March 2020 WRJ President to Speak at Temple Beth El’S March 13-15 Sisterhood Shabbat Weekend in THIS ISSUE

Community Invited to Join Us March 2020 WRJ President to Speak at Temple Beth El’s March 13-15 Sisterhood Shabbat Weekend IN THIS ISSUE

Elected in March 2018, Women of Reform Judaism Pres- Temple Beth El Times ident Susan C. Bass has been actively involved in WRJ since becoming local sisterhood president in the late 1980s and Rabbi’s Message....……....…..….2 has held a variety of positions on the local, District, and President’s Remarks...... ……....3 North American level. “Pour-em” Wine & Cheese Social……3 As a WRJ officer, Susan has served as Vice President of the Departments of Marketing & Communications, Service Religious School News...... 4 to Sisterhoods & Districts, and Development and Special TBE Auction Fundraiser...... 5 Projects; a member of the WRJ Constitutional Revisions, Contributions…..…….…….……...6 Audit, and Budget Committees; and as Co-Chair of the WRJ Task Force on Districts. Since 1993, she has also served on the WRJ Speakers’ Bureau, visiting sisterhoods across North Heska Amuna HaShofar America. Rabbi’s Remarks………….….....10 Following her term as WRJ Southeast District President in 2000, Susan was elected Chairman’s Remarks…...….…...11 Secretary and then Vice President of the Southeast Council of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). In 2001, she was elected to the North American Board of Trustees of Women’s League…...... …..12 the URJ, and has served since then. Susan served on the inaugural URJ Oversight Purim Event...……….…….……..13 Committee (which replaced the Executive Committee) from 2011 – 2013. She was re- Religious School News.………...15 elected to the URJ Board of Trustees in San Diego in 2013. An Atlanta native, she moved to Houston, Texas, in August 2004, where she joined Congregation Beth Israel. Active in her sisterhood there, she served as president from 2009 – 2011. KJA Ha’Kol Temple Beth El Sisterhood invites you to Sisterhood Shabbat Weekend: Preschool Art Gala...... 17

Friday, March 13 Roddie Edmonds Plaque…...... 18 6:00 p.m. Shabbat dinner* — Temple Beth El Friendshippers…………………...20 7:00 p.m. Shabbat services and Oneg hosted by TBE Sisterhood MCDC Registration...... 20 Saturday, March 14 Schwarzbart Gallery Exhibit...... 21 10:30 a.m. Brunch and Torah study at the home of Brian and Karen Smith* Exodus 30:11-34:35

6:30 p.m. Covered dish dinner and havdalah at the Community News home of John Lomax and Wilma Weinstein Lomax* Discussion on women’s reproductive rights KJCFF……………………..…..…25

Sunday, March 15 Jewish Congregation/OR….….26 10:00 a.m.- noon Brunch Leadership development* Chabad of Knoxville…...... …28 Why WRJ? Discussion circle Hadassah Highlights…...... ….30 * Everyone is welcome (including spouses), but we do ask you Knoxville Jewish Day School..34 to reserve a place for these events. Community Calendar………....….7 For additional information, please contact Wilma Weinstein Lomax, Happenings………...…...…...….8-9 TBE Sisterhood President, [email protected] or (865) 296-3017

6800 Deane Hill Drive  Knoxville, TN 37919  865.690.6343  www.jewishknoxville.org March 2020 Shalom Y’all! 5 Adar-6 Nissan 5780 By Rabbi Erin Boxt Temple Beth El Times In the past few years, our society has become super aware of the differences between people. We have found Rabbi’s Message....……....…….….2 ways to celebrate these differences, while at the same President’s Remarks...... ……...... 3 time appreciating what we have in common. There have “Pour-em” Wine & Cheese Social…...…3 been some great successes and unfortunately there have Religious School News...... 4 also been some terrible failures. It is important to point out that the way some people deal with their own TBE Auction Fundraiser...... 5 embarrassment is to joke or play it off as a joke…but that Contributions…..…….…….…...…...6 does not take away from the seriousness of how others may feel, react or respond. Assumptions are another problem. We all do this, so I am certainly not pointing fingers. However, we can, and we should do better. During his URJ Biennial address on Thursday night, December 12, Rabbi Jacobs, the Union for Reform Judaism president, instructed us in ways we can widen our Jewish tents: smashing divisions such as racism, sexism, etc.; committing to anti-racism, not just being “not a racist;” and by making people who enter our tent feel as if they belong from the moment we meet them. Most importantly, we must realize and understand that no one looks Jewish anymore and there is not one authentic way of being Jewish anymore. Rabbi Jacobs spoke about embracing those who are “Jewish adjacent,” which very broadly is defined as someone who participates in Jewish religious or cultural practices without having converted to Judaism. We are not diluting Judaism; we are bringing Judaism to more Jews by honoring diversity and strengthening our communities. There are several common themes throughout the Torah and our liturgy. One of the most important is:

כִּֽי־ ֵג ִ֥רים ֱהי י ֶֶ֖תם ְּב ִֶ֥א ֶרץ מ ְּצ ִּֽרי ם “Because you were strangers in the Land of Egypt.”

These few extremely important words flow through our lives as a constant reminder of what it feels to be “the other.” We must open our minds, our hearts and our souls to embrace anyone and everyone that chooses our Tent. At the Biennial, we were challenged to commit to doing this work together. We will because we must.

״ב רּוְך … ֲח ַכם ה ר זים״ — ֶש ֵאין ַד ְּע תם דֹו מה ֶזה ל ֶזה, וְּ ֵאין ַפ ְּרצּו ֵפי ֶהן דֹו מים ֶזה ל ֶזה Blessed are You, the Sage of all secret things for their minds are not similar to each other and their faces are all unique.” (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berachot 58a)

Remember - if there is ever anything I can do for you, please know my door is always open. I look TBE Oneg Schedule for March forward to working with all of you to make the Temple Families of 3rd, 4th, Beth El and the greater Knoxville Jewish community March 6 the most amazing family it can be!! and 5th graders March 13 Sisterhood Shabbat Lucy & Mark Barkan March 20 Laura & Michael Shenkman Heather & David Sandberg March 27 Allisen & Robert Shagan

3037 Kingston Pike  Knoxville, TN 37919  865.524.3521  www.tbeknox.org Temple Beth El Times  March 2020 3

TBE President’s Remarks By Steve Lewis, TBE President The month of March at TBE will “come in like a lion,” but it will definitely not “go out like a lamb.” We will see a month highlighted by continuing Adult Ed programming, a very special holiday celebration, and an incredible weekend of social action, learning, and worship. On Sunday, March 1, at 10:00 am, Rabbi Erin Boxt will once again be leading an Adult Ed class. Those of you who have attended his classes know that the Rabbi is an excellent teacher whose classes are lively and entertaining. But don’t take my word; come and see for yourself! Purim is a holiday we traditionally associate with storytelling, loud and joyous noises, costumes, and, well, revelry. This year will be no exception, as our wonderful Membership Committee hosts a “Pour’em” Wine & Cheese Social in our lobby from 6 p.m.-7 p.m., which will be followed by our Purim Service at 7p.m. While costumes will be optional, they’re always a lot of fun — and a prize will be awarded for Best Costume -- so why not give it a shot? And free babysitting will be available from 6-7 p.m. This celebration, which is sure to be loads of fun, is for prospective, new and current members of TBE. It’s a chance for all of us To Be Engaged together, and to strengthen our holy community, our Kehillah Kedoshah. Another opportunity To Be Engaged is the weekend of March 13-15 which will have, as they say, “Something for Everybody.” First, we are very blessed to welcome Susan C. Bass, President of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), who will speak and lead discussions on issues of importance to women -- and therefore, to the entire community. WRJ, as their mission statement says, “Strengthens the voice of women worldwide and empowers them to create caring communities, nurture congregations, cultivate personal and spiritual growth, and advocate for and promote progressive Jewish values.” Friday evening begins with our annual “Social Action Shabbat” dinner from 6 p.m.-7 p.m., followed by Shabbat Services, including a D’var by Ms. Bass, the honoring of all Sisterhood Presidents, and an Oneg hosted by the TBE Sisterhood. On Saturday morning there will be a 10:30 a.m. Brunch and Torah study (Exodus 30:11-34:35) at the home of Brian and Karen Smith. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a covered dish dinner and Havdalah at the home of John Lomax and Wilma Weinstein, with a discussion on Women’s Reproductive Rights. Then, at TBE on Sunday morning, there will be a discussion circle on “Why WRJ?” from 10:00 a.m. - Noon. This should be an unforgettable weekend, and one you won’t want to miss. As I always like to say, the more you put into TBE, the more you get out of it, and this month there’s an incredible opportunity to do both! 4 Temple Beth El Times  March 2020

Temple Beth El Religious School March 2020 Update By Norma James, TBE Education Director, [email protected]

Let’s all Roll! Sunday afternoon roller skating on March 1. Our Temple Beth El families are invited to join our Jewish friends in the Knoxville area at Skate Town. The Share the Dream Youth Ed Team has planned a purely social event for our children and their parents. Families are invited to join us at Skate Town for a super fun afternoon. Parents are responsible for paying for entry and skate rental. We will have a group discount. Parents of younger children must stay to supervise your children. We will have some staff that will be on hand to watch the older children, but I suggest you make it a family affair. This is a great time for adults to hang out together. RSVP is required. Contact Nor- ma James for more details.

Families will NOT want to miss Joe Buchanan Friday, March 6! We have a real change of pace for our TBE Purim Shabbat service. We are very lucky to have guest musician Joe Buchanan, a singer and songwriter of Americana music which includes folk and country styles. Norma and Rabbi Erin saw him perform and lead a musical minyan at the ISJL Conference four years ago. He is an exciting performer with a great story to tell. He and Rabbi are crafting a musical Purim service with a country theme, so get your costume ready! As a special treat, Joe will have a mini concert of his own after the service. PLEASE COME!

It’s Purim Festival Time Again March 8. I cannot wait to see what Tara Bain and her team has cooked up for our Purim Festi- val. Once again we have invited students from HA, JCOR, KJDS, and AJCC Preschool. We will have an interactive Megillah Reading, the Brotherhood Hotdog Cafe , and the Sisterhood Hamentashen Sale. We encourage everyone to wear costumes. Shekels will be on sale in the lobby 3/$1 or 16/$5. There will be a special cafe serving lunch, which includes a hotdog (veggie dogs & kosher buns available), chips, and a drink for $3. (Cash is preferred for lunch but shekels are accepted.) Parents, PLEASE send your children to school with money for shekels or purchase them yourself when you drop off your children.

Here is the schedule for the Purim Carnival:  9:30: All students arrive at Temple and go to classrooms for Purim activities.  10:00-10:45: Anna Iroff-Bailey will lead B’yachad in the Preschool room.  9:30-10:45: 7th-10th graders and parent volunteers set up Carnival.  10:15: Megillah reading and songs in Sanctuary with Rabbi Boxt and Norma  10:45: Purim Carnival in social hall and front lobby.  Noon: Dismissal and clean up. Help is needed for clean up!

B’yachad at TBE March 8 for Purim. We are so excited to again include B’yachad for our Purim celebration. Part of the fun will be with Anna in our preschool room. At 10:45 a.m., everyone will go to the Purim Carnival in the social hall.

Spring Break: There will be NO Religious School Sunday, March 15, Wednesday, March 18, or Sunday, March 22.

RS Model Passover Seder March 29. Our students always look forward to our Passover Seder. Our Seder will be led by Rabbi Boxt and the Chai Class. We will have school as usual at 9:30 with the model Seder beginning at 11:00. Parents will sign up to bring items for the Seder and will help with set up, serving, and clean up. Parents and grandparents may attend with your children if you like. Just let Norma know, so that we can have places set for you. We usually have full attendance at our Seder, so put it on your calendar now!

Coming up in April:  April 3: PreK-2nd conduct a 5:45 Service AND 3rd-5th conduct the regular 7:00 Service  April 12: Passover Break NO RS  April 17-19: ISJL Fellow Rena Lupin visits  April 24: Shaughn May becomes a Bar Mitzvah.

Temple Beth El Board and Executive Committee Positions

The nominating committee, for this year, is soliciting nominations for open Temple Board and Executive Committee positions to begin terms in July 1, 2020. If you have interest or wish to make a nomination, please email Alan Smuckler at [email protected] or call or text him at 865-384-5365.

All interested are welcomed! Thank you for your consideration. Temple Beth El Times  March 2020 5

6 Temple Beth El Times  March 2020 Contributions to the Funds of Temple Beth El Donations listed were received as of January 17, 2020

CARING COMMITTEE FUND PRESERVATION FUND In memory of Anna Livshits Donation By: Susan Baker By: Edmond and Bella Lester RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Rabbi Erin Boxt ERMA GERSON COMMUNITY FUND Donation By: The Trust Company [email protected] In memory of Jack Misner Donation By: Scott Hahn By: Martin Gerson & family In memory of Bobby Zivi Steve Lewis, President By: Rick and Nancy Zivi [email protected] GENERAL FUND In memory of Ricka Goodfriend SECURITY FUND Norma James, By: Bob and Wendy Goodfriend Donation By: Robert and Elaine Religious School Director Donation By: Barbara Pollock Freeman [email protected] Donation By: Bob and Wendy In memory of Marie Noon Tina Fleeman Goodfriend By: Chuck and Missy Noon Temple Beth El Office Staff Donation By: Howard and HERMINA BEILER FLORAL FUND [email protected] Janice Pollock In memory of Mary K. Licht Donation By: Alan and Karen Smuckler By: Richard Licht and Shirley McGuire TBE Office Phone: In memory of Helen Tumpson Wallace (865) 524-3521 LICHT YOUTH FUND By: Toby and Linnette Tumpson Fax: (865) 525-6030 In honor of Genesis 12:3 In memory of Stanley Webster By: James Murph By: Esther Webster Temple Office Hours: In memory of Bill Dillon Monday - Thursday: PATIO AND GROUNDS FUND By: Wilma Weinstein-Lomax 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In memory of Mildred Robertson Erwin and John Lomax Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. By: Paul Erwin and Renee’ Hyatt Donation By: Anonymous In memory of Irvin Shenkman Our Mission By: Michael and Laura Shenkman To inspire individuals to know, live, and

shape our Jewish legacy.

In fulfilling our mission, we value our Temple Beth El place in the chain of traditions, the diver- Welcomes New Members sity of those who seek to join us in our By Missy Noon venture, and the kindness essential to a sacred community. Amir Sadovnik and Margaret Page moved to Knoxville from Easton, PA in the summer of 2018. www.tbeknox.org They have two kids: Maya (9) is a 3rd grader and Ely (7) is a 2nd grader, both at Beaumont Magnet Elementary. Margaret is originally from Knoxville while Amir grew up in Israel. They met in Brooklyn, NY, and have moved multiple times until landing in Knoxville. Amir is an assistant professor of computer science at UT and Margaret is a creative art therapist. The family enjoys hiking and swimming in the region and look forward to getting more involved with the TBE community.

Marjorie and Lou Bornes moved from New York to Tennessee at the end of July, having lived their entire lives in New York. “My sister found this area and we are thrilled to be near her. I am a semi-retired attorney, still doing some work for the insurance carrier that I represented in New York.,” he says. Lou was born in Poland. After the war, he lived a few years in Israel, then came to the US when he was six. Their daughter, Jessica, and son-in-law, Brian, live in Long Island City. She is an attorney and he is in finance. Another son, Jonathan, is a high functioning autistic man who is involved in a theatre group. Knoxville Jewish Community Calendar  March 2020 7 M a r ch 2 0 2 0

S u n Mo n T u e Wed T hu F r i S at 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:30a Morning Minyan-HA 7a Morning Minyan- 6-9:30p Fencing- 9:30-11a Tai Chi-Orwitz Rm 7a Morning Minyan-HA 6:18p 7:15p 9:30a Religious School-HA HA Gym Noon Executive Mifgash 11a Adult Ed/Torah Study Noon Mindfulness 9:30a-noon Shabbat 9:30a Religious School-TBE 9:30a Tai Chi-JCOR 7-8:30p GKAISA Mtg Manhigim-TBE -TBE Practice-HA Service-HA 10a Adult Ed-TBE 6-9:30p Fencing- -AJCC Orwitz Room 4p Religious School-HA 6:15p Conversational 4:30p JFS Shabbat 9:30a Shabbat Service- 10a Hebrew class 3 levels-HA AJCC Gym 4:30-6p Midweek Hebrew- Hebrew-HA Service-Sherrill Hills JCOR 10a Beyond Dispute-HA TBE 6:30p Hadassah Haman- 6p Pour-em Wine & 10:15a Alternative 11a Seder to Slichot-HA 6:30p Wed Minyan-HA taschen Bake-Private Cheese Social-TBE Service-HA 10:30-noon Tai Chi-Orwitz 6:30-8:30p Tai Chi- home 6:30p Sunset Minyan & Room AJCC Orwitz Rm 7:30p Israeli dancing- Oneg-HA 7a Talmud Study-HA AJCC Gym 7p Purim Shabbat 7p Board mtg-HA Service-TBE

8 9 10Purim 11 12 13 14 7a Morning Minyan- 7a Megillah Reading- 9:30-11a Tai Chi-Orwitz Rm 7a Morning Minyan-HA 7:24p 8:21p HA HA 4p Religious School-HA 11a Adult Ed/Torah Study 9:30a Morning Minyan-HA TBE Hosts Susan C. Bass, WRJ President 9:30a Tai Chi-JCOR 8:30-10a Purim Party 4:30-6p Midweek Hebrew- -TBE March 13-15 9:30a Religious Sch/PURIM 5:30p Purim Dinner & -KJDS TBE 6:15p Conversational Carnival for TBE, HARS, Costume Parade-HA 6-8:30p GKAISA mtg 6:30p Wednesday Minyan- Hebrew-HA Noon Mindfulness 9:30a-noon Shabbat B’Yachad, KJDS-TBE 6:15p Megillah Read- -AJCC Orwitz Rm HA 7:30p Israeli dancing- Practice-HA Service-HA 10a Adult Ed-TBE ing-HA 6:30p KJDS Board-KJDS AJCC Gym 6p Sisterhood Dinner- 9:30a Shabbat Service- 10a Beyond Dispute-HA 6-9:30p Fencing- 6:30p Board Mifgash TBE JCOR 11a Seder to Slichot-HA AJCC Gym Manhigim-TBE 7p Sisterhood Shabbat 7p Jewish Film Series: 10a Hebrew class 3 levels-HA 6:30-8:30p Tai Chi- Service-TBE Seven Minutes in Heaven 10:30-noon Tai Chi-Orwitz Rm AJCC Orwitz Rm -JCOR 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 TBE Hosts WRJ President 7a Morning Minyan- 6-9:30p Fencing- 9:30-11a Tai Chi-Orwitz Rm 7a Morning Minyan-HA 7:30p 8:27p HA Gym 11a-1p Israeli Shuk w Noon Mindfulness 9:30a-noon Shabbat Noon Friendshippers- 9:30a Morning Minyan-HA 9:30a Tai Chi-JCOR 7:30p Hadassah Friends-KJDS Practice-HA Service-HA Harry House-Sherrill Hills 9:30a Religious School-HA 6-9:30p Fencing- Book Club--Barnes & 1a Adult Ed/Torah Study- 7p Shabbat Service-TBE 9:30a Shabbat Service- 10a Why WRJ? Discussion AJCC Gym Noble Booksellers 6:30p Wed Minyan-HA TBE JCOR Circle-TBE 6:30-8:30p Tai Chi- 6:15p Conversational 10a Condensed 10a Hebrew class 3 levels-HA AJCC Orwitz Rm Hebrew-HA Service-HA 10:30-noon Tai Chi-Orwitz 7a Talmud Study-HA 7:30p Israeli dancing- Room 7p Hadassah Brd-AJCC AJCC Gym

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6-9:30p Fencing- 9:30-11a Tai Chi-Orwitz Rm 7a Morning Minyan-HA 7:36p 8:39p Heska Amuna Hosts Region Conference Gym 4p Religious School-HA 11a Adult Ed/Torah Study Noon Mindfulness 9:30a-noon Shabbat of Women’s League 4:30-6p Midweek Hebrew- -TBE Practice-HA Service-HA TBE 6:15p Conversational 7p Shabbat Service-TBE 9:30a Shabbat Service- 9:30a Morning Minyan-HA 7a Morning Minyan- 6:30p Wed Minyan-HA Hebrew-HA JCOR 9:30a Religious School-HA HA 6:30-8:30p Tai Chi- 7:30p Israeli dancing- 10a Rosh Chodesh-TBE 9:30a Tai Chi-JCOR AJCC Orwitz Rm AJCC Gym 10a Hebrew class 3 levels-HA 6-9:30p Fencing- 7a Talmud Study-HA 10:30-noon Tai Chi-Orwitz AJCC Gym Room

29 30 31 9:30a Morning Minyan-HA 7a Morning Minyan- Noon Executive We looki forward to 10a Religious School-HA HA Mifgash Manhigim- M 9:30a Religious School-TBE 9:30a Tai Chi-JCOR TBE Most seeing your kids at 10a Adult Ed-TBE 3p David Makovsky 7:30p Itzhak 10a Hebrew class 3 levels-HA Perlman fundraiser- C Milton Collins lecture-UT Howard Fun 10a Beyond Dispute-HA Baker Center Tennessee Theatre- 10:30-noon Tai Chi-Orwitz see page 36 Under Day Camp! Room 6-9p KJA Pacesetters D 11a Seder to Slichot-HA dinner-Kitchen 919 the 2p Hadassah Community 6-9:30p Fencing- See page 20 Building-AJCC Orwitz Rm AJCC Gym C Sun for registration info! 8 Knoxville Jewish Community Happenings  March 2020

BBG Welcomes New Advisor BBYO News: Winick AZA, Weinstein BBG Travel Big Ali Cohen became the chapter advisor for Weinstein BBG in September 2019. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ali graduated from Florida State University, Winick AZA and Weinstein BBG chapters where she majored in accounting attended the Cotton States Regional and earned her CPA license, and Convention in Huntsville in January. Nine from the University of Florida Knoxville BBYO teens were chaperoned by where she earned an MBA. AZA advisor Jonathan Branton. After living and working in At- Mazel tov to Tifannie Rosen, who was lanta for several years, Ali and her elected Cotton States Regional S’ganit (VP). husband, Bryan, wanted a more She continues the Knoxville legacy laid-back lifestyle with shorter commutes, so they relocated to Farragut in De- of leadership. cember 2018. Ali works as a commercial banker for JPMorgan Chase, servicing Both chapters returned to Knoxville and East Tennessee middle market businesses that generate at least $20MM in an- held local elections. Under the guidance of nual revenue. advisor Ali Cohen, Weinstein BBG elected In her spare time, Ali enjoys hiking, distance running, traveling, cooking, and Hallie Boring as N’siah (president), cheering on the Florida Gators! Ali was actively involved in BBYO in high school, Riley Goodfriend as s’ganit (VP), Sophie on the chapter, regional and international levels, where she served numerous Pollock as MIT Mom (new members), and leadership positions, including the International S'ganit (Vice President of Teen Heidi Sturm as Shlicha (religious Programming) from 2007-2008. She's excited to be a source of guidance and programming). support for the Weinstein BBG, to help the chapter continue to thrive in the Winick AZA’s officers are Ryan Gibbons, Knoxville Jewish community. Godol (president); Zach Scott, S’gan (VP); For information on BBYO, email [email protected] Reuben Margolies, Mazker (secretary); Ben Margulies, Gizbor (treasurer), and Frank Sturm, Moreh (new members). Next up, Weinstein BBG plans to send five members to the BBYO International Convention in Dallas. This is an amazing event in the Jewish youth world as the largest youth organization hosts more than 3,000 teens from the US, Canada, Israel, and dozens of other countries. You can follow the action at https:// azabbg.bbyo.org/ic/about/what-is- convention.

AEPi Fraternity Honored at UTK Greek Awards

Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of Tennessee was awarded highest small chapter GPA and highest New Member GPA in the Interfraternity Council at the UT Greek Awards on Wednesday, January 29. AEPi prides itself on having academic excellence and achievement, consistently having an average GPA higher than the average student at UT. Representing the chapter at the Greek Awards were, from left to right, Noah Geltzer (President 2018), Andrew Weinstein (President 2020), and Parker Alperin (President 2019). Knoxville Jewish Community Happenings  March 2020 9

Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny

Monday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy 1640 Cumberland Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3340

This talk examines significant Israeli leaders who were part of the establishment of the state and instrumental in safeguarding its future. It discusses moments of leadership and strategic judgment during Israel’s history.

David Makovsky, former executive editor of the Jerusalem Post and Suzy Snoops currently the Ziegler distinguished Ha’Kol welcomes your good news. Please send information to fellow at The Washington Institute. [email protected] or to the Ha’Kol newsletter, c/o Knoxville He is also an adjunct professor in Jewish Alliance, 6800 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. Middle East studies at Johns Hop- kins University's Paul H. Nitze  Adam Brown and son Stephen Brown were guests on WATE TV, School of Advanced International as they talked about the family business, Tennessee School of Studies (SAIS). In 2013-2014, he Beauty, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary and five worked in the Office of the U.S. generations of family at TSB. Mazel tov to the Brown family.  Mazel tov to Jason Messing for being an actor on the team Secretary of State, serving as a senior advisor to the winning awards for Best Twist, Best Film, Best Actress (Megan Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations. He is Jones), and Best Writing for the short film The Interview at the co-author, with Dennis Ross, of the 2019 book Be Southern Oasis Film Festival. The film festival was a local event Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Im- showcasing short films and student films. portant Leaders Shaped Its Destiny (PublicAffairs) and  Joe and Charlene Oleinik are celebrating the birth of their first the 2009 Washington Post bestseller Myths, Illusions, grandchild. Finnley Adam Oleinik, born on February 10, to and Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Josh Oleinik and Valery Miller of Greensboro, N.C. Middle East (Viking/Penguin). Synagogues: An Undervalued Stock March 2020 By Rabbi Alon C. Ferency 5 Adar-6 Nissan 5780

Abe was perhaps the most successful student of our Seminary graduating class. Since he was a Talmud whiz, I imagined Abe would go INSIDE THIS ISSUE on to do something wild and imaginative, like inventing a new kind of school or community. And, I still remember his comment when I talked to Rabbi’s Remarks……….....10 him about his post-ordination plans: he said that jazz tenor saxophonist President’s Remarks...…...11 Hank Mobley was deeply underrated. And likewise, he said, synagogues Women’s League…...... …..12 are an undervalued stock. So, he went to work at an established congregation in Chicago. What better time to invest? Purim Event...……….……..13 He’s right. Synagogues take a lot of insults these days and a lot of people belittle the First Night Seder….…..…..14 institution as outmoded. At the same time, many people go to a place that looks like a synagogue, swims like a synagogue, and quacks like a synagogue, but calls itself an Religious School News…...15 “intentional spiritual community;” it’s the same in Christian communities, with all so much unnecessary jargon and re-branding. Maybe we need to direct our communal thought, energy, and money into teaching people why time-honored synagogues matter. I think it’s time for synagogues to make a comeback. Spiritual moments don’t often happen by serendipity; however, they often happen in a shul. They happen among people who have learned over decades to live together with people of several generations, even brushing up against people they may not like. That’s how Judaism is transmitted. A colleague at a large, flourishing synagogue reports that he is happy to pastor to four generations of Jews, although no one writes grants or gives prizes for that. Since the Torah and Talmud, there are many things that any Jewish community is required to do: a healthy Jewish community educates children and adults, maintains burial provisions, and celebrates the Jewish calendar together. A successful Jewish community shares in Jewish life as an extended family, by marrying couples, visiting the sick, and caring for the elderly. A vibrant Jewish community is a home away from home that ensures a variety of socialization for all persons, while representing Jews to the outside world and ensuring safe transitions between secular and religious spaces. A congregation makes Jews – new and old – and it builds leaders. Furthermore, it offers its support to the local secular community as well. Religious institutions teach us to be good citizens: they ought never to tell us how to vote, but they can always give us the tools to struggle and grapple with civic questions. A great congregation warms souls. You simply can’t do that without an institution – you wouldn’t have the resources or the person-power. Beside synagogues, there is no other single institution capable of such feats – now or in the past. And, a synagogue can’t exist without your support. The Talmud says that “The Paschal lamb is not slaughtered save for those who are registered for it.” Likewise with every other Jewish experience: they all require real commitment. A Jewish community can’t be a community without a synagogue, and a synagogue can’t thrive without partners – You.

Meet Your Board Members: Mark Siegel Reason for Serving on Heska Born: Knoxville Amuna Board: I am a Levi and Raised: Knoxville therefore feel a direct connection Years in Knoxville: about 59 to some of the people and stories in Family: wife Betty, daughter Sarah the Five Books of Moses, and Juda- Education: University of Tennessee undergrad, Columbia ism generally. My father was a University Law School Chairman of the Board at Heska Vocation: Social Security Administrative Law Judge, private Amuna. My uncle was a Chairman Betty, Sarah, and Mark attorney, Special Assistant US Attorney, Interior Department, Carnegie of the Board at Heska Amuna. I went Hall Corporation to religious school and was bar mitzvahed at Heska Amuna. The cor- Volunteering: Two stints on the Heska Amuna Board, Humane Society nerstone for the current sanctuary was laid the day after my bar of the Tennessee Valley, political campaigns, American Israel Public mitzvah in what now is the social hall. My daughter went to religious Affairs Committee, Fort Sanders neighborhood organizations school and was bat mitzvahed at Heska Amuna. When asked why he Favorite Activities: Movies, music, mountains, writing supported Heska Amuna, my father said, “Because it’s there.”

3811 Kingston Pike  Knoxville, TN 37919  865.522.0701  www.heskaamuna.org Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020 11 President’s Thoughts By Jeff Becker,Chairman

To operate a synagogue or other Jewish institution, it is necessary to raise funds for salaries, building maintenance, and a myriad of other activities that contribute to a thriving congregation and community. Some may ask: Why should I pay dues or membership to an organization to which I only attend a few times a year or use their facilities infrequently? Part of the answer is that when you need it, the synagogue or institution will “be there.” Another part of the answer is that according to Jewish Law, Tzedakah is not charity. Rather it is a moral obligation of every Jewish person and a form of social justice in which donors benefit from giving as much or more than the recipients. “Paying your dues” is a form of Tzedakah that allows the infrastructure of a Jewish community to thrive and to “be there” when you or someone in the community needs its services, whether as a spiritual home, a place to honor or remember your family, or a place where you can pursue and perhaps find “meaning.” Heska Amuna is a sacred home, animated by Jewish tradition, and according to our “Mission Statement, Heska Amuna is the place where you may: • Find purpose through reflection (Cheshbon HaNefesh); • Heal lives through service (Chesed); and • Celebrate God with awe and joy (Yirat Shamayim). These Heska Amuna’s attributes were joyfully realized and displayed on January 11 when six adults became bar/bat mitzvah. The adults participated beautifully in the Shabbat services by reading Torah (Meir Niad, Harriet Glassman, Terri Lee Love, and Bryan Merrell), leading a part of the Service (Bryan Merrell, Miriam Weinstein, Markus Eisenbach, and Frank Lawhead) or giving the D’var Torah (Theresa Lee Love). The pride and joy in reaching this Jewish rite of passage was evident in the adult b’nai mitzvahs themselves and by the celebrating congregants. Judaism is not a religion for the young alone. As demonstrated by Bryan, Miriam, Meir, Harriett, Markus, Frank, and Terri, growing one’s Jewish knowledge does not end when one is 13 years old. There’s the classic joke:

Three rabbis, meeting over lunch, are discussing problems in their respective synagogues: gossip, fundraising, fees for guest speakers. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” one of the rabbis interjects, “I hope you won’t think this too trivial, but our synagogue has of late had an infestation of mice, which has been very disturbing.” The eyes of the other two rabbis light up, and each admits that his own synagogue has had the same problem. One asks the first rabbi what he has done about it. “I arranged through our shammes to set more than 75 mouse traps throughout the synagogue. But it didn’t work out. The traps would some- times go off during services, which was most distracting. The net result was that we caught four mice and still have the problem.” “I called the exterminators,” says the second rabbi. “They caught a dozen or so mice and charged us $1,100. But we, too, still have mice in the synagogue. Most unpleasant.” “Gentlemen,” announces the third rabbi, “I don’t mean to brag, but I was able completely to solve the mice problem in our synagogue, and at minimal cost.” The first two rabbis eagerly ask how. “Very simple,” the third rabbi says. “What I did was buy a 25-pound wheel of Chilton cheese, which I set on the bima. Lo, in no time at all, 243 mice appeared. I bar–mitzvahed them all, and, gentlemen, they never returned.”

We aren’t putting out cheese for our mice. Rather, Heska Amuna is working hard to “Be There” for adults and our children. There are many ways for Jews to continue their learning by studying for adult b’nai mitzvah, learning Hebrew taught by Peggy Littmann, discovering the Tal- mud in weekly sessions led by Jack Love and Raphe Panitz, attending various courses on Sundays or special lectures arranged by Abraham Brietstein, the Adult Education chair, and listening to the weekly D’var Torah from Rabbi Alon Ferency. But in order to “Be There,” we need a strong financial infrastructure. The Ways and Means Committee comprised of Mark Siegel, Marty Iroff, Jeff Jacobson, Ken Brown, Abraham Brietstein, Mary Linda Schwarzbart, and me, developed a Synagogue budget that was discussed at length by the Board of Trustees and approved at January’s Board meeting. We were pleased to pass a balanced budget. The ability to have a balanced budget was due to the generosity of our dues-paying members, donations for many activities including our High Holiday appeal, commemoration of birthdays, anniversaries and yahrzeits, plaques for bar/bat mitzvahs and yahrzeits, events such as Lights & L’Chaim, other fund-raising events, and importantly, endowment funds. The endowment funds mostly held in the Knoxville Jewish Community Family of Funds (see the KJCFF on page 25 of every issue of Ha’Kol) are either donor-advised or synagogue-specific. Our endowment funds will contribute about 15 percent of our 2020 operating budget. We trust our members will willingly contribute their hard-earned assets so that we can “Be There” for you when you need us and as you continue your growth as a Jewish adult. To continue my Ha’Kol “tradition,” on page 10 and below I present biographical sketches of two Heska Amuna Board of Trustees members chosen at random from our 19 board members. Mark Siegel and Marty Iroff serve as our financial vice-chair and treasurer, respectively. They give generously of their time and effort to keep Heska Amuna financially strong so that we may “Be There” when needed.

Meet Your Board Members: Marty Iroff Born: Brooklyn, NY program trainer (anti-drug, anti-bullying, character development, Raised: Flushing Queens, NY, Knoxville since age 15 parenting), Part-time apprentice for home repair and remodeling. Years in Knoxville: 48 years Volunteering: Heska Amuna Treasurer, general help. AJCC, Family: Wife: Martha Iroff; Daughters: Anna (Jared) general facility repair Iroff-Bailey, Ellen (Mark) Swick, Rachel Iroff; Favorite Activities: Helping others succeed, woodworking, fixing Mother: Stella Iroff things Education: High School: Bearden, Knoxville, Geo. Peabody College for Reason for Serving on Heska Amuna Board: I came back onto Teachers, Nashville, BS University of TN, Knoxville, MS+ the Board specifically to help address financial issues. Vocation: Retired teacher, school district administrator, educational 12 Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020 Listen, Learn, and Perform Tikkun Olam By Lisa Jacobson, Heska Amuna Women’s League President

"Immigrant mothers survive with clipped wings so their children may fly." This heartbreaking statement was made by Luis Mata, co-founder of the UT student group, Students for Migrant Justice, and guest at our January Heska Amuna Women's League and Torah Fund Shabbat. Over the past two years, HAWL has been listening, learning, and performing acts of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, by trying to improve the plight of refugees. January's HAWL Shabbat broadened our education efforts beyond refugees to the broader immigration issues. And we won't be stopping there. While Luis did not originate the above quote, he certainly lived it. Luis described the obstacles faced by his mother to provide a better life for her son. Unable to legally drive and with major language barriers, his mother provided for him without disclosing the hurdles and stress she bore to give him this life. Luis, who immigrated from Mexico with his mother at the age of 5, did not know of his status in the United States until his friends started getting their driving permits and his mother told him that he would not be able to obtain a permit nor go to college. Fortunately, an application for permanent residency filed over 15 years ago by a rela- tive on his behalf, finally made it through the process and he is now able to live freely in the US. What did that mean to him? This articulate, polite young man was able to accelerate his education from the one or two community college classes he could afford to attend each year as an "out of state" student and move to UT as a full-time student studying political science on his way to a legal degree, planning to support immigrants seeking permanent residency/citizenship. Joining Luis to discuss her work with immigrants from an employment perspective, Dahlia Smith, a HAWL member and former director of operations of various organizations including Cornell University, described her experience with the harsh, stressful working and living conditions of migrant workers. Dahlia recounted the fear of being "seen" forcing them to not file for workers' compensation when injured, ask for raises in jobs they have been performing for many years at minimum wage, or complaining about working conditions. Fran Ansley, Professor Emeritus at UT Law School, also joined the panel to provide insights into the history and current status of immigration laws and enforcement. She highlighted changes in the enforcement efforts to detain and deport immigrants in Knox County (excluding the City of Knoxville which has not made these changes). Specifically, she discussed the agreement between the Knox County Mayor's office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold for deportation any immigrants found without proper documentation. In the past, local law enforcement did not become involved in enforcing immigration law issues unless addressing a criminal complaint. Finally, a big round of applause for Rachel Bonano, a Heska Amuna member and long-time Knoxville immigration attorney who provided an inspiring and thought-provoking D'Var Torah where she allegorized, through the lens of an immigration attorney, the biblical characters (the Jews as immigrants to Egypt, the Pharaoh who ordered the killing of the first born, the midwives who refused to follow Pharaoh's direction, etc.) to the current actors in US immigration policy. HAWL will continue to educate and challenge our members and cohorts to not only listen and learn about needed social in- justices and reforms; but to take action. There are so many areas needing attention. Whether your concerns lie with or beyond immigration, global warming, women's reproductive rights, or gun reform, to name a few, you can start your journey by listening to the issues involved, learning how you can make a difference in an area particularly meaningful to you, and acting to improve the world (or your corner of it). To help you get started on your journey, sign up to attend the Women's League Southern Region Conference March 22 and 23 and learn from the experts how you can take those first steps. See the registration, agenda, and speaker information in this issue. Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020 13

Chag Purim Sameach! Celebrate Purim at Heska Amuna Enjoy the whole megillah!

Monday, March 9 Enjoy a light dinner at 5:30 p.m., then enjoy a Religious School review of their Purim projects at 6:15 p.m. RSVP for dinner by Friday, March 6 on our website or contact the Office 865-522-0701. Dinner cost is $5 per person, $20 family cap, HARS students are free but must RSVP.

Hear the Megillah read in Hebrew and English beginning at 6:30 p.m. and enjoy a Mishloach Manot (gifts of hamantaschen and other treats!)

Tuesday, March 10 Megillah reading at 7:00 am. Purim Seudah (festival meal) immediately following services.

14 Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020

Please Join Us for Our First-Night Community Seder Wednesday, April 8; 5 - 8 p.m.

$50 adults; $25 children 18 & under Discounts: Heska Amuna Synagogue Members: $40 adults; children free University affiliation: $30

Please make your reservation by March 20 online at heskaamuna.org or call the Heska Amuna office at 522-0701 Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020 15

Heska Amuna Religious School A Homegrown Purim Mitzvah By Shuli Mesa, Heska Amuna Education Director

In the midst of this silly holiday of Purim, in between the costumes, eating triangular shaped cookies, and the loud noises drowning out Haman’s name, lies the sweetest of mitzvot and one of my favorite traditions; the giving of Mishloach Manot-- משלוח מנות. As to the origination of these gifts, you need to look no further than the Megillat Esther (9.22) itself; “the same days on which the Jews enjoyed relief from their foes and the same month which had been transformed for them from one of grief and mourning to one of festive joy. They were to observe them as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.” Esther was brave. Haman was defeated. And we celebrated. But…….we give gifts to one another. And not any gifts, it is specific in that it HAS to be made of at least two different foods. Which, let’s face it, as Jews, that one is a no brainer. I’m truly fascinated by this idea. We are so often encouraged to do mitzvot for those in need but here, we are giving in friend- ship and more importantly with a sense of community. We are ONE. There are two main approaches as to WHY we are encouraged to give during this holiday; the first is to counteract Haman’s accusations that the Jews were a scattered and divided nation. Hence, we give as a community and to encourage brotherhood. The second is that everyone should have the same foods to celebrate, specifically the poor. I’d offer a third; it’s FUN! As a child, we would spend hours baking the humantaschen, nibbling along the March Dates to Notate way, and gather the various items that we would wrap together. While we didn’t have fancy baskets  March 1 Sunday School, 9:30-12:30 pm (it was a paper plate with tin foil) and extravagant  March 4 Wednesday School 4:00-6:30 pm gifts, we were so proud with our work. When my  March 8 Sunday School (Class #9) 9:30-12:30 pm sister and I would knock on the door of our friends  B’yachad @Temple Beth El 10:00 am and family and hand over our prized offering, we’d  March 9 Monday Purim Projects, Dinner, 5:30-7:30 pm beam. The pride, joy, and beautiful sense of commu- followed by Megillah Reading nity that I was filled with was so profound that it  March 11 Wednesday School 4:00-6:30 pm remains with me today.  March 15 Sunday No School-Spring Break At HARS, community is everything. Our favorite  March 18 Wednesday No School-Spring Break fundraiser is the gifting of Mishloach Manot. Every  March 22 Sunday No School-Spring Break family in the congregation will receive one. We will  March 25 Wednesday School 4:00-6:30 pm be baking all the humantaschen and collecting all  March 29 Sunday School (Class #10) 10:00-12:30 pm** the sweet goodies and treats. Our goal is that every **Time Change due to Marathon on Kingston Pike family has a taste of Purim, thus fulfilling the mitzvah and strengthening our community with tradition and love. Left: Our stunning tree, housed in the Synagogue lobby repre- sents our love, commitment, and respect for our environment.

Rachel Milford teaches students to use recycled and upcycled materials to create art. This special group creation was dedicated to Tu B’Shvat and the celebration of trees. Students learned about being environmentally conscious. 16 Heska Amuna Synagogue HaShofar  March 2020

Contributions by Caring People Donations received through January 21, 2020

Calendar / Directory Kiddush Anne & Bernard Bendriem In honor of our adult b’nai mitzvah Cemetery Fund In honor of her birthday In memory of Mark Hahn Gilya Schmidt Joyce & Harold Diftler The Outside Beautification Rabbi Alon C. Ferency In memory of Gilbert Levison and Butterfly Fund [email protected] Joyce & Harold Diftler Merrell Family & Judy Rattner Chair of the Board In memory of Marilyn Abrams In memory of Mark Hahn Jeff Becker Joyce & Harold Diftler Marilyn Burnett [email protected] Change for the Future Synagogue Beautification Anonymous (2) Heska Amuna Women's League Gift Co-Presidents Lee Wittenberg Shop Jeannie Bobroff & Markus Eisenbach Chanukah Event Thank you Yahrzeit Fund [email protected] Anonymous In memory of Charlotte Kalotkin, Julian Gertrude Glazer & I.B. Cohen Fund Kalotkin, Hilda Kalotikin, Sandy Livingstone Education Director In memory of Mark Hahn, Aaron Glazer, Anne Ehrenshaft Shuli Mesa Bella Bresoff, Leon Saroff, Morris Bresoff, In memory of Lawrence Lieberman [email protected] Bessie Glazer Hite, Louis Glazer, Ida Bresoff Marilyn & Harvey Liberman Operations & Administration Director Glazer, Rose Bresoff Busch, Bella Glazer In memory of Miriam Ring Beverly Wilcox Leeds Nancy & Jeff Becker Arnold Cohen [email protected] In memory of Selma Vogel General Fund Nancy & Jeff Becker Kitchen Director In memory of Mark Hahn In memory of Rita Solomon Kimberly Ault Marilyn & Harvey Liberman Alan Solomon [email protected] Nancy & Jeff Becker In memory of Isador Presser Carole & Robert Martin Marilyn Presser Women’s League President H.A.R.S. Heroes In memory of Ethel Brown Lisa Jacobson In honor of 2020 Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Robin Zalkin Brown [email protected] (Markus Eisenbach, Harriet Glasman, Frank In memory of Logan Michael Brown Lawhead, Terri Lee Love, Bryan Merrell, Robin Zalkin Brown Heska Amuna Synagogue Meir Niad, Miriam Weinstein) In memory of Jacqueline Russler [email protected]

Shuli & Gabe Mesa Nicole Russler In Honor of Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class In memory of Yetta Burnett Mary Linda Schwarzbart Marilyn Burnett Permanent Schedule In Honor of Harriet Glasman’s Bat Mitzvah In memory of Rabbi David Panitz Friday Night Services...... …...Varies Susette & Raphael Panitz Susette & Raphe Panitz Saturday Morning Service…...... 9:30 a.m. In memory of Lottie Mottsman Sunday Minyan...... 9:30 a.m. Susette & Raphe Panitz Wednesday Minyan...... 6:30 p.m. Mon. & Thurs. Minyanim…….….7:00 a.m.

Minyanim for members can be arranged by contacting the President one week before.

For a list of Heska Amuna’s services, events, and information, please visit www.heskaamuna.org

(865) 522-0701

Heska Amuna Synagogue is an affiliate of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Knoxville Jewish Alliance

Ha’Ha’Kol Kol March 2020 11th Annual KJA Ha’Kol AJCC Preschool Art Gala Fundraiser Preschool Art Gala...... 17 Roddie Edmonds Plaque…...... 18

Friendshippers………………...20 MCDC Registration...... 20 Schwarzbart Gallery Exhibit...... 21

Your 2020

KJA Campaign Contribution Funds The Black &White Affair Hillel at UTK

Hillel at UTK provides a “home away from home” for its Jewish students and they Wednesday ● April 1, 2020 in turn, provide student-led 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. leadership for campus activities. Hillel students Arnstein Jewish Community Center appreciate the hospitality 6800 Deane Hill Drive shown by area congrega- Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 tions during Shabbat and ♦ ♦ ♦ other services. The KJA Silent Auction ● Children’s Artwork ● Local Vendors Annual Campaign makes this program possible. Hors d’oeuvres ● Cash Bar ♦ ♦ ♦ Contact Tara Bain, RSVP by Friday, March 20 Hillel at UTK Director, at [email protected] [email protected] 865.963.8001 to learn more! Casual Attire

6800 Deane Hill Drive  Knoxville, TN 37919  865.690.6343  www.jewishknoxville.org 18 Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020 We Are All Jews, Here! By Chip Rayman, KJA President

You may have read some of my references to Master Sergeant Roddrick Waring Edmonds in previous articles. He preferred to be called just plain Roddie. The Knoxville Jewish Alliance and the American Jewish Society for Historical Preservation will honor Master Sgt Roddie Edmonds by installing an historical marker downtown near the East Tennessee Historical Center. His story only came to light when Lester Tanner, a prominent Jewish lawyer in New York, who was saved from probable death by Sgt. Edmonds, told Richard Nixon, who was buying Tanner’s townhome, about Edmonds’ actions, and the story was publicized. Roddie was born and lived in Knoxville all his life. He was a master sergeant in the 106th Infantry Divi- sion, 422nd Infantry Regiment. In December of 1944, in the early days of the famous Battle of the Bulge, his regiment was overrun by attacking Germans. They were forced to surrender in the face of overwhelming odds. Roddie was taken to Stalag IXA, a prisoner of war camp, near Ziegenhain, Germany. He was the highest rank- ing non-commissioned officer of the 1,275 men being held by the Nazis in the camp. January 1945, was bitterly cold. Nazi Commandant Siegmann ordered Edmonds to have all the Jewish soldiers separated from the rest. It was standard Nazi policy to sep- arate the Jewish soldiers for special treatment. Captured Jewish soldiers were told to lose their dog tags because their tags identified Jews with the letter H for Hebrew. Master Sergeant Roddrick Waring Edmonds The next morning Edmonds ordered all 1,275 American prisoners to assemble outside their barracks for Commandant Siegmann. Siegmann was infuriated. He walked up to Edmonds and snarling in English, “I ordered all the Jews to be separated and identified.” Seigmann pulled his German Luger pistol from his side holdster and put it to Rod- die’s head. “They cannot all be Jews. You are to identify Jews immediately.” Roddie did not flinch. He declared, “We are all Jews, here.” Roddie told Seigmann he would have to shoot everyone if he wanted to shoot the Jews. All knew that the war was going against Germany and would be over soon. He told Seigmann that if any of the prisoners were harmed, Seigmann would be hunted, tried and convicted for war crimes. The commandant walked away. Roddie Edmonds saved 200 Jewish soldiers from probable death. He is recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations, Israel’s highest award for non-Jews who risked their own lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. He is the first and only American soldier to be so honored. The $3,000 marker is being paid for by the American Jewish Society for Historical Preservation. The Knoxville Jewish Alliance is responsible for its installation. A generous donation to cover the installation has been Military dog tags once included religious afflia- pledged by a member of our Jewish community, who was as moved as I tions” “H” for Hebrew in WWII and “Jewish” later. was by this courageous and brave act. Jewish Community – this is a big deal to us, to the Christian community and to Knoxville. Former Mayor Madeline Rogero supported me strongly when I made the inquiry. Mayor Indya Kincannon continues the support. Both will speak at the dedication. County Mayor Jacobs further got behind the marker. Pastor Chris Ed- monds, who wrote a book about his father Roddie’s courage, will speak. I will say a few words. Look for an announcement about the dedication. It is important to have good representation by our Jewish community. Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020 19

Your Knoxville Jewish Alliance

 Arnstein Jewish Community Center  KJA Archives  B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program  BBYO/ BBYO Connect  Community Relations Committee  Cultural & Social Events  Educational Events  Friendshippers  Ha’Kol Community Newsletter  Hillel at UTK  Indigent Burial Fund  Israel P2G Partnership  Jewish Advocacy The weather was cold and overcast at the 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial  Jewish Family Services Parade but Jewish community representatives persevered, showcasing the Knoxville Jewish Alliance “Knoxville Against Hate” billboard artwork.  KNOSHVILLE  Milton Collins Day Camp  Mitzvah Day  AJCC Pool, Tennis, & Team Park  AJCC Preschool  PJ Library/PJ Our Way  Schwarzbart Gallery  AJCC/University Club Smokin’ Salmon Swim Team  UT Faculty Lectures  YJAK—Young Jewish Adults of Knoxville  Yom HaShoah Observance

 ...and so much more!

Support Your Jewish Community DONATE TODAY!

KNOXVILLE JEWISH ALLIANCE 6800 Deane Hill Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 (865) 690-6343

www.jewishknoxville.org [email protected] 20 Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020

All are welcome to join us. You don’t have to be 55 and up.

O p e r a S i n g e r Harry House

Wednesday, March 18

Harry House performed with Knoxville Opera for several years, most recently appearing as Altoum in Turandot, Harry in La fanciulla del West, Bruno in Bellini’s I Puritani, and Guillot in Jules Massenet's Manon. Through his performances, Harry House brings music to life.

Program location: Sherrill Hills Retirement Community, 271 Moss Grove Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37922

The luncheon begins at noon and the program begins at 1:00 p.m. Lunch is $8. There is no cost for attending the program alone.

Transportation is available upon request—please have your ride requests in by the Friday morning before the program. For more information, please contact Laura Berry at 690-6343, ext. 18 or [email protected].

Friendshippers is a program made possible through your contributions to the KJA Annual Campaign and the Sam & Esther Rosen Friendshipper Fund. Thank you! Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020 21

The Knoxville Jewish Alliance presents

Aharon Bezalel Art Exhibit

AJCC Schwarzbart Gallery January 19 — March 29, 2020 Exhibit Hours: 9 a.m.—5 p.m., Monday—Friday

Sculptures are available for purchase. Please contact the KJA Office at [email protected] for information.

Art Gallery Opening Draws a Crowd

Mary Linda Schwarzvart welcomes all to an exhibit of Aharon Bezalel’s sculptures at the AJCC’s Schwarzbart Gallery. Attendees enjoyed music of violinist Ilia Steinschneider and refreshments by Kim Ault. 22 Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020

Thank You to All KJA 2019 Campaign Contributors Campaign contributions received through December 31, 2019

$10,000 - $35,000

Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Becker Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goodfriend Mrs. Alexandra Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Bernstein and Family Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rosen Mrs. Natalie Robinson

$5,000 - $9,999

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Brown Mr. Scott Hahn Dr. Barbara Levin Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Chasan The Honorable Mary Beth Leibowitz Sam and Esther Rosen Community Enrichment Federation Fund

$1,800 - $4,999

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Bendriem Mr. and Mrs. Bryan and Drs. Alan Solomon and Andrea Cartwright Dr. Michael Burnett Mary Ann Merrell Mrs. Melissa Sturm Dr. Michael Eisenstadt Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Miller Ms. Jill Vogelfang and Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Hecht Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Nagler Mr. Gerry Milligan, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert and June Heller Dr. and Mrs. Evan Ohriner Dr. and Mrs. Barry Winston Drs. Renee' Hyatt and Paul Erwin Drs. Howard and Marilyn Pollio Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Wolpert Mr. and Mrs. Richard Imbrey Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pollock Dr. Michael Zemel Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Liberman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rayman Drs. Jack and Mr. and Mrs. Pace Robinson Theresa Michaelene Love Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rosenbaum Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Markman Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Rosenblatt

$540 - $1,799

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Andrews Dr. Barbara Handler Dr. and Mrs. Chuck Noon Ms. Susan Baker Mr. Mark Harris Mr. and Mrs. Joe Oleinik Ms. Jean Begue Mr. and Mrs. Gale Hedrick Mr. and Mrs. Joe Oleinik Dr. and Mrs. Jack Benhayon Mr. Manuel Herz Dr. and Mrs. Ray Pais Dr. and Mrs. William Berez Mr. and Mrs. Colman Hoffman Dr. and Mrs. Raphael Panitz Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Besmann Mr. Ed Hunter Dr. and Mrs. Robert Pollack Noah, Idan, & Abraham Blitt Family Mr. and Mrs. Herb Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. David Popkin Mr. and Mrs. Adam Braude Mr. and Mrs. Wesley James Dr. and Mrs. Allan Rosenbaum Dr. and Mrs. Abraham Brietstein Drs. Marilyn Kallet and Louis Gross Ms. Judith Rosenberg Mrs. Pessa Brody Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Krauss Dr. Gilya Gerda Schmidt Mr. Arnold Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Larry Leibowitz Mrs. Mary Linda Schwarzbart Mr. and Mrs. Steve Cohn Mr. Joe Levitt Dr. Jon Shefner and Ms. Karen Holst Dr. and Mrs. Michael Cole Mr. Richard Licht and Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Siman-Tov Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Cooper Ms. Shirley McGuire Dr. Helene Julia Sinnreich and Mrs. Honerlin Del Moro Dr. and Mrs. Mark Littmann Mr. Wes Johnson Mrs. Trudy Dreyer Dr. Ralph Lydic Dr. and Mrs. Alan Smuckler Ms. Anne Ehrenshaft Mr. and Mrs. Norman Magden Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stryer Mr. and Mrs. Ron Feinbaum Mr. and Mrs. Harold Manas Mr. Evan Sturm Dr. and Mrs. Robert Freeman Dr. and Mrs. Robert Martin Mr. Melvin Sturm Dr. Joshua Gettinger Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Messing Dr. and Mrs. Barry Wohl Mr. Marshall Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Messing Mr. Ernie and Dr. Pam Gross Mr. and Mrs. Robert Milford Drs. Jan Hahn and Heather O'Brien Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Natelson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hahn Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020 23

$180 - $539

Dr. and Mrs. Richard and Jill Adlin Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goldstine Ms. Nicole Russler Mr. and Mrs. Barry Allen Mr. Dan Grabel and Dr. Lisa Reyes Mason Mr. and Mrs. Ilya Safro Ms. Linda Anderson Ms. Gloria Greenfield and Dr. Ellen Schnoll and Mr. Terry Haywood Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Arbital Mr. Stuart Brotman Mr. and Mrs. Allen Schwartz Ms. Leslie Badaines Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Hedrick Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shagan Mr. Sam Balloff Mr. and Mrs. Rob and Beth Heller Mr. and Mrs. Mark Siegel Mr. and Mrs. Mark Barkan Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hirsh Dr. and Mrs. Harold Silber Dr. Jan Bishop & Mr. Peter Schlake Mr. and Mrs. Morris Carol Ickowitz Mr. Larry Silverstein Rabbi and Mrs. Erin Boxt Mr. and Mrs. Martin Iroff Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Solomon Mr. Bart Brody Mrs. Stella Iroff Mr. Greg Stein and Ms. Jeanette Kelleher Ms. Marla Brody Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sturm Ms. Robin Brown Mr. Kevin James and Ms. Julia Wood Mrs. Judy Teasley Mrs. Marilyn Burnett Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Shelby Kaye Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Weinstein Ms. Marilyn Cohen-Presser Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Kramer Ms. Wilma Weinstein-Lomax and Mrs. Melanie Colley Dr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Laing Dr. John Lomax Ms. Susan Contente and Mr. Frank Lawhead Mr. Lee Wertheim Dr. Kurt Piehler Mr. Irving Leeds Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Winston Ms. Anne Ehrenshaft Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lewis Ms. Kathy Young Dr. Markus Eisenbach Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Markel Mr. and Mrs. Phil Zaretzki Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Elston Mrs. Elene B. Miller-Blotner Mr. Charles Feigerle Ms. Cyndie Powell Mr. and Mrs. Seth Fleishman Dr. and Mrs. Fred Radoff Dr. and Mrs. Henry Fribourg Mrs. Judith Rattner Ms. Elizabeth Gassel and Mr. and Mrs. Seth Rayman Dr. Michael Pardee Ms. Deborah Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glasman Mr. Don Mossman Mr. and Mrs. Aron Goldfeld Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Hal Rosenberg

$1 - $179

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Abrams-Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Jared Iroff-Bailey Mr. Gabriel Ram and Ms. Laura Berry Mrs. Meredith Jaffe Ms. Elizabeth Rutan Ms. Jeannie Bobroff Ms. Marian Jay Ms. Susan Ring Mr. and Mrs. Van Boring Ms. Rhoda Jay Mr. Steven Rockmaker Mr. and Mrs. Tom Britcher Drs. Greg Kaplan and Dr. and Mrs. Barrett Schaefer Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Alexandra Cohen Nuria Cruz-Camara Dr. and Mrs. Alan Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Barry Cone Mr. and Mrs. George Kern Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Scott Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cyzick Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shenkman Ms. Saralyn Horowitz Dunphy Mr. and Mrs. Will Kidd Mrs. Maria Shusterman Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Eisenstadt Mr. and Mrs. Yoav Koenig Mr. Joe Sitver and Ms. Anita Kay Ms. Janice Feinman Mr. and Mrs. Edman Lester Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Tracey Slutzker Mr. and Mrs. Frank Floyd Mr. Christopher Lowe Ms. Dahlia (Barbara) Smith Ms. Hannah Frame Mr. and Mrs. Marc Mangold Mr. Bill Hicks and Ms. Diana Steinfeld-Hicks Mr. and Mrs. Mark Frankel Dr. and Mrs. Aaron Margulies Mr. Harrison Wendland Ms. Sarah Frankel Mr. and Mrs. Leon Maya Ms. Valerie Widgren Mr. and Mrs. Adam Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Alan Merlin Rabbi and Mrs. Yossi Wilhelm Ms. Barbara Holz and Mr. Michael Messing and Ms. Joyce York Mrs. Becky Winston Mr. Peter Hance Mr. Monte Millen Mr. and Mrs. Todd Wolf Israeli Dancers Ms. Sherri Quint Mr. and Mrs. David Wolitz Mr. and Mrs. Howard Zoldessy

24 Knoxville Jewish Alliance Ha’Kol  March 2020

Volume 12, Issue 3, March 2020 Published 11 times per year by the Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Inc. 6800 Deane Hill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919-5943

KJA Officers Chip Rayman President

& Interim VP Support YOUR Knoxville Campaign Debbie Abrams-Cohen Secretary Jewish Community Bernard Bendriem Treasurer

Adam Brown Immediate  become an AJCC member Past President  make a donation to the Wes Johnson VP Administration Knoxville Jewish Alliance Martha Iroff VP Children & Youth Shannon Martindale VP Education/Culture  volunteer to help with Bryan Goldberg VP Jewish Community a project or an event Services & President-Elect www.jewishknoxville.org Sarah Frankel VP Public Relations

Committee board members Jill Weinstein...... …Allocations Bernard Bendriem...... ……...... …Budget KJA Contributions Stephanie Kodish……..Long-Range Planning Melissa Feinbaum...... Personnel As of January 14, 2020 Raphe Panitz...... Cultural Arts Arnstein Jewish Community Center Alexandra and Bryan Cohen Renee’ Hyatt…...... Israel Partnership In memory of Mark Hahn Alan Solomon and Andrea Cartwright Nancy Becker…...... Jewish Family Services Leslie and Peter Rosen Sherri Quint Helene Sinnreich………………..Hillel at UTK Judith Brown Gloria Greenfield and Stuart Brotman Arnold Cohen….…...... Community Relations Jon Shefner and Karen Holst Lee Werthiem…...... …...... ……...... Missions AJCC Preschool Fund Jean Begue…...... …...... Publications In honor of the birth of Ava Iroff-Bailey Jewish Family Services Fund Jonathan Branton…...... Camp Michael Messing and Joyce York Richard and Jacki Imbrey Lev Comstock…...... Membership Bill Brody Fund Knoxville Jewish Alliance Mary Ann Merrell/Michael Burnett..Archives

In memory of Frank Wilson Jonathan Branton Community Board Members Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hillard UT Community Chest Jeff Becker...... Chair, Heska Amuna Robert Blitt and Stephanie Kodish Giving Tuesday Campaign Steve Lewis…...... President, Temple Beth El Ralph Lydic and Helen Bagdayan PJ Library Andrea Cone...... President, Hadassah Mark Harris Mark and Peggy Littmann Stephen Rosen……...... President, KJCFF Gloria Z. Greenfield,...... President, KJDS Rhonda Bogard...... President, JCOR Donations to KJA funds can be made to celebrate lifecycle events, Mary Beth Leibowitz……….……JFNA Board remember or honor someone, or to support programs of interest. Michael Zemel...... Chair, Chabad

To find a fund or cause that you want to support, contact the Board Members at-Large KJA office at (865) 690-6343; email [email protected]; or Brad Holtz, Rachel Milford, Britt Sturm, Michael Zemel visit www.jewishknoxville.org today and make a donation in honor or memory of a friend or family member, Ha’Kol Publication Staff or to support a cause dear to you. Joyce York, Editor and Graphic Designer Chip Rayman, Publisher Knoxville Jewish Community Family of Funds A Supporting Organization of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance and the East Tennessee Foundation to preserve and strengthen the Jewish Community of Knoxville

Is Philanthropy Contagious and Competitive? KJCFF Welcomes the Ferency Family Fund By Stephen Rosen, KJCFF President

What do we make of the fact that the largest donations by Jewish The KJCFF is proud to announce and Americans have recently gone to universities? David Rubenstein to Duke, welcome the Ferency Family Fund. This donor Steve Ross to Michigan, Michael Bloomberg to Johns Hopkins, and the list advised fund was created by Karen and Rabbi goes on. There are so many choices in philanthropy, but often the 8 and 9 Alon Ferency. According to Rabbi Ferency, figure gifts go to hospitals and universities. Taking nothing away from the “I’ve wanted to have an invested instrument for importance of these institutions, I have to wonder how much of this is family giving since I discovered that such contagious and how much is competitive? We know that happens with things exist many years ago. When I learned conspicuous consumption. One person buys a particular car and 3 more about the KJCFF here, I knew I wanted to sink people just have to have one. But does this happen with philanthropy? my roots into the program. We have been What if it became so trendy in Knoxville to create endowments and looking for a chance to open a fund for years donor advised funds that people felt compelled to “keep up with the Kohns?” and the timing was right at the end of last year. “Honey, we better call Stephen and Laura and set up our KJCFF fund now! Our family looks forward to making Everyone is getting them done and we are going to look like shlumps….and contributions and distributions.” The board make sure it is bigger than the other ones in our bridge group.” Are these and staff of KJCFF very much look forward to powerful motivations lurking under the surface in our community? Here’s to being part of the Ferency’s vision for the future. hoping they are and someone unleashes them. If you would like to follow the Ferencys’ Stephen can be reached at [email protected] philanthropic path and open a fund, contact and (865) 599-1853. Laura or Stephen.

Knoxville Jewish Community Needs a Fund for Charitable Term of the Month Grants to Non-Jewish Community Projects ENDOWED, QUASI-ENDOWED, and NOT ENDOWED. For decades, the Knoxville Jewish Alliance and its predecessors When setting up a KJCFF fund, there are three options for made grants to organizations in Knoxville, the southeast, the U.S., how income and/or principal are spent. Fully endowed Israel and around the world. Unfortunately, this ended when our funds are are meant to last in perpetuity—only the net annual campaign declined. One of the opportunities that we lost income, or an amount equal to the annual spending rate, was the ability to make grants to local partners outside the Jewish can be granted. Quasi-endowed funds are still meant to community (ex: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Com- last in perpetuity, but dipping into the fund principal from mission). What if we had an endowment fund where the grants time to time is allowed. Funds that are not endowed are were advised by KJA’s Community Relations Committee? What if intended to be spent down over time. we were able to routinely make small but meaningful contributions on behalf of the Jewish people of Knoxville rather than as Donations individual families? The international model for this idea is Ameri- Knoxville Jewish Community can Jewish World Service. Check it out at https://ajws.org/ Zionist Organization Fund Family of Funds Estimated annual opportunity $1,000 to $5,000 In Memory of Mark Steven Hahn Renee’ Hyatt and Paul Erwin In Memory of Mark Steven Hahn Estimated Fund size need $25,000-125,000 East Tennessee Foundation

KNOXVILLE JEWISH COMMUNITY FAMILY OF FUNDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephen Rosen, President; Jacki Imbrey, Secretary/Treasurer; Abraham Brietstein, Past President; Jeff Becker; Bernard Bernstein; Arnold Cohen; Robert Goodfriend; Scott Hahn, Richard Jacobstein; Bryan Merrell, Rosalie Nagler; Jenifer Ohriner; Howard Pollock; Pace Robinson; Bernard Rosenblatt. Laura Berry, Administrative Director

The KJCFF encourages you to help insure the healthy future of our Knoxville Jewish community by including a commitment to the KJCFF in your financial and estate planning.

To learn more about KJCFF philanthropic opportunities, call 690-6343 or visit www.jewishknoxville.org/kjcff

Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge  March 2020 27

Join us for Sisterhood Shabbat on Friday, March 21. We will meet at Commonwealth (Greenfield) at 6:30 p.m.

Desserts after the service. JCOR BOOK CLUB I am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits

Wednesday, March 12 —7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.—JCOR Dessert and Coffee Donations to JCOR Yahrzeits:  Clara & Leonard Polonsky from Alice Feldman & Al Good JCOR Jewish Film Series  Simon Braunstein & Sarah Levine Braunstein March 15—7 p.m. Seven Minutes in Heaven from Catherine Braunstein Israel, 2008, NR, 1 hour, 34 minutes  Pauline Landau, Gertrude Landau, & Tobias Landau When a bomb explodes in a Jerusalem bus, Galia's beau loses from Barbara Landau his life and she loses her memory of the events following the  George Schwartz from Shirley Schwartz attack. To reclaim her life, Galia must now reconstruct those  Ethel Bloom from Bruce Tomkins  Shmuel Levitin from Victor & Avigail Rashkovsky moments in this thriller.  Rose Feldman from Alice Feldman & Al Good  Ken & Manny Volkin, Ruth Roffman & Sidney Fine JCOR Hosts and Hostesses from Karen Brunner  Carlos Bamberger from Elena Bamberger March 7 Rhonda & Ron Sternfels; Nona & Sam Poole  Richard Handler from Eileen Handler March 14 Fran Silver; Jill & Stuart Chasan; Karen Brunner Donations:  Mary Rubins, James & Barbara Handler, Deborah March 21 Yardena & Moshe Yair; Michael Kropp Bowman Hess, Tracey Cato  In memory of Phillip Rosen, brother of Penny Lukin March 28 Juli & Len Gray; Sarah & David Stuart from Bruce Tomkins, Jeannette Gilbert, Jane & Sheldon Cohen April 4 Tracey Cato, Bruce Tomkins  In memory of David Goldenberg from the Fink, Barany, Mayin, and Goldenberg families April 11 Carol & Jonas Kover, Debbie Bowman  In honor of Sylvia Goldenberg from the Fink, Barany, Mayim & Goldenberg families April 18 Reeva Abraham, Ronnie & Jim Bogard  In appreciation of Peggy Laxton, Michael Kropp & Hilary April 25 Linda & Zane Bell, Becky & George Charles Shreter for the transportation help from Monty Lewis

101 W. Madison Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 JEWISH CONGREGATION (Mail) P.O. Box 5434, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 OF OAK RIDGE JCOR’s Saturday morning service begins at 9:30 a.m.  Rabbi Victor Rashkovsky—[email protected] For the Friday evening service schedule, please  Ronnie Bogard, President—[email protected] contact JCOR at [email protected] or call (865) 483-3581.

 Becky Charles, Sisterhood President—[email protected] www.jcortn.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JewishOakRidge/ CHABAD OF KNOXVILLE

ב"ה

7148 Wellington Drive  Knoxville, TN 37919  www.chabadknoxville.org Knoxville Jewish Community Ha’ Kol  March 2020 29

March 7

John Abrams ♦ Maida Bendes ♦ Hattye Bobroff ♦ Edith Brotman ♦ Lillian Ellin ♦ Samuel Fayonsky ♦ Sol Foster ♦ Mary Ginsburg ♦ Annie Green ♦ Herman Linke ♦ Edwin Markoff ♦ Rita Nichols ♦ Paula Rader ♦ Ruben Robinson ♦ Nathan Samet ♦ Barney Schiff ♦ Elsie Shorr ♦ Toby Slabosky ♦ Razelle Toronto ♦ Herman Werner ♦ Aaron Wise ♦ Norman Wolf ♦ Mayer Zucker

March 14 Sarah Berry ♦ Pauline Botnick ♦ Lucille Bruskin ♦ Max Burnett ♦ Goldie Craycroft ♦ Rudolph Deitch ♦ Geraldine Diftler ♦ Debby Freeman ♦ Pearl Goodstein♦ Albert Goodstein♦ Dora Green ♦ Norma Herz♦ Leah Herz ♦ Ruth Kaplan ♦ Esther Kisilinsky♦ Louis Klinkowstein ♦ David Leibowitz♦ Bessie Liberman ♦ Yetta Nadler ♦ Ida Nius ♦ Oscar Pfeffer ♦ Elsie Rattner ♦ Morris Rattner ♦ Sam Rosenblatt ♦ Dorothy Schnoll ♦ Joyce Simon ♦ Esther Strauss ♦ Rae Weisberg ♦ Leah Wise

March 21 Marion Abrams ♦ Irving Bayer ♦ Alvin Bobroff ♦ Donald Brown ♦ Samuel Jacobs ♦ Paul Kanfer ♦ Lillian Kanter ♦ Monte Kaplan ♦ Bernard Kronenberg ♦ Pearl Meyers ♦ Caroline Nadler ♦ Theodore Nius ♦ Joslyn Presser ♦ Rebecca Reznick ♦ Sarah Robinson ♦ Max Rubenstein ♦ Caroline Schwartz ♦ Lazar Schwartz ♦ Arnold Schwarzbart ♦ Martin Shersky ♦ Isaac Slovis ♦ Sol Winer ♦ Jacob Winick ♦ Eli Yatsko ♦ Sarah Zwick-Daum

March 28 Morris Bart ♦ Mazeltov Benhayon ♦ Gordon Brown ♦ Mary Brown ♦ Sam Chandler ♦ Matilda Davis ♦ Ida Finestone ♦ Joseph Imbrey ♦ Jacob Katz ♦ Harold Leibowitz ♦ Margaruite Mandell ♦ Casper Perelman ♦ Arlene Prager ♦ David Renert ♦ Lillian Richer♦ Melvin Robinson ♦ Jack Rosenberg ♦ Frances Schanowitz♦ Miles Siegel ♦ Esther Thompson ♦ Daniel Wachtel ♦ Lillian Weinbren ♦ Max Weinstein

March 6 John Baker ♦ Morris Bart ♦ Jacob Chotiner ♦ Martin Cohen ♦ Stewart Crosier ♦ Jeffrey R Epstein ♦ Sally Feldman ♦ Marjorie Freedman ♦ Louis Gassel ♦ Yulia Ioselev ♦ Ginda Katz ♦ Rosa Kern ♦ Martin Andrew Koplan ♦ Elaine Lewis ♦ Robert Loebl ♦ George Marshall ♦ Zelik Oleinik ♦ Genevieve Gutman Reich ♦ Sylvia Kessler Robinson ♦ Goldie Silverman Rosenbaum ♦ Faisel Schuck ♦ Arthur Shor ♦ Toby Slabosky ♦ Murray Steinfeld ♦ David Solomon Striner

March 13 William Brody ♦ Anna Kolodkin Bush ♦ Richard Meyer Davis ♦ Mark L Eisenstadt ♦ Morris Friedman ♦ Jacob Katz ♦ Leopold Levi ♦ Leonard D. Licht ♦ Julia Markman ♦ J.R. Miller ♦ Ann Mostov ♦ Ruth Ozaroff ♦ Arthur Pasternak ♦ Anna Wallace Rosenbloom ♦ Jessica Hiller Rosenthal ♦ Mildred Covel Schultz ♦ Faye Wansker

March 20 Augustine Bressler ♦ Bertha Diamond ♦ Dr. Robert Feinberg ♦ Bertha Schoenfeld Goldberger ♦ Carl Kaplan ♦ Germain Kern ♦ Dora Kohen ♦ Lester Popkin ♦ Fe Dolar Serrato ♦ Sarah S. Steinberg

March 27 Isaac Bressler ♦ A. Jerome Dave ♦ Shmulik Dragif ♦ Paul Davis Friedman ♦ Roza Galinskaya ♦ Nannette Hope Hyatt ♦ Hyman Markowitz ♦ Leon Potter ♦ Lillian Richer ♦ Yetta F. Manis Speert ♦ Eli Yatsko 2020 Knoshville Jewish Food Festival Sunday, May 3 — 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.—AJCC Caller Auditorium

Hadassah Knoxville bakers are at it again! The Bundt cakes are back! Come purchase and enjoy the best Bundt cakes by the best bakers in town. Cakes will be sold by the slice, mini Bundt cakes, and whole cakes.

Bundt Cake Chairs: Betty Golub & Robin Brown

6800 Deane Hill Drive  Knoxville, TN 37919  www.knoxville.hadassah.org Hadassah Highlights  Februuary 2020 31

THURSDAY, March 5 6:30 p.m.

Join in the fun as we will whip up your favorite Purim treat Home of Andrea Cone

*** RSVP 301.335.2355 (call, no texting please) before March 1, 2020 ***

Cost: $15.00 Payment by cash/check to Laura Floyd (see Hadassah Directory)

Includes premade non-dairy dough, fillings, parchment paper, saran wrap *** Please bring disposable trays and a rolling pin ***

Buy a Tree or Water Certificate and Perform a Double Mitzvah!

What better way to celebrate a birthday or special occasion than by purchasing a certificate to plant a tree in Israel? One Tree $18 or Ten Trees $150 (Circle of Trees)

You may designate a name for certificates in memory of someone, sending get well wishes, honor a birthday, anniversary, birth, marriage, engagement or simply support Israel’s reforestation and water purification projects.

Contact Joyce York at [email protected] today! 32 Hadassah Highlights  March 2020

Coming Soon:

 Dinner & a Movie, April 23  Shabark in the Park  Breakout Games

Contact Abby at 865-310-8323 or [email protected] for information.

Get involved with EVOLVE, Hadassah’s young women’s network. Evolve is an exciting initiative created by Hadassah to engage the next generation through customizable events to discover how Hadassah empowers its members and supporters to make a difference by providing opportunities for education, advocacy, philanthropy, personal growth and Jewish continuity. Hadassah Highlights  March 2020 33

Knoxville Chapter Hadassah Book Club News of Hadassah All Jewish women of the greater Knoxville area (and friends) are welcome to join us Executive Board

Hope to see everyone for our Tuesday, March 17 Andrea Cone President Hadassah Book Club meeting. We will meet at 7:30 p.m., [email protected] in the coffee shop area of the Barnes and Noble Book Laura Floyd Treasurer Store on Kingston Pike. We will discuss Eleanor Oliphant [email protected] is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Shuli Mesa V.P. Programming Synopsis: Meet Eleanor Oliphant: she struggles with [email protected] appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what Revital Ganzi V.P. Education she’s thinking. Everything changes when Eleanor meets [email protected] Raymond, the bumbling IT guy from her office. When Harriet Glasman Recording Secretary she and Raymond save Sammy, an elderly gentleman [email protected] who has fallen, the three rescue one another from the Mary Ann Merrell Corresponding Secretary lives of isolation that they had been living. Smart, warm, uplifting, Eleanor [email protected] Oliphant Is Completely Fine is the story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine Laura Floyd Advisor whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible [email protected] journey as she realizes...the only way to survive is to open your heart.

Future Reads: General Board Arrangements Debra Ellis  April 21: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Book Club & JNF Program Peggy Littmann  May19: The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman Bulletin/Ha’Kol Harriet Glasman  June16: The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schiltz Condolence Cards Betty Golub Questions? Please check the Hadassah webpage at Directory Bookkeeper Laura Floyd https://jewishknoxville.org/hadassah or contact Directory Chair Jill Weinstein Barbara Mintz at [email protected] or (865) 363-4149 EVOLVE SPARK Abby Kaplan Greeting Cards vacant Historian/Yearbook Jenny Pfeffer Hadassah Wins Chapter Award, HMO Luncheon vacant HUB Advisor Bonnie Boring Hosts Board Installation JNF Tree & Water Certificates Joyce York By Andrea Cone, Hadassah Knoxville President Large Certificates Mary Ann Merrell

Thank you Bonnie Boring for a creative installa- Layettes Batya Boxt tion at Game Day and as we traveled to Birming- Leadership Development Mary Linda ham, for the Southern Region Board meeting. Your Schwarzbart words of wisdom guide us as we plant our seeds. Membership Nancy Britcher Parliamentarian Marian Jay Our 2020-2022 new board will help us to create Game Day Fun many opportunities for our Hadassah community. PRAZE Harriet Cooper On February 8, we traveled to Birmingham in a snowstorm. Fun times Records Administrator Barbara Mintz laughing and catching up with each other. As always, we made lots of Sunshine Correspondence Betty Golub connections with other new and old regional board members. Hadassah Social Media Jean Begue Southern Region encompasses Arkansas, Auburn, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Youth Aliyah Mary Evars-Goan Chattanooga, Dothan, Emerald Coast, Huntsville, Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis, Mobile, Montgomery, Nashville, New Orleans, Oak Ridge and Pensacola. It is always interesting to know what is going on in other chapters. Our Hadassah Knoxville chapter was very successful as we received the Southern Region 2019 Chapter of the Year 1st place award. We are very proud and grateful to all of our members for supporting our programs. We are the Women Who Do and look what we did! We hope our fundraising, educational and fun programs will help keep us in first place in the future. Remembering Stanford Eisenberg

On January 22, the 25th of Tevet, we took time to remember our namesake Stanford Eisenberg, Shmuel ben Avraham, on his 18th yarhtzeit. Students learned about Stanford's service in the Navy, his work on behalf of the newly established State of Israel, that as a hobby he was a ham radio operator and assisted a Cu- ban refugee in communicating with his family in Cuba. They especially loved exploring the Morse code and tracking Stanford's trip from Australia to Nome, Alas- ka. It boggled their minds to consider life prior to the Students hearts swelled with pride when they learned about the life of communication advances we have today. Students Stanford Eisenberg. They are so proud of the man whose name is ended the class by studying a Mishna in memory of embroidered on their uniform shirt! Stanford Eisenberg of blessed memory.

What Parents Are Saying: Our KJDS Journey

The anxiety was real. Our son would soon be starting kindergarten and after visiting four different schools, we were still feeling lost. However, that was all about to change as we toured KJDS. Our visit was facil- itated by a parent, giving us a relatable unique perspective. In each classroom we were greeted by happy students who shared their learning structure and curriculum, and our tour ended with a face to face meeting with the head of the school who was more than invested in the success of each of her students. My partner and I left the visit feeling excited and relieved. We had found a school for our child that we felt could offer him the opportunity and support to be successful, build confidence, and contribute to the larger Avi and his family Kindergartner Frankie enjoys writing his name in community. Coming from a racially and reli- Morse code – real life connections bring learning giously blended family, we wanted our son to be part of a school community that would welcome and embrace our family structure. to life at KJDS. Our journey with KJDS reminds me of a quote from Margret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; Stanford Eisenberg indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” We see KJDS as an agent of change that is fostering thoughtful and committed citizens. Our son is growing up not only developing a love for learning, with a focus on academic excellence, but also developing a passion for improving our community. He is learning that it is okay to make mistakes, as long as we don’t give up and keep moving forward. He is learning that establishing a strong work ethic leads to success. He is learning the importance of communicating with love and respect. He uses resources at his disposal to solve problems. He is building habits of self-discipline. He is comfort- able communicating in multiple languages. But most importantly he is in an environment that challenges him, that supports him, that peaks his curiosity, and allows him opportunities to understand and process his emotions.

1529 Downtown West Blvd  Knoxville, TN 37919  865.560.9922  www.kjds.org Knoxville Jewish Day School  March 2020 35

The Circle of Life….

This year, our staff decided to undertake a very intricate play- The Lion King Jr. We were warned that the layers of singing, the African words and the strong ensemble parts would be difficult for our K-5 students. It was difficult. Our students worked tirelessly to pull off this play. And it was spectacular! Their dedication, their hours of rehearsing, their effort shone through. Each student’s voice was needed to create those beautiful layers of song. Every costume change and prop was done to portray the feel of the African grassland. The story unfolded beautifully as our actors danced, sang, laughed and cried. Comic timing was key to several of the roles, and our older students have learned how to use their faces and body language to full effect. From villain Scar to the hero Simba, each student gave their best effort. It is a truly unique experience for our young students to be in a production of this magnitude. In August, when we begin teaching Drama, the Kindergarteners learn the basics of acting. By January, we see them energetically taking direction on stage. We have committed to making the arts an integral part of our curriculum. The confidence that comes with public performing is immeasurable. We are so proud of each one of our students who took this challenge and met it head on.

There was a lot of chore- ography in this play. Movement and song play a huge role in creating the feeling of Africa.

Below: The hyenas brought a bit of The elaborate costume and make-up trans- wicked fun with formed our students to animals of the grass- their menacing land. The effect was stunning. laughter and cruel intentions.

Below: Our fifth graders brought years of experience to their roles as the villain and the hero

These two had the audience in stiches as the played off each other with perfect comedic timing. As third graders, this is their fourth on-stage performance.

Photos by Comstock Photography 36 Knoxville Jewish Day School  March 2020 Knoxville Jewish Day School  March 2020 37

Where Are They Now… Owen Davis

KJDS Alumnus Owen Davis is a stellar eighth grade student at the Episcopal School of Knoxville. He was recently the featured student on WBIR as a 10 Rising Heart, an honor that spotlights students making a difference in their communities. Owen has been inaugurated in the National Junior Honor Society. He KJDS Staff and Board also won the school spelling bee in sixth & seventh grades and placed second regionally in seventh grade at the News Sentinel Southern Appalachia Miriam Esther Wilhelm Regional Spelling Bee. Head of School Owen won “Best in Show” in Louise Lindsay sixth grade at the ESK science fair. Innovation Coach He also placed in the “Top 5” in the Ann Ely juvenile category at regionals, and Director of Operations received an Honorable Mention Jenny Parker Wood overall. In addition, Owen received Director of Admissions a monetary award from the Water Environment Federation, known as Brooke Haskins a Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Katie Lusk Owen is also involved in many K-1st Grade Teachers extracurricular activities including Rebecca Blanchard sports, service and the arts. He 2-3rd Grade Teacher played youth basketball from ages Fran Julien 6-12, has been on the bowling 4-5th Grade Teacher team for the last two years, and has a black belt in tae kwon do. Revital Ganzi-Sagiv Hebrew Instruction Consultant Owen participates in Seeds of Abraham, and he has volunteered Dana Maman with Family Promise, the Chil- Hebrew Teacher dren’s Diversity & Justice Library Julia Stark Owen has been very active in his middle and the Humane Society of Ten- Drama Teacher

school years. We are excited to see what nessee Valley. Lastly, Owen excels Chris Quinn he does next. in the arts. He has been in the PE Coach school play each year, as well as Lev Gross Comstock performing with the concert band, chorus and pep band at ESK. He also has Music Teacher studied piano, guitar and drums with Lev Gross-Comstock since second grade. Amy Broady Art Teacher We, and most importantly, our child, are still reaping the benefits of his Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School KJDS Education now Board of Directors two years on. And I expect it will last a lifetime. The confidence he developed, the ability to try, and to fail, without Gloria Z. Greenfield, President fear, the joy for learning, and the expectation that formal education be re- Dr. Michael Zemel, Vice President spectful, joyful, interesting and creative. Thank you KJDS for turning on Judith Rosenberg, this kid and helping him blossom. It wasn’t until he started there that I un- Immediate Past President derstood what it means when people say their child “blossomed.”. Dr. Michael Zemel, Treasurer Dr. Jeff Becker, Secretary

- Miriam Davis Nancy Becker, Bernard Bendriem, Odysseus Bostick, Judy Brietstein, David Hull, Anna Iroff-Bailey, Ellen Markman, Sandy Parker, Susan Silber, Tamara Sturm, Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm . Arnold G. Cohen, Attorney at Law Imbrey & Associates is now Tax & Business Planning • Contracts • Real Estate Knoxville, Nashville, IRS & State Tax Disputes • Estate Planning • Probate Memphis, Clarkesville and Conservatorship • Guardianship Cleveland/Chattanooga 865-524-0510 • [email protected] Dunn, MacDonald & Reynolds, PC Jacki S. Imbrey, CLU,ChFC, CFP® RICP® 6204 Baum Drive • Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 www.avvo.com Richard M. Imbrey, CLU, ChFC, CFP® David H. Jeffries, CFP®, RICP®

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The Jewish Community Archives of Knoxville and East Tennessee

The Way We Were in 2017

Before the Women’s March in Knoxville, January 21, 2017

Four members of Knoxville’s Jewish community posed in front of the Women’s Suffrage Memorial statue located in Market Square shortly before the Women’s March in Knoxville on January 21, 2017, in solidarity with other women’s marches around the country that day.

From left: Diana Steinfeld-Hicks, Reneé Hyatt, Deborah Bush Roberts, Mary Linda Schwarzbart

One of several leaders of the march, Mary Linda Schwarzbart represented the Knoxville Jewish Alliance Community Relations Committee and the East Tennessee Civil Rights Working Group.

For several years, Market Square was the location of Mary Linda’s parents’ records business, Bell Sales Company. To learn more about Bell Sales and to view photographs of Sam and Virginia Morrison in their store, go to www.jewishknoxville.org/Archives/the-way-we-were and click on the title above the photograph.

Thanks to Mary Linda Schwarzbart for donating this photo.

The KJA Archives needs your photographs!

Send your photos of "The Way We Were" (identifying who, what, when, where) to [email protected], or contact the archivist at (865) 690-6343.