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September 2020 September Elul 5780/Tishrei 5781 5780/Tishrei Elul 2 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice Up Close: Nathan Stevens This year’s winner of the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso’s Bernard and Florence Schoichet Leadership Award is Nathan Stevens. He comes from a family of leaders: his parents, Scott and Bonny Stevens, were honored in the November issue of The Jewish Voice “Up Close” feature for their Jewish community leadership and volunteer work. As is the tradition for this award, Nathan’s selection was announced at the Federation’s 2020 Annual Meeting – but there was nothing traditional about this year. Instead of accepting the award from a podium, Nathan spoke via Zoom from his living room, surrounded by his three sons – Jonathan, Mathew, and Jacob – and wife Letty, an active volunteer who helps Nathan carry out his ideas and plans. On September 19, the couple will celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary. Just as Nathan learned from his family, he and Letty have become role models for their boys about the importance of participating in their Jewish community. “Jonathan is already looking forward to MSTY (Temple Mount Sinai’s youth group) and hopes to make a difference in his community,” Nathan says. “And the other day, Jacob said ‘I miss Temple – I want to go!’” Nathan’s early years were spent in Bitburg, Germany, and El Paso as the Army took his father to both cities. In El Paso, he and his older brother, Joshua, grew up with six cousins, all grandchildren of Arthur and Rhoberta Leeser. A couple of years after graduating from Coronado High School, he began washing cars at his Uncle Oscar’s Hyundai car dealership. Nineteen years later, he still works for Oscar Leeser, but he has moved up to a managerial role in the dealer’s large used car department. Letty grew up Catholic but when it came time for the kids to go to Sunday School, they joined Temple Mount Sinai. The experience inspired them to get involved. “It was so different from when I grew up. I had good memories of Sunday School, with lots of activities,” he recalls. “So I went to the people at What do you value most in You recently won the Schoichet Temple and asked what can I do to be help out.” your friends? Young Leadership Award. He wanted to encourage connections that went beyond the building and he Being genuine. Someone who is Why did you decide to take on started a parents’ group to get together while their children were in class. In truly honest and comfortable with who leadership roles in the Jewish they are makes it more comfortable community? 2017, he volunteered at the Sunday School’s Chanukah festival fundraiser and in being who I am. It wasn’t so much a decision as 2018 and 2019, he got the Horeem parents group to take over the planning and What might we be surprised to much as a result of inspiration. There volunteering. learn about one of your interests was such a presence of involvement Hearing about fun sleepovers at Temple from the past, he reintroduced the or hobbies? around me from my peers, role models event. “We had 45 Jewish kids at the last one,” he says, “and we were glad to I really enjoy working with my and pillars of our community that it welcome people from other congregations,” he says. hands and making things with the boys. sparked me. I have (with help) made a bed, toy chest What would you say to He’s also started a family cooking class at Temple. “When families gather, and an outdoor kitchen. encourage others to get involved they’re usually around a plate of food,” he laughs. You like to camp or stay in with Jewish life in Greater El Temple Mount Sinai is putting Nathan’s energy to good use: he’s now the an RV with your family. What’s Paso? board’s vice president for programs. Among his program ideas was the popular the first place you’ll go when it’s I would tell someone that there is “Sip and Paint” series this summer with Rachel Eckman. “It’s easier to say let’s completely safe to travel again? something out there for you. No matter We can’t wait! Our family has how you choose to practice Judaism, meet somewhere, let’s do something, but now we have to hop on a computer to planned an extra-long road trip to see there are many varied and meaningful get together,” he says. “With the pandemic, we’re trying our best to stay involved Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone ways to participate. and active. We can do this – and we’ll work to keep people engaged.” Park for the first time. We should cover What’s the best thing about Cindy Graff Cohen approximately 2,700 miles through five being part of our Jewish Editor, The Jewish Voice states. We intend to camp, hike, fish community? and enjoy nature. Connection and community. We Describe your favorite Rosh all start with that one common thread, Hashanah memory. but when you start getting to know I always remember the family the people of our community you can dinners. Everyone came. It was like appreciate that such different people a Thanksgiving meal but you had to can come together. dress up.

Birthplace: Bitburg, Germany Wife: Letty Stevens Children: Jonathan, 13; Mathew, 11; Jacob, 6 Parents: Scott and Bonny Stevens Grandparents: Arthur and Rhoberta Leeser and Clyde and Molly Stevens

BETTER TOGETHER The Jewish Voice September 2020 | 3 News from the Top: Pacesetters learn online

The Jewish Federation of Greater law degree from Stanford, he came to year. Emergency response teams were El Paso honored the Pacesetters this JFNA last year from Hillel International deployed to El Paso and assisted victims summer, inviting these cornerstone where he served as president and CEO. and their families in crisis and grief Annual Campaign supporters to an Fingerhut shared the Federation counseling. exceptional online program in late July. system’s response to the pandemic. This work nationally and locally could Co-chairs Robin Furman and Wendy Collectively, the JFNA’s 146 Federations not be done without the support of the Lanski kicked off the event and introduced raised over $175 million in emergency Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso and two important leaders to share their views funds in the first three months of the crisis emphasizes the importance of our local from the top: Eric Fingerhut, the new to support the unprecedented needs of Federations. president of Jewish Federations of North our communities and Jewish communities “We were able to step up immediately America, and Dr. Richard Lange, Texas around the world. and lead the communal response because Tech University Health Sciences Center JFNA led we were already there, president and dean of the Paul L. Foster the effort to organized, supporting concluded the event from her home in School of Medicine. include non- our communities, year in Las Cruces and offered calming words In a wide-ranging discussion and profits in and year out.” Fingerhut of unity, purpose, and the power of the question-and-answer session facilitated by the federal described, “You can’t collective, especially in these uncertain Robert French, JFED executive director, CARES Act create community in the times. the event tackled issues surrounding which resulted middle of a crisis, but Dori Fenenbock the raging COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. in Paycheck rather you must build, Small Federations Chair, Fingerhut, who spoke from his home in Protection nurture and maintain Executive Committee of the JFNA , D.C., brought a combination Program community at all times. President, 2014-16, of perspectives. A former state loans/grants Eric Fingerhut That is why we do what Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso senator and U.S. Representative with a to synagogues, we do, and why we need JCCs, camps, schools and more, and we support.” organized national funders to create even Dr. Richard Lange joined the event more funding resources for our struggling from his office in El Paso to provide a de- institutions. They have convened all tailed report on COVID infection in El the key organizations of Jewish life into Paso. He discussed local statistics, treat- an Emergency Pandemic Coalition ment plans, and vaccine trials. “Texas that is working together on finding Tech University Health Sciences Center support, exchanging best practices, El Paso has partnered with our hospital and now providing reopening support. partners to provide state-of-the art in- JFNA purchased Personal Protective formation and treatment, in addition to Equipment for agencies that cannot get performing research,” he emphasized. it and supplied all manner of emergency Dr. Lange also stressed the importance of relief. getting a regular flu shot in the coming Humble Donut Co. created a special treat Fingerhut also reflected on JFNA’s months. for the online Pacesetters to enjoy while Dr. Richard Lange response to the El Paso shooting last Monica Kimball, JFED president, listening to the two speakers Todah Rabah to Our Volunteers Café Europa Speakers Gillian Baudo, Monika Kimball, Rabbi Bery Schmukler

Call Session Volunteers Stephanie Calvo, Loree Furman, Debra Kanof, Harriet Roth Borderland’s Café Europa On-Call Volunteers Haidi Appel, Michelle Blumenfeld, Aydyn Bush, Audrey Lavi, Noel Hollowell-Small, Camila Viana, Aaron Weislow 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Pacesetters Update Call-in and Lunch for Seniors 65+ Speakers: Eric Fingerhut and Dr. Richard Lange Chairs: Robin Furman and Wendy Lanski September 16 - J-Scouts Summer Programming Task Force and Volunteers “Sweet as Honey: The Inside Story of Chair: Heidi Granger Andrew Cabrera, Mindy Escobar-Leanse, Sandy Garza, Suzie Gibson, the Birds and the Bees” Sarah Heller-Peña, Noel Hollowell-Small, Jeanne Lipson, Riley Miner, Chenchie Schmukler, Nathan Stevens, Janet Wechter Emily Yehezkel, with beekeeper Bob Kimball Rabbi Ben Zeidman

Bob Kimball September 30 - A publication of the Jewish “Does Size Matter? Federation of Greater El Paso Exploring the Symbolism of Sukkot” with Rabbi Stephen Leon

The Jewish Voice of El Paso, published ten times a year, is dedicated to informing, educating, and Rabbi Steven Leon uniting the Jewish community by providing news items of local, national, Israeli and international Call-in: 346-248-7799 concern. Zoom: ID 818 9321 5592 The Jewish Voice will consider for publication any materials submitted that support the mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso and have relevance and appeal to the El Paso Jewish Password: 79912 community. Articles are subject to editing at the editor’s discretion and are subject to space RSVP by Monday before to have limitations. Letters cannot be longer than 150 words and articles must be kept to a maximum of a light lunch delivered to you 300 words. Please email to [email protected] Opinions are those of individual writers and not necessarily those of the Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso. The Jewish Voice is not responsible for the kashrut of any product or eating establishment advertised herein.

Executive Director: Robert French Cindy Graff Cohen Campaign Director: Sue Bendalin Editor: Beatriz Garcia President: Monika Kimball Layout and Design: Robert Piñon Office: 915-842-9554 Advertising Rep: Funded by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of El Paso 7110 North Mesa, El Paso, TX 79912 Printing: PDX Printing

915-842-9554 | www.jewishelpaso.org 4 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice Foundation: For everyone, from anyone

This year, foundations: the multiplier effect of time in our community in The Jewish Voice with my maiden name than without it. the Jewish and volume. who had established a fund, I called (I could share my “Handmaid’s Tale” Community That effect is why years ago I Robert French, Executive Director of name experience with author Margaret Foundation of established my own little fund to benefit both the Federation and the Foundation, Atwood, but that’s another story.) El Paso marks animals at the El Paso Community to see how it works. Sue Bendalin, Burton said he didn’t want any part its 18th year, Foundation. Today its interest is added Director of Philanthropy (who is so of this compound name thing. “If you an appropriate in with income from other local funds for much more than that to all of us), mailed say Burton and Cindy Graff Cohen,” milestone for animals. I have the reward of knowing me a two-page form to sign and include he would say, “it sounds like I’m a Graff an entity de- that, in a small way, I am helping more with my check. After Cliff Eisenberg, Cohen and I’m not.” Problem solved: signed to add dogs, cats and other creatures get fed, President of the Foundation, signed my name would go first when we had to life to the community it serves. Just as the healed, rescued, and protected. it, I had an official fund in the Jewish write something with both of our names. numbered letters in chai add up to “liv- This summer I decided it was chai – I Community Foundation of El Paso. This simple gift to Temple Mount ing,” the dollars in the Foundation add mean high – time to invest in something Donors get to pick their fund’s Sinai through the Jewish Community up to our community’s future. else close to my heart: our unique Jewish name and purpose. The income of the Foundation of El Paso is comforting to I know little to nothing about community. While I contribute to the Cindy Graff and Burton Cohen Fund me. I think Burton would approve of it investments, and do not care to learn. Yet Federation’s annual campaign, I wanted is designated for Temple Mount Sinai. and that is rewarding, as is knowing that I do know the power of Ben Franklin’s to leave a contribution that would last The name may sound cumbersome, in a small way I am helping the future of penny saved, patience, and people beyond one year. The answer was as close but it comes from a running joke with our Jewish community and my beloved pooling their resources for the common as our Jewish Community Foundation. Burton. synagogue. To life! good. That’s the beauty of community After reading an article about others I’ve always been more comfortable Cindy Graff Cohen Congrats to Scholarship Winners

We are pleased to announce Levine. He graduated from that the winners of the Silva Health Magnet School Beatrice L. Weisz Memorial and will be attending Texas Scholarship for 2020 are Emily Tech University. Zenner and Julian Cohen. The Beatrice L. Weisz Emily is the daughter Memorial Scholarship Fund of Elisa Kahn and the was established in July of granddaughter of Dr. Stuart 2001, it was the wish of Ms. and Frances Kahn. She Weisz that proceeds from the graduated from Coronado fund would be given to a needy High School and will be and worthy Jewish college attending Yale University in student to enable him or her the fall. to pursue his or her studies. Julian is the son of Debra Applications for the 2021 Bea and Alan Cohen and the Weisz Scholarship Fund will grandson of Ken and Sandra be announced in early 2021.

Every summer has a story “Every summer has a story”… was Hill School, Congregation B’nai over a course of a month. With 13 to swim when they molt their feathers the tagline that got me interested in Zion, J-Center for Early Learning, PJ badge options, including make your in the summer. We virtually visited J-Scouts. My kids’ summer camp was Library and Temple Mount Sinai – to own badge, kids got to pick five badges museums and checked out the first closed for the summer and I knew I provide an opportunity to motivate or more to complete three projects desktop calculator made out of wood had to think quickly of ideas to keep kids, like my own, in our community each. While there were Zoom class and compared it to calculators of today. them engaged. Fortunately, from to still participate in summer camp-like options, most badges could be done We also became a little more aware of July 12 to 31, the Jewish Federation activities. offline and open to each kid doing it the types of birds in our neighborhood of Greater El Paso (JFED) teamed J-Scouts provided the foundation in their own way. Once the five badges and using upcycled materials: every up with various local organizations with resources, the motivation and were completed, each kid got a $30 day became an adventure of new – Chabad Las Cruces, The Cherry outlet for exploring different subjects Barnes and Noble gift card, as well as a discoveries. tie dye kit and shirt. In the beginning we had no Completing the badges became a intention of completing all 13 badges, fun ongoing thing in my house. Using but my son, Derrick, age six, would beg the badge tracker, I was able to keep every day to do projects to complete Winner of the track and plan new projects. When I his badges. With my daughter, iPad raffle for was lost on what to do next, I could Evelynn, age two, it was a bit trickier completing the reach out to the JFED or look at the finding engaging projects, but she still Jewish Federation resource page to managed to get seven badges. Federation’s find inspiration. Through J-Scouts, we We are most proud of participating “Community studied both depths of the ocean - we in the El Paso Holocaust Museum’s Counts” learned that jellyfish have no brains, Tour de Tolerance as a family, heart or blood —and outer space. watching my son teach Shabbat songs Demographic NASA just launched its first solar to his younger sister and recording Survey: Lauren powered flight attempt on another Shabbat prayers to share with the Fenenbock! planet to arrive on Mars Spring 2021 community. This was all done through on The Perseverance Rover, and we the motivation of J-Scouts, volunteers, built a model of it out of marshmallows. teens and the leadership of JFED and Complete YOUR survey at We watched live animal cams at not allowing this unprecedented time https://jcommunitycounts.questionpro.com the aquarium/zoo, found out there to spoil our summertime fun. are African Penguins that don’t like Noel Hollowell Small

BETTER TOGETHER The Jewish Voice September 2020 | 5

915-842-9554 | www.jewishelpaso.org 6 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice 2020 Campaign Thank You to Our Donors List current as of August 20, 2020 Patron Anchor Sustainer Bob Shiloff Sylvia Wechter Louis and Laura Alpern Adam and Dana Frank** Felicia Rubin Robin Furman Randy Wechter Leader Leslie Beckoff Wendy Lanski David Schecter Jon and Arlene Sonnen Martha Eisenberg Cindy Metrikin Rose Schecter Janet Wechter Nancy Heydemann David Metrikin Stuart Schwartz Bob and Elaine Krasne Dannah Myers Sara Shiloff Sponsor Dan Blumenfeld Jay Gladstein Frances (Paquitta) Litt Jonny and Lory Rogers Dee Dee Spier Bill and Marcia Dahlberg Joyce Jaffee Sol Litt, V Adam Rosenfield and Lauren Jeffrey Spier Cliff Eisenberg Judi Keller David Mansfield Eisenberg Tony Furman Terren Klein Arvin Robinson Stuart and Nancy Shiloff Supporter Ira and Irene Batt Sam Ellowitz Ellen Gulbas Alan and Rebecca Krasne** Gary and Lisa Nadler Robert Beckoff Barbara Ettinger Jackie Gulbas Dick and Robin Krasne Robert Novick Sue Bendalin Robert French Paul Gulbas Nancy Laster Mitch and Cathy Glen Puschett Bill and Holli Berry Ross Fruithandler Jack Heydemann Eitan and Audrey Lavi Beverly Robinson Michelle Blumenfeld Mimi Gladstein Michael and Susan Jaffee Norma Levenson Dick and Jean Scherotter Ron Blumenfeld Howard Goldberg Fifi Heller Kaim Tom and Deborah Levy James Scherr Walter Chayes Mona Goldberg Debra Kanof Myer and Beth Lipson Dan Schuller Cindy Cohen Robert Goldfarb Carlos Kaplan Amy Marcus Bob and Jane Snow Louis Cohen Tom and Cyd Goldfarb David Kaplan Meyer and Mindy Marcus Jim Spier Bonnie Colton Eddie and Susie Goldman Sofia Kaplan Bob* and Susie May Bill and Anne Spier Eric and Clarisse Colvard Randy Goldstein and Karen Herman Jimmy and Judy Keller Stuart Meyers Gary and Judy Weiser Marc Ellman Bruce Gulbas Barry and Robin Kobren Keith Myers Partner Anonymous Cliff and Amy Gladstein Robert and Monika Kimball Gary and Allison Mann Nancy Rothschild Valerie Barnett Brett and Mel Goldberg Jody Klein Becky Myers Phil and Ann Rothstein Harold and Jennie Block Amy Goldfarb Marty Klein Robert Oppenheim Shari Schwartz Scott and Mandy Blumenfeld Sheldon Gopin Scott and Lynn Kobren David Paul Hy and Marilyn Silverstein William and Jennifer Ehrlich** Boris Kaim Irwin Kurland Bobby Perel Anne Spier Dick and Marlene Fass Barry and Tammy Karch Steve Lanski Robert and Laura Pinon Curtis and Jacque Spier Linda Fruithandler Alan and Cheryl Karp Bernie Lauterbach Mimi Pittle Marc Zuckerman Loree Furman David Kern Michael and Barbara Mandel Jerry Rosenbaum Fellow Anonymous Paul Feil and Karen Matthews Vladik Kreinovich and Olga Kosheleva Selma Ryave Jeff Aaronson Andy Feinberg Shaked Laks Tibor Schaechner Philip and Sally Alkon Asher and Jody Feinberg Yosef and Susan Lapid Sidney and Meralee Schlusseberg Dan and Simy Allan Jeremy and Kim Frank Adam Levine Lee Schwartz Missy Altus Ayala Alan and Lori Gaman Amanda Levine Walter (Buddy) Schwartz Jerry and Haid Appel Chris and Jennifer Giese Mark and Kyta Levit Manny and Elizabeth Schydlower Richard and Eileen Armour Rebecca Glaser Carl and Joyce Lieb Lolli Scott Tatiana Avila Leslie Glater Les and Cherryll Lieberman Jeff and Wendy Siegel Harry and Diane Bass Merton and Laura Goldman Shane and Jeanne Lipson Jerry and Ann Sigholz Sam and Gayle Belford Rachelle Gomolsky Arthur and Wendee Lorbeer Ed and Helene Solomon Arthur and Rebecca Berkson Erline Gordon W. Gordon Mahon Jr. Dan and Vanessa Sonnen Burt and Ann Berkson Norman and Cheryl Gordon Ron Marcus Miriam Spitz Domnitz Marvin and Carol Bernstein Sandy and Judy Grodin Moises and Dora Margolis Bill Stein and Susan Michaelson Michael and Carol Bernstein Deborah Hamlyn John and Bita Mobbs Sharon Stein Allen and Michele Blum Mary Hines John Moye Bill and Neva Stiller Bob and Edi Brannon Fred and Nina Hirsh Lee and Sandy Nadler Amit Toren Jeff and Cherri Brown Nat Holzer Dorene Naparstek Fred and Ellen Torres Ron and Pearie Bruder Ira and Becky Horowitz Rachelle Nedow Shain and Julie Vinikoff Steven and JoAnn Burman Julian Horwitz Irene Oppenheimer Scott and Mylena Walker Stephanie Calvo Mark and Patty Hutman David Pearlman Bob Warach Cesar and Blanca Carrasco Stuart and Frances Kahn Mark and Rosanne Peyton Jane Warach Bill and Jessica Carvajal Eddie and Rebecca Kallman Joyce Post Jeff and Cathy Weislow Cindy Graff Cohen Marc Kaplan Justin and Jessica Pretiger Dan and Ophra Leyser-Whalen Larry and Mara Cohn Rabbi Larry and Rhonda Karol Dennis and Anat Reiter Mike White Dee Cook Richard and Rosalie Kaufman Debby Robalin Frances Williams Damon and Janice Crossland Ellyce Kimmelman Mike Robalin Tina Wolfe Suzi Davidoff Sam and Lenore Kobren Noel Rosenbaum Moshe and Laura Yardeni Shari Ehrlich Joan Korn Adam Rosenfield and Lauren Eisenberg** Ruthie Erlich Ken Korn Charlotte Roth Hal and Linda Ettinger Lloyd Krapin Wendy Rothschild Friends Maria Almaraz Peggy Feinberg Donna Leffman Etta Mae Scherr Steve and Sheila Alper Randy and Loretta Fertel Marlene Levine Brian and Noel Small Mario Aranda and Gail Slater Chet Frame Clara Levy Sherry Smith Art August Norma Geller Jeff and Avis Lewis Nathan and Letty Stevens Gloria August Steve Geller Robert and Carla Libby Annette Stone Wendy Axelrod Doris Gluck Marilyn Littman Bob and Carol Teplitz Ho Baron Mendle Goldberg Frima Marquez Eddie Trevizo Frank and Dinny Bomberg Sydney Goltz Stan and Gerie Muchnikoff Robert Trevizo Julie Bondi Allen Green Donna Munch Joanne Turnbull Moshe and Ellyn Bork Richard and Leslie Grodin Ilisa Naparstek Jed and Melissa Untereker Lynette Brown Holly Hernandez Allen and Eve Palanker Esther Valenzuela Sylvia Cohen Elizabeth Hicks Helen Pearlmutter Shane Wagman Romero Rabbi Craig Elisa Kahn Jorge and Elena Perez Jordan Waltzer and Lindy Eisen Gloria Crohn Cyrille Kane Martin and Elissa* Poel Maurice and Viola Wiener Joyce Davioff Daniel and Linsey Kaplan Louann Pranses Jo Witkoff Rita Davis Stuart Kelter and Leora Zeitlin Jim and Marianne Panzini Rosenthal Jan Wolfe David and Cheryl Decker Bob and Judy Kirschner Ron Roth Charles and Carmen Yates Bert and Socorro Diamondstein Mary Kirshenbaum Marvin Rubin Erich Zameret John and Lourdes Eger Linda Kruger Ned Rubin and Francine Feinberg David and Lynn Zeemont Rose Lillian Falcon Erika LaCoste Rochelle Saks ** Supplemental Giving To make a difference in your Jewish Community and be included in the next list, please contact [email protected] * Of Blessed Memory

BETTER TOGETHER The Jewish Voice September 2020 | 7 JCEL welcomes Judaics teacher

Learning about Jewish holidays, apples and honey help us remember She holds three master’s degrees, and discuss how they can support the traditions and values is a focus for Judaic to bring in a sweet and healthy new including one in Jewish Educational instruction of values and holidays instruction this year at the J Center year. She will read stories from our Leadership, and lives in Salt Lake in their own classrooms. All of us at for Early Learning. Mindy Escobar- collection of PJ Library books to help City Utah where she is the Director The J look forward to an exciting year Leanse will be joining The J as a Judaic children understand the significance of Ethics and Cultures at the McGillis of experiences guided by these very specialist. Mindy has relocated to her of the holiday. The children will also School. talented people. hometown of El Paso after spending be playing a game where they are the Our teachers were able to spend a Meg Birks 13 years in City. She has a bees gathering honey to bring to our complete afternoon working virtually Head of School degree from the American Academy collective beehive (Dance of the Bees) with Liz to help them begin to think J Center for Early Learning of Dramatic Arts and a passion for and will make Shofars and learn about puppetry! other instruments that are made from One of the first holidays she will animals. teach about is Rosh Hashanah where We are working with nationally she will focus on setting goals, thinking known consultant Liz Paige to embed about positive actions, gratitude, and Jewish values and instruction about celebrations. She plans to share how holidays into our preschool curriculum. the symbols of

The Cherry Hill School opens its first academic year! The staff gathers outside the school to welcome the first class of first graders on an educational journey that “begins with a natural curiosity of the world around us and a desire to explore, discover, and create with imagination and play.” From left to right: Amanda Martin, office assistant and art teacher; Sandy Garza, head of school curriculum; Rachel Curtin, music teacher; Suzie Gibson, head of school administration; Austin Curtin, lead teacher - first grade; Mindy Leanse-science teacher, Judaics and Shabbat.

915-842-9554 | www.jewishelpaso.org 8 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice On the road with Isaac Bencomo month, he’s working at the Children’s the Border daily to attend Catholic On a medical level, Dr. Lanski Hospital in San Antonio. The rest of schools in El Paso. His father, an inspired him toward the work that the time he is on the border, helping agricultural engineer, and his mother, a he’s doing today, work that has led to protect people hoping to immigrate physician, wanted him to go to school to important learning opportunities. from the coronavirus. in El Paso, but as a Mexican national, Last fall he was one of four delegates He recently moved to San Isaac could not attend a public school. representing Mexico at the global Antonio to be closer to the GRM He went on to earn his B.S. in nursing British Council meetings in Cambridge clinic in Matamoros serving 2,600 at UTEP and his Master’s as a Nurse and London. They worked with asylum seekers. “We work hard to Practitioner specializing in pediatrics. members of Parliament on policy implement prevention strategies: His personal and professional life studies in health care. masks, handwashing, and six feet of took an important turn when he began His mentor also inspired him social distance,” he says. He also helps working at the Providence Hospital’s spiritually. Although his father was build mobile medical units, negotiate pediatric emergency room with Dr. Jewish, Isaac says he was not brought shipments of medical equipment Steven Lanski, a former board member up Jewish. He returned to his father’s across the border, faith as a result of his and conduct needs friendship with Dr. Lanski. assessments for “Meeting him led to my Mexico’s National first encounters to Jewish Institute of life,” he adds. Immigration. Those encounters led Isaac says he to getting to know more can relate to being Jewish people and studying a migrant. “My Judaism with Rabbi Most of us wonder how we can experience of it was, Stephen Leon. He joined help those less fortunate than we are I guess, from a place Temple Mount Sinai and during this devastating pandemic. of privilege,” reads a enjoyed being with Jewish Isaac Bencomo, a member of our quote from him in a peers in their 20s, 30s, and Jewish community and the Federation’s Newsweek article. “I 40s through ElPasoConnect ElPasoConnect group, is putting his can understand what get-togethers. Jewish values to work by helping an it is to immigrate, to While the community especially vulnerable population: want to immigrate misses him, Isaac’s job refugees stranded on our Border. to a country with brought him here in June to Isaac is a nurse practitioner who better opportunities. The children with the Jewish Federation and current work in Juarez – and he says he expects also works for GRM (Global Response we’re treating here could very well board president for The Cherry Hill to visit regularly: his sister Daphne at- Management), an NGO providing have been me.” School. “I have so much admiration for tends UTEP. emergency medical care in high- Journey to Judaism him,” Isaac says. “He was my mentor Cindy Graff Cohen risk, low-resource areas. Part of each Born in Juarez in 1993, Isaac crossed and like a second father to me.” Editor, The Jewish Voice

BETTER TOGETHER The Jewish Voice September 2020 | 9 We are never really alone This year situation some of us will relive all this from the Holy of Holies. It was at that point pray in our own mini-temple, we are as we prepare in our minds as we sit all alone thinking that the Jewish people knew the blessings empowered to appreciate that we are for High Hol- about the festivities of past years. But, of the coming year had been sealed for experiencing a high priest moment in idays, there perhaps a bit of perspective can empower good. This joy reverberated throughout the presence of G-d himself — focused, is a sense of us to make this year’s circumstances the land of Israel. It is so striking that it undistracted and connected. Certainly, sadness and meaningful and moving, and allow us was that single lonely moment in the this has the power to awaken an inner disappoint- to reclaim some of the inner joy that is Holy of Holies that provided that joyous sense of joy and appreciation for the gift connection and feeling of deep closeness of this relationship. Rabbi Bery Schmukler ment. Many available to us at this time. will be forced For that, I turn to the climactic moment to G-d. The Torah’s message is clear: We are to celebrate the holidays alone without of Yom Kippur. Back in Temple times, Perhaps as we are compelled this never truly alone as G-d is always with friends, family members or guests. This the high priest would spend a full week in year to celebrate the High Holidays in us. This Tishrai, as we pray, fast and then will mean going through the High Holi- preparation for his Yom Kippur service in a manner that is so similar to the lonely sit in a Sukkah, may an inner joy fill our days all alone in the quietness and stillness the holy temple and then spend the entire state of the high priest, we are also given hearts as we celebrate in our personal holy of their home. day of Yom Kippur itself together with the opportunity to feel that same joy and of holies in the presence of G-d. Enjoy the While it is certainly the right thing his fellow priests in song and prayer. But closeness he felt — not a joy from being moment - your heavenly guest will enjoy to do at this time, to help prevent the the pinnacle of Yom Kippur was when surrounded by friends and family, but an it as well. spread of the coronavirus, it is still hard he removed his golden ornaments and inner joy that emanates from the feeling This High Holiday season, Chabad to imagine such a service being joyous or entered the Holy of Holies. All alone, he of a deep bond and personal connection of Las Cruces will be holding short, moving in any meaningful way. stood dressed in his simple linen garments to G-d. inspirational outdoor services with masks For so many of us the month of Tishrei offering a silent prayer in a private The Midrash states: now that we no and social distancing. More info at www. is an annual highlight, full of inspiring moment with G-d. longer have the holy temple, our homes chabadlc.org services and dinners with family and The liturgy of Yom Kippur describes are like a miniature temple. Indeed, the Rabbi Bery Schmukler friends, plus an uplifting week enjoying the radiant and joyous glow emanating Holy of Holies was about the size of an Chabad of Las Cruces the Mitzvah of a Sukkah. In the current from the face of the high priest as he exited average dining room. This year as we How Covid changed us for the better T h e as families, communities, cities and While this type of social engagement anchored locally in ways we’ve rarely month of nations. Everyone belongs to a group is wonderful, it comes with its downside. experienced before. Being stuck at home Elul is the and that’s the way it has been since There is a tendency to see the “greener knowing that there is a local community final month the dawn of creation. There is another grass” in other places, become infrastructure we can depend on, of the year type of social outlet which has become disappointed and disenfranchised with emphasizes the need to “water our own and a time more available and popular fairly our hometown institutions and invest grass” first. to review our recently. Traveling around the world, charity money in long distant causes. As we enter the new year let us focus Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg books. But seeing exquisite sights and experiencing Torah teaches us that investing in on nurturing and growing our local unlike Decem- different cultures is a novelty of our local institutions takes precedence over community and may we merit a good, ber when we need to hire an accountant times. Today taking a vacation to far all else. healthy and sweet new year. Shana Tova! to review our financial books, Elul is a away exotic locations is no longer exotic, When COVID reached our shores Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg time for each individual to review his or and for many is a routine part of life. and everything changed, we all became Chabad Lubavitch her personal behavior books. We have twenty-nine days to review the past twelve months, and approximately six of these past months have been vastly different from anything we have experienced and our review is going to reflect that in a big way. The long months of social distancing, with limited opportunities to gather in synagogues to pray and celebrate together, have certainly taken their toll, but I have come to notice a silver lining in all of this. Maimonides writes that humanity is a social species. On a very basic level this describes the fact that society is set up in a way that one cannot survive without benefitting from the contributions of many others. We get bread from the baker, meat from the butcher and produce from the farmer. Medicine is administered by doctors, security is managed by the police force and highways and roads didn’t just get there on their own. Beyond that we are clustered together

915-842-9554 | www.jewishelpaso.org 10 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice Revolving wheel of life: How quickly it turns Rabbi Pedro, died and was succeeded by his This lesson is familiar to many of prayers and how to observe Sabbaths and Israel Ibn Al eleven-year-old brother, the situation of us. But this year I hope we can deepen holidays. Nakawa lived the Jews deteriorated rapidly. our appreciation of the Jewish response The wheel had turned, but Rabbi in Toledo, We, too, know how quickly this wheel by learning from Rabbi Israel Ibn Al Israel refused to yield to the chaos. He Spain, in the can turn. These past months, Covid19 Nakawa. What can Rabbi Israel teach us refused to conclude: “nothing matters.” 14th century. has challenged all of society and both our about living in such a world? On the edge Instead, he turned to the core values of his His favorite personal lives and our communal life have of the abyss, with the present unfavorable faith and he wrote a book to guide his own Rabbi Scott Rosenberg Talmudic been impacted. and the future uncertain, what did he do? and succeeding generations. phrase was: As the Hebrew month of Elul begins, He wrote a guide for Jewish living. In the midst of shevarim (brokenness) “There is a wheel that revolves in the we blow the shofar each morning as part The only surviving manuscript of that and teruah (alarm) he responded as does world” (B. Shabbat 151b). Sadly, Rabbi of our services. According to our tradition, book is at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. our shofar this season, with a tekiah Israel was familiar with the revolving the shofar blasts that we hear symbolize Rabbi Israel wrote about how to choose a gedolah, a resounding reassertion of wheel of human fortune. Earlier in the the revolving wheel of our life. The joyous mate and about marital responsibility. He value, order and hope. May this be our 14th century the Jews of his province tekiah is followed by shevarim (literally wrote of the importance of maintaining response to the turmoil of our world and were economically prosperous, culturally broken pieces) and then teruah the sound honesty in business and of keeping the the brokenness of our lives. creative, and relatively free to pursue their of alarm, a signal we are no longer at confidence of a friend. He wrote of Rabbi Scott Rosenberg faith with dignity. When the King, Don peace - joy yields to brokenness and alarm. morning and afternoon and evening Congregation Bnai Zion A different approach to High Holy Days this year The High particular year. And yet, here they come On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed, and on challenge us, but repentance, self- Holy Days regardless. Yom Kippur it is sealed - how many shall pass correction, brings us closer to a world of are an annual The words of Unetaneh Tokef ring away and how many shall be born, who shall live kindness, decency, and compassion. confronta- a little differently this year. Though, and who shall die, who in good time, and who by an Though we “come from dust and tion with our perhaps, they sound a bit more like they untimely death, who by water and who by fire, who return to dust,” and though we are “like a own mortality. did for generations past – generations who by sword and who by wild beast, who by famine passing shadow and a vanishing cloud” in Something we confronted death in physical proximity a and who by thirst, who by earthquake and who by the eyes of the Eternal One, those words Rabbi Ben Zeidman may hardly lot more often than do we: plague… But repentance, prayer and righteousness in the next paragraph of Unetaneh Tokef “need” this avert the severity of the decree. (Attributed to Rabbi are meant to reassure us. Who are we who Amnon of Mainz, 11th century). matter so much that the One whose vision is Eternal awaits our repentance?! Our YOUR AD HERE These words scare many of us into lives are more than just skating by from thinking that we hold on to life as if it were year to year, clinging to whatever scrap Advertise in The Jewish a thin thread, that we are less significant of health we have while drifting uncaring in the context of the cosmos than we through our days. Instead, we “number Voice and reach over may wish, that we are living small lives in our days” (Psalm 90:12), recognizing that a seemingly indifferent world. But these our lives are not weighed by length, but by 1,000 households words mean exactly the opposite. They how we live every moment. remind us that while the coming year may The New Year approaches, the Day bring good and bad, what we do in the of Atonement follows, and the Festival Contact Robert Pinon at meantime matters. of Sukkot comes quickly afterwards. This year of all years the Holy Days However long each of us may have in this 915-842-9554 or call to us. We have been confronting our world, the holidays remind us to consider [email protected] mortality and the High Holy Days make not “How will I die?” but “How will I us realize: We matter. What we do matters. live?” Who we are to one another matters. How Rabbi Ben Zeidman we behave matters. Our imperfections Temple Mount Sinai

TEXAS NEURODIAGNOSTIC, HEADACHE & SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER, P.A. BORIS KAIM, M.D. F.A.A.N., FAASM Board Certified in Neurology, Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine

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BETTER TOGETHER The Jewish Voice September 2020 | 11

Shofar Services On The Mountain Congregation B’nai Zion

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915-842-9554 | www.jewishelpaso.org 12 | September 2020 The Jewish Voice

Thanks to your support since we entered the “new normal” we…

TALKED with our Seniors Created (65+) in Borderland’s Café J-Scouts Adventures with our Europa for stimulating community partners for kids to programs and meal delivery have fun and earn badges

CONNECTED with ElPasoConnect CALLED (for those of us in our LEARNED o check in with every 20s/30s/40s) about CVD- ewish community member from Dr. Richard Lange, in our files HC President

UE with comedian Elon Gold OUT CEETE motherhood at our Mothers Day ea EJOE great music and sounds with Larry Lesser TOETE ocal teens and sraeli teens on oom

ET freuentl it DELIVERED leadersip from all of 72 books every our partner agencies month to our PJ PROVIDED Library children Referrals and services through the social worker we retained for our Jewish our community community informed regularly through email & The STRENGTHENED KEPT Jewish Voice Our minds and odies ORGANIZED it online oga and volunteers to shop for Pilates classes the homebound

MET ONLINE PROVIDED a sense of support and comfort with Eric Fingerhut, to our entire communit JFNA President WE WISH YOU A SWEET NEW YEAR o order your complimentary challah apple and honey sticks visit www.jewishelpaso.orgsweetnewyear. rder deadline Friday September .

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