Campaign Sarfan Center UJCVP Trip Full Court Press News & Dates July 2015 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9

News JewishNews of the Jewish VA Peninsula Community Community“A Lifetime of Caring” December 2014/5775 8th Annual Community Menorah Lighting Tues., December 16 at 6 PM

et’s celebrate Hanukkah together at the 8th annual Community LHanukkah Celebration! The Hanukkah Extravaganza is at City Center, Oyster Point in Newport News across from the Market Stage Plaza.

• Hear the Community Hebrew School Students sing! • Listen to live music by Bagels and Fraylox Klezmer Band! • Celebrate with Mayor Price & Community Rabbis. • Enjoy potato pancakes and jelly donuts to celebrate the miracle of Sponsored by the United Jewish Community of the VA Peninsula. All are the oil. welcome to this free community program. • Sing songs! Please let us know if you need transportation by calling the UJCVP office at • Enter to win raffle prizes. 757-930-1422

Menorah Lighting Schedule Preschool Hanukah De-Lights Thursday, December 18th at 5:30 PM • Wednesday, Dec. 17th at 6 PM - Temple Beth El Oh Hanukkah, Oh Chanukah….. It’s time to • Thursday, Dec. 18th at 6 PM - light the menorah and see our Sarfan Center Rodef Sholom Temple children perform in a once in a lifetime • Friday, Dec. 19th at 6:45 PM - show called Hannukah-De-Lights! Watch the Congregation Emet v’Or preschool children sing and glow! • Saturday, Dec. 2oth at 6:30 PM Adath Jeshurun Synagogue Parents, bring your menorahs and candles • Sunday, Dec. 21st at 5 PM - (we will have a few extra on hand) and we Temple Sinai will light candles and sing the prayers together. • Monday, Dec. 22nd at 6 PM National Council of Jewish Nosh (munch) on some latkes (potato pancakes) Women and donuts for the holiday. • Tuesday, Dec. 23rd at 6 PM Sarfan Center Preschool What a wonderful way to celebrate Hanukkah Families UJC Fund Donations

Diamonstein Leroy M. Spigel Early Marc Minkoff Sports Scholarship Fund for Childhood Education Scholarship Fund Holocaust Studies Fund In memory of Lonnie Scoggin Karen Minkoff Speedy Recovery to Beverly In memory of Sally Sarah Cohen Diamonstein: Estelle Fineman Lori & Jeff Luckman Betty Levin Joy and Larry Spigel Philanthropic Fund In memory of Herman Spigel In honor of Jeff Luckman’s birthday Preschool Fund Joy and Larry Spigel Robin and Guy Levy In memory of Boyd Briskin In memory of Leonid Kotlyar Joy and Larry Spigel Bebe & Norman Petock Speedy Recovery to Barry Spigel Delegate David Yancey Joy and Larry Spigel

UJC Endowment Mazur Education Fund Unrestricted Fund In honor of Leslie Needham for her work on the Artful Pursuits exhibit In honor of Linda Molin’s retirement Elaine Abrams

Ettalea Kanter KAVIT JUDIE PHOTO:

How to Give to the Jewish Family Service Hanukkah Gift Program

In its twenty second year, Jewish Family Service reaches out to Hanukkah to local Jewish families with children and teens whose families are struggling with finances. Although Hanukkah may or may not be a time where gifts are exchanged in every family, we hope that your family will want to support this gift drive and reach out to those in need. Jewish Family Service expects to serve almost one hundred different local children and teens in 2014.

How can you help?

• Call Jewish Family Service at 757-459-4640 • Please have Hanukkah donations to Jewish Family • Shop with your family to purchase new and Service by December 4, 2014. practical gifts for children and teens in need • Checks need to be payable to Jewish Family Service • Please drop off your gifts unwrapped so that • and mailed to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, parents can have the joy of wrapping themselves 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach VA 23462 • Consider buying extra items Attention: Maryann Kettyle • Gift cards (Visa, Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Music • Jewish Family Service assists local Jewish Families Stores, Movie Theaters, Grocery Cards) are greatly in need at all times of the year and will keep any appreciated. surplus donations throughout 2014-2015. • Send Jewish Family Service a tax deductable monetary donation and Jewish Family Service will do the shopping for you

For more information, contact Maryann Kettyle at 757-459-4640 or [email protected]

2 Jewish Community News | December 2014 ExecutiveDirectorsMessage TOGETHER WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS

STEVEN WENDELL

n Thursday evening, November 13, Temple Sinai and the UJC co-sponsored a special event as part of Jewish Book Fair in our community. With the Ohelp of a special grant from the UJC Endowment, an exceptional author, dealing with a timely and critical subject, was our community’s guest speaker at the JCC. For those of you who missed this program, below is an excerpt from the NY Times Book Review from November 13, 2014. A limited number of signed copies of Mr. Dreazen’s books are still available at the Temple Sinai gift shop.

Great things are happening in our Jewish community whether they be at the VERDEROSA CHRISTINA PHOTO: UJC, our area synagogues and congregations, or our organizations. Yochi Dreazen speaking at UJCVP We’d love to see you join us. Jewish Book Fair, Nov. 13, 2014.

Sunday Book Review ‘The Invisible Front,’ by Yochi Dreazen By DAVID ROHDE NOV. 13, 2014

When Jeff Graham was killed in - suicides. To his credit, suffering from depression, anxiety and in 2004, the Kentucky State Legislature Dreazen takes the book a step further. sleeplessness. Called “shell shock” after passed a resolution hailing the young He uses one American military family’s World War I, “combat fatigue” after second lieutenant. Tens of thousands tragedy to expose a vast double standard World War II and “post-traumatic of fans applauded when his boyish — and spreading epidemic — in stress disorder” after Vietnam, the face was displayed on the scoreboard American society. condition has been remarkably at a University of Kentucky basketball consistent. Yet a deep-seated military game. Hundreds of mourners waved By 2012, more American soldiers were culture that views mental illness as a American flags as his hearse passed. killing themselves than were dying in weakness helped make America’s post- One sergeant even named his son after combat. But the problem goes beyond 9/11 military a psychic charnel house. the fallen hero. those in uniform. Suicide rates among American adults between 35 and 64 are Dreazen uses the story of Kevin When Jeff’s younger brother, Kevin, at record rates as well, notes Dreazen, Graham, the doomed R.O.T.C. cadet, committed suicide in 2003 while the managing editor of Foreign Policy to investigate depression in detail. enrolled in a University of Kentucky and a former military affairs writer From a young age, Kevin struggled R.O.T.C. program, his aunt opposed for The Wall Street Journal. He offers with the disease, which ran in his holding his funeral in a local church. a sophisticated examination of an act family, but strived to join the Army His memorial service was sparsely of ultimate despair that irreversibly like his father. Tall, bookish and attended. Members of the community wounds the living and remains hidden, outwardly successful, Kevin took suggested to Kevin’s parents, Mark stigmatized and largely misunderstood. Prozac but knew that disclosing his use and Carol, that their son had been “a of it would destroy his military career. weakling, a coward and even a sinner.” In alternating sections, Dreazen’s From boot camp on, Dreazen writes, book describes how war functions American soldiers are told mental “Strangers told them that Kevin’s as a psychological caldron and how illness is a character flaw: suicide had been a sin in the eyes of the American military serves as Continue reading the main story God,” Yochi Dreazen writes in his new a social science laboratory. To its book, “The Invisible Front,” “something credit, the military once served as a “Roughly 75 percent of the troops Carol, a deeply religious woman, often largely successful testing ground for surveyed . . . told pollsters that they worried about.” overcoming America’s racial divides. But wouldn’t seek help because they were its initial effort to address its warriors’ afraid it would make their colleagues Jeff, Kevin and their deaths are the psychological wounds was appalling. think less of them, harm their chances spine of this harrowing book, a for promotion, or bring their military courageous effort to examine the Surveying accounts of war from the careers to a premature end.” military’s abysmal initial response “Iliad” to Iraq, Dreazen details how to rising numbers of post-Iraq and soldiers have returned from combat Continued on page 4

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 3 Sunday Book Review ‘The Invisible Front,’ by Yochi Dreazen By DAVID ROHDE NOV. 13, 2014 continued

Fearing he would be deemed “mentally ill and not fit for One military chaplain claimed that witches living in nearby military duty,” Kevin stopped taking Prozac in the late spring mountains had cursed Fort Carson soldiers. of 2003. Weeks later, he hanged himself from a ceiling fan in The Grahams battled against the military culture at Fort the off-campus apartment he shared with his younger sister, Carson and other ­bases, speaking publicly about their son’s Melanie, who discovered his body. suicide, but the struggle took its toll. At one point, so many people told Kevin’s mother her family was cursed that she Melanie and her parents, like other friends and relatives tried to find a priest to perform an exorcism. of suicide victims, entered a world that was “darker and emptier,” Dreazen writes. Shame and guilt consumed them. “The Invisible Front” has its shortcomings, with some slow- moving early passages. But the book steadily gains power Four years on, Kevin’s father, then an Army general, saw with each chapter, and Dreazen lays out a series of simple firsthand how poorly the Army treats mental illness when steps the military could take in order to save lives. The Israeli he was appointed commander of Fort Carson, in Colorado, Army, for example, reduced suicides by 40 percent in 2006 home to 100,000 soldiers and members of military families. by barring soldiers from taking their weapons home. Dreazen In Mark Graham’s first full year in command, eight soldiers also calls for a greater commitment to suicide prevention: “It killed themselves at the base, triple the Army rate and should begin by making the ways commanders and enlisted four times the national average. Violence was rampant as personnel handle mental health issues within their units a well, with 14 Fort Carson soldiers linked to 11 murders and formal part of the written evaluations that help determine attempted murders around the base in a three-year period. whether they’re promoted.”

Yet many officers at the base continued to dismiss mental But leadership remains lacking. Dreazen found no cases, health problems as character defects. In 2006, when one Fort for example, of officers being punished for their actions, Carson soldier told his commander he had gotten drunk, including the officer who had a traumatized mother paint nearly killed himself and needed psychiatric treatment, the over her own son’s suicide note. And in all the time he officer tried to have him arrested for failing to attend that spent researching his book, Dreazen was able to identify morning’s drill. Eventually, he and another soldier who also only three American generals who have gone public about self-­medicated with alcohol and sought psychiatric treatment suffering nightmares, jumpiness, flashes of anger and other were discharged for “patterns of misconduct.” The discharges symptoms of PTSD: “Even now, at the very pinnacle of their rendered them ineligible for free medical care for veterans, professional lives, most of the generals afflicted with PTSD their military pensions and G.I. Bill benefits. suffer in silence because they are afraid other soldiers will see them as weak.” “I think some people are just weak,” a sergeant told a reporter for NPR at the time. “You know, you just have to Dreazen warns that military suicide rates could rise as an buck up and be a man and face it.” estimated 80,000 soldiers are forced out of the Army by Pentagon spending cuts. And he notes that civilian adult After a young soldier in another unit scrawled a suicide suicide rates are at record levels as well. Today, more people note in black paint on the wall of his barracks room, his die in the United States by their own hand than die in car commander threatened to charge him with “defacing accidents. government property.” When the soldier’s panicked mother flew to Fort Carson to plead for leniency, she offered to paint In public speeches about his son’s death, Mark Graham over the note if it would help her son. “To her surprise, the quotes a line from the elegiac Archibald MacLeish poem officer said yes,” Dreazen writes. The mother “spent the next “The Young Dead Soldiers.” day painting the wall and covering up her son’s scrawl.” “They say: We leave you our deaths,” Mac­Leish wrote. “Give Disdain for anyone who sought psychiatric help was rampant them their meaning.” among soldiers as well. Troops in one unit left a mock “Hurt Feelings Report” near the sign-up sheet for soldiers This vital book is a stirring call for action to better aid seeking counseling, listing reasons they needed care. “I have American soldiers who struggle alone with depression — and womanlike hormones,” the sheet said. “I am a queer; I am civilians who suffer from our most stigmatized disease as a little bitch; I am a crybaby; I want my mommy; all of the well. above.” THE INVISIBLE FRONT Even those who were charged with treating mental illness Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War were skeptical. The base’s top military psychiatrist wrote a By Yochi Dreazen memo to counselors warning that many of the troops who 306 pp. Crown Publishers. $26. sought help were “dead wood” who faked their symptoms.

4 Jewish Community News | December 2014 President’sMessage

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY dismantling lran’s military nuclear capabilities. Justices Stephen Breyer OF JEWISH FEDERATIONS and Elena Kagen of the United States OF NORTH AMERICA Supreme Court talked about their Jewish identities at the opening plenary session attended by 3,000 delegates. NEAL ROSENBAUM Justice Breyer attributed Deuteronomy Leaders and Heroes 16:20, “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof” (Justice, Justice shall you pursue) as one of his Your community was well represented guiding principles. Justice Breyer said at the recent General Assembly of The that when he thinks about what it Jewish Federations of North America. means to be Jewish in the Court, he Our delegation included professional thinks about the Jewish tradition of staff members Steve Wendell, Sarah Tzedakah. “lt’s not quite charity,” he said, Barnett and Judie Kavit, community “and it’s not quite the rule of law either, volunteers Scott Stein, Mike Stupar, but it’s part of trying to create a better

Barbara and Neal Rosenbaum, and world.” MEYERS JENNIFER PHOTO: Young Leadership Award recipient, Vice President, Joe Biden with Jenn Meyers. Jewish Federation President . The GA is one of the largest assemblies The Heroes: of Jewish community executives and and saw action patching up injured lay leaders. Held yearly in November, All of us dream of being heroes. Young friends. Yonat, a true hero, believes the GA offers seminars and lectures boys, like your Federation President, that the members of her unit gained that educate, motivate and stimulate dream of hitting a walk off home run in confidence in the conflict with her delegates to better serve their local game seven of the World Series. Others presence, secure in the knowledge communities. dream of being the first to walk on the that a friend was there to help if they moon; to cure cancer; to serve in the were injured. Tzur Goldin, a Lieutenant The Leaders: Continental Army at Valley Forge with in the lsrael Defense Force, led a group George Washington; to step off the of soldiers into Gaza to uncover killing Vice President Joe Biden reminded boat in the new world with Christopher tunnels and destroy the rockets aimed delegates that the United States Columbus, all guaranteeing certain at lsrael. Tzur said that being a Jew will always stand with and support hero status. carries additional responsibilities in Israel. Delivering a memorable battle, especially with respect to not keynote address, the Vice President The General Assembly introduced us harming civilians. While patrolling told delegates that he took his three to three modern heroes.....ordinary Gaza, Tzur received a radio dispatch children to Dachau Concentration people doing extraordinary things. that fellow IDF soldiers were captured. Camp to teach them about man’s Three lsraelis brought chills to the Tzur offered to rush to their aid but is inhumanity to man. He affirmed audience when telling their stories of directed to return to the base. While America’s resolve never to allow lran this past summer while responding to there, a senior officer tells Tzur that his to obtain nuclear offensive weapons the rockets that were falling from Gaza. twin brother, Hadar Goldin was the and stated that our country would I call them Jewish Heroes. captured soldier who had been killed. NEVER make a deal with lran that This attack on Hadar Goldin, took place compromises lsrael’s security. Let me introduce Yonat Daskal to you. only one half mile from twin brother Yonat did what most young lsraelis Tzur’s position. Tzur returned home for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, do after completing high school; she a brief period to comfort his mother speaking via satellite from Israel, served in the Israeli Army, as a Paramedic. but has since returned to active duty. cautioned delegates that the greatest After her IDF obligation, Yonat took a threat facing our world is to have post army vacation to South America. Alon David is the Mayor of Sderot, the forces of militant lslam get the While on vacation Yonat heard that the closest lsraeli city to Gaza, less bomb. He urged the world to retain her army unit was being deployed to than a mile from the border. Alon the current sanctions against lran Gaza. Yonat, age 20, returned to lsrael is also the father of seven children. as a tool to achieve the goal of fully from South America, joined her unit Continued on page 6

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 5 The General Assembly of Jewish

Federations of North America continued

He understands the dangers Sixty years before Mayor Alon of living on the border, where, David, David Ben-Gurion, the Advertise in the UJC Newsletter according to the lsraeli first Prime Minister of the State of newspaper Haaretz, rocket lsrael, advocated the pioneering Advertising with the UJC gives you a attacks on the city have killed settlement of outlying areas, unique opportunity to deliver your 13 lsraelis, wounded dozens, especially the Negev (the south message to our high quality audience. caused millions of dollars of lsrael). Mayor Alon David, like in damage and profoundly Ben- Gurion, stays on the border The UJCVP publishes it’s Jewish disrupted daily life. Alon knows for his family, for all lsraelis and Community News monthly. It is sent to 1100 that when the sirens sound, his for all Jews the world over as a households via mail and can be found on wife and children have less than defender of the only Jewish state our website homepage, www.ujcvp.org, 15 seconds to get to a shelter. in the world. in a prominent position. Sderot is famous for its bomb For those who missed the GA, shelters where every school has please consider becoming a Call Judie Kavit at 930-1422 or email jkavit@ a shelter, and some shelters are delegate from our UJCVP in ujcvp.org for advertising opportunities, located in school playgrounds. the future. Please also consider pricing and size specifications. Yet, despite looking down the joining our community Mission barrel of a gun, Alon stays in to lsrael on July 5th, 2015, to Sderot and believes that this is walk in the paths of our Biblical his duty as an lsraeli. Ancestors and perhaps meet a few more modern day heroes.

To the staff and members of the UJC: Thank you so much for all your calls, cards and prayers with the passing of my father-in-law. It brought so much comfort to me and my family.

~Nellie Quesnel

The United Jewish Community wishes to congratulate the following student and her family on her Bat Mitzvah: Beth Sholom Village has one of the area’s most respected rehabilitation centers?

Jordan Phillips We provide short-stay as well as outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. Our staff specializes in knee or hip replacement and vascular/cardiovascular therapy. The Village has physical and occupational therapists, LPNs and RNs. Let our skilled professionals help get you back on your feet. Call 420-2512, ext. 264 www.bethsholomvillage.com to learn more.

6 Jewish Community News | December 2014 CampaignUpdate

Sarah Barnett

Comedy Night FULL Court Press.

ovember started with Noah, Noah nce again our Campaign outreach to donors Gardenswartz that is –a hilarious young Jewish will continue on Sunday evening December Ncomedian who had over 100 donors laughing O7th with our Full Court Press virtual event and to the max on Saturday November 1st. Before the calling night in the able hands of our able chair Mike show we enjoyed great food and drink, a roaming Stupar. A group of male campaign volunteers will magician, and lots of toys at our tables. After a gather at the UJC for beer, Sunday evening football great schmooze Noah wowed us with his comedic and corned beef sandwiches while also reaching take on Jewish life and practice, and also shared his as many as their fellow male donors as possible experiences on JDC young adult missions to Eastern between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Anyone man who has Europe and India adding important inspiration made a pledge previous to December 7th or by 8:30 in a funny format. Thanks to a diverse group of that evening will be entered into a drawing to win a community members that filled our UJC foyer and to brand new GoPro Hero3 camera! All volunteers are Steve Seltzer who inspired the room to give before welcome and anyone who wishes to make a pledge dessert was served, in one evening we were able to before or during our event can call 930-1422 or visit raise $300,000 for our 2015 Annual Campaign that is our website at www.ujcvp.org. now over $493,000...more than half way to our goal of $800,000.

Our campaign continues in full swing as we strive to raise an additional $50,000 this campaign year to maintain a budget that continues to provide local programs and services and continues to reach our brothers and sisters in need around the globe and in Israel. If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to make your commitment to the UJCVP 2015 Annual Campaign please visit us online at www.ujcvp.org. Think about how your new or increased pledge can really make a difference!

We’ve Got Your Back! Do you love what we do locally for youth?

Here at the UJCVP we provide years of memories for our youth, from supporting our Early Childhood Center, PJ Library program, Community Hebrew School, Summer Camp, Kids Night Out, BBYO and local Hillels. Positive Jewish and community experiences for our children and teens not only impacts individual children but also impacts entire families. None of this is possible without our UJCVP Annual Campaign and your support! Pledge today by calling 930-0422 or go to www.ujcvp.org/pledge

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 7

Out of the Mouths of Babes - Carmela Malkin-Kuhn

I consider myself very fortunate to be at the Sarfan Early Childhood Center with an amazing staff of teachers where we experience the greatest gift in spending our days with some extraordinary children. The children delight us with their smiles, quick wit and mostly their fabulous stories. The best part is watching them develop and grow while reaching and exceeding each developmental milestone, especially in an environment which encourages developmental self expression, exploration, and independent thought. Singing, dancing, laughing, playing, joking, rabble rousing and even sleeping at our school makes for memories that will last a life time.

Some days are especially entertaining and worth sharing.

At the end of each day the children have figured out (without too much effort) that I have a stash of lollipops in my desk for special treats and they are always trying to find ways to convince me that they should be going home with a lollipop. Some days I hear “Principal” (as some call me which makes me laugh every time) “Can I give you a hug for a lollipop?” Other days it is, “Principal, do you think I can have a lollipop when I go home?”(and on and on). Although those lollipops have become quite popular nothing could have prepared me for one little boy’s comment when I walked into his classroom one morning.

He quickly approached me when I walked into his classroom and asked, “Principal, can I please (yes even said please nicely) have a lollipop when I go home today?” As it was first thing in the morning I said, “I will have to think about it” which is probably a line I say often because he quickly retorted, “Wait, I am going to think for you,” whereby he placed his finger up against his temple closed his eyes, opened his eyes, looked me straight in the eye and said, “I thought about it for YOU and YOUR answer is YES!”

So tell me, what do you think? Did he get a lollipop at the end of the day? He sure did, because out of the mouth of this four year old was a thought process that I never could have imagined.

C is for... Havdalah: Close Encounters of Chaverim Class (This class name means friendship in the Jewish Kind Hebrew but we think it should mean super friends!) A Family Event for All Ages Coins for CHKD & More Saturday, January 24, 2015 6-8:30 PM The children collected coins for CHKD and the entire school at the Virginia Living Museum participated. It was wonderful seeing the children head out of their classrooms to Mrs. Carmela’s desk to put in their dollar Join Us for a community Havdalah bills. How much did they collect? $49.00 celebration complete with a Planatarium show and a Make-It- For Thanksgiving, the whole Sarfan Center (including the Take-It-Home Havdalah Set infant class and Mazel Tot class) collected canned fruit and soups for the Jewish Family Services Food Pantry. The children $25/family of 4 $7/single learned that the Food Pantry is here for those families who do RSVP by Jan. 12, 2015 by mailing your check to not have enough to eat. UJCVP 401 City Center Blvd Newport News, VA 23606

Sarfan Early Childhood Center The UJC Office will be closed: will be closed: December 24th at 12 PM December 22 nd through & December 25th Friday January 2, 2015 December 31st at 12 PM & January, 1st, 2015

8 Jewish Community News | December 2014 UJC VP Israel Trip - July 5 - 16, 2015

A limited number of Endowment Subsidies are available for this trip on a first come first served basis. Please call Sarah Barnett or Steve Wendell for more information

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 9 This Chanukah, help us share the light with everyone, young and old. Together we can ensure that community programs and activities that build Jewish identity remain vibrant and strong.

When you leave a Jewish legacy, you join this chain of builders. You leave your children and grandchildren a precious inheritance, and a lasting testimony to your values.

Share the light. Make a difference. To learn more about making a legacy gift, contact Robert Kessler,  Director, UJCVP Endowment Fund, phone: 757-930-1422 Ext. #326 or email: [email protected]

United Jewish Community of the VA Peninsula Endowment 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606

Leadership Development: Lead Jew 2.0s. Sarah Barnett

Our Lead Jew 2.0 Leadership Development group continues on December 20th with our own version of the Food Network TV series “Chopped”.

Using the unique Chopped format our emerging leaders will be exploring the topic of “Events for non profit organizations. How do we work as a team and how do we plan.” The culmination will be the framework for our Pre Super Sunday Saturday night young adult campaign bash on February 7th.

10 Jewish Community News | December 2014 The Perfect Match Rabbi Gershon Litt Over the past few months my family and I have come to see the warmth of Jewish Newport News and the We read in last week’s Torah portion that Abraham asked dedication of Adath Jeshurun his right hand man, Eliezer, to find his son, Yitzhak, a wife. members. With tremendous support The Torah illuminates the qualities of the next mother of from the UJC, Adath Jeshurun the Jewish people and the character traits that she needs enjoys holding services on the UJC in order to be able to marry his son. This was going to be campus. While this is a part time job a “match made in heaven.” Many things in our lives need for us we consider AJ and Newport to match up well. The relationships that we choose, the News to be like our home away from home and thank investments that we involve ourselves with, and the jobs everyone for such a warm welcome. In addition to working that we devote our lives to all have to match up with our at Adath Jeshurun I am also the Hillel Director at the personalities and our personal life priorities. My wife and College of William and Mary and the Executive Director of I consider ourselves very lucky to have found such a warm, the Norfolk Area Community Kollel in Norfolk. welcoming and inviting community as Adath Jeshurun to In addition, I work as a contractor for the US Navy doing be a part of. chaplaincy work. The thing that ties all of these positions together is my passion for Jewish education. I firmly believe This summer I was hired to be the part time rabbi of Adath that if we want to see a Jewish tomorrow we need to invest Jeshurun. Just being considered for this position was an in Jewish education today. I look forward to serving the honor as one of my rabbis, Rabbi Nachman Bulman, may Jewish Newport News community in this capacity and if his memory be a blessing, was one of the most inspirational any member of the Newport News community ever needs teachers that I had while studying in Yeshivah in Israel and anything I hope that they will feel welcome to call upon us. he was one of AJ’s rabbis during it’s amazing, long history in Newport News.

Temple Beth El of Williamsburg announces The Arthur & Hilda Morgenstern Scholar -In-Residence featuring Alan Morinis December 12 - 14, 2014

Alan Morinis, the renowned teacher of Mussar (a system of Jewish teachings focusing on ethical character development and spiritual growth), will visit Temple Beth El during the weekend of December 12 - 14. Alan will visit as this year’s Arthur & Hilda Morgenstern Scholar - In - Residence. During Alan’s visit, he will:

• Give a talk introducing Mussar and himself during Shabbat services on Friday night (12/12)

• Lead a discussion of the Torah portion through a Mussar lens during Shabbat services on Saturday morning (12/13)

• Lead a Mussar text study during a sit - down Kiddush lunch im- mediately following Shabbat services on Saturday morning

We have Shabbat services weekly on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. We hope that you will join us in welcoming Mr. Morinis and participating in the Morgenstern Scholar - In - Residence lecture series

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 11 Jewish Movie Days Guess Who’s at the UJC Coming to Dinner Peninsula young adults, single or married: Do you want to meet new people?

Join us for our first ever Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event on

Saturday December 13th at 6:30 pm.

RSVP to this event and we will send you to a restaurant with a small group of mystery guests! December 11th January 8th Dinner is on you but Ida Leap of Faith we’ll make it happen. RSVP to [email protected] Come to the UJC for a movie and popcorn. All movies begin at 1:00 PM and are free to the public.

Panim el Panim - Deadline to Register - December 15, 2014

anim el Panim integrates Jewish values with political action and community service during a 3-day seminar in Washington, DC. On PPanim el Panim, teens interact with today’s hottest issues, leading experts, Congressional Offices, and outstanding Jewish educators.

Our 10th-12th Grade Students have the opportunity to attend Washington DC for a three day politics in action seminar March 29th-31st. The UJC Endowment provides a generous grant so the cost is $100 (plus travel money) and the BBYO organization offers a financial aid scholarship as well. This includes transportation, room, board, and other costs associated with the seminar.

Please indicate your interest in participating in PANIM by filling out the application at panim.bbyo.org, printing the last page and mailing it with a nonrefundable deposit check for $100 (made out to UJC) to 401 City Center Blvd. Newport news VA 23606 before the deadline of December 15th. For more information, or to ask any questions, please feel free to contact Carmela or Jennifer at 930-1422 or [email protected] or [email protected]

BBYO info: http://bbyo.org/teens/experiences/BBYO_Panim_el_Panim_ MEYERS JENNIFER PHOTO: Financial_Aid_Application_FY15.pdf 2013 Panim el Panim participants , Panim el Panim registration: go online to https://paniminstitute.wufoo.com/ Frankie Levy and Jason Blaha on the US forms/pep-participant-registration-march-2931-2015/ Capital steps.

12 Jewish Community News | December 2014 Temple Sinai Upcoming Events 11620 Warwick Blvd., Newport News VA 23601 757-596-8352

Sunday, December 7 - Big Hanukkah sale at the Sisterhood Gift Shop. Everything you need for the holidays: Gelt, gift wrap, cards, menorahs, candles, jewelry and lots more. Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, December 8 - Monthly Sisterhood meeting 7 p.m. Come and learn more about what your Sisterhood does.

Sunday, December 14 - Sarah Crawford, engineer with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District is the guest speaker for the Brotherhood Breakfast at 10 a.m. Cost is $6 for non-members.

Friday, December 19- Annual Hanukkah dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner of latkes, brisket and salad followed by an original Hanukkah play presented by our religious school students and teachers, a short service and an Oneg. Cost is $15 for adults, $7 for ages 4-12 and free for three and under. Please RSVP Temple Sinai at 596-8352

Sunday, January 11, 2015 - We are proud to present Charles King, author of “Midnight at the Pera Palace “ for our second Jewish Book Council program. The book tells the story of the birth of modern Istanbul, a tale of intrigue, jazz, Jewish rescue and a cast as diverse as Leon Trotsky, the future Pope John XXXIII and the first Muslim beauty queen. The event starts at 3 p.m. Please RSVP Temple Sinai at 596-8352.

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 13 ongregation Emet v’Or strives to be a supportive community and meaningful place for Jewish people, their families and those who desire to learn about the Jewish faith. Cwww.emetvor.org | 757-952-3737 | PO Box 8038, Yorktown, VA 23693 SERVICES EVERY FRIDAY: All are welcome who has a Jewish parent. Please RSVP and let us know you’re coming. [email protected] • Friday December 5th, 7:00 Services led by Religious We have made it easy for you to fit a “little learning for School and accompaniment Rob Keene. you and your little learner” into your busy life. • Saturday December 6th 6:00 is an end of Shabbat service, Havdalah at 101 Production Dr. Yorktown, TAKE ACTION-SOCIAL ACTION: then out to Aromas for hot chocolate. 1.Help cook or • Friday December 12th 6:15 Tot Shabbat: Shabbat for 2. Serve a meal on Christmas Eve and Day at the you and your child under age 5 then 7:00 PM Rabbi Emergency Homeless Winter Shelter Program, Gurdin and cantorial soloist Jonathan Rathsam. 3.Buy a gift for a CEVO Sponsored family from Jewish • Friday December 19th 5:30 Kabbalat Shabbat Family Services, with Rabbi Gurdin, then we all head together to 4. Donate Tzedakah before services on Fridays; this City Center to light the Menorah together as a month’s highlighted organization is American Jewish congregation at 6:45. World Services. www.ajws.org • Saturday December 20th, Dedication night at 6:00! (Hanukkah comes from to dedicate so we will have a dedication of new families and new religious school student since Fall, and a baby naming! All welcome! This service will be held at 101 Production Drive in Yorktown.

ADULT EDUCATION ADULT LEARNING 10:30- 11:30 on 1/11, 2/1 and 3/8. Chai Mitzvah...a different topic is examined monthly. Attend or all three; teabague@aol. com

LITTLE LEARNERS (CHILDREN AGES 1.5-5): December 7th 10AM at UJC Preschool building. Collection for the homeless, coats for South Morrison Coats Drive, books Slowly introduce your child to the joy of Judaism. This is for Ft. Eustis day room, collection for Hannukah gifts for JFS an introductory class, open to any child on the Peninsula

UJC Seniors Don’t forget to come to the UJC for lunch twice a month on Tuesdays.

Bizarre Bazaar in Richmond: Dec. 2nd and 16th Bingo and Mah Jong December 4th If you are over 60 & looking for a good place to have lunch & meet We will leave the JCC via bus other seniors, come join us at the UJC. - $2.50 at 9 AM and return by 3 PM. Call if you need transportation Light breakfast and an afternoon 930-1422 snack $15 per person.

14 Jewish Community News | December 2014 December 13th Rabbinic Panel - January 15th, 2015  BBYO Community Teen Rabbi Litt, Rabbi Dror, Rabbi Sokel, and Rabbi Katz Hanukkah Party 8pm The Rabbis’ Lunch and Learn provides a wonderful (no need to be a member) means of getting to know our community’s rabbis in an intimate setting.  at the UJC Topic to be announced. RSVP:[email protected]

December 2014 | Jewish Community News 15 401 City Center Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606

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UJCVPCommunityCalendar December 2014

Monday, December 1 Sunday, December 14 Monday, December 22 4:00pm - Hebrew School Williamsburg TBE Scholar in Residence Preschool Closed for Winter Break TBE Scholar in Residence Tuesday, December 2 Monday, December 15 Hanukkah VI/Rosh Chodesh Tevet 10:00am - Stretch and Grow TBE Scholar in Residence jkh4:00pm - Hebrew School Williamsburg 11:30am - Grand Club 4:00pm - Hebrew School Williamsburg 4:00pm - Hebrew School Tuesday, December 23 6:30pm - Education Meeting Tuesday, December 16 Preschool Closed for Winter Break TBE Scholar in Residence TBE Scholar in Residence Wednesday, December 3 10:00am - Stretch and Grow Hanukkah VII 12:00pm - Campaign Council 11:30am - Grand Club 4:00pm - Daycare closes Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 4 4:00pm - Hebrew School Preschool Closed for Winter Break 9:00am - Bizarre Bazaar TBE Scholar in Residence 12:30pm - Preschool afterschool activities 5:30pm - RST Board Meeting Hanukkah VIII 4:00pm - Hebrew School 6:00pm - Community Menorah Lighting Thursday, December 25 Wednesday, December 17 Saturday, December 6 Preschool Closed for Winter Break TBE Scholar in Residence RST ~ Jordan Phillips Bat Mitzvah UJC Preschool and Offices closed 7:00pm - Kids Night Out Hanukkah I (Holiday of lights) 1:30pm - NCJW Book Club Friday, December 26 Sunday, December 7 Preschool Closed for Winter Break 7:00pm - Campaign event ~ Full Court Press Thursday, December 18 TBE Scholar in Residence Monday, December 29 Monday, December 8 Hanukkah II Preschool Closed for Winter Break 4:00pm - Hebrew School Williamsburg 12:30pm - Preschool afterschool activities 4:00pm - Hebrew School 7:00pm - TS Sisterhood Meeting Tuesday, December 30 5:30pm - Preschool Hanukkah De-Lights Preschool Closed for Winter Break Tuesday, December 9 Friday, December 19 11:30am - Grand Club 10:00am - Stretch and Grow TBE Scholar in Residence Wednesday, December 31 4:00pm - Hebrew School Hanukkah III 7:00pm - TS Board Meeting Saturday, December 20 Preschool Closed for Winter Break TBE Scholar in Residence New Year’s Eve Thursday, December 11 Hanukkah IV 1:00pm - Jewish Movie 12:30pm - Preschool afterschool activities Sunday, December 21 4:00pm - Hebrew School TBE Scholar in Residence Friday, December 12 Hanukkah V TBE Scholar in Residence

Saturday, December 13 TBE Scholar in Residence 7:00pm - Guess who is Coming to Dinner?