middle K–5; grades in welcome to participate as helpers for a reduced The fee. cost is $34 for care from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. additional($32 for siblings) and Extend $8 for ed Students should Care from 4–6 bringp.m. a clothing appropriate and lunch dairy free, nut outside. playing for JCC to Offer School’s Out Programs Offer to JCC School’s bor’s 2008 Maccabi Team. In Hern addition, 2008 Team. bor’s Maccabi Early JCC’s the at volunteered and worked has Childhood Center andBA a has beenHe involved programs. with youth JCC other many and BS in secondary education from the - Uni from returned recently and Michigan of versity vis included which Israel, tripto two-month a its to many of the friends he has made while Raanana. at Camp working Ann Arbor’s community Zur, Tomer i - (emis Judaic Raanana’s Camp as serving be will sary), Zur Programs camethis Coordinator summer. to work in education Ann Arbor’s Jewish community for Agency’s Jewish the through year the in in Israel, raised and born was He program. - trav has and Haifa, near Ein-Hashofet Kibbutz eled around the globe to places like New Zea land, Australia, and the Far East. Zur left the Israeli army in 2003, after having served three years in an infantry unit, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. He went on to study acting and then worked on the kibbutz Aviv, theatre in Tel children for programming of supervisor the as cated cated counselors for the past five summers, and is excited to be taking on the role of as- Hern grew up Annin sistant director this year. andwithJCC the involved been has and Arbor the local Jewish community his entire life. He participated on as Ann Arbor’s Maccabi Team a teenager and returned to the games last year as the assistant delegation head for Ann Ar ------Michael Hern, assistant campMichael Hern, director

amp Raanana has announced its key key its announced has Raanana amp staff members for summer 2009, in cluding cluding many wonderful returning

Kids’ Kids’ Night Out events are open to JCC Each Each month the Jewish Community Center The March 28 Night Kids’ Out will coincide Camp Camp Raanana director Deborah Huerta The JCC is delighted to introduce Michael Youth Deborah Huerta, camp director members members and in non-members Thegrades K–5. siblings: (additional $20 is members JCC for cost $18). The cost for non-members is $25 (ad care care option for parents attending the auction. two receive will Families who attend the auction while Out their kids Night Kids’ the in participate to use at the auction. $5 raffle free tickets ditional siblings: $23). Registrations are due by 26. March Thursday, of Washtenaw County offers a Kids’ Night Out Out Night a Kids’ offers County of Washtenaw movie a and dinner, crafts, games, featuring event to give elementary age kids a chance to funhave with their friends and parents a chance to have Night Kids’ month’s This own. their on a night Out will be held on March Saturday, 28 from 6:30–10 p.m. at the JCC and will feature the hit Year. Senior 3: movie Musical High School with the JCC’s Gala providing Auction, a child Kids’ Night Out —High School Musical 3 is looking very forward and to her second enjoyable an year as the following director, camp successful 2008 camp season. Currently the youth, teen, and camp director for the JCC of Huerta County, grew up Washtenaw as an ac Hern as the assistant director for Camp Raa tions to the staff. Camp Raanana is the Jewish Jewish the is Raanana Camp staff. the to tions Community Center of County’s Washtenaw outdoor summer day camp for children enter to hard works Raanana Camp K–8. grades ing assemble a staff of talented, dynamic, and ma willcamper each that ensure to individuals ture camp experience. summer incredible an have member tive of the metro-Detroit Jewish com munity and went on to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Judaic Studies from the ofUniversity Michigan. She has extensive experience implementing Jewish cultural pro gramming and within working camp, children youth and after-school, group, religious school Raa serving Camp the as loves Huerta settings. nana duringdirector the summer and working with Camp amazing Raanana’s staff, campers, and families. nana for summer 2009. Hern has been one of Camp most Raanana’s outstanding and dedi

staff members, as well as a few exciting addi C Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN the to special Huerta, Deborah Camp 2009 staff Raanana introduces

JCC youth programs youth JCC WJN the to special Huerta, Deborah I I Youth

Camp Raanana to hold early bird registration event Shalom Baby welcomes newborns to the Jewish community Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN Halye Aisner, special to the WJN Camp Raanana will be holding a camp reg- and also choose an enriching specialty each The Jewish Community Center of a connection to create lifelong istration event on Sunday, March 15 from week; this year’s specialties options include Washtenaw County’s Shalom Baby friendships within the Jewish 12:30–2 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center boating, digital photography, martial arts, dra- program welcomes parents, their new- community, offer support of Washtenaw County. At the camp registra- ma, drumming, clay creations, world of sports, borns, and newly-adopted children from caring volunteers, and tion event families will be able to find out more edible art, dance, magic, jazzy jewelry, and silly into the Jewish community. Shalom inform parents of available about Camp Raanana and sign up before the science. Campers entering grades 6–8 partici- Baby will host a “Babies and Bagels” community programs. April 1 early-bird registration deadline. A free pate in Camp Raanana’s Pioneer Adventure meet-and-greet event on March 19 at If you are interested in re- pizza lunch will be provided, and there will Program, featuring exciting field trips and fun 10 a.m. at the JCC. ceiving information on the also be activities for new and returning camp- mitzvah projects each week. Camp Raanana Shalom Baby provides families with JCC’s new Shalom Baby pro- ers. Returning campers that bring friends who also offers a counselor-in-training program a “Welcome to our World” gift bag, full of gram, contact Halye Aisner at 971-0990 register for camp for the first time will receive for campers entering ninth and tenth graders. fun and helpful gifts, information on par- or [email protected]. an extra $10 off a session of Camp Raanana. This year’s camp season will run from June enting, and Jewish resources for parents Shalom Baby is made possible through Located on a beautiful private beachfront 22 to August 21. Camp brochures are available and families, hand-delivered by a Shalom a generous grant from the Jewish Federa- at Independence Lake Park, Camp Raanana is at the JCC and at www.CampRaanana.com. Baby Ambassador, in the hopes of fostering tion of Greater Ann Arbor. the a place for campers to explore new inter- The registration deadline is June 1, but fami- ests, gain self-confidence, build Jewish identi- lies are encouraged to register in advance to re- ty, and have fun outside. The camp offers nine serve their space and take advantage of savings one-week sessions each summer and provides opportunities. Families that register by April 1 Ann Arbor Reconstruction bat mitzvah class to sell Chico bags swim lessons, arts and crafts, music, Judaica, will be eligible for early-bird rates, and those Lillie Schneyer, special to the WJN nature exploration, sports, free swim, Shabbat that register by May 1 will be entered in a raffle During Yom Kippur discussions celebrations, and weekly special events or all- for a free week of camp and other prizes. about sins against the earth, camp field trips. Camp Raanana is committed to provid- many members of the Ann Ar- This year’s all-camp field trips will include ing dynamic Jewish camping experiences to bor Reconstruction Havurah the Toledo Zoo, Summit on the Park Water Ann Arbor’s youth, particularly in these chal- talked about how they need to Park, Northfork Farms and Outback, Green- lenging economic times. For summer 2009, remember to bring their reus- field Village, Howell Nature Center, Rolling Camp Raanana is pleased to be able to offer able bags to the grocery store. Hills Water Park, the Ann Arbor Hands-On camp at the same rates as last year. There will Subsequently, the Beit Sefer Museum, Splash Universe, and Jump City. be no increases in camp fees, and rates have bar/bat mitzvah class decided Camp Raanana will also be hosting the popu- been reduced for the Pioneer Program and to address this problem by sell- lar Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan for a visit for extended morning and afternoon care. In ing Chico bags. Chico bags are to camp and an evening performance at the addition, Camp Raanana is happy to provide reusable bags that fit into a tiny JCC on July 1. The annual Shabbat at the Lake scholarships to families who need financial pouch, so one can easily keep celebration will be held the evening of August assistance. Scholarship applications are due them in a purse or car glove box. 14 and will feature performances by all the by April 1. The bags cost $5 each, have a picture of the camper groups. For more information about Camp Raanana, Gatherers. Contact Lillie Schneyer at koala- world on them, and are available in brown, At Camp Raanana, campers entering or to RSVP for the March 15 camp registration [email protected] to purchase a bag. More blue, purple, red, green, mango, black, pink, grades K–2 enjoy the benefits of small group event, contact camp director Deborah Huerta at information about Chico bags can be found light green, and blue. All proceeds go to Food sizes and experienced and nurturing counsel- [email protected] or 971-0990. at www.chicobag.com. ors. Campers entering grades 3–5 participate in Camp Raanana’s many activity offerings Camp Gan Israel to host open house at Jump City Chana Kroll, special to the WJN JCC seeks camp staff and afterschool program coordinator This March 1, Camp Gan Israel will be host- programming is specifically related to Jewish Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN ing an open house for local families inter- history and tradition, while in other cours- ested in finding out more about the camp’s The Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw Families pay a fee for teens to participate in es—such as art, music, and cooking—Jewish summer program. The open house will take County is seeking a dynamic and experi- the leadership training program, and teens themes will be incorporated into the syllabus. place at the popular Jump City activity cen- enced individual to serve as after school pro- receive an honorarium for their work upon In the sports program, discussions of team- ter, which features a large indoor arena of gi- gram coordinator for the 2009-2010 school successful completion of the training. A lim- work or about graceful winning (and losing) ant inflatable bouncing toys. Kids will have year. The ideal candidate will have extensive ited number of CIT positions are available; might reference Jewish tradition as a way to the chance to enjoy the Giant Slide, Bounce experience working with and planning pro- teens must fill out an application and meet connect kids more deeply to the values being House, Gladiator Arena, and other attrac- grams for elementary-aged students, solid with the camp director to receive approval to transmitted. All is handled, however, with tions. Meanwhile parents can find out more knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions, enter the program. a non-judgmental approach, which allows about enrollment options at Camp Gan Is- and a passion for working with children. Camp Raanana’s junior counselors work children with varying degrees of Jewish edu- rael, one of Ann Arbor’s most popular and Applicants must be available on weekdays directly with a group head counselor, who cation and observance to take pride in their diverse summer camps. from 3–6 p.m. throughout the school year, acts as a mentor and involves the junior common heritage. This summer, Camp Gan Israel will in- as well as during most school vacations. This counselor in planning and implementing all Camp Gan Israel, sponsored by Cha- augurate a new program—a sports camp position would begin in the fall, but training camp activities. Junior counselors must have bad House, is part of the largest and fastest for those who would like intensive athletic could begin as early as this spring. completed tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade growing network of Jewish day camps in the training. Participants will have sports train- The JCC’s Camp Raanana summer day and have previous experience in a day camp world, which has a strong reputation as a ing three mornings a week, while being able camp also has several staff openings for this setting. This is a paid position and requires trendsetter with innovative ideas and a cre- to enroll in other courses for the afternoons summer. Counselor-in-training positions a four-week minimum commitment. All ative approach to integrating Jewish values and remaining two mornings. are available for teens who have completed junior counselors will be required to attend across the curriculum. Camp Gan Israel has Camp Gan Israel has also expanded its eight or ninth grade, junior counselor posi- staff training week from June 15–19. also built a solid reputation for its approach other courses to include martial arts, a wider tions are available for teens who have com- Camp Raanana is also seeking mature to teaching the arts. variety of fine arts courses, and dance, as pleted tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, and and talented individuals for a few remaining Parents attending the open house can well as the workshops and classes in cooking, head counselor and specialist positions are eight-week head counselor and specialist po- register their children and receive a special woodworking, and crafts, which have helped available for college students. sitions. Applicants for these positions must discount coupon. Pizza dinner will be for make the program such a hit with kids of all The counselor-in-training (CIT) program have completed at least one year of college, sale at the event. The open house event costs March 2009 March ages. Anyone signing up for the regular camp is designed for young people who have com- or equivalent, and have previous experience $2.50 per child. For more information, call A program will have the chance to participate pleted eighth or ninth grade and are mak- in a day camp setting. All staff members will 995-3276, ext. 15, or visit www.mycampgan- in a less intensive sports program. ing the transition from camper to counselor. be required to attend staff training week israel.com Classes and activities at Camp Gan Israel Camp Raanana is seeking enthusiastic and from June 15–19. are taught with an eye towards communi- responsible teens that can commit to a four- For more information about any of these cating Jewish values, Jewish traditions, and week program and are looking for a challeng- positions, contact Deborah Huerta at debo- Jewish history within context. Some of the ing, fun, and rewarding summer experience. [email protected] or 971-0990. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 22 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 23 9/16/08 3:53:09 PM Our high number of repeat clients speaks volumes about the care and service your we provide. Trust home improvement with us, and see how we deliver what we promise. Rochman-WJN-Ad2.indd 1

HHH HHH HHH HHH HHH A limited number of spots are available, so Dear President Obama, Dear President global that you will stop I pray warming. From, Eichner Jonah can I help? P.S. How Dear President Obama, I pray that you will be a great president. I also pray that you will change the planet and make it into a new planet were people recycle. Sincerely, Corine Burgard P.S. What can I do help our government? Please let me know. Thank you. Hebrew Day School Day Hebrew Dear President Obama, I pray that you will be strong and that you will have a lot of love. You persevered during the campaign and became President! Sincerely, Mira Strauss P.S. What can I do to help? If you have suggestions please let me know. Thanks! Obama, Dear President that you Barack Obama will I pray hand And stop be a great President! police and in wars. And help guns-only the country. Sincerely, Sam Greenberg wars? stop to P.S. What can I do you you know, If can I help? How you! me. Thank can tell Sample Letters to the PresidentSample to Letters from the Second Grade of the Obama, Dear President the wars. that you will stop I pray will be careful that the banks I pray money to. with who they are giving Sincerely, Leflein Shosh the stop to P.S. What can I do if I can help stop me know Let wars? you. the wars. Thank compete in the JCC Maccabi Games. The fee to fee The Games. Maccabi JCC the in compete participate is $850, which includes registration fees, plane tickets, and team uniforms. Some will assistance scholarship be offered. families with interested teens are encouraged to contact Deborah Huerta as soon as possible at 971-0990 or [email protected]. To visit Games, Maccabi JCC the about more learn www.jccmaccabigames.org. ------Maya Burgard dis- Burgard Maya opinion. We opinion. made We rate rate out fact from rate rate out fact from opinion. made We a big list of what the candidates said, a big list of what the candidates said, and concluded that and concluded that most of what they most of what they said was opinion. learned how We im said was opinion. learned how We im- portant it is to tell the tell to is it portant portant it is to tell the tell to is it portant difference difference between difference difference between fact and opinion.” fact and opinion.” cussed comparing the comparing cussed cussed comparing the comparing cussed Nixon/Kennedy pres Nixon/Kennedy Nixon/Kennedy pres Nixon/Kennedy idential idential debate with idential idential debate with the Obama/McCain debate. “It was inter the Obama/McCain debate. “It was inter esting to see how much how see to esting esting to see how much how see to esting has changed since that has changed since that first first [televised] presi dential debate. It was first first [televised] presi dential debate. It was very special that there very special that there the presidential debates and triedand sepa debates to presidential the The state of the economy was another focus another was economy ofthe state The Since Since the inauguration, the students have Avishag Eliav commented, “We also watched also “We commented, Eliav Avishag Participants Participants must be JCC members and was an African-American in the Democratic Party and a woman running for president— rather than just white learned men. We about come.” have far we RightsCivil and how Obama for hard is it now “Right discussion. for to be president because ex of the economy,” plained Danielle Turner. “Most people have the have people “Most Turner. Danielle plained urge to when vote they are mad or upset—like when the economy is bad. If they are not an they noyed, have the don’t same need to vote,” “Does said the Avishag Eliav. economy trump questioned race?” Eva Rosenfeld, quoting the “Even class. in read had they editorial ofan title an beenfor against voting have those who may be favor in voted African-Americancandidate fix the economy.” cause they he would believed been studying firstPresident Obama’s 30 days in office and analyzing how his actionscom about the candidates. about It is the hard candidates. to find the true Asaf “It Pollock agreed, is facts.” amazing how hard the newspapers try to fake you out of the justnot articles, many read to have truth…You one, to see what is really going on. The press changes can the tell You facts. if a newspaper is supporting a candidate, and if it is just their opinion.” of Regardless promises. campaign his with pare anlearned have students the fares, Obama how the last“In important about democracy. lesson presidential election, I voted for who my par said my own it’s Now decision,” ents voted for. n Sarah Cooke. nio, TX, from Sunday, August 9 through Friday, Friday, through 9 August Sunday, from TX, nio, August 14. Teens may compete in bowling, boys tennis, table tennis, swimming, golf, dance, and girls’ volleyball, girls’ girls’ soccer, softball, or girls’ ofbasketball. Teens all athletic abili ties are welcome to participate. The JCC is also to excited announce that Ann Arborthis year’s team will also include two athletes from Naha partnership region in Israel. Arbor’s Ann lal, must be 13–16 years old as of July 31, 2009 to ------

brew teacher at teacher brew School Day the ofHebrew mmediately mmediately following the recent election, He grade second and first Kaufman, Aron This summer Ann Arbor’s team will be at- Students Students watched Democratic, Republican, Students also studied the role of campaign The notes were only were notes The were each “We assigned a candidate to re Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN the to special Huerta, Deborah JCC seeks teen athletes for 2009 JCC Maccabi Games athletes 2009 JCC teen for seeks JCC tending tending the JCC Maccabi Games in San Anto cabi cabi Games hosted the by JCC of Metropolitan 17–22. August from Detroit

Each summer the Jewish Community Center of Center Community Jewish the summer Each ages athletes of team a sends County Washtenaw Olympic- an Games, Maccabi JCC the to 13–16 style sporting competition that incorporates community service and social activities for an unforgettable experience for Jewish teens. Last year Ann team Arbor’s attended the JCC Mac I the parties, including the Green and Green party conventions and compared surprised me “It impact. and partythe finances parties,” third the about know people little how look bother to don’t “People Kaplan. said Hava need to at You look them. at all of your choic advertising. When they discovered that ad search,” she search,” continued. “After the research, some of us changed our minds about our fa “I Burgard Maya added: had vorite candidate.” no clue that there were more than two candi dates.” “Learning explained, Hamermesh Miriam es.” about the other candidates opened up a differ prob adults that part brains—a ofour part ent about.” know even don’t ably vertisements were often misleading, the fifth graders researched the bills that received each vote and candidate’s compared the candidates’ “It to records their Saidads. Abigail Hirshbein, is sad how much the newspapers hide from us dent dent Obama. “Even if the President getdoesn’t Michigan Michigan alumnus, in the hope that Mr. Kang partof one school’s the involvement in the democratic process as the students followed the recent elections - re the discovered and sponsibility inherent to voting. Fifth grade students studied all the parties, including the Green party, and tried to decipher party beliefs. “I said learned Eva how to be an educated voter,” Rosenfeld. Ann Arbor, Ann asked Arbor, his second grade students if they had a message for the new Ba President, rack Obama. Below is a selection of the wide variety of notes that students wrote—in He brew and English—which Kaufman mailed to Eugene Kang, Special Assistant to the - Presi dent and University of Michigan alumnus, in the hope that Mr. Kang will show them to Presi dent Obama. “Even if the President getdoesn’t said these Kauf notes,” “I man, am so proud of the messages children’s of hope, as well as their willingness to help im our world!” prove

Dina Shtull, Special to WJN to Special Shtull, Dina Democracy flourishes at Hebrew Day Democracy School Hebrew Day at flourishes Shalom Baby welcomes newborns to the Jewish community the to newborns welcomes Shalom Baby WJN the to special Aisner, Halye I Community

JCS Tu B’Shevat at Botanical Gardens a “tree-mendous” event Seth Penchansky, special to the WJN always look forward to Tu B’Shevat in over 50 people engaged in the Tu B’Shevat the dead of winter, because of the pro- scavenger hunt in the Conservatory, search- I gram that the Jewish Cultural Society ing for the chocolate and carob and banana and Reconstructionist Havurah offer at the trees. There were another 40 people making Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The con- servatory at the Bo- tanical Gardens is an oasis of warmth and color in our frigid white Michigan win- ter. This year the Tu B’Shevat program was supported by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, which al- lowed the program to be available at no cost to the entire Ann Ar- bor community, with

paper and planting seeds in the crafts room and a ten people were attending a seminar presented by Recycle Ann Arbor. All the while, dozens of people were tasting the fruits, nuts, and juices offered at the walking Tu B’Shevat seder. Over 400 people attended this event, bringing together a wonderfully diverse cross-section of Ann Arbor’s diverse Jewish community. n if you are interested in learning about other Jewish Cultural Society events, visit their web- site at www.jewishculturalsociety.org, or call 975-9872.

enhanced cultural, educational, and craft of- ferings. The response from the community was remarkable! The parking lot at the Bo- tanical Garden was full by 10:05 and yet cars kept arriving, lining the driveways up toward the entrance gate. Ann Arbor’s own singing sensation, Gem- ini, performed twice—their first concert was packed with over 200 kids and adults. Gemini treated us to folk songs about the earth and environment, as well as some of their most beloved original songs. Everyone enjoyed singing along with them! And yet, while Gemini was performing, there were March 2009 March A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 24 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 - - - - 25 Left Left ation N extbook.org, a N Film Follies and You’ve You’ve been speaking about eprinted from It’s It’s a loving but disappointed - Is the cast to come you did How How deeply did you base the film the base you did deeply How R

Except for a few old pictures of There is a kind of pathos in the I based Leonard on a guy I actu ally know. He is Jewish, though that doesn’t doesn’t that though Jewish, is He know. ally necessarily have anything to do with it. Or relatively a maybe it does. I have read an articleJews a few years Ashkenazi said that ago high level of dopamine, which is associated avoiding avoiding stereotypes, but is there perhaps something typically Jewish about men like who are Leonard, bright and but talented in the world? live to seem can’t world. Does that, too, seem Jewish to you? to Jewish seem too, Does that, world. Jewish cultural tradition — a melancholy, a sense of longing — which I think has its an lacks that religion a in back, far very roots beliefa There’s hell. and heaven on emphasis that life is what happens between birth and an of death, understanding our mortality beau is think I which tragicelement, its and the in that embraced definitely I’ve And tiful. n done. I’ve work very much like my mother used to look, very look, to used mother my like much very want the Lainie I didn’t and earthy humane. duhty yuh up pick “Lenn-id, of kind Kazan I love Lainie lawndry.” Kazan, but I didn’t want suggestion any of Borscht Belt humor. por loveless negative, a be couldn’t film The trait of these people, and Isabella was as far stereotype a get. from as I could away Moni father, Leonard’s plays who actor raeli Moshonov? watching up wound and late theater movie a right the at was it because Marriage,” “Late time and because I remembered reading a So I review by very Hoberman. J. positive about I talked Later, it. I loved and in, went it with someone who was involved in the guy’s that “Yeah, said, he and festival, Cannes When Israel.” in legend a actor, wonderful a wantedI Night,” Ownthe “We making was I he seem like was out who didn’t someone Moni of I Eastern wanted an Promises. avuncular, remembered and with guy working loved atypical-looking I And Marriage.” “Late in this part that I wrote him. for him so much the cast members, the photos you see on the on see you photos the members, cast the of photos are apartment Kraditor the of walls my family and And my the ancestors. paint This dad. my to belong apartment the in ings house the of walls the off took I that stuff all is movie the set-design to wanted I in. up grew I elements these all took I so possible, as little as that in them but put and life my movie, from home were a that is this that Not apartment. personalas movie a make to want always you as you It can. comes from a desire to make a in all its details. that I understand world with depression. But I think didn’t of that I film. the I when making was consciously just based it on a guy I knew who was in a state of arrested development: 32 years old, living at home after a traumatic experience, was a mess. and his room on on real experiences like that? For example, grow did up too, you, with a photograph of the wall? on a rabbinic ancestor James James Gray: James James Gray: NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: to got I accident. by Moni saw first I Gray: James NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: James James Gray: Stuart Klawans is the film film the is critic The of Stuart Klawans and author of the books in the Dark. on Jewishnew culture. read ------ards Y The Two Lovers Two Little Little Odessa, . Now, with . Now, ight N Does Leonard Kraditor have to have Kraditor Leonard Does You take great care to be authen be to care great take You The story has its origin in two We OwnWe the Film places. One of them is Dostoyevsky’s “White “White Dostoyevsky’s ofis One them places. which I pulled Nights,” off the shelf a while in I saw What reading. light a for little ago that story was a be would person who today mala psychological of host whole a assigned be Jewish for this story work? for be to Jewish dies, and pharmaceuticals to address them, but in the origin 19th century other he The would just have off. little a considered been is that after my wife became pregnant, we went to the doctor for genetic tests, and the me about telling started counselor genetic cases where both parents were positive for disease. She Tay-Sachs told me about cou were they because apart broken had that ples place great a was that thought I carriers. both to start, combining concep Dostoyevsky’s with a tion of heartbreak disorder bipolar for Leonard that was rooted in this cultural very and indeed been biological tradition. So the Jew always has character the of ishness important me. to to need the feel you Did settings. your in tic too? be in casting, authentic But actors?” Jewish cast you didn’t “Why me, wanted had I Vinessa, And Jewish. is Joaquin a young like was who role the for someone Claudia Cardinale because it would have been a cliché I to cast saw someone homely. and Vinessa thought“3:10 in to sheYuma” Jew be to actress the wanted I but lovely, was Then and ish. I Vinessa told mether all this, and she with “My said, real name is reservation Schwartz.” the off went I one only The was Isabella Rossellini, but in fact she looks Leonard Leonard Kraditor (played by Gray regular Leonard would clearly be and safer, more Lovers Two retains trademarkGray’s sense of When reached by telephone in Los Angeles, The writer-director‘Two Lovers’ behind Klawans Stuart By James James Gray: NEXTBOOK: some askedpeople have funny, Gray:James It’s and I (opening Feb. 13), he has returned to the Brigh the to returned has he 13), story Feb. (opening another for Brooklyn of section Beach ton of a troubled young man in peril — only this time, the person most likely to do in the pro is himself. tagonist Joaquin Phoenix) begins the film by jump ing off a then pier, proceeds to the really self- destructive plunge: falling obsessively in love building apartment his in neighbor new a with of out slips attention whose Paltrow) (Gwyneth focus as often as her druggie eyes, and whose powers of self-preservation are no more ample skirts.than her successful, with modest, the beautiful shy, and willing young woman (Vinessa Shaw) whom his parents have picked out for him. But then, sound judgment isn’t something to expect of a man who is still living in his apart parents’ dry- father’s his in working mid-30s, his in ment of psychiatricout the staying and shop cleaning of the power through medication. mostly ward urban space, as well as his preoccupation with fractured families and disturbed spirits. But now that the physical threats exterior, have retreated, fore. the to come has characters his of ethnicity the Jewish. not coincidentally, integrally, They are where his greatest complaint as a transplanted slice, pizza decent a of absence the is Yorker New “Two why on thoughts his shared readily Gray date. movie to be his most Jewish may Lovers” NEXTBOOK: NEW NEW YORK (NEXTBOOK) — James Gray made his name with a trio of brooding, mor ally ambiguous crime films set in the outer boroughs of York: New

------continued 34 on page The few young North American Jews who Jews American North young few The At Kayam direc conference, December’s “One-sixth “One-sixth of the deals withTalmud ag The Mishnah contains diagrams of how not “It’s just important as Jews that we The goal of the Jewish farm-based Many of this new generation of Jewish years few last the spent 31, Weinberg, Tali Whereas her parents and grandparents “I feel a call to be connected to the land, “It “It reminds me of who my ancestors For most North American Jews who “The people I knew in Habonim were rection the food system is moving in.” the food system rection actuallyare full-timeworking as farmers are environmental of group larger much a of part and food activists who come out of a grow ing number of new Jewish farm-education Philadelphia- the Adamah; as such initiatives near Farm Kayam School; Farm Jewish based Baltimore; a Learning the Center, pro Teva Spring, Cold in Camp Lake ofSurprisegram and N.Y.; Hazon, an advocacy organization that promotes sustainable environmental practices and sponsors an food conference. annual Jewish to be in the land of Israel,” she says. “What’s to be“What’s in she the says. land of Israel,” more critical is that we connect, period. It’s less about where we’re going to do it and ofbecause it di the do to have we that more tor Jakir Manela, 27, presented the Talmud’s the presented Talmud’s 27, tor Manela, Jakir teachings on agriculture to a roomful of activists. young riculture,” he pointed adding out, that while riculture,” oth- most ofIsrael, specificto are those laws can be anywhere. applied ers to plant various species in the same field, its usedpattern own to Jewish which Kayam Educational Garden. In late Kay February, am is sponsoring a weekend study of Seder the Zera’im, tractate devoted to agricultural as part ongoing effortsof to law, the group’s its farm values. practiceroot in Jewish a have we that recognize we that but local eat he said. particular tradition about it,” schools is not to churn out farmers but to make gardening and farming normative community. Jewish wider the within practice The leaders of these programs say they look forward to the day when every Jewish com munity synagogue center, and day school ism and kibbutz were the focus.” were ism and kibbutz farmers have connections to Israel, either through family or past trips. But it doesn’t it pulled parents. their pull the way them farming for a seed company on Salt Spring Columbia. Britishof coast the off just Island, Her parents met in the late 1960s on the Is raeli kibbutz where her father grew up. Her grandparents were members of Labor - Zion in 1930s-era groups Poland. ist youth believed they were helping a struggling new grew Weinberg country, up with an Israel and independent. that seemed strong like my grandparents, but I feel don’t it has were,” he says, “and how they would walk the walk would they how “and says, he were,” hills withof their goats and sheep and Judea an land, the to relationship deep a have really understanding of how that land connected spirit holy the of God.” Hashem, to them made aliyah to kibbutzim 30 years the ago, not farming. was Israel, draw hippies, but we were Jewish says hippies,” 51-year-old Dani who Livney, immigrated to Israel in 1980 and joined Kibbutz Gezer, where he still manages its olive grove. “No one ever start‘let’s said, a farm in America.’ Zion Israel, focus. major the wasn’t Farming ------

But Hanau, 23, is in the heart of New York York of New heart the in is 23, Hanau, But “Five years from now I see myself farm Stevenson Stevenson is also preparing for their fu Through the agreement, people buy - Jew a as herself introduces too, Stevenson, work your butt “You off for six days and Hanau and Stevenson are part of a small They leave a corner of their field unhar Unlike Unlike the Labor Zionist youth of the Even their sources of inspiration are says Jew,” biblical a as identify much very “I Mizrahi, who is not traditionally obser Feature Feature SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Naf Hanau lives lives Hanau Naf — (JTA) FRANCISCO SAN in the Bronx, an odd choice for someone who calls himself farmer. Jewish a skills learn to school, horticultural for only City he’ll put into practice when he and his girl friend, friend, 27-year-old Anna Stevenson, buy land and start farm. their N.Y., near Rochester, ing with Anna,” Hanau says. “Growing food, food, “Growing Hanau says. ing withAnna,” feeding people food real growing vegetables, and making a living from that. Supporting a family without being a a a doctor, lawyer, an accountant.” or teacher weekly boxes weekly ofboxes fresh produce directly from local farmers. even thoughish farmer, she thinks the title is describesit what sheBut “kindof gimmicky.” She weedshoes, plants, does quite accurately. Jew studies teaches, also she but harvests, and ap you she really “You need says. Shabbat,” the in activists young of number growing but new Jewish food movement who are turn ture, working as the farm manager at the Ad the at manager farm the as working ture, amah Jewish environmental program at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in four- a of charge in is She Conn. Village, Falls fellows, Adamah the and she where field acre young Jews on three-month internships, that vegetables and fruits pesticide-free grow make into they provide to the retreat center, pickles and sell through a community sup ported agriculture agreement. Shabbat. on and rests ish texts preciate Shabbat physically as well as emo tionally as well as spiritually.” ing to the land as a way of expressing their just who farmers not Theyare values. Jewish happen to be They Jews. are Jewish farmers, working the land according to agricultural laws set down in teaching their the Talmud, peers and trying the importance promote to greater the within food own one’s growing of community. Jewish 1960s and ‘70s, who so farming ‘70s, learned they 1960s and could move to Israel and join kibbutzim, to different. Their parents and grandparents Theodor reading century, 19th the to looked the Herzl, founder of modern Zionism, and Labor Zionist thinker Dov Ber Borochov, while this new generation casts its gaze far Aitan Mizrahi, 31, who raises goats for milk center. Freedman and meat at the Isabella vested vested for the in poor, accordance with the Mishnaic Tractate Pe’ah, or corner. don’t plant They wheat and barley together, a teaching from Tractate Kilayim, or holding they chickens and goats slaughter They back. - hay ba’alei “tzar practicing themselves, raise kindness to show to the commandment im,” - bless a bracha, a say They animals. domestic some kosher, keep Some eat. they before ing, do not, but all are committed to some kind of dietary Jewish practice. activists theyJewish can farmsay young day’s be Israel. to have doesn’t It Jewishly. land any ther and back Talmud the to ancient Torah, Israelites. vant, vant, lets his beard grow to symbolize his Judaism. to connection

By Sue Fishkoff Sue By Farming the land, Torah in hand Torah the land, Farming

I I I Feature IOn Another Note

Here comes the sun: Felix Mendelssohn, through the eyes of Maestro Arie Lipsky Sandor Slomovits, staff writer Jewish groups gear ebruary 3, 2009 was the 200th anniver- the opera composer at the time in Paris. haus Orchestra in Leipzig. I’m talking up for rare ritual sary of the birth of composer Felix Whenever Wagner was done in Paris, it was about the first professional orchestra for F Mendelssohn. Throughout the 2008– a disaster. So he was so jealous! And Mey- the masses, not just for kings or princes. By Ben Harris 2009 concert season, chamber musicians and erbeer is not Wagner. He’s a lovely com- He later started the first conservatory in NEW YORK (JTA) — As sunrise broke over orchestras around the world are celebrating poser of light operettas. He didn’t even try the world, also in Leipzig. by programming his music even more fre- to compete, but Wagner couldn’t believe New York City on the morning of April 8, 1981, WJN: And of course Mendelssohn was largely quently than usual. Of course, a great deal of that the Parisians would go for Meyerbeer. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi — at the responsible for the rediscovery of Bach. time he was known just as Zalman Schachter Mendelssohn’s music has entered the stan- When I conducted a Mendelssohn — stood on the observation deck of the Empire dard classical repertoire, but there have been Symphony in Haifa recently, I told a story Maestro Lipsky: That’s my next point. State Building and sounded the shofar. recent discoveries of many of his works that to the audience before we played. The Mendelssohn was a very good man. There For more than two hours after, Shachter- were not published in his lifetime. Although roof of a beautiful concert hall in Prague are artists who are into their art, into Shalomi led some 300 mostly young adults this is due in part to Mendelssohn’s death at themselves. Not Mendelssohn. As a music in an obscure Jewish ritual known as Birkat a very young age, it is primarily the result of a director, he invited many young perform- Hachamah, or blessing over the sun, a prayer campaign of character assassination mount- ers, young composers, to appear with his recited once every 28 years when, the Talmud ed by Richard Wagner and his sympathizers orchestra. Many of them, who became says, the sun reaches the same spot in the firma- in Germany in the 1850s, and later during pretty famous, would not have become as ment as when it was created. Hitler’s time. That music is just now starting well known if it had not been for him. He According to an account of the service in to be performed, due to the efforts of Ste- was just very gracious, egoless, and helped The New York Times, participants raised their phen Somary and the Mendelssohn Project. the career of many, many people. And yes, hands in prayer, asked for healing for individu- I talked recently with Maestro Arie Lip- he started playing Bach with his orchestra. als and the earth, and released 70 balloons. At sky, conductor of the Ann Arbor Symphony, Bach was pretty unknown in Europe at that the conclusion, some worshipers joined in the about the life and times, and music, of Men- time. He put on Bach’s St. Matthew’s Pas- singing of a Hebrew version of “Let the Sun delssohn. sion. Because of Mendelssohn, Bach is what we call Bach. If not for Mendelssohn he Shine In” from the rock musical “Hair.” WJN: One of my favorite pieces of chamber would be pretty unknown. Can you imag- The rite, Shachter-Shalomi told the Times, music is the Mendelssohn Octet. Whenever ine that? The father of classical music! “helps us renew our relationship with the solar I hear it I’m amazed that he wrote that Also, Mendelssohn was instrumental in system and increase our awareness of the sun as when he was just sixteen! a source of energy.” bringing Schubert to the scene. Schubert Twenty-eight years later, Jews across the de- Maestro Lipsky: Before that, even, he wrote was completely unknown. He actually nominational spectrum are gearing up again twelve or fourteen Sinfonies, which are put together his Symphony Number Nine for the observance with a range of planned for strings only, and they were fantastic. and performed it with his orchestra. Men- celebrations, many of them environmentally Every once in awhile they’re still played. is adorned with large statues and busts of delssohn was an egoless person. Open. focused. The sun prayer will be said, as it will But they’re obviously written by a young many famous composers. When the Nazis He traveled a lot, especially to England. several times in the 21st century, on April 8, composer. They’re like the young Mozart conquered Prague, the officer in charge of He loved England and was revered in Eng- which this year falls on the eve of Passover. works. But the Octet and the Overture to A the city ordered one of his men to go up land. He wrote his oratorio, Elijah, which In the northern Israeli city of Safed, an Midsummer Night’s Dream, which he also on that roof and tear off the statue of the premiered in England. That’s why it’s written eight-day festival is planned featuring several wrote when he was sixteen, they’re abso- Jewish composer, Mendelssohn. The sol- in English. His Scottish Symphony, and Fin- environmentally and kabbalistically inspired lutely amazing. Anytime chamber musi- dier climbed to the roof, as ordered, but gal’s Cave were also written in England. The events, including the ceremonial burning of cians get together it’s, “Can we get an octet discovered that he had a problem. None Italian Symphony was inspired by his travels leavened bread on the morning before Pass- together?” of the statues were labeled. The soldier did there. The man was quite a traveler. Like Mo- over by concentrating the sun’s rays through an He was a prolific composer. Some peo- not know which one was Mendelssohn. So, zart, he died young, at age 38. So sad. optic lens. ple claim that he stayed this wunderkind, following what he learned in his Nazi race Mahler, toward the end of his life, ques- “Over the last 28-year cycle, we have suffered that he wasn’t able to develop to the next studies, he went looking for the composer tioned his decision to become Christian, from pollution and the depletion of natural re- stage. He was very, very critical of other with the longest nose. He picked out the because he made it as an adult and it wasn’t sources,” said the festival founder, U.S.-based composers who were able to, like Berlioz. bust with the largest, most prominent nose a matter of conviction. He did it to get a artist Eva Ariela Lindberg, in a news release. Many composers after Beethoven had a and destroyed it—only to learn later that job, as Maestro of the Vienna Philharmon- “Let us use this extraordinary opportunity to hard time figuring out where they were, he had torn down the statue of Wagner. ic. You couldn’t get that if you were Jewish. co-create the next cycle by seeking alternative because Beethoven took it to the limit with [Laughter] Toward the end of his life he was trying to solar energies and a purer environment, re- his Symphony Number Nine. So anything Mendelssohn came from a very promi- figure out if this was a mistake or not. With charging ourselves and learning how to honor that was done after that needed to be com- nent family. His grandfather was a well- Mendelssohn we don’t know of any inci- the earth, our neighbors and ourselves. This is a pletely different. Wagner took one road known philosopher, sort of the prophet dent when he questioned. In his case, of time to renew, and bring fresh blossoms to our with his operas, but then you had Schu- of the Reform Movement. Even though course, the conversion was done when he world for the next 28-year cycle.” mann, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, who he lived and died as an Orthodox Jew, his was a kid, so it wasn’t his decision anyway. In the United States, 14 Jewish organiza- kind of stayed on the conservative side. philosophy was that you should be Jewish Wagner criticized Mendelssohn only tions have joined to launch BlessTheSun.org, a They were geniuses, but there were these in your household, but not outside. You after his death, so he never was aware of Web site with links to various educational ma- two streams after Beethoven. should not wear a kippa, payes, tzi tzis. Do that criticism. But then, Wagner criticized terials and ideas for April 8 activities. The site What happened after Beethoven’s death that at home. And that was to prevent an- anything that wasn’t Wagner. [Laughter] asks users to sign a Covenant of Commitment is that Wagner took over the avant-garde, ti-Semitism. Having an organ in the syna- Whatever you think about Mendelssohn, in which they “pledge to hasten the day of en- so to speak. And he was so influential, gogue started after him. His son, Avraham, you have to remember a couple of things. vironmental healing, social justice and sustain- because he was a powerful composer, was a banker in Hamburg and when Felix The most beloved violin concerto—ev- able living for all.” but also a powerful personality. He wrote was seven they decided to convert. Actu- er—is the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in Five of the groups also are sponsoring an this thesis, “The Jews and Music,” and for ally, the kids were converted first. The par- E Minor. If you take a poll anyplace, any- art competition for works “interpreting aspects whatever reason, it hit. He was after two ents only converted years later. where… composers, Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. As far as chamber music, again, if you of the sun and exploring the relationship be- WJN: Did they do that to give their kids better Mendelssohn actually converted when take a poll, one of the most famous piano tween Judaism and the environment.” And the opportunities later in life? United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism he was a boy, but in the eyes of Wagner, trios is the Mendelssohn First Piano Trio in has designed a 68-page study text on the prayer he was considered Jewish. Wagner’s main Maestro Lipsky: Of course. Mendelssohn was, D Minor. There’s no question. It’s the king, emphasizing environmental themes. criticism was that Jews cannot write or I don’t know the word in English, in He- along with Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchai-

March 2009 March “Growing up, there was almost a fear in perform pure European music, because brew it’s ish eshkolot. Eshkol is a bunch of kovsky’s, for sure, but in that group.

A recognizing that our holidays and calendar are they are…well, Jews. It’s the lowest form grapes. When we say ish eshkolot, we mean He was a genius. He was the post-Beethoven indicative of an earth-based religion,” said Nati of anti-Semitism. He was so powerful, and not only one grape, but the whole bunch. genius, the post-Mozart genius. n Passow, co-founder of the Jewish Farm School, when you have a population on the verge In other words he was a Renaissance man. Maestro Arie Lipsky will conduct the Ann Ar- one of the groups behind BlessTheSun. “That of anti-Semitism anyway… He was a very good artist, a philosopher, bor Symphony in the music of Mendelssohn doesn’t necessarily mean idol worship or earth When you look at it now, it’s clear that he wrote poetry. He started the first profes- Wagner was just jealous. Meyerbeer was sional orchestra in the world, the Gewand- and Bach on Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m.

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw continued on page 33 26 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 27 now now available allas, Texas allas, srael Sisterhood, d Sisterhood, srael Shearith i rbor Public Library rbor Public a nn a Like Mama Used to Make…And More; Ann Arbor Ann Hadassah Cookbook More; is to Like Mama Make…And Used (with mushrooms and garlic, if like) and garlic, (with you mushrooms 4–6 servings. oil vegetable 4 T. diced onions, 2 large grated carrots, 4 large rice 1 c. peeled and sliced potato, 1 large dates ½ c. raisins ½ c. water ½ c. 1 pkg cream cheese (softened) cheese 1 pkg cream cocoa 3 t. sugar ¼ c. 1 egg 1 small head cabbage beef ground turkey 1 ½ lbs. or onion chopped ½ c. rice uncooked ½ c. salt ½ t. pepper ¼ t. soup can tomato 1 (10.5 oz) spaghetti sauce jar prepared 1 (26 oz) ½ c. butter or margarine or butter ½ c. sugar 1 c. 1 egg flour 2 c. baking powder 2 t. orange milk (or juice) 2 T. flavoring vanilla lemon or 1 t. Persian rice 300° Temperature: Oven 4–5 hours time: Cooking baking pan square 9” 8”or Container: Heat 2 oil Tablespoons in skillet. Sauté onions. Remove from pan. Add grated carrots to pan drippings and brown. until half done. box, on directions to according rice in a saucepan Cook layer a ofrice, layer a Make potatoes. sliced with line and oil remaining with dish baking Grease of onions. and a layer of carrots, the during cover Remove covered. Bake water. with Sprinkle raisins. and dates sliced with Cover be frozen. Can last hour. of Tradition, A Taste from Hamentashen, chocolate filling Stuffed cabbage casserole Hamantashen cookie dough Hamantashen cookie Chop cabbage into medium pieces and spread half and spread pieces medium of into cabbage theChop it into baking dish. 13” by ofbottom a greased 9” mixture spoon and pepper and salt, rice, in Stir offfat. Drain onion. with turkey beef or Brown cabbage. over Spread cabbage. and meat the over sauce Pour boil. a to sauce spaghetti and soup tomato Bring half the top. remaining of over pieces cabbage Fluff lightly 1 ½ hours. serving. with at 350° for with a fork before bake and foil Cove Kitchen Arbor Kosher Ann The from Beat all together. ingredients www.cyber-kitchen.com from Cream together the butter and sugar and add the egg. the butter together Cream Mix and sift flour and bakingtogether powder and add a littleof this mixtureto the creamed and sugar. butter the milk. Add flour mixture. remaining Add extract. flavoring Add Roll dough out but (thinly, not so thin that the filling hold);doesn’t cut intorounds (use a at fill of Bake spoonful a formwith into triangles. filling and cutter); drinkingcookie glassa or browned. until delicately 15–30 minutes, 375° for cans in purchased be can This seeds. poppy or fruit either with filled generally are Hamentashen at the supermarket, or you can use plain jam if you wish. There are many recipes for making these from but scratch, I think most people could would also no filllonger You do them that. Nutella. or chips with chocolate from on line at the ------In addition to In hearing addition to eat a festive meal, andto eat meal, a festive to eat a festive meal, andto eat meal, a festive give give charity to the poor, give give charity to the poor, To send a gift of food to at to food of gift a send To least one other friend, to To send a gift of food to at to food of gift a send To least one other friend, to are are four other traditions: are are four other traditions: the Megillah read, there the Megillah read, there not have anything to do with the story. not have anything to do with the story. imagination, imagination, and it need imagination, imagination, and it need anything anything that suits your anything anything that suits your come come in costume and adds becan you Now fun. the to come come in costume and adds becan you Now fun. the to This has led many adults to adults many led has This This has led many adults to adults many led has This or or to rent even better ones. or or to rent even better ones. loween, loween, it’s easy to get re ally good costumes on sale loween, loween, it’s easy to get re ally good costumes on sale up on every corner at Hal to get drunk. to to get drunk. to Today the Megillah Today reading is even more The Purim feast (Seudah) should include It It has become customary to exchange fun. fun. A theme may be chosen, such as Star or Wars TheyHarry have Potter. done both at Beth Israel, with jokes and a play (Purim spiel) built upon the themes and cleverly acted between sections of reading. the official With the advent of costume stores popping en, en, a triangle shaped cookie, is traditionally filled with poppy seed,but has also evolved to include fruit jam or sometimes chocolate. The shape comes from the three-corned hat Haman supposedly wore, but others think that they ears, resemble or Haman’s pockets the Hebrew, In secrets. devious his containing pastry which is means “Osnei called Haman” ears.” “Haman’s a braided challah, resembling the rope that hung Haman and his soup cronies, with - kre plach (triangular shaped dumplings stuffed with meat), and in turkey, memory of King (and Ethiopia to India from reign Ahasuerus’s also to symbolize his foolishness in listing to to meal vegetarian a have Some all). at Haman honor Queen who Esther, kept kosher in the harem by eating vegetables, grains, and nuts, but needed to keep her Judaism secret. It is also customary to drink wine to The excess. includes a Talmud command to get exceed- ingly drunk, until you cannot tell whether you are cursing Haman or praising Morde chai. This is a rare instance in Jewish tradi only not is ofalcohol use excessive where tion the has joke In fact, encouraged but required. parties that Jewish been told and celebrations of instead drinker” designated “a need usually No wonder this is “a such designated driver.” n holiday! a joyous ple or elaborate. Beautiful baskets or decora tive paper plates covered with plastic wrap children for fun it’s and containers, nice make dressed in costume to deliver the gifts. Many people bring them to the Megillah reading to exchange with friends, and it’s good to have a few extra. Usually these gifts include some combination of special cookies, called Hamentashen, fruits, nuts, cake, raicandy, sins, figs,dried You fruit, can wine,or juice. make and deliver them yourself to homes of buy can you or ill, and elderly the to or friends them. The Hebrew Day School has just such a and fundraiser, will deliver specially made packages for a reasonable cost. Hamentash packages packages (Misloach Manot) that can be sim - - - - - These lines from an old Chil

h today, we’ll merry, merry be ...... merrybe merry, we’ll today, h hamentashen” and nosh some

The story is of an evil man, synagogues, in read usually is Megillah The Going to hear the Megillah reading is a Kosher Cuisine Kosher dren’s Purim song dren’s capture the essence of the holiday of Purim, a day for joyous celebra tion and feasting to commemorate a narrow living all for Jews decree a death from escape in ancient around Persia 357 BCE. On Purim and on days lead ing up to it, many people have costume parties, car nivals, parades, plays, or puppet shows for children and adults. The Megillah (or Old Book Testament of Esther) tells the Jewish story. on read be it that requires law Purim, which begins the eve Haman, Prime Minister King Ahasuerus. Haman tocon- spired to persuade the king to who Jew a Mordechai, killed. Jews the all have also served the king and was well regarded by him, learned of this plot. He brought his very beautiful to the cousin, Esther, king and she quickly became the favorite wife in his harem. Esther risked her life by going to the then, until her; for called hadn’t he when king the king had not known that she was Jewish. and plans, Esther alerted Haman’s the king to the king had Haman and his cohorts hung. celebrated. naturally, The Jews, temples, or similar houses of It worship. is a joyous and often raucous Children— affair. and often adults, too—come in costume and with such as noisemakers, those provided for When the a Eve. name secular ofYear’s New Haman is read, the noise can be deafening, meant to drown out the hated name. Some people write name Haman’s on the bottom of their shoes and stamp their feet until it is obliterated. over so more even become has and offun lot the years. The Purim that I remember was just straight forward reading with everyone children the Only noise. make to encouraged came in For the costume. girls it was Queen Haman, Mordechai, the boys, and for Esther I simple. Costumes were Ahasuerus. or King remember many years of making a queen’s crown out of cardboard and aluminum foil. One year my Aunt Sheba, who worked in a garment factory in LA, sent me a special She used present. to sew doll clothes for me, but that year she sent two of the most beau- tiful dresses I had ever seen. One was deep purple velvet with short puffed sleeves and a full wide skirt. The other was all celery green lace over a plain matching material. It had long sleeves. I used the green one for of boys the Many year. that dress queen’s my would choose to be Haman, making three- corner hats out of black felt and cardboard, and wearing black pants and shirt. It always puzzled me why they would want to be the evil one, but who could understand boys at anyway. that age, ning of the 14th day of Adar and ends at sundown the - fol the date This year, lowing day. 10–11. March to corresponds O Judy Cohen, food editor food Cohen, Judy Celebrate Purim with traditional foods Purim with Celebrate I ICalendar

Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Purim Spiel: JCC. Come to a Yiddishe Purim March 2009 Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Chabad House. Every Sunday. Spiel “Bei Mir Bush Do Shame.” “Shtar- standing it is no simple matter. Study the Dobrusin’s Deli and Variety Hour: BIC. Celebrat- ring” Angelina Goylie, Brad Putz and Jenni- text in the original, together with the classical ing Rabbi Dobrusin’s 20th year of service at Beth fer Knishton. Funded in part by the Nancy Sunday 1 commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Israel. In the spirit of Purim, guests are asked to Denenberg Fund. 7–8:30 p.m. For informa- dress as a favorite sitcom character. 1 p.m. tion, call 665-5540. Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Wednesday 4 Talk by Rabbi Steven Greenberg: U-M Hillel. Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Rabbi Rod Gl- Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the What if God Was Fabulous? The Story of a Gay ogower presents different topics each week using texts from Tanach, Talmud and rabbinic prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Lunch and Learn: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin Orthodox Rabbi. Rabbi Steven Greenberg is a reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at senior teaching fellow at CLAL, The National literature. English translations of texts pro- and Rabbi Blumenthal. Bring a dairy lunch. vided. Discussions in areas of law, philosophy Chabad House. Every Sunday. Drinks and desserts provided. Noon. Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and author of Wrestling with God and Men: and theology. 8 p.m. at UM Hillel. For infor- Red Cross Blood Drive: BIC. Do a mitzvah and save Jewish Learning Institute: Winter semester class Homosexuality in the Jewish Tradition. 6:30 mation, call 662-5805. a life. Donors should go to www.givelife.org and “You Be the Judge.” Challenge your sense of fill in sponsor code bic13. 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. p.m. in Great Lakes Room, Palmer Commons, Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. right and wrong with an exploration of Jewish Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Art Exhibit: JCC Amster Gallery. “The Art and University of Michigan, 100 Washtenaw Ave. Civil Law. 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. standing it is no simple matter. Study the Soul of Peace Through Humor.” Exhibit devel- Co-Sponsored by Ahava, Michigan Student As- text in the original, together with the classical oped with the meaningful message that laugh- sembly, U-M Hillel, LGBT Commission, Spec- commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. ter is the shortest distance between two people. Thursday 5 trum Center: a Division of Student Affairs, and From 1994-2004, Maureen Kushner, an inno- the Jewish Gay Network of Michigan vative and creative teacher in New York traveled SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Class: TBE. Class on Islam. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 11 Israel working with Jewish, Arab, Bedouin and with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning Druze children as well as Russian and Ethiopi- Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. Lunch and Learn: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin an immigrants, to create murals and paintings ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; 8 p.m. at Chabad House. Every Sunday. and Rabbi Blumenthal. Bring a dairy lunch. on the theme of war and peace. This inspiring $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Drinks and desserts provided. Noon. exhibition represents the children’s hope for Special events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Youth Enrichment Classes: JCC. Classes begin peace, reaching far beyond the shadow of war. Literary Group with Sidney Warschausky will Monday 9 today including Net Games, Dazzling Des- On display from March through May during resume today at 2:25 p.m. with a discussion of serts, Sports Galore, Martial Arts and Cake normal JCC business hours. Cousin Bette by Honore de Balzac. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Creation. Also evening swim class at High- Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Birthdays and Presentation: JCC Seniors. Cele- Point. Fees vary upon class type. For infor- the basic text of Chassidism and open your bration for all with birthdays in March. Friends Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 mation or to register, email deborahhuerta@ eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at and family are invited to join group for lunch jccfed.org or call 971-0990. Chabad House. Every Sunday. and birthday cake at 12:30 p.m., followed by South State Street. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7:30 p.m. Class: TBE. Class on Islam. 7:30 p.m. presentation by Larry Hiss, longtime JCC com- munity member, who will discuss his experi- narbor.org. Ongoing. Jewish Learning Institute: Winter semester class Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning ences during and after the Holocaust. 1 p.m. School’s Out/JCC’s In: JCC Youth. For Ann Arbor “You Be the Judge.” Challenge your sense of the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. School K–5 students who are JCC members right and wrong with an exploration of Jewish 8 p.m. at Chabad House. Every Sunday. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jew- only. Middle schoolers are also welcome to par- Civil Law. 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. ish legal system by following the intriguing ticipate as helpers for a reduced fee. Celebrate Monday 2 discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a Purim by making hamantashen, decorating Thursday 12 composite of practical law, logical argumenta- masks, and playing carnival games. $34 for care English as a Second Language Daily Classes: tion and moral teachings. Study of the origi- from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. $32/additional siblings. $8/ extended care from 4–6 p.m. Registration and SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Current Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Every Thursday. payment due March 5. For information or to register, visit www.jccannarbor.org or email Events with Heather Dombey, a Jewish per- Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 spective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Home- South State Street. For more information, [email protected] or call 971-0990. made Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special events contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- Friday 6 Megillah Reading and Carnival: TBE. 5:30–8 p.m. and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary Group narbor.org. Ongoing. Ma’ariv Service: BIC. With some Purim fun and with Sidney Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Class: TBE. Haftarah Trop led by Cantor Annie Ski Trip: TBE Youth Group. Through March 8. hijinks. 7:30 p.m. Presentation: JCC Seniors. David Owens, one of Rose. Noon–1 p.m. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Purim Event: BIC. Reading of the Book of Es- the Happiness Boys, brings his Nostalgia Ra- Torah Study: TBE Sisterhood. With Cantor An- Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at ther, highlighted with a special purimshpiel 761-2765 for information. dio Show for some great old songs from the nie Rose. 7 p.m. “Batman vs. Haman: Will Purim Survive.” big band and pre-rock era. 1 p.m. Shabbat Service: TBE Sisterhood. With choir Enjoy coffee and hamentashen. Adults and Text Study: BIC. “Jewish Perspectives on the Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. and guest speaker Rabbi Danny Friedlander, children encouraged to dress in costume; su- Beginning and End of Time.” With Rabbi Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish vice president of the Union of Reform Juda- perheroes are especially welcome at this inter- Dobrusin. 8 p.m. legal system by following the intriguing discus- ism. 7:30 p.m. active event. 7:45 p.m. sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a compos- Tuesday 3 Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Community Megillah reading: AAOM. 7:45 p.m. ite of practical law, logical argumentation and the calendar. at UM Hillel. moral teachings. Study of the original Talmud Grand Gala Purim Celebration: Chabad. Megillah “The Bible in It’s Time:” JCC Seniors. Taught by tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. reading, gragars for everyone, party celebration, Dr. Liz Fried, this class runs through March 24. Saturday 7 Purimshpiel, hamentashen, dancing, singing, 10 a.m. food and drink, door prizes, raffles and more. Ev- Friday 13 Coffee Corner: TBE Brotherhood. 8:30 a.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise eryone encouraged to come in costume. 8 p.m. with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m.; $4/session or Torah Study: TBE With Rabbi Levy. 8:50 a.m. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Shabbat Limud (Shabbat Learning): BIC. Fa- Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- cilitated by Rabbi Dobrusin. Discussion of Tuesday 10 761-2765 for information. ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card weekly Torah portion over coffee and cakes. Friday evening services: See listing at the end of games, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. 9–10 a.m. Purim Service: Chabad. With Megillah reading. the calendar. Blood Pressure Clinic: JCC Seniors. A registered Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: 7:30 a.m. nurse from Care Response will take blood Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Purim Shacharit Service: AAOM. With morning pressures, record them and address any ques- mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before Megillah reading at 7:30 a.m. Women’s Megil- Saturday 14 tions. 1 p.m. First Tuesday each month. sundown at Chabad House. Every Saturday. lah reading at 9 a.m. At UM Hillel. For infor- Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study mation, call 994-9258. Torah Study: TBE. With Rabbi Levy. 8:50 a.m. All ages and levels welcome including UM and group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Purim Shacharit Service: BIC. Followed by the Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Cha- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at Reading of the Megillah and breakfast. 8 a.m. bad. Learn more about the mystical dimensions Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Chabad House. Every Saturday. “The Bible in It’s Time:” JCC Seniors. Taught by of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before sundown For information, call 936-2367. at Chabad House. Every Saturday. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar. Dr. Liz Fried, this class runs through March 24. Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Rabbi Rod Gl- 10 a.m. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study ogower presents different topics each week SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Exercise Energy group code of law for Shabbat, and study of using texts from Tanach, Talmud and rabbinic Sunday 8 with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m.; $4/session or Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at

March 2009 March literature. English translations of texts pro- $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Chabad House. Every Saturday. vided. Discussions in areas of law, philosophy th A Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- Kehillat Shabbat: BIC. For 1st through 5 and theology. 8 p.m. at UM Hillel. For infor- Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card graders. Today’s theme is “Dancing with the mation, call 662-5805. prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah games, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Prayers.” When do we bow? When do we Bet Midrash: BIC. “Contemporary Issues in reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All stand? Groove to the aerobic workout of the Halakha,” facilitated by Rabbi Dobrusin and Chabad House. Every Sunday. ages and levels welcome including UM and Shabbat morning service. 11 a.m. Rabbi Blumenthal. Register by contacting mary@ Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Tot Shabbat: BIC. For tots ages 3–5 years old and bethisrael-aa.org or call 665-9897. 8 p.m. the basic text of Chassidism and open your Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. parents. 11:15 a.m.

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw For information, call 936-2367. Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar. 28 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 . 29 - - - - . . Dinner at 6 Every Thursday. Every . . For Hebrew Day See listing at the end of

. . Bring back memories of summer ite ite of practical logical law, argumentation and moral teachings. Study of the original Talmud 8 p.m. 2. chapter tractate Taanit the calendar. School School K–5 students who are JCC members only. Middle schoolers are also welcome to participate as helpers for a reduced fee. Cel ebrate the start of spring with a fun-filled day of spring-themed activities including flower planting, special craft projects and, weather permitting, fun in the sun. $34 for care from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. $32/additional siblings. $8/ex tended care from 4–6 p.m. Registration and payment due March 18. For information or email or www.jccannarbor.org visit register, to [email protected] or 971-0990. Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at information. 761-2765 for JCC Way: The memories. new create and Shabbats camp Early Childhood Center Depart and Youth ments sponsor a fun-filled dinner.Evening begins with camp-style Shabbat songs and blessings led or by camp Noah Wagner, song leader. Special performances by JCC Kids’ dinner. after Youngsters ECC and Konnection 6–8 p.m. 2 and up. $6/children $12/adults; p.m. Service at 7:30 Alan p.m. Presenting Dr. community weekend the of first the for Morinis Weekend Mussar shabbaton events on Mussar. at Beth and UM Hillel. Israel continues sions sions in The is the Talmud a Talmud. compos Weekly Yiddish Reading Weekly Group: JCC Seniors Celebrate Shabbat the Jewish Summer Camp Shabbat Service and Dinner: TBE Friday evening services: School’s School’s Out/JCC’s In: JCC Friday 20 Friday

- - - - - . . Monthly drop- . Energy Exercise with Exercise Energy . : Winter semester class semester Winter : With Rabbi Dobrusin and Rabbi Blumenthal. Bring a dairy lunch. Noon. Drinks and desserts provided. Maria 10 Farquhar, a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Cur rent Events with Heather Dombey,11 a.m.; $3 Dairynoon; SpecialHomemade Buffet Lunch, Literary p.m.; 1 presentations, guest and events at 2:15 p.m. Warschausky with Sidney Group ish Family Services Geriatric Social Worker Allison willPollock, MSW, be available for discussion, questions and assistance at 12:30 p.m. Maria Farquhar, certified in Qigong, Reiki, Energy Healing and Fitness, presents a demo session and a discussion of the rewards p.m. 1 ofand benefits exercise. regular Jewish the of knowledge and wits your Sharpen legal system by following the intriguing discus in educational and support group for adult children in a variety of caregiving roles for their aging parents who either live indepen dently or require full-time care at home or in a residential This topic facility. is month’s more For infor for Caregiving.” “Technology mation, email [email protected] or call at the JCC. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 769-0209. Challenge Be your sense the “You ofJudge.” Jewish of exploration an with wrong and right at the JCC. 7:30–9 p.m. Law. Civil SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors JCC LIFE: of SPICE Lunch Lunch and Learn: BIC. Caregiver Conversations: JFS Discussion and JCC Seniors. Presentation: Jew Study Group–Jewish Talmud Civil Law: Chabad. . 7 p.m. in the chapel. 7 p.m. . TBE Meditation: Jewish Learning Institute Thursday 19 Wednesday 18 Wednesday

. ------. Taught by . Taught Dr. . . Rabbi Rod Gl . . Energy Exercise “Jewish Perspectives on the (Yiddish Conversational Group): All Group): Conversational (Yiddish . “Liberation through Torah, Part 1.” “Liberation Part . 1.” through Torah, Led by Rabbi Levy. 7:30 p.m. Levy. Rabbi by Led Blumen Rabbi and Dobrusin Rabbi by facilitated mary@bethisrael- at Mary contact register, To thal. 8 p.m. 665-9897. phone or aa.org ogower presents different rabbinic topicsand Talmud each Tanach, weekfrom texts using literature. English translations of texts pro philosophy Discussions ofin areas vided. law, and 8 theology. at p.m. UM Hillel. For infor call 662-5805. mation, Reading the Bible may be easy, but under standing it is no simple matter. Study the in text the withtogether original, the classical . Tuesday Every 8:30 p.m. commentaries. with 11 Maria a.m.; Farquhar, $4/session or $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ ages and levels welcome including UM and non-UM participants. 1:30 at p.m. Beanster’s Café, ground floorof UMMichigan League. call 936-2367. information, For ing ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card . Tuesday Every p.m. 1 games, Liz Fried, this Liz class Fried, runs10 24. a.m. through March Beginning and End of Time.” 8 p.m. Dobrusin. With Rabbi . “Contemporary Issues in Halakha,” Halakha,” in Issues “Contemporary BIC. Midrash: Bet in Topics Jewish Law: AAOM Chabad Portion—for Torah Women: Weekly Class: Class: TBE Yidish Tish Yidish Text Text Study: BIC. “The Bible in JCC Time:” It’s Seniors SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors Tuesday 17 Tuesday ------. . - Learn . Early bird Early . . . Delve into . Every Sunday . . Sunday time . Haftarah Trop . with Haftarah Trop Cantor Annie 7:15 p.m. Sisterhood meeting at 7:30 p.m. meeting Sisterhood at 7:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. days–Thursdays days–Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. For more informa tion, contact JFS at 769-0209 or email an Ongoing. [email protected]. . . JFS Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 onp.m. on Mon changed to 7:30 p.m. to changed ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of way Jewish the to meanings deeper the ing House. at Chabad 8 p.m. life. the basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad An in-depth study into the into study in-depth An Chabad. Women: Torah weekly the of overview an book, prayer at 9:30 a.m. withreading, Jewish philosophy. Every Sunday. House. Chabad registration and information event prior to April to prior event information and registration 1 early bird deadline. Free pizza lunch and ac tivities for new and returning campers. $10 dis count for returning campers who bring a friend who registers as first-timep.m. camper.12:30–2 debo contact RSVP, to or information more For [email protected] or 971-0990. p.m. Noon–1 Rose. . Board Brotherhood Meetings: meetingTBE. at English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad Jewish Concepts–for Women: Camp Raanana Registration Event: JCC Event: Registration Raanana Camp Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad Tanya–Jewish Reading Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Class: Class: TBE Minyan Time Change: BIC Monday 16 Monday Sunday 15 Sunday ICalendar

Rabbi Blumenthal. To register, contact Mary mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before in Song at 6:45 p.m.; Traditional Service at 7:30 Saturday 21 at [email protected] or phone 665- sundown at Chabad House. Every Saturday. p.m. For information, call 665-4744. 9897. 8 p.m. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Shabbat Limud (Shabbat Learning): BIC. Fa- Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Havurah. 6:15 PM at the JCC the last Friday cilitated by Rabbi Dobrusin. Discussion of Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at each month. Musical Shabbat service followed weekly Torah portion over coffee and cakes. standing it is no simple matter. Study the Chabad House. Every Saturday. by vegetarian potluck. Tot Shabbat with option- 9–10 a.m. text in the original, together with the classical Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar. al kid’s pizza dinner at 6:00 PM. All are welcome Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. to attend. For information, call 913-9705, email Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- [email protected] or visit www.aarecon.org. mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before Sunday 29 Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle- sundown at Chabad House. Every Saturday. Wednesday 25 lighting time. Home hospitality available for Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study Women and Modern Jewish Ritual: BIC. Led by Shabbat meals and Jewish holidays. Call 995- Lunch and Learn: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Rabbi Kim Blumenthal. 9:30 a.m. 3276 in advance. and Rabbi Blumenthal. Bring a dairy lunch. Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Drinks and desserts provided. Noon. Chabad House. Every Saturday. Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Weekly Shabbat services Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7:30 p.m. prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar. Shabbat Services: AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 Jewish Learning Institute. Winter semester class reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sunset. “You Be the Judge.” Challenge your sense of Chabad House. Every Sunday. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/Ma’ariv Sunday 22 right and wrong with an exploration of Jewish Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into with Seudah Shlisheet and Dvor Torah every Civil Law. 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. the basic text of Chassidism and open your week. Torah topics and a bite to eat. Discussions Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and other local Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Chabad House. Every Sunday. scholars. Home hospitality available for Shabbat prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Thursday 26 Passover Bazaar: TBE Sisterhood. 3–7 p.m. and meals. UM Hillel. reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at Shabbat Services: BIC. 9:30 a.m.; 6 p.m. Mincha. Chabad House. Every Sunday. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Passover College: BIC. 7 p.m. Morning childcare from 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Current Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning Shabbat Services: AA Reconstructionist the basic text of Chassidism and open your Events with Heather Dombey, a Jewish per- the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. Havurah. Discussion-based format with top- eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at spective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Home- 8 p.m. at Chabad House. Every Sunday. ics changing monthly. For info, email info@ Chabad House. Every Sunday. made Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary Group aarecon.org or call 913-9705 or visit www. “The Many Faces of Depression and Anxiety: with Sidney Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Monday 30 aarecon.org. Hiding in Plain Sight”: JFS. Fourth annual Shabbat Services: Chabad. Morning services at Depression Awareness: A Community Con- Presentation: JCC Seniors. Peretz Hirsbein will English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 minutes be- versation event in memory of Dr. Roby Jaco- share slides and memories of his recent trip to Israel. 1 p.m. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– fore sundown. bowitz. $5/suggested donation. For more in- Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays at Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- Shabbat Services: Pardes Hannah. Generally formation, email [email protected] or call Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each 769-0209. 2–4:45 p.m. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Jewish legal system by following the intrigu- month. Call 663-4039 for more information. All Choir Concert and Reception: TBE. 4 p.m. or email [email protected]. Ongoing. ing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is 10 a.m. Led by Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg. Class: TBE. Class on Islam. 7:30 p.m. Class: TBE. Haftarah Trop led by Cantor Annie a composite of practical law, logical argumen- Shabbat Services: TBE. Torah Study at 8:50 a.m. Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning tation and moral teachings. Study of the origi- Rose. Noon–1 p.m. Chapel Service at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. at 10 a.m. Call the office at 665-4744 or con- 8 p.m. at Chabad House. Every Sunday. Every Thursday. Tuesday 31 sult website at www.templebethemeth.org for service details. Monday 23 Friday 27 “The Bible in It’s Time:” JCC Seniors. Taught by Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday Dr. Liz Fried, this class runs through March 24. Meals: AAOM. Call 662-5805 in advance. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. 10 a.m. Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Exercise Energy Shabbat and yom tov (Jewish holiday). Call Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– 761-2765 for information. with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or 995-3276 in advance. Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 Friday evening services: See listing at the end of $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet “Mystical Insights to the Torah:” Chabad. For South State Street. For more information, the calendar. Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- women to learn more about the mystical di- contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card mensions of the Torah. Saturday, one hour narbor.org. Ongoing. games, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. before sundown. Call 995-3276. Class: TBE. Haftarah Trop led by Cantor Annie Saturday 28 Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All “Laws of Shabbat—Jewish Ethics:” Chabad. Rose. Noon–1 p.m. ages and levels welcome including UM and Study group examines the code of law for Torah Study: TBE Sisterhood. With Cantor An- Jewish Parenting Workshop: TBE. “Engaging the non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Shabbat and Jewish ethics. Saturday, 1/2 hour nie Rose. 7 p.m. Whole Family in the Seder.” 8:30a.m.–12:30 p.m. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. before sundown. Call 995-3276. Text Study: BIC. “Jewish Perspectives on the Be- Torah Study: TBE. With Rabbi Levy. 8:50 a.m. For information, call 936-2367. ginning and End of Time.” With Rabbi Do- Teen Shabbat and Kid’s Kiddush/Teacher Ap- “Jews as Global Citizens: Our Responsibility in Phone numbers and addresses of brusin. 8 p.m. preciation: BIC. Post bar/bat mitzvah youth the World:” BIC. Ruth Messinger, president of lead service, read from the Torah and give American Jewish World Service, will speak of organizations frequently listed D’var Torah. Kid’s Kiddush planned and pre- her own experiences in the developing world Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM) Tuesday 24 pared by 5th and 6th graders. 9:30 a.m. and will propose how American Jews, who en- joy greater affluence and influence than ever 1429 Hill Street 994-5822 Tot Shabbat: BIC. For tots ages 3–5 years old and Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah (AARH) “The Bible in It’s Time:” JCC Seniors. Taught by parents. 11:15 a.m. before, can do their part to alleviate poverty, Dr. Liz Fried, this class runs through March hunger, violence, disease and oppression. 7:30 P.O. Box 7451, Ann Arbor 913-9705 24. 10 a.m. Beth Israel Reads: BIC. Community discussion p.m. Note: Minyan will be held at special time Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) following Teen Shabbat services about this of 7 p.m. on this night only. 2000 Washtenaw Ave. 665-9897 SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Exercise Energy year’s book, “The Year of Living Biblically” by with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or A.J. Jacobs. 1:15 p.m. Men’s Seder: TBE Brotherhood. 7:30 p.m. Chabad House $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet 715 Hill Street 995-3276 Raise the Roof Auction: JCC. Biannual auction Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Rabbi Rod Gl- Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- ogower presents different topics each week EMU Hillel ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card with funds raised going towards replacing and insulating a new roof. Silent auction, live auc- using texts from Tanach, Talmud and rabbinic 965 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti 482-0456 games, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. literature. English translations of texts pro- tion, raffle, dinner and entertainment. $36/per- Jewish Community Center (JCC) Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): All vided. Discussions in areas of law, philosophy son which includes two raffle tickets. 7 p.m. For 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 971-0990 ages and levels welcome including UM and information, contact [email protected]. and theology. 8 p.m. at UM Hillel. For infor- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s mation, call 662-5805. Jewish Cultural Society (JCS) Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Kids’ Night Out: JCC. Monthly event for kids in 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 975-9872 grdes K–5 featuring games, crafts, and the mov- Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. For information, call 936-2367. Jewish Family Services (JFS) ie High School Musical 3. This month’s event Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- 2245 South State Street 769-0209 Class: TBE. “Liberation through Torah, Part 2.” coincides with JCC’s Gala Auction. Families standing it is no simple matter. Study the Led by Rabbi Levy. 7:30 p.m. who attend the auction while their kids par- text in the original, together with the classical Jewish Federation March 2009 March Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Rabbi Rod Gl- ticipate in the Kids’ Night Out will receive two commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. 2939 Birch Hollow Drive 677-0100

A ogower presents different topics each week free $5 raffle tickets to use at the auction. $20/ Pardes Hannah using texts from Tanach, Talmud and rabbinic JCC members; $18/additional siblings. $25/ Weekly Friday night Shabbat services 2010 Washtenaw Ave. 761-5324 literature. English translations of texts pro- non-members; $23/additional siblings. Regis- Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at UM vided. Discussions in areas of law, philosophy Hillel. Call 994-9258 in advance for times. Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) ter by March 26. For information or to register, 2309 Packard Road 665-4744 and theology. 8 p.m. at UM Hillel. For infor- visit www.jccannarbor.org or email deborah- 6:15 p.m. on 3/6; 7:30 p.m. rest of month. mation, call 662-5805. [email protected] or call 971-0990. Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. UM Hillel 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 Bet Midrash: BIC. “Contemporary Issues in Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 5:30 p.m. fol-

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw Halakha,” facilitated by Rabbi Dobrusin and Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- lowed by dinner at 6 p.m.; Shira: Family Shabbat 30 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 31 How has Judaism influenced your life? SAVE THE DATE Why is being Jewish important to you? Why do Jewish women need each other? How do we sense Jewishness?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor presents a special event for women

61 The Invisible Thread ual nn a h EXPLORING THE CONNECTIONS t 5 elebrate Israel BETWEEN JEWISH WOMEN Sunday, March 8, 2009 May 17, 2009 11am-3pm For more information or to reserve your place, Jewish Community Center visit www.jewishannarbor.org or contact Laura Berger at [email protected] For more information visit www.jewishannarbor.org/celebrateisrael or (734) 677-0100 or contact Tomer Zur or Eileen Freed at [email protected], (734) 677-0100 March 2009 March A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 32 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 33 ------and among other other among How How does his extbook.org, extbook.org, a N That’s true. From what I Yes. Yes. Many people are old of the political spectrum. He was materially moti vated for sure, but he was also motivated by ego — he had the towns named after him. were The all Wechslers Levitt about helping people. helping about ostensibly was people, but just so he could be called the king. philanthropic very was Levitt and certainly very supportive of When Israel. I visited his there widow, was a picture of the wall. on Golda Meir NEXTBOOK: widow feel about her hus legacy? band’s I didn’t want to oversimplify oversimplify to want I didn’t She certainly has reached out out reached has certainly She eprinted eprinted from The racial hatred that erupted The Wechslers and LevittsThe Wechslers seem R Village Voice, Village Publishers Voice, Weekly, But I hope I vindicated Alfred Levitt. He’s He’s Levitt. Alfred vindicated I hope I But The Times also New York recently re gather, though, gather, Levitt was on the left side I it. took pains to show that while there was a mob in Levittown, the mob arepresented small percentage of people there. The situ ation also inspired the best in this town — Myers Daisy when ofscene thinking the I’m comes home and finds people she didn’t house. her cleaning know on Levittown mentioned Levitt that the the town this is Is white. overwhelmingly still legacy? family’s not was town this that remember to enough welcoming to blacks. This is similar to Jews - exact not It’s Germany. to go to wanting not people black are there but thing, same the ly in Levittown. live want to who don’t to to highlight two different strains in Ameri can Jewish history: leftist activists vs. those seeking success. material and she was whenthere to theDaisy Myers, speak Actions 1999. in Daisy honored town louder than Also, she words. came in later when there he was life; she wasn’t in Levitt’s Levittown.building in Levittown after the Myers family even moved rocks, the mobs, the incredible: was in being burnt. crosses ported that Long Island is 94 percent seg regated — the highest rate in the country. In Levittown, African Pa., Americans are still a minority very much andpopulation I don’t see that changing. But one thing people can get out of this story — blacks Levit in because together get can Jews and n they certainly did. town, the real hero. The houses in Levittownthe real hero. were ticky-tacky little but boxes, that was for a else. anything afford couldn’t People reason. People there had brand-new appliances, were houses the And of. unheard was which be expanded. to built A recent New York Times article Times York New A recent NEXTBOOK: David Kushner: David Kushner: David Kushner: NEXTBOOK: David Kushner: NEXTBOOK: NEXTBOOK: Antiques Antiques & Collecting Magazine, Peter Ephross’ articles reviewsand appeared have Ephross’ Peter in the publications. on Jewishnew culture. read ------ights in R - - , , David Kushner Levittown: Two Levittown: Families, Two What What struck me about it was , , he tells a story that pitted Jew Levittown Aside Aside from barring black families, the He was really compartmentalized. The On the one hand, he provided the Ameri Books ans, but he also denied it for African-American African-American for it can Dream denied for an entire generation of also veter he but ans, It He person. was a veterans. complicated beenwould have difficultfor meto write this story had he been the only Jewish character in the book — that could have perpetuated As a Jewish stereotypes. unfortunate some nice it’s to writer, be able to tell a story where Jewish there’s family heroic that’s in fighting for civil rights, a movement where Jews like role. a huge played Wechslers the In because your was mother-in-law neighbors Wechslers. with the of many so together coming this was there McCarthyism, rights, civil themes: historical the invention of modern suburbia. Levit but suburb, postwar first the not was town it was iconic. Levitts imposed a “no-Jews” policy in one of one in policy “no-Jews” a imposed Levitts their earlier developments. So was William Levitt profits? focusedon solely fight either can “I was, it at looked he way for civil rights or I can build houses. And a builder.” I’m In In his new book, The Levitts, a Jewish fam During the summer of 1957, this whites- merica’s merica’s Legendary Suburb ultimately resolved in the courts. Kushner, who who vividly depicts how that battle Kushner, raged and was courts. the in resolved ultimately has “always he says Fla., Tampa, outside up grew particularly is and suburbs,” for spot soft a had intrigued dark their underside. by vs. Jew — William Levitt’s myopic and ulti against strategy business unsuccessful mately segregation. tolerate to refusal Wechslers’ the story this about learned first You NEXTBOOK: David Kushner:

ish family, the Wechslers, ish secretly the helped family, Wechslers, an African-American family buy a house in Levit- After town, Pa. Bill and Daisy Myers and their two children moved into Levittown, racial - ten erupted. sions One and Tycoon, the Fight for Civil A with modern comforts. ily with roots in Russia and Austria, built the firstof these between Island Long on towns 1947 and 1951. The second ofPhiladelphianorth built was ap- their With in the early ’50s. pliance-stocked homes, public pools and playgrounds, tapping the at adept proved Levitts into the suburban zeitgeist. But William Levitt (whose fa ther, Abraham, founded the and whosecompany, brother, architect) firm’s the was Alfred, excluded blacks from living in his family’s developments, arguing that po- tential white home buyers would find racially undesirable. areas mixed only policy was challenged when a leftist Jew NEW NEW YORK (NEXTBOOK) – In the years II, suburbs War following sprouted World up across the United States, giving millions of Americans the ability to own a home. Levit town, in became particular, synonymous with the suburban dream, attracting young families property affordable for looking I and both segregated Jews How Levittown integrated Ephross Peter By

------dvo A n srael srael I nitiative. This is the new frontier in public affairs. Bleich’s book Bleich’s includes a rigorously detailed “The blessing on this occasion, it would Despite the complexity of the Talmudic Asked about Jewish groups that want to in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Prime Minister announced “Naturally we very much hope that the Vatican Vatican officials said Benedict’s trip Wil the of height the at month, this Early mos Kamil mos is Kamil the director of the ter.com/IsraelAdvocacy), where we plan to “tweet” about therelated topics other latestand news Israeli methods, online advocacy to adopted pro-Israel these activism. We’ve advocacy our digitize to effort an in methods and frame the discussion online now and in the future. n aboard. hop time to It’s Jewish Jewish as well as the broader community. Recently we created account a (twit Twitter A cacy I discussion discussion of ofthe evolution the calen Jewish dar and the complex calculations of lunar and of Jewish dates the determine that cycles solar observances. wrote responsive,” than rather evocative is seem, at ethics and law of Jewish a professor Bleich, “It is University. Yeshiva designed to arouse reflect to him force to lethargy, his from man upon this cosmic phenomenon, to summon him to contemplation. Marking yet another solar milestone in the calendar of on theeternity, eyes your up Lift man: to out calls occasion these?” high who created and see: discussion, the determination of April 8 is al most certainly inaccurate, Bleich Buttold JTA. blessing the ordained of Talmud the sages the commemoration, astronomical precise a as not impress to device pedagogic a as but said, Bleich upon future generations continuing role God’s the universe. in sustaining fuse the blessing with an environmental mes “I wish luck.” them said, Bleich sage, liamson affair, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reinstatement of said a the Vatican’s Holo and Israel in everyJew, “offends denier caust around and the humiliates world, the mem ory of victims all Holocaust and survivors.” Sunday that President Shimon Peres would accompany the pope to sites around the country. visit will be held in an appropriate atmo John Pope as successful as willbe and sphere Olmertpapal “A Paul visitsaid. II’s was,” to sig exceptionally an always is Land Holy the this be will it that hope we and event, nificant n time as well.” for for forgiveness for Christian persecution of Catholic pledged and centuries the over Jews withbrotherhood the Jews. mainly will be a pastoral visit localto Chris - also reconciliation” and “peace though tians, befocus. a would ------The prayer, whose origins lie in the Talmud, whose origins Talmud, the in lie Theprayer, bless sun the that mean origins Talmudic Its ArtScroll Publications, an Orthodox pub Each Each day we hear about newspapers and For years we’ve been using new media Jewish Jewish groups have called on the Vatican Another rift occurred last year when for making is Church the that “Decisions Many Jews remain unsatisfied. Last In this context, Benedict’s trip to Israel It will be the first papal tripto theHoly Advocacy, from page 20 page from Advocacy, worship, worship, but it means that the calendar and the a cycles were reflectionof people who lived than cycles of natural awareness a greater with can teach And so you time any now. we have people about elements of our tradition that are and earth-based, especially the ones that are hidden and not as a well way ofit’s known, bringing Judaism.” people into blesses “who God makes the work of creation” and is the same blessing said over other rare lightning a meteor. like or natural phenomena, ing is hardly the sole province of liberal Jewish Jewish liberal of province sole the hardly is ing groups. environmental lishing house, has reissued an updated version book 1981 seminal Bleich’s David of J. Rabbi - defini most the probably Hachamah,” “Birchas tive English-language treatment of the subject. And Canfei Nesharim, an Orthodox environ initia of number a on working manot is group, mental mishloach sun-themed a including tives, — the food baskets traditionally given on the holiday of Purim, which falls about a month blessing. the sun before Sun ritual, 26 page from Sun laptops. magazines that are either shutting down or laying off record numbers of staff. As far as we are concerned, the writing is on the wall. A few months ago, the Israel Advoca to disseminate “Israel beyond the conflict” stories that aim to educate and inspire the munity to man the battle stations from our cy Initiative — a joint project of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the United Facebook a launched — Communities Jewish group to create discussion about online Is rael advocacy. to open its archives to resolve the issue. resolve to its archives open to Benedict reinstated a Latin Mass for Easter that includes a prayer some understand as calling for the ofconversion the Jews. The amended the somewhat prayer after Vatican concern. voiced Jews unintended having are needs and use own its Jewish-Cath into spilling and consequences month, Italian Jewish leaders took the ex will closely. be watched Land since John Paul II’s historic five-day pilgrimage in he 2000. Memorably, placed a prayer note in the Western Wall asking suffering during the suffering Holocaust, but his de fenders say he worked behind the scenes to Jews. save observed. Foxman olic relations,” traordinary step of boycotting the Church’s of celebration annual Judaism. Pope Benidict, from page 12 Benidict, page from Pope IAround Town

Springtime to wind and dine Museum, from page 20 David Erik Nelson, staff writer cemetery for decades.” The bones found Minster Ehud Olmert; former Prime Min- s Michigan finally breaks free of her ed by the brewmaster of Chicago’s Goose Is- during the excavation process were between ister Benjamin Netanyahu; the executive seemingly endless freeze-and-thaw land Brewery and feature American cheeses 300 and 400 years old, unaccompanied by a vice-chairman of the Conference of Presi- A cycle, the temptation to treat your- from across the country, including those single marker or monument identifying any dents of Major American Jewish Organi- self to a meal out becomes overwhelming. produced at Zingerman’s Creamery. At the individual name, family or religion. zations, Malcolm Hoenlein; Harvard Law Fortunately, downtown Ann Arbor supports end of the month, enjoy a Brunch with Ari Under the supervision of the Israel An- School professor Alan Dershowitz; former a wide array of restaurants, both homey and (March 28, 10–12 p.m.), in conjunction with tiquities Authority, the bones discovered Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler; the exotic, to fit any budget. the Ann Arbor Book Festival. Brunchers will will be treated with the utmost dignity and chairman of AIPAC’s board, Howard Fried- A brunch favorite with university stu- learn about the process Zingerman’s co- will be re-interred in accordance with Mus- man; respected journalist Ehud Ya’ari; and dents and downtown denizens, Afternoon founder Ari Weinzweig worked through in lim tradition. a former adviser to the late Prime Minister Delight (251 E. Liberty St., 665.7513) is re- writing his latest cookbook, and enjoy some Jerusalem is more than 3,000 years old. Yitzhak Rabin, Eitan Haber. (Visit http:// nowned for their salad bar, but also serves of the recipes featured there-in. Hardly a street or neighborhood is without www.wiesenthal.com to see all videotaped a truly vast selection of fresh, filling, and Meals at the Blue Nile (221 E Washington relics or bones. We could declare it a cem- endorsements.) delicious sandwiches, egg dishes, and baked St., 998-4746) are served in the communal etery, off limits to everyone — a city of the It is important to understand that the goods, none of which will break your lunch style, with all diners in a party sharing the past with no future — or we could find a court’s findings clearly indicate that its deci- budget or put you on calorie overload. All same spongy, absorbent injera flatbread, better way to revere the past without chok- sion was moral as well as legal. sandwiches include the customer’s choice of which is used in place of utensils. Ethiopian ing off the future. “The importance and benefit of … the potato salad, coleslaw, or pasta salad off the cuisine is composed of exotic echoes of fa- Some recent critics such as Americans for plan to build the Museum of Tolerance in bar, and both the soup-and-salad bar and the miliar Jewish foods: the flat injera bread is, Peace Now and the Council on American- the center of the city of Jerusalem are very prepared salads include bread or a muffin. essentially, a tender, spongy matzo (the bread Islamic Relations argue that the museum great,” the court said. It said the museum Keep an eye out for daily specials, as well as is just wheat and water), and both beef zilzil should set a higher standard. We have. Even “embodies an ideal of establishing a spiritual the daily fresh desserts and four homemade wat and lamb yebeg alecha are remarkably though our opponents deliberately watched center that will spread a message of human soups. This is a lunchtime steal. brisket-like. The traditional Ethiopian cook- our project move forward without protest- tolerance between peoples” and that the lo- Cafe Verde (216 N. Fourth Ave., 302- ing techniques, developed over centuries in ing, our lawyers still attempted to meet with cation “has special significance” in a city “for 7032) is an extension of the People’s Food order to preserve ingredients in an age before Sheik Salah but were rebuffed. The court’s three religions and an ancient history, which Co-op natural food market, and offers much refrigeration, have the added benefit of be- own mediator tried but fared no better. We is unique to human civilization.” more than just a full selection of fresh raw ing remarkably heart-smart: fat is trimmed offered practical solutions to build on top of The museum site has been a public facil- juices, smoothies, and Ann Arbor’s only 100 from all beef; chicken is skinless and bathed the bones without disturbing them — also ity since 1960. It will never return to what percent fair trade coffee drink menu. The in lemon juice overnight to break up the re- rejected. We offered to restore the virtually it may have been 300 years ago. Seeing mil- Cafe serves a range of grilled veggie or meat maining schmaltz; lamb is trimmed, boiled, abandoned nearby Mamilla Cemetery — lions of people, young and old, Jews and sandwiches, available in halves or wholes, for and skimmed (making it tender and sweet, they were not interested. non-Jews, arriving there to immerse them- around $5, as well as lots of sweat organic like no lamb you’ve had before); and the in- The sheik had one objective — to declare selves in the principles of mutual respect and baked treats in the $2 to $4 range. jera bread is free of dairy, eggs, shortening, this site in western Jerusalem a Muslim site. social responsibility, is the very best kind of New drinks and sandwiches rotate into or yeast. He himself chose the venue of the Supreme public-use facility that Jerusalem and the the mix frequently; in March, keep an eye This past February, the Blue Nile began Court but is unwilling to accept and abide State of Israel needs at this time. n out for the California Wrap (a veggie wrap serving lunch (11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Tues- by its unanimous decision. The Museum of Rabbi Marvin Hier is the founder and dean of on whole-wheat lavash flatbread, with mayo, days-Saturdays), offering both their stan- Tolerance will not allow itself to fall victim the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum dill havarti, spinach, and sprouts), a coco- dard Ethiopian menu, as well as a rotating to intimidation and intolerance. of Tolerance. nut-mocha smoothie, and, in late March, a selection of seasonal dishes (such as beef tips Fortunately, many Israeli and Jewish springtime green tea latte, made to order as with mushroom cabernet). Coffee-lovers leaders have endorsed our project: Prime either a hot drink or an iced smoothie. For will want to save room for the Blue Nile’s fair extra intensity, the baristas have refined a trade, organic Ethiopian Yrgacheffe coffee, technique for brewing the green tea using which is roasted, ground, and brewed on the Farming, from page 25 Cafe Verde’s espresso machine. spot. Dine at the Blue Nile before or after a Since Cafe Verde and the People’s Food University Musical Society or Performance will have its own garden. These efforts will school’s farming program will take up per- Co-op are attached at the hip, you can also Network event, with ticket in hand, and re- be spearheaded by what they hope will soon manent residence in Putnam Valley, N.Y., choose to dine from the Co-op’s excellent ceive a 20 percent discount on your meal be 180 young Jews graduating each year from sharing the site with a new eco-Jewish sum- soup/salad/hot bar ($7.49 for servings from (not including alcohol). the Jewish farm school programs. mer camp. Its partner, Eden Village Camp, the hot bar or salad bar; soup is $2.75 per Mediterrano (2900 S. State St. Suite #7, Through farming, these farm school received a grant from the Foundation for cup, or $3.75 per bowl). The hot bar offers 332-9700) offers sophisticated cuisine span- alumni grew closer to their Judaism. Jewish Camping and the Jim Joseph Foun- new entrees daily, in both meat and vegan ning the entire Mediterranean region—the “Before I did the Adamah program, I dation. incarnations, and made with quality organic South of France, Greece, Spain, North Af- would say I was a farmer first who happened Across the board, Jewish environmental ingredients. Heavy on the whole grains, these rica, the Middle East, and Italy—in seasonal to be a Jew,” Weinberg says. “Then I learned and farm-education initiatives are enjoying are incredibly filling—even to those accus- lunch and diner menus complimented by an about the true nature of our people, of our similar increased interest. tomed to a diet heavy in meat-protein—and extensive wine list. On “Stretch-your-Dol- roots, of our tribal identity in the land of “Today we are being supported by the a great value. lar” Sundays throughout March, Mediterra- Israel 2,000 years ago. I’ve not only become Jewish community,” says Simcha Schwartz, Although occasionally inviting sticker no boasts a complimentary entrée with the more of a Jewish farmer, I understand more 30, who co-founded the Jewish Farm School shock (“A $14 sandwich!?!”), the inimitable purchase of any entrée of equal or greater of what it means to be a Jew.” with a $2,000 Hazon grant. Zingerman’s family of eateries and food value. The Jewish philanthropic community is Schwartz in five or six years hopes to es- markets (www.zingermans.com) consis- On March 19 Mediterrano hosts their starting to take notice. tablish an agriculturally based Jewish high tently proves its worth with great service, “Italian Wine Dinner,” a four-course prix fix Since 2005, the Jewish Farm School has school at the new site. top-quality ingredients, and scandalously meal, with each course paired with a different run workshops on urban sustainability in “We don’t all need to be farmers,” he says. filling meals. Best known for theirDelicates - Italian wine. To push your cultural explora- Philadelphia and led organic gardening pro- “To have farming be a little part of every Jew- sen (422 Detroit St., 663-DELI) and fresh- tions a little further, come back for “Greek grams at Surprise Lake Camp. In June, the ish person’s life, that’s our goal.” n baked bread (from their own Bakehouse, Week” (coinciding with the week-long Easter 3711 Plaza Dr., 761-2095), they also locally celebration observed by the Greek Orthodox roast their own coffee, and make their own church, April 13–19) and enjoy traditional cheeses and gelato, largely from Michigan Greek Easter fare available nowhere else in milk. Zingerman’s Roadhouse (2501 Jack- Ann Arbor. The spring is packed with events Shabbat Candlelighting

March 2009 March son Ave., 663-3663) specializes in genuine, at Mediterrano; learn more online www.

A high-caliber cuisine Americana. The Road- mediterrano.com/upcoming-events. n March 6 6:11 pm house offers monthly prix fix dinners and tastings that are as much educational as March 13 6:19 pm culinary events. In March, look forward to March 20 6:27 pm the Flavors of Ireland (March 17, 7–10 p.m.) and Beer and Cheese with the Brewmaster March 27 6:35 pm (March 25, 5:30–7 p.m.), which will be host- Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 34 Washtenaw Jewish News A March 2009 35 Cuisine gourmet pizza Tanfastic Tanfastic good healthy and get ready for the sun! the for get ready San Fu Oriental Anthony’s PizzaAnthony’s -out great cuisine to go! cuisine to great Back Alley Gourmet Specialty Foods Dine-in & Carry Corner of Main & Madison www.southmainmarket.com delicacies in your neighborhood!in your from around the world around from Brazamerica By the Pound the Pound By teas, spices and staples and teas, spices Discover Authentic Foods Discover Copernicus Deli homemade bread and Polish Polish and bread homemade travel Brazilian & Latin Brazilian styletravel ...... 35 South Main Market Main South Joe Cornell Entertainment ...... 15 Cornell Entertainment Joe ...... 6 Contracting Lussenden Ken ...... 15 Mechanical Modern ...... 35 Co-op Food People’s .13 Realtors Surovell Edward Porath; Michal ...... 24 P.T. Probility ...... 4 Kleinschmidt R.D...... 23 Design Build Rochman ...... 3 Show Sculpture ...... 24 PLC Sevick, Christopher Scrumptious...... 5Simply ...... 24 Arts the for Center Tecumseh ...... 32 Beth Emeth Temple ...... 17 Bank and Trust United ...... 9 Society Musical University ...... 15 Apothecary Village ...... 10 Zingerman’s 734.483.9619 by Dennis Platte by [email protected] Reconstructive Surgery ...... 5 Surgery Reconstructive or any design project a Graphic design to fit your needs… and your budget mailer, next your Make brochure, invitation Advertisers Vitals Chelsea Flowers ...... 13 Flowers Chelsea ...... 29 Repair Auto Westgate Fawzi’s ...... 7 Center Frankel ...... 2 Realtors Reinhart Ilene Friedland; ...... 2 Gold Bond Cleaners ...... 10 Market Hiller’s ...... 3 iSoldit ...... 13 mohel Greenbaum; Samuel Cantor ...... 15, 36 19, 18, Center Community Jewish Afternoon Delight ...... 3 DelightAfternoon ...... 2 Cafe/Patisserie Amadeus ...... 15 Photography Ayer Susan ...... 24Arbor Bank of Ann ...... 13 Beth Congregation Israel ...... 31 Gan Israel Camp Plastic and for Center ...... 4 Services Family Jewish ...... 32 Federation Jewish February 6. The family ofThe family death. her Lansky on Ida Helfand. Isadore of the death on Gloria father, Helfand her Reistman. Ruth of the death on Linda Benson mother, her Schwartz. Annetta SchiffAndy of death the on mother, her Lisa Gayle. of the death on wife their and mother, Ehmann and Jake Mike Brull January 9. on Calef Jacob of the death on Melanie uncle, her 20. January on Cohen Celia of the death on mother, Jones her Cohen Joan January 21. on Reiner Fae of the death on Epstein aunt, her Ann January 23. on Schneyer Norman of the death on Schneyer husband, her Lois January 24. on Domenick Vivian of the death on Sherri mother, her Kantor January 24. Diana on Stalburg of the death on Stalburg mother, her Caren January 28. on Simon Frank of the death on Simon Stu his father, February on Elden 10. Lloyd of the death on Elden his brother, J. S. Judge Condolences

Mazal tov Mazal 7. March on mitzvah, bat Samantha her Brandt on 7. March on mitzvah, b’nai their on Glick and Jeremy Hannah 14. March on bat mitzvah, her Sarah Schyultzon 21. March on Seelbar mitzvah, his on Noah 21. March on bat mitzvah, her on Nemeth Tania 21. March on his bar mitzvah, on Weiss Myles 28. mitzvah his bar March on Carn-Saferstein Josh on Holden, the birth on of Malcolm Desmond grandson, Ludington their Martyand Kathy

I I REGISTER BY APRIL 1ST FOR EARLY BIRD SAVINGS!

THE JCC’S OUTDOOR DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES K-8 June 22 - August 21, 2009

“Our kids love swimming every day, the activities with the Israeli Scouts and weekly field trips, and the counselors. We love that our children spend time outside at beautiful Independence Lake park!” - Anna Gilbert & Martin Strauss

“Camp Raanana is awesome! I love the singing, I love Shabbat at the Lake, I love going swimming each day, but most of all, I love being with my friends and counselors. Each summer it's like coming home again.” - Emma, age 7

CAMP RAANANA FOR GRADES K-2 Nurturing counselors introduce our youngest groups of campers to the Camp Raanana experience. Swim lessons, nature exploration, arts and crafts, music, sports, and free swim are all part of the fun! Campers entering kindergarten may participate in a 3 day program.

CAMP RAANANA FOR GRADES 3-5 Campers entering grades 3-5 enjoy Camp Raanana's fun activities and also choose an enriching specialty each week. Options include Boating, Digital Photography, Clay Creations, Martial Arts, Drama, World of Sports, Jazzy Jewelry, Drumming, Dance, Magic, and more.

PIONEER ADVENTURE PROGRAM FOR GRADES 6-8 The Pioneer Adventure Program caters to the interests of our oldest campers. Each week campers travel to unique field trip destinations, participate in stimulating mitzvah project, and enjoy fun activities, Shabbat celebrations, and special events at camp. High school students may apply to be CITs or Junior Counselors. March 2009 March A

For more info or to obtain a registration form, please visit www.CampRanaana.com or contact Deborah Huerta at [email protected] or (734) 971-0990. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 36