KISLEV/TEVET 5765 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 04 THE GREATER DES MOINES

Published as a CommunityJewishJewish Service by the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines online at www.dmjfed.org PressPress volume 21 number 2 THE TOBIS FUND: HELPING PEOPLE Happy IN NEED The David Tobis Fund, within the Des Moines Jewish Foundation, was cre- Hanukkah! ated in 1996, with a First Candle Is Lit The Evening Of December $1,000,000 gift from Hanukkah, "The Festival of Lights", begins on the Hebrew date of the 25th of Kislev David Tobis. The and7 lasts eight days, through the 2nd of Tevet. This year, the 25th of Kislev begins Fund has been very the evening of Tuesday, December 7th. The holiday continues until sundown on active in fulfilling the Tuesday, December 14th. charitable mission Hannukah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees (led by Judah) over the of its benefactor. The purpose of the Hellenistic Syrians in a revolt that took place around 165 BCE (Before the Common Fund is to enhance the health, educa- Era). tion and welfare of the Jewish and The victory in itself was considered a miracle, but Jewish legend gives an addi- general community of Des Moines. tional explanation for Hanukkah rituals, The Fund has a constituent com- All-In-One Kick explained below. Once the Temple mittee that processes periodic grant Mount in Jerusalem had been reclaimed, requests and prioritizes needs. The Off the Temple had to be rededicated. Community Tobis Fund Committee is comprised of - page 12 According to legend, only one jar of sac- the following members: Michael Tobis, ramental oil was found, enough for one Sam Tobis, day. Miraculously, the oil burned for Fred Lorber, Brook Rosenberg, and eight days, thus the eight days of Elaine Steinger. Hanukkah. In November 2003 the Fund made The most important Hanukkah ritual a grant to the Iowa Coalition for is the candle lighting. Jews light candles Housing and the Homeless to provide in a special candleholder called a "meno- relocation assistance for residents fac- rah" or a "hanukkiah". Each night, one ing eviction from a mobile home prop- more candle is added. The middle can- erty. In 2004 the Fund made a grant to dle, called the "shamash", is used to light Children and Families of Iowa to pro- each of the other candles and it is lit vide emergency financial assistance to Rachael Bailin every night. Therefore, on the first night low-income families and a grant to The of Hanukkah, two candles are lit (the Tzedakah committee of Jewish - page 17 shamash and the candle for the first Community Services to help people in night) and on the last night, there are need. The Fund also provided rehabili- nine lit candles. tative assistance to a disabled woman and subsequently guaranteed repay- ment of a loan for vocational retraining The Community Calendar Is that will enable her to become self-suf- ficient. Now Online At www.dmjfed.org As the mitzvot of the David Tobis Details about community events are offered by our local congregations, local Fund multiplies, we know he would be now easier than ever to find. Current organizations, and agencies of the pleased with the impact his generosity information is as close as your computer! Jewish Federation. The information will continues to have on so many lives. All you need do is log on to www. be as detailed as the sponsor of any pro- dmjfed.org and click on "Community gram wishes to advertise. Meet Rose Calendar." You'll be connected immedi- Get in the habit of checking the ately with an online calendar, providing Online Calendar often. It's one way to Epstein you with daily, weekly, and monthly help you plan your week! information about the programs being The online calendar is a service pro-

Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Non-Profit 910 Polk Boulevard Organization [inside] U.S. Postage Des Moines, IA 50312-2297 PAID 2 SENIOR NEWS Des Moines, IA Address Service Requested Permit No. 2506 16 IJHS FALL EVENT 17 B’NAI MITZVAH 18 VIEW FROM ISRAEL 19 DORICE BASSEWITZ, CHEF DU United Way Donors Did you know that you can designate part or all of your United Way Senior contribution to Jewish Family Services? Calendar of Events The money received through these designations helps the Federation pay for... Klezmer at the Jewish Family Services Counseling - Individuals, families, seniors and children November Luncheon Senior Adult Programs - Senior Adult luncheons and case management Sunday, November 7, 2004 Resettlement Program - Case management and health services to new emigres 12:00 Noon at Beth El Jacob Jewish Family Life Education - Operation Good Mensch Outreach - Baby baskets, welcoming newcomers Please note that this luncheon will the Volunteer Opportunities - Numerous volunteer projects Java Jews Klezmer Band will be on a Sunday. THANK YOU to all who have contributed through United Way. Please remember that your gift to Jewish Family Services through United Way Reservations need to be made to Dorothea, has to be re-designated each year. 277-6321, by Thursday, November 4. Trip to Osceola Lakeside Casino Sunday, November 14, 2004 Leave Beth El Jacob parking lot The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines is a beneficiary of United Way at 10:00 am Bus fee $4.00 per person. Lunch and a Movie at Artistic Cartoonist Katchor Jordan Creek Town Center Displayed at UNI Art Gallery Thursday, December 2, 2004 Leave Beth El parking lot at 10:00 am. Picture-stories and drawings by Ben are typically set within a recognizable Nominal bus fee. Katchor were displayed at the University "seedy cityscape." One of his strips, of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art, late last "Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer," December Luncheon at Tifereth summer. Katchor, whose cartoon strips was syndicated 1988-1998. His current Thursday, December 16, 2004, appear in The New Yorker and the strip is called "Hotel & Farm." 12:00 Noon, Forward, Katchor was born in Brooklyn and $3.00 per person has been attended Brooklyn College. He was the lauded for recipient of an Obie Award, the Please make reservations for all events with his distinc- MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and a Dorothea at 277-6321. tive style, an Rockefeller MAP grant. Solo exhibitions Wanted: imaginative of his work have been staged at The Bus Driver for Senior outings. Please mix of ele- Jewish Museum in New York and the contact Kady Russell, Senior Adult gant car- Magnes Museum in San Francisco. Coordinator at the Federation at tooning matched with alternately mun- Katchor's 515-277-6321. dane and surreal dialog. His characters UNI show featured a work called

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2 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 [in the news] THE GREATER DES MOINES INTERRELIGIOUS Jewish ORGANIZATIONS RESPOND TO Published 6 times annually by the COMMENTARY Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines under the auspices of the SUPERCESSIONIST REMARKS Life Without UNWRA Jewish Community Communications MADE ON CLEAR CHANNEL October 5, 2004, National Post - Canada. The United Nations Pillar KXNO should disband its main Palestinian aid organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Advisory Committee To the Editor of the Des Moines Register: Near East (UNWRA). The agency was conceived almost six Heidi Moskowitz, Chair* I was dismayed to read of the way in which a local sports show decades ago to help Palestinians displaced after Israel's 1948 Michael Blank host dealt with a “sports” issue regarding a Jewish baseball play- War of Independence. But it has since become intertwined with Gil Cranberg* er who opted not to play on Yom Kippur. Instead of lifting up this some of the most radical elements in Palestinian society. Indeed, Debbie Gitchell* player as an unusual model of consistency who connected his UNWRA may in fact be worsening the Palestinian plight by facili- Harlan Hockenberg* faith and his life into a unified whole, the host suggested that the tating the four-year-old terrorist war that has so devastated life in Dr. Yelena Malina player convert to Christianity and thereby resolve his dilemma. I the West Bank and Gaza. At the very least, UNWRA's affiliation Robert E. Mannheimer can’t believe the suggestion was made with serious intent but, if it with terrorists is bringing shame upon the United Nations. Sheldon Rabinowitz* were, I am appalled to think that one would suggest changing Mark S. Finkelstein,* Editor This disgrace has been acute of late. This past weekend, Peter religions over such an issue. What is being suggested is that if Thomas Wolff, Art/Marketing Director Hansen, UNWRA's commissioner-general, disclosed in a CBC my religion prohibits me from engaging in a particular activity one *Editorial Board day/year or even one day/week, the best resolution is to change interview that members of Hamas are on the agency's payroll. religions. How absolutely absurd. In May, after Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli soldiers in the Polly Oxley, Gaza strip, UNWRA ambulances were caught on tape smuggling President, Jewish Federation It has evidently not dawned on the sport show host that his sug- terrorists out of the area. Late that same month, an Israeli news- Sheldon Rabinowitz,* gestion to convert to Christianity is more an indictment of cast broadcast footage showing armed terrorists using UNWRA Communications Pillar Chair Christianity than it is of Judaism. The reason for conversion, he ambulances to flee. And last week, the Israeli army released says, is that if one becomes a Christian he need never encounter additional footage that depicts more incidents in which UNWRA Elaine Steinger, those difficult issues of choice, i.e., he “can play any day of the relief vehicles have been used to ferry terrorists throughout the Executive Director of the Federation week.” Sadly, this indictment hits closer to home than we disputed territories. Christians would care to admit. Unlike observant Jews, we The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press Christians have pretty much made one day the same as any UNWRA's complicity goes beyond terrorist ground transportation. 910 Polk Boulevard other. Accommodating to the culture around us is so common, On several occasions, UNWRA-administered schools in Des Moines, IA 50312 Palestinian camps have been found to be teaching anti-Semitism few would dare suggest that their faith might prohibit any activity, Phone: 515-277-6321 and hatred of Israel. Israeli troops searching Palestinian schools particularly one as profitable as playing professional baseball. Fax: 515-277-4069 in Ramallah in September, 2002, found classrooms plastered Rather than trying to convert this observant Jew, I would chal- E-mail: [email protected] lenge the Christian community to emulate his display of courage with posters glorifying suicide attacks. The Israeli government The Greater to make an unpopular decision in spite of the cost. and some aid agencies have also concluded that UNWRA turns a Opinions expressed in blind eye to Palestinian theft of food and medicine destined for Des Moines Jewish Press are not neces- Forrest Harms, Executive Director refugees from UN warehouses, for sale on the black market. sarily those of the Jewish Federation of Des Moines Area Religious Council Greater Des Moines, its committees, or Mr. Hansen's reaction to such allegations exemplifies the agen- Des Moines, IA its staff. Unsigned editorials express the cy's see-no-evil approach: UNWRA may employ Hamas mem- opinion of the paper’s Editorial Board. To the Editor of the Des Moines Register bers, he says, but they are not actually terrorists. Rather, they October 1, 2004 As clergy and lay representatives of A.M.O.S – are supposedly from the organization's medical, educational or We are always happy to receive articles A Metropolitan Organizing Strategy – we object to the comments political wings. It's similar to the line Ottawa used to offer for not and contributions for consideration. of radio host Steve Deace regarding Los Angeles Dodger Shawn outlawing Hezbollah and its fundraisers in Canada: Yes, We reserve the right to edit submissions Green's refusal to play baseball on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day Hezbollah employs terrorists, the Department of Foreign Affairs for space and clarity. of Atonement. would concede, but what Canada is permitting is only fundraising Vol. 21 No. 2, November/December Mr. Deace's statement, that if Green converted to Christianity he for Hezbollah' "humanitarian" operations, such as its hospitals wouldn't have to worry about playing on Yom Kippur, revealed a and schools. total lack of respect for the Jewish religion and traditions. Canada's government eventually disabused itself of such non- NOTABLE QUOTE Regardless of his motives, his comments were in extreme poor sense, and so should the world community in regard to UNWRA: taste and reflected bias against an entire religious community Though Hamas may operate community services to help build within Des Moines. support and spread propaganda, its raison d'etre has nothing to I am glad to be able“ to say, in address- The Christian and Jewish faith communities in Des Moines have do with healing people, but rather killing them. Hamas observes ing you on this occasion, that while the enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship. Judaism has enriched no hard and fast internal distinctions in its operations, and the Jews of the United States, who now our common life together and we value that diversity. organization's ultimate goal -- the destruction of Israel -- remains number more than a million, have constant. Every Hamas member drawing an UNWRA salary remained loyal to their faith and race The world is in trouble these days. As pastors we feel drawn frees up money in Hamas's budget for terror operations. traditions, they have become indissolu- together to seek a common unity. Such comments expressed by bly incorporated in the great army of In the short term, eliminating UNWRA would pose logistical chal- Mr. Deace make the task of community building all the more diffi- American citizenship, prepared to lenges: Other agencies and nations would have to step in to cult. make all sacrifice for their country, deliver the humanitarian assistance the agency provides. But in either in war or peace, and striving for We think Station KXNO (AM-1460) and Mr. Deace owe the the long term, it would be in the Palestinians' own best interests. the perpetuation of good government Jewish Community and all of us an apology for such crass and When the refugee camps were originally established, the world and for the maintenance of the princi- insensitive expressions. community imagined they would be temporary -- and that neigh- ples embodied in the Constitution. bouring countries would soon find a permanent home for their Very Sincerely, –President Theodore Roosevelt occupants. But Arab nations refused to co-operate, preferring Rev. Bill Cotton, AMOS Clergy Synod instead to keep the Palestinians locked up as an ongoing diora- Rev. Jim Wallace, Central Presbyterian Church ma of Arab victimization. Thus are Palestinians kept in an end- From a letter by President” Theodore Rev. Tim Diebel, First Christian Church less state of dependency and transience, with many still enter- Roosevelt to Jacob H. Schiff, Chairman Ms. Kay Sabin, ELCA taining delusions that they will someday be allowed to return to of the Committee on the Celebration Rev. David Ruhe, Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC their ancestral homes in Israel. Rev. Mark Stringer, lst Unitarian Church of the 250th Anniversary of the Mr. Greg Cook, Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC It has long been believed that UNWRA would keep operating until Settlement of the Jews in the United Fr. Larry Hoffman, St. Theresa Catholic Church Palestinians and Jews made peace. But given the organization's States. (courtesy of the American role in abetting terror, the world cannot wait that long. Jewish Historical Society) Acknowlegement is also made that the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa's Executive Director, Connie Ryan-Terrell, participated in a This editorial appeared online at www.canada.com/national/ panel discussion of the topic on KXNO radio. nationalpost/news/story.html CORRECTION We inadvertently omitted the name of Leticia Gordon from our list of Lions of Judah in the Sept/Oct issue. Please november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 3 [education] JEWISH FEDERATION COMMUNITY Elementary of Eastern European Shtetls with a concentration on early adolescents’ roles.” At the Our first day of Religious School/Hebrew School classes was Wednesday, Sept. 8th. By end of the school year, students will hold a “Cultural Fair,” during which Shabbat will be now, we have gotten into the swing of attending classes on Sunday mornings and celebrated in the Shtetl, and to share what they have learned about the Shtetl. “Coming Wednesday afternoons. Students have buckled down to continue their Hebrew and of Age during the Holocaust” is the theme for our 8th grade class. This class will be Judaic studies. covering Anti-Semitism, Kristallnacht, the Kindertransport, and the Warsaw Ghetto. Our Sunday School students learned some fascinating information about Rosh This class will also look at children’s art, music, and poetry. Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They learned about the Jewish calendar and that Rosh Jody Hramits will be teaching “Ethics and Values” to our 7th and 8th grades stu- Hashanah starts our New Year. And that Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year.” Yom dents. During the year these classes will explore the topics of Teshuvah, Pekuach Kippur is a thinking time; a period of reflection and review about the past year. If we Nefesh, La Shon Horah, Comparative Religion, Art and Judaism, Medical Ethics and have hurt or wronged someone, we need to ask for his/her forgiveness. If there are Rituals of Death things we want to change, this period of times gives us a fresh start. and Mourning. Some of our children heard the story of Jonah and the Whale and made their own Throughout the year, the 9th grade class, taught by Stacie Franklin, will review the Jonah and the whale. Other special Rosh Hashanah projects were New Year Cards, basic geography of Israel and become familiar with several of its major cities; discuss apple sachets and felt honey jars filled with real honey sticks. To bring in our New Year, the various political views and key political leaders starting with the creation of Israel we ate apples and honey. through our current times; learn about the major historical events of each decade since Our students have also learned about Sukkot and Simchat Torah. They learned that the 1940’s; learn about Israel’s culture through music, food, art and people; review and Sukkot is an autumn holiday and it is a reminder that God protected the Israelites while discuss current events impacting Israel today; and develop a personal connection to they wandered in the Sinai Desert, living in temporary huts as they made their way Israel through “Partnership 2000” with students in a Western Galilee school through from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel. e-Pals. Simchat Torah is when we take out all of the Torah scrolls from the Ark and march For 10th graders, this is an exciting time in their lives as they go through with them around the synagogue seven times. Each parade is called a hakafah. During Confirmation and confirm their Jewish identity and beliefs. Rabbis Ha Levi and each hakafah, we pray, sing, dance and wave flags. On Simchat Torah we read the last Kaufman will be teaching this class. Some of the topics that will be discussed are: words and the first words of the Torah. For Jews, the Torah is a book that has no end. Jewish ID, What is Judaism?, Denominations, Life Issues, Race and Religious Relations, Jr/Sr High School Body Ethics and Israel. There are several speakers planned throughout the year as well On Wednesday, September 29, our Jr/Sr High School students and parents met to cele- as four social action projects. brate Sukkot together in the Temple’s Sukkah. Rabbis Kaufman and HaLevi spoke about the meaning of Sukkot and we all participated in the blessings for being in the Sukkah and for the Lulov and Etrog. After a quick introduction to our program for this year, staff was introduced and each teacher gave a synopsis for their class. Our students are spending the year exploring a variety of ethical issues with the aid of traditional texts. We are allowing time to discuss the issues along with their own personal views. The theme for this year, encompassing all grades, are the ways in which ethical issues and their own moral and ethical viewpoints affect their lives and the lives Rabbi HaLevi met with students under of others. Throughout the year, several local Jewish community members will be visit- theFor Tiferethour program Sukkah this (left). year, we will be ing our classrooms to share some of their experiences with our students. offeringPreschoolers a pizza dinner creating to Jr/Sr their High own Schoolminia- With Krys Phillips, our 7th grade students will “study the rites, rituals, and customs studentsture Torahs every forWednesday Simchat Torah before (above). class

JOIN LIMMUD NY FOR 3 REVOLUTIONARY DAYS OF JEWISH ALEARNING diverse program ANDfor anyone CULTURE interested in Jewish learning January 14-17, 2005 Martin Luther King Weekend Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY, (near New Paltz) What is Limmud NY? What we are: a conference, a festival, a gathering of hundreds of Jews from all walks of life, all Jewish backgrounds, all lifestyles, and all ages. It’s 3 days of lectures, workshops, text-study sessions, discussions, exhibits, performances and much more - all planned by a community of volunteers. In Hebrew, Limmud means “learning” - and that’s what it’s all about. It’s an opportunity to craft your own Jewish world. To explore your connection to Jewish ideas and tradition. To meet people who share your curiosity and enthusiasm. To relax, reflect and celebrate. What will happen: From early in the morning until late each night, you'll have an opportunity to choose from an ongoing menu of 8-12 simultaneous sessions on topics ranging from Talmud to psychology, from film to Bible, from drama to Israeli politics. Some sessions will be given by renowned lecturers; others will be discussion groups, artist circles, or workshops. • Immerse yourself - or dip in - as much as you choose. The learning, in all the ways it unfolds, will be nonstop, inspiring and invigorating. • Listen: Klezmer to Jazz, Israeli Classics to Hip-Hop • Think: Kabbalah, Meditation, Philosophy, and Prayer • Discover: Ancient Texts and New Traditions • Experience: Theater, Dance, Art, and Literature • Celebrate: Community, Friends and Family • Relax, Renew and Enjoy!

Cost: Adults $450. Teens and Full-time students $300. Food: Under strict rabbinical supervision; vegetarian and kid-friendly options. Limmud NY is supported by UJA-Federation of NY through a grant from the Picower Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Keren Keshet, United Jewish Communities and others. Limmud NY is a resident project of JESNA/UJC’s Bikkurim: An Incubator for New Jewish Ideas. For more information/registration: Call (212) 284-6968 Online at www.limmudny.org

4 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 11th and 12th Grade Students: WE WANT YOU! Calling all 11th & 12th grade Jewish young adults. Whether you have ever been AMES JEWISH COMMUNITY involved in any of our local Jewish religious school programs or not, we want you to We Are In Full Swing! become a part of our newly formed high school program. This class is geared towards It is easy to tell that school is in full swing at Ames Jewish Congregation. September a variety of different topics that involve our youth today. We will have social events, 12th began another new year at AJC Religious School. We have worked hard getting social action projects, speakers relating to pertinent issues you will face while attend- ready for students to return to Hebrew and Jewish Education. The books have been ing college, and maybe a little bit of Jewish cooking too! ordered; the teachers are ready to go and, once again, many fun activities are planned Please come join us. You will see old friends and make new friends. If you have a for the 2004-2005 school year. Jewish friend that has never been involved, bring them along. This is open to any On our first Sunday, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah together with many fun activ- young Jewish adult in 11th and 12th grades. ities. Many of the kids got a chance to blow a Shofar. They made Rosh Hashanah cards Our first evening was Wednesday, October 13th. If you were unable to attend our for their loved ones and decorated honey jars to bring home. The day was topped off first class, it is not too late to begin. Classes will meet three times per month, with a guest speaker, Paul Tunakin. He spoke to us about being a beekeeper. Do you Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, in the school wing at Temple B’nai know how many bees are in a swarm or how many different types of honey there are? Jeshurun. Our school focus this year will be on the importance of making Mitzvah in Jewish Just to give you a “taste” of our plans for this year, some of our speaker topics will life. We will be planning monthly school-wide Mitzvah projects and each class will be: Current Events in Israel and How It Affects Us, Jewish Identity and Cults, Anti- plan mitzvah projects throughout the year. We have many ideas and plan to let the Semitism in our schools/All around us kids create and organize ideas of their own. We are very excited about this school Our social action programs will involve volunteering for: Goodwill, Feeding the initiative and will keep you informed of our many Mitzvah projects throughout the Homeless, Ronald McDonald House, Hospice of Central Iowa, Argentina Relief year. College Programming will include: Hillel Representatives, Israel on Campus, A In September, the students will be supporting the Senior Youth Group project by Contemporary Guide for the Jewish College Student bringing bags of non-perishable food items to be donated to MICA. Many other plans are currently being arranged. This high school program truly In October, the Social Action Committee asked us to have a clothing drive. Each has something for everyone who wants to expand their Jewish education, prepare for student will be responsible for sorting through his/her clothing to find clothes that will college life, help others, and just have fun! All that is required is a desire to learn and no longer be worn but are decent. They will bring them neatly folded in a bag to their participate in the Jewish community. If you want to be involved in Judaism, even for classroom. the first time, this is the program for you. With Sukkot just around the corner, we will wrap up September with the classes If you are interested in this program, please contact Lyanna Grund at 277-5566 decorating the Sukkah. Each class will create special decorations and spend time and we can discuss the class schedule. putting them up for all to enjoy. DATES TO REMEMBER Upcoming events at the AJC Religious School include: NOVEMBER 17 – 9TH–12TH GRADES – SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT WITH GOOD WILL October 23- Kevin Svec’s Bar Mitzvah; NOVEMBER 24 – THANKSGIVING – NO SCHOOL November 12th- Consecration service for 3 new students at our school: NOVEMBER 28 – THANKSGIVING – NO SCHOOL Evalyn Berleant, COnner Levy and Arik (Ariel) Yacobsen. DECEMBER 8 – 9TH – 12TH GRADES – CHANUKAH DINNER PROGRAM WITH RABBIS, STUDENTS INVITE ONE NON-JEWISH FRIEND TO ATTEND DECEMBER 12 – JFCS CHANUKAH PROGRAM DECEMBER 19 – JANUARY 2 – WINTER BREAK – NO SCHOOL For more detailed calendar information click on to www. JANUARY 5 – FIRST WEDNESDAY BACK FOR 3RD – 6TH GRADE JANUARY 9 – FIRST SUNDAY BACK FOR PREK-5TH GRADE dmjfed.org

november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 5 [education] Nazi Olympics Exhibit Closes at State Historical Building MISCHKIET-SPILER FUND SUPPORTS Panel Provided Insights into HOLOCAUST EDUCATION Proceeds from the Mischkiet-Spiler al curriculum approved for use by the Life in Germany 1936 Holocaust Education Fund, administered Des Moines Public Schools and used A highly interesting panel discussion Thanks are extended again to spon- by the JCRC, are used to support a variety elsewhere in Iowa and around the coun- about life in Germany, 1936 was held in sors of the exhibit, including Rose Lee of projects promoting Holocaust educa- try. The 1982 committee that worked on August at the State Historical Museum. and Marvin Pomerantz, the Iowa State tion. the project included the late Rabbi Personal presentations touching upon Historical Society, the Iowa Jewish The Fund was created in 1981 by Robert J. Addison, Executive Director of growing up in pre-war Germany, life Historical Society, the Jewish Federation, Helen Mischkiet-Edell, who grew up in the Federation’s Bureau for Jewish Living, during the Third Reich, and emigration to Goldstein Family Foundation, Iowa Des Moines, from the estate of her late whose Ph.D. was in Holocaust studies, different parts of the world were given by Jewish Historical Society Foundation, parents who were survivors of the Carol S. Brown, Social Science Supervisor, panelists Warner Bergh, Peter Pintus, The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Holocaust. In doing so, Helen and her Des Moines Public Schools, David Herbert and Ruth David family wished to ensure that the lessons Goldman, Chair of CRC, and Elaine and moderator Fred Lorber. of the Holocaust are remembered and to Steinger, CRC Director. The story of what it was like honor the memory of Helen’s parents, In the past, the Fund has been used to liberate a concentration Fela and Monek Mischkiet and their dear to provide copies of Gerta Klein’s book camp in 1945 was told by friend and fellow Holocaust-survivor “Promise of a New Spring” to area ele- Dick Peterson, now a Selman Spiler. mentary schools, and for the public retired U.S. District Court Many in our community will remem- commemoration in 1995 of the 50th judge, then a member of the U.S. Armed Moines, ber Fela, Monek, Helen, and Selman anniversary of the liberation of the con- Forces. Jewish Welfare Fund of Cedar Rapids, (Sol). Fela and Monek came to Des centration camps, for which a booklet The program began with a brief Jim and Jane Arenson, Jack and Gail Moines in 1951, sponsored by the Des profiling local survivors was authored by video of contemporary film footage and Bernstein, Blank Family Foundation, Moines Jewish Federation. Selman, who Adele Anolik. The Fund has also been still pictures, made by the Iowa State Don and Margo Blumenthal, Jim and had befriended Monek in Dachau, came used recently to provide teachers with Historical Society under Jerome Patty Cownie, Bud and Dorothy a year later. In 1969, PBS produced a copies of videotapes of local Holocaust Thompson. The State Historical Society Hockenberg, Thomas Juckette, Chuck documentary about the Mishkiet’s life survivors speaking to student audiences recorded the program and has provided and Jennifer Larson, John Kline, Abbott during the Holocaust, they being among and to subsidize the cost for teachers on a copy to the Iowa Jewish Historical and Joan Lipsky, Josh Lederman, Bill and the earliest of the survivors to be willing the Summer 2003 trip to the US Society. Wicker Van Orsdel, Stan and Gail and able to reflect upon their experienc- Holocaust Memorial Museum in The program related to the United Richards, es. Monek worked as a tailor until his Washington, D.C. States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Alan and Janice Zuckert, Jim Autrey and death in 1980. Selman was a dental Appreciation is extended to Ms. touring exhibit, Nazi Olympics: Berlin Lt. Gov. Sally J. Pederson, David and technician and served as president of Helen Mischkiet-Edell for her generous 1936, which was on display from April Jeannette Bear, Lee and Cyndi Bircharsky, the Des Moines Jewish Culture Club. He provision of funding and for her initia- through September at the State The Caspe Foundation, Dr. James and passed away in 1979. tive on behalf of Holocaust education Historical Building. The exhibit may be Dr. Sarah Christiansen, Jeff and Kerrie A grant from The Mischkiet-Spiler and to those who have subsequently viewed online at www.ushmmc.org/ Holland, Stan and Shari Engman, Fund enabled the development and contributed to the Fund. museum/exhibit/online/olympics. Louis and Marilyn Hurwitz, Hubbell publication of the Holocaust instruction- Contributions to the Mischkiet-Spiler

6 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 Des Moines Jewish Foundation Older Brides and Grooms Face Important Questions Prospective brides and grooms in their 60s or older may not have to select china or silverware patterns, but they still have issues to resolve:

How finances will be combined - A couple may decide to keep the bulk of their estates separate to make estate planning easier. Check with an attorney about state laws governing property rights and the need for a prenuptial agreement. A special trust (QTIP) allows the surviving spouse to receive income for life, with assets then passing to children or grandchildren from a previous marriage. Where to live - A single homeowner can exclude up to $250,000 of gain on the sale of a primary residence, as often as every two years, provided he or she has lived in the home at least two of the last five years. A married couple can exclude up to $500,000. It may be more tax advantageous to sell one home over the other, depending on the appreciation in the homes. Or rent the extra home for addi- tional income. Retirement plan beneficiary designations - Under federal law, a surviving spouse is automatically the beneficiary of certain qualified retirement plans (not including IRAs), regardless of the beneficiary designation. A spousal consent can be signed following the marriage that will permit retirement assets to pass instead to family members. Wills, trusts, health care directives - Existing wills and estate planning docu- ments may become obsolete upon marriage. Check with a lawyer about changes need- ed to protect the newlyweds and other family members. Determine who should make financial and life-prolonging decisions in the event of disability. Before exchanging vows, senior brides and grooms should consider their estate plan- ning goals. A trip to the attorney prior to saying "I do" can help achieve their objectives.

Retirement Plan Do's and Don'ts don't... • just rely on your employer's beneficiary designation form; • automatically begin withdrawals from an employer's plan at age 70 - 1/2 if you're still working; • think a prenuptial agreement guarantees your 401(k) will pass to your children, rather than your new spouse, at your death; • forget that you can name a charity or a charitable remainder trust as a beneficiary, thereby saving income taxes owed on retirement plans. do... • have your attorney or financial planner prepare a form that provides for contingent beneficiaries; • take all mandatory withdrawals from IRAs and employer plans to avoid the 50% pen- alty. However, if you're still working, you may be able to postpone distributions from your 401(k) • have your spouse sign the required waiver following your marriage if you intend for other family members to receive your 401(k) benefits. Waivers are not required for IRA beneficiary designations; • see an attorney and call our office for ideas on how your retirement plan can provide continuing support for our programs while also benefiting family members.

Call Elaine Steinger at the Des Moines Jewish Foundation, 277-6321, for more information.

Des Moines Jewish Foundation Board: Don Blumenthal, President Martin Brody, Vice President Marvin Winick, Secretary/Treasurer Stan Richards, Immediate Past President Harry Bookey, Larry Engman, Debbie Gitchell, Alvin Kirsner, Fred Lorber, John Mandelbaum, Bob Mannheimer, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan, Don Schoen, Toni Urban, Polly Oxley, ex-officio Elaine Steinger, Foundation Director november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 7 [religion] [science] IJCR* SURVEY SHOWS SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ISRAELI AMERICANS WITH NO RELIGIOUS IDENTITY PROFESSORS Study also finds that many raised with multiple religions have no religion as adults. SHARE NOBEL When asked to name their religion, sixteen uals tend to be more liberal and moderate England states come close to Westerners PRIZE IN percent (16%) of American adults, or 34 politically." in their rate of non-identification (21%). million people, now decline to choose a The trend seems especially strong Those who do not affiliate psycholog- DistinguishedCHEMISTRY Professor Avraham church or denomination, up from less among the young. Fully one-quarter of ically with a religion are far from being Hershko and Distinguished Professor than ten percent (10%) in the early 1990s. 18-24 year-olds fail to identify with some purely "secular." More than one-third of Aaron Ciechanover from the Technion That is, nearly one in every six Americans religion, compared to only 5% of those 65 them (36%) reported attending a religious are the winners of the Nobel Prize in now answers "none" or "no religion," or and older. This pattern persists steadily service in the past year. About one-quar- Chemistry for 2004. They won the describe themselves as secular, humanist, across the age spectrum. Commented ter (26%) said they probably or definitely prestigious prize together with ethical-culturalist, agnostic, or atheist. Tobin: "Some of these young people may expect to take up a religion sometime in Professor Irwin Rose from the University Furthermore, at 16%, non-identifiers make identify with a religion when they are older the future. Fewer than half of this group of California-Irvine. up the third largest religion-defined group and some may not, especially those raised (45%) are current service non-attenders Professors Hershko and in the country, trailing only Catholics in households where more than one reli- and also do not plan to adopt a religion in Ciechanover, from the Technion's Bruce (24%) and all varieties of Baptists (17%), gion is present." the future. Commented Tobin: "Many in and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of according to a new report, "The Decline of Consistent with the popular belief the group we've labeled 'non-identifiers' Medicine, are the first researchers to Religious Identity in the United States," that children of mixed-marriage parents could also be characterized as 'unsettled' identify the Ubiquitin system, responsi- released by the Institute for Jewish & raised in multiple religious traditions are in their religious identity – some of them ble for the dissolution of proteins with- Community Research. less likely to maintain any religious orien- searching or experimenting with religious in the cell, thereby producing a break- Dr. Gary A. Tobin, the president of tation as adults, the survey indicates that practices and belief systems. How many through in research in cancer, degener- the Institute and author of the study, fully 26% of those with multiple religious of them will find a suitable fit and how ative brain diseases and many other along with Sid Groeneman, explained origins are current non-identifiers. many will continue to seek and sample is diseases. Their discovery caused a the significance of the survey: "Although Among those raised in a single religious impossible to guess." profound change in scientific grasp of it is too soon to know if this evidence will tradition as children, in contrast, only The survey consists of 10,204 tele- processes within cells. mark the start of a long-term trend – or 11% have become non-identifiers as phone interviews in the Continental U.S. The President of the Technion, Prof. exactly what the decline implies – if it adults. The survey was conducted in the second Yitzhak Apeloig, expressed his great persists, these numbers clearly contra- Gender and geography are also half of 2001 and the first half of 2002. delight and satisfaction, in the name of dict the notion that all Americans are associated with the tendency to identify Percentage estimates based on the full all the members of the Technion family, becoming more religious. While some with a religion. Women are less likely to sample are accurate within 1%. As in all on the historic achievement of these Americans are becoming more religious, be non-identifiers (13%) than men (20%). surveys, other factors besides the sample Technion researchers. "This is a mark of a significant number are moving in the Regionally, persons living in the West are size and design can affect the accuracy of distinction for Israeli science generally other direction." more likely than those in other areas to the results. and for the Technion in particular" he Tobin speculated that there may be be non-identifiers: 24% of Westerners vs. Full text of the report can be found at said. long-term political implications of the 14% of those in other parts of the coun- http://www.jewishresearch.org/v2/media. Distinguished Professor Aaron move away from religion, since "other try identify with no church or denomina- html Ciechanover was Prof. Hershko's stu- research shows that less religious individ- tion. Only residents of the six New The findings cited in this release come dent and together they succeeded in

[history] Artifact containing the Priestly Benediction dates from 7th - or 6th- Century BCE Ancient amulet contains earliest Biblical text yet documented A text written prior to the exile of lets includes the Priestly Blessing from Israelites to Babylonia in 586 BCE is now the Book of Numbers 6: 24-26: "May the considered the earliest Biblical passage Lord bless you and keep you; may the extant. The physical text is 400 years Lord cause His face to shine upon you older than those preserved in the Dead and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift Sea Scrolls. This finding, postulated by u p archeologists, has been confirmed by His countenance upon you and grant experts in ancient handwriting. you peace." The Priestly Blessing is According to reports in the New York among the best known texts of the Times, the artifacts, two silver amulets, Bible and are included in both Jewish were found in 1979 in a burial cave west and Christian services. of Jerusalem's Old City. New photo- The amulets containing the text graphic and computer techniques have were worn to ward off evil. One of the only recently enabled scientists to amulets measured four inches by one improve the readability of the text, inch, the other an inch-and-a half by enabling the handwriting experts to do one-half inch. The words were written their job. on thin silver plates which were then There is apparently unanimous rolled to make a small scroll. agreement among the archeologists It was Dr. Gabriel Barkay from Bar- involved Illan University who discovered the as outside referees as to the dating of amulets and conducted the research in the amulets. Thus has ended specula- conjunction with a team of scholars tion that the amulets were written after based at the University of Southern the Israelites were exiled. That the text California. The team included professor is now believed to have existed during of Semitic languages Dr. Bruce the period of the Monarchy seems to Zuckerman, Hebrew Bible specialist Dr. refute those scholars who believe that Marilyn J. Lundberg, and Biblical the Bible was written after the exile to Historian Dr. Andrew G. Vaughn of justify the authority of the new, post-ex- Gustavus Adulphus College in ilic Israelite rulers. Minnesota. The group's report appeared The text that was found in the amu- in The Bulletin of the American Schools

8 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 DMARC Program Highlighted “The Golden Rule” By Mark Finkelstein yourself.” A program organized by the Des Moines First and foremost, it came as a sur- wedding Area Religious Council (DMARC) brought prise to most of the participants that the together individuals from different faith Golden Rule is common to so many reli- traditions, in September, to focus on gions. Then, in telling their own stories, what is called, The Golden Rule, a moral it became apparent that living by the imperative embraced by many religions. Golden Rule requires us to pay closer Dividing up the participants into small attention to the needs of others. For groups permitted each person to give example, one gentleman said that he examples of how he or she tries to live assumed responsibility for an aged rela- out, or be faithful to, the precept. tive because that is how he would hope As stated in Judaism, the Golden to be taken care of in old age. In another Rule is: “What is hateful to you, do not do case, someone explained that to him, to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; following the Golden Rule meant remov- Purveying unri- all the rest is commentary. Go and learn.” ing impediments for others, because he The statement is attributed to the sage himself did not like to be tripped up by valed Hillel and is found in the Talmudic trac- artificial impediments, whether they be tate, Shabbat, page 31a. Similar sayings literally physical impediments or hin- customer ser- are found in Confucianism (“Do not do drances that played upon weaknesses to others what you do not want done to within one’s character. It was concluded vice, yourself”), Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, that the world would be a better, more and Hinduism. In Christianity, it is humane place, were the Golden Rule luxurious spe- phrased “In everything, do to others as brought to mind more often. you would have them do to you; for this Thanks are expressed to the Jewish cialty is the law and the prophets.” And in community members who participated Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until as facilitators at the event: Dick Brown, linens, and you wish for others what you wish for Robin and Peter Karney, Peter Pintus, exquisite Jewish Bloggers ‘byte’ back floral design for By Mark Finkelstein ers, others don’t. One posting men- It’s a hot topic these days. Blogs, blog- tioned that the Israeli Army is re-design- gers, and blogging. Are you hip with the ing its uniforms and included a link to lingo? The word blog is an abbreviation the web article. Another submission, for Web Log, an online diary of sorts, that under the heading “Three day yom tovs 244-3816 www.events2xs.com others can respond to. There are literally and other esoteric weirdnesses of 5765” thousands of blogs, of all types. includes the following: “RECORD It should not come as a surprise that NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE MUSAF there is a plethora of Jewish blogs. For DAYS: In the Diaspora we say Musaf on example, one popular blog (logging 10 consecutive days, from Thursday 15 35,000 ‘hits’ over the past year) is called Tishrei through Shabbat 24 Tishrei. This Your Guests will Aidel Maidel, describing itself as “Just is a record number of consecutive days, what it sounds like. A nice [Orthodox] and this is the only scenario in which it Jewish girl in NYC.” (aidelmaidel.blog- occurs. Note that in Israel it is not even shout spot.com) possible to have 9 consecutive Musaf In one recent submission, Aidel days. The most there can be is 8.” Maidel asks: “Why do people come here? You never know when you need To this blog? What is it that attracts that information. “Mazel Tov” them? I have nothing brilliant to say on One final example. There is one the state of affairs in the world. I am called “The Velveteenrabbi [get the allu- You can trust in the West Des mostly clueless about politics. I'm pretty sion? – MF]: a passionate, idiosyncratic clueless in regards to the greater issues in un-Orthodox look at contemporary Moines Marriott staff to the frum world. I just like to rant and rave Judaism,” containing a very lengthy yet provide impeccable attention and talk about stupid stuff and my boring interesting reflection about how the to detail and superior service. day-to-day life. In fact, I even thought this blog-owner spent Yom Kippur. (velve- At the West Des Moines morning about writing about flossing my teenrabbi.blogs.com/blogs) Marriott we bring something teeth. What do I say that resonates with Each of the blogs tends to provide extra to every celebration we people? Because if I was reading this c*** links to many, many others. Bloggers on other people's blogs I would be bored tend to identify with each other and plan - a tradition of care and stiff. Just wondering.” promote each other’s sites. concern that makes your To which someone replied: “You Blog readers can either pull up their celebration an event to know, I talk with people all day long. blogs online or can subscribe and receive remember. Sometimes we talk business, other times current material through e-mail. Readers we talk belly lint. Most people don't get can then take the initiative and respond enough opportunities to talk about the to any given submission and have their trivialities of everyday life. I sort of look comments posted for others to read. Call Jack Boettcher at 515-457-3202 at you as another person with whom to How do you find blogs? We have a for more information. compare belly lint.” link on the Federation website www. But that’s just one example. Another dmjfed.org that will lead you to Kesher interesting one in the same genre may Talk, and from there you can link to be found at belledejew.blogspot.com many other blogs. You can select among A very fine blog, dealing with issues blogs on www.somethingjewish.co.uk/ about Judaism, the Middle East, and jewish_blogs/ or you can go to www. other topics is called Kesher Talk at bloglines.com and search for the type of http://www.hfienberg.com/kesher blogs that might interest you. (Kesher means connection). Some of Blogging is a way for some intelli- the postings draw comments from read- gent and creative people to express november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 9 Des Moines/Israel Partnership 2000 Developing New Niches for Tourism in the Western Galilee Partnership 2000 promotes peo- niches of tourism in the Western Galilee that enables the general public to according to the climatic conditions of ple-to-people relationships between the and increasing the occupancy in the Bed become acquainted with these exotic the tree's new home as well as how to Western Galilee, Des Moines and 12 addi- and Breakfasts of the region are the prima- fruits by picking the fruit themselves in make organic jams with the fruit. tional communities in the central US ry goals of the Matteh Asher Tourism proj- season. Paw Paw Fruit Significant in through cultural, social, educational and ect funded by the Partnership for Israel The picking season begins in May and Cancer Treatment economic development programs. (Partnership 2000) and the 13 other continues through the end of August. Among the many trees grown in Yael and "It was a hot, sunny summer day and an Central Area Consortium communities. Each fruit is picked during its individual Shmuel's orchard are paw paw trees that expensive car pulled up in front of the The Tourism project together with ripening season and the general public is have stimulated significant interest in orchard's entrance and a gentleman "Shukran" project in Akko are the two invited to join in on the adventure on an recent years. Indigenous to Northern dressed in a business suit and a beautiful components of the Regional Development individual, couple, and family or group America and first cultivated by Native woman dressed in her finest clothing got task force project of the Partnership, level. The admission fee includes enjoying Americans, the deciduous tree produces out of the car", relates Shmuel, the owner intended to be a catalyst for the growth "all you can eat" of the fruit within the a long, elliptical, edible fruit with a bril- of the orchard in Moshav Ben Ami in the and development of the Western Galilee. orchard's boundaries. Larger amounts liant green coloring. The Indians utilized Western Galilee. He asked how he could "The purpose of the Regional may be picked and purchased at an addi- all parts of the tree; the fruit for nutrition help the couple, what kind of fruit they Development task force of the Partnership tional charge. You can come either alone and the bark for medicinal purposes. wanted and offered to spare them the is to have one element of the budget or as part of a group of up to 100 people, Research teams from various American trouble of picking it themselves in the provided by the 13 communities which although Yael and Shmuel usually adhere universities began to study the subject. scorching sun. The couple insisted on directly and exclusively helps the Western to a "separation of forces" by hosting Among the scientists was an Israeli entering the orchard, dressed in their Galilee develop and flourish," explains groups during the week and families pri- researcher, formally a resident of the expensive outfits and pick the fruit them- Simcha Stein, the Israeli co-chair of the marily on the weekends. The couple is also Western Galilee, who six years ago gave selves. After a few hours, they came back task force. happy to conduct guided tours through- Shmuel the first paw paw seeds for use in to the gate with burnt red cheeks; their Yael Kastel and Shmuel Landau have out the orchard with illustrative stories a preliminary cultivation experiment. clothes stained with fruit juices and huge operated their two-acre fruit farm for the and explanations concerning the various Together with a consultant from the smiles. They told Shmuel, "We thoroughly past nine years. They are the founders of fruit trees and organic methods of cultiva- Israel Ministry of Agriculture and in coop- enjoyed ourselves and we don't often get the Israel Exotic Fruit Growers Association tion. eration with Northern Research and a chance to have such a unique experi- and grow some 40 types of exotic fruits The entire orchard is organic which Development, Shmuel began the accli- ence." On the way to their car, the couple such as Feijoa, Surinam Cherries, mulber- means that the cultivation of the area matization process. left Shmuel with a business card; his guest ries, raspberries, passion fruit, guava, and pest control is done by achieving a For a number of years, American sci- was none other than one of the country's lichee and a variety of other unique spe- balance between insects and their pred- entists have conducted a series of clinical most senior heart surgeons on the staff of cies coming directly from China, Thailand, ators, through the producing of these studies examining the cancer healing Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Vietnam, Chile, Mexico, Cuba and Brazil. predators in an artificial laboratory set- related qualities of the paw paw tree. Picking fruit at the exotic fruit farm is They constantly conduct experiments ting and then using them in the orchard. Recently researchers studying the tree's one of a variety of family tourist entertain- pertaining to the assimilation of new fruit At the nursery it is possible to purchase medicinal applications have received ment attractions developed in Matteh strains, their development and adaptabil- any of the tree types that Yael and Shmuel some unprecedented results. They found Asher to bring more (primarily) domestic ity to various growth regions as well as cultivate for one's home and garden with that compounds from the tree's bark had tourism to the region. Developing new nurturing a unique branch of tourism the appropriate advice and instruction significant success in destroying drug

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10 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 resistantDid Israeli cancer Prime cells Minister by isolating Ariel Sharon their therapiesopinion column, as experiments which appeared have shownin the energyvow to producingburn Palestinian mechanisms, children i.e. andthe thatChicago the Tribune,plant extract San Diego enhances Tribune, the andeffi- bloodrape Arabic supply. girls? Tests Did have former been Israeli successful lead- ciencyother newspapers: of both types In fact,of treatments. it [American A iner laboratoryMenachem cultures Begin refer where to Palestiniansa reduction seriessupport of extensivefor Israel''s experiments actions] led conduct Prime- inas "two-leggedthe tumor's beasts,"surface andarea did and another even edMinister by the NationalSharon Cancerto tell Institute his Cabinet exam- eliminationIsraeli leader declareof cancerous that all Arabscells mustwas inedrecently, the effectiveness“I control America.” of various Where types did of recorded.be killed unless Both theylung are and willing brain to tumors live as plantsthis quote in combating originate and cancerous how did growths. it enter wereslaves? in the cultures tested. A human Itthe was mainstream found that media? of the 3,500 plant types studyNo, was but recently given theconducted number with of Web100 tested,CAMERA's the paw investigationpaw tree was foundproven that the testsites subjectsrepeating and these its allegations,results are awaitingit is easy mostit started effective. with Thean October plant contained 3, 2001 somepress reviewto see how and thispublication. nonsense has gained cre- 50release active from biological the pro-Hamas components group, respon IAP - dence.The Indeed, researchers the attribution contend ofthat invidi the- siblethe Islamicfor its medicinal Association qualities. for Palestine, pawous statementspaw is effective to Israel's in fighting leaders the warhas whichThe attributed most amazing the quote effect towas a provenreport againstbecome cancerous a popular cells, stratagem in fact against among all inon laboratory"the Israeli experiments Hebrew radio, on mice. Col [sic]The kindsIsrael's of enemies. mutant cells Many that are develop fabricated, and resultsYisrael." showed that human tumor cells multiplytaken out faster of context than normal, or otherwise healthy manip cells.- injectedIn fact, into theKol mice Yisrael simply political disappeared corre- Pawulated Paw to compounds present a distorted,can be used negative in con- whenspondent treated Yoni with Ben-Menachem, paw paw extracts. who junctionview of withZionist both intentions chemo andand radiation actions. Pawreports paw on compounds Cabinet meetings, have also confirmed shown to Propagated on the internet, some of these to CAMERA that he never made such a misquotesWESTERN eventually makeGALILEE their way into HOSPITALbroadcast and that Sharon never made opinion columns in campus newspapers such a statement. Nor was it reported by andRESTORES even, on occasion, KAZAKHthe mainstream CONDUCTOR'Sany other news service. [Ha'aretz]press.SIGHT The chief conductor of Dorokhovsky,When confronted, who saidGeyer the toldNahariya one KazakhstanTake for example,Symphony the Orchestra,following quote Yuri facilityeditor that had shebeen relied warmly on two recommended, anonymous Dorokhovsky,(found on anti-Israel has Webhad sites)his allegedeyesight to hadIsraeli not sources been forable the to quotation. see his players She told in restoredhave been by said an operation by Israeli atPrime the WesternMinister thea second five years editor since the losingquote hiscame sight. from an GalileeAriel Sharon Hospital to inthe Nahariya. Israeli parliament in alleged"I conducted Ha'aretz article by remembering which she never their OctoberDorokhovsky 2001 and suffersreported from on aKol disorder Yisrael positions,"produced andhe whichsaid. "Thecould restoration not be found. of knownradio: Don't as keratoconus, worry about Americana progressive pres- sightA subsequent is like being editor's reborn. note It is amazingby Geyer's to thinningsure on Israel, and we,steepening the Jewish of peoplethe cornea, con- seeUnited how Press different Syndicate the worldclaimed looks the quotein full whichtrol America, limits andvision the over Americans the course know it.”of color.was widely Only thosereported who inhave the experienced Palestinian severalThe statement years to also the pointappears of blindnessas “I control in blindnesspress (i.e. canthe relateIAP, which to the cited intensity the bogus of the theAmerica.” worst cases. excitement."Kol Yisrael source) but could not be con- DorokhovskyAs it turns out, says it is hisa hoax. wife Sharonhad a firmedDorokhovsky by independent was sources.certain the sur- similarnever made disorder either and statement. was treated Nor didin geryIndeed would forsucceed many, becausethe Internet Israel has is Moscow'sKol Yisrael centralever report hospital. that heHowever, did. the consideredcompletely replaceda medical libraries, powerhouse reference in treatmentYet syndicated failed and columnist she lost herGeorgie sight Easternbooks, and Europe original - "and research miracles as a alwayssource completely.Anne Geyer wrote in her May 10, 2002 occurof information. in the Holy This Land." reliance Nonetheless, on unregu he-

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november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 11 Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines All-In-One Campaign

"Faith is secure enough to handle challenging questions; dogma is inflexible," is how Irshad Manji, host of Toronto's weekly TV show "Big Ideas", explains her nuanced approach to religion. In a speech sponsored as a kick-off event for the 2005 All-In-One Campaign, Irshad Manji addressed an energized audience the evening of October 5 on religion, diversity of opinion, womens' empowerment, and the essential differences between living in societies that tolerate dissent and those in which dissenters are literally subject to loss of life or limbs. A Pakistani from Uganda, Manji's family immigrated to Vancouver in 1972. The Manjis are practicing Muslims. As a child, Irshad, a bright, precocious and articulate youth, brought her questions to her Religious School teachers and met head-on with what she now characterizes as intolerant responses. At that point, she had choices: accept traditional answers, withdraw from the community or continue to engage with it. She has, through the years, chosen to re-engage. And she does it based on a prin- ciple, found within Islam, called Itjihad. Itjihad is defined, by Manji, as the struggle to make religious tradition bloom with new and creative approaches, loyal to the essence of the religion. As explained by Irshad, this creative principle was nudged out of Islam toward the end of the 11th Century, signaling the beginning of the end of the Golden Age of Islam in Spain. From then on until today, she argues, Islam valued 'imi- tation' over 'innovation.' Thus was lost the impetus of loyal debate, dissent, revision and reform. Irshad's critique, of course, can be leveled at any of the world religions. Every religion, she says, has its 'literalists'. In her thinking, however, Islam is the only one of the religions in which 'literalism is still mainstream.' Hence her book, "The Trouble with Islam," the title of which she candidly wishes she could change to: "The Trouble with Islam, Today." Her implication: the religion has many fine attributes and should not be denigrated. Manji points out, however, that due to pressures from within, Islam has made it near impossible to revise out of contemporary Islam what she identifies as negative tendencies, the maintenance of ill-treatment of women, Jew-baiting and bashing, and slavery as practiced by Islamist regimes. The emphasis, of course, is on the word 'Islamist,' differentiated as it is from the practitioners of Islam as a whole. As she says, it is only a very thin minority of Muslims who are terrorists, but there is a passivity, denial, and complacency in the face of Islamist terrorism that threatens the well being of Islam in the modern world. Despite her critique, she remains a Muslim, and despite the threats leveled at her by some Muslims, she remains a critic. Her book, she says, was intended to create conversations and it has begun to do so, involving younger Muslims particularly, even if cannot always do so publicly. The audience at her talk embraced her warmly and empathetically and enjoyed not only her thoughtful, nuanced presentation but her vital personality and keen sense of humor. They identified with and admired Irshad's uncompromising support for universal Human Rights. Among the topics covered, the audience was very inter- ested in hearing Irshad's impressions about Israel, which she has visited twice. Indeed, she voices criticisms of certain Israeli policies, as detailed in her book. But, she con- cedes, she was "surprised" about the openness of Israeli society and commends neighboring Arab states to emulate its strengths. We were fortunate to have Irshad Manji with us that evening, prior in the day at the Pomegranates and Lions of Judah luncheon, and at the special dinner for major donors to the All-In-One Campaign. Those who attended any of these splendid events will not forget her soon.– Mark Finkelstein Irshad Manji (2nd from left) makes a point. Vibrant Talk Show Host, Winner of Oprah's "Chutzpah " Award for "boldness and conviction", gives Public Address Irshad Manji Advocates For Religous Pluralism And Tolerance

12 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 Lions of Judah Margo Blumenthal Diamond Pamela Bass Bookey Diamond Shelley Brody Diamond Bernice Caspe Sapphire Suzanne Engman Lion of Judah Endowed Debbie Gitchell Diamond Leticia Gordon Diamond Marilyn Hurwitz Diamond Jeanne Levitt Diamond Maddie Levitt Emerald Rose Lee Pomerantz* Diamond Gail Richards Lion of Judah Endowed Elaine Steinger Diamond Toni Urban Lion of Judah Endowed Pomegranates Hadasa Blend Barb Carlstrom Sarah Christiansen Tracy Engman-Finkelshteyn* Alyseann Galinsky Barbara Hirsch-Giller Dorothy Hockenberg Julie Howald Annette Isaacson Irina Kaplan Dorothy Kirsner Rita Loeb Lori Long* Cyril Mandelbaum Ingrid Mazie Naomi Mercer - Endowed Evelyn Mintzer Miriam Mintzer Polly Oxley - Endowed Mary Jo Pomerantz Roselind Rabinowitz* Audrey Rosenberg Marcia Gotsdiner Salem Molly Sandler Elana Schneider Mary Seidler Irshad Manji Marina Staroselsky Dr. Eleanor Zeff Advocates For Religous Pluralism And Tolerance Janice Zuckert *New in 2005

november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 13 [focus on media] also turns up nothing. yet, far from it. Quote Busters Summary: Fabricated quote, incorrect Source given: Ariel Sharon in an inter- by Ricki Hollander, Committee for Accuracy in Middle East source view with Amos Oz, Davar, Dec. 17, 1982 Reporting in America, online at www.camera.org Investigation: The source is found on lated, unaccountable sources has boosted view with General Ouze Merham in 1956 MISATTRIBUTED Arab propaganda and Marxist Web sites. the proliferation of misinformation and Investigation: This quote was found on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon It gained credibility when Rocky bogus quotes. And when they are repeat- hundreds of Arab Web sites, and indeed, • You can call me anything you like. Call Mountain News international editor, ed by journalists, albeit those with radical seems to be a staple of anti-Israel propa- me a monster or a murderer.... Better Holger Jensen, included it in an April anti-Israel agendas, few are willing to ganda. It cannot be found, however, in a live Judeo-Nazi than a dead saint... 2002 column attacking Israeli Prime search deeper. any text book, news article, or published • Even if you prove to me that the pres- Minister Sharon. Four days later, Jensen The CAMERA staff has researched record, nor is there any mention or record ent war in Lebanon is a dirty immoral was forced to recant, admitting he had many of the alleged quotes. Part I of our of a General Ouze Merham anywhere war, I don't care... "made a grievous error in not verifying series on misquotes examines quotes else. (Another giveaway is that the term • Even if Galilee is shelled again by the authenticity of 20-year-old quotes that fall into three categories: 1) fabricat- "Palestinian" was not in use in 1956. It Katyushas in a year's time, I don't real- attributed to Ariel Sharon." And shortly ed; 2) misattributed and 3) taken out of only came into vogue in the 1960's.) ly care. We shall start another war, kill after that, Jensen "resigned to pursue context. Student columnist Mariam Sobh used and destroy more and more until they other interests." the quote in her December 11, 2003 Daily will have had enough... In fact, Amos Oz has confirmed that FABRICATED Illini column, but later had to apologize. • Let them tremble, let them call us a he never met nor interviewed Sharon. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Summary: Fabricated quote, fabricated mad state. Let them understand that The so-called "interview" was a literary I don't know something called source. we are a wild country, dangerous to device taken from Oz's book In the Land International Principles. I vow that I'll our surroundings, not normal, that we of Israel. In the English version, the inter- burn every Palestinian child (that) will be Former IDF Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan might go crazy if one of our children is viewee's identity is not revealed, and is born in this area. The Palestinian woman We declare openly that the Arabs have murdered, just one! If anyone even referred to as Z (Flamingo/Fontana 1983). and child is more dangerous than the no right to settle on even one centimeter raises his hand against us we'll take Apparently, Palestinian propagandists man, because the Palestinian child's exis- of Eretz Israel... Force is all they do or ever away half his land and burn the other substituted Sharon's name for Z in the tence infers that generations will go on, will understand. We shall use the ulti- half, including the oil. We might use Davar interview. The description of Z but the man causes limited danger. I vow mate force until the Palestinians come nuclear arms... does not fit Sharon, and at one point Z that if I was just an Israeli civilian and I met crawling to us on all fours. • Even today I am willing to volunteer to himself refers to Sharon, Begin and a Palestinian I would burn him and I Source given: Rafael Eitan, Chief of Staff of do the dirty work for Israel, to kill as General Eitan. would make him suffer before killing him. the Israeli Defense Forces, in articles by many Arabs as necessary, to deport Summary: Quote from an anonymous With one hit I've killed 750 Palestinians (in Gad Becker, Yediot Ahronot April 13, 1983 them, to expel and burn them, to have character in book is falsely attributed to Rafah in1956). I wanted to encourage my and in New York Times, April 14, 1983 everyone hate us.... And I don't mind Ariel Sharon. soldiers by raping Arabic girls as the Investigation: The quote does not appear if after the job is done you put me in Palestinian woman is a slave for Jews, and in either article. While both sources dis- front of a Nuremberg Trial and then TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT we do whatever we want to her and cuss comments made by then-outgoing jail me for life. Hang me if you want, President Moshe Katsav nobody tells us what we shall do but we Chief of Staff Eitan, there is nothing as a war criminal... There is a huge gap between us (Jews) and tell others what they shall do. remotely resembling this quote. A wider • What you don't understand is that the our enemies - not just in ability but in Source given: Ariel Sharon in an inter- search of the New York Times archives dirty work of Zionism is not finished morality, culture, sanctity of life, and con-

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14 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 Join us in experiencing the great Italian tradition handed down and still very much alive today, a festive and joyous occasion of eating out. Your hosts Bob and Amy Tursi.

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november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 15 IJHS Fall Event Showcased Lasansky’s Art The Iowa Jewish Historical Society Annual evening's guests and speaker were wel- ed of a lecture by Phillip Fall Event included a Patron Dinner and comed by new IJHS President, Joyce Lasansky and the showing presentation by Phillip Lasansky, son of Swartz. The evening's presentation, The of the Emmy Award nomi- Iowa City artist Mauricio Lasansky. The Life and Art of Mauricio Lasansky, consist- nated film The Nazi Drawings. A description of his father’s life and art, the feeling behind it, and its eventual expression 7. through this film were mov- ingly described by Phillip all ages. Lasansky, co-creator and content advisor The Richard for the film. The Nazi Drawings were creat- Levitt Foundation ed by Mauricio in response to his profound purchased The disgust and outrage after viewing a US Nazi Drawings in 1. 2. Military documentary showing the victims 1969, and they and aftermath of Nazi atrocities. now reside at The 8. Mauricio worked intensively for six University of Iowa years to create the series, which consists of Museum of Art. thirty individual pieces and one triptych. They continue to travel to other museums The figures in the drawings are life-size every few years and occasionally can be and larger in dimension. seen on display in the Lasansky Gallery at Since their completion, The Nazi the Museum. The Drawings were just Drawings have been exhibited in many recently on exhibit at the Cedar Rapids prominent art museums, and have Museum. received widespread public attention. In The Nazi Drawings Documentary, 3. 4. 1967, The Nazi Drawings, along with shows released in April of 2000, was produced by by Louise Nevelson and Andrew Wyeth, Iowa City filmmaker Lane Wyrick, in collab- were the first exhibits installed at the new oration with Phillip Lasansky with grants Whitney Museum of American Art in New from the University of Iowa Foundation, York City. Richard & Jeanne S. Levitt, Marvin & Rose Lines wrapped around the block with Lee Pomerantz and Webster & Gloria people awaiting entrance to the exhibi- Gelman of Iowa City. For more information tion. Articles were published about The visit www.lasanskyart.com Nazi Drawings in Time and Look maga- 1. Toni and Tim Urban 2. Sylvia Wolff, zines as well as The New York Times and guest speaker Phillip Lasansky and IJHS the Wall Street Journal. The Nazi Drawings President Joyce Swartz 3. Patsy Tobis, continue to connect on a highly visual and Bud Hockenberg and Janice Rosenberg 5. 6. deeply emotional level with observers of 4. Stan Richards and Ben Swartz

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16 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 [next generation] THE TALENTED RACHEL BAILIN By Robin Bear On weekdays, Rachel Bailin can be found in classrooms at Valley High School, but outside school hours life is different for this talent- ed eighteen year old musician. On weekends and occasional week- nights Rachel can be found playing electric bass guitar with her band, Antigenre, in bars and venues around Des Moines. House of Bricks, Vaudeville Mews, churches and sports bars are a few of the spots you can hear Rachel’s music during hours when alcohol is not being served. “It’s basically my whole life right now”, says Rachel, describing her involvement in music. Her musical talents are diverse. Rachel plays piano, electric bass guitar and upright bass guitar. She currently is enrolled in two theories classes and a jazz class, and has background playing the trumpet. With all these activities, Rachel still finds time to squeeze in a couple practices with the band each week to prepare for upcom- ing gigs. About twelve years ago, Rachel and her family moved to Des Moines from Minneapolis. She lives in Urbandale with her parents and younger siblings, Sam, Adam and Leah. Her family belongs to Temple B’nai Jeshurun. Both sets of Rachel’s grandparents live in South Dakota so her family travels often for visits. Each year her father’s side of the family holds a family reunion. One of the most memorable reunions for Rachel was held in the beautiful Lost Coasts of Northern To our customers and friends California. Other travels for Rachel include two trips to Italy, once during her sopho- more year and another last summer when she spent ten days touring with the Valley We extend our best wishes for a High School Orchestra. Exposure to Italian culture and history made these two trips a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! favorite. She also hopes to visit Spain and Israel in the future. Cross country, Art Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, philosophy club, and creative writ- ing club are all activities Rachel participates in, as a senior, at Valley. She also enjoys entering creative writing pieces in essay contests. A part time job has been educational as well as financially rewarding. Rachel says she’s surprised how much she’s learned since beginning work six months ago at the Earl May Garden Center. She can identify many species of plants and determine how to treat them when they aren’t healthy. Reading is a passion for Rachel who finds time to read every day. She enjoys the work of Chuck Palahniuk and has read many of his popular books geared towards 2715 - 86th Street teenagers. She describes William Faulkner as a brilliant writer and mentions that his Urbandale, IA 50322 book, The Sound and the Fury, is one of her favorites. 515-727-4980 Rachel has begun her search for a college and is looking at schools in Chicago and New York to continue her studies in music Mazel Tov andB’nai writing. Mitzvah Spending time with Rachel Aviv Luban graduated from Ames high Adam Bailin school on May 21, 04. Aviv, his parents Son of Steven Bailin Pnina and Marshall, and siblings Dekel, and Audrey Porter, was Sarit and Barak are members of Tifereth called to the Torah as a Israel Synagogue in Des Moines and the Bar Mitzvah on Ames Jewish Congregation. In honor of Saturday, October 23, his graduation and 14 years of music 2004, at Temple B’nai making, including four years as a mem- Jeshurun. ber of the Iowa All-State Orchestra, Aviv Isaac Poole presented a graduation cello recital in Elise Poole is happy to Ames on May 28. Aviv will be attending announce the Bar Brandeis University in Boston in the fall Mitzvah of her son, as a Presidential Scholar. He is planning Isaac Poole, on to double major in Jewish Studies and October 29, 2004, at possibly history and minor in music. Aviv Temple B’nai Jeshurun. is also one of 34 Iowa high school gradu- ates awarded a National Merit Finalist Sam Bassman Scholarship. Sue & Ronald Bassman invite you to share in their happiness at the Bar Mitzvah of their son, In Memoriam Sam, on November 6, at We note with sorrow 10:00 a.m. at Temple the recent passing of B’nai Jeshurun. A Kiddush luncheon will follow. Dr. Harry B. Elmets Noah Steimel Dorothy Lederman Noah Steimel, son of Mildred Sherman Betsy Rubiner and Dirck Steimel, will celebrate Linda Weindruch his Bar Mitzvah at 4:30 p.m. on November 13, 2004, at Temple B'nai [wanted] Jeshurun. Bus Driver for Senior outings. Please Jordan Shrago contact Kady Russell, Senior Adult Jordan Shrago, son of Coordinator at the Federation at Nina & Steve Shrago, 515-277-6321. will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on November november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 17 bread, cheese, [view from Israel] wine & dining in the heart of the A Time to Reflect east village By former Areiva to Des Moines, Ayelet Kleinman Dear Friends! I can hardly believe that it is Fall and the high holy days are over. For me, the high holy days, other than the religious meaning they have, are a time to be with my family. I remember when I was a child, I used to dress up nicely, go to the synagogue and then we all came home for dinner – after all, it is a Jewish holiday. Unfortunately, since my grandmother passed away, the high holy days, for me, are different. My grandparents were the ones that made sure we would celebrate the holidays, sing the songs, go to synagogue – and it is kind of strange to do it without my grandmother. But actually, that is not what I wanted to share with you this time. There is something I had been meaning to do for a number of years now, and that is to document my grandparents’ histories. I wanted to tape their recollections so that we, the young generation and the ones after us, would have it to remember them by. There was a time when I could have tape-recorded each of my four grandparents; now I only have one left, my grandfather. I remember, whenever I was asked in Junior High school to write an essay about someone I admire, it was my grandfather I wrote about. Of course, the essays were lengthier as I matured, but the main idea stayed the same: I believed then, just as I believe now, that my grandfather is actually “a walking history” of the State of Israel. He served in the Israeli defense forces before it was officially an army; he helped people making Aliya to Israel even before the state was declared; his friends were important Israelis; he and my grandmother were pioneers [Chalutzim] and helped establish a few new places in Israel, and so much more. A few weeks ago, when he turned 80, I had a long conversation with him. We spoke about the past and the future of our family and that of The State of Israel. He told me he never even in his worst dreams imagined Israel would be in its “present situation.” He said his generation envisioned a totally different future for their land and for its people. After hearing these words, I now feel compelled to question my lunch: tues - sat grandfather even further, if for no other reason than to preserve for others a first-hand dinner: fri & sat account of a pioneer and the idealism of his generation. breakfast: sat So during the Succoth vacation in October, I plan to talk with my grandfather and record his life story. And I promise to tell you, in the next edition, what I learned from 407 east fifth street him about these broad historical issues. Till then. 515.243.9819

BASIL PROSPERI Shalom! Yours, Ayelet. Pop Icon, Leonard Cohen Turns By Mark Finkelstein Hard to believe, but has changed over the years (it wasn’t so one70 of music’s most popular icons, bal- great to begin with and is now deep and ladeer Leonard Cohen has turned 70. raspy – almost a whisper,) he still sings The romantic Bohemian of Montreal, better than William Shatner. And no, his whose bleak music with vivid (and some fans are not known as Cohanim. say, unparalleled) imagery has spanned An early compilation, Best of Leonard more than three decades, released a Cohen, contains his most popular songs new CD at the end of October. like “Suzanne,” “That’s No Way to Say Cohen grew up in Westmount, a mid- Goodbye,” and “Bird on a Wire.” More Best dle class suburb of Montreal and he of Leonard Cohen includes “Anthem,” includes information about his Jewish whose lyrics are excerpted below. upbringing and his neighborhood in his Cohen’s lyrics are generally unsuitable for 1963 novel, The Favorite Game, through children. Comprehensive information the persona of the main character, about Leonard Cohen may be found Breavman. Despite forays into Zen, online at www.leonardcohenfiles.com Cohen, who reportedly entertained the Anthem Israeli troops during the 1973 war, identi- The birds they sang fies as Jewish. To one questionnaire of at the break of day: Jewish identity, for example, he epigram- “Start again,” matically quotes a fragment of Psalm 137, I heard them say. “If I forget thee” when asked if he retains “Don't dwell on what his Jewish teaching. And he summarizes has passed away his upbringing as having internalized the or what is yet to be.” values of maintaining “just balances, just weights.” Another indicator is that one of You can add up the parts his most beautiful songs, “Who by Fire,” but you wont' have the sum plays off the structure and content of the You can strike up the march, GONG FU TEA famous text, “How many shall leave this there is no drum. world and how many shall be born into Every heart it…” from the Yom Kippur service. He to love will come RETHINK YOUR DRINK reprises a version of the Akedah in his but like a refugee. 414 EAST SIXTH STREET | 515 288 3388 composition, “The Story of Isaac.” Cohen first attracted attention as a Ring the bells that still can ring. MONDAY – SATURDAY, 7AM – 6PM poet while an English major at Montreal’s Forget your perfect offering. McGill University. In addition to two nov- There is a crack in everything. els, he now has 15 albums, the first of That's how the light gets in. which appeared in 1968. His music has That's how the light gets in. 118 LOOSE-LEAF TEAS | ACCESSORIES | PASTRIES | GIFTS been recorded by many artists, including Judy Collins. Although his vocal quality Excerpts from Leonard Cohen's song,

18 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 [chef du jour] Meet Dorice a department store in New London, As a volunteer at Goodwill, Dorice also residents of the Jewish Senior Life Center Dorice and Max moved there. Son, Jim, repaired and dressed used dolls for resale. and in the past has made dozens of Bassewitz was born before the move to New Tifereth Israel afghans for the Linus Society for ill chil- London and daughter, Barbara, was born activities were also part of Dorice’s life dren. At the age of 6 in 1929, afterwards. Jim’s death in 1966 was a where On the ship coming to the United Dorice immigrated to the profound loss for the family. she co-chaired Chanukah dinners and States, Dorice viewed her first film and United States with her In 1978, Max suffered a heart attack lunch groups for seniors. today is a true movie buff. She has mother, Leah Markman, and left the family business to again For 12 years Dorice could be found learned to play Mah Jongg and regularly and her older brother, practice law full time. Dorice became his at the Discovery Shop at Clocktower plays bridge. Her traveling has ceased from Vilna, Poland. legal secretary. Max passed away in Square as a volunteer for the Cancer but her activities certainly haven’t. Her father, Isadore 1987. Society. Max came from a family of nine Markman, had immigrat- Barbara ventured to school to Drake Although Dorice’s eyesight is failing, children and Dorice has always remained ed years before immediately after Dorice’s University in Des Moines where she met she continues to make afghans for the close to them. Cooking for large num- birth, to establish a new life for the family. her husband, David Her father settled in New London, Lettween. So, in 1989, Wisconsin, near relatives, and opened a Dorice moved to Des Food Processor Potato Latkes little grocery store. Leah’s family was in Moines to A recipe from Dorice Bassewitz Sheboygan, nearby, and so, at the age of be closer to Barbara and Pareve 6, Dorice with her mother and brother, enjoy her two grand- Harold Markman, was reunited with the sons, Joe, now 26 and 1 20 ounce bag of shredded hash browns, not frozen 1/4 teaspoon white pepper father she hadn’t known. He prepared Peter, 23. Joe now lives well for his family and they luxuriously in Minneapolis and 1/2 cup flour 4 eggs came to the States on cruise liner, Ile de Peter attends the 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 small onion France. University of Colorado Dorice was raised in New London in Colorado Springs. 1 teaspoon salt Oil for frying and in 1942, ventured off to the University Dorice’s life has of Wisconsin in Madison where she been filled with volun- majored in economics and minored in teer responsibilities, so In food processor pulse one small onion until finely chopped. Add all of the additional ingredients marketing. While she was at Wisconsin, when she moved to Des above, pulsing on and off but leaving the consistency lumpy. she returned home for the High Holidays Moines it was not a sur- Place oil in frying pan and drop a quantity of the potato batter in the oil the size of a pancake and fry where she met her husband to be, Max prise when Barbara until golden brown. When finished pat with paper towel. Bassewitz, in involved her in GIVS, Latkes may be topped with applesauce or for a dairy meal, sour cream. synagogue. Max was home on a visit Goodwill Industries from the service; he was from Sheboygan. Volunteer Services, The potato latkes can be easily frozen after frying by placing them in the freezer on cookie sheets until After their marriage in 1947, Max, where she narrated and frozen and then placing them in baggies. a practicing attorney, and Dorice lived produced fashion shows To reconstitute after freezing, place the latkes on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. in Sheboygan for 5 years, but in 1952, for any organization when Max went into a family business, willing to pay for them.

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20 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 Aviv Luban’s Essay on Holocaust Remembrance Accorded Prize

Aviv Luban of Ames was one of ten winners in the 2004 National Holocaust reunion of Holocaust survivors from (Davis). Cemeteries have been desecrat- Remembrance Project Essay Contest for high school students sponsored by Holland Latvia. During the week-long trip, we ed, and Jewish day schools have been and Knight Charitable Foundation. From some 3200 entries, ten winners were selected visited surviving remnants of Latvia's firebombed in France and Canada. Even and granted an all-expenses-paid 6-day trip to Washington D.C. that took place in once-vibrant Jewish communities: An in the US, a Holocaust museum in Terre mid-July. They were accompanied by the organizers as well as several Holocaust survi- old, empty synagogue, neglected ceme- Haute, Indiana was recently burned to vors and educators from across the country. The trip included visits to the United States teries, and the childhood home and the ground by arsonists. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other historic sites as well as many educational ses- school of my grandmother. We also visit- Many who remember the Holocaust sions. The trip ended with a banquet where General Wesley Clark was the invited ed ghetto and extermination sites. Some say that the last time Europe was so ripe speaker. of them had names which were vaguely with hatred towards Jews was 1938. In The trip was an unforgettable educational experience. The winners were also familiar to me: Rumbuli, Smerle, Aizpute. the halls of power, in academic circles, in awarded college scholarships. At these sites, some of the greatest crimes the media and on the street, "anti-Semi- Aviv is the son of Pnina and Marshall Luban of Ames. He is currently a Freshman in history were perpetrated in the name tism is alive and well" (Wiesel). at Brandeis University in Boston and he thoroughly enjoys the vibrant Jewish life this of Der Fuhrer and the Fatherland. With this resurgence of anti-Semi- university offers. The Luban family are members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Before my trip, I was never able to tism, and survivors dwindling in number, The website http://holocaust.hklaw.com includes full information about the fully comprehend the mind-numbing recalling the lessons of the Holocaust annual contest. To read the winning essays of the past 10 years, click “winning essays” events of the Holocaust and the harrow- could not be timelier. By telling the sto- ing experiences of my grandparents, sep- ries of survivors, by conveying the arated from me by oceans and decades. humanity of the victims, we can teach Remembrance: Our worst crime is indifference to the pain But my experiences in Latvia shattered young people the importance of toler- and suffering of others.' Misha and a this sense of distance. Returning with my ance and the dangers of hatred, and Obligation To The thousand more like Misha make it our grandmother to the sites of Latvian hopefully inculcate in them respect for Dead And The Living obligation and responsibility to not let Jewry's annihilation completely changed all people. Many efforts are currently By: Aviv Luban the world ever forget what was done to my understanding of the Holocaust. As underway to document the atrocities of "It was the closing days of World War II our people." powerful as this was, nothing during the the Holocaust. Yad Vashem, Israel's 1945. After being driven through death These haunting words were spoken trip moved me like the story of Misha and Holocaust memorial museum, is current- marches, we wound up in a camp called by Steven Springfield, a survivor and his simple message. To me, Misha's ly building a database of the names of all Guttendorf. People were dying left and President of Jewish Survivors of Latvia, at words, uttered on his deathbed, encap- the victims of the Holocaust (Martyrdom right from hunger. We were sleeping on the remains of Riga's Gogol Synagogue, sulate the Holocaust's greatest lessons: 8). Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has bags and lying on boards. And every which was burned to the ground (along Never grow callous to human suffering. collected hundreds of thousands of morning when we woke up, there would with several hundred Jews seeking ref- Tell the world what happened. hours of documentation and footage of be more dead bodies all around us. uge within) by the Nazis and their Latvian Remember. survivors describing their experiences. "A good friend of mine was sleeping collaborators in 1941. He was speaking Hitler's victims were robbed of their One Holocaust survivor from my next to me, his name was Misha. One to an audience of several dozen Latvian possessions and posterity, their dignity, grandmother's hometown of Liepaja night, he woke me... and said to me, `I Holocaust survivors, their children and their lives. The horrors of the Holocaust, produced a memorial book containing don't think I'm going to make it through grandchildren. I was among them. that tremendous human conflagration, information on all its Holocaust victims the night. Please, remember what they I visited Latvia with my grandmother, cannot be reversed. The events of the and survivors (Anders). did to us. Keep telling the world that the aunt and cousin in June, 2001 as part of a past are beyond our control. But it is up There is much that students and to us whether the memory of the victims young people can do along these lines. of the Final Solution will live or die. By As a fluent Hebrew speaker, I personally telling their stories, documenting their plan to translate my grandmother's the experiences, speaking their names, think- Holocaust memoirs into English, and add ing of them, and ultimately making them my own chapter as an epilogue, describ- • Casino Parties a part of our lives, we the living can ing the Latvia reunion. Such personal Perfect • Beach Parties ensure that they are not dealt a second projects, however modest, can help Bar/Bat Mitzvah death. ensure that memory endures. Showcase Entertainment is all you need for the • Inflatable Games While writing about her experiences Near the end of our Latvia trip, we perfect Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. We will • Gameshows in the camps, my grandmother made it a visited a place called Skedes, outside of work with you to create fun, interactive and • Emcee priority to mention as many names as Liepaja. Today, it is a large, idyllic field by engaging activities for all your guests. With a she could (Harpak). She explained that the sea, with rolling sand dunes mimick- vast array of props and games, and with perfect music to • DJ perhaps this was the only evidence that ing the nearby ocean waves. In 1941, match, we can create a fun, worry-free, • Karaoke these people ever existed. She also when the Einzatztruppen passed through safe and unforgettable party. • Specialty Acts attempted to include as much informa- Liepaja, all the city's Jewish women and tion about her experiences as possible, children, numbering in the several thou- Showcase Entertainment since the compelling desire to tell the sands (including my grandmother's your Midwest event planner specialists world about what she had endured is mother, grandmother, and younger sis- References available what empowered her, like so many other ter), were rounded up and shot in Skedes Charles Conrad, Owner/Operator 515-284-0660 • 888-417-2206 P.O. Box 4282 Holocaust survivors, with the will to live. in a day of frenzied killing, and buried in Des Moines, IA 50333 But remembrance has more than mass graves (Anders, Harpak). Those just symbolic value. By remembering, by sand-covered graves lay beneath our sharing the story of a survivor, one has feet. More than any place that we visited, the potential to touch people's hearts, at Skedes the awful past was readily pal- hopefully preventing such horrors from pable, within physical reach. Standing at Decorations for any simcha, ever happening again. the site of my family's extermination, I Following the war, the world was as close to my people's history as wedding bar/bat mitzvah or declared "Never Again" to xenophobia time and space could allow. s’eudot mitzvah. and anti-Semitism. Yet in just six decades, Before leaving Skedes, we recited it appears that many have forgotten that Kaddish, the ancient Jewish prayer promise. In what one commentator has of mourning. Through this small act We use balloons, fabric, lighting and described as "a half-life of tolerance" of remembrance, we declared to Misha special effects to make your occasion (Lauder), the outrage over the Nazi atroc- and the Six Million, we remember: Turning ordinary distinct and magical. ities, and the desire for tolerance that Never Again. events into ones of resulted, are waning in certain parts of BIBLIOGRAPHY magical distinction Located in West Des Moines the world. In recent years the world has Anders, Edward. Jews in Liepaia, Latvia. by appointment only. witnessed a disturbing increase in Burlingame, CA: Anders Press, 2001. call Amy Ratekin today! expressions of anti-Semitism, in the form Davis, Douglas. "The Jews Did It," of thinly veiled vitriol and hate speech, Jerusalem Post, Nov. 2003 and in some cases, open acts of violence. Harpak, Lena. Memoirs, 1986. Tel: 515.221.2322 www.littleelfevents.com Synagogues have been attacked in Lauder, Ronald S. "The Usual Suspects," Turkey and France, with deadly results NY Sun, Mar. 16, 2004. november/december 04 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 21 Iowa Jewish Historical Society In honor of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History American Jewish Historical Society: Chapters in American Jewish History The Kings of Copper The Hendricks family of New York helped and his brother-in-law Solomon Isaacs known as Old Ironsides, with copper advanced techniques of copper manufac- lay the foundation for the Industrial built one of the nation’s first successful probably supplied by Hendricks. These ture set a standard for American industrial Revolution in America. Their pioneering copper rolling mills in Soho, New Jersey. copper-clad ships helped the United innovation. His three sons and four production of copper was vital to the Historian Maxwell Whiteman observed States fight the British to a standstill in the grandsons succeeded him in the busi- growth of the American economy and the that Hendricks became "his own metallur- War of 1812. Hendricks made another ness. The last member of the family to nation’s military might. When the compa- gist at a time when contribution to operate the business was Harmon ny closed in 1938, Hendricks Brothers was the secrets of the the war effort by Washington Hendricks, who died in 1928. the oldest continuous privately held science of refining subscribing the Hendricks Brothers closed its last copper Jewish family business in the United metals were jeal- then-considerable mill in 1938. States. ously guarded by sum of $40,000 to Just as Harmon Hendricks was able to Uriah Hendricks, the patriarch of the the English." government build a business that his descendants family, was born in Amsterdam, Holland in Because of his skill, issued war bonds. maintained, he was able to continue a tra- 1737 and emigrated from London to New Hendricks made Robert dition of religious commitment that his York City in 1755. In New York, he opened possible the use of Fulton, credited father, Uriah, had bequeathed to him. a dry goods store and became an active copper rather than with inventing the Each of Harmon’s children found a spouse member, and eventually parnas, or presi- iron in the manu- steamship, was among the families at Shearith Israel. Son dent, of Shearith Israel, the Spanish and facture of steam another frequent Henry joined his father-in-law, Tobias I. Portuguese Synagogue. The congregation boilers, a develop- customer of Tobias, as an officer of one of the earliest served as the unifying institution of the ment that allowed Harmon Jewish charities, the Society for the New York Jewish community, which num- boilers to be heat- The Constitution, or “Old Ironsides”, Hendricks’s cop- Education of Poor Children and Relief of bered about 200 people. In 1764, ed to higher tem- which helped the US fight the British to per. In the spring Indigent Persons of the Jewish Persuasion, Hendricks established a metals business, peratures without a standstill in the War of 1812, was of 1807, Hendricks which was founded in 1827. In 1833, importing copper and brass from England, cracking. reinforced with copper provided by the supplied the cop- Henry joined his brother-in-law, Benjamin which discouraged manufacture of these One of Hendricks Brothers, the oldest continu- per used to build Nathan, as a founder of the Hebrew commodities in the American colonies. Hendricks’s most ous privately held Jewish family busi- the boiler for the Benevolent Society, which was modeled On his death, Uriah’s only son Harmon important copper Clermont, the first after a similar organization established in took over the metals importing company, customers was inland steam driv- Philadelphia by Rebecca Gratz. In 1852, as well as the family role in leading Shearith Paul Revere, the famous patriot and met- en packet boat in the world. The shipping Henry Hendricks and eight others founded Israel, where he too served as parnas from alsmith who lived in Boston and who of goods and passengers by Fulton’s Jews’ Hospital, now Mt. Sinai Hospital in 1824 to 1827. became a friend. The American Jewish steamships and their successors dominat- New York City, the oldest Jewish medical Recognizing that the United States Historical Society’s archives contain let- ed interstate travel and commerce until institution in the United States. could never attain true independence so ters between the two men. Another the invention of the railroad. Isaac Leeser, editor of The Occident, long as it was dependent on overseas pro- good customer was the fledgling United When Harmon Hendricks died in the leading American Jewish newspaper duction of essential products such as cop- States Navy. The Hendricks firm pro- 1838, he had helped transform American of the pre-Civil War era, was often critical per, Harmon Hendricks helped transform duced the copper used to sheath three industry. His advocacy of the use of cop- of what he considered the aloof and the United States from an importer to a Navy vessels in New York harbor at the per in shipbuilding made America a naval uncharitable attitudes of the Sephardic manufacturer of copper. In 1812, during same time that Revere was cladding a power. His technical knowledge, engi- "grandees." To quote Maxwell Whiteman, the American war with England, Hendricks fourth, the Constitution, now ironically neering skill and willingness to invest in however, Leeser "singled out the liberality of the Hendricks family as an exception.… Modesty and reserve continued to govern the family attitude in matters of philan- Become a Member of the Iowa Jewish Historical Society Help to Preserve Our Past thropy, and the practice of keeping such and help to preserve the history of the Jews of Iowa. Membership Levels: $36 Basic, $100 Patron, $500 Sponsor, $1000 activity from the public eye, begun by Benefactor, $5000 Lifetime Membership. Lifetime includes a case dedication in the Caspe Gallery. All memberships include a sub- Harmon Hendricks, was maintained by his scription to IJHS bi-annual newsletter - The CHAIowan filled with fascinating original articles and photographs of Iowa Jewish descendants." History. Send your check, payable to IJHS, to 910 Polk Boulevard, Des Moines IA 50312. For more information: (515) 277-6321 or In the same low-key and generous

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22 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04 Quote continued from page 15 The remains of Kobi Mandel and Yossi Ish- november/december Ran, who had played hooky from DAY DATE TIME EVENT school to explore a cave, were found on Saturday 11/06/04 10:00 AM Samuel Louis Bassman Bar Mitzvah at the Temple May 9, 2001. The Jerusalem Post clearly Sunday 11/07/04 Beth El Sisterhood Rummage Sale placed Katsav's words in that context: Sunday 11/07/04 11:00 AM Women's League Torah Fund Lunch at Tifereth • President Moshe Katsav said yester- Sunday 11/07/04 12:00 PM Senior Lunch at Beth El Jacob, Java Jews entertain day that Israel would never stoop to Tuesday 11/09/04 [10:00c AM Women’salendar] Study Group at Tifereth the Tuesday 11/09/04 4:30 PM Temple Executive Committee brutality the Palestinians displayed Tuesday 11/09/04 5:30 PM Temple Board Meeting in Thursday 11/11/04 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple the stoning to death of two Tekoa Saturday 11/13/04 4:30 PM Noah Steimel Bar Mitzvah at the Temple teenagers this week. Saturday 11/13/04 6:00 PM Movies and Midrash at Tifereth • "There is a huge gap between us Sunday 11/14/04 Beth El Sisterhood Rummage Sale and Sunday 11/14/04 10:00 AM Women's League Meeting at Tifereth our enemies - not just in ability but Wednesday 11/17/04 10:00 AM IJHS Board Meeting at Tifereth in morality, culture, sanctity of life, Thursday 11/18/04 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple and conscience," Katsav told report- Saturday 11/20/04 10:00 AM Jordan Tyler Shrago Bar Mitzvah at the Temple ers at Sunday 11/21/04 10:00 AM Tifereth Investment Club Meeting Beit Hanassi. Sunday 11/21/04 9:00 AM Bagels and Beliefs at Tifereth • "We would never stoop to the kind Monday 11/22/04 12:00 PM Tifereth Book Club Meeting of brutality inflicted on the victims Tuesday 11/23/04 10:00 AM Women’s Study Group at Tifereth in Tekoa and Ofra," he added. Tuesday 11/23/04 7:00 PM Tifereth Board of Trustees Meeting "They're our neighbors here, but it Thursday 11/25/04 THANKSGIVING - NO MELTON CLASSES seems as if at a distance of a few Thursday 12/02/04 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple hundred meters away, there are Saturday 12/04/04 10:00 AM Aaron Frederick Bar Mitzvah at the Temple people who don't belong to our Monday 12/06/04 6:00 PM Federation Executive Committee Meeting continent, to our world, but actually Wednesday 12/07/04 First candle is lit belong to a different galaxy." Thursday 12/09/04 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple • Katsav said Israel must change its Sunday 12/12/04 5:30 PM Sisterhood Hanukkah Dinner at Beth El approach to the Palestinians, but Monday 12/13/04 12:00 PM Tifereth Book Club stopped short of voicing exactly Tuesday 12/14/04 4:30 PM Temple Executive Committee what that new approach should be Tuesday 12/14/04 5:30 PM Temple Board Meeting -- although he appeared to imply Wednesday 12/15/04 10:00 AM IJHS Board Meeting at Tifereth that retaliation is at times necessary. Thursday 12/16/04 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple • "Force is no solution to anything," he Sunday 12/19/04 10:00 AM Tifereth Investment Club Meeting said, "but sometimes it's essential." Thursday 12/23/04 School Winter Recess - NO MELTON • Referring to the brutal murders of Thursday 01/06/05 7:00 PM Melton Classes at the Temple two young boys from Tekoa, Katsav said he is sure there are Palestinians and other Moslems who oppose ter- For more detailed calendar information click on to www.dmjfed.org

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Rose Epstein A Leader in the Fight Against Alzheimers By Mark Finkelstein

There is a charm and graciousness, apparent to anyone who carries on a conversation with Mrs. Rose Epstein, that is sim- ply captivating. Despite her age – she happens to be 93 – Mrs. Epstein remains articulate and vitally concerned about others. Her passions she shares with others. She loves the arts; her apartment is adorned by the works she has painted under the tutelage of her famed teacher in Des Moines, Dimitar Krustev. The paintings are outstanding. She reads the Des Moines Register daily and clips pertinent articles to discuss with friends. The day we visited, Mrs. Epstein had on display the Register’s article about the 350th anniver- What To Do For A sary of the Jewish community in America – this illustrating her deep and abiding Loved One At Jewish identity. She enjoys playing Mah Jongg twice a week with friends. And at the forefront of all else, Mrs. Epstein helps educate others on how to care for loved ones Home Who Has suffering with Alzheimers. Alzheimers Mrs. Epstein’s good and practical advice, printed below, comes hard won. Her By Rose Epstein beloved husband Joe, to whom Rose was married for • Keep lights on in your home so it fifty-five years, passed away twelve years ago after will look cheery all of the time. having degenerated from Alzheimers. And as we talk • Have locks put up high on the about how best to assist individuals afflicted with the door disease, Mrs. Epstein guides me around her apart- leading to the outside of your ment, showing me the specific accommodations she home so your loved one cannot made that protected and comforted Mr. Epstein, the walk outside. best that one could. Her additions to the apartment • Remove locks on all of the and to its environment make a lot of sense, and to bathroom doors. actually see how a house can be set up to contend with the realities of Alzheimers makes a deep impres- • Bathe loved one every day. sion. • Manicure nails and toe nails “I just love to take care of people, to help people,” often. she says. • Take them to the bathroom often. “Sixty-eight thousand people in Iowa are afflicted • Change their sleepwear often. with Alzheimers,” she comments. “So many families in • If a man, shave him often. If a small towns or on farms don’t know what to do for woman, wash her hair weekly. their loved ones.” Through the wide distribution of her • Serve dessert every day. basic list of things that may be done, Mrs. Epstein will • Read your loved one the comics surely have an impact. all the time. What has already made an impact has been the • Take your loved one to the dentist library of the Alzheimers Association, named for Mrs. to make sure their teeth are okay. Epstein’s late husband. The Joseph Epstein Memorial Library had been established at Lutheran Hospital and • Have radio music in the house. has now been transferred to the Association’s new • Take a walk every day. home at 1730 28th Street in West Des Moines. The • Make sure your loved one is library has room to sit and read materials and space wearing a wander band on their for families or professionals to view videos from the wrist with their name, address library in private. Its hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am – and phone number. 4:30 pm. • Go for a ride in the car. Mrs. Epstein would encourage members of the Jewish community to become actively involved in the Alzheimers Association and its mission to find a cure for this disabling disease and to help families contend with the realities of life under duress. The Alzheimers Association may be contacted at 440-2722, online at www.alz.org/greateriowa. Mrs. Rose (Tabach) Epstein was born in Waterloo, Iowa. She and her husband owned eleven Arnolds and Sterns ‘ready to wear’ fashion shops. Mrs. Epstein has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren (with another on the way). She notes with joy that her grandchildrenMrs. Epstein has call modeled her every a number week. ofHer her sister, paint Sheila- ings on famous pre-existing works. Several of her renditions are pictured at right.

24 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press november/december 04