2008 Campaign Challenge Elul/Tishri/Heshvan 5768 September/October 07 – t h E G r e a te r D E s M O i n e s $1,000,000 – 950,000 Jewish Press – Published as a Community Service by the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines online at jewishdesmoines.org • volume 24 number 1 900,000 Sukkot, the Jewish Festival Kever Avot Memorial – Services Sept 9 850,000 Rosh of Thanksgiving, On the Sunday prior to Rosh HaShanah, begins the evening of Wednesday, Sept 26 community members customarily visit the – graves of departed relatives. HaShanah Following on the heels of the High Holidays, the holiday of Sukkot Our congregational rabbis will con- 800,000 Begins on the evening represents a shift from somber reflection to joyous celebration, and duct a Kever Avot memorial service at – one community… of September 12 from introspection to an outward display of thanks for the earth’s Jewish Glendale Cemetery at 1:00 pm on …can accomplish communal mitzvot bounty. Unlike the High Holidays that precede it, Sukkot is a sea- Sunday, September 9. Preceding this, the sonal agricultural holiday and one of the three pilgrimage festivals. Temple will conduct the memorial service at 750,000 that an individual cannot do alone; According to the Torah, on this holiday we should “live in 12:30 pm at Woodland Cemetery. For more – booths (sukkot) seven days…in order that future generations may information, contact your congregation. …can help seniors live independently by supplying help, know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought 700,000 providing access to existing social service and medical programs them out of the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God” (Lev. Symbols of Sukkot, Art Classes At 23:42-43). These “booths,” therefore, are a visible symbol of God’s the lulav and etrog, The Caspe Terrace – and maintaining a helpful watch for health and well-being; beneficence, one that has its origins in the agricultural tradition. depicted in a mosaic We view Passover not only as a commemoration of the redemp- in an ancient Tiberian In October, The Caspe Terrace will again 650,000 …can loudly voice opposition to anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism; tion of the people from Egypt, but also as a time of planting. In a synagogue. host two Des Moines Art Center classes: similar manner we view Shavuot not only as the time of the giving Cynthia Shulman, owner of Kil’n Time – Engman Camp of the Torah, but also as the season of the first harvest. Like them, Sukkot is understood as Studio in Ames, will be teaching “The …can maintain and enhance our Jewish responsibility Hag Ha’asif--“the holiday of the ingathering” of the harvest. continued on page 19 Impressionists and Glass,” Oct. 9 – Nov. 13. 600,000 to educate both children and adults; Shalom - page 4 Des Moines Art Center Instructor Kathy Elder Statesman Shimon Peres Glenn will be teaching “Pastels” Oct. 11 – …can provide a Jewish lifeline to those facing poverty, – Nov. 15. Tuition is $73.00, or $58.00 for Federation members, for each of the classes. 550,000 hunger and hopelessness; Becomes President of Israel Don’t miss this opportunity! For more On June 13, 2007, the Knesset elected Shimon Peres to serve as the ninth information call the Federation at 515-277- – …can offer hope, dignity and services to thousands of people President of Israel. He was sworn into office on July 15. [The President is 6321 or go to www.jewishdesmoines.org. the Head of State and is apolitical, representing all sectors of the popula- 500,000 in Des Moines and Central Iowa, in our partnership city, tion. Israel’s Prime Minister serves as the head of the government. – ed.] IJHS Fall Event Acco, Israel, and in other places near and abroad; Shimon Peres was born in 1923 in Belorussia and immigrated with – his family in 1934. Oct 28 to Feature 450,000 …can continue our program to develop leaders for the Peres is a former Vice-President of the Socialist International; former Frank Perowsky David Adelman- chairman of the Labor Party and an architect of the 1994 Oslo Accords, for The Iowa Jewish Historical Society is happy – entire Jewish community; which he was awarded (with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat) the Nobel Peace Prize. to announce that our annual Fundraising on Israel: - page 12 He studied at the Ben Shemen Agricultural School, and was one of the founders of event this year will be Sunday, Oct. 28th at 400,000 …can fill the really big Tzedakah box that is Des Moines, Kibbutz Alumot in the Jordan Valley. He was politically active from the age of 16 and was The Caspe Terrace. Guest speaker will be elected Secretary of the Labor Youth Movement in 1943. Des Moines native, Frank Perowsky. Frank – with one million dollars… In Israel’s War of Independence (1947-48), Peres was responsible for arms purchases and graduated from Roosevelt High School, and recruitment, and in 1948 was appointed head of the naval services. In 1949, he headed the then headed to New York to the Julliard 350,000 As one community, these aspirations and many, many more can be Defense Ministry’s procurement delegation to the United States and while there studied at School of Music. An accomplished saxo- realized by people, like you, working together. It is you, alongside the New York School for Social Research and Harvard University. phone, clarinet and flute musician, he has – Peres was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Defense (1952-53), had a wonderful career in New York played your friends, who make this wonderful, vibrant Jewish-community and later Director-General (1953-59). He reorganized the Defense Ministry, initiated the many Broadway musicals, performed in 300,000 establishment of the Israeli Aircraft Industries and Israel’s nuclear project, and fostered the many jazz groups, and has traveled exten- – special relations with France. He was instrumental in planning the 1956 Sinai Campaign. sively with Liza Minnelli. He has now one community! Peres was a Member of Knesset from 1959-2007. He served as Deputy Minister of Defense formed a big jazz band, which features his The 2008 AnnuAl CampaigN (1959-65). In 1965 he left the Mapai Labor Party and was elected Secretary General of Rafi son, Ben, on the drums. Frank has many 250,000 Next Generation (the Israel Workers’ List), which later merged with Mapai to form the Israel Labor Party. interesting experiences to share with us, as – – chaired by Neil Salowitz and Judy Deutch Regina Zilbermints Peres became Minister of Immigrant Absorption in 1969, and later served as Minister well as entertaining us with his musical tal- - page 20 of Transport and Communications from 1970-74. In 1974 he was appointed Minister of ent. Be sure and save the date. Watch your The Jewish Federation offers a central coordinating body for the Jewish Community. Of all Information and later Minister of Defense from 1974-77. continued on page 19 mail and jewishdesmoines.org. 200,000 of the roles the Federation plays, none is more important than providing an opportunity for – you to care and join with others. Whether you are new in the community, or a familiar face, somewhere along the way the Federation will touch your life… We invite you to help build Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Non-Profit our Jewish community to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. Organization 150,000 [inside] 910 Polk Boulevard U.S. Postage Find out how to help by visiting www.jewishdesmoines.org. Make your tax-deductive gift Des Moines, IA 50312-2297 Paid Des Moines, IA – online by clicking “Ways to Give.” 2 Jewish Agency aids refugees Permit No. 2506 100,000 Address Service Requested 2 United Way Donors – August 15, 2007 – $53,430. 00 50,000 3 President’s Message – 9, 11, 12 Travelers reflect 0 Don’t forget, you can designate Jewish Family Services when you Chef du Jour: Harriet Feder donate to United Way 17

24 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 2-1 8/13/07 5:09:47 PM [special update] Motherland from page 13 Through the my conversations with these incredible people I am able to come to a few conclu- sions. First, the pride Israelis have for Sudanese Refugees in Israel Cared for by The Jewish Agency their country is nothing like I had ever The Jewish Agency is a beneficiary of your contri- Upon their arrival, the refugees were From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mulo and seen. Second, the need for America to butions to the All-in-One Campaign. briefed on what to do when they heard Robert teach the younger ones songs, play be in constant support of Israel’s right The Jewish Agency for Israel is tem- a siren warning them of an impending games and do arts and crafts activities. to exist is important now more than porarily housing 58 refugees from Sudan, Kassam rocket attack. “There is one young Some of the young teenagers made draw- [ ] ever. Third, Israelis my age are global, many of them from the Darfur area, at refugee, Steven, who speaks English and ings depicting Sudan and Israel with their calendar innovators, and optimists. With a secure the special request of the interprets for the group accompanying national flags. nation, these young adults will find their Prime Minister’s Office. into Sudanese Arabic. “It is beautiful to see the outpouring of way into leadership positions and con- Saurday, September 1 9:00 am talia Leman Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth The group, which crossed But for the most part we help from the people of Sderot and the sur- tinue to contribute their knowledge and into Israel through the speak with our hands and rounding communities,” says Soni. “They Thursday, September 6 12:00 Noon senior Lunch at the Temple talents in ways America – and others Sinai, arrived at the Jewish our hearts, and we all bring toys and blankets and games. These Saturday, September 8 9:00 am Jennifer Shulman Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth -- can benefit from, whether in the field

Agency’s Friedmann understand each other,” are people who are going through their own october Sunday, September 9 12:30 pm Kever Avot Memorial Service at Woodlawn of technology, agriculture or education. Student Village Ibim at says Soni. When the trying times and yet they can still reach out Finally, as an experienced traveler I can 1:00 pm Kever Avot Memorial Service at Glendale 1:00 a.m. Monday morn- warning siren sounded, to strangers in distress.” • say that Israel is a unique and most ing (June 11), where they are receiving hous- the staff helped the refugees run for shelter On Wednesday, doctors from the Thursday, September 13 ROSH HASHANA dynamic place. ing, food and medical care. as they were instructed. Doctors without Borders organization came Friday, September 14 6:00 pm high Holiday Services Under the Stars at the Each of the breathtaking sites I saw Refugees from Sudan who made their All of the refugees’ food and shelter to Ibim with medical students from Tel Aviv Art Center Sylvan Theater –the natural beauty of its geography, the way to Egypt recently crossed into Israel via needs are being provided for. In addition, University to check the refugees. “Everyone ruins, the monuments, and the innova- Sunday, September 16 9:00 am Jewish Federation Community School starts classes the Sinai border. A group of 58 refugees, the six staff members bought diapers and got a clean bill of health, including two preg- tive high-tech institutions -- has filled including 24 children, walked over 50 miles food for the babies, toiletries and towels, and nant women,” says Soni. Representatives Wednesday, September 19 JFCS Junior/Senior High classes start at Tifereth me with a sense of pride, both for the in the glaring sun to Beersheva. At the sweets for the children. “We are a student vil- from the Ministry of Health also gave the Saturday, September 22 Y yoM KIPPUR country of Israel and its being the Jewish request of the Prime Minister’s office, the lage, and luckily the new immigrant students babies standard inoculations. Monday, September 24 7:30 pm federation Board of Directors at The Caspe Terrace homeland. However, the reality I wit- Jewish Agency immediately gave temporary who live here are on vacation so we have Just as quickly as the refugees were taken nessed also creates within me a sense of Tuesday, September 25 5:00 pm iJSLC Board Meeting shelter to these refugees, many of them from room. But caring for families is very differ- in, the Jewish Agency began working with disappointment in the American media. Darfur, in its Friedmann Student Village ent than seeing to the needs of students,” the Israeli Committee for Darfur Refugees Thursday, September 27 S suKKOT On the whole, the American mainstream Ibim, near Sderot. They were greeted by explains Soni. on health, employment and legal issues. Friday, September 28 6:00 pm temple 75th Anniversary media does an awful job covering Israel. the Jewish Agency’s staff, who hurriedly Two new immigrant students studying Together they arranged for the 11 young Sunday, September 30 6:00 pm temple 75th Anniversary Dinner To use a colloquial phrase: they just don’t prepared the student apartments for them. at nearby Sapir College, Mulo from Ethiopia single men in the group to receive work get it. They don’t get the context and Thursday, October 4 S shMINI ATZERET “We mobilized quickly and have been and Robert from the former Soviet Union, permits. In a matter of hours they were given they can’t find the positive attributes that working around the clock to help these keep the children busy at the temporary work in agriculture. Friday, October 5 SIMCHAT TORAH Israel possesses. Before I left and after I people,” says Ibim Director Soni Singer. playroom that has been set up “These people want to work,” Saturday. October 6 10:00 am Joanne Brown Bat Mitzvah at the Temple returned, people asked me if I were afraid “This is a humanitarian gesture to in an empty classroom. “They says Soni. “It warms the heart 10:00 am Kelsey Dennis Bat Mitzvah in Ames of encountering terrorism by traveling people in distress that we are very proud are volunteering their time, to see how amazingly calm and to what they perceived as a Third World Thursday, October 11 12:00 Noon senior Lunch at Tifereth

of,” said Jewish Agency Chairman of the and their energy is amazing,” disciplined they are despite their september country. To get the point across, after my Executive Zeev Bielski, explaining the explains Soni. There are 24 situation. We feel privileged to Friday, October 12 6:00 pm gendler Weekend (scholar-in-residence) at Tifereth return, I would stress to people that not Agency’s role in providing the assistance. children under the age of 18. be able to help them.” Saturday, October 13 12:00 Noon tifereth Shabbat Café once did I feel my safety was in jeopardy. Saturday, October 13 12:00 Noon tifereth Shabbat Café hosted by Women’s League In response, I find myself telling people about the beauty of the landscape and 4:30 pm Amanda Zuckerman Bat Mitzvah at the Temple the people. After thinking about it, Jewish Family Services Sunday, October 14 Women’s League for Conservative Judaism at Tifereth I’ve come to a realization: I can sing the United Way Donors Monday, October 15 Women’s League for Conservative Judaism at Tifereth praises of Israel until I am blue in the Did you know that you can designate part 7:30 pm executive Committee Meeting at the Federation face, but people will not realize the gifts senior news Israel has until they see for themselves. Thursday, October 18 12:00 Noon Women’s Campaign event at DM Golf and Country Club or all of your United Way contribution to Wanting to get out more and socialize? Permit me to end with a quote by John Jewish Family Services? Needing assistance with transportation to senior luncheons, Saturday, October 20 10 am Zachary Schnoebelen Bar Mitzvah at the Temple F. Kennedy. “Israel was not created in doctor appointments, grocery store, and other appointments? Friday, October 26 6:00 pm Katie Sinkewjz Bat Mitzvah at the Temple order to disappear - Israel will endure Seeking information regarding services you need in the home? The money received through these designations helps the Sunday, October 28 5:00 pm iJHS Fall Event at The Caspe Terrace and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be Federation pay for... Saturday, November 3 10:00 am James Steadham Bar Mitzvah in Ames Give us a call at Jewish Family Services and a staff member or vol- broken by adversity nor demoralized by Jewish Family Services - Individuals, families, seniors and children unteer will assist you with these services. Please call Lois Brown, Transportation Coordi- Sunday, November 4 12:00 Noon tifereth Torah Fund Luncheon and Musical Program success. It carries the shield of democracy Senior Adult Programs - Senior Adult luncheons and case management nator, at 313-8902 or Pat Nawrocki, OASIS Project Services Manager, at 277-6321. Saturday, November 10 10:00 am nathan Buchsbaum Bar Mitzvah at the Temple and it honors the sword of freedom.” Resettlement Program - Case management and health services to immigrants Upcoming Jewish Family Life Education Outreach - Baby baskets, welcoming newcomers Luncheons: Volunteer Opportunities - Numerous volunteer projects for seniors Thursday, September 6, 12:00 Come see the difference between Noon, at Temple B’nai Jeshurun dressed and well-dressed... We are looking forward to having sto- Thank you ryteller Neil Salowitz entertain us with his delightful talent. It will be a fun and to all who have contributedthrough United enjoyable time!

Way. Please remember that your gift to Rabbi Beryl Padorr entertains the Thursday, October 11, 12:00 Jewish Family Services through United crowd at a recent senior luncheon Noon, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Way has to be re-designated each year. Enjoy a performance by Clickette the Clown, Debbie Cooper of the Iowa De- partment of Public Health. She will give you a few giggles, discuss scientific stud- Patronize our ies on the healing power of humor, and offer tips on incorporating more laughter Advertisers. into your life. Tell them you saw their ad in The senior picnic at The Caspe Terrace with the Camp Shalom Campers was the Jewish Press. a “heart warming, fun-filled event.” Seniors were entertained by the en- thusiastic campers with a program of outreach, activities and services [ To advertise in the Jewish Press, singing, dancing and games. for independent seniors call us at 277-6321! ] The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines is a beneficiary of United Way JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

2 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 23

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 2-3 8/13/07 5:09:52 PM Iowa Jewish Historical Society Message from the President the greater des moines Friends The Kinder Transport: As I write this, it’s July 29th. We’re deep in the “dog days” of summer; everything seems to have slowed down. When you read this, however, it’ll be the end of summer, and the High Holidays will be only days away. I’m looking forward to Jewish Esther Bergh’s Journey to England, Israel, and America cool evenings and “sweater weather.” I’m also looking forward to Rosh Hashanah, with its promise of new beginnings and That’s when I realized we were treated differ- left for England. The day came when the babysitter; instead of going to school. new possibilities, and Yom Kippur, with its solemnity, its call to tshuvah and its promise of forgiveness and redemption. ently.” Up until this point, Esther had been children were to board the Kinder trans- Accepting her duties but not wanting As summer slides into autumn and the pace of life quickens, I look forward to the new year...the new Jewish year. Press able to go to movies, the public swimming port. Esther didn’t realize that this would to upset her mother, who “always wanted My new year will be a little busier than in recent years. Many of you have offered me your congratulations on Published 6 times annually by the pool, and on walks without being scared. be the last time she would see her mother. ... [her] children to have a good education;” my becoming President of your Jewish Federation. My standard glib response is, “Don’t you mean condolences?” In Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Then the Hitler Youth Kids who were trained Although she was worried, she wanted her she hid those facts in their correspondence. Neil Salowitz truth, I’m proud to have been chosen to serve the Jewish Federation in Des Moines. I’m under no illusions; leading an under the auspices of the Jewish to hate Jews began throwing stones at the mother to feel she was doing the right thing Later, after her sister had been sent to President organization with so many “moving parts” is like herding cats. Being President of this institution has given me another Community Relations Committee Jewish people. “It was November of 1938,” she by sending her away. Esther never showed another family on the Kinder transport, full-time job. Nonetheless, I love this community and this Jewish Federation, and I look forward to continuing to work Advisory Committee recounts, “that Kristallnacht (the night of bro- her emotions. The last words Esther remem- Esther’s foster-parents decided to support with my fellow Jewish Federation Board members and staff. Our shared goal is to build on the work of those who have Heidi Moskowitz, Chair* ken glass) occurred. Jewish homes, businesses, bers hearing from her mother were, “We her brother to join the family. He arrived in come before us, and to create an even more vibrant and active Jewish community now and in the future. Gil Cranberg* and synagogues were destroyed. My uncles will see you soon.” England in early October, 1939. The applica- In future columns in the Jewish Press, I’m going to talk about the many things that the Jewish Federation does for Debbie Gitchell* came running into our apartment telling us Despite her anxiety, Esther looked tion for her mother to come to England as a the Greater Des Moines Jewish community. In doing so, I’ll introduce you to the superb volunteers who chair our Harlan Hockenberg* not to go out; I then became afraid.” at the Kinder transport as an adventure. domestic, so that she could get a visa to flee various committees, help to set policy and see to it that the programs and services offered by your Jewish Federation Sheldon Rabinowitz* The Lasters and many other Jews Accompanied by several of her good friends, from Germany, was sent too late. Esther’s run smoothly. I’ll also be talking about the Jewish Federation’s finances, so that you have a clearer picture of how your Mark S. Finkelstein,* Editor of Polish origin were put on a train she left Munich in early January. “We were mother and grandmother became victims Campaign contributions are used. Thomas Wolff, Art/Marketing Director taking them to a concentration camp stuffed into these small cabin trains that had a of the Nazis. While Herbert left to attend a This time, however, I want to talk about the most important person in this community…you. If it weren’t for - which they of strong sulfur smell. regular school, she became a student of the you—and for your 3,000 fellow Jews in Greater Des Moines—there would be no need for a Jewish Federation. This orga- *Editorial Board course did not “...as a child you don’t understand. On the train, kids Anna-Freud-Institute in London, and later nization exists to serve you and your family. In order to serve you better, however, we need to hear from you. Neil Salowitz, Esther Bergh (whose given name was Edith know at that were getting sick; on Teacher and Director of an institute Having listened carefully to people in our community, I THINK I know what’s important to most Jews in Des President, Jewish Federation Laster), beloved and respected preschool time - as the train You just try to lead as much of a there was that hor- called Born-Nurseries. Despite loving the Moines. We want our children to grow up knowing our glorious heritage. We want them to know what it means to pray JCRC Chair teacher to more than 1,000 of Des Moines’ suddenly stopped rific smell of vomit. work with children, Esther was not really as a Jew, to celebrate our holidays, to love the many beautiful rituals that bring us closer to our faith and our heritage. Jewish children, was born on June 7, 1924, and returned to carefree life as you can.” Although terrified satisfied with her life. We want to take care of our parents, our bubbes and zaydes, those who took care of us when we were young—and by Elaine Steinger, in Schwabisch Gmünd (Germany), where Munich. It was the of what may hap- In 1949 Esther immigrated to the extension all of our senior adults. We want to support Israel, which is both a source of pride and the fulfillment of the Executive Director, Jewish Federation she spent her early childhood. She, her last known train that was sent back. pen, and fearful that the SS could come onto newly created state of Israel where she first age-old promise of a Jewish homeland. We want Israel to remain strong and secure, to be a “light unto the nations.” The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press brother Herbert born in 1925, and her It was shortly after Kristallnacht that the train, Esther tried to stay positive. lived in a Kibbutz and then in Jerusalem. Your Jewish Federation transcends our religious “party lines” to support these essential activities. We are Reform, 910 Polk Blvd. Des Moines, IA 50312 sister Herta, born in 1930, were raised reli- Esther’s mother heard of the Kinder trans- It was a great relief for the children to She stayed there for six years, enjoying Conservative, Orthodox, Chabad or unaffiliated with any particular style of Judaism…but we are all Jews, and the Jewish 515-277-6321 [email protected] giously but not severely orthodox by their port (On November 16, 1938, the cabinet cross the border of the Netherlands, where the country, the people and life there very Federation speaks and acts for all of us. Opinions expressed in The Greater Jewish parents. under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain they did not feel like enemies anymore, but much. At her sister’s request she then trav- What about the other things, the small, day-to- Des Moines Jewish Press are not neces- All family members were later on con- determined the entry permit to an indefinite were welcomed and given food by Dutch eled to the United States, where Herta and day things that help us live Jewish lives in a decidedly About Neil Salowitz sarily those of the Jewish Federation of sidered to be Ostjuden (Eastern European number of Jewish children. The informal Organizations. two of her uncles had settled, planning to non-Jewish world? Your Jewish Federation main- Neil Salowitz became President of the Jewish Federation at Greater Des Moines, its committees, or Jews), which were the first the Nazis acted name of the open action, in which many After finally reaching Harwich on a soon return to Israel. However in Iowa, she tains an active schedule of concerts, lectures, holiday the Federation’s annual meeting in June, after having served its staff. Unsigned editorials express the against, as her father originally came from organizations were involved, was Kinder ferry, they were brought to summer camps met her husband, Warner - who also had “how-tos” (such as this year’s Passover Expo) the as President-Elect, co-chair of the All-in-One Campaign, opinion of the paper’s Editorial Board. Poland. After his death in 1934 the family transport.) The only conditions “imposed close to the sea where they had to wait until been born in Germany, but had spent his 92nd Street “Y” series and other events, all of which Treasurer, and Chair of the Planning and Budgeting Commit- Paid advertising by candidates for moved to Munich. There Esther and her by British government were the partici- they could journey on to their future homes. exile in Shanghai - and in the end stayed are open to the community. We’ve brought inter- tee. He succeeded Toni Urban as President. elective office is welcome but does not brother who had earlier attended a regular pants’ maximum age of sixteen years and As it was a very cold winter and the here with him. Recently the two celebrated nationally-known speakers and musicians to The Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Neil holds a BA in Psy- constitute endorsement by agencies school went to the Jewish school. a guarantee sum of fifty pounds per child.” camps were not built for winter weather, their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Caspe Terrace. Despite our best efforts, however, chology from Wesleyan University, an MA in Education from affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Though sometimes being called After being signed up for the transport Esther became so sick that she was unable Esther raised a family and continued many of these events have been sparsely attended. the University of Connecticut and his JD from New York Uni- Greater Des Moines. Hasslicher (Ugly) Jude by other children and by her mother, things went very quickly: to travel, and after weeks in the camp was working in early childhood education until I realize that Jewish Federation activities compete versity School of Law. He currently is Marketing Director for noticing the presence of the Sturmer (Anti- Before we departed, I received a packing one of the last children to leave. Esther was she retired. with many other options. We all have so much going We are always happy to receive articles Principal Global Investors’ Insurance Advisory Group. Semitic Newspapers posted on buildings) on list, which reminded me of a camp list. We brought to Manchester where she finally From the CHAIowan,Volume Nine, No. 2, on in our daily lives that adding even one more thing and contributions for consideration. their way to school, they experienced the first were only allowed to take one suitcase. My met her new family, a young couple with Spring 2007/5767 -Adapted by Krys Phillips can be difficult—even when that one more thing can He is a man of many interests including storytelling, motor- We reserve the right to edit submissions years in Munich as carefree and warm. Esther mother had two good dresses sewn for me. two little children. from original excerpts of the following piec- help us live our lives more Jewishly. I wonder, though, cycle riding, fly fishing and ballet. He has appeared onstage for space considerations and clarity. with Ballet Des Moines – this will be his sixth year in the role only began to realize that “something was Shortly before I departed to England, my “When I came to England of course I es: Teacher of One Thousand Des Moines whether the programming that your Jewish Federation Vol. 24 No. 1, September/October 2007 happening” when Jews little by little were for- family put on a brave face and went to take missed that most: Being together with the Jewish Children Memoir by Esther Bergh; Exile offers really meets your needs and interests. If it – as Herr Drosselmeyer in “The Nutcracker.” Neil is also a bidden to attend any of the public places and a family photograph, which shows us all family. That was the hardest actually.” Experience: Esther Bergh and Inge Sadan on the doesn’t, I want to know that, but be prepared to tell member of the Ballet Des Moines board of directors and a her family experienced a narrow escape from together for the last time. Esther was the As her foster-parents were very tradition- Kinder transport of Jewish children to England me what WOULD meet your needs and interests. If member of the advisory board for KFMG FM. a deportation to Poland in October 1938. first of the siblings to travel to England. al and devout Jews, she soon had to change by Amanda da Gloria, Verfasserin, German you have suggestions for programs, please let us know. Members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Neil and his wife “I attended public school until 1934 or “Many children were crying ... I remember her name from Edith to the Hebraic Esther, student, English Final, Pestalozzi-Gymnasium (My email address and telephone number are listed at Debra have two daughters. Debra owns Strategic Relocation 1935,” Esther remembers. “Then Jews were that I decided to put on a happy face.” which she has kept. In addition to that, she Munchen; Esther Bergh; Oral History Essay by the end of this column—or call the Jewish Federation Solutions, LLC, a business which helps executives moving to no longer allowed to go to public school. Esther recalls the moments before she was given the task of working as the family’s Elena Hermanson. office at 277-6321 and talk to our Executive Director, Des Moines learn about and become part of the community. Elaine Steinger.) continued on page 19 festive and formal Israeli Trio in Concert August 4 proclaimed Raoul invitations for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, November 12 Wallenberg Day in Iowa L’SHANA weddings, graduations and other A trio from Keshet Eilon, two violinists and a pianist will present a Governor Culver proclaimed August 4, 2007 as special occasions concert of classical music at The Caspe Terrace, 7:00 pm on Mon- Raoul Wallenberg Day in Iowa in commemo- day, November 12. The ensemble will be introduced by Maestro calligraphy services ration of the 95th anniversary of Wallenberg’s TOVAH! • Joseph Giunta, conductor of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. • professional assistance birth and in honor of his courageous humanitar- World renowned for its fine master violin program, Keshet Eilon ian efforts during WW II. extraordinary gifts for family and friends attracts young, advanced violinists to study with virtuoso violinist • baby boutique A Swedish national, Raoul Wallenberg, was as- BEST WISHES Shlomo Mintz. The program is housed in Keshet Eilon Kibbutz, signed in 1944, to a diplomatic post in Hungary • wedding accessories situated in the Des Moines/Israel Partnership region in Israel, the where he participated in one of the most suc- • shower gifts Western Galilee. The concert is sponsored by the Jewish Federa- cessful rescue efforts during the Holocaust. FOR A tion and the Israel Partnership, online at www.westerngalilee.org.il. By issuing many thousands of Swedish protective passes (passes Clocktower Square For additional information, contact Cathie at the Jewish Federation which had no value whatsoever according to international law), HAPPY 2900 University Avenue at 277-6321 x 224. establishing safe houses, and forging identity papers, Wallenberg West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 helped save thousands of Jews and numerous anti-Nazi resistors 515-223-6205 DM Holocaust Survivors condemned to certain death. His brave actions encouraged others NEW YEAR Booklet Now Online to save thousands more. The highly informative booklet about the Holocaust survivors of To learn more about Raoul Wallenberg, view information on the 5768 Des Moines, authored in 1995 by Adele Anolik for the Jewish web site of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Federation, is now available online on the Federation website home www.ushmm.org. FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS AND page, jewishdesmoines.org. The booklet, in .pdf format, can be STAFF OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION printed off, read online, or forwarded by e-mail to others. OF GREATER DES MOINES

22 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 3

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 22-23 8/13/07 5:12:29 PM [education] B’nai Mitzvah Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center Jewish Federation Community School Engman Camp Shalom Talia Zach In Search of the Elusive, and Oh So Leman Schnoebelen Important, Volunteer Welcome back! Religious school begins Sunday, September 16th. JFCS staff is excited to Saturday, September 1 Saturday, October 20 begin our 2007-2008 school year. During the year, our students make life-long friendships Stephen P. Blend, M.H.A. taining that connection, and whether or not and memories, learn about their culture and heritage. Tifereth Israel Temple B’Nai Jeshurun On Sunday, August 19, The Iowa Jewish they are fully aware of their importance to Again this year, elementary school is located in the school wing at Temple B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue Our family invites you to Senior Life Center had a luncheon to our Residents, our volunteers need to know (TBJ). Classes for Pre-K through 5th grade meet Sundays from 9am – noon. Third through Talia Leman and her join us in celebration as acknowledge those members of our that they make the everyday lives of our fifth grades will also meet on Wednesdays for Hebrew School from 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm. family invite you to join Zach is called to community who have found it within Residents so much more meaningful. Sixth graders have a different schedule. As a combined class, they will meet Wednesday them in ceremony and celebration as she the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, themselves to volunteer their time and ener- We are fully aware that times have evenings along with third through fifth grades. However, students who belong to the Temple is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah, October 20,2007, at 10:00 am at Temple gies to the Residents of The Life Center. changed, and that, due to the increasing will also meet Saturday mornings. Those who belong to Tifereth will meet Sunday mornings. Saturday, September 1, 2007, at 9:00 am B’Nai Jeshurun. A Kiddush Lucheon will Each of the volunteer honorees has person- demands of family and work, the pool of You should have received information from respective synagogues regarding weekend dates. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. A Kiddush be held immediately following the service. ally acted to preserve and strengthen the volunteers has shrunk. Nonetheless, we want Our elementary school staff includes: Pre-K – Cynthia Shulman, lead teacher, Janelle Luncheon will be served following the James connection between our Residents and the to ask that you consider joining our cadre of Jaskolka and Laurie Breniman, assistants; Kindergarten – David Copeland; First Grade Morning Service. Steadham broader community. volunteers and becoming a part of the ongo- – Juli Magolin; Second Grade – Leah Cole; Third Grade – Pat Johnson; Fourth Grade No matter how exceptional the care ing effort to create a sense of “home,” and Jennifer Saturday, November 3 – Adam Egherman; Fifth Grade – Rachele Hjelmaas, Hebrew – Wendy Beckerman and Ben Shulman provided to our Residents by our profession- belonging, for our Residents. Whether that Kaufmann. Besides their regular Hebrew assistance, on Wednesdays, Wendy will be teach- Ames Jewish al staff, there still exists in everyone a deep- involvement becomes part of your weekly rou- ing Hebrew for the sixth grade and Ben will be teaching Hebrew for the fourth grade. Saturday, September 8 Congregation seated need to maintain a connection with tine or is confined to participating in a single Our Jr/Sr High School program is located at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Classes begin Tifereth Israel James Steadham, life beyond The Life Center. To maintain celebration of one of the many events on our Wednesday, September 19. Dinner between 6:30 – 7:00 will be offered. Regular classes Synagogue son of Edward and an intimate connection with the life lived annual activity calendar, your presence, a run 7:00 pm through 8:30 pm. Staff includes: Jody Hramits, David Copeland, Rabbi David Please join us as we Shari Steadham, will be called to the Torah in a broader social context. A connection friendly smile and a sympathetic ear here can Kaufman, Rabbi Beryl Padorr and a variety of units taught by community members. celebrate Jennifer as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November with a life held so vividly in memory’s hoard. mean so much - to our Residents and to the We’re just starting and the High Holidays are here. Our students will learn fascinating Shulman becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Sat- 3, 2007, at 10:00 am at Ames Jewish Volunteers are an essential element in main- community of which we are all a part. information about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” Three Years and Counting… urday, September 8, at 9:00 am. Congregation and Yom Kippur is a thinking time, a period of reflection and review about the past year. As the summer wound down to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the three years that A Kiddush luncheon will be held immedi- Federation’s Picinc Marked End of a Sukkot and Simchat Torah also arrive during the same month. Students learn that I’ve been the Director of Engman Camp Shalom and draw a connection between the ately following Services hosted by Great Summer at The Caspe Terrace Sukkot is an autumn holiday and it is a reminder that God protected the Israelites while they number three in relationship to camp and Judaism. We learn in Pirkei Avot (the Ethics Dr. Marc and Cynthia Shulman. Share Your wandered in the Sinai Desert, living in temporary huts as they made their way from slavery of our Fathers) that “the world is sustained by three things: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut As the sun sets on another summer of Jami Schnoebelen, Beth Ohringer, and Kim in Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel. Our students will touch, smell and wave the Lulov Chasadim” (study, prayer, and acts of loving kindness.) These three pillars of Jewish life Kelsey Sarah Good News activities at The Caspe Terrace, we are Waltman, spent the summer planning activi- and Etrog during Sukkot. are intertwined and as this ancient text suggested, each of these elements is necessary for a Dennis A photo and/or announcement of gradu- reminded of the children’s voices excitedly ties for kids (and grown ups) of all ages. Simchat Torah is when we take out all of the Torah scrolls from the Ark and march with balanced and stable world. These values certainly reflect the character of the Des Moines Saturday, October 6, ations, anniversaries, births and awards cheering while exploring Israeli culture at The picnic’s purpose was to say good- them around the synagogue seven times. Each parade is called a “hakafah.” During each Jewish community and that of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, and together, can be submitted by Sept 24, for publica- Engman Camp Shalom, yelling with glee bye to camp counselors and camp friends, “hakafah” we pray, sing, dance and wave flags. On Simchat Torah, we read the last words the community and the Federation took steps to ensure that Camp Shalom will be built Ames Jewish tion in the November/December ‘07 in the bounce house at the Annual Picnic, to thank the host families, and to say hello and the first words of the Torah. For Jews, the Torah is a book that has no end. upon a strong foundation in order to reach amazing heights. Congregation edition. Send to: Jewish Press, 910 Polk and whispering scary tales at the Engman to a new school year at JFCS. However, it Registration material has already been mailed. If you did not receive your materials, As a camp director, I teach my staff that camp also rests on three things: safety, fun, and With the richness of Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312 or by e-mail Camp Shalom Sleepover. The summer also served as a greeting to new community please contact the office at 277-5566 to let us know. magical moments. Arranged in a pyramid, without the foundation of safety, no fun can take tradition and the to [email protected] picnic, a day of games, relays, a rockin’ members and as a kick-off for a great year Also, please check out the education section of the Jewish Federation’s website (jewish- place, and without fun at camp, campers will not reach the pinnacle of what we’re trying to promise of tomorrow, Kevin and Robyn bounce, crafts, brightly painted faces, and of art classes, song, dance, theater, story- desmoines.org). Our site has been updated and will continue to include newsletters, flyers achieve with them, the magical moments when they do something new for the first time, Dennis invite you to share this special wanted: the always popular Java Jews playing in the telling, and film, including a celebration to and materials relating to school and resources of interest. – Lyanna Grund, Principal learn something inspiring about themselves or their heritage, or make a new friend. moment as their daughter Kelsey Sarah Temple B’nai Jeshurun is seeking a full- heat, was a hit with attendees of all ages. commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Over the past three years Engman Camp Camp Shalom has made tremendous strides. becomes a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, time Executive Administrative Assistant. The committee, Krista Pearl, Wendy Adato, the state of Israel. We have seen a significant increase in enrollment, both in the number of campers who are October 6, 2007. Services are at 10:00 am Candidate must work well in a fast paced attending and also in the total number of weeks campers are registering for. We’ve built a at Ames Jewish Congregation. professional team environment, adapt to wonderful staff of young adults who return year after year, building on their previous experi- change, have the ability to manage work Camp Ramah Visits Iowa ences and modeling for the campers the natural progression from camper to counselor in priorities and meet strict deadlines using While in Des Moines, the group camped training to staff. The level of the Jewish and Israeli cultural programming has increased, time management and organizational out at The Caspe Terrace and spent time with Hebrew words and Jewish concepts a part of all aspects of camp. We’ve celebrated skills. The qualified individual will pro- with the counselors, students, and admin- our diverse population of campers, which includes families from each of Des Moines’ syna- In Memoriam vide direct administrative support to the istration from Engman Camp Shalom. gogues, non-affiliated families, and even non-Jewish families, not by sacrificing on Jewish executive director, the board of directors, The Ramahniks also visited Postville and educational opportunities, but by conducting our activities in a way that are inclusive. We’ve We note with sorrow the recent passing of Temple clergy, and other staff. Iowa City on their tour, which is part created a positive and supportive camp community where kids feel comfortable trying new Freda Jacobson Available: Immediately. Full Time of their camping program. For more things and parents feel their feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Fore more information contact In July, the Machon group of Camp Ramah about the camp, which is affiliated with William S. Joseph The completion of a third successful summer is significant. The first summer we did John Zieman, Executive Director in Wisconsin, with students entering the Conservative movement, see all that we could to establish a new model for camp. The second summer we worked hard Carrie Oppenheimer at 515-274-4679 10th grade, visited several sites in Iowa. ramahwisconsin.org to prove our initial success wasn’t a fluke. But, this last summer, it was natural for us to run a great camp. Now it’s clear the sky’s the limit, but the question is where do we want to go from here? That’s a question I pose to you. We would love to hear your ideas and sign you up to use your talents in order to determine our destination and to create a camp that not You deserve to keep your hard- /fresh/adj 1: is deter- only the Des Moines community can be proud of, but a camp that is renowned for excellence freshness: earned equity in your home nationally as well! –Josh Goldsmith mined from the time the fish is out of the water to the time it gets to your table...and nobody gets it there faster than Waterfront LuGene Isleman Seafood Market Restaurant • Wholesale • Licensed Real Estate Agent JFCS BOOK FAIR 515-229-2243 – Cell Choose from over 100 titles • Something for everyone! 3220 100th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 Sunday, November 11, 2007 Waterfront Seafood E-mail: [email protected] Temple B’nai Jeshurun Social Hall Market • Restaurant Website: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Wholesale dsm.nextgenerationrealty.com Join us for an exciting preview of new books as well as your old LuGene: favorites plus a selection of games, toys and CD’s. - Newcomer Agent of Orders will be taken at this time and will arrive before Chanukah. the Year in 2005 If you are unable to attend but would like an order form or information about our selection, please contact: - #2 Agent in 2006 Lyanna Grund, Director, JFCS at 277-5566 or [email protected] - $4,990 to sell any Clocktower Square priced home During the Book Fair, Anna Kushkova will lecture about “The Jewish Wedding in a Shtetl: 2900 University Avenue Guarding your Real Estate Equity A Case of Altered Tradition and Myths about Matzoh.” Anna has a Ph.D. in History West Des Moines, IA 50266 and works at the Petersburg Judaica Center / Ethnology Department for the European 515-223-5106 Your Success is My Success! University at St. Petersburg, Russia. She will speak at 10:00 am at the Temple.

4 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 21

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 4-5 8/13/07 5:10:54 PM [from our congregations] Project Elijah Judaic Resource Center Temple B’nai Jeshurun Outstanding High School Tishrei Schedule High Holiday Schedule Motzoei Shabbos September 8th Selichos Service SELICHOT: Saturday, September 8 Students Needed Slichos – 12:00 Midnight 9:00 p.m. Temple B’nai Jeshurun A Letter from Janice Rosenberg KEVER AVOT: Sunday, September 9 Wednesday September 12th Erev Rosh Hashanah Executive Director, 12:30 p.m. CONGREGATIONAL Kever Avot, Emmanuel Cemetery (in Woodland) Light candles - 7:12 pm Project Elijah Foundation Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm 1:00 p.m. COMMUNITY Kever Avot, Jewish Glendale Cemetery Thursday September 13th 1st Day Rosh Hashanah EREV ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES: Wednesday, September 12 Shacharis - 9:00am 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Blowing of the Shofar - 11:00am ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES: Thursday, Sept 13 Mincha - 6:00pm 8:30 a.m. TRADITIONAL SERVICE We are about to launch our Project Elijah Foundation kosher meal packets program. As Tashlich - 6:30pm 10:45 a.m. CHILDREN’S SERVICE you know, The Project Elijah Foundation seeks to help Jewish Children who are the victims Maariv – 8:00 pm 11:30 a.m. INFORMAL SERVICE of child abuse and poverty. Our current focus is a Jewish Care Center in Buenos Aires. Light Candles (from a pre-existing flame) – 8:10pm TASHLICH: Friday, September 14 Ieladeinu (Our Children) cares for about 250 abused and impoverished Jewish Children. Friday September 14th 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah 12:00 p.m. Gray’s Lake The latest Project Elijah Foundation program involves packing simple and highly nutritious Shacharis -9:00am KOL NIDRE SERVICES: Friday, September 21 kosher meals to send to the starving and hungry Jewish children and families in Buenos Blowing of the Shofar - 11:00am 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Aires, Argentina and eventually other cities. Mincha followed by Maariv – 7:00pm We have been working with the founders, scientists and volunteers from Kids Against Light Candles for Shabbos (from a pre-existing flame at) – 7:08pm YOM KIPPUR SERVICES: Saturday, Sept 22 8:30 a.m. TRADITIONAL SERVICE 10:45 a.m. CHILDREN’S SERVICE Hunger program who have developed a fortified, highly nutritious food package and eco- Shabbos September 15th Parshas Haazinu - Shabbos Shuvah 11:30 a.m. INFORMAL SERVICE nomical shipping methods. Here is how it works: volunteers gather in a production line Shacharis - 10:00am 2:00 p.m. MUSICAL INTERLUDE to assemble and package a dry mixture of rice, enriched soy, vitamin and flavoring, and Shiur - 6:00pm 3:15 p.m. TORAH & HEALING SERVICE dehydrated vegetables. The packages are then sealed and shipped to hungry people Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm 4:30 p.m. YIZKOR/NEILAH wherever they are needed. When the recipients receive their meals, all they need to do, is Sunday September 16th Fast of Gedaliah 6:00 p.m. BREAK THE FAST add water and cook 20 minutes over a heat source. The cost of a nutritious meal is under Shacharis - 9:00am 25 cents, and the highly fortified meals can bring starving people back to health over time. Fast ends 8:02pm Tifereth Israel Synagogue Many generous caring people of the Kids Against Hunger program are helping us in the Friday September 21st Erev Yom Kippur development of a kosher food package and our subsequent packaging program. I will tell High Holiday Schedule Light candles at 7:10pm you more about these incredible people in my next article. There is no way we could do Saturday, September 8 Joint Selichot Evening Services with Fast Begins 6:56pm this without them, and they are so very good to us. Temple B’nai Jeshurun Mincha followed by Kol Nidrei - 7:00pm Graduate student Greta Wednesday, September 12 Apples and Honey YAD Service at 6:00 pm Kallevang, Department Chair Shabbos September 22nd Yom Kippur Erev Rosh Hashanah Service at 8:00 pm Dr. Ruth MacDonald, and Shacharis – 10:00am Associate Professor Dr. Manju Yizkor - 12 Noon Thursday, September 13 Rosh Hashanah First Day Services at 9:00 am Reddy from Iowa State University Mincha followed by Neila – 5:30pm Alternative Services led by Laura Bernstein and Department of Food Science and Maariv followed by break the fast – 7:54pm Barb Hirsch-Giller Human Nutrition helped make Wednesday September 26th Erev Sukkos Friday, September 14 Rosh Hashanah Second Day Services at 9:00 am sure our Kosher food packet will Light candles – 6:47pm High Holidays Under the Stars at the Sylvan Theatre of be packed with nutrition. Mincha followed by Maariv 7:00pm the Art Center We have had the Kids Against Hunger/Project Elijah kosher food package evaluated by Thursday September 27th 1st Day Sukkos Sunday, September 16 Fast of Gedalliah the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Iowa State University to make it as Shaharis - 10:00am (Bring Lulov and Esrog) Friday, September 21 Kol Nidre healthful as possible. We are grateful to the team of Department Chair Dr. Ruth MacDonald, Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm Associate Professor Dr. Manju Reddy and Graduate student Greta Kallevang, for their work. Saturday, September 22 Yom Kippur and Yizkor Light candles after 7:45pm (from a pre-existing flame) Alternative Services led by Laura Bernstein and We will soon be ready to begin this program of packing and sending nutritious meals to Friday September 28th 2nd Day Sukkos Barb Hirsch-Giller hungry and starving Jewish children and their families. Shaharis - 10:00am (Bring Lulov and Esrog) Wednesday, September 26 Erev Sukkot If you know of talented high school students who would want to Mincha Maariv and Kabbolas Shabbos - 7:00pm work on a unique and vital volunteer project this year, I need some Light candles - 6:44pm (from a pre-existing flame) Thursday, September 27 Sukkot help scheduling groups to come assemble and package at our facil- Shabbos September 29th (1st Intermediate Day) Friday, September 28 Sukkot ity. The student needs to be organized and be able to work with Shacharis – 10:00am Wednesday, October 3 Hoshanah Rabbah people and groups. Imagine how great this could look on a college Shiur – 5:30pm application! Call me! Thursday, October 4 Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor Mincha followed by Maariv – 6:30pm Janice Friday, October 5 Simchat Torah Wednesday October 3rd Hoshana Rabba 1515 Linden Street, Suite 205, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-246-8001 Light candles - 6:36pm Mincha followed by Maariv – 6:30pm P.S. Have wonderful and meaningful holidays, and don’t forget to invite those fabulous Mazel Tov Drake students to your homes for a holiday meal. Thursday October 4th Shmini Atzeres Shacharis - 10:00am Births Yizkor – 11:30am Sarah Gitchell and Gary Dorfman have a new daughter, Lily Arin Dorfman, Mincha – 6:30pm born May 18, 2007 in Philadelphia. Lily has a proud sister Rose Danille. –Debbie and Bob Gitchell Maariv and Hakkofos - 7:30pm Dinner Dancing and Fun! capture lasting memories with Light candles after - 7:34pm (from a pre-existing flame) My son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Mara Yentis, had their second child, Ariella Dov Yentis, our third grandchild, on June 8th, 2007 in Manhattan, NY. a gift that lasts forever... Friday October 5th Simchat Torah –Tammy and Jonathan Yentis Shacharis - 10:00am HONOR YOUR GRANDPARENTS Kiddish and Hakkafos – 11:15am Carter Joshua Schwartz, born June 18, 2007 in Des Moines WEDDINGS Light candles - 6:33pm (from a pre-existing flame) - parents Aaron and Laura Lien Schwartz BIRTHDAYS Mincha – 6:30pm Isadora Madeleine Carr, born June 12, 2007 in Des Moines parents BIRTHS Maariv and Kabbolas Shabbos – 7:30pm Randi and Chris Carr BAR / BAT MITZVAHS Shabbos October 6th Parshas Beraishis –Proud Grandparents of both babies –Jill and Howard Musin CELEBRATE YOUR CHILDREN Shacharis – 10:00am Congratulations to Cyril and John Mandelbaum on the the birth of their grand- REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES Shiur -5:00pm daughter, Brooke Rachel, July 3rd in Scottsdale. The proud parents are “One person cannot plant a forest, Mincha - 6:30pm Chad and Dina Mandelbaum. Maariv – 7:30pm but a community can plant a forest one tree at a time.” Graduate Purchase a tree certificate – a gift that lasts forever. Jewish Federation Community School - 924 Polk Boulevard - Des Moines, IA 50312 Chaya Simpser, son of Sara and Rabbi Berel Simpser, has graduated from For $36, a tree certificate will be mailed to the recipient. Your $36 goes towards the Torah Academy of Milwaukee High School. purchase of trees, care and maintenance.

20 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 5

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 20-21 8/13/07 5:12:23 PM Sukkot from page 1 In Nehemiah 8, we find another tradition leader of the opposition in the Knesset. that in another column.) I’m asking for your Torah Talk The booths that characterize the holiday for the four species, including olive branches In July 1992, Peres was appointed time and your engagement. may originally have been temporary struc- instead of willow branches, as is specified in Minister of Foreign Affairs. You may have noticed as you read this A Season Of Renewal tures that people would have used while Leviticus. We are also told that the people On Nov. 5, 1995, following the assas- column that I’ve often written, “your Jewish by David Friedgood taking in the harvest. Exodus 23:16 explains would cover the booths with these plants. sination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Federation” instead of “the Federation”. this connection: “…and the feast of ingather- By the rabbinic period or even earlier, he assumed the positions of Acting Prime This is the way I intend to refer to the For most of us, life revolves around predictable routine. We are gov- ing at the end of the year, when you gather in however, it is clear that the waving of the Four Minister and Minister of Defense, until the organization in the future. It’s not just a erned by unseen powers of evolution which move us from birth to final- the results of your work from the field”-- it is a Species is a commandment that is separate general elections held in May 1996. federation, a coming together of individuals. ity, and over which we often have little control. Progress is typically holiday of great joy, on which we celebrate the from that of the construction of the sukkah. From 1996-99 he served as a member It’s a Jewish Federation, a joining of Jewish measured in small increments as one day invariably follows another. great bounty that God has given. The central- The lulav and etrog also became symbols of of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense individuals for the common Jewish good. “Man’s spirit has been greatly depressed by this sense of inescapable ity of this holiday is even more apparent in the land. This can be deduced from coins Committee. It’s also not just any Jewish Federation—it’s predestination” (Martin Buber). Too often our lives have a dull same- biblical texts such as Nehemia, Ezekiel, and I that have been found from the time of the Shimon Peres served as Minister of YOUR Jewish Federation. We are blessed ness, a lack of spiritual vitality. As men endowed with the spirit of God, Kings, where Sukkot is referred to simply as Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 CE), on which Regional Cooperation from July 1999 until with dedicated volunteers and a wonderful we know that we have the potential to accomplish great things. But, as men, we often fail Hehag-- “The Holiday.” pictures of the lulav and etrog were found. March ‘01. He served as Minister of Foreign staff. This small group cannot by itself do in imagination and lack the resolve to change the course of our lives. The holiday became known as a time to Today’s practice is to use the lulav and Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister from all of the large and small things necessary Jewish tradition anticipates our human shortcomings and once a year the High Holidays celebrate other great events; for example, etrog every day during the Hallel (psalms of March ‘01 until Oct. ‘02, when he resigned to maintain and develop our community. are set aside as a period of reflection and renewal. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Solomon’s Temple was consecrated on praise) and during the Hoshanot-- hymns from the government together with the They—we—need your help. we Jews are given an opportunity to examine our lives, reflect on where we have been, and Sukkot. Even Hanukkah, another re-dedica- recited every day of Sukkot as we circle the other Labor ministers. Peres served as Vice This organization can be a positive force plan a new direction of spirit. I have often wondered why our Synagogues, nearly empty tion of the Temple, was really a celebration synagogue, holding our lulav and etrog while Premier from January until November ‘05, in your life. Support your Jewish Federation much of the year, are packed full on the High Holidays. Jews who barely acknowledge their of Sukkot that was likely moved back due to singing the refrain hoshanah, “save us.” This when he resigned from the government by participating with your fellow Jews in our heritage most of the year find an annual pilgrimage necessary. Perhaps they are governed the political situation during the Sukkot’s is based on similar processions that took place together with the other Labor ministers. work on behalf of the community. Volunteer by tradition, or that famous Jewish guilt (often parentally endowed). But, I think most of us normal season. when the Temple was still standing. The lulav Prior to the elections to the 17th Knesset, a little of your time to work on a committee. are truly searching for something different - a spiritual uplift. We are not satisfied with the The booths, sukkot, which have lent has continued to be a poignant physical sym- Peres left the Labor Party to join the newly Attend Jewish Federation-sponsored events at course of our lives and are searching for a sense of wonder. We want to recapture the spirit their name to the holiday, have a somewhat bol following the period of intense spiritual founded Kadima. He served as Vice Premier, The Caspe Terrace and elsewhere. Join with of our youth when all things are possible. Somewhere in our Jewish soul is the thought that hazy origin. According to the verse quoted reflection during the High Holidays. Minister for the Development of the Negev us in this new Jewish year to help our Jewish Shul (synagogue) may be the place to find true meaning in a complex world. above from Leviticus 23, we are to dwell in Hoshanah Rabbah, the “Great and Galillee May ‘06 - June ‘07. community thrive, grow and prosper. Rosh Hashanah (literally the head of the year) does not fall on the first day of the these booths because our ancestors lived Hoshanah” at the end of the holiday, on Peres has published books in Hebrew, Debra, Shoshana, Rachel and I wish each Jewish calendar. It is the first day of the 7th month (Tishrei). We are commanded: “In the in booths when God brought them out of which people beat the willows, also repre- French and English on many subjects. In and all of you a Shana Tovah Tikateivu. seventh month, on the first day of the month you shall observe a sacred occasion: you shall Egypt. This is, however, the only reference sents the ultimate end to the period of tes- October 1997 he created the Peres Center –Neil Salowitz not work at your occupations. You shall observe it as a day when the horn is sounded.” we have relating the Exodus narrative to huvah (repentance), at which point the very for Peace with the aim of advancing Arab- [email protected] (515) 491-0515 (Numbers 29:1) The horn, or Shofar, is traditionally fashioned from the horn of a ram. Its these temporary dwellings, leading scholars last decrees are issued from heaven. The Israeli joint ventures. He is married, and Poland from page 11 use recalls the piety of our forefathers as Abraham was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, to speculate that the holiday’s connection to custom of beating the willows has its origins has three children, eight grandchildren and There was a group of about seven of us his son Isaac, to his God. (A ram, caught by its horns in brush, was sacrificed to the Lord the Exodus developed rather late. in Temple ritual, where people would beat two great-grandchildren. that went to visit what was left of the death in appreciation after Isaac was saved from death by God’s Angel.) The blasts of the Shofar In rabbinic literature, much attention is the willows on the floor near the altar in a Source: State of Israel Foreign Ministry, online camp Sobibor. This camp is set back in the (Tikeah, Shevarim, Teruah) stir deep feelings in the Jewish heart. Moses used horns to rally given to these temporary dwellings. Extensive symbolic destruction of sins. at www.mfa.gov.il woods; it was a very scary trip, I can only the people for battle, to lead them through the Sinai wilderness, and to announce festivals. discussion on the nature and construction When the Temple was still standing, President from page 3 imagine how it was when you had no idea For thousands of years our ancestors have gathered together to hear the stirring blasts of the of a proper sukkah has helped shape Sukkot there was a water libation that was performed As we approach the High Holidays, I where you were going. On the way back to Shofar. Its sound arouses our placid spirit, inspiring us to partner with God in fashioning into the holiday it has now become, which is only on Sukkot. It became a joyous celebra- challenge you to do two things. First, make Krakow from Lublin we stopped and visited the new world that is coming. Rosh Hashanah is also called Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance very much centered on the construction, dec- tion known as Simhat Bet Hashoevah, at a “New Year’s resolution” to do one Jewish the memorial at Belzec. Day). On this day we are remembered by our creator and our lives are examined. But, we oration, and meaning of the impermanent which festive performances took place. Today, thing each day. It might be as simple as say- Throughout my stay we also visited do not present ourselves as petitioners begging for our lives. Rather our service is one of structures we are told to make our homes for some use this as a time to hold a party, or have ing the Shema when you wake up. It might other places important to Jewish and self examination and self criticism. Our resolve is to find the means to live a better life, to one week of the year. performances in their sukkot. be remembering to make a Motzi over your Holocaust history including Oskar renew ourselves spiritually and to change the direction of our existence. It has been said that Another well-known Sukkot tradition Courtesy of MyJewishLearning.com food before you eat it, thus transforming the Schindler’s Factory, the Krakow “Jews inscribe themselves in the Book of Life” (Louis Jacobs). The perfection of our world is that of the four species (arba’ah minim), Perez from page 1 most mundane of activities into something Jewish Cemetery, the Krakow (Tikkun Olam) is dependent on each individual perfecting himself. Finally, it is not words also known as the lulav and etrog. “On Highlights of his tenure as Defense Minister holy. It might be lighting Shabbat candles Ghetto and Plaszow (labor camp), and ritual which results in our salvation, rather it is our actions. True meaning in life is a the first day you shall take the product of were the signing of the Interim Agreement and taking time to prepare a beautiful meal and the Warsaw Ghetto and the reflection of our deeds and accomplishments. On the High Holidays Jews search for the hadar trees (traditionally identified as the with Egypt 1975, the Entebbe rescue opera- with your family. You might want to read a Umschlagplatz. We also visited many secu- means to greater spiritual presence as Rabbi Yose taught 2000 years ago: “…let all your deeds etrog/citron tree), branches of palm trees, tion 1976, and the opening of the Good book with a Jewish theme, add some Jewish lar places such as the Tatra Mountains, the be for Heaven’s sake.” (Pirke Avot 2:17) boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the Fence on Israel’s border with Lebanon. art to your collection or listen to Jewish resort town of Gdansk, and Westerplatte, –Leshana Tova Tikatevu (May you be inscribed for a good year.) brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord In 1977, Peres was elected chairman of music. How about learning Hebrew or the place where the first shots of WWII your God seven days” (Leviticus 23:40). the Labor Alignment. In 1984, a National Yiddish? (If there’s sufficient interest, the were fired. “For behold! I am creating Certainly these gathered species must be Unity Government was formed, and Peres Jewish Federation can organize adult educa- This trip was the most important thing A new heaven and a new earth; a symbol of the agricultural aspect of the served first as Prime Minister (1984-86), tion Hebrew and Yiddish language classes.) that I have done in my life. In addition to holiday--emphasizing four different types of and then as Vice Premier and Minister of Whatever YOU chose to do, make a little helping me gain a stronger sense of religion, The former things shall not be remembered, growing things. Foreign Affairs (1986-88). During his term room each day to be more than a parent, a I also have grown as a person and changed They shall never come to mind. Indeed, these four species are ones as Prime Minister, Israel withdrew from child, a worker, a business-owner---make a in many positive ways. I look forward to the Be glad, then, and rejoice forever that specifically grow in Israel, which makes Lebanon (1985) and an economic stabiliza- little room each day to be a Jew. next time I can visit Poland. In what I am creating. Sukkot a natural tie-in to the land, its agricul- tion plan was implemented. Second, support your Jewish Federation. Shaynna Grund, a student at the University tural rhythms, and by rights, a fitting time to In the following National Unity Don’t turn the page; I’m not asking for of Northern Iowa, was bat mitzvah at Temple For I shall create Jerusalem as a joy, celebrate national events that also celebrate Government 1988-90, Peres was Vice Premier money. (We’re already planning the 2008 B’nai Jeshurun. Her parents are Lyanna and And her people as a delight…” (Isaiah 62:17-18) the land, such as the Temple’s dedication. and Minister of Finance. In 1990-92, he was All-In-One Campaign, but I’ll talk about Bill Grund.

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sept oct 07 printersp.indd 6-7 8/13/07 5:10:59 PM [commentary] Cyril Mandelbaum Honored Des Moines Jewish Foundation Congratulations to and two daughters-in-law, Chad (Dina), Sean A Father’s Thoughts by Dan Sloven Cyril Mandelbaum, (Yuki), and Justin and three grandchildren. There comes a time during bar mitzvah ceremo- You know yourself that it is not easy to learn who has been selected Honored previously, in 2002, as a nies when parents address their son or daughter, to chant a language without the vowels. In by the Business Record Woman of Influence by the Business Record Take Advantage of Tax Savings on imparting a message on this important occasion. a different way, it is hard work to belong to as among the Women and in 1986, as an “Up and Comer” by the Dr. Dan Sloven delivered the following recently a people chosen by God. In a way, more is of Influence in Central Des Moines Register, Cyril has long been at the Long-Term Care Insurance at his son Moses’ bar mitzvah at Tifereth Israel expected of us. Jews are expected, or better Iowa. Cyril was named forefront of community involvement. She With the aging of the Baby Boomers, more people are looking at long-term care insurance as a way to help ease the Synagogue. We feel the remarks are worth read- yet, even required to be generous, be studi- Woman Business Owner chaired the Iowa Capital Investment Board, potential burden of nursing home costs. When exploring the various options, remember that there are tax breaks ing by every one. – editor. ous, and be just. We are required to give of the Year and was honored among the was appointed by Senator Harkin in 1986 available to make insurance premiums more affordable. Moses, we are very proud of you today. charity even when we are having a bad year. awardees on August 14. to the White House Conference on Small We witnessed your training and studying We are required to seek out the people that Cyril (Pasternak) Mandelbaum, born and Businesses, has served on the Des Moines • If an employer provides long-term care coverage, the cost is generally excluded from your income, similar to health for your Bar Mitzvah, and we were proud we’ve wronged, admit our misdeed, and ask raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, earned her Public Library’s Foundation Board, and initi- insurance, unless the coverage is selected under the company’s cafeteria or flexible spending plan. of you for your effort to do your best at this forgiveness. And let one of us screw up bachelor’s degree in accounting and became ated and has been active in the Mentoring very significant milestone. We are grate- publicly, and it reflects on all of us. a CPA after graduation. For three years she Project helping high school girls with college Elaine Steinger • Individuals who purchase their own policies can deduct the premiums as a medical expense. The amount deduct- ful for the help of Rabbi Padorr, Wendy Being Jewish is embarrassing. We worked for Peat Marwick and Mitchell and and career selection. Within the Jewish com- Executive Director ible depends upon the taxpayer’s age. For example, those older than age 50 but not more than 60 can deduct up Beckerman, your Uncle Jim Bukstein, wear such funny little hats. We are always Co. before opening her own CPA firm, munity, Cyril was past president of the Iowa to $1,100 in 2007. Those older than 60 but not more than 70 can deduct up to $2,950. your teachers at the former Des Moines asking what is in the food. Our holidays more than thirty years ago. Married to John Jewish Senior Life Center and served on the Jewish Academy, and your community are in the middle of the week, never on Mandelbaum, she and John have three sons board of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. • Self-employed individuals can include the premiums in their health insurance costs, deductible as an above-the- school teachers. We wish we could share the same dates, and always on the night line expense. this day with your Sabba Sid Sloven and of a football game or the prom. Drive great aunt and uncle Anna and Charles around the neighborhood in December and JCRCs Monitoring Textbooks for Those who receive benefits from a long-term care policy can exclude up to $260 per day from income in 2007, an Greenberg who couldn’t attend because of you can tell who is Jewish. We don’t do Content about Judaism, Israel amount that is adjusted annually for inflation. their health. We also wish we could share lights. It gets awkward and embarrassing this day with your grandparents Morie to be out of sync with most of the people in The Jewish Community Relations Council Among the textbook examples uncov- and Nellie Goldstein, your cousin Abby the community. of San Francisco and the umbrella group ered by ICS: Time for Another Look Helman, and our dear friend Cathy Holm Being Jewish is inconvenient. You for JCRCs, the Jewish Council for Public • Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates Starting this year, children, grandchildren and other beneficiaries will have an option previously available only to of blessed memory. can’t eat this with that, you can’t bring food Affairs has embarked on a project to the killing of Egyptian firstborn sons. spouses: the ability to do a tax-free rollover of qualified retirement plans at the owner’s death. Prior to 2007, only a I have promised that I would not into the house, you aren’t supposed to work monitor the accuracy and fairness in cur- • Abraham and Jesus lived in “Palestine.” surviving spouse could roll the funds tax free into an IRA; for all other beneficiaries, the entire account would have to embarrass you by speaking of how utterly or write or drive on Saturdays. When do riculum materials about Jews, Judaism, • The Jews killed Jesus. be distributed within a short period of time, with income taxes due on the full amount. Now, distributions and taxes exciting were the circumstances of your you get to just be normal? and Israel. The Institute for Curriculum • The 1948 war produced only one refugee can be spread over the IRA owner’s life. birth. Instead, I referred to “Bar Mitzvah’s Finally, there are still times and places Services (ICS), as the project is called, problem. for Dummies” which said I should talk where being Jewish is dangerous. Google offers a variety of services. ICS reviews • Suicide bombings are acts of terrorism, It’s a good idea to regularly review beneficiary designations on retirement plans, life insurance policies and broker- about a Jewish subject which excited me. the word “Jew” and you will see that not textbooks currently in use, works with except when they happen in Israel. age accounts, to see that they are coordinated with your entire estate plan. The new rules on rollovers by non- I almost decided to talk about Natalie everybody in the world admires us. publishers on content when new text- The Institute for Curriculum Services spouse beneficiaries may create opportunities to pass wealth to younger family members. Ask your financial adviser Portman; however, instead I want to talk So, why stay Jewish? It is hard, embar- books are being written, develops new is developing a website at www.icsre- about how you can take advantage of this tax law change. about why you should stay Jewish. rassing, inconvenient, and maybe even curriculum materials, works with local sources.org. For additional information, It’s also possible to name a charity as a beneficiary of all or part of your retirement accounts, in which case taxes will You are here today because you are sometimes dangerous. Why in creation JCRC and educational officials, and offers contact [email protected] locally or call 515 be avoided entirely. Jewish by birth, number one, and number would you want to stay Jewish? teacher training. 277-6321 x 214. two because your mother and I chose to I’m not going to say be Jewish because You can DOUBLE Your Gift to the Jewish Community follow the traditions of our faith. One day being Jewish is good. Being Jewish is good, Council Bluffs Synagogue listed on If you or your spouse works for a company that has a “matching gift” program, please get their forms …we will help not too far distant, you will leave home and but other things are good, too. Stay Jewish you apply on behalf of the Jewish Federation. decide how Jewish you want to stay. You because staying Jewish is the most fun a National Register will not stay Jewish because your mother person could possibly have. It is fun to Historic Places. A ceremony commemorat- You will receive credit for double your gift – and the Jewish community will benefit from your generous support. and I are Jewish. Your Mom and I will try to honor our laws. It is fun to aim ing the occasion was held in June. determine your cholesterol and your height for goodness and godliness. It is fun to Dating back to 1930, the building “Weather” or Not… but not your Jewishness. You will have to celebrate our history and culture. It is fun was constructed on the same site as If you’ve flown the coop for the summer months, it’s still great weather here for planning charitable gifts with the Jew- decide that yourself. to have a country and a language. It is fun the congregation’s synagogue which had ish Foundation of Greater Des Moines. A Rabbi, Dovid Olrlovsky, tells of to belong to a group that aims high. Being burned down. asking a class at a Jewish High School Jewish makes more of the parts of you that Chevra B’nai Yisroel, as it was then With the stock market in a whirlwind, the climate is perfect for gifting appreciated stock. Don’t be smog about it how many of them, if they could start you most admire. Don’t stay Jewish because known, was established in 1903. Its found- – you could be lightening the taxes on your capital gain. The forecast for a sunny future is a gift that will provide over, would choose to be born Jewish. To being Jewish is easy, convenient, comfort- ing was preceded in 1881 by Congregation increased income for you and build a slush fund for the Jewish community. his surprise, the answer was not just less able, and safe, because it is none of those Bikur Cholim, which held traditional ser- No high pressure. The benefits are clear. We’re hoping for a blizzard of activity and a heat wave of smart people than half, the answer was 0%. What rea- things. Stay Jewish because it is fun and vices, and at about the same time by a planning gifts. sons did these teenagers at a Jewish High challenging and good. reform congregation, the Council Bluffs Stop saving for that rainy day! Get cirrus about making a gift! Do it monsoon! School decide they would prefer to start Moses, you are a clever, sweet, and Hebrew Society/ Temple Emanuel. over non-Jews? generous boy. Many people love you very The B’nai Israel Synagogue in Council B’nai Israel Synagogue is the First, being Jewish is hard work. You much and want the best for you. People are Bluffs, located at 618 Mynster Street, is only remaining Jewish presence in For more information call Elaine Steinger at 515-277-6321 x211. have seen your Mom, Sabba, and Safta slave proud of you. Go forward and have fun. now listed on the National Register of Southwestern Iowa. Always consult your own professional advisor when making financial planning decisions. to get the house ready for Passover holiday. Stay Jewish.

Des Moines Jewish Foundation Board: Don Blumenthal, President; Martin Brody, Vice President; Marvin Winick, Treasurer; Elaine Steinger, Executive Director Harry Bookey, Suzanne Engman, Debbie Gitchell, Alvin Kirsner, Fred Lorber, John Mandelbaum, Polly Oxley, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Stanley Richards, Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan, Don Schoen, Toni Urban

18 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 7

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 18-19 8/13/07 5:12:17 PM [commentary] [chef du jour] In the Kitchen With her husband Andrew Osman owns ARO, a del recipe then and during Rosh Hashanah. clearing tables, then moved on to rolling Anti-Zionism is Racism commercial real estate company in Kansas Harriet says she was trained in the strudel and frying the latkes. By Judea Pearl identify with a common history and wish national identity and personal dignity. both Israelis and Palestinians the right Harriet Feder City. Their daughter Izzi is 18 months old kitchen of Temple Judah in Cedar Rapids, This recipe for Mock Strudel originat- In the past three months, I have vis- to share a common destiny. Palestinians To put it more bluntly, anti-Zionism con- for statehood, the latter denies that right by Karen Engman and loves to talk. In fact, she telephones where she learned how to entertain for 500 ed from those women of Temple Judah who ited four “troubled” campuses -- Duke, have earned nationhood status by vir- demns 5 million human beings, mostly to one, and only one side. This asymme- (with her mother’s assistance) her “Honey” people!! This Temple was the merger of cooked together in the temple kitchen so York (Canada), Columbia and UC Irvine tue of thinking like a nation, not by refugees or children of refugees, to eter- try is the most effective weapon our stu- Harriet Schwartz Feder (grandmother) Harriet every afternoon at 4 orthodox and reform congregations. Ronny long ago. It is a delicious traditional recipe -- where tensions between Jewish and residing where their ancestors did nal statelessness, traumatized by historical dents should use in campus debates, for it moved from Cedar PM after her nap to chat and hear Harriet was the Temple President the same year that that is not too difficult to prepare. Harriet anti-Zionist students and professors have (many of them are only three or four images of persecution and genocide. puts them back on the high moral grounds Rapids to Des Moines sing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Julia Feder (30) Harriet led the sisterhood. It was a great wants you to know that any fruit preserves attracted national attention. In these visits, generations in Palestine). Jews, likewise, Anti-Zionism also attacks the pivotal of “fair and balanced” and forces their oppo- in 1983 with her fam- lives in St. Louis and works at the Missouri place to receive leadership training accord- will work in this recipe. I have spoken to students, faculty and are bonded by nationhood (i.e., common component of our identity, the glue that nents to defend an ideology of one-sidedness. ily, husband Ronny and Botanical Gardens/Earthways, directing ing to Harriet. The Temple was known for The JEWISH PRESS thanks Harriet administrators, and I have obtained a fairly history and destiny) more than they are bonds us together -- our nationhood, our For example, I have found it effective, kids, Michael, Deb and their energy program for the area schools. their BIG DINNER which served over 1500 for sharing this recipe with our readers. gloomy picture of the situation on those bonded by religion. history. And while people of conscience when confronting an anti-Zionist speaker, Julia. She grew up in Harriet’s special interests besides her community members. Helping on this event If you have a recipe to share call (515-274- and other campuses. The appeal to Jewish nationhood is nec- reject anti-Semitism, anti-Zionist rhetoric to ask: “Are you willing to go on record the Kansas City area family include walking, gardening, golf and was her training ground. She started with 3300) or email ([email protected]). Jewish students are currently subjected essary when we consider Israel’s insistence has become a mark of academic sophistica- and state that the Israel-Palestine con- and loves to play “Jewish geography” with anyone playing Mah Jongg. She is to an unprecedented assault on their iden- on remaining a “Jewish state.” By “Jewish tion and social acceptance in Europe and in flict is a conflict between two legitimate she meets with a KC connection. Actually, employed by her husband tity as Jews. And we, the Jewish faculty on state” Israelis mean, of course, “national some U.S. campuses. national movements?” Western audiences Harriet just loves to talk to anyone because she Ronny at his company Mock Strudel campus, have let those students down. We Jewish state,” not “religious Jewish state” Moreover, anti-Zionism disguises itself adore even-handedness and abhor bias. is a warm and caring person who is interested in Hockenberg Newburgh From the Temple Judah/Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cookbook..”Approved by the Committee” Dairy have failed to equip them with effective -- theocratic states (like Pakistan and Iran) in the cloak of political debate, exempt The question above forces the racist to the lives and endeavors of others. Sales and Marketing where This recipe was used for the TEMPLE JUDAH BIG DINNER… tools to fight back this assault. are incompatible with modern standards from sensitivities and rules of civility that unveil and defend his uneven treatment of A Des Moines native, Alan Booth, was she works on special events We can reverse this trend. of democracy and pluralism. Anti-Zionist govern inter-religious discourse. Religion is the two sides. Ronny Feder’s roommate at the University planning. Harriet cur- For the dough: For the filling: Many condemn anti-Zionism for being racists use this anti-theocracy argument ferociously protected in our society -- politi- America prides itself on academic of Iowa and he fixed up the couple for rently serves on the boards 2 cups flour white raisins a flimsy cover for anti-Semitism. I dis- repeatedly to delegitimize Israel, and I have cal views are not. freedom, and academic freedom entails Harriet’s first date in Iowa City. They were of the Iowa Jewish Senior 1 cup sour cream Pineapple or Apricot preserves …I use 2-3 tablespoons per strudel roll agree. The order is wrong. I condemn found our students unable to defend their Just last month, a student organization freedom to teach hatred and racism -- we married 1½ years later when Harriet was Life Center and the Youth 1 cup of butter Coconut and a sprinkle of your favorite chopped dried fruit anti-Semitism for being an instrument for a position with conventional ideology that on a UC campus hosted a meeting on graciously accept this fact of life. However, only 20 and they just celebrated their 40th Homes of America. She worse form of racism: anti-Zionism. views Jewishness as a religion. “A World Without Israel.” Imagine the academic freedom also entails the freedom anniversary this past summer. As Harriet enthusiastically described Pinch of salt Finely chopped nuts In other words, I submit that anti- Jewishness is more than just a religion. international furor that a meeting called, of students to expose racism, be it white- exclaims, “It’s been an amazing year!” She her volunteer activities on Zionism is a form of racism more danger- It is an intricate and intertwined mixture “A World Without Mecca,” would provoke. supremacy, women-inferiority, Islamophobia also turned 60 this year. Their family vaca- these boards and the day she ous than classical anti-Semitism. Framing of ancestry, religion, history, country, cul- So, in the name of “open political or Zionophobia wherever it is spotted. Not tioned at The Greenbriar in West Virginia spent helping on a Habitat Cut butter into the flour and salt with a pastry blender until the butter is the size of large peas. Add sour anti-Zionism as racism is precisely the ture, tradition, attitude, nationhood and debate,” administrators would not think twice to censor, but to expose -- racists stew in to celebrate all their simchas, including the for Humanity home here in cream. Divide the Dough into 3 to 4 balls and refrigerate 24 hours. Next day: Roll one ball at a time on a weapon that our students need for survival ethnicity, and we need not apologize for about inviting MIT linguist Noam Chomsky their own words. birth of a new granddaughter. Des Moines. floured board or pastry cloth as thinly as possible into the shape of a rectangle. Spread with filling ingre- on campus. not fitting neatly into the standard molds to speak on campus, though his anti-Zionist In summary, I believe the formula Michael Feder (35), a partner at Price Thanksgiving is her dients beginning with the preserves (I use about 2-3 heaping tablespoons of preserves). Roll the pastry Anti-Zionism earns its racist character of textbook taxonomies -- we did not choose utterances offend the fabric of my Jewish “Anti-Zionism = Racism” should give Jewish Waterhouse, specializing in international favorite time of the year together starting with the two ends, tuck them under and then place left side over the right side and pinch from denying the Jewish people what it our turbulent history. identity deeper than any of the ugly religious students the courage to both defend their tax, is married to Debbie Wang Feder who because she gathers together together. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet in oven set at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. Cut into 2” grants to other collectives (e.g. Spanish, As a form of racism, anti-Zionism is insults currently shocking the media. He identity and expose those who abuse it. has a Masters degree in English as a Second her family and Ronny’s thick slices while the strudel rolls are still warm. Palestinians), namely, the right to nation- worse than anti-Semitism. It targets the should be labeled for what he is: a racist. This opinion piece appeared in The New York Language. They have a son Nathan, (5) who mother Ruthie with many Can be made and frozen to serve at a later date. hood and self-determination. most vulnerable part of the Jewish people, Charges of “racism” highlight the inher- Jewish Week. Judea Pearl is the father of loved riding horses on their vacation and a of her friends and their ** The recipe has never been given with exact amounts for filling—you must fill as much as you want. Are Jews a nation? A collective is namely, the people of Israel, who rely on the ent asymmetry between the Zionist and slain journalist Daniel Pearl and Professor of new baby Nina (5 months). Deb Feder (33) is families to eat and celebrate. The ladies at Temple Judah always used their hands and “measured” in handfuls! entitled to nationhood when its members sovereignty of their state for physical safety, anti-Zionist positions. The former grants Computer Science at UCLA. an attorney with Blackwell & Sanders and She always serves this stru-

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sept oct 07 printersp.indd 8-9 8/13/07 5:11:05 PM [a musical retrospective] Reflections of My Holocaust Study Tour by Deb Finkelstein number of former shtetls. Yes, anti-Semitism slightest hint of a figure. I was moved by the June 4th and then left the following Sunday Mel Tormé, The Velvet Fog You just didn’t quite know what to say to existed for every single one of the 800 years courage it took to hide a Siddur. I was moved for a week of study for executive directors at by Mark Finkelstein me as I prepared for my trip to Poland and of Jewish life in Poland, ranging from slurs by everything I learned about the heroes who The Jewish Theological Seminary in New Do you remember the comedy series Night Court? Remember the judge, played by Harry the Czech Republic for the Holocaust Study to pogroms. Of course, there are no Jews survived and the heroes who died. York. In the middle of the week I had one of Anderson, was a fanatical admirer of skat-singing, jazz vocalist Mel Tormé? Tormé, charac- Tour. I would hear, “Have a great trip” or in these shtetls today, but there are tangible One of my most difficult times was those ah-ha moments. There I was, studying terized decades ago by a New York DJ as “The Velvet Fog” for his smooth vocal delivery, “have a wonderful time.” Then you would signs that they lived there. Whether it was standing at a bank of ovens. I thought about in a community of fellow Jews some 70 years thrilled audiences even into the 1980s by his guest appearances on Night Court, and even catch yourself and apologize, not knowing a tiny synagogue, a former yeshiva or some- the fact that someone designed these ovens, later than the world from which I had just later, on an episode of Seinfeld – he was that popular! how to send someone off to the land of thing as simple as an indentation on a door- how big they needed to be, how wide and tall come. Do I call that vengeance? Do I call “Downbeat’s” Best Male Jazz Singer of 1976, winner of two Grammies in the 1980s, and death camps. But whether you realize it or post where once a mezuzah was mounted, to make the door, what side the door hinges that survival? I call it “Am Yisrael Chai.” The Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1999, Tormé is probably best known for his 1946 not, members of Kol Shalom actually took we knew this is where Jews studied, where would be placed, how the bodies would composition, “The Christmas Song” – that is: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” that trip with me when I left on May 27th. Jews prayed, and where Jews once lived. move through it and how the ashes would be Transported by Deb Finkelstein Here was Mel Tormé, born in Chicago in 1925 to a middle class Jewish family, whose In the five classes leading up to my I came away with a better knowledge collected at the other end. I thought about We too have been transported name had been changed from Torma. Tormé, a self-taught musician, was a paid professional trip, our educator and tour guide, Claire of what was lost, not only to us as Jews, the fact that someone carried the bricks These Jewish bodies and souls of ours singer at the age of four! He sang “You’re Driving Me Crazy” in a little sailor’s uniform at Simmons, taught the history of 800 years of but also to Poland and the world. I lost my and fashioned the iron to build the oven. I We’ve been transported beyond the realities of a restaurant in Chicago on a series of Mondays. By the age of eight, he was acting on such Jews in Poland. I will never forget one of the naiveté when I saw firsthand the German’s thought about the fact that someone placed the Shoah radio dramas as “Jack Armstrong: The All American Boy.” And he penned a hit song, at the first things she told us, “Most of Holocaust precise and systematic management of a the mortar between the bricks and fastened Into the spirits of the Six Million age of 15, for bandleader, trumpeter Harry James. So this was one talented kid. education is focused on the perpetrators, death machine. I left stronger in my resolve the hinges to the door and the door to the Our journey has taken us It is recorded, presumably in the 1930s, that his family liked to sit on their front stoop the Nazis and Hitler. We are going to learn to be a witness and never forget the people. oven. And I thought about the fact that all From shtel to shtel after Shabbat dinner and proudly have Mel sing for the neighbors. about the Jews of Poland, who they were You cannot not be moved when you those someones knew the purpose of these From camp to camp But he didn’t stay in Chicago for long. Word is that after and the civilization they created, so that we see your own family name on tombstones ovens. I will never forget that realization. From life to death high school, he left to join the Chico Marx Orchestra, in better understand what was lost.” I took and on memorial walls honoring those who While the method of murder evolved California, as a singer, drummer, and arranger for Chico’s vocal this cue to study beyond the class handouts were murdered. You cannot not be moved over the years from shootings, starvations, Our people had names group. And then for several years, Mel had his own jazz vocal by reading everything I could get my hands when you stand by a table where murdered and gassings, what was equally horrible for me Our people had dreams group – somewhat like Sinatra’s Pied Pipers – before setting out on in the time I had, to know these Polish Jewish bodies were dissected for gold before was the methodical de-humanization of Jews The names we recall to this day as a solo artist in 1947. In 1951, he starred on his own TV show, Jews from which my father’s family came at being sent to the ovens. You cannot not be during those years. The murders make me The dreams will be realized through us and ours a summer replacement series for Perry Como. the turn of the 20th century. moved when you are face to face with the angry. The de-humanization makes me cry. I never again want to think of Six Million Along the way, during the ups and downs of a musical and But how do you stay focused on Jewish largest pile of human ashes you would ever Yes, you were with me on my trip. You Without thinking of each and every Jewish soul film career over six decades, Mel drew many accolades. He indi- life in Poland prior to the Holocaust when see in your lifetime. were with me when I read the names of your A father, a mother, a cousin cated that perhaps the most meaningful to him was that from you are standing in front of crematoriums, I recently read a powerful, and now family members at Birkenau. You were with Each one belonged to someone Bing Crosby, who called Tormé “the greatest singing entertainer gas chambers, and ovens? How do you more meaningful, quote by Yitzchak Mais, me in Auschwitz where I stood at a large One plus one plus one and on it goes I’ve ever seen.” not feel the systematic de-humanization of who wrote, “Jews under German domination display of suitcases marked with the names How long would it take to count by ones One fruitful period for Mel was his twenty year collaboration with jazz pianist George your fellow Jews as you learn of life in the are often depicted as...faceless extras in the Berman, Morgenstern, and Neumann. You Until I grow tired of counting Shearing. They made five records together. This was followed by a resurgence of Mel’s ghetto, transports to camps, and losing your drama of their own destruction.” Yet, I was were with me when I davened Shacharit on popularity during the 1980s, with that era’s renewed interest in vocal and mainstream jazz. name to a number? How can you possibly moved by the drawings of children in the the railroad tracks in Birkenau with my Kol But without each and every one, there is no After a lifetime of performing night clubs and concerts, his last Carnegie Hall show was envision a rich and meaningful life prior to camps. I was moved to learn of the strength Shalom Siddur. You were with me at each Six Million in 1994. A venerated celebrity, Mel passed away in 1999. 1933 when you know how the story ends? It it took to maintain the tiniest bit of humanity camp when we said Kaddish and then sang Deb Finkelstein, a former resident of Des Of his many albums, one can recommend Jazz ‘Round Midnight: Mel Tormé which wasn’t easy, but it was so important to do. by women who tore the hem from their dress Hatikvah and left an Israeli flag. Moines, is Executive Director of Kol Shalom includes his rendition of a beautiful and oft recorded song he wrote, “Born to be Blue.” Pull Along with five camps, we visited a to create a belt that would give them the I returned to Bethesda on Monday, Synagogue in North Bethesda, MD up the recording on amazon.com and enjoy an excerpt from the tune. [next generation]

Regina Zilbermints by Robin Bear Regina Zilbermints loves horses. She would rather be training and riding her leased horse, Peavey’s Bright Eye, than just about anything else. When she was seven, Regina attended Camp Shalom during a week of horseback riding and horses have captured her attention ever since. As soon as Regina was old enough to work she began saving her money for horseback riding lessons. Now she rides Peavey almost daily, preparing to com- pete in the various circuit horse shows around the midwest. This past summer Regina has been working at Ann Taylor earning money that is primarily spent caring for her horse. Regina lives in West Des Moines with her parents, Viktor and Viktoriya Zilbermints, and her thirteen year old sister, Anna. Anna celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth Israel earlier this year. In 1993, when Regina was four years old, she moved from the Ukraine to Iowa with her parents and grandparents. Three of Regina’s grandparents live in Des Moines and Regina says she enjoys having them live close where she can always call them or stop by for a visit. Last May, Regina graduated from Valley High School. Half of her classes were taken at Central Campus to enable her to take advanced placement classes sooner. This plan worked well and Regina will begin her fall term at the University of Iowa with many of her general education classes already completed. She is considering a double major in journal- ism and political science. As the presidential election moves forward, Regina is looking for candidates she feels she can support and work for during the campaign. Regina hopes to spend next summer traveling in Europe. She enjoyed the trips taken with her family to Italy and Australia and wants to see more of the world. She would like to visit Israel while in college. Last spring Regina spent five days in New York playing her violin with the Valley Orchestra in a music festival. The group participated in various clinics with different con- ductors, played an outside concert near the Trump Towers, and played at Carnegie Hall. Reading is a favorite pastime and amongst Regina’s favorites are: “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess and “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. She also enjoys the author, Barbara Kingsolver. Regina is modest about her many accomplishments. With all that she has going for her, we know success will come her way and we wish her a wonderful year at the University of Iowa.

16 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 9

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 16-17 8/13/07 5:12:13 PM [in profile:] Israel Partnership Leadership Forum Irwin Zuckerman An Entrepreneur came from Brooklyn Your Contributions Help Israel. Irwin Zuckerman has myself. I don’t know why I felt that way. Now more than ever. brought a bit of Brooklyn JP: Where did you grow up? Over the years, our Federation’s lay leaders individuals traumatized by the war, to improve with him to Des Moines. IZ: I grew up in the Flatbush area of and staff have built a warm and personal rela- communal bomb shelters to the degree they He exemplifies an initiative Brooklyn. tionship with the people of Israel’s Western can be made more accommodating --for exam- and entrepreneurship which JP: Was your father in business? Galilee. We work on this relationship in ple, adding air conditioning where applicable are rare qualities in society IZ: No, he worked for the garment trade in consortium with thirteen other Jewish – and for the construction of a command today. To Irwin, family, Manhattan. American communities in a Partnership center in Acco, from which the security of the community, and customers JP: And where did you go to college, prior program designed by the Jewish Federations community may be monitored. are of prime importance. The Zuckerman family to Drake? and the Jewish Agency for Israel. There are The emergency campaign funds are in are members of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. In the IZ: I went to one of the colleges of city 39 such pairings between communities here, addition to the regular amount allocated from following interview, we get to learn a little about University of new York – baruch college, in the United States, and in Israel. And in All-In-One contributions to the Partnership. Irwin, his wife Rosalie, and their three daughters. which is a business college. many respects, our consortium is considered Our regular allocations, which this year total Jewish Press: Irwin, some of us may recall JP: Where is your wife Rosalie from? among the very best of the partnerships. It $30,000, comprise part of the $500,000 that your daughter Sammy was bat mitzvah IZ: She is from Des Moines. We met at is something we can take great pride in. amalgamated by our consortium and applied, there in October of 2006. Drake, where i was studying, and after As you may know, our partnership by joint committee process, to social service, Irwin Zuckerman: And almost a year to the we were married, we lived in new Jersey region – in the northwestern section of economic, and arts projects most of which date, our daughter Amanda will become bat before returning to Des Moines in 1994. Israel, near the Lebanese border – was benefit both the Western Galilee and our mitzvah on October 13, 2007. Rosalie comes from a large family. So we hit hard by Hezbullah rockets during last Jewish communities in the States. JP: Mazel tov to your family. have plenty of cousins for my children to summer’s war. Our sister city Acco, along Sadly, there is an additional need for IZ: Thank you. play with. with Western Galilee Hospital, and many of funding to counter the residual effects of the JP: Let me ask you about your business. We have three children, our oldest, the kibbutzim sustained direct hits. 2006 summer war. The people of Israel, and You’ve built it from scratch. Mara is a student at Valley High School. While our friends and colleagues in most specifically, the residents of our partner- IZ: Yes, i did the research and found that JP: What are some of your hobbies, Irwin? Israel were under attack, the Jewish American ship region need further assistance. The there was a need for an all inclusive linen IZ: Well, I enjoy doing a bit of cooking. I communities established an Israel Emergency issue is not the repair of damaged buildings. service, and when i came back to town love being with my family, and i am inter- Fund, raising, to date, a total of $350 million Those have been fixed, for the most part. in 1994 – i had previously been a stu- ested in a number of different sports. dollars. As part of the emergency effort, our The issue is to help people with psychologi- dent at Drake – I established Park Avenue JP: What are your hopes for your business? community, our Federation, and our Des cal needs, to help fund necessary initiatives Laundry services. in addition to linen IZ: We’re putting effort into developing Moines Jewish Foundation raised $300,000. promoting interethnic tolerance, and frankly, supply, we rent and launder uniforms and clients in the surrounding states. Perhaps Most of the funds were transmitted to United to help prepare the region to house refugees Author Sue Fishkoff (top left) discussed entrance mats. we can expand, somewhat, within the next Jewish Communities, which applied a large from future attacks on Israel. issues of contemporary Jewish identity JP: Where is your business located? few years. portion of all the emergency funding to help Our Federation’s leadership encourages you to with members of the Leadership Forum. IZ: We’re located at 100 Indiana Avenue in JP: What’s your business philosophy? the areas affected, including the Western become more involved with the Israel Partnership. The Forum, mentored by Judy Deutch 2843 Ingersoll Avenue • 274-4004 Des Moines. IZ: I try to provide the best service Galilee. $100,000 of our funds were sent Consider additional gifts to the Crisis Relief fund and Bruce Sherman (shown in pictures JP: You are owner of the company. How possible and to give good value for the directly, through the Jewish Agency, to help we have established. Please send your contributions second in left and right columns), gathers many employees do you have? services provided. our partnership region. Those funds continue to: Israel Crisis Relief Fund, c/o Jewish Federation, periodically for special programming and IZ: We have 15. JP: Do you have any advice for the to be used to provide needed counseling to 910 Polk Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312. JP: I know you put in a long work week. How next generation? social activities. many hours, on average, do you suppose? IZ It would be to set your mind on a goal. IZ: At least 70 hours a week. If you work hard, you’ll succeed. JP: When did you decide to go into business? JP: Thank you, Irwin. It’s been a pleasure IZ: For some reason, I knew when I was 10 chatting with you. All the best. years old I wanted to go into business for IZ: Thank you. For memories that last a lifetime~ From the Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906 The professional staff at the Babski Refues Embassy Suites on the River is here to serve you. By: Herman Rosenthal Alexander Harkavy of the form thus assumed by the metal to a Beautiful two room suites for guests, The name applied in Yiddish to domestic particular animal, she divines that the cause and superstitious medicine. Common folk of fright was a cat, a dog, a horse, etc. Gorgeous Event Space for all your celebrations~ among the Jews in Russia and Poland The popular guides of domestic believe in peculiar remedies for diseases and superstitious medicine among the Comfortably accommodating 10- 1,300 guests. and maladies, some of the remedies con- Russian and Polish Jews are the “Sefer sisting of drugs or physics and some of Zekirah” (Book of Remembrance), by Rabbi Call to set up an appointment for your next Bar/Bat Mitzvah, magic agencies. Especially peculiar are the Zechariah of Plungyan, and the “Mif’alot latter, which are generally prescribed or Elokim” (Works of the Lord ), which latter wedding or any engagement. administered by a practical cabalist called is a collection of remedies prescribed by “ba’al-shem” (master of [the Divine] name) Rabbis Yoel Ba’al-Shem, Naphtali of Posen, 515-244-1700 or “guter Yid” (good Jew), to whom super- and others. stitious men and women apply for the con- Here follow a few items contained in Ask for the sales and catering office! juration of toothaches, of wounds, or of an the two treatises: To alleviate pain of denti- evil eye (“’ayyin ha-ra’”), or for the exorcism tion, suspend upon the neck of the child a Mazel Tov!! of an evil spirit (“dibbuk”). tooth of a horse or of a dog, and smear the Of the “segulot” (superstitious rem- throat of the child with butter or chicken- Premiums shown are for Term 10 Plus, a renewable term life insurance policy that guarantees the premium to remain level for 10 years from the Policy Date. The premiums quoted are based on the age of the insured at nearest birthday and specified underwit- edies) among these folk, particularly curi- fat (“Zekirah,” p. 80, Warsaw, 1875). To ing classification and are subject to change without notice. Premiums for issued policies may be different than the premiums shown based upon actual underwriting classification. Generally, in the absence of fraud, after an amount of insurance has been ous are those intended for the relief of protect a child from an “evil eye,” let it in effect for two years during your lifetime, we cannot contest that amount due to a false statement made in the application. In pregnant women and that of children. For wear a copper or silver tablet with the letter the event of death during the first two policy years by suicide or self destruction while insane, only the premiums paid will he returned as death proceeds. FlexTerm Series policies (Form 92-TR-1 and any state variations) are underwritten and issued by instance, a well-known practice among them hey engraved upon it (ib. p. 84). In case of Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer. is “Bleigiessen,” or what may be termed measles or small-pox, take ten peas, throw Product, product features and rider availability vary by state. Company not licensed to conduct business and products not distrib- uted in AK, HI and NY. Form 2942 Rev. 6-07 “plumbomancy,” which is divination from them upon the patient, and say: “As many

NOT A DEPOSIT NOT FDIC INSURED NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK the forms assumed by molten lead dropped peas as have been thrown upon the child, MAY LOSE VALUE NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY into water. This is resorted to in cases in so many pocks shall it have, not more,” which illness of pregnant women or that “Mif’alot Elokim,” p. 94, Lemberg, 1872). For more information, please call of children is due to fright, to find out Among other treatises containing Steven Jay Frederick, President/A Life for Giving what object was the cause of the alarm. A similar prescriptions is: “Toledot Adam,” 666 Grand Avenue, 18th Floor-Suite 1818 medicine-woman, muttering a psalm or an a collection of remedies by several caba- Des Moines, Iowa 50309 incantation, throws molten lead into a ves- lists, edited by Joel Heilprin (Ba’al Shem), 515-245-LIFE(5433) cell: 515-556-3750 sel full of water, and from the resemblance Wilmersdorf, 1784.

10 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 15

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 10-11 8/13/07 5:11:13 PM [medicine] Thoughts On My Trip To Poland by Shaynna Grund the pre-trip sessions. There were 15 other “The World Before, The World After.” The camp of Majdanek. Majdanek is the only Key to Cinnamon Anti-Viral Extract Found in the Bible UNI students that I would be traveling with conference began on a Thursday. Friday camp that still has almost everything intact, For most of his professional life, Tel Aviv through that every scientist dreams about. damaging to the liver in high quantities, There is a growing tendency for in addition to three Iowa students. There we went to Auschwitz I, which is about an including the gas chambers and crematoria. University professor Michael Ovadia That breakthrough would come to him and must be removed. researchers and clinicians to explore natural was also going to be about 20 students from hour away from Krakow in the town of It was a bright sunny day, however, here focused on snakes and the medicinal prop- one morning in the synagogue while listen- “You cannot take high doses from the compounds against disease, agrees Chen, Texas A & M University at the Jagellonian Oswiecim and Auschwitz II-Birkenau in everything was very depressing, understand- erties of their venom. But seven years ing to a reading from the Old Testament. natural form of cinnamon,” Ovadia told adding that Ovadia is well-known for his doing a separate program. The chance to the town of Brzezinka. Auschwitz is such a ably so. The first building I went to here was ago, after meditating on a biblical passage, “There is a passage that explains how ISRAEL21c. “If you used it several times a day work in natural inhibitors of snake venom. go to Europe was only a minor reason for huge part of Holocaust history. I couldn’t the gas chamber. The tour ended with the Ovadia’s career focus began to take a twist... the High Priests - the Kohens - would to protect you from the flu, it would be toxic.” “This work with cinnamon is really this trip. I wanted to learn about where my crematoria and a monument to the a cinnamon twist to be exact. prepare a holy oil used on their bodies During seasonal epidemics, around an extension of his research. And at Tel family had come from and I also wished for victims which contained a pile of Today the spiritual scientist from TAU’s before they made a ritual animal sacrifice,” 10-20% of the world is infected with the Aviv University in general, there are several a stronger sense of religious identity. Where human ashes. Majdanek affected Department of Zoology is commercializing recalls Ovadia. “I had a hunch that this oil, influenza virus and the elderly and young groups working on biological and chemical better to do that than in Poland? me deeply. After leaving the camp, a unique cinnamon extract that is touted which was prepared with cinnamon and are particularly at risk. In America alone, structure of natural inhibitors,” he said. I didn’t really know a lot about modern I began playing with my necklace to quell viral infections from HIV to the other spices, played a role in preventing the the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Besides the human application, Ovadia Poland. In my head I pictured Poland as as I often did and I looked at it. Avian flu. spread of infectious agents to people.” Prevention estimates that 35-50 million sees that cinnamon fills an important niche the typical “Old Country” stereotype. I My necklace had begun to oxidize A research and license deal on his Taking his hunch to the laboratory Americans are infected with the flu every in the agriculture industry where chicks never really thought about it being modern. patent-pending cinnamon extract was bench, Ovadia’s initial experiments proved season. Despite the use of vaccines, the need to be immunized by hand against the I also thought that Judaism was still very signed last week between TAU’s technology to be true - his savory cinnamon extract was influenza virus is still associated with sig- deadly Newcastle disease virus. prominent in the country and that there transfer company Ramot and Frutarom, a able to quickly and effectively immunize nificant mortality worldwide - especially Applying this research to the global would be lots of Jews there. I was wrong. multinational nutraceutical company based chicken embryos from the Newcastle disease now that people travel regularly and work scale could only be done with the help of Although some parts of Poland are still very in Israel. Frutarom is expected to use the virus - one which costs the poultry industry together in offices and closed spaces. a large company - which is where Frutarom much “the old country,” the larger cities are wait to visit and finally see what I had been extract in a whole host of applications from in the US millions of dollars a year. Moreover, the global circulation of the comes in. The Israeli-based flavor and food quite modern. I also learned that Poland learning about for so many years. I was dis- disinfecting the air as a spray against Avian Further studies on Avian Flu H9, deadly Bird Flu H5 (with more than 50% additive company has grown in the last In January of 2007, I began taking a class at is one of the only countries in the world appointed. The commercialism associated flu in airports; to a daily supplement that Sendai virus, the HIV virus, and Herpes mortality in infected humans) may cause a 10-15 years from $10 million a year to a UNI called “Intro to Literature: Holocaust where most of the population is one ethnic- with Auschwitz completely took away from protects people against the common flu. Simplex 1 also achieved positive results. Not sudden worldwide pandemic within two to projected $350 million by the end of 2007. Literature.” I figured if I had to take a ity. Poland is now 97% ethnic Poles. I found my experience. Auschwitz II-Birkenau was Those researching in the field of nat- only was the extract able to neutralize the three months. Until a vaccine is invented, “We’re going to take this know how from literature class it might as well be one with that the majority of Jews still in Poland are not as commercialized and my experience ural medicine know that snake venom, viruses, it also showed for selected viruses antivirals will be the only medical interven- a food supplement to protect people from ill- a topic that interested me. In the first few Orthodox. Krakow has a population of over was better there. Saturday we had a few especially the notorious poisonous kind, that it has the potential to immunize against tion for use in such a pandemic, says Ovadia. ness to neutraceuticals in drugs; it can also be weeks of class my teacher told the class one million; there are about 200 registered more conference sessions and then went has unique anti-viral and analgesic proper- them as well. “What we know is that this technology used in agriculture against Bird flu - certainly about a summer program in Poland that Jews in the city. to the Galicia Jewish Museum for lunch. ties that can help fight human illness and Now before people start dropping cin- is capable of neutralizing viruses very fast it represents a very diversified product line,” UNI has been doing since the 90’s. It was a Throughout the first and second week in Here I bought a handcrafted silver Star of disease. For the past 40 years, Ovadia had namon sticks in their hot chocolate and and that it is applicable to various applica- said Frutarom’s CEO Ori Yehudai. study abroad program where students would addition to touring Krakow, we also toured David necklace; I wanted to buy one in been working with natural antidotes and sprinkling it all over their lattes - take note tions,” said Dr. Nissim Chen, the business According to the company, Ovadia stay in Krakow, Poland at the Jagellonian the Jewish section of the city, Kazimierz. Poland because I knew that would make it found that certain kinds of venom can that the cinnamon extract developed by development manager of Ramot who man- will continue to lead research into the University and study Nationalism and a The end of our second week included an extra special. from being in the gas chamber. I showed deactivate Parainfluenza (Sendai) virus - a Ovadia has special properties that won’t aged the commercialization process which development of the extract, and Frutarom brief history of the Holocaust over a period international conference that takes place Sunday through Tuesday our group and people and asked if their silver had done this, virus similar to the human flu. be found at coffee shops or in the kitchen ended up with the licensing to Frutarom. estimates that the new cinnamon product of four weeks. Immediately I knew that I every two years called “The Legacy of the a few of the scholars that had attended a con- no one’s had. I refuse to wash this off as a Work was going well. Papers were pub- cupboard. First of all, it comes from a “For example, it can be used in air condi- will be launched in about a year. Hopefully wanted to go. I called my mom as soon as Holocaust.” The conference is put on by the ference were going on post-conference tour reminder to myself of what has happened lished, patents had been developed, and special variety of cinnamon; coumarin and tioning systems in hospitals and prevent just before flu season. I got done with that class period and told University of Northern Iowa, Texas A & M to Lublin. On the way to Lublin we stopped to my people. In addition to Majdanek, we his reputation in the field was established. cinnamon aldehyde, which are by-products infections spreading from one person to the This article was originally showcased by Israel her about it. After I got the o.k. from her, I University, and the Jagellonian University. in Lancut for lunch and visited a synagogue also visited the Yeshiva and the Lublin But Ovadia was still waiting for the break- of cinnamon ‘juice’. These are actually other in closed spaces.” 21 C, online at israel21c.org spoke with my teacher and started attending The theme for the conference this year was there. On Monday we went to visit the death Jewish Cemetery. continued on page 19

Rabbi’s Perspective - A New Column Featuring Rabbis From Our Community Observance Can Differ... But Common Decency Should Be Universal Best Wishes by Rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum

Des Moines is a wonderful, small and close-knit community. It offers a friendly, safe and diversified religious community. There exist for a different denominations of Judaism that offer choices of religious observance in which each individual is free to choose. People make choices every day as to how religious they want to be. Each branch of Happy New Year! Judaism represented here teaches and practices Judaism according to their respective beliefs. We need to recognize these choices and respect our differences. Bruce Sherman However, we all agree that we must be decent, caring, respectful Jews who work to make everyone feel welcomed, loved, and wanted. We are biblically Dave Lettween obligated to love one another as we love ourselves. We all believe that what is distasteful to you, don’t do to anyone else. There are acts and levels of common and families decency to which we must all adhere in order to keep our community thriving, and hopefully, growing. The secret to this happening is to always focus on the feelings of everyone with whom we come into contact. We must always be sensitive to the effect our actions might have on someone else. A simple example of insensitivity might be not sending a bar or bat mitzvah invitation to every student in your child’s community school class. By including the whole class, we foster the enhanced unity Happy New Year! of the entire community. Leaving a couple of children out would cause undue pain and cause a damaging ripple effect that would eventually lead to some sad Jim and Shirlee Marcovis form of retaliation. Nashi and Bobbi Khalastchi, Jenny and Danny We are here to care for your There are many community events, celebrations and areas of concern that all Frank and Janel Marcovis, Karen, Mike and Jeff of our Jewish denominations can agree upon and work to accomplish great things. David Marcovis Eyewear needs However, each one of us controls our “menchlechkeit” level. Let us all work toward Eye Exams are available reaching the highest level of decency, observance and involvement in our respective 1801 Ingersoll Avenue congregations. That is the only way we will keep our children involved and proud Des Moines, IA 50309 for the location nearest you call 1-888-367-2020 of their Judaism, and possibly create an environment in which they would choose 515-243-7431 • toll-free 800-222-7027 to remain as they reach the age to make that life decision. Let’s work together to e-mail: [email protected] make that wonderful goal happen. G-d bless all of us as we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

14 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 11

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 14-15 8/13/07 5:12:07 PM After the blistering heat of the desert, I decided another identical hospital lay below ground in an effort Forum Leader Attends Partnership Steering Committee Meetings in Israel to continue the experience by taking a dip into to protect patients, physicians, nurses, and employees of the Dead Sea, which was not as refreshing as I had the hospital. During last year’s war, this area protected hoped: the water was around 85 degrees. With a Jews, Christians, Druze, and Arab residents of the Wall Street Journal in hand, I decided to relax in the region -- Israeli citizens, all. salty water and was amazed at how buoyant I was in Monday night I traveled to Tel Aviv to meet the water…even trying to sink was close to impossible. Ayelet, where she and a friend took me to a After lunch I ventured into the car with my guide memorial where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at for the 2 hour trip back to Jerusalem, which flew by a peace rally. They also took me through the old quickly as he detailed the history of how the Israeli neighborhoods established in the Yishuv, the Jewish A First Experience in the Motherland Defense Force (IDF) came into being. community of the State-in-the-Making. We contin- That night in Jerusalem I met up with Elaine ued on to the beachfront in Tel Aviv were we partied Steinger and Mark Finkelstein, who staff our Des late into the night. Moines Partnership and Ayelet Kleinman, who many Tuesday I traveled back by train to Nahariya, were A week in Israel of you might remember as the Israeli woman who I would rendezvous with the Partnership group, which By David Adelman spent a year in Des Moines as a shlicha (emissary) was convening for its annual Steering Committee from the Jewish Agency. We chose an incred- meetings. I arrived early enough to take a swim in

a. b c. d. e. f. “Zionism finds in it, for the Jews, a reason to raise their heads, and, tak- Was there a certain feeling I would feel? a. David Adelman in Adamit, Israel ible Israeli restaurant called Zuni off of Ben Yehuda the Mediterranean and to jog down the beach. With ing their stand upon the past, to gaze straightforwardly into the future.” Upon returning to my hotel from the Old City I decided to take a b. Jewish Agency director for the Western Galilee, Damon Rose, Street, the famous pedestrian mall where people from the group finally all together, we visited a security – Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (1915) walk around the surrounding neighborhoods. I wanted to lose myself, (left) shows visitors the Central Command Center in Acco. all over the Jewish world congregate. Speaking with command center underground in Acco. We toured The excitement and sense of urgency I felt upon my arrival in Israel was as it were, in the beauty of Jerusalem and I did just that, stumbling onto c. American members of the Israel Partnership in Israel for the the waiter about Israeli politics, I heard him address a bomb shelter in a pre-school and were educated on nothing like I had ever experienced. As the wheels touched down in Tel Independence Park. The park, which overlooked the city, was full of annual Steering Committee meetings a common complaint. He was frustrated about the the probable need for more of these in the future as Aviv people around me cheered and others I saw were wiping tears of joy people walking, laying out, having a picnic, etc. As I sat on a bench to d. Air conditioned busses help beat the heat lack of political participation in our age demographic. several of Israel’s neighbors seem to remain intolerant from their face. My own reaction was one of disbelief and wonderment. reflect on the first 12 hours being in Israel, I observed myself paying e. Rugged terrain. Beautiful vista. Apathy of the young voter is not just a problem in of Israel. My drive from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to Jerusalem attention to a wealth of details. The scent of the flowers scattered around f. Our Israeli partners in P2K entertain at the Partnership’s 10th America, but in Israel as well. As part of our orientation to our Partnership was uneventful, as our driver raced across the countryside reminding the park was intoxicating and the vividness of the city looking out from Anniversary Gala. Sunday I left for the North, passing Tel Aviv region, we ventured up to the Lebanese border, up into me of the taxi drivers in Rome. We passed one section of the security my bench was enchanting. Like many things regarding this trip, I am and Haifa on the way. The drive gave me a chance the hills to experience a breathtaking view overlooking fence where the Israeli soldiers stood guard. The faces of the men and unable to provide words that describe the feelings that came over me to study the terrain. Each bend we went around, or northern Israel. As with all visiting groups, we were women in uniform indicated they were much younger than me, but from while sitting on the bench overlooking Jerusalem. mountain we came upon, had a story in the struggle escorted by guards, former IDF special-forces. One later conversations, I learned that almost all were eager to serve their After eating a typically sumptuous Israeli hotel breakfast I left with for freedom. Stopping in Caesarea we saw the ruins of of the guards was a young man named Yaniv. While country, protecting it from the never ending threat of its neighbors. my guide, Alex, at 8:00 in the morning. We traveled through Jerusalem King Herod’s walled city on the Mediterranean (one talking together our similarities became apparent and As we approached the summit of the hills where Jerusalem, new and on a road, that prior to 1967, was the Jordanian border. We crossed of seven walled cities in all of Israel). The museum we decided to continue our conversation Wednesday old, sits I noticed the structures, i.e. buildings, homes, etc. Everything, into the West Bank and headed south towards Masada. On the way, we in Caesarea afforded great insight to what the city evening partying on the beachfront in Nahariya. including the walkways, are built with a magnificent limestone, given the passed Bedouin men on camelback herding goats and sheep. Such tribes- looked like from the times of King Herod’s through Early Wednesday evening – before my meeting- up appropriate name, Jerusalem stone. It is said the City -- because of the men were reportedly brought here by the King of Jordan 70 years ago to its destruction by the Romans. with Yaniv for cocktails -- the Partnership was treated stone-- radiates and glows from corner to corner as the sun rises in the act as lookouts for anyone crossing into Jordan. Now these people serve By that evening I finally got to our hotel in to a spectacular, 10th anniversary of the Partnership East and sets in the West. in the Israeli army acting as special guides in the desert. Seeing Bedouin Nahariya, in the Western Galilee. Upon arrival, I put party put on by our Israeli partners, in honor of the I stowed my bags in the hotel, where I would stay the next two nights culture in this context reminds me of how different a world I live in on my bags away and walked to the beach. Walking down Americans and people in the Western Galilee who and ventured out into the city. My destination was the Jewish quarter of the other side of the planet. the boardwalk filled with bars, restaurants, out-door had worked together over the years. The elaborate the Old City. As I approached my destination I saw an Arab man riding on En route to the Dead Sea area, descending from the heights of patios, and a half-dozen amphitheaters, one would decorations, entertainment, the great food, and the camelback and Hasidim racing around preparing for Shabbat. I continued Jerusalem to 1300 feet below sea level, the landscape drastically switched never guess the city only has a population of 50,000 warmth of our hosts were all wonderful. (In brief, the down the maze of limestone alleyways and emerged onto an open balcony to a barren arid desert. People tend to forget that most of Israel looked as and is a community still feeling the effects of last Partnership is a way to provide benefit to Israel, but with a view so magnificent that a picture would not do it justice. Below me barren (irrespective of the particular geography within the country, which summer’s war. Pulling up a chair at the bar facing the also a way for members of our community to engage was the Kotel (the western retaining wall of King Herod’s temple mount) varies) before the hard work, vision and innovation of the Zionists from the beach, I immediately struck up a conversation with the personally with Israel and its people. This is where with all walks of life seeking a spot at the Wall to say a prayer. At eye level past and before the scientists of the present had a vision of the fertile land bartender and the patrons around me. Our conversa- our community dollars are being spent. I encourage from the balcony was the Dome of the Rock: a shimmering, golden-domed Israel might become. This was attested to by Mark Twain, who visited “The tion continued well into the night; each of us telling everybody to participate in this ongoing and exciting shrine, from which Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven. As I Holy Land” in 1847 and described it as “… a desolate country whose soil is stories about university life, politics, social life of young effort. Just call the Federation to get involved.) looked upon the Western Wall and across the Temple Mount I remembered rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds - a silent mournful expanse… adults --and the Israelis added commentary about their Thursday – our last day in Israel – we spent at a quote from Irshad Manji, a Muslim author, who said about Israel, “I also A desolation is here that not even imagination can grace with the pomp of experiences with the IDF. After recollecting the conver- more Steering Committee meetings and in visiting the respect the fact that Israel allows for a multi-faith climate in which every life and action…We never saw a human being on the whole route…There sation the next morning, I realized the similarities and Western Galilee College, hearing from its top adminis- Friday a thousand Muslims pray openly on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and the cactus, those differences we have, and because we were all Jewish, trators. Then at a certain point, it became necessary to When I saw that, I had to ask myself, where in the Islamic world can 1,000 fast friends of the worthless soil, has almost deserted the country.” the underlying trust in each other that was felt. I won- travel back to the airport and board the flight home. Jews get together and pray in full public view?” Throughout my trip I was Back to the present, but ancient, Masada. I was struck by the way the dered what America would be like if each of us had the On the long journey home I thought back to my sure I’d continue to ask myself why there is no peace between these two desert preserved the incredible structure and the walls built by the Roman national pride in America the Israelis felt for Israel. time in Israel and the people I met. One thing that religious groups or if there ever will be. I climbed down the stairs from the soldiers below to penetrate the fortress – which they eventually did. And Monday morning I visited the Western Galilee occurred to me – and here I am editorializing -- was balcony and approached the Wall with hesitation. What was I going to say? the rest, as they say, is history. Hospital, a mere six kilometers from the Lebanese how similar Israelis and Americans feel about their border. The hospital serves a huge diversity of people elected officials. We, both peoples, tend to be very in the region and it employs both Arab and Jewish critical. The power to question authority, I think, doctors, who work well together. Criminally, during derives from our freedom to question authority, and last year’s war, Hezbollah -- some of whose positions that is a strength of both our systems. We’re democra- were located on top of the promontory looking straight cies. However, the Israelis, through our discussions, down at the Western Galilee, targeted missiles at the made me realize the immediacy of their situation hospital (IDF troops discovered data identifying the (we’re talking about threats to Israel’s very existence) specific location of the hospital when securing a former and the importance of their need to prevail over any Hezbollah strong hold.) I saw the lab where the rockets adversity they encounter. struck and a reinforced window that suffered damage My travels brought me together with people from from the explosion. Were it not for Israeli ingenuity, various sides of the political spectrum: city people and lives would have been lost. Directly below the hospital kibbutzniks. continued on page 23

12 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 13

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 12-13 8/13/07 5:12:02 PM After the blistering heat of the desert, I decided another identical hospital lay below ground in an effort Forum Leader Attends Partnership Steering Committee Meetings in Israel to continue the experience by taking a dip into to protect patients, physicians, nurses, and employees of the Dead Sea, which was not as refreshing as I had the hospital. During last year’s war, this area protected hoped: the water was around 85 degrees. With a Jews, Christians, Druze, and Arab residents of the Wall Street Journal in hand, I decided to relax in the region -- Israeli citizens, all. salty water and was amazed at how buoyant I was in Monday night I traveled to Tel Aviv to meet the water…even trying to sink was close to impossible. Ayelet, where she and a friend took me to a After lunch I ventured into the car with my guide memorial where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at for the 2 hour trip back to Jerusalem, which flew by a peace rally. They also took me through the old quickly as he detailed the history of how the Israeli neighborhoods established in the Yishuv, the Jewish A First Experience in the Motherland Defense Force (IDF) came into being. community of the State-in-the-Making. We contin- That night in Jerusalem I met up with Elaine ued on to the beachfront in Tel Aviv were we partied Steinger and Mark Finkelstein, who staff our Des late into the night. Moines Partnership and Ayelet Kleinman, who many Tuesday I traveled back by train to Nahariya, were A week in Israel of you might remember as the Israeli woman who I would rendezvous with the Partnership group, which By David Adelman spent a year in Des Moines as a shlicha (emissary) was convening for its annual Steering Committee from the Jewish Agency. We chose an incred- meetings. I arrived early enough to take a swim in

a. b c. d. e. f. “Zionism finds in it, for the Jews, a reason to raise their heads, and, tak- Was there a certain feeling I would feel? a. David Adelman in Adamit, Israel ible Israeli restaurant called Zuni off of Ben Yehuda the Mediterranean and to jog down the beach. With ing their stand upon the past, to gaze straightforwardly into the future.” Upon returning to my hotel from the Old City I decided to take a b. Jewish Agency director for the Western Galilee, Damon Rose, Street, the famous pedestrian mall where people from the group finally all together, we visited a security – Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (1915) walk around the surrounding neighborhoods. I wanted to lose myself, (left) shows visitors the Central Command Center in Acco. all over the Jewish world congregate. Speaking with command center underground in Acco. We toured The excitement and sense of urgency I felt upon my arrival in Israel was as it were, in the beauty of Jerusalem and I did just that, stumbling onto c. American members of the Israel Partnership in Israel for the the waiter about Israeli politics, I heard him address a bomb shelter in a pre-school and were educated on nothing like I had ever experienced. As the wheels touched down in Tel Independence Park. The park, which overlooked the city, was full of annual Steering Committee meetings a common complaint. He was frustrated about the the probable need for more of these in the future as Aviv people around me cheered and others I saw were wiping tears of joy people walking, laying out, having a picnic, etc. As I sat on a bench to d. Air conditioned busses help beat the heat lack of political participation in our age demographic. several of Israel’s neighbors seem to remain intolerant from their face. My own reaction was one of disbelief and wonderment. reflect on the first 12 hours being in Israel, I observed myself paying e. Rugged terrain. Beautiful vista. Apathy of the young voter is not just a problem in of Israel. My drive from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to Jerusalem attention to a wealth of details. The scent of the flowers scattered around f. Our Israeli partners in P2K entertain at the Partnership’s 10th America, but in Israel as well. As part of our orientation to our Partnership was uneventful, as our driver raced across the countryside reminding the park was intoxicating and the vividness of the city looking out from Anniversary Gala. Sunday I left for the North, passing Tel Aviv region, we ventured up to the Lebanese border, up into me of the taxi drivers in Rome. We passed one section of the security my bench was enchanting. Like many things regarding this trip, I am and Haifa on the way. The drive gave me a chance the hills to experience a breathtaking view overlooking fence where the Israeli soldiers stood guard. The faces of the men and unable to provide words that describe the feelings that came over me to study the terrain. Each bend we went around, or northern Israel. As with all visiting groups, we were women in uniform indicated they were much younger than me, but from while sitting on the bench overlooking Jerusalem. mountain we came upon, had a story in the struggle escorted by guards, former IDF special-forces. One later conversations, I learned that almost all were eager to serve their After eating a typically sumptuous Israeli hotel breakfast I left with for freedom. Stopping in Caesarea we saw the ruins of of the guards was a young man named Yaniv. While country, protecting it from the never ending threat of its neighbors. my guide, Alex, at 8:00 in the morning. We traveled through Jerusalem King Herod’s walled city on the Mediterranean (one talking together our similarities became apparent and As we approached the summit of the hills where Jerusalem, new and on a road, that prior to 1967, was the Jordanian border. We crossed of seven walled cities in all of Israel). The museum we decided to continue our conversation Wednesday old, sits I noticed the structures, i.e. buildings, homes, etc. Everything, into the West Bank and headed south towards Masada. On the way, we in Caesarea afforded great insight to what the city evening partying on the beachfront in Nahariya. including the walkways, are built with a magnificent limestone, given the passed Bedouin men on camelback herding goats and sheep. Such tribes- looked like from the times of King Herod’s through Early Wednesday evening – before my meeting- up appropriate name, Jerusalem stone. It is said the City -- because of the men were reportedly brought here by the King of Jordan 70 years ago to its destruction by the Romans. with Yaniv for cocktails -- the Partnership was treated stone-- radiates and glows from corner to corner as the sun rises in the act as lookouts for anyone crossing into Jordan. Now these people serve By that evening I finally got to our hotel in to a spectacular, 10th anniversary of the Partnership East and sets in the West. in the Israeli army acting as special guides in the desert. Seeing Bedouin Nahariya, in the Western Galilee. Upon arrival, I put party put on by our Israeli partners, in honor of the I stowed my bags in the hotel, where I would stay the next two nights culture in this context reminds me of how different a world I live in on my bags away and walked to the beach. Walking down Americans and people in the Western Galilee who and ventured out into the city. My destination was the Jewish quarter of the other side of the planet. the boardwalk filled with bars, restaurants, out-door had worked together over the years. The elaborate the Old City. As I approached my destination I saw an Arab man riding on En route to the Dead Sea area, descending from the heights of patios, and a half-dozen amphitheaters, one would decorations, entertainment, the great food, and the camelback and Hasidim racing around preparing for Shabbat. I continued Jerusalem to 1300 feet below sea level, the landscape drastically switched never guess the city only has a population of 50,000 warmth of our hosts were all wonderful. (In brief, the down the maze of limestone alleyways and emerged onto an open balcony to a barren arid desert. People tend to forget that most of Israel looked as and is a community still feeling the effects of last Partnership is a way to provide benefit to Israel, but with a view so magnificent that a picture would not do it justice. Below me barren (irrespective of the particular geography within the country, which summer’s war. Pulling up a chair at the bar facing the also a way for members of our community to engage was the Kotel (the western retaining wall of King Herod’s temple mount) varies) before the hard work, vision and innovation of the Zionists from the beach, I immediately struck up a conversation with the personally with Israel and its people. This is where with all walks of life seeking a spot at the Wall to say a prayer. At eye level past and before the scientists of the present had a vision of the fertile land bartender and the patrons around me. Our conversa- our community dollars are being spent. I encourage from the balcony was the Dome of the Rock: a shimmering, golden-domed Israel might become. This was attested to by Mark Twain, who visited “The tion continued well into the night; each of us telling everybody to participate in this ongoing and exciting shrine, from which Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven. As I Holy Land” in 1847 and described it as “… a desolate country whose soil is stories about university life, politics, social life of young effort. Just call the Federation to get involved.) looked upon the Western Wall and across the Temple Mount I remembered rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds - a silent mournful expanse… adults --and the Israelis added commentary about their Thursday – our last day in Israel – we spent at a quote from Irshad Manji, a Muslim author, who said about Israel, “I also A desolation is here that not even imagination can grace with the pomp of experiences with the IDF. After recollecting the conver- more Steering Committee meetings and in visiting the respect the fact that Israel allows for a multi-faith climate in which every life and action…We never saw a human being on the whole route…There sation the next morning, I realized the similarities and Western Galilee College, hearing from its top adminis- Friday a thousand Muslims pray openly on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and the cactus, those differences we have, and because we were all Jewish, trators. Then at a certain point, it became necessary to When I saw that, I had to ask myself, where in the Islamic world can 1,000 fast friends of the worthless soil, has almost deserted the country.” the underlying trust in each other that was felt. I won- travel back to the airport and board the flight home. Jews get together and pray in full public view?” Throughout my trip I was Back to the present, but ancient, Masada. I was struck by the way the dered what America would be like if each of us had the On the long journey home I thought back to my sure I’d continue to ask myself why there is no peace between these two desert preserved the incredible structure and the walls built by the Roman national pride in America the Israelis felt for Israel. time in Israel and the people I met. One thing that religious groups or if there ever will be. I climbed down the stairs from the soldiers below to penetrate the fortress – which they eventually did. And Monday morning I visited the Western Galilee occurred to me – and here I am editorializing -- was balcony and approached the Wall with hesitation. What was I going to say? the rest, as they say, is history. Hospital, a mere six kilometers from the Lebanese how similar Israelis and Americans feel about their border. The hospital serves a huge diversity of people elected officials. We, both peoples, tend to be very in the region and it employs both Arab and Jewish critical. The power to question authority, I think, doctors, who work well together. Criminally, during derives from our freedom to question authority, and last year’s war, Hezbollah -- some of whose positions that is a strength of both our systems. We’re democra- were located on top of the promontory looking straight cies. However, the Israelis, through our discussions, down at the Western Galilee, targeted missiles at the made me realize the immediacy of their situation hospital (IDF troops discovered data identifying the (we’re talking about threats to Israel’s very existence) specific location of the hospital when securing a former and the importance of their need to prevail over any Hezbollah strong hold.) I saw the lab where the rockets adversity they encounter. struck and a reinforced window that suffered damage My travels brought me together with people from from the explosion. Were it not for Israeli ingenuity, various sides of the political spectrum: city people and lives would have been lost. Directly below the hospital kibbutzniks. continued on page 23

12 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 13

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 12-13 8/13/07 5:12:02 PM [medicine] Thoughts On My Trip To Poland by Shaynna Grund the pre-trip sessions. There were 15 other “The World Before, The World After.” The camp of Majdanek. Majdanek is the only Key to Cinnamon Anti-Viral Extract Found in the Bible UNI students that I would be traveling with conference began on a Thursday. Friday camp that still has almost everything intact, For most of his professional life, Tel Aviv through that every scientist dreams about. damaging to the liver in high quantities, There is a growing tendency for in addition to three Iowa students. There we went to Auschwitz I, which is about an including the gas chambers and crematoria. University professor Michael Ovadia That breakthrough would come to him and must be removed. researchers and clinicians to explore natural was also going to be about 20 students from hour away from Krakow in the town of It was a bright sunny day, however, here focused on snakes and the medicinal prop- one morning in the synagogue while listen- “You cannot take high doses from the compounds against disease, agrees Chen, Texas A & M University at the Jagellonian Oswiecim and Auschwitz II-Birkenau in everything was very depressing, understand- erties of their venom. But seven years ing to a reading from the Old Testament. natural form of cinnamon,” Ovadia told adding that Ovadia is well-known for his doing a separate program. The chance to the town of Brzezinka. Auschwitz is such a ably so. The first building I went to here was ago, after meditating on a biblical passage, “There is a passage that explains how ISRAEL21c. “If you used it several times a day work in natural inhibitors of snake venom. go to Europe was only a minor reason for huge part of Holocaust history. I couldn’t the gas chamber. The tour ended with the Ovadia’s career focus began to take a twist... the High Priests - the Kohens - would to protect you from the flu, it would be toxic.” “This work with cinnamon is really this trip. I wanted to learn about where my crematoria and a monument to the a cinnamon twist to be exact. prepare a holy oil used on their bodies During seasonal epidemics, around an extension of his research. And at Tel family had come from and I also wished for victims which contained a pile of Today the spiritual scientist from TAU’s before they made a ritual animal sacrifice,” 10-20% of the world is infected with the Aviv University in general, there are several a stronger sense of religious identity. Where human ashes. Majdanek affected Department of Zoology is commercializing recalls Ovadia. “I had a hunch that this oil, influenza virus and the elderly and young groups working on biological and chemical better to do that than in Poland? me deeply. After leaving the camp, a unique cinnamon extract that is touted which was prepared with cinnamon and are particularly at risk. In America alone, structure of natural inhibitors,” he said. I didn’t really know a lot about modern I began playing with my necklace to quell viral infections from HIV to the other spices, played a role in preventing the the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Besides the human application, Ovadia Poland. In my head I pictured Poland as as I often did and I looked at it. Avian flu. spread of infectious agents to people.” Prevention estimates that 35-50 million sees that cinnamon fills an important niche the typical “Old Country” stereotype. I My necklace had begun to oxidize A research and license deal on his Taking his hunch to the laboratory Americans are infected with the flu every in the agriculture industry where chicks never really thought about it being modern. patent-pending cinnamon extract was bench, Ovadia’s initial experiments proved season. Despite the use of vaccines, the need to be immunized by hand against the I also thought that Judaism was still very signed last week between TAU’s technology to be true - his savory cinnamon extract was influenza virus is still associated with sig- deadly Newcastle disease virus. prominent in the country and that there transfer company Ramot and Frutarom, a able to quickly and effectively immunize nificant mortality worldwide - especially Applying this research to the global would be lots of Jews there. I was wrong. multinational nutraceutical company based chicken embryos from the Newcastle disease now that people travel regularly and work scale could only be done with the help of Although some parts of Poland are still very in Israel. Frutarom is expected to use the virus - one which costs the poultry industry together in offices and closed spaces. a large company - which is where Frutarom much “the old country,” the larger cities are wait to visit and finally see what I had been extract in a whole host of applications from in the US millions of dollars a year. Moreover, the global circulation of the comes in. The Israeli-based flavor and food quite modern. I also learned that Poland learning about for so many years. I was dis- disinfecting the air as a spray against Avian Further studies on Avian Flu H9, deadly Bird Flu H5 (with more than 50% additive company has grown in the last In January of 2007, I began taking a class at is one of the only countries in the world appointed. The commercialism associated flu in airports; to a daily supplement that Sendai virus, the HIV virus, and Herpes mortality in infected humans) may cause a 10-15 years from $10 million a year to a UNI called “Intro to Literature: Holocaust where most of the population is one ethnic- with Auschwitz completely took away from protects people against the common flu. Simplex 1 also achieved positive results. Not sudden worldwide pandemic within two to projected $350 million by the end of 2007. Literature.” I figured if I had to take a ity. Poland is now 97% ethnic Poles. I found my experience. Auschwitz II-Birkenau was Those researching in the field of nat- only was the extract able to neutralize the three months. Until a vaccine is invented, “We’re going to take this know how from literature class it might as well be one with that the majority of Jews still in Poland are not as commercialized and my experience ural medicine know that snake venom, viruses, it also showed for selected viruses antivirals will be the only medical interven- a food supplement to protect people from ill- a topic that interested me. In the first few Orthodox. Krakow has a population of over was better there. Saturday we had a few especially the notorious poisonous kind, that it has the potential to immunize against tion for use in such a pandemic, says Ovadia. ness to neutraceuticals in drugs; it can also be weeks of class my teacher told the class one million; there are about 200 registered more conference sessions and then went has unique anti-viral and analgesic proper- them as well. “What we know is that this technology used in agriculture against Bird flu - certainly about a summer program in Poland that Jews in the city. to the Galicia Jewish Museum for lunch. ties that can help fight human illness and Now before people start dropping cin- is capable of neutralizing viruses very fast it represents a very diversified product line,” UNI has been doing since the 90’s. It was a Throughout the first and second week in Here I bought a handcrafted silver Star of disease. For the past 40 years, Ovadia had namon sticks in their hot chocolate and and that it is applicable to various applica- said Frutarom’s CEO Ori Yehudai. study abroad program where students would addition to touring Krakow, we also toured David necklace; I wanted to buy one in been working with natural antidotes and sprinkling it all over their lattes - take note tions,” said Dr. Nissim Chen, the business According to the company, Ovadia stay in Krakow, Poland at the Jagellonian the Jewish section of the city, Kazimierz. Poland because I knew that would make it found that certain kinds of venom can that the cinnamon extract developed by development manager of Ramot who man- will continue to lead research into the University and study Nationalism and a The end of our second week included an extra special. from being in the gas chamber. I showed deactivate Parainfluenza (Sendai) virus - a Ovadia has special properties that won’t aged the commercialization process which development of the extract, and Frutarom brief history of the Holocaust over a period international conference that takes place Sunday through Tuesday our group and people and asked if their silver had done this, virus similar to the human flu. be found at coffee shops or in the kitchen ended up with the licensing to Frutarom. estimates that the new cinnamon product of four weeks. Immediately I knew that I every two years called “The Legacy of the a few of the scholars that had attended a con- no one’s had. I refuse to wash this off as a Work was going well. Papers were pub- cupboard. First of all, it comes from a “For example, it can be used in air condi- will be launched in about a year. Hopefully wanted to go. I called my mom as soon as Holocaust.” The conference is put on by the ference were going on post-conference tour reminder to myself of what has happened lished, patents had been developed, and special variety of cinnamon; coumarin and tioning systems in hospitals and prevent just before flu season. I got done with that class period and told University of Northern Iowa, Texas A & M to Lublin. On the way to Lublin we stopped to my people. In addition to Majdanek, we his reputation in the field was established. cinnamon aldehyde, which are by-products infections spreading from one person to the This article was originally showcased by Israel her about it. After I got the o.k. from her, I University, and the Jagellonian University. in Lancut for lunch and visited a synagogue also visited the Yeshiva and the Lublin But Ovadia was still waiting for the break- of cinnamon ‘juice’. These are actually other in closed spaces.” 21 C, online at israel21c.org spoke with my teacher and started attending The theme for the conference this year was there. On Monday we went to visit the death Jewish Cemetery. continued on page 19

Rabbi’s Perspective - A New Column Featuring Rabbis From Our Community Observance Can Differ... But Common Decency Should Be Universal Best Wishes by Rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum

Des Moines is a wonderful, small and close-knit community. It offers a friendly, safe and diversified religious community. There exist for a different denominations of Judaism that offer choices of religious observance in which each individual is free to choose. People make choices every day as to how religious they want to be. Each branch of Happy New Year! Judaism represented here teaches and practices Judaism according to their respective beliefs. We need to recognize these choices and respect our differences. Bruce Sherman However, we all agree that we must be decent, caring, respectful Jews who work to make everyone feel welcomed, loved, and wanted. We are biblically Dave Lettween obligated to love one another as we love ourselves. We all believe that what is distasteful to you, don’t do to anyone else. There are acts and levels of common and families decency to which we must all adhere in order to keep our community thriving, and hopefully, growing. The secret to this happening is to always focus on the feelings of everyone with whom we come into contact. We must always be sensitive to the effect our actions might have on someone else. A simple example of insensitivity might be not sending a bar or bat mitzvah invitation to every student in your child’s community school class. By including the whole class, we foster the enhanced unity Happy New Year! of the entire community. Leaving a couple of children out would cause undue pain and cause a damaging ripple effect that would eventually lead to some sad Jim and Shirlee Marcovis form of retaliation. Nashi and Bobbi Khalastchi, Jenny and Danny We are here to care for your There are many community events, celebrations and areas of concern that all Frank and Janel Marcovis, Karen, Mike and Jeff of our Jewish denominations can agree upon and work to accomplish great things. David Marcovis Eyewear needs However, each one of us controls our “menchlechkeit” level. Let us all work toward Eye Exams are available reaching the highest level of decency, observance and involvement in our respective 1801 Ingersoll Avenue congregations. That is the only way we will keep our children involved and proud Des Moines, IA 50309 for the location nearest you call 1-888-367-2020 of their Judaism, and possibly create an environment in which they would choose 515-243-7431 • toll-free 800-222-7027 to remain as they reach the age to make that life decision. Let’s work together to e-mail: [email protected] make that wonderful goal happen. G-d bless all of us as we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

14 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 11

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 14-15 8/13/07 5:12:07 PM [in profile:] Israel Partnership Leadership Forum Irwin Zuckerman An Entrepreneur came from Brooklyn Your Contributions Help Israel. Irwin Zuckerman has myself. I don’t know why I felt that way. Now more than ever. brought a bit of Brooklyn JP: Where did you grow up? Over the years, our Federation’s lay leaders individuals traumatized by the war, to improve with him to Des Moines. IZ: I grew up in the Flatbush area of and staff have built a warm and personal rela- communal bomb shelters to the degree they He exemplifies an initiative Brooklyn. tionship with the people of Israel’s Western can be made more accommodating --for exam- and entrepreneurship which JP: Was your father in business? Galilee. We work on this relationship in ple, adding air conditioning where applicable are rare qualities in society IZ: No, he worked for the garment trade in consortium with thirteen other Jewish – and for the construction of a command today. To Irwin, family, Manhattan. American communities in a Partnership center in Acco, from which the security of the community, and customers JP: And where did you go to college, prior program designed by the Jewish Federations community may be monitored. are of prime importance. The Zuckerman family to Drake? and the Jewish Agency for Israel. There are The emergency campaign funds are in are members of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. In the IZ: I went to one of the colleges of city 39 such pairings between communities here, addition to the regular amount allocated from following interview, we get to learn a little about University of new York – baruch college, in the United States, and in Israel. And in All-In-One contributions to the Partnership. Irwin, his wife Rosalie, and their three daughters. which is a business college. many respects, our consortium is considered Our regular allocations, which this year total Jewish Press: Irwin, some of us may recall JP: Where is your wife Rosalie from? among the very best of the partnerships. It $30,000, comprise part of the $500,000 that your daughter Sammy was bat mitzvah IZ: She is from Des Moines. We met at is something we can take great pride in. amalgamated by our consortium and applied, there in October of 2006. Drake, where i was studying, and after As you may know, our partnership by joint committee process, to social service, Irwin Zuckerman: And almost a year to the we were married, we lived in new Jersey region – in the northwestern section of economic, and arts projects most of which date, our daughter Amanda will become bat before returning to Des Moines in 1994. Israel, near the Lebanese border – was benefit both the Western Galilee and our mitzvah on October 13, 2007. Rosalie comes from a large family. So we hit hard by Hezbullah rockets during last Jewish communities in the States. JP: Mazel tov to your family. have plenty of cousins for my children to summer’s war. Our sister city Acco, along Sadly, there is an additional need for IZ: Thank you. play with. with Western Galilee Hospital, and many of funding to counter the residual effects of the JP: Let me ask you about your business. We have three children, our oldest, the kibbutzim sustained direct hits. 2006 summer war. The people of Israel, and You’ve built it from scratch. Mara is a student at Valley High School. While our friends and colleagues in most specifically, the residents of our partner- IZ: Yes, i did the research and found that JP: What are some of your hobbies, Irwin? Israel were under attack, the Jewish American ship region need further assistance. The there was a need for an all inclusive linen IZ: Well, I enjoy doing a bit of cooking. I communities established an Israel Emergency issue is not the repair of damaged buildings. service, and when i came back to town love being with my family, and i am inter- Fund, raising, to date, a total of $350 million Those have been fixed, for the most part. in 1994 – i had previously been a stu- ested in a number of different sports. dollars. As part of the emergency effort, our The issue is to help people with psychologi- dent at Drake – I established Park Avenue JP: What are your hopes for your business? community, our Federation, and our Des cal needs, to help fund necessary initiatives Laundry services. in addition to linen IZ: We’re putting effort into developing Moines Jewish Foundation raised $300,000. promoting interethnic tolerance, and frankly, supply, we rent and launder uniforms and clients in the surrounding states. Perhaps Most of the funds were transmitted to United to help prepare the region to house refugees Author Sue Fishkoff (top left) discussed entrance mats. we can expand, somewhat, within the next Jewish Communities, which applied a large from future attacks on Israel. issues of contemporary Jewish identity JP: Where is your business located? few years. portion of all the emergency funding to help Our Federation’s leadership encourages you to with members of the Leadership Forum. IZ: We’re located at 100 Indiana Avenue in JP: What’s your business philosophy? the areas affected, including the Western become more involved with the Israel Partnership. The Forum, mentored by Judy Deutch 2843 Ingersoll Avenue • 274-4004 Des Moines. IZ: I try to provide the best service Galilee. $100,000 of our funds were sent Consider additional gifts to the Crisis Relief fund and Bruce Sherman (shown in pictures JP: You are owner of the company. How possible and to give good value for the directly, through the Jewish Agency, to help we have established. Please send your contributions second in left and right columns), gathers many employees do you have? services provided. our partnership region. Those funds continue to: Israel Crisis Relief Fund, c/o Jewish Federation, periodically for special programming and IZ: We have 15. JP: Do you have any advice for the to be used to provide needed counseling to 910 Polk Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312. JP: I know you put in a long work week. How next generation? social activities. many hours, on average, do you suppose? IZ It would be to set your mind on a goal. IZ: At least 70 hours a week. If you work hard, you’ll succeed. JP: When did you decide to go into business? JP: Thank you, Irwin. It’s been a pleasure IZ: For some reason, I knew when I was 10 chatting with you. All the best. years old I wanted to go into business for IZ: Thank you. For memories that last a lifetime~ From the Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906 The professional staff at the Babski Refues Embassy Suites on the River is here to serve you. By: Herman Rosenthal Alexander Harkavy of the form thus assumed by the metal to a Beautiful two room suites for guests, The name applied in Yiddish to domestic particular animal, she divines that the cause and superstitious medicine. Common folk of fright was a cat, a dog, a horse, etc. Gorgeous Event Space for all your celebrations~ among the Jews in Russia and Poland The popular guides of domestic believe in peculiar remedies for diseases and superstitious medicine among the Comfortably accommodating 10- 1,300 guests. and maladies, some of the remedies con- Russian and Polish Jews are the “Sefer sisting of drugs or physics and some of Zekirah” (Book of Remembrance), by Rabbi Call to set up an appointment for your next Bar/Bat Mitzvah, magic agencies. Especially peculiar are the Zechariah of Plungyan, and the “Mif’alot latter, which are generally prescribed or Elokim” (Works of the Lord ), which latter wedding or any engagement. administered by a practical cabalist called is a collection of remedies prescribed by “ba’al-shem” (master of [the Divine] name) Rabbis Yoel Ba’al-Shem, Naphtali of Posen, 515-244-1700 or “guter Yid” (good Jew), to whom super- and others. stitious men and women apply for the con- Here follow a few items contained in Ask for the sales and catering office! juration of toothaches, of wounds, or of an the two treatises: To alleviate pain of denti- evil eye (“’ayyin ha-ra’”), or for the exorcism tion, suspend upon the neck of the child a Mazel Tov!! of an evil spirit (“dibbuk”). tooth of a horse or of a dog, and smear the Of the “segulot” (superstitious rem- throat of the child with butter or chicken- Premiums shown are for Term 10 Plus, a renewable term life insurance policy that guarantees the premium to remain level for 10 years from the Policy Date. The premiums quoted are based on the age of the insured at nearest birthday and specified underwit- edies) among these folk, particularly curi- fat (“Zekirah,” p. 80, Warsaw, 1875). To ing classification and are subject to change without notice. Premiums for issued policies may be different than the premiums shown based upon actual underwriting classification. Generally, in the absence of fraud, after an amount of insurance has been ous are those intended for the relief of protect a child from an “evil eye,” let it in effect for two years during your lifetime, we cannot contest that amount due to a false statement made in the application. In pregnant women and that of children. For wear a copper or silver tablet with the letter the event of death during the first two policy years by suicide or self destruction while insane, only the premiums paid will he returned as death proceeds. FlexTerm Series policies (Form 92-TR-1 and any state variations) are underwritten and issued by instance, a well-known practice among them hey engraved upon it (ib. p. 84). In case of Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer. is “Bleigiessen,” or what may be termed measles or small-pox, take ten peas, throw Product, product features and rider availability vary by state. Company not licensed to conduct business and products not distrib- uted in AK, HI and NY. Form 2942 Rev. 6-07 “plumbomancy,” which is divination from them upon the patient, and say: “As many

NOT A DEPOSIT NOT FDIC INSURED NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK the forms assumed by molten lead dropped peas as have been thrown upon the child, MAY LOSE VALUE NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY into water. This is resorted to in cases in so many pocks shall it have, not more,” which illness of pregnant women or that “Mif’alot Elokim,” p. 94, Lemberg, 1872). For more information, please call of children is due to fright, to find out Among other treatises containing Steven Jay Frederick, President/A Life for Giving what object was the cause of the alarm. A similar prescriptions is: “Toledot Adam,” 666 Grand Avenue, 18th Floor-Suite 1818 medicine-woman, muttering a psalm or an a collection of remedies by several caba- Des Moines, Iowa 50309 incantation, throws molten lead into a ves- lists, edited by Joel Heilprin (Ba’al Shem), 515-245-LIFE(5433) cell: 515-556-3750 sel full of water, and from the resemblance Wilmersdorf, 1784.

10 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 15

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 10-11 8/13/07 5:11:13 PM [a musical retrospective] Reflections of My Holocaust Study Tour by Deb Finkelstein number of former shtetls. Yes, anti-Semitism slightest hint of a figure. I was moved by the June 4th and then left the following Sunday Mel Tormé, The Velvet Fog You just didn’t quite know what to say to existed for every single one of the 800 years courage it took to hide a Siddur. I was moved for a week of study for executive directors at by Mark Finkelstein me as I prepared for my trip to Poland and of Jewish life in Poland, ranging from slurs by everything I learned about the heroes who The Jewish Theological Seminary in New Do you remember the comedy series Night Court? Remember the judge, played by Harry the Czech Republic for the Holocaust Study to pogroms. Of course, there are no Jews survived and the heroes who died. York. In the middle of the week I had one of Anderson, was a fanatical admirer of skat-singing, jazz vocalist Mel Tormé? Tormé, charac- Tour. I would hear, “Have a great trip” or in these shtetls today, but there are tangible One of my most difficult times was those ah-ha moments. There I was, studying terized decades ago by a New York DJ as “The Velvet Fog” for his smooth vocal delivery, “have a wonderful time.” Then you would signs that they lived there. Whether it was standing at a bank of ovens. I thought about in a community of fellow Jews some 70 years thrilled audiences even into the 1980s by his guest appearances on Night Court, and even catch yourself and apologize, not knowing a tiny synagogue, a former yeshiva or some- the fact that someone designed these ovens, later than the world from which I had just later, on an episode of Seinfeld – he was that popular! how to send someone off to the land of thing as simple as an indentation on a door- how big they needed to be, how wide and tall come. Do I call that vengeance? Do I call “Downbeat’s” Best Male Jazz Singer of 1976, winner of two Grammies in the 1980s, and death camps. But whether you realize it or post where once a mezuzah was mounted, to make the door, what side the door hinges that survival? I call it “Am Yisrael Chai.” The Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1999, Tormé is probably best known for his 1946 not, members of Kol Shalom actually took we knew this is where Jews studied, where would be placed, how the bodies would composition, “The Christmas Song” – that is: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” that trip with me when I left on May 27th. Jews prayed, and where Jews once lived. move through it and how the ashes would be Transported by Deb Finkelstein Here was Mel Tormé, born in Chicago in 1925 to a middle class Jewish family, whose In the five classes leading up to my I came away with a better knowledge collected at the other end. I thought about We too have been transported name had been changed from Torma. Tormé, a self-taught musician, was a paid professional trip, our educator and tour guide, Claire of what was lost, not only to us as Jews, the fact that someone carried the bricks These Jewish bodies and souls of ours singer at the age of four! He sang “You’re Driving Me Crazy” in a little sailor’s uniform at Simmons, taught the history of 800 years of but also to Poland and the world. I lost my and fashioned the iron to build the oven. I We’ve been transported beyond the realities of a restaurant in Chicago on a series of Mondays. By the age of eight, he was acting on such Jews in Poland. I will never forget one of the naiveté when I saw firsthand the German’s thought about the fact that someone placed the Shoah radio dramas as “Jack Armstrong: The All American Boy.” And he penned a hit song, at the first things she told us, “Most of Holocaust precise and systematic management of a the mortar between the bricks and fastened Into the spirits of the Six Million age of 15, for bandleader, trumpeter Harry James. So this was one talented kid. education is focused on the perpetrators, death machine. I left stronger in my resolve the hinges to the door and the door to the Our journey has taken us It is recorded, presumably in the 1930s, that his family liked to sit on their front stoop the Nazis and Hitler. We are going to learn to be a witness and never forget the people. oven. And I thought about the fact that all From shtel to shtel after Shabbat dinner and proudly have Mel sing for the neighbors. about the Jews of Poland, who they were You cannot not be moved when you those someones knew the purpose of these From camp to camp But he didn’t stay in Chicago for long. Word is that after and the civilization they created, so that we see your own family name on tombstones ovens. I will never forget that realization. From life to death high school, he left to join the Chico Marx Orchestra, in better understand what was lost.” I took and on memorial walls honoring those who While the method of murder evolved California, as a singer, drummer, and arranger for Chico’s vocal this cue to study beyond the class handouts were murdered. You cannot not be moved over the years from shootings, starvations, Our people had names group. And then for several years, Mel had his own jazz vocal by reading everything I could get my hands when you stand by a table where murdered and gassings, what was equally horrible for me Our people had dreams group – somewhat like Sinatra’s Pied Pipers – before setting out on in the time I had, to know these Polish Jewish bodies were dissected for gold before was the methodical de-humanization of Jews The names we recall to this day as a solo artist in 1947. In 1951, he starred on his own TV show, Jews from which my father’s family came at being sent to the ovens. You cannot not be during those years. The murders make me The dreams will be realized through us and ours a summer replacement series for Perry Como. the turn of the 20th century. moved when you are face to face with the angry. The de-humanization makes me cry. I never again want to think of Six Million Along the way, during the ups and downs of a musical and But how do you stay focused on Jewish largest pile of human ashes you would ever Yes, you were with me on my trip. You Without thinking of each and every Jewish soul film career over six decades, Mel drew many accolades. He indi- life in Poland prior to the Holocaust when see in your lifetime. were with me when I read the names of your A father, a mother, a cousin cated that perhaps the most meaningful to him was that from you are standing in front of crematoriums, I recently read a powerful, and now family members at Birkenau. You were with Each one belonged to someone Bing Crosby, who called Tormé “the greatest singing entertainer gas chambers, and ovens? How do you more meaningful, quote by Yitzchak Mais, me in Auschwitz where I stood at a large One plus one plus one and on it goes I’ve ever seen.” not feel the systematic de-humanization of who wrote, “Jews under German domination display of suitcases marked with the names How long would it take to count by ones One fruitful period for Mel was his twenty year collaboration with jazz pianist George your fellow Jews as you learn of life in the are often depicted as...faceless extras in the Berman, Morgenstern, and Neumann. You Until I grow tired of counting Shearing. They made five records together. This was followed by a resurgence of Mel’s ghetto, transports to camps, and losing your drama of their own destruction.” Yet, I was were with me when I davened Shacharit on popularity during the 1980s, with that era’s renewed interest in vocal and mainstream jazz. name to a number? How can you possibly moved by the drawings of children in the the railroad tracks in Birkenau with my Kol But without each and every one, there is no After a lifetime of performing night clubs and concerts, his last Carnegie Hall show was envision a rich and meaningful life prior to camps. I was moved to learn of the strength Shalom Siddur. You were with me at each Six Million in 1994. A venerated celebrity, Mel passed away in 1999. 1933 when you know how the story ends? It it took to maintain the tiniest bit of humanity camp when we said Kaddish and then sang Deb Finkelstein, a former resident of Des Of his many albums, one can recommend Jazz ‘Round Midnight: Mel Tormé which wasn’t easy, but it was so important to do. by women who tore the hem from their dress Hatikvah and left an Israeli flag. Moines, is Executive Director of Kol Shalom includes his rendition of a beautiful and oft recorded song he wrote, “Born to be Blue.” Pull Along with five camps, we visited a to create a belt that would give them the I returned to Bethesda on Monday, Synagogue in North Bethesda, MD up the recording on amazon.com and enjoy an excerpt from the tune. [next generation]

Regina Zilbermints by Robin Bear Regina Zilbermints loves horses. She would rather be training and riding her leased horse, Peavey’s Bright Eye, than just about anything else. When she was seven, Regina attended Camp Shalom during a week of horseback riding and horses have captured her attention ever since. As soon as Regina was old enough to work she began saving her money for horseback riding lessons. Now she rides Peavey almost daily, preparing to com- pete in the various circuit horse shows around the midwest. This past summer Regina has been working at Ann Taylor earning money that is primarily spent caring for her horse. Regina lives in West Des Moines with her parents, Viktor and Viktoriya Zilbermints, and her thirteen year old sister, Anna. Anna celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth Israel earlier this year. In 1993, when Regina was four years old, she moved from the Ukraine to Iowa with her parents and grandparents. Three of Regina’s grandparents live in Des Moines and Regina says she enjoys having them live close where she can always call them or stop by for a visit. Last May, Regina graduated from Valley High School. Half of her classes were taken at Central Campus to enable her to take advanced placement classes sooner. This plan worked well and Regina will begin her fall term at the University of Iowa with many of her general education classes already completed. She is considering a double major in journal- ism and political science. As the presidential election moves forward, Regina is looking for candidates she feels she can support and work for during the campaign. Regina hopes to spend next summer traveling in Europe. She enjoyed the trips taken with her family to Italy and Australia and wants to see more of the world. She would like to visit Israel while in college. Last spring Regina spent five days in New York playing her violin with the Valley Orchestra in a music festival. The group participated in various clinics with different con- ductors, played an outside concert near the Trump Towers, and played at Carnegie Hall. Reading is a favorite pastime and amongst Regina’s favorites are: “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess and “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. She also enjoys the author, Barbara Kingsolver. Regina is modest about her many accomplishments. With all that she has going for her, we know success will come her way and we wish her a wonderful year at the University of Iowa.

16 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 9

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 16-17 8/13/07 5:12:13 PM [commentary] [chef du jour] In the Kitchen With her husband Andrew Osman owns ARO, a del recipe then and during Rosh Hashanah. clearing tables, then moved on to rolling Anti-Zionism is Racism commercial real estate company in Kansas Harriet says she was trained in the strudel and frying the latkes. By Judea Pearl identify with a common history and wish national identity and personal dignity. both Israelis and Palestinians the right Harriet Feder City. Their daughter Izzi is 18 months old kitchen of Temple Judah in Cedar Rapids, This recipe for Mock Strudel originat- In the past three months, I have vis- to share a common destiny. Palestinians To put it more bluntly, anti-Zionism con- for statehood, the latter denies that right by Karen Engman and loves to talk. In fact, she telephones where she learned how to entertain for 500 ed from those women of Temple Judah who ited four “troubled” campuses -- Duke, have earned nationhood status by vir- demns 5 million human beings, mostly to one, and only one side. This asymme- (with her mother’s assistance) her “Honey” people!! This Temple was the merger of cooked together in the temple kitchen so York (Canada), Columbia and UC Irvine tue of thinking like a nation, not by refugees or children of refugees, to eter- try is the most effective weapon our stu- Harriet Schwartz Feder (grandmother) Harriet every afternoon at 4 orthodox and reform congregations. Ronny long ago. It is a delicious traditional recipe -- where tensions between Jewish and residing where their ancestors did nal statelessness, traumatized by historical dents should use in campus debates, for it moved from Cedar PM after her nap to chat and hear Harriet was the Temple President the same year that that is not too difficult to prepare. Harriet anti-Zionist students and professors have (many of them are only three or four images of persecution and genocide. puts them back on the high moral grounds Rapids to Des Moines sing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Julia Feder (30) Harriet led the sisterhood. It was a great wants you to know that any fruit preserves attracted national attention. In these visits, generations in Palestine). Jews, likewise, Anti-Zionism also attacks the pivotal of “fair and balanced” and forces their oppo- in 1983 with her fam- lives in St. Louis and works at the Missouri place to receive leadership training accord- will work in this recipe. I have spoken to students, faculty and are bonded by nationhood (i.e., common component of our identity, the glue that nents to defend an ideology of one-sidedness. ily, husband Ronny and Botanical Gardens/Earthways, directing ing to Harriet. The Temple was known for The JEWISH PRESS thanks Harriet administrators, and I have obtained a fairly history and destiny) more than they are bonds us together -- our nationhood, our For example, I have found it effective, kids, Michael, Deb and their energy program for the area schools. their BIG DINNER which served over 1500 for sharing this recipe with our readers. gloomy picture of the situation on those bonded by religion. history. And while people of conscience when confronting an anti-Zionist speaker, Julia. She grew up in Harriet’s special interests besides her community members. Helping on this event If you have a recipe to share call (515-274- and other campuses. The appeal to Jewish nationhood is nec- reject anti-Semitism, anti-Zionist rhetoric to ask: “Are you willing to go on record the Kansas City area family include walking, gardening, golf and was her training ground. She started with 3300) or email ([email protected]). Jewish students are currently subjected essary when we consider Israel’s insistence has become a mark of academic sophistica- and state that the Israel-Palestine con- and loves to play “Jewish geography” with anyone playing Mah Jongg. She is to an unprecedented assault on their iden- on remaining a “Jewish state.” By “Jewish tion and social acceptance in Europe and in flict is a conflict between two legitimate she meets with a KC connection. Actually, employed by her husband tity as Jews. And we, the Jewish faculty on state” Israelis mean, of course, “national some U.S. campuses. national movements?” Western audiences Harriet just loves to talk to anyone because she Ronny at his company Mock Strudel campus, have let those students down. We Jewish state,” not “religious Jewish state” Moreover, anti-Zionism disguises itself adore even-handedness and abhor bias. is a warm and caring person who is interested in Hockenberg Newburgh From the Temple Judah/Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cookbook..”Approved by the Committee” Dairy have failed to equip them with effective -- theocratic states (like Pakistan and Iran) in the cloak of political debate, exempt The question above forces the racist to the lives and endeavors of others. Sales and Marketing where This recipe was used for the TEMPLE JUDAH BIG DINNER… tools to fight back this assault. are incompatible with modern standards from sensitivities and rules of civility that unveil and defend his uneven treatment of A Des Moines native, Alan Booth, was she works on special events We can reverse this trend. of democracy and pluralism. Anti-Zionist govern inter-religious discourse. Religion is the two sides. Ronny Feder’s roommate at the University planning. Harriet cur- For the dough: For the filling: Many condemn anti-Zionism for being racists use this anti-theocracy argument ferociously protected in our society -- politi- America prides itself on academic of Iowa and he fixed up the couple for rently serves on the boards 2 cups flour white raisins a flimsy cover for anti-Semitism. I dis- repeatedly to delegitimize Israel, and I have cal views are not. freedom, and academic freedom entails Harriet’s first date in Iowa City. They were of the Iowa Jewish Senior 1 cup sour cream Pineapple or Apricot preserves …I use 2-3 tablespoons per strudel roll agree. The order is wrong. I condemn found our students unable to defend their Just last month, a student organization freedom to teach hatred and racism -- we married 1½ years later when Harriet was Life Center and the Youth 1 cup of butter Coconut and a sprinkle of your favorite chopped dried fruit anti-Semitism for being an instrument for a position with conventional ideology that on a UC campus hosted a meeting on graciously accept this fact of life. However, only 20 and they just celebrated their 40th Homes of America. She worse form of racism: anti-Zionism. views Jewishness as a religion. “A World Without Israel.” Imagine the academic freedom also entails the freedom anniversary this past summer. As Harriet enthusiastically described Pinch of salt Finely chopped nuts In other words, I submit that anti- Jewishness is more than just a religion. international furor that a meeting called, of students to expose racism, be it white- exclaims, “It’s been an amazing year!” She her volunteer activities on Zionism is a form of racism more danger- It is an intricate and intertwined mixture “A World Without Mecca,” would provoke. supremacy, women-inferiority, Islamophobia also turned 60 this year. Their family vaca- these boards and the day she ous than classical anti-Semitism. Framing of ancestry, religion, history, country, cul- So, in the name of “open political or Zionophobia wherever it is spotted. Not tioned at The Greenbriar in West Virginia spent helping on a Habitat Cut butter into the flour and salt with a pastry blender until the butter is the size of large peas. Add sour anti-Zionism as racism is precisely the ture, tradition, attitude, nationhood and debate,” administrators would not think twice to censor, but to expose -- racists stew in to celebrate all their simchas, including the for Humanity home here in cream. Divide the Dough into 3 to 4 balls and refrigerate 24 hours. Next day: Roll one ball at a time on a weapon that our students need for survival ethnicity, and we need not apologize for about inviting MIT linguist Noam Chomsky their own words. birth of a new granddaughter. Des Moines. floured board or pastry cloth as thinly as possible into the shape of a rectangle. Spread with filling ingre- on campus. not fitting neatly into the standard molds to speak on campus, though his anti-Zionist In summary, I believe the formula Michael Feder (35), a partner at Price Thanksgiving is her dients beginning with the preserves (I use about 2-3 heaping tablespoons of preserves). Roll the pastry Anti-Zionism earns its racist character of textbook taxonomies -- we did not choose utterances offend the fabric of my Jewish “Anti-Zionism = Racism” should give Jewish Waterhouse, specializing in international favorite time of the year together starting with the two ends, tuck them under and then place left side over the right side and pinch from denying the Jewish people what it our turbulent history. identity deeper than any of the ugly religious students the courage to both defend their tax, is married to Debbie Wang Feder who because she gathers together together. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet in oven set at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. Cut into 2” grants to other collectives (e.g. Spanish, As a form of racism, anti-Zionism is insults currently shocking the media. He identity and expose those who abuse it. has a Masters degree in English as a Second her family and Ronny’s thick slices while the strudel rolls are still warm. Palestinians), namely, the right to nation- worse than anti-Semitism. It targets the should be labeled for what he is: a racist. This opinion piece appeared in The New York Language. They have a son Nathan, (5) who mother Ruthie with many Can be made and frozen to serve at a later date. hood and self-determination. most vulnerable part of the Jewish people, Charges of “racism” highlight the inher- Jewish Week. Judea Pearl is the father of loved riding horses on their vacation and a of her friends and their ** The recipe has never been given with exact amounts for filling—you must fill as much as you want. Are Jews a nation? A collective is namely, the people of Israel, who rely on the ent asymmetry between the Zionist and slain journalist Daniel Pearl and Professor of new baby Nina (5 months). Deb Feder (33) is families to eat and celebrate. The ladies at Temple Judah always used their hands and “measured” in handfuls! entitled to nationhood when its members sovereignty of their state for physical safety, anti-Zionist positions. The former grants Computer Science at UCLA. an attorney with Blackwell & Sanders and She always serves this stru-

Mandarina Duck

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8 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 17

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 8-9 8/13/07 5:11:05 PM [commentary] Cyril Mandelbaum Honored Des Moines Jewish Foundation Congratulations to and two daughters-in-law, Chad (Dina), Sean A Father’s Thoughts by Dan Sloven Cyril Mandelbaum, (Yuki), and Justin and three grandchildren. There comes a time during bar mitzvah ceremo- You know yourself that it is not easy to learn who has been selected Honored previously, in 2002, as a nies when parents address their son or daughter, to chant a language without the vowels. In by the Business Record Woman of Influence by the Business Record Take Advantage of Tax Savings on imparting a message on this important occasion. a different way, it is hard work to belong to as among the Women and in 1986, as an “Up and Comer” by the Dr. Dan Sloven delivered the following recently a people chosen by God. In a way, more is of Influence in Central Des Moines Register, Cyril has long been at the Long-Term Care Insurance at his son Moses’ bar mitzvah at Tifereth Israel expected of us. Jews are expected, or better Iowa. Cyril was named forefront of community involvement. She With the aging of the Baby Boomers, more people are looking at long-term care insurance as a way to help ease the Synagogue. We feel the remarks are worth read- yet, even required to be generous, be studi- Woman Business Owner chaired the Iowa Capital Investment Board, potential burden of nursing home costs. When exploring the various options, remember that there are tax breaks ing by every one. – editor. ous, and be just. We are required to give of the Year and was honored among the was appointed by Senator Harkin in 1986 available to make insurance premiums more affordable. Moses, we are very proud of you today. charity even when we are having a bad year. awardees on August 14. to the White House Conference on Small We witnessed your training and studying We are required to seek out the people that Cyril (Pasternak) Mandelbaum, born and Businesses, has served on the Des Moines • If an employer provides long-term care coverage, the cost is generally excluded from your income, similar to health for your Bar Mitzvah, and we were proud we’ve wronged, admit our misdeed, and ask raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, earned her Public Library’s Foundation Board, and initi- insurance, unless the coverage is selected under the company’s cafeteria or flexible spending plan. of you for your effort to do your best at this forgiveness. And let one of us screw up bachelor’s degree in accounting and became ated and has been active in the Mentoring very significant milestone. We are grate- publicly, and it reflects on all of us. a CPA after graduation. For three years she Project helping high school girls with college Elaine Steinger • Individuals who purchase their own policies can deduct the premiums as a medical expense. The amount deduct- ful for the help of Rabbi Padorr, Wendy Being Jewish is embarrassing. We worked for Peat Marwick and Mitchell and and career selection. Within the Jewish com- Executive Director ible depends upon the taxpayer’s age. For example, those older than age 50 but not more than 60 can deduct up Beckerman, your Uncle Jim Bukstein, wear such funny little hats. We are always Co. before opening her own CPA firm, munity, Cyril was past president of the Iowa to $1,100 in 2007. Those older than 60 but not more than 70 can deduct up to $2,950. your teachers at the former Des Moines asking what is in the food. Our holidays more than thirty years ago. Married to John Jewish Senior Life Center and served on the Jewish Academy, and your community are in the middle of the week, never on Mandelbaum, she and John have three sons board of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. • Self-employed individuals can include the premiums in their health insurance costs, deductible as an above-the- school teachers. We wish we could share the same dates, and always on the night line expense. this day with your Sabba Sid Sloven and of a football game or the prom. Drive great aunt and uncle Anna and Charles around the neighborhood in December and JCRCs Monitoring Textbooks for Those who receive benefits from a long-term care policy can exclude up to $260 per day from income in 2007, an Greenberg who couldn’t attend because of you can tell who is Jewish. We don’t do Content about Judaism, Israel amount that is adjusted annually for inflation. their health. We also wish we could share lights. It gets awkward and embarrassing this day with your grandparents Morie to be out of sync with most of the people in The Jewish Community Relations Council Among the textbook examples uncov- and Nellie Goldstein, your cousin Abby the community. of San Francisco and the umbrella group ered by ICS: Time for Another Look Helman, and our dear friend Cathy Holm Being Jewish is inconvenient. You for JCRCs, the Jewish Council for Public • Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates Starting this year, children, grandchildren and other beneficiaries will have an option previously available only to of blessed memory. can’t eat this with that, you can’t bring food Affairs has embarked on a project to the killing of Egyptian firstborn sons. spouses: the ability to do a tax-free rollover of qualified retirement plans at the owner’s death. Prior to 2007, only a I have promised that I would not into the house, you aren’t supposed to work monitor the accuracy and fairness in cur- • Abraham and Jesus lived in “Palestine.” surviving spouse could roll the funds tax free into an IRA; for all other beneficiaries, the entire account would have to embarrass you by speaking of how utterly or write or drive on Saturdays. When do riculum materials about Jews, Judaism, • The Jews killed Jesus. be distributed within a short period of time, with income taxes due on the full amount. Now, distributions and taxes exciting were the circumstances of your you get to just be normal? and Israel. The Institute for Curriculum • The 1948 war produced only one refugee can be spread over the IRA owner’s life. birth. Instead, I referred to “Bar Mitzvah’s Finally, there are still times and places Services (ICS), as the project is called, problem. for Dummies” which said I should talk where being Jewish is dangerous. Google offers a variety of services. ICS reviews • Suicide bombings are acts of terrorism, It’s a good idea to regularly review beneficiary designations on retirement plans, life insurance policies and broker- about a Jewish subject which excited me. the word “Jew” and you will see that not textbooks currently in use, works with except when they happen in Israel. age accounts, to see that they are coordinated with your entire estate plan. The new rules on rollovers by non- I almost decided to talk about Natalie everybody in the world admires us. publishers on content when new text- The Institute for Curriculum Services spouse beneficiaries may create opportunities to pass wealth to younger family members. Ask your financial adviser Portman; however, instead I want to talk So, why stay Jewish? It is hard, embar- books are being written, develops new is developing a website at www.icsre- about how you can take advantage of this tax law change. about why you should stay Jewish. rassing, inconvenient, and maybe even curriculum materials, works with local sources.org. For additional information, It’s also possible to name a charity as a beneficiary of all or part of your retirement accounts, in which case taxes will You are here today because you are sometimes dangerous. Why in creation JCRC and educational officials, and offers contact [email protected] locally or call 515 be avoided entirely. Jewish by birth, number one, and number would you want to stay Jewish? teacher training. 277-6321 x 214. two because your mother and I chose to I’m not going to say be Jewish because You can DOUBLE Your Gift to the Jewish Community follow the traditions of our faith. One day being Jewish is good. Being Jewish is good, Council Bluffs Synagogue listed on If you or your spouse works for a company that has a “matching gift” program, please get their forms …we will help not too far distant, you will leave home and but other things are good, too. Stay Jewish you apply on behalf of the Jewish Federation. decide how Jewish you want to stay. You because staying Jewish is the most fun a National Register will not stay Jewish because your mother person could possibly have. It is fun to Historic Places. A ceremony commemorat- You will receive credit for double your gift – and the Jewish community will benefit from your generous support. and I are Jewish. Your Mom and I will try to honor our laws. It is fun to aim ing the occasion was held in June. determine your cholesterol and your height for goodness and godliness. It is fun to Dating back to 1930, the building “Weather” or Not… but not your Jewishness. You will have to celebrate our history and culture. It is fun was constructed on the same site as If you’ve flown the coop for the summer months, it’s still great weather here for planning charitable gifts with the Jew- decide that yourself. to have a country and a language. It is fun the congregation’s synagogue which had ish Foundation of Greater Des Moines. A Rabbi, Dovid Olrlovsky, tells of to belong to a group that aims high. Being burned down. asking a class at a Jewish High School Jewish makes more of the parts of you that Chevra B’nai Yisroel, as it was then With the stock market in a whirlwind, the climate is perfect for gifting appreciated stock. Don’t be smog about it how many of them, if they could start you most admire. Don’t stay Jewish because known, was established in 1903. Its found- – you could be lightening the taxes on your capital gain. The forecast for a sunny future is a gift that will provide over, would choose to be born Jewish. To being Jewish is easy, convenient, comfort- ing was preceded in 1881 by Congregation increased income for you and build a slush fund for the Jewish community. his surprise, the answer was not just less able, and safe, because it is none of those Bikur Cholim, which held traditional ser- No high pressure. The benefits are clear. We’re hoping for a blizzard of activity and a heat wave of smart people than half, the answer was 0%. What rea- things. Stay Jewish because it is fun and vices, and at about the same time by a planning gifts. sons did these teenagers at a Jewish High challenging and good. reform congregation, the Council Bluffs Stop saving for that rainy day! Get cirrus about making a gift! Do it monsoon! School decide they would prefer to start Moses, you are a clever, sweet, and Hebrew Society/ Temple Emanuel. over non-Jews? generous boy. Many people love you very The B’nai Israel Synagogue in Council B’nai Israel Synagogue is the First, being Jewish is hard work. You much and want the best for you. People are Bluffs, located at 618 Mynster Street, is only remaining Jewish presence in For more information call Elaine Steinger at 515-277-6321 x211. have seen your Mom, Sabba, and Safta slave proud of you. Go forward and have fun. now listed on the National Register of Southwestern Iowa. Always consult your own professional advisor when making financial planning decisions. to get the house ready for Passover holiday. Stay Jewish.

Des Moines Jewish Foundation Board: Don Blumenthal, President; Martin Brody, Vice President; Marvin Winick, Treasurer; Elaine Steinger, Executive Director Harry Bookey, Suzanne Engman, Debbie Gitchell, Alvin Kirsner, Fred Lorber, John Mandelbaum, Polly Oxley, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Stanley Richards, Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan, Don Schoen, Toni Urban

18 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 7

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 18-19 8/13/07 5:12:17 PM Sukkot from page 1 In Nehemiah 8, we find another tradition leader of the opposition in the Knesset. that in another column.) I’m asking for your Torah Talk The booths that characterize the holiday for the four species, including olive branches In July 1992, Peres was appointed time and your engagement. may originally have been temporary struc- instead of willow branches, as is specified in Minister of Foreign Affairs. You may have noticed as you read this A Season Of Renewal tures that people would have used while Leviticus. We are also told that the people On Nov. 5, 1995, following the assas- column that I’ve often written, “your Jewish by David Friedgood taking in the harvest. Exodus 23:16 explains would cover the booths with these plants. sination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Federation” instead of “the Federation”. this connection: “…and the feast of ingather- By the rabbinic period or even earlier, he assumed the positions of Acting Prime This is the way I intend to refer to the For most of us, life revolves around predictable routine. We are gov- ing at the end of the year, when you gather in however, it is clear that the waving of the Four Minister and Minister of Defense, until the organization in the future. It’s not just a erned by unseen powers of evolution which move us from birth to final- the results of your work from the field”-- it is a Species is a commandment that is separate general elections held in May 1996. federation, a coming together of individuals. ity, and over which we often have little control. Progress is typically holiday of great joy, on which we celebrate the from that of the construction of the sukkah. From 1996-99 he served as a member It’s a Jewish Federation, a joining of Jewish measured in small increments as one day invariably follows another. great bounty that God has given. The central- The lulav and etrog also became symbols of of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense individuals for the common Jewish good. “Man’s spirit has been greatly depressed by this sense of inescapable ity of this holiday is even more apparent in the land. This can be deduced from coins Committee. It’s also not just any Jewish Federation—it’s predestination” (Martin Buber). Too often our lives have a dull same- biblical texts such as Nehemia, Ezekiel, and I that have been found from the time of the Shimon Peres served as Minister of YOUR Jewish Federation. We are blessed ness, a lack of spiritual vitality. As men endowed with the spirit of God, Kings, where Sukkot is referred to simply as Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 CE), on which Regional Cooperation from July 1999 until with dedicated volunteers and a wonderful we know that we have the potential to accomplish great things. But, as men, we often fail Hehag-- “The Holiday.” pictures of the lulav and etrog were found. March ‘01. He served as Minister of Foreign staff. This small group cannot by itself do in imagination and lack the resolve to change the course of our lives. The holiday became known as a time to Today’s practice is to use the lulav and Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister from all of the large and small things necessary Jewish tradition anticipates our human shortcomings and once a year the High Holidays celebrate other great events; for example, etrog every day during the Hallel (psalms of March ‘01 until Oct. ‘02, when he resigned to maintain and develop our community. are set aside as a period of reflection and renewal. On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Solomon’s Temple was consecrated on praise) and during the Hoshanot-- hymns from the government together with the They—we—need your help. we Jews are given an opportunity to examine our lives, reflect on where we have been, and Sukkot. Even Hanukkah, another re-dedica- recited every day of Sukkot as we circle the other Labor ministers. Peres served as Vice This organization can be a positive force plan a new direction of spirit. I have often wondered why our Synagogues, nearly empty tion of the Temple, was really a celebration synagogue, holding our lulav and etrog while Premier from January until November ‘05, in your life. Support your Jewish Federation much of the year, are packed full on the High Holidays. Jews who barely acknowledge their of Sukkot that was likely moved back due to singing the refrain hoshanah, “save us.” This when he resigned from the government by participating with your fellow Jews in our heritage most of the year find an annual pilgrimage necessary. Perhaps they are governed the political situation during the Sukkot’s is based on similar processions that took place together with the other Labor ministers. work on behalf of the community. Volunteer by tradition, or that famous Jewish guilt (often parentally endowed). But, I think most of us normal season. when the Temple was still standing. The lulav Prior to the elections to the 17th Knesset, a little of your time to work on a committee. are truly searching for something different - a spiritual uplift. We are not satisfied with the The booths, sukkot, which have lent has continued to be a poignant physical sym- Peres left the Labor Party to join the newly Attend Jewish Federation-sponsored events at course of our lives and are searching for a sense of wonder. We want to recapture the spirit their name to the holiday, have a somewhat bol following the period of intense spiritual founded Kadima. He served as Vice Premier, The Caspe Terrace and elsewhere. Join with of our youth when all things are possible. Somewhere in our Jewish soul is the thought that hazy origin. According to the verse quoted reflection during the High Holidays. Minister for the Development of the Negev us in this new Jewish year to help our Jewish Shul (synagogue) may be the place to find true meaning in a complex world. above from Leviticus 23, we are to dwell in Hoshanah Rabbah, the “Great and Galillee May ‘06 - June ‘07. community thrive, grow and prosper. Rosh Hashanah (literally the head of the year) does not fall on the first day of the these booths because our ancestors lived Hoshanah” at the end of the holiday, on Peres has published books in Hebrew, Debra, Shoshana, Rachel and I wish each Jewish calendar. It is the first day of the 7th month (Tishrei). We are commanded: “In the in booths when God brought them out of which people beat the willows, also repre- French and English on many subjects. In and all of you a Shana Tovah Tikateivu. seventh month, on the first day of the month you shall observe a sacred occasion: you shall Egypt. This is, however, the only reference sents the ultimate end to the period of tes- October 1997 he created the Peres Center –Neil Salowitz not work at your occupations. You shall observe it as a day when the horn is sounded.” we have relating the Exodus narrative to huvah (repentance), at which point the very for Peace with the aim of advancing Arab- [email protected] (515) 491-0515 (Numbers 29:1) The horn, or Shofar, is traditionally fashioned from the horn of a ram. Its these temporary dwellings, leading scholars last decrees are issued from heaven. The Israeli joint ventures. He is married, and Poland from page 11 use recalls the piety of our forefathers as Abraham was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, to speculate that the holiday’s connection to custom of beating the willows has its origins has three children, eight grandchildren and There was a group of about seven of us his son Isaac, to his God. (A ram, caught by its horns in brush, was sacrificed to the Lord the Exodus developed rather late. in Temple ritual, where people would beat two great-grandchildren. that went to visit what was left of the death in appreciation after Isaac was saved from death by God’s Angel.) The blasts of the Shofar In rabbinic literature, much attention is the willows on the floor near the altar in a Source: State of Israel Foreign Ministry, online camp Sobibor. This camp is set back in the (Tikeah, Shevarim, Teruah) stir deep feelings in the Jewish heart. Moses used horns to rally given to these temporary dwellings. Extensive symbolic destruction of sins. at www.mfa.gov.il woods; it was a very scary trip, I can only the people for battle, to lead them through the Sinai wilderness, and to announce festivals. discussion on the nature and construction When the Temple was still standing, President from page 3 imagine how it was when you had no idea For thousands of years our ancestors have gathered together to hear the stirring blasts of the of a proper sukkah has helped shape Sukkot there was a water libation that was performed As we approach the High Holidays, I where you were going. On the way back to Shofar. Its sound arouses our placid spirit, inspiring us to partner with God in fashioning into the holiday it has now become, which is only on Sukkot. It became a joyous celebra- challenge you to do two things. First, make Krakow from Lublin we stopped and visited the new world that is coming. Rosh Hashanah is also called Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance very much centered on the construction, dec- tion known as Simhat Bet Hashoevah, at a “New Year’s resolution” to do one Jewish the memorial at Belzec. Day). On this day we are remembered by our creator and our lives are examined. But, we oration, and meaning of the impermanent which festive performances took place. Today, thing each day. It might be as simple as say- Throughout my stay we also visited do not present ourselves as petitioners begging for our lives. Rather our service is one of structures we are told to make our homes for some use this as a time to hold a party, or have ing the Shema when you wake up. It might other places important to Jewish and self examination and self criticism. Our resolve is to find the means to live a better life, to one week of the year. performances in their sukkot. be remembering to make a Motzi over your Holocaust history including Oskar renew ourselves spiritually and to change the direction of our existence. It has been said that Another well-known Sukkot tradition Courtesy of MyJewishLearning.com food before you eat it, thus transforming the Schindler’s Factory, the Krakow “Jews inscribe themselves in the Book of Life” (Louis Jacobs). The perfection of our world is that of the four species (arba’ah minim), Perez from page 1 most mundane of activities into something Jewish Cemetery, the Krakow (Tikkun Olam) is dependent on each individual perfecting himself. Finally, it is not words also known as the lulav and etrog. “On Highlights of his tenure as Defense Minister holy. It might be lighting Shabbat candles Ghetto and Plaszow (labor camp), and ritual which results in our salvation, rather it is our actions. True meaning in life is a the first day you shall take the product of were the signing of the Interim Agreement and taking time to prepare a beautiful meal and the Warsaw Ghetto and the reflection of our deeds and accomplishments. On the High Holidays Jews search for the hadar trees (traditionally identified as the with Egypt 1975, the Entebbe rescue opera- with your family. You might want to read a Umschlagplatz. We also visited many secu- means to greater spiritual presence as Rabbi Yose taught 2000 years ago: “…let all your deeds etrog/citron tree), branches of palm trees, tion 1976, and the opening of the Good book with a Jewish theme, add some Jewish lar places such as the Tatra Mountains, the be for Heaven’s sake.” (Pirke Avot 2:17) boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the Fence on Israel’s border with Lebanon. art to your collection or listen to Jewish resort town of Gdansk, and Westerplatte, –Leshana Tova Tikatevu (May you be inscribed for a good year.) brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord In 1977, Peres was elected chairman of music. How about learning Hebrew or the place where the first shots of WWII your God seven days” (Leviticus 23:40). the Labor Alignment. In 1984, a National Yiddish? (If there’s sufficient interest, the were fired. “For behold! I am creating Certainly these gathered species must be Unity Government was formed, and Peres Jewish Federation can organize adult educa- This trip was the most important thing A new heaven and a new earth; a symbol of the agricultural aspect of the served first as Prime Minister (1984-86), tion Hebrew and Yiddish language classes.) that I have done in my life. In addition to holiday--emphasizing four different types of and then as Vice Premier and Minister of Whatever YOU chose to do, make a little helping me gain a stronger sense of religion, The former things shall not be remembered, growing things. Foreign Affairs (1986-88). During his term room each day to be more than a parent, a I also have grown as a person and changed They shall never come to mind. Indeed, these four species are ones as Prime Minister, Israel withdrew from child, a worker, a business-owner---make a in many positive ways. I look forward to the Be glad, then, and rejoice forever that specifically grow in Israel, which makes Lebanon (1985) and an economic stabiliza- little room each day to be a Jew. next time I can visit Poland. In what I am creating. Sukkot a natural tie-in to the land, its agricul- tion plan was implemented. Second, support your Jewish Federation. Shaynna Grund, a student at the University tural rhythms, and by rights, a fitting time to In the following National Unity Don’t turn the page; I’m not asking for of Northern Iowa, was bat mitzvah at Temple For I shall create Jerusalem as a joy, celebrate national events that also celebrate Government 1988-90, Peres was Vice Premier money. (We’re already planning the 2008 B’nai Jeshurun. Her parents are Lyanna and And her people as a delight…” (Isaiah 62:17-18) the land, such as the Temple’s dedication. and Minister of Finance. In 1990-92, he was All-In-One Campaign, but I’ll talk about Bill Grund.

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sept oct 07 printersp.indd 6-7 8/13/07 5:10:59 PM [from our congregations] Project Elijah Judaic Resource Center Temple B’nai Jeshurun Outstanding High School Tishrei Schedule High Holiday Schedule Motzoei Shabbos September 8th Selichos Service SELICHOT: Saturday, September 8 Students Needed Slichos – 12:00 Midnight 9:00 p.m. Temple B’nai Jeshurun A Letter from Janice Rosenberg KEVER AVOT: Sunday, September 9 Wednesday September 12th Erev Rosh Hashanah Executive Director, 12:30 p.m. CONGREGATIONAL Kever Avot, Emmanuel Cemetery (in Woodland) Light candles - 7:12 pm Project Elijah Foundation Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm 1:00 p.m. COMMUNITY Kever Avot, Jewish Glendale Cemetery Thursday September 13th 1st Day Rosh Hashanah EREV ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES: Wednesday, September 12 Shacharis - 9:00am 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Blowing of the Shofar - 11:00am ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES: Thursday, Sept 13 Mincha - 6:00pm 8:30 a.m. TRADITIONAL SERVICE We are about to launch our Project Elijah Foundation kosher meal packets program. As Tashlich - 6:30pm 10:45 a.m. CHILDREN’S SERVICE you know, The Project Elijah Foundation seeks to help Jewish Children who are the victims Maariv – 8:00 pm 11:30 a.m. INFORMAL SERVICE of child abuse and poverty. Our current focus is a Jewish Care Center in Buenos Aires. Light Candles (from a pre-existing flame) – 8:10pm TASHLICH: Friday, September 14 Ieladeinu (Our Children) cares for about 250 abused and impoverished Jewish Children. Friday September 14th 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah 12:00 p.m. Gray’s Lake The latest Project Elijah Foundation program involves packing simple and highly nutritious Shacharis -9:00am KOL NIDRE SERVICES: Friday, September 21 kosher meals to send to the starving and hungry Jewish children and families in Buenos Blowing of the Shofar - 11:00am 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Aires, Argentina and eventually other cities. Mincha followed by Maariv – 7:00pm We have been working with the founders, scientists and volunteers from Kids Against Light Candles for Shabbos (from a pre-existing flame at) – 7:08pm YOM KIPPUR SERVICES: Saturday, Sept 22 8:30 a.m. TRADITIONAL SERVICE 10:45 a.m. CHILDREN’S SERVICE Hunger program who have developed a fortified, highly nutritious food package and eco- Shabbos September 15th Parshas Haazinu - Shabbos Shuvah 11:30 a.m. INFORMAL SERVICE nomical shipping methods. Here is how it works: volunteers gather in a production line Shacharis - 10:00am 2:00 p.m. MUSICAL INTERLUDE to assemble and package a dry mixture of rice, enriched soy, vitamin and flavoring, and Shiur - 6:00pm 3:15 p.m. TORAH & HEALING SERVICE dehydrated vegetables. The packages are then sealed and shipped to hungry people Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm 4:30 p.m. YIZKOR/NEILAH wherever they are needed. When the recipients receive their meals, all they need to do, is Sunday September 16th Fast of Gedaliah 6:00 p.m. BREAK THE FAST add water and cook 20 minutes over a heat source. The cost of a nutritious meal is under Shacharis - 9:00am 25 cents, and the highly fortified meals can bring starving people back to health over time. Fast ends 8:02pm Tifereth Israel Synagogue Many generous caring people of the Kids Against Hunger program are helping us in the Friday September 21st Erev Yom Kippur development of a kosher food package and our subsequent packaging program. I will tell High Holiday Schedule Light candles at 7:10pm you more about these incredible people in my next article. There is no way we could do Saturday, September 8 Joint Selichot Evening Services with Fast Begins 6:56pm this without them, and they are so very good to us. Temple B’nai Jeshurun Mincha followed by Kol Nidrei - 7:00pm Graduate student Greta Wednesday, September 12 Apples and Honey YAD Service at 6:00 pm Kallevang, Department Chair Shabbos September 22nd Yom Kippur Erev Rosh Hashanah Service at 8:00 pm Dr. Ruth MacDonald, and Shacharis – 10:00am Associate Professor Dr. Manju Yizkor - 12 Noon Thursday, September 13 Rosh Hashanah First Day Services at 9:00 am Reddy from Iowa State University Mincha followed by Neila – 5:30pm Alternative Services led by Laura Bernstein and Department of Food Science and Maariv followed by break the fast – 7:54pm Barb Hirsch-Giller Human Nutrition helped make Wednesday September 26th Erev Sukkos Friday, September 14 Rosh Hashanah Second Day Services at 9:00 am sure our Kosher food packet will Light candles – 6:47pm High Holidays Under the Stars at the Sylvan Theatre of be packed with nutrition. Mincha followed by Maariv 7:00pm the Art Center We have had the Kids Against Hunger/Project Elijah kosher food package evaluated by Thursday September 27th 1st Day Sukkos Sunday, September 16 Fast of Gedalliah the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Iowa State University to make it as Shaharis - 10:00am (Bring Lulov and Esrog) Friday, September 21 Kol Nidre healthful as possible. We are grateful to the team of Department Chair Dr. Ruth MacDonald, Mincha followed by Maariv - 7:00pm Associate Professor Dr. Manju Reddy and Graduate student Greta Kallevang, for their work. Saturday, September 22 Yom Kippur and Yizkor Light candles after 7:45pm (from a pre-existing flame) Alternative Services led by Laura Bernstein and We will soon be ready to begin this program of packing and sending nutritious meals to Friday September 28th 2nd Day Sukkos Barb Hirsch-Giller hungry and starving Jewish children and their families. Shaharis - 10:00am (Bring Lulov and Esrog) Wednesday, September 26 Erev Sukkot If you know of talented high school students who would want to Mincha Maariv and Kabbolas Shabbos - 7:00pm work on a unique and vital volunteer project this year, I need some Light candles - 6:44pm (from a pre-existing flame) Thursday, September 27 Sukkot help scheduling groups to come assemble and package at our facil- Shabbos September 29th (1st Intermediate Day) Friday, September 28 Sukkot ity. The student needs to be organized and be able to work with Shacharis – 10:00am Wednesday, October 3 Hoshanah Rabbah people and groups. Imagine how great this could look on a college Shiur – 5:30pm application! Call me! Thursday, October 4 Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor Mincha followed by Maariv – 6:30pm Janice Friday, October 5 Simchat Torah Wednesday October 3rd Hoshana Rabba 1515 Linden Street, Suite 205, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-246-8001 Light candles - 6:36pm Mincha followed by Maariv – 6:30pm P.S. Have wonderful and meaningful holidays, and don’t forget to invite those fabulous Mazel Tov Drake students to your homes for a holiday meal. Thursday October 4th Shmini Atzeres Shacharis - 10:00am Births Yizkor – 11:30am Sarah Gitchell and Gary Dorfman have a new daughter, Lily Arin Dorfman, Mincha – 6:30pm born May 18, 2007 in Philadelphia. Lily has a proud sister Rose Danille. –Debbie and Bob Gitchell Maariv and Hakkofos - 7:30pm Dinner Dancing and Fun! capture lasting memories with Light candles after - 7:34pm (from a pre-existing flame) My son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Mara Yentis, had their second child, Ariella Dov Yentis, our third grandchild, on June 8th, 2007 in Manhattan, NY. a gift that lasts forever... Friday October 5th Simchat Torah –Tammy and Jonathan Yentis Shacharis - 10:00am HONOR YOUR GRANDPARENTS Kiddish and Hakkafos – 11:15am Carter Joshua Schwartz, born June 18, 2007 in Des Moines WEDDINGS Light candles - 6:33pm (from a pre-existing flame) - parents Aaron and Laura Lien Schwartz BIRTHDAYS Mincha – 6:30pm Isadora Madeleine Carr, born June 12, 2007 in Des Moines parents BIRTHS Maariv and Kabbolas Shabbos – 7:30pm Randi and Chris Carr BAR / BAT MITZVAHS Shabbos October 6th Parshas Beraishis –Proud Grandparents of both babies –Jill and Howard Musin CELEBRATE YOUR CHILDREN Shacharis – 10:00am Congratulations to Cyril and John Mandelbaum on the the birth of their grand- REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES Shiur -5:00pm daughter, Brooke Rachel, July 3rd in Scottsdale. The proud parents are “One person cannot plant a forest, Mincha - 6:30pm Chad and Dina Mandelbaum. Maariv – 7:30pm but a community can plant a forest one tree at a time.” Graduate Purchase a tree certificate – a gift that lasts forever. Jewish Federation Community School - 924 Polk Boulevard - Des Moines, IA 50312 Chaya Simpser, son of Sara and Rabbi Berel Simpser, has graduated from For $36, a tree certificate will be mailed to the recipient. Your $36 goes towards the Torah Academy of Milwaukee High School. purchase of trees, care and maintenance.

20 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 5

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 20-21 8/13/07 5:12:23 PM [education] B’nai Mitzvah Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center Jewish Federation Community School Engman Camp Shalom Talia Zach In Search of the Elusive, and Oh So Leman Schnoebelen Important, Volunteer Welcome back! Religious school begins Sunday, September 16th. JFCS staff is excited to Saturday, September 1 Saturday, October 20 begin our 2007-2008 school year. During the year, our students make life-long friendships Stephen P. Blend, M.H.A. taining that connection, and whether or not and memories, learn about their culture and heritage. Tifereth Israel Temple B’Nai Jeshurun On Sunday, August 19, The Iowa Jewish they are fully aware of their importance to Again this year, elementary school is located in the school wing at Temple B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue Our family invites you to Senior Life Center had a luncheon to our Residents, our volunteers need to know (TBJ). Classes for Pre-K through 5th grade meet Sundays from 9am – noon. Third through Talia Leman and her join us in celebration as acknowledge those members of our that they make the everyday lives of our fifth grades will also meet on Wednesdays for Hebrew School from 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm. family invite you to join Zach is called to community who have found it within Residents so much more meaningful. Sixth graders have a different schedule. As a combined class, they will meet Wednesday them in ceremony and celebration as she the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah, Saturday, themselves to volunteer their time and ener- We are fully aware that times have evenings along with third through fifth grades. However, students who belong to the Temple is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah, October 20,2007, at 10:00 am at Temple gies to the Residents of The Life Center. changed, and that, due to the increasing will also meet Saturday mornings. Those who belong to Tifereth will meet Sunday mornings. Saturday, September 1, 2007, at 9:00 am B’Nai Jeshurun. A Kiddush Lucheon will Each of the volunteer honorees has person- demands of family and work, the pool of You should have received information from respective synagogues regarding weekend dates. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. A Kiddush be held immediately following the service. ally acted to preserve and strengthen the volunteers has shrunk. Nonetheless, we want Our elementary school staff includes: Pre-K – Cynthia Shulman, lead teacher, Janelle Luncheon will be served following the James connection between our Residents and the to ask that you consider joining our cadre of Jaskolka and Laurie Breniman, assistants; Kindergarten – David Copeland; First Grade Morning Service. Steadham broader community. volunteers and becoming a part of the ongo- – Juli Magolin; Second Grade – Leah Cole; Third Grade – Pat Johnson; Fourth Grade No matter how exceptional the care ing effort to create a sense of “home,” and Jennifer Saturday, November 3 – Adam Egherman; Fifth Grade – Rachele Hjelmaas, Hebrew – Wendy Beckerman and Ben Shulman provided to our Residents by our profession- belonging, for our Residents. Whether that Kaufmann. Besides their regular Hebrew assistance, on Wednesdays, Wendy will be teach- Ames Jewish al staff, there still exists in everyone a deep- involvement becomes part of your weekly rou- ing Hebrew for the sixth grade and Ben will be teaching Hebrew for the fourth grade. Saturday, September 8 Congregation seated need to maintain a connection with tine or is confined to participating in a single Our Jr/Sr High School program is located at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Classes begin Tifereth Israel James Steadham, life beyond The Life Center. To maintain celebration of one of the many events on our Wednesday, September 19. Dinner between 6:30 – 7:00 will be offered. Regular classes Synagogue son of Edward and an intimate connection with the life lived annual activity calendar, your presence, a run 7:00 pm through 8:30 pm. Staff includes: Jody Hramits, David Copeland, Rabbi David Please join us as we Shari Steadham, will be called to the Torah in a broader social context. A connection friendly smile and a sympathetic ear here can Kaufman, Rabbi Beryl Padorr and a variety of units taught by community members. celebrate Jennifer as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November with a life held so vividly in memory’s hoard. mean so much - to our Residents and to the We’re just starting and the High Holidays are here. Our students will learn fascinating Shulman becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Sat- 3, 2007, at 10:00 am at Ames Jewish Volunteers are an essential element in main- community of which we are all a part. information about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year” Three Years and Counting… urday, September 8, at 9:00 am. Congregation and Yom Kippur is a thinking time, a period of reflection and review about the past year. As the summer wound down to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the three years that A Kiddush luncheon will be held immedi- Federation’s Picinc Marked End of a Sukkot and Simchat Torah also arrive during the same month. Students learn that I’ve been the Director of Engman Camp Shalom and draw a connection between the ately following Services hosted by Great Summer at The Caspe Terrace Sukkot is an autumn holiday and it is a reminder that God protected the Israelites while they number three in relationship to camp and Judaism. We learn in Pirkei Avot (the Ethics Dr. Marc and Cynthia Shulman. Share Your wandered in the Sinai Desert, living in temporary huts as they made their way from slavery of our Fathers) that “the world is sustained by three things: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut As the sun sets on another summer of Jami Schnoebelen, Beth Ohringer, and Kim in Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel. Our students will touch, smell and wave the Lulov Chasadim” (study, prayer, and acts of loving kindness.) These three pillars of Jewish life Kelsey Sarah Good News activities at The Caspe Terrace, we are Waltman, spent the summer planning activi- and Etrog during Sukkot. are intertwined and as this ancient text suggested, each of these elements is necessary for a Dennis A photo and/or announcement of gradu- reminded of the children’s voices excitedly ties for kids (and grown ups) of all ages. Simchat Torah is when we take out all of the Torah scrolls from the Ark and march with balanced and stable world. These values certainly reflect the character of the Des Moines Saturday, October 6, ations, anniversaries, births and awards cheering while exploring Israeli culture at The picnic’s purpose was to say good- them around the synagogue seven times. Each parade is called a “hakafah.” During each Jewish community and that of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, and together, can be submitted by Sept 24, for publica- Engman Camp Shalom, yelling with glee bye to camp counselors and camp friends, “hakafah” we pray, sing, dance and wave flags. On Simchat Torah, we read the last words the community and the Federation took steps to ensure that Camp Shalom will be built Ames Jewish tion in the November/December ‘07 in the bounce house at the Annual Picnic, to thank the host families, and to say hello and the first words of the Torah. For Jews, the Torah is a book that has no end. upon a strong foundation in order to reach amazing heights. Congregation edition. Send to: Jewish Press, 910 Polk and whispering scary tales at the Engman to a new school year at JFCS. However, it Registration material has already been mailed. If you did not receive your materials, As a camp director, I teach my staff that camp also rests on three things: safety, fun, and With the richness of Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50312 or by e-mail Camp Shalom Sleepover. The summer also served as a greeting to new community please contact the office at 277-5566 to let us know. magical moments. Arranged in a pyramid, without the foundation of safety, no fun can take tradition and the to [email protected] picnic, a day of games, relays, a rockin’ members and as a kick-off for a great year Also, please check out the education section of the Jewish Federation’s website (jewish- place, and without fun at camp, campers will not reach the pinnacle of what we’re trying to promise of tomorrow, Kevin and Robyn bounce, crafts, brightly painted faces, and of art classes, song, dance, theater, story- desmoines.org). Our site has been updated and will continue to include newsletters, flyers achieve with them, the magical moments when they do something new for the first time, Dennis invite you to share this special wanted: the always popular Java Jews playing in the telling, and film, including a celebration to and materials relating to school and resources of interest. – Lyanna Grund, Principal learn something inspiring about themselves or their heritage, or make a new friend. moment as their daughter Kelsey Sarah Temple B’nai Jeshurun is seeking a full- heat, was a hit with attendees of all ages. commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Over the past three years Engman Camp Camp Shalom has made tremendous strides. becomes a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, time Executive Administrative Assistant. The committee, Krista Pearl, Wendy Adato, the state of Israel. We have seen a significant increase in enrollment, both in the number of campers who are October 6, 2007. Services are at 10:00 am Candidate must work well in a fast paced attending and also in the total number of weeks campers are registering for. We’ve built a at Ames Jewish Congregation. professional team environment, adapt to wonderful staff of young adults who return year after year, building on their previous experi- change, have the ability to manage work Camp Ramah Visits Iowa ences and modeling for the campers the natural progression from camper to counselor in priorities and meet strict deadlines using While in Des Moines, the group camped training to staff. The level of the Jewish and Israeli cultural programming has increased, time management and organizational out at The Caspe Terrace and spent time with Hebrew words and Jewish concepts a part of all aspects of camp. We’ve celebrated skills. The qualified individual will pro- with the counselors, students, and admin- our diverse population of campers, which includes families from each of Des Moines’ syna- In Memoriam vide direct administrative support to the istration from Engman Camp Shalom. gogues, non-affiliated families, and even non-Jewish families, not by sacrificing on Jewish executive director, the board of directors, The Ramahniks also visited Postville and educational opportunities, but by conducting our activities in a way that are inclusive. We’ve We note with sorrow the recent passing of Temple clergy, and other staff. Iowa City on their tour, which is part created a positive and supportive camp community where kids feel comfortable trying new Freda Jacobson Available: Immediately. Full Time of their camping program. For more things and parents feel their feedback is welcomed and appreciated. Fore more information contact In July, the Machon group of Camp Ramah about the camp, which is affiliated with William S. Joseph The completion of a third successful summer is significant. The first summer we did John Zieman, Executive Director in Wisconsin, with students entering the Conservative movement, see all that we could to establish a new model for camp. The second summer we worked hard Carrie Oppenheimer at 515-274-4679 10th grade, visited several sites in Iowa. ramahwisconsin.org to prove our initial success wasn’t a fluke. But, this last summer, it was natural for us to run a great camp. Now it’s clear the sky’s the limit, but the question is where do we want to go from here? That’s a question I pose to you. We would love to hear your ideas and sign you up to use your talents in order to determine our destination and to create a camp that not You deserve to keep your hard- /fresh/adj 1: is deter- only the Des Moines community can be proud of, but a camp that is renowned for excellence freshness: earned equity in your home nationally as well! –Josh Goldsmith mined from the time the fish is out of the water to the time it gets to your table...and nobody gets it there faster than Waterfront LuGene Isleman Seafood Market Restaurant • Wholesale • Licensed Real Estate Agent JFCS BOOK FAIR 515-229-2243 – Cell Choose from over 100 titles • Something for everyone! 3220 100th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 Sunday, November 11, 2007 Waterfront Seafood E-mail: [email protected] Temple B’nai Jeshurun Social Hall Market • Restaurant Website: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Wholesale dsm.nextgenerationrealty.com Join us for an exciting preview of new books as well as your old LuGene: favorites plus a selection of games, toys and CD’s. - Newcomer Agent of Orders will be taken at this time and will arrive before Chanukah. the Year in 2005 If you are unable to attend but would like an order form or information about our selection, please contact: - #2 Agent in 2006 Lyanna Grund, Director, JFCS at 277-5566 or [email protected] - $4,990 to sell any Clocktower Square priced home During the Book Fair, Anna Kushkova will lecture about “The Jewish Wedding in a Shtetl: 2900 University Avenue Guarding your Real Estate Equity A Case of Altered Tradition and Myths about Matzoh.” Anna has a Ph.D. in History West Des Moines, IA 50266 and works at the Petersburg Judaica Center / Ethnology Department for the European 515-223-5106 Your Success is My Success! University at St. Petersburg, Russia. She will speak at 10:00 am at the Temple.

4 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 21

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 4-5 8/13/07 5:10:54 PM Iowa Jewish Historical Society Message from the President the greater des moines Friends The Kinder Transport: As I write this, it’s July 29th. We’re deep in the “dog days” of summer; everything seems to have slowed down. When you read this, however, it’ll be the end of summer, and the High Holidays will be only days away. I’m looking forward to Jewish Esther Bergh’s Journey to England, Israel, and America cool evenings and “sweater weather.” I’m also looking forward to Rosh Hashanah, with its promise of new beginnings and That’s when I realized we were treated differ- left for England. The day came when the babysitter; instead of going to school. new possibilities, and Yom Kippur, with its solemnity, its call to tshuvah and its promise of forgiveness and redemption. ently.” Up until this point, Esther had been children were to board the Kinder trans- Accepting her duties but not wanting As summer slides into autumn and the pace of life quickens, I look forward to the new year...the new Jewish year. Press able to go to movies, the public swimming port. Esther didn’t realize that this would to upset her mother, who “always wanted My new year will be a little busier than in recent years. Many of you have offered me your congratulations on Published 6 times annually by the pool, and on walks without being scared. be the last time she would see her mother. ... [her] children to have a good education;” my becoming President of your Jewish Federation. My standard glib response is, “Don’t you mean condolences?” In Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Then the Hitler Youth Kids who were trained Although she was worried, she wanted her she hid those facts in their correspondence. Neil Salowitz truth, I’m proud to have been chosen to serve the Jewish Federation in Des Moines. I’m under no illusions; leading an under the auspices of the Jewish to hate Jews began throwing stones at the mother to feel she was doing the right thing Later, after her sister had been sent to President organization with so many “moving parts” is like herding cats. Being President of this institution has given me another Community Relations Committee Jewish people. “It was November of 1938,” she by sending her away. Esther never showed another family on the Kinder transport, full-time job. Nonetheless, I love this community and this Jewish Federation, and I look forward to continuing to work Advisory Committee recounts, “that Kristallnacht (the night of bro- her emotions. The last words Esther remem- Esther’s foster-parents decided to support with my fellow Jewish Federation Board members and staff. Our shared goal is to build on the work of those who have Heidi Moskowitz, Chair* ken glass) occurred. Jewish homes, businesses, bers hearing from her mother were, “We her brother to join the family. He arrived in come before us, and to create an even more vibrant and active Jewish community now and in the future. Gil Cranberg* and synagogues were destroyed. My uncles will see you soon.” England in early October, 1939. The applica- In future columns in the Jewish Press, I’m going to talk about the many things that the Jewish Federation does for Debbie Gitchell* came running into our apartment telling us Despite her anxiety, Esther looked tion for her mother to come to England as a the Greater Des Moines Jewish community. In doing so, I’ll introduce you to the superb volunteers who chair our Harlan Hockenberg* not to go out; I then became afraid.” at the Kinder transport as an adventure. domestic, so that she could get a visa to flee various committees, help to set policy and see to it that the programs and services offered by your Jewish Federation Sheldon Rabinowitz* The Lasters and many other Jews Accompanied by several of her good friends, from Germany, was sent too late. Esther’s run smoothly. I’ll also be talking about the Jewish Federation’s finances, so that you have a clearer picture of how your Mark S. Finkelstein,* Editor of Polish origin were put on a train she left Munich in early January. “We were mother and grandmother became victims Campaign contributions are used. Thomas Wolff, Art/Marketing Director taking them to a concentration camp stuffed into these small cabin trains that had a of the Nazis. While Herbert left to attend a This time, however, I want to talk about the most important person in this community…you. If it weren’t for - which they of strong sulfur smell. regular school, she became a student of the you—and for your 3,000 fellow Jews in Greater Des Moines—there would be no need for a Jewish Federation. This orga- *Editorial Board course did not “...as a child you don’t understand. On the train, kids Anna-Freud-Institute in London, and later nization exists to serve you and your family. In order to serve you better, however, we need to hear from you. Neil Salowitz, Esther Bergh (whose given name was Edith know at that were getting sick; on Teacher and Director of an institute Having listened carefully to people in our community, I THINK I know what’s important to most Jews in Des President, Jewish Federation Laster), beloved and respected preschool time - as the train You just try to lead as much of a there was that hor- called Born-Nurseries. Despite loving the Moines. We want our children to grow up knowing our glorious heritage. We want them to know what it means to pray JCRC Chair teacher to more than 1,000 of Des Moines’ suddenly stopped rific smell of vomit. work with children, Esther was not really as a Jew, to celebrate our holidays, to love the many beautiful rituals that bring us closer to our faith and our heritage. Jewish children, was born on June 7, 1924, and returned to carefree life as you can.” Although terrified satisfied with her life. We want to take care of our parents, our bubbes and zaydes, those who took care of us when we were young—and by Elaine Steinger, in Schwabisch Gmünd (Germany), where Munich. It was the of what may hap- In 1949 Esther immigrated to the extension all of our senior adults. We want to support Israel, which is both a source of pride and the fulfillment of the Executive Director, Jewish Federation she spent her early childhood. She, her last known train that was sent back. pen, and fearful that the SS could come onto newly created state of Israel where she first age-old promise of a Jewish homeland. We want Israel to remain strong and secure, to be a “light unto the nations.” The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press brother Herbert born in 1925, and her It was shortly after Kristallnacht that the train, Esther tried to stay positive. lived in a Kibbutz and then in Jerusalem. Your Jewish Federation transcends our religious “party lines” to support these essential activities. We are Reform, 910 Polk Blvd. Des Moines, IA 50312 sister Herta, born in 1930, were raised reli- Esther’s mother heard of the Kinder trans- It was a great relief for the children to She stayed there for six years, enjoying Conservative, Orthodox, Chabad or unaffiliated with any particular style of Judaism…but we are all Jews, and the Jewish 515-277-6321 [email protected] giously but not severely orthodox by their port (On November 16, 1938, the cabinet cross the border of the Netherlands, where the country, the people and life there very Federation speaks and acts for all of us. Opinions expressed in The Greater Jewish parents. under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain they did not feel like enemies anymore, but much. At her sister’s request she then trav- What about the other things, the small, day-to- Des Moines Jewish Press are not neces- All family members were later on con- determined the entry permit to an indefinite were welcomed and given food by Dutch eled to the United States, where Herta and day things that help us live Jewish lives in a decidedly About Neil Salowitz sarily those of the Jewish Federation of sidered to be Ostjuden (Eastern European number of Jewish children. The informal Organizations. two of her uncles had settled, planning to non-Jewish world? Your Jewish Federation main- Neil Salowitz became President of the Jewish Federation at Greater Des Moines, its committees, or Jews), which were the first the Nazis acted name of the open action, in which many After finally reaching Harwich on a soon return to Israel. However in Iowa, she tains an active schedule of concerts, lectures, holiday the Federation’s annual meeting in June, after having served its staff. Unsigned editorials express the against, as her father originally came from organizations were involved, was Kinder ferry, they were brought to summer camps met her husband, Warner - who also had “how-tos” (such as this year’s Passover Expo) the as President-Elect, co-chair of the All-in-One Campaign, opinion of the paper’s Editorial Board. Poland. After his death in 1934 the family transport.) The only conditions “imposed close to the sea where they had to wait until been born in Germany, but had spent his 92nd Street “Y” series and other events, all of which Treasurer, and Chair of the Planning and Budgeting Commit- Paid advertising by candidates for moved to Munich. There Esther and her by British government were the partici- they could journey on to their future homes. exile in Shanghai - and in the end stayed are open to the community. We’ve brought inter- tee. He succeeded Toni Urban as President. elective office is welcome but does not brother who had earlier attended a regular pants’ maximum age of sixteen years and As it was a very cold winter and the here with him. Recently the two celebrated nationally-known speakers and musicians to The Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Neil holds a BA in Psy- constitute endorsement by agencies school went to the Jewish school. a guarantee sum of fifty pounds per child.” camps were not built for winter weather, their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Caspe Terrace. Despite our best efforts, however, chology from Wesleyan University, an MA in Education from affiliated with the Jewish Federation of Though sometimes being called After being signed up for the transport Esther became so sick that she was unable Esther raised a family and continued many of these events have been sparsely attended. the University of Connecticut and his JD from New York Uni- Greater Des Moines. Hasslicher (Ugly) Jude by other children and by her mother, things went very quickly: to travel, and after weeks in the camp was working in early childhood education until I realize that Jewish Federation activities compete versity School of Law. He currently is Marketing Director for noticing the presence of the Sturmer (Anti- Before we departed, I received a packing one of the last children to leave. Esther was she retired. with many other options. We all have so much going We are always happy to receive articles Principal Global Investors’ Insurance Advisory Group. Semitic Newspapers posted on buildings) on list, which reminded me of a camp list. We brought to Manchester where she finally From the CHAIowan,Volume Nine, No. 2, on in our daily lives that adding even one more thing and contributions for consideration. their way to school, they experienced the first were only allowed to take one suitcase. My met her new family, a young couple with Spring 2007/5767 -Adapted by Krys Phillips can be difficult—even when that one more thing can He is a man of many interests including storytelling, motor- We reserve the right to edit submissions years in Munich as carefree and warm. Esther mother had two good dresses sewn for me. two little children. from original excerpts of the following piec- help us live our lives more Jewishly. I wonder, though, cycle riding, fly fishing and ballet. He has appeared onstage for space considerations and clarity. with Ballet Des Moines – this will be his sixth year in the role only began to realize that “something was Shortly before I departed to England, my “When I came to England of course I es: Teacher of One Thousand Des Moines whether the programming that your Jewish Federation Vol. 24 No. 1, September/October 2007 happening” when Jews little by little were for- family put on a brave face and went to take missed that most: Being together with the Jewish Children Memoir by Esther Bergh; Exile offers really meets your needs and interests. If it – as Herr Drosselmeyer in “The Nutcracker.” Neil is also a bidden to attend any of the public places and a family photograph, which shows us all family. That was the hardest actually.” Experience: Esther Bergh and Inge Sadan on the doesn’t, I want to know that, but be prepared to tell member of the Ballet Des Moines board of directors and a her family experienced a narrow escape from together for the last time. Esther was the As her foster-parents were very tradition- Kinder transport of Jewish children to England me what WOULD meet your needs and interests. If member of the advisory board for KFMG FM. a deportation to Poland in October 1938. first of the siblings to travel to England. al and devout Jews, she soon had to change by Amanda da Gloria, Verfasserin, German you have suggestions for programs, please let us know. Members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Neil and his wife “I attended public school until 1934 or “Many children were crying ... I remember her name from Edith to the Hebraic Esther, student, English Final, Pestalozzi-Gymnasium (My email address and telephone number are listed at Debra have two daughters. Debra owns Strategic Relocation 1935,” Esther remembers. “Then Jews were that I decided to put on a happy face.” which she has kept. In addition to that, she Munchen; Esther Bergh; Oral History Essay by the end of this column—or call the Jewish Federation Solutions, LLC, a business which helps executives moving to no longer allowed to go to public school. Esther recalls the moments before she was given the task of working as the family’s Elena Hermanson. office at 277-6321 and talk to our Executive Director, Des Moines learn about and become part of the community. Elaine Steinger.) continued on page 19

festive and formal Israeli Trio in Concert August 4 proclaimed Raoul invitations for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, November 12 Wallenberg Day in Iowa L’SHANA weddings, graduations and other A trio from Keshet Eilon, two violinists and a pianist will present a Governor Culver proclaimed August 4, 2007 as special occasions concert of classical music at The Caspe Terrace, 7:00 pm on Mon- Raoul Wallenberg Day in Iowa in commemo- day, November 12. The ensemble will be introduced by Maestro calligraphy services ration of the 95th anniversary of Wallenberg’s TOVAH! • Joseph Giunta, conductor of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. • professional assistance birth and in honor of his courageous humanitar- World renowned for its fine master violin program, Keshet Eilon ian efforts during WW II. extraordinary gifts for family and friends attracts young, advanced violinists to study with virtuoso violinist • baby boutique A Swedish national, Raoul Wallenberg, was as- BEST WISHES Shlomo Mintz. The program is housed in Keshet Eilon Kibbutz, signed in 1944, to a diplomatic post in Hungary • wedding accessories situated in the Des Moines/Israel Partnership region in Israel, the where he participated in one of the most suc- • shower gifts Western Galilee. The concert is sponsored by the Jewish Federa- cessful rescue efforts during the Holocaust. FOR A tion and the Israel Partnership, online at www.westerngalilee.org.il. By issuing many thousands of Swedish protective passes (passes Clocktower Square For additional information, contact Cathie at the Jewish Federation which had no value whatsoever according to international law), HAPPY 2900 University Avenue at 277-6321 x 224. establishing safe houses, and forging identity papers, Wallenberg West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 helped save thousands of Jews and numerous anti-Nazi resistors 515-223-6205 DM Holocaust Survivors condemned to certain death. His brave actions encouraged others NEW YEAR Booklet Now Online to save thousands more. The highly informative booklet about the Holocaust survivors of To learn more about Raoul Wallenberg, view information on the 5768 Des Moines, authored in 1995 by Adele Anolik for the Jewish web site of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Federation, is now available online on the Federation website home www.ushmm.org. FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS AND page, jewishdesmoines.org. The booklet, in .pdf format, can be STAFF OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION printed off, read online, or forwarded by e-mail to others. OF GREATER DES MOINES

22 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 3

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 22-23 8/13/07 5:12:29 PM [special update] Motherland from page 13 Through the my conversations with these incredible people I am able to come to a few conclu- sions. First, the pride Israelis have for Sudanese Refugees in Israel Cared for by The Jewish Agency their country is nothing like I had ever The Jewish Agency is a beneficiary of your contri- Upon their arrival, the refugees were From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mulo and seen. Second, the need for America to butions to the All-in-One Campaign. briefed on what to do when they heard Robert teach the younger ones songs, play be in constant support of Israel’s right The Jewish Agency for Israel is tem- a siren warning them of an impending games and do arts and crafts activities. to exist is important now more than porarily housing 58 refugees from Sudan, Kassam rocket attack. “There is one young Some of the young teenagers made draw- [ ] ever. Third, Israelis my age are global, many of them from the Darfur area, at refugee, Steven, who speaks English and ings depicting Sudan and Israel with their calendar innovators, and optimists. With a secure the special request of the interprets for the group accompanying national flags. nation, these young adults will find their Prime Minister’s Office. into Sudanese Arabic. “It is beautiful to see the outpouring of way into leadership positions and con- Saurday, September 1 9:00 am talia Leman Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth The group, which crossed But for the most part we help from the people of Sderot and the sur- tinue to contribute their knowledge and into Israel through the speak with our hands and rounding communities,” says Soni. “They Thursday, September 6 12:00 Noon senior Lunch at the Temple talents in ways America – and others Sinai, arrived at the Jewish our hearts, and we all bring toys and blankets and games. These Saturday, September 8 9:00 am Jennifer Shulman Bat Mitzvah at Tifereth -- can benefit from, whether in the field

Agency’s Friedmann understand each other,” are people who are going through their own october Sunday, September 9 12:30 pm Kever Avot Memorial Service at Woodlawn of technology, agriculture or education. Student Village Ibim at says Soni. When the trying times and yet they can still reach out Finally, as an experienced traveler I can 1:00 pm Kever Avot Memorial Service at Glendale 1:00 a.m. Monday morn- warning siren sounded, to strangers in distress.” • say that Israel is a unique and most ing (June 11), where they are receiving hous- the staff helped the refugees run for shelter On Wednesday, doctors from the Thursday, September 13 ROSH HASHANA dynamic place. ing, food and medical care. as they were instructed. Doctors without Borders organization came Friday, September 14 6:00 pm high Holiday Services Under the Stars at the Each of the breathtaking sites I saw Refugees from Sudan who made their All of the refugees’ food and shelter to Ibim with medical students from Tel Aviv Art Center Sylvan Theater –the natural beauty of its geography, the way to Egypt recently crossed into Israel via needs are being provided for. In addition, University to check the refugees. “Everyone ruins, the monuments, and the innova- Sunday, September 16 9:00 am Jewish Federation Community School starts classes the Sinai border. A group of 58 refugees, the six staff members bought diapers and got a clean bill of health, including two preg- tive high-tech institutions -- has filled including 24 children, walked over 50 miles food for the babies, toiletries and towels, and nant women,” says Soni. Representatives Wednesday, September 19 JFCS Junior/Senior High classes start at Tifereth me with a sense of pride, both for the in the glaring sun to Beersheva. At the sweets for the children. “We are a student vil- from the Ministry of Health also gave the Saturday, September 22 Y yoM KIPPUR country of Israel and its being the Jewish request of the Prime Minister’s office, the lage, and luckily the new immigrant students babies standard inoculations. Monday, September 24 7:30 pm federation Board of Directors at The Caspe Terrace homeland. However, the reality I wit- Jewish Agency immediately gave temporary who live here are on vacation so we have Just as quickly as the refugees were taken nessed also creates within me a sense of Tuesday, September 25 5:00 pm iJSLC Board Meeting shelter to these refugees, many of them from room. But caring for families is very differ- in, the Jewish Agency began working with disappointment in the American media. Darfur, in its Friedmann Student Village ent than seeing to the needs of students,” the Israeli Committee for Darfur Refugees Thursday, September 27 S suKKOT On the whole, the American mainstream Ibim, near Sderot. They were greeted by explains Soni. on health, employment and legal issues. Friday, September 28 6:00 pm temple 75th Anniversary media does an awful job covering Israel. the Jewish Agency’s staff, who hurriedly Two new immigrant students studying Together they arranged for the 11 young Sunday, September 30 6:00 pm temple 75th Anniversary Dinner To use a colloquial phrase: they just don’t prepared the student apartments for them. at nearby Sapir College, Mulo from Ethiopia single men in the group to receive work get it. They don’t get the context and Thursday, October 4 S shMINI ATZERET “We mobilized quickly and have been and Robert from the former Soviet Union, permits. In a matter of hours they were given they can’t find the positive attributes that working around the clock to help these keep the children busy at the temporary work in agriculture. Friday, October 5 SIMCHAT TORAH Israel possesses. Before I left and after I people,” says Ibim Director Soni Singer. playroom that has been set up “These people want to work,” Saturday. October 6 10:00 am Joanne Brown Bat Mitzvah at the Temple returned, people asked me if I were afraid “This is a humanitarian gesture to in an empty classroom. “They says Soni. “It warms the heart 10:00 am Kelsey Dennis Bat Mitzvah in Ames of encountering terrorism by traveling people in distress that we are very proud are volunteering their time, to see how amazingly calm and to what they perceived as a Third World Thursday, October 11 12:00 Noon senior Lunch at Tifereth

of,” said Jewish Agency Chairman of the and their energy is amazing,” disciplined they are despite their september country. To get the point across, after my Executive Zeev Bielski, explaining the explains Soni. There are 24 situation. We feel privileged to Friday, October 12 6:00 pm gendler Weekend (scholar-in-residence) at Tifereth return, I would stress to people that not Agency’s role in providing the assistance. children under the age of 18. be able to help them.” Saturday, October 13 12:00 Noon tifereth Shabbat Café once did I feel my safety was in jeopardy. Saturday, October 13 12:00 Noon tifereth Shabbat Café hosted by Women’s League In response, I find myself telling people about the beauty of the landscape and 4:30 pm Amanda Zuckerman Bat Mitzvah at the Temple the people. After thinking about it, Jewish Family Services Sunday, October 14 Women’s League for Conservative Judaism at Tifereth I’ve come to a realization: I can sing the United Way Donors Monday, October 15 Women’s League for Conservative Judaism at Tifereth praises of Israel until I am blue in the Did you know that you can designate part 7:30 pm executive Committee Meeting at the Federation face, but people will not realize the gifts senior news Israel has until they see for themselves. Thursday, October 18 12:00 Noon Women’s Campaign event at DM Golf and Country Club or all of your United Way contribution to Wanting to get out more and socialize? Permit me to end with a quote by John Jewish Family Services? Needing assistance with transportation to senior luncheons, Saturday, October 20 10 am Zachary Schnoebelen Bar Mitzvah at the Temple F. Kennedy. “Israel was not created in doctor appointments, grocery store, and other appointments? Friday, October 26 6:00 pm Katie Sinkewjz Bat Mitzvah at the Temple order to disappear - Israel will endure Seeking information regarding services you need in the home? The money received through these designations helps the Sunday, October 28 5:00 pm iJHS Fall Event at The Caspe Terrace and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be Federation pay for... Saturday, November 3 10:00 am James Steadham Bar Mitzvah in Ames Give us a call at Jewish Family Services and a staff member or vol- broken by adversity nor demoralized by Jewish Family Services - Individuals, families, seniors and children unteer will assist you with these services. Please call Lois Brown, Transportation Coordi- Sunday, November 4 12:00 Noon tifereth Torah Fund Luncheon and Musical Program success. It carries the shield of democracy Senior Adult Programs - Senior Adult luncheons and case management nator, at 313-8902 or Pat Nawrocki, OASIS Project Services Manager, at 277-6321. Saturday, November 10 10:00 am nathan Buchsbaum Bar Mitzvah at the Temple and it honors the sword of freedom.” Resettlement Program - Case management and health services to immigrants Upcoming Jewish Family Life Education Outreach - Baby baskets, welcoming newcomers Luncheons: Volunteer Opportunities - Numerous volunteer projects for seniors Thursday, September 6, 12:00 Come see the difference between Noon, at Temple B’nai Jeshurun dressed and well-dressed... We are looking forward to having sto- Thank you ryteller Neil Salowitz entertain us with his delightful talent. It will be a fun and to all who have contributedthrough United enjoyable time!

Way. Please remember that your gift to Rabbi Beryl Padorr entertains the Thursday, October 11, 12:00 Jewish Family Services through United crowd at a recent senior luncheon Noon, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Way has to be re-designated each year. Enjoy a performance by Clickette the Clown, Debbie Cooper of the Iowa De- partment of Public Health. She will give you a few giggles, discuss scientific stud- Patronize our ies on the healing power of humor, and offer tips on incorporating more laughter Advertisers. into your life. Tell them you saw their ad in The senior picnic at The Caspe Terrace with the Camp Shalom Campers was the Jewish Press. a “heart warming, fun-filled event.” Seniors were entertained by the en- thusiastic campers with a program of outreach, activities and services [ To advertise in the Jewish Press, singing, dancing and games. for independent seniors call us at 277-6321! ] The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines is a beneficiary of United Way JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

2 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press september/october 07 september/october 07 The Greater Des Moines Jewish Press 23

sept oct 07 printersp.indd 2-3 8/13/07 5:09:52 PM 2008 Campaign Challenge Elul/Tishri/Heshvan 5768 September/October 07 – t h E G r e a te r D E s M O i n e s $1,000,000 – 950,000 Jewish Press – Published as a Community Service by the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines online at jewishdesmoines.org • volume 24 number 1 900,000 Sukkot, the Jewish Festival Kever Avot Memorial – Services Sept 9 850,000 Rosh of Thanksgiving, On the Sunday prior to Rosh HaShanah, begins the evening of Wednesday, Sept 26 community members customarily visit the – graves of departed relatives. HaShanah Following on the heels of the High Holidays, the holiday of Sukkot Our congregational rabbis will con- 800,000 Begins on the evening represents a shift from somber reflection to joyous celebration, and duct a Kever Avot memorial service at – one community… of September 12 from introspection to an outward display of thanks for the earth’s Jewish Glendale Cemetery at 1:00 pm on …can accomplish communal mitzvot bounty. Unlike the High Holidays that precede it, Sukkot is a sea- Sunday, September 9. Preceding this, the sonal agricultural holiday and one of the three pilgrimage festivals. Temple will conduct the memorial service at 750,000 that an individual cannot do alone; According to the Torah, on this holiday we should “live in 12:30 pm at Woodland Cemetery. For more – booths (sukkot) seven days…in order that future generations may information, contact your congregation. …can help seniors live independently by supplying help, know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought 700,000 providing access to existing social service and medical programs them out of the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God” (Lev. Symbols of Sukkot, Art Classes At 23:42-43). These “booths,” therefore, are a visible symbol of God’s the lulav and etrog, The Caspe Terrace – and maintaining a helpful watch for health and well-being; beneficence, one that has its origins in the agricultural tradition. depicted in a mosaic We view Passover not only as a commemoration of the redemp- in an ancient Tiberian In October, The Caspe Terrace will again 650,000 …can loudly voice opposition to anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism; tion of the people from Egypt, but also as a time of planting. In a synagogue. host two Des Moines Art Center classes: similar manner we view Shavuot not only as the time of the giving Cynthia Shulman, owner of Kil’n Time – Engman Camp of the Torah, but also as the season of the first harvest. Like them, Sukkot is understood as Studio in Ames, will be teaching “The …can maintain and enhance our Jewish responsibility Hag Ha’asif--“the holiday of the ingathering” of the harvest. continued on page 19 Impressionists and Glass,” Oct. 9 – Nov. 13. 600,000 to educate both children and adults; Shalom - page 4 Des Moines Art Center Instructor Kathy Elder Statesman Shimon Peres Glenn will be teaching “Pastels” Oct. 11 – …can provide a Jewish lifeline to those facing poverty, – Nov. 15. Tuition is $73.00, or $58.00 for Federation members, for each of the classes. 550,000 hunger and hopelessness; Becomes President of Israel Don’t miss this opportunity! For more On June 13, 2007, the Knesset elected Shimon Peres to serve as the ninth information call the Federation at 515-277- – …can offer hope, dignity and services to thousands of people President of Israel. He was sworn into office on July 15. [The President is 6321 or go to www.jewishdesmoines.org. the Head of State and is apolitical, representing all sectors of the popula- 500,000 in Des Moines and Central Iowa, in our partnership city, tion. Israel’s Prime Minister serves as the head of the government. – ed.] IJHS Fall Event Acco, Israel, and in other places near and abroad; Shimon Peres was born in 1923 in Belorussia and immigrated with – his family in 1934. Oct 28 to Feature 450,000 …can continue our program to develop leaders for the Peres is a former Vice-President of the Socialist International; former Frank Perowsky David Adelman- chairman of the Labor Party and an architect of the 1994 Oslo Accords, for The Iowa Jewish Historical Society is happy – entire Jewish community; which he was awarded (with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat) the Nobel Peace Prize. to announce that our annual Fundraising on Israel: - page 12 He studied at the Ben Shemen Agricultural School, and was one of the founders of event this year will be Sunday, Oct. 28th at 400,000 …can fill the really big Tzedakah box that is Des Moines, Kibbutz Alumot in the Jordan Valley. He was politically active from the age of 16 and was The Caspe Terrace. Guest speaker will be elected Secretary of the Labor Youth Movement in 1943. Des Moines native, Frank Perowsky. Frank – with one million dollars… In Israel’s War of Independence (1947-48), Peres was responsible for arms purchases and graduated from Roosevelt High School, and recruitment, and in 1948 was appointed head of the naval services. In 1949, he headed the then headed to New York to the Julliard 350,000 As one community, these aspirations and many, many more can be Defense Ministry’s procurement delegation to the United States and while there studied at School of Music. An accomplished saxo- realized by people, like you, working together. It is you, alongside the New York School for Social Research and Harvard University. phone, clarinet and flute musician, he has – Peres was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Defense (1952-53), had a wonderful career in New York played your friends, who make this wonderful, vibrant Jewish-community and later Director-General (1953-59). He reorganized the Defense Ministry, initiated the many Broadway musicals, performed in 300,000 establishment of the Israeli Aircraft Industries and Israel’s nuclear project, and fostered the many jazz groups, and has traveled exten- – special relations with France. He was instrumental in planning the 1956 Sinai Campaign. sively with Liza Minnelli. He has now one community! Peres was a Member of Knesset from 1959-2007. He served as Deputy Minister of Defense formed a big jazz band, which features his The 2008 AnnuAl CampaigN (1959-65). In 1965 he left the Mapai Labor Party and was elected Secretary General of Rafi son, Ben, on the drums. Frank has many 250,000 Next Generation (the Israel Workers’ List), which later merged with Mapai to form the Israel Labor Party. interesting experiences to share with us, as – – chaired by Neil Salowitz and Judy Deutch Regina Zilbermints Peres became Minister of Immigrant Absorption in 1969, and later served as Minister well as entertaining us with his musical tal- - page 20 of Transport and Communications from 1970-74. In 1974 he was appointed Minister of ent. Be sure and save the date. Watch your The Jewish Federation offers a central coordinating body for the Jewish Community. Of all Information and later Minister of Defense from 1974-77. continued on page 19 mail and jewishdesmoines.org. 200,000 of the roles the Federation plays, none is more important than providing an opportunity for – you to care and join with others. Whether you are new in the community, or a familiar face, somewhere along the way the Federation will touch your life… We invite you to help build Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines Non-Profit our Jewish community to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. Organization 150,000 [inside] 910 Polk Boulevard U.S. Postage Find out how to help by visiting www.jewishdesmoines.org. Make your tax-deductive gift Des Moines, IA 50312-2297 Paid Des Moines, IA – online by clicking “Ways to Give.” 2 Jewish Agency aids refugees Permit No. 2506 100,000 Address Service Requested 2 United Way Donors – August 15, 2007 – $53,430. 00 50,000 3 President’s Message – 9, 11, 12 Travelers reflect 0 Don’t forget, you can designate Jewish Family Services when you Chef du Jour: Harriet Feder donate to United Way 17

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sept oct 07 printersp.indd 2-1 8/13/07 5:09:47 PM