Fifth Annual Celebrate Israel Set for May 17

WASHTENAW May 2009 Iyar/ Sivan 5769 Volume XXXIII: Number 8 FREE Fifth Annual Celebrate Israel set for May 17 PJs, pancakes, and lots of Event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Tel Aviv fun at YAD family event Eileen Freed, special to the WJN Tina Gutman, special to the WJN el Aviv-Yafo, Israel’s most modern city Breakfast for dinner, comfortable dress (pa- turns 100 this year. The Ann Arbor jamas optional), a fantastic bedtime story, T community will gather to celebrate Is- and lots of fun for the whole family will all rael’s 61st and Tel Aviv’s 100th birthday on Sun- be on the menu at the Jewish Community day, May 17, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Jewish Center of Washtenaw County for the June 7 Community Center of Washtenaw County. This PJs and Pancakes event. community event brings together representa- The evening’s special guest will be Judy tives from Greater Ann Arbor’s Jewish organi- Schmidt of the Ann Arbor Storytellers’ zations to conceive, program, and implement Guild. PJs and a celebration of Israeli innovation, creativ- Pancakes is co- ity, and culture. More than 600 participants of sponsored by the all ages are expected. PJ Library and As in previous years, participants will the Young Adult learn Israeli dances and sample Israeli street Division of the food. There will be Israel- and Tel Aviv- Jewish Federation themed activities for the entire family and of Greater Ann a shuk marketplace with local craftspeople Arbor (YAD). and merchandise from Israel. This year’s According to focus on Tel Aviv will bring new features, YAD’s Stefanie including the Tel Aviv Café, a disco, crafts, Aronow, “PJs Judy Schmidt demonstrations, and much more. Com- and Pancakes is a munity members who want to continue the great way for families to ‘do Jewish’ together celebration are invited to an Israeli Dance in a fun, family-oriented atmosphere.” party from 3:30–5 p.m. in the JCC gym. The event will also have a tzedakah com- For the second year in a row, Ann Arbor ponent: Families are asked to bring lightly will host a delegation from its Partnership Ariel Freed celebrates Israel with JNF’s Blue Box Bob, May 2008 used children’s books to donate to the 2000 community, Moshav Nahalal. The dele- Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library. gation will develop a special exhibit focusing a community reception at 7 p.m. on Monday, highly encouraged. For more information The cost per family is $18, and includes on Israel’s agricultural sector and featuring May 18, at the JCC—community members or to register, volunteer, or sponsor Cel- dinner, the storyteller, and crafts projects. jewelry and organic cosmetics produced by are invited, and asked to contact Eileen Freed ebrate Israel, visit www.jewishannarbor. For more information about the event, or to Moshav members. The six-member delega- for more information. org/celebrateisrael or contact Eileen Freed register, visit www.jewishannarbor.org, or tion has a full itinerary of meetings and site Tickets for Celebrate Israel are $5/indi- or Tomer Zur at celebrateisrael@jewishan- contact Jeff Lazor at 677-0100 or jefflazor@ visits, and will receive official recognition at vidual and $10/family. Pre-registration is narbor.org or 677-0100. n jewishannarbor.org. n Festival features exciting speakers and films Margi Brawer, special to the WJN any special features are planned in Shepard and Simply Scrumptious Caterers will reflects on both the adventure and personal conjunction with the eighth an- greet sponsors at 6:30 p.m., followed by an 8 growth that is inherent in the Birthright experi- M nual Lenore Marwil Jewish Film p.m. screening of the evening’s movie, Noodle. ence. Finally, the festival’s closing film,Sixty-Six , Festival, running from May 3–May 7 at the This comic-drama follows the misadventures of is a heart-warming, coming-of-age story with Michigan Theater. an abandoned Chinese boy and the Israeli El Al an all-star cast. Opening the festival will be a free preview of flight attendant who tries to re-unite him with Throughout the festival, several speakers will The Little Traitor on Sunday, May 3, at 10 a.m. his family. augment the filmgoers’ viewing experience. (See This film recounts the friendship that develops This year there are several films that will page 4) In addition to these film-related talks between an 11-year-old Israeli boy and a British appeal to teens and young adults. The docu- and discussions, many other unique and com- soldier during the British occupation, and has mentary The Hope (showing on Wednesday, pelling films will be shown during this four-day special appeal for children and families, giving May 5, at 5 p.m.) is about the singer-songwriter event at the Michigan Theater. Tickets will be insight into what life was like during this period Rick Recht and the Jewish rock movement, and available at the box office, or in advance at the of Israel’s history. explores both music and ways of creating rel- JCC. For a full schedule, see www.jccannarbor. The festival’s official kick off will be a recep- evance in contemporary Jewish life. Following org. For further information, contact Julie Gales tion for film festival sponsors on Sunday eve- this film is Soul Tripping, a documentary about at [email protected] or 971-0990. ning, May 3. A Chinese meal catered by Lori Scene from The Little Traitor the Taglit Birthright-Israel experience. The film continues on page 4

Washtenaw Jewish News Presort Standard In this issue… c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor U.S. Postage PAID 2939 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor Invisible Mussar Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 Book Festival Thread Workshop May 15–17 Event for Women of Change

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2935 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Ann Arbor Book Festival to feature voice: 734/971-1800 fax: 734/971-1801 e-mail: [email protected] novelist Adam Mansbach www.washtenawjewishnews.org Kathy Robenalt, special to the WJN oet and novelist Adam Mansbach will be performing at the 6th Annual Ann Editor and Publisher P Arbor Book Festival on the Ingalls Mall Susan Kravitz Ayer at 4 p.m. on May 16. Mansbach is a dynamic pub- Copy Editor lic speaker whose lectures combine elements of David Erik Nelson spoken-word, hip-hop, comedy, and traditional scholarship to address the complexities of iden- Calendar Editor tity, literature, and popular culture. He teaches Claire Sandler writing at the San Francisco Art Institute, and Advertising Manager his books include The End of the Jews and Angry Gordon White Black White Boy, or The Miscegenation of Macon Detornay. Design and Layout An ambitious and affecting family drama Dennis Platte and a sweeping tour of race, religion, art and Staff Writers identity in 20th century America, The End of the David Erik Nelson, Sandor Slomovits Jews features grandfather-and-grandson graffiti Adam Mansbach bombing missions, a Czech girl passing for black Contributing Writers in America, relatives betraying each other through novels, stoned bar mitzvah DJs forcing people to Roann Altman, Laura Berger, Jacob Berkman, Margi Brawer, Jane Charney, Rabbi Robert dance the hora to Eric B and Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend,” swaggering Jewish geniuses remaking Dobrusin, Eric Fingerhut, Sue Fishkoff, Eileen postwar American culture, and much more. The New York Times Book Review praised The End of Freed, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Richard Green- the Jews as “Smart… engaging… exquisite. Original in the way it explores the creative interchange berg, Ruth Ellen Gruber, Tina Gutman, Deborah between blacks and Jews and the give-and-take dynamic of artistic partnership. Mansbach’s char- Huerta, Ron Kampeas, Adam Kirsch, Kim Reick acters are sharply drawn… the creative partnerships among artists are suggestively and beautifully Kunoff, Rabbi Robert Levy, Jeffrey Lazure, Joan portrayed.” Levitt, Jeff More, Richard Pearlstone, Merrill Po- liner, Kathy Robernalt, David Shtulman, Ronnie Mansbach is an inaugural recipient of the Future Aesthetics Artist Regrant (FAAR), funded by Simon, Elliot Sorkin, Leslie Susser, Tomer Zur the Ford Foundation. The grant recognizes artists whose work “innovates beyond that which is already applauded in the present” and is intended to “usher in the next generation of artists who reshape the artistic landscape.” Mailing Committee Ruth Ankiewicz, Beverly Bixler, Ruth Breslaw, Mansbach is the founding editor of the pioneering ‘90s hip-hop journal Elementary, and a Ethel Ellis, Steve Fishman, Esther Goldman, former artistic consultant to Columbia University’s Center for Jazz Studies. His work has appeared Fran Goldman, Betty Hammond, Jayne Harary, in The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, The New York Times, Vibe, JazzTimes Evelyn Horwitz, Doris Jamron, Marilyn Krimm, and elsewhere. n Lily Ladin, Doris Miller, Bob and Sophie Mordis, Irwin Pollack, Lotte Rosenbaum, Esther Rubin, Sol Saginaw, Sarah Shoem, Nell Stern The Ann Arbor Book Festival Special thanks The Ann Arbor Book Festival is a community-based event organized by a large group of To Ethel Ellis and Betty Hammond volunteers to showcase the written word in Ann Arbor. Each spring since 2004, the festival has featured a broad range of activities and events that appeal to people of all ages and The Washtenaw Jewish News is a free and independent newspaper. It is published monthly, interests. with the exception of January and July. It is reg- The Book Festival is unique to the community because it brings people together for a istered as a Non-profit Michigan Corporation. sharing of ideas. Issues of the day are discussed and brought to the fore with interesting Opinions expressed in this publication do not and compelling authors framing topics with their current work. The importance of read- necessarily reflect those of its editors or staff ing and writing is underscored throughout the activities. Annual events include panel discussions, an Authors-in-Schools program, a literacy symposium for teachers and parents, Member of and a full-day Writer’s Conference for local writers looking to hone their skills in small American Jewish Press Association workshops with visiting authors. JFS caregivers group to meet May 20 On Wednesday, May 20, from 6:30–8 p.m., Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw will present “Leaving Without Goodbye, Goodbye Without Leaving: Coping with Loss When a Loved One Has Dementia” at the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County. This is a monthly caregivers conversation facilitated by JFS, intended to help adult children cope with a variety of care-giving roles for their aging parents. This event is free and open to the public; RSVP to ©2009 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw Abbie at 769-0209 or [email protected]. Jewish News may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the editor at [email protected]. Name will be with- IIn this issue… held at the discretion of the editor. Circulation: 5,000 Subscriptions: Advertisers...... 31 On Another Note...... 23 $12 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County $18 first-class subscription Around Town...... 30 Ruthless Cosmopolitan...... 30 The deadline for the June/July/August issue of Books...... 24 Seniors...... 8 the Washtenaw Jewish News is May 2009 May Friday, May 8. A Calendar...... 28 Youth...... 12 Publication date: Wednesday, May 27. Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News Congregations...... 9 Vitals...... 31 are available at locations throughout Washtenaw County. Federation...... 6 Women...... 5, 8… Israel...... 19 World Jewry...... 15 Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 2 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 3 - - m - - - www.myJLI.co Noah, in spite of Noah, his was righteousness, Cain Cain and Abel responded to the catastro The generation of the flood is a storyof phe of the expulsion from Eden in different in different Eden from of expulsion phe the primar focusing farmer, a became Cain ways: ily on worldly pursuits, while Abel became a Ulti spiritual. the with preoccupied shepherd, was sustainable. worldview neither mately, not able YetAbraham to influence others. believe to worshipers idol of world a taught in God. Why did Abraham succeed where the embrace can we how And failed? Noah those leading Abraham, father our of legacy seek goodness and truth? us to around a wealthy, technologically advanced society advanced technologically a wealthy, away. washed be to had it that evil so was that are we able How to better guard against the evils bred by material In excess? this lesson, and destroyed are societies why consider we be rehabilitated. they may how Lesson Six: The Old Man and the SeaLesson Lesson Four: Death Four: Lesson in the Family World New Brave Five: Lesson - - -

his May, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will unveil its spring course, “Biblical course, spring its (JLI)unveil will Institute Learning Jewish Rohr the May, his in have Bible the in stories The Yourself the in ofBook Genesis.” Finding Reflections: trigued sages and laymen alike, and have inspired thousands ofThis thousands inspired artistic retellings. have and alike, triguedlaymen and sages

Can we ever reclaim innocence? In a fewa In innocence? reclaim ever we Can Is it possible that being good is overrated? is good being that possible it Is All cultures creation have stories to de

Biblical Biblical Reflections isdesigned for people at all levelsof Jewish Participants knowledge. The Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is the adult education arm ofJLI’s Chabad-Lubavitch. Rabbi Aharon Goldstein of Ann Arbor Chabad House will be teaching this course at the

“These stories are in the Bible because they deal with the most powerful of human motives motives of human powerful most the with deal they because Bible the in are “These stories Participants will study biblical characters grappling with feelings and dilemmas that lie at Community short moments, Adam and Eve destroyed a perfect world Adam Then regret. andand shame with wracked were immediately and Eve were taught about repentance and its ability transform to redeem. and aged to convince Eve that there were real ben real were there that Eve convince to aged efitsto disobeying God’scommands. This evil—itsof essence very the into delves lesson and its pitfalls. its possibilities, purpose, The serpent made the case evilfor and man scribe how we got here. But the Torah tells scribeBut the Torah we how got here. us about our creation to let us know what By examining the idyllic to do. we here are better can we Eden, of garden the of nature understand the special purpose for which created. were man and woman Lesson Three: Paradise Lost Three: Paradise Lesson (… and Found) Lesson Two: Heart Two: of Darkness Lesson Course syllabus Course of Eden One: East Lesson

JLI course “Biblical Reflections”JLI course WJN the to special Goldstein, Aharon Ann Arbor to join worldwide release of release join worldwide to Ann Arbor dents will be given the opportunity to gain insights into how to respond more thoughtfully and thoughtfully more respond to how into insights gain to opportunity the given be will dents challenges. such to effectively without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning are welcome to attend the All course. JLI courses are open to the and entire attendees Jewish need community, not be a ofmember particular temple. or synagogue any 300 locationsthan 250 in citiesandmore nationwide at over and classes programsoffered are internationally (including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, South Africa, the Over Sweden, 100,000 United Kingdom, and Venezuela). JLI is by taught offered concurrently course Every 1998. JLI classes since attended people have a truly global has helped create learning feature This community. unique in all locations. starting Tuesdays, six for House Chabad and County Washtenaw of Center Community Jewish students should callPotential 19. Visit 995-3276 May for more information. n Reflections. information about Biblical up-to-date for and feelings: the quests for love, purpose, identity, and redemption,” says Rabbi Eli Silberstein, Silberstein, Eli Rabbi says redemption,” and identity, purpose, love, for quests the feelings: and how shows and perspective personal and unique a takes Reflections “Biblical author. course the these stories are the stories of your life, reflectingyour joy andyour pain,your struggles and accomplishments.” your the heart of the human experience. Lessons will examine a range of commentaries, and stu

six-session course will examine classic stories from Genesis in a modern light, focusing on their on focusing light, modern a in Genesis from stories classic examine will course six-session life. everyday to relevance eternal T

Graduates of last year’s Jewish Learning Institute Learning Jewish of last year’s Graduates I IJCC Film Festival

Festival features exciting speakers and films Bobbi Morgenstern to discuss Refusenik Bobbie Morgenstern, past chair of the Soviet Jewish Coun (continued from page 1) cil in Philadelphia, will discuss the film - Refusenik ing its screening at the Jewish Film Festival on Wednesday, follow- May 6, at 1:30 p.m.. Eileen Pollack to discuss growing up in the Catskills Morgenstern began her involvement in the Jewish Com munity in 1975 when she embarked on a trip to the Soviet - University of Michigan Associate Professor Eileen Pollack will discuss growing up Union to visit with “Refuseniks.” Her guide on that first trip in the Catskills following the screening of Four Seasons Lodge on Monday, May 4, is known today as author, activist, and Soviet dissident Na at 1:30 p.m. Pollack, a noted novelist, essayist, and writer, is uniquely qualified to tan Sharansky. Morgenstern’s activism took her back again- discuss this film, as her family owned a small Catskills hotel and is intimate with the in 1977, when she escorted fourteen members of the Phila uniquely Jewish appeal of the area. delphia Federation through Moscow and Leningrad. - Currently the Zell Director of the University of Michigan Masters of Fine Arts Morgenstern held many leadership positions in the Program in Creative Writing, Pollack has a bachelor of science in physics from Yale Soviet Jewry movement. She was best known for working and an MFA in fiction from the University of Iowa. Bobbie Morgenstern with the Israel Public Council interviewing and disseminating information on the “Re Pollack is the author of a collection of short fiction , The Rabbi in the Attic and fusenik” families to the National Conference, Union of Councils, Student Struggle, and - Other Stories, a novel, Paradise, New York, and a work of creative nonfiction called Canadian 35s. In 1991 she was invited by the former Soviet Union to return for the official Woman Walking Ahead: In Search of Catherine Weldon and Sitting Bull, which won opening of the Babi Yar Memorial. a 2003 WILLA finalist award. Pollack’s essays, articles, and reviews have appeared Creative Nonfiction: A Morgenstern was a delegate to the second Brussels Conference on Soviet Jewry, the Eileen Pollack in many periodicals; her innovative textbook and anthology, s, was published in January 2009. A new collection of stories and Jerusalem Conference on Soviet Jewry, and, with Stuart Wurtman (whose wife Enid is Guide to Form, Content, and Style, with Reading featured in h, was published in 2008 and was named the winner of the 2008 Edward Lewis Wallant Refusenik), was a delegate to Golda Meir’s Jerusalem absorption conference novellas, In the Mout - in 1976. Morgenstern served as a member of Secretary of State George Shultz’s delega Award, which is presented annually to an American writer whose published creative work of fiction is consid tion to Finland, to be an American presence when Regan met with Gorbachev. From - ered to have significance for the American Jew. 1984–1987, Morgenstern served as chairman of the Soviet Jewry Council of the Jewish Pollack’s stories have appeared in journals such as Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, Michigan Quarterly Review, an- Community Relations Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania and testified for Senator . Her novella The Bris was chosen to appear in the Best American Short Stories 2007 and New England Review John Heinz before the Helsinki Commission on Human Rights. thology, edited by Stephen King, while her stories have been awarded two Pushcart Prizes, the Cohen Award for and MQR. Her appearance at best fiction of the year fromPloughshares , and similar awards fromLiterary Review the 21st Annual Book Festival at the Jewish Center last fall was a festival highlight, and her post-film discussion of life in the Catskills promises to add an informative dimension to Four Seasons Lodge. Birthright organizers and participants to reflect Russ Collins to lead discussion of Waltz with Bashir on their Israel experience Following the film Soul Tripping on May 6, local Russ Collins, executive director and CEO of the Taglit-Birthright Israel organizers and participants a bachelor’s and master’s Michigan Theater, adjunct film studies professor at will lead a panel discussion focusing on the impact degree from the University the Eastern Michigan University, and popular radio of the Taglit-Birthright trip. U-M alumna and Hillel of Michigan. Collins’ pro - host, will discuss the highly acclaimed film - program director Allison Sheren will lead the discus Waltz fessional honors include a with Bashir following the showing on Tuesday, May sion. Sheren is the advisor for all graduate student professional theatre pro 5, at 5 p.m. Waltz with Bashir - programming and program director for the U-M’s , the unique animated gram fellow of the Univer documentary tracking the filmmaker’s search for his - Taglit-Birthright Israel program. lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War, has won sity of Michigan and an Panel members will also answer questions about worldwide acclaim. Collins will add perspective to arts administration fellow the program and offer tips to future participants and this complex and controversial film. of the National Endow - their families. Allison Sheren Russ Collins has served as executive director and ment for the Arts. He was CEO of the Michigan Theater since 1982. Under Col knighted by the Republic of lin’s leadership, the Michigan Theater has been fully- Italy as “Cavaliere Ordine Russ Collins restored as a 1920s-era movie palace operated as an al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.” In addition to The Champagne Spy’s son to speak on his father’s life elegant, not-for-profit arts facility that hosts a wide- his passion for film and theater restoration, Collins Dr. Oded Gur-Arie, the son of the cham - fought as a reservist officer in the Yom Kip variety of high quality film and live stage programs. is a tireless community advocate and serves on the pagne spy, will speak following a showing - pur War. After the war he came to the United The Michigan Theater was named the Outstanding Downtown Development Authority’s board of direc of the documentary - The Champagne Spy States for col- Historic Theater in North America by the League of tors, the Michigan Humanities Council board of di on Tuesday, May 5, at 8 p.m. Gur-Arie ap - - lege. He earned Historic American Theaters. rectors, and the State Street Area Association board pears in the film, and his memories of be - a doctoral de Collins is an Ann Arbor native who received both of directors. ing a young boy watching his real-life James - gree in business Bond father move farther and farther away administration from his family give depth to the complexi- at the Universi ties of the spy’s secret identity. - ty of Alabama, Local resident Gur-Arie was born in Is - and taught at rael and grew up in France. He knew his fa Williams is sched- - the University Williams to lead discussion on Black Book ther was an Israeli spy in Egypt, but initially Black Book at the of Michigan University of Michigan professor Ralph was unaware of the extent of his father’s sub - in Ann Arbor, uled to lead a discussion following the film terfuge. His father’s double life was part and Black Book is where he was a 7th Annual Lenore Marwil Jewish Film Festival on Monday, parcel of Gur-Arie’s childhood; he witnessed well-regarded Oded Gur-Arie May 12. Set during the end of World War II, - both swashbuckling adventures and enor - academic in statistical modeling. He has had the story of a Dutch Jewish girl who narrowly survives the mous personal betrayals. a successful career as a business consultant war in Holland. She joins the resistance to find out who be After high school in Europe, Oded and entrepreneur, and founded the Domi trayed her family, after all of them were killed in an attempt Gur-Arie volunteered for the Israeli army, - no’s Pizza chain in Israel. to reach the liberated Departmentsouth. of English, Language and worked as a security guard for El Al, and A professor in the e at U-M, Dr. Williams has studied 15 languages Literatur Ralph Williams including Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, and uses Italian, - French, and Latin frequently. He specializes in Medieval and Renaissance litera Filmmaker H.G. Manos and author Paul R. Kavieff will discuss their film, The Purple Gang ture, Shakespeare, literary theory, comparative literature, and biblical studies. He has taught such wide-ranging Following the screening of The Purple Gang on Racketeer and The Violent Years: Prohibi- Thursday, May 7, at 5 p.m., the film’s director courses as “The Bible in English,” “Literature of Chaucer.” tion and the Detroit Mobs (Gangsters and and producer, as well as the author of the “Frederick Douglass,” and “ Primo Levi and the Memory Rum Runners). His personal collection of book on which the film is based, will be of Auschwitz.” Purple Gang photographs bring both the He was associate chair of the department of English on hand to answer question about both the film and book to life. film and the notorious Purple Gang. (for the second time) from 1999 to 2002, and he also H.G. Manos produced and directed the Paul Kavieff, author of The Purple Gang: big screen version of Kavieff’s Purple Gang. May 2009 May served from 1996 to 1999 as director of the Program on Organized Crime in Detroit 1910–1945, was This Michigan filmmaker won accolades at A Studies in Religion. While associate chair of the English y Residency born and raised in Detroit, and is widely Department, Williams was instrumental in creating and the 2008 Detroit Docs International Film Royal Shakespeare Compan regarded as the authoritative source for developing the Members of the Purple Gang Festival and took home awards for the best information on the 1920s Detroit gang- program at U-M. University Musical Michigan-made documentary. The film- He continues to work closely with the land. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wayne State University. He is also maker and author will help the audience fully in political science from Oakland Uni- Society to further the activities of the RSC Residency. the author of The Life and Times of Lepke comprehend both the impact of the Purple versity and a master’s degree in history Buchalter: America’s Most Ruthless Labor Gang, and life in Detroit in the 1920’s. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 4

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009

x o F regory G page this on photos ll A : redit C hoto P 5 - - Danielle Abrams Danielle Happy Happy Feigelson, who chaired the event, said during the planning process that she and The event was a model of cooperation and partnership between two community orga Karen R. McGinity and intermarriage discussed her book on women R. Karen Jewish Jewish identities; and Beth Rabbi Israel Kim Congregation’s Blumenthal, who framed the of close the day, the At desires. and emotions women’s express to means a as bookof Psalms Cantor Annie Rose ofBeth EmethTemple engaged the attendees in music and song that theme. the day’s reflected learn to has a chance “everyone if as a success the day count would members the committee gain something a new to Jewish life, meetnew related on perspective an and old con topic, nect with some really interesting people, and have good conversation. At the end of the day, the end ofAt the day, good conversation. nectand have with people, some interesting really it is all about learning from each other and feeling good about being part of this Jewish community.” nizations. As “It Feigelson notes, was a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with new another one to us bind that threads invisible peoplewhileexperiencingthose and exploring n heritage.” our Jewish and to Alanna Cooper led a workshop on the rituals of childbirth on the rituals led a workshop Cooper Alanna - - - Happy Feigelson Happy

n Sunday, March n 8, 75 Sunday, women from across the community gathered at the Jew ish Community Center to enjoy a day of exploring the connections among their event Thread Invisible The practices. religious and cultures, variousbackgrounds,

The event was in presented partnership with Studies the for at Center Judaic Frankel the

Keynote Keynote presenter Danielle Abrams, a performance artist and professor in the Uni Women Deborah Dash Moore Dash Deborah O Laura Berger, special to the WJN the to special Berger, Laura Jewish women connect at Federation’s Invisible Thread event Thread Invisible connect Federation’s women at Jewish versity versity of Michigan School of Art and Design, opened the day by sharing a performance created especially for this audience. She evoked several characters from her black-Jewish of exploring issues as a means for background racial identity. and Jewish a very popu offered Deborah Director Dash Moore Center Frankel of Michigan. University lar session re-examining the stereotype of the Jewish American Princess. Other highlights included a discussion of child-birth rituals across Jewish cultures; an emotionally engaging their strengthen efforts to related intermarriagethe in women’s and rate lookincrease the at was based on the model of Day ofthe Jewish Learning, Women’s which was an institution in the the Thosehad consider for in community to several present a years the chance 1990s. intangible ties and collective consciousness that connect Jewish women or despite, perhaps of diversity their experiences. to, due Rabbi led discussion on Psalms Kim Blumenthal

Participants in a performance piece by Danielle Abrams Danielle by in a performanceParticipants piece I IFederation

UJC’s National Young Leadership Cabinet welcomes Stacey Lee Jeffrey Lazor, special to the WJN he Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor has announced the acceptance of Stacey Lee, an Ann Ar- T borite and Federation board member, to the United Jewish Community’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. This is an intensive leadership development program for outstanding emerging volunteers throughout the North American Jewish community. The United Jewish Communities (UJC) National Young Leadership Cabinet is a community of 400 men and women at the highest levels of philanthropic commitment and personal performance, working and learning together as they master the skills needed to ensure a compelling Jewish future. Since its founding in 1963, this six-year program has educated and trained exceptional leaders who have gone on to assume important roles in the Jewish community. Cabinet members serve in a variety of civic and philanthropic lead- Stacey Lee ership positions, spearheading cutting-edge programs and initiatives. Cabinet alumni shape Jewish philanthropy in North America and worldwide. A Harvard alumna with a master’s and doctoral degree from Cambridge University, Lee brings a creative and forward-thinking energy to her passions, most of which center around helping the Jewish people. Lee, a Lion of Judah (which means a minimum women’s gift of $5,000 to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign), has already held numerous leadership positions in the Greater Ann Arbor Jewish community. She is a current board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and sat on the board of Jewish Family Services. She has served as chair and co-chair of the Jewish Federation’s Allocations Committee and was an active member of the Israel and Over- sees Committee. Lee also volunteers for the Ann Arbor Kosher Kitchen Fundraising Committee. As a Young Leadership Cabinet member, Lee will continue to develop her leadership skills through workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities at annual retreats, national conferences, and missions, and will be provided with access to leading scholars and thinkers from around the world. Lee remarked, “I’m thrilled to have been accepted into the YLC. I’m very excited to have the chance to get together with and learn from other people who share a commitment to Jewish philanthropy. And I’m glad to see Ann Arbor receive this recognition. I look forward to acquiring new skills that I can employ on behalf of our own efforts to help Jewish communities both locally and overseas.” The Greater Ann Arbor Jewish community is very fortunate to have Lee join four other repre- sentatives on the National Young Leadership Cabinet. They are Herb Aronow, Steve Berger, Mark Bernstein, and Ron Perry. n

Federation nominates new slate of officers and directors David Shtulman , special to the WJN As required by the bylaws, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor has announced that it has nominated a slate of officers and directors to be voted on at its annual meeting, Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County. The entire Jewish community is invited to attend. All Federation members (donors) are welcome to vote. The slate is as follows: Officers President: Susan Fisher Vicepresident/President-elect: Ed Goldman Treasurer: Lisa Molnar Secretary: Carey Sherman New Directors nominated: Bruce Friedman Carolyn Grawi Andrew Rudick Garry Turner Continuing Directors: Jim Adox Herb Aronow Laurie Barnett Steven Berger Mark Bernstein Gary Freed Steven Gerber Susan Gross David Herzig Stacey Lee Jennifer Lewis Barry Nemon Ron Perry Pamela Ramseyer Laurence Smith Concluding their terms Harriet Bakalar Malcolm Cohen Neal Elyakin Jonathan Trobe May 2009 May A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 6 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 7 Also, . www.jewishannarbor.org Dr. Karla Goldman Dr. Kashrut will be observed. University of Michigan Refreshments will be served Featuring Special Guest Speaker: Or Register online at www.jewishannarbor.org is available online at More information, including the slate of officers and directors, Sol Drachler Chair in Jewish Communal Service State of the Federation Stefanie Aronow Karen Shill Please RSVP to or Cindy 734-677-0100) Adams ([email protected] • Remarks by President, Susan Fisher • David Federation Shtulman Executive will Director, address the • Election of Officers and Directors • Presentation of Leadership the Award to Smokler Herb Young and • Presentation of the Steven Elyakin Jewish Education Award to & 7:00 PM 2009 Jewish Community Center Annual Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Wednesday, 2939 Birch Hollow Drive • Ann Arbor THE THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ANN ARBOR OF GREATER THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ISeniors/Women

SPICE* of Life *Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Educational Programs for Adults Merrill Poliner, special to the WJN Tuesdays 11 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 Noon: Homemade Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person 1 p.m.: Games and Activities. Join in for a variety of games, and activities, including mahjong, quilting, art projects, and card games. 1:30 p.m.: Yiddish Tish (Yiddish Conversa- tional Group). Open to the public as well as University of Michigan faculty, staff, and stu- Scene from Constantine‘s Sword dents, all ages and levels welcome. Beanster’s Café, ground floor, Michigan League. Free. 1 p.m. Jewish Film Festival Trip. Come to For more information call 936-2367. the Michigan Theater to see Constantine’s Sword, a film about the history of religious Thursdays tolerance. Tickets are $8. Transportation pro- 10 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- vided at no charge. Reservations required by quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 Friday, May 1. Call 971-0990. 11 a.m.: Current Events with Heather May 14 Dombey. A Jewish perspective on this week’s 12:30 p.m. A registered nurse from Care Re- news. Bring items of interest for group sponse will take and record blood pressures and discussion. address any questions. Free. (This event is re- Noon: Homemade Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 peated the second Thursday of each month.) per person 1 p.m. Dancing with the JCC Stars. Ballroom 1 p.m.: Thursday Special Events and Pre- Dancing performance/demonstration by in- sentations (see listing for details) structors from the Kenville Dance Studio. 2:15 p.m.: Literary Group facilitated by Sidney Warschausky, continues a discussion of Cousine Bette by Honoré de Balzac. Call Merrill Poliner, May 21 971-0990, for more information. 12:30 p.m. Allison Pollock, MSW, Jewish Family Services geriatric social worker, will be Fridays available for discussion, 1:30 p.m.: Yiddish Reading Group at the questions, and assistance. Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw 1 p.m. Caroline Helton, County, May 1, 8, 14, 22, and 29. Call Ray Juni University of Michigan for additional information, 761-2765 professor of music, will present a program of Thursday special events vocal music Caroline and presentations Helton May 7 May 28 12:30 p.m. Birthday celebration for all with 1 p.m. Heather O’Neal, intrepid local trav- May birthdays. Families and friends are invited eler and entrepreneur, will present her trek to to join in for lunch and birthday cake. Nepal. Annual ORT Spring Dinner at Quarter Bistro Joan Levitt, special to the WJN The Ann Arbor chapter of ORT America will ORT America provides cutting-edge educa- hold its Annual Spring Dinner on Monday, tion through a global network of schools and June 1, at 6 p.m. at the Quarter Bistro (300 training programs in 62 countries, and boasts South Maple Rd.) The three-course dinner, more than three million graduates to date. ORT offering a choice of three entrees, is $36 per gives its students the tools to obtain the high- person. tech skills that prepare them for the demands of The dinner gives ORT members and their local job markets, while developing good potential members the opportunity to dine citizens through an emphasis on basic human with friends and to learn more about ORT and Jewish values. ORT graduates fuel econo- America’s programs, which helps students mies and contribute significantly to the survival around the world to obtain high quality edu- and continuity of the Jewish people. cations. The chapter’s generous donors, who Rides to the dinner are available to those helped the chapter exceed its 2008 Financial who need them. For more information or to Assignment by $4,000, will be honored at RSVP, contact Joan Levitt at jflevitt@com- this dinner. cast.net by May 22.

734.483.9619

May 2009 May [email protected] A

by Dennis Platte Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 8 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 9 ------, , and m www.stone www.jewish m . . For information at TBE. The study m n . . For information on the m. and siddur, participation of Lager Lager for Lag B’Omer is a www.jollypumpkin.co , was made, and it was only dis a handful oftributed to states. Cultural Jewish the for fundraiser Greater is JCS The (JCS). Society Humanistic Secular Arbor’s Ann Jewish congregation, embracing a human-centered philosophy the celebration ofthat combines Jewish culture and identity with an adherence to humanistic values and ideas. Suggested dona tions for tickets to Lager for Lag m [email protected] Tikkun Tikkun Leil Shavuot JHOM’s May hike will take place on May will on May place hike take May JHOM’s “A question of Authority: How do we The class of 5769 will be confirmed on Beth Emeth Temple and Epis St. Clare’s For For further information, contact Jeff 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Natural Pre serve. JHOM hikes are designed to cultivate interaction, social nature, of love spirituality, and physical activities. They are suited for anybody who nature loves and likes to meet new people. Bring your backpacks, munch approximate last will Activity water. and ies, physically not is hike The hours. 2 to 1-1/2 ly demanding, and is very scenic. For further or 883-9522 at Avny Eli contact information, [email protected] email know the Torah is True?” Join Rabbi Levy for at 29, May the service. 7:30 The p.m. Friday, spent have class confirmation the in students the and year studying have with Rabbi Levy, written the service that they will lead. The in. join to is welcome community copal Church present an annual joint con This event at 7 p.m. 31, May cert Sunday, on the community. to and open is free will be a special youth of all ages. A unique Oneg Shabbat to honor the rabbi will follow the service. This is the last of the four events planned to celebrate Rabbi Levy’s 25th Anniversary at Beth Emeth. Temple The Jewish Hikers of Michigan The Jewish Hikers Leil Tikkun session will take place at 9 pm on Thursday, May 28, in the adult lounge (to the right of welcome. All are the sanctuary). Confirmationservice in concert Clare’s Beth Emeth and St. g culturalsociety.or breweries, visit their websites: brewing.co www.nogne-0.co on on the JCS of Ann Arbor visit B’Omer are $30 single, $50 per pair, and $150 and pair, per $50 single, $30 are B’Omer for a reserved table of eight. Tickets can be Pro 975.9872. at JCS the calling by obtained ceeds this from benefit willsupport Jew the ish Cultural Society’s youth Sunday School programming.and adult More at

------for IHN Alpha Tikkun Tikkun Olam xplore the award winning award the xplore beers of Stone Brewing of Escondido, Califor On Shabbat, May 17, there will be a single a be will there 17, May Shabbat, On Cantor Rose will continue to teach a Rabbi Levy will be the scholar-in-res The Brotherhood of Temple The Beth ofBrotherhood Emeth Temple TBE Mitzvah Day will honor Rabbi Levy As As a special bonus, Stone will be offer 6:30 p.m. service to honor Rabbi Levy. There There Levy. Rabbi honor to service p.m. 6:30 weekly weekly Haftarah Trop class Addition from 18. and noon–1 11, 4, May Monday, on p.m. will lead the 7:30 p.m. service on Friday, May 1, May Friday, on service p.m. 7:30 the lead will in the annual Brotherhood Shabbat. Follow will board sponsor temple the service, the ing ofthe oneg in honor the brotherhood. with a day of Study the bi-monthly ally, Sisterhood Torah led by Cantor Rose will meet on Mondays, 18. 4 and May idence at an Afternoon of Learning held May 9 from on Saturday, 3–6 p.m. He will address the “Day topic: of the Whirlwind: Understanding the BookThe af of Amos.” ternoon will combine lecture, discussion, and break-out groups, as well as time for refreshments and The conversation. com munity is welcome to attend this special af ternoon, which is part of the celebration of TBE. at anniversary twentyfifth Levy’s Rabbi Call the TBE office to register, 665-4744. this event. for is no charge There House. House. Projects from deep cleaning and will repair bicycle and work yard to painting TBE go is on pleased throughout to the day. as it was work one with Alpha ofHouse, the organizations. member founding Shabbat service Levy’s in Rabbi honor Torah Study and Haftarah Trop classes Study Haftarah and Trop Torah Afternoon of Learning Brotherhood ShabbatBrotherhood Mitzvah Day JCS to sample lager for Lag sample lager for B’Omer JCS to WJN the to special More, Jeff Temple Beth Emeth May programs May Beth Emeth Temple WJN the to special Simon, Ronnie E nia, nia, on Friday, May 8, 8 p.m., with the Jewish Cultural Society at the Jewish Community Cen ter of County. Washtenaw The will evening the for speaker guest be Aaron Tyrell, mid-west re gional brewery for representative Stone Brewing. willTyrell guide guests through beer styles from the Stone portfolio,Levitation Bastard, Arrogant Porter, including Smoked Ale, Ruination Ale, and Old The Guardian. tasting will be accompanied by foods and with made beer. sauces Stone ing samples of some of the last available Stone Holiday Collaboration Ale. This ale was crafted by Greg Koch of Stone Brew ery California), (Escondidio, Ron Jeffries of Kjetil and Michigan) (Dexter, Pumpkin Jolly Jikiun of Brewery Nøgne-Ø The (Norway). Holiday Ale is a full-bodied, spiced ale with 25 percent rye malt. Only one double batch

------www. (Rab Moadon in June 1967. (Jerusalem Day). Day). (Jerusalem midrashim midrashim m is a special program for Jerusale

g. Yom Yerushalayim Yerushalayim Yom Individuals and families who join Beth The Red Cross will be sponsoring a spe Kehillat Kehillat Shabbat This month’s Tot Shabbat (for children An An Israeli Shabbat Dinner will place take binic binic commentaries on the Bible, - includ ing stories, parables, or legends) about that Lunch and figure. Learn sessionsare held in the Garfunkel-Schteingart Activities Center, (2010 Ave.) Washtenaw from noon–1:15 p.m. Participants are asked to bring a dairy lunch. Dessert and drinks will be provided by the synagogue. The topics are: Moses, (May Jordan River the to River Nile the from 6); David, the Man, the Myth, the Legend the First Aaron, 13); High (May Priest (May and Rachel, Leah, Rebekkah, and 20); Sarah, the Mothers of the Jewish People (May 27). These sessions are led by Rabbi Robert Do Blumenthal. Kim brusin and Rabbi by by exploring the various bethisrael-aa.or Israel Israel in May can sign up for 14 months of including the 2009 - High Holi membership, days, for the 12-month membership fees. Special $300 first-year memberships are available to new members under the age of tickets. High Holiday and include 35, All Beth Israel Congregation programs are open to the general community. For further information call 665-9897 or visit (gathering place) will be offered for elemen for will(gathering place) beoffered through through age fiveand their families) will be held on Shabbat morning, May 9, at 11:15 first through fifth graders, which beginsat To p.m. 12:15 at ends and 9, May on a.m. 11 of Shabbat theme this willDramarahthe be program, as all participants act out scenes and 30 an 15, al 2, On May the from Torah. ternative Junior Congregation and beginning at 10:00 a.m. tary-aged children, at Beth Israel on May 22, at Friday, 7 p.m., marking Red Cross Blood Drive Red 14 Members in May New enjoy months of membership a.m. This is a free, kid-centeredservice with stories, learning songs, and participa tory activities. There will beShabbat no Tot at Beth Israel on May 23. On all Saturdays, child-care is provided by adult workers so participate in the service. may that parents Shabbat,Junior Kehillat Congregation elementary for ages school Tot Shabbat and Childcare Tot Israeli Shabbat Dinner cial Blood Drive at Beth Israel on Sunday, May 10, from 8 a.m–2 p.m. at BIC. Donors may register online at or www.givelife.org, that Sunday. on-site register The meal is by preceded a Shabbat Kabbalat service at 6 There p.m. is a charge, and par Call advance. in pay to required are ticipants the Beth Israel officefor more information.

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Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN the to special Sorkin, Elliot May activitiesCongregation Beth Israel May at tion’s Wednesday Lunch and Wednesday Learn tion’s series is “Biblical Each Leaders—A Midrashic Lens.” week a different leader or leaders from the examined willbe bible) Hebrew (the Tanakh a community and focus on the study of To rah. May 28, On at Thursday, 9:30 the p.m. congregation offers the Shavuot tradition of A variety of learning opportunities will be offered throughout the night. The tradition of the dieval period. The mystics would study To rah all night in preparation for the opening of the heavens at midnight. This late-night the relive to participants allows session study eager anticipation with which Israelites ap- Sinai. at Mount Torah receiving proached De a scheduled has Israel Beth p.m., 6 at 29, licious Dairy Delicacies Par Picnic Dinner. ticipants are asked to bring their own dairy picnic dinner and blanket to Beth Israel. The congregation will provide desserts and drinks. This rain-or-shine picnic celebrates It is cus community and the oflove Torah. tomary to eat dairy on While Shavuot. the known, fully not are tradition this oforigins it is suggested that the Israelites refrained from eating meat as part of their prepara Sinai. at Mount the Torah tion receiving for Following the picnic there will be a Minha (afternoon)service, OneganShabbat Torah and Study, the evening will be concluded Throughout by the welcoming the Shabbat. holiday there will be numerous opportuni ties for Highlights study. Torah include a sixth-gradeaShabbat program, Shavuot Tot program on Saturday morning, a Shabbat Mincha Seudah Shlishit and Study program sessions. study and lunch-time at 4:45 p.m., Zman Matan Torateinu giving of our Torah. Throughout Shavuot Beth Israel Congregation will host a variety of opportunities to celebrate the holiday as call 665-9897. flyer, the Shavuot ceive Lunch and Learn Series Shavuot (The of Weeks) Feast —celebrating the gift of Torah be at 9:30 p.m. The morning Shavuot Ser vices will be on May 28, and Friday, Satur May 30, day, at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. followed be willservice morning Friday The by a kiddush luncheon. On the firstday of Shavuot, the 10 commandments are read, and on the second day selections from the book of Ruth will be chanted during the avail is information More service. morning able online at I IFrom the Rabbis

Jerusalem, the city that stirs the soul Religious life and Zionism can coexist Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, special to the WJN Rabbi Robert Levy, special to the WJN s I near the end of my series of articles extremists and s Judaism fundamentally a journey of been ambivalent on different places in Israel and what by the increasing personal spiritual growth or the name about Zionism A they have come to mean to me over consumerism, I for an ethnic identity? What matters and vice versa. the years, I consider the Hebrew expression: which Israelis, more, one’s inner life, or the community Today there is a Aharon aharon haviv, the last one to be men- like all of us, are in which we live? Is piety self-absorption? blurring of this tioned is the dearest. I come to the end of the entitled to, but Is community-building soulless? These distinction with journey in the city of Jerusalem. which threatens are the ever-present questions of modern Israeli leaders I lived in Jerusalem during my third year the idyllic vision Jewish life. wearing kippot of rabbinical school. I could engage in a bit of of what Jerusalem Two possible (but unacceptable) answers: and prayers for revisionist history and claim that I fell in love should be. Both matter, or different people have differ- Israel included in with the city the moment I entered it for the But then my ent roles to play. These answers are unac- our religious life. first time. But that would be an exaggeration. frustration wanes Rabbi Robert Dobrusin ceptable because they are compromises that Nevertheless, Zi- Rabbi Robert Levy It took some time to fall in love. From my first and I realize how declare everyone right and avoid the heart onism is about a people empowered to seek moments in the holy city, I was fascinated by ev- blessed I am. Every time I walk the streets of of the question. Is being a Jew about our re- out its own destiny, and religion seeks the erything I saw; but it wasn’t until a few months Jerusalem I am humbled by the privilege that I lationship with God, and through that pri- path under God’s sovereignty. into my rabbinical-school year in Israel that I re- have to bask in her glory, something my ances- mary relationship we find ourselves in the How can we be both? The answer lies ally became enthralled. From that moment on, tors could only have dreamed of. I am remind- company of other Jews to whom we have in our complexity and the miracle of time. my love affair with this city has grown deeper ed of Isaiah’s words: “Rejoice with Jerusalem all responsibilities? Or is it about our commu- Who says that I must give one answer all the and more complex. of those who have mourned her.” I read this as nity, “our village,” which collectively has a time? Who says I must be the same person all There is no place on earth like Jerusalem. a commandment, equal in stature to the com- historic relationship with God (or at least a the time? I am a Zionist, even a Labor Zion- There is no place that stirs the soul of a Jew like mandments that form the basis of our faith: to historic relationship with Jewish theology)? ist, if such a category still exists. My hero is Jerusalem. There is no place where the history of recognize the treasure we have in this unique One must be more important. One must be Ber Borochov, a Marxist theoretician, whose our people and the history of the world seem so place. It is a treasure to be shared with all who at the heart of the matter. ideas about the class struggle inspired the close that you can sense them. There is no place find it holy: those who tell stories of King Da- Nothing forces this dilemma like the com- very secular and all-important second Aliya. where peace and harmony between people of all vid and Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, those who parison between Zionism (and our relation- Yet, when I pray, if I am fortunate, only different faiths seems so close and yet so far away. tell stories of Jesus and his disciples, and those ship to Israel) and organized religious life. thoughts of God fill my head and heart. When I take groups to Israel, in addition to who tell stories of Mohammed. Every so often Zionism advances the idea that the collective This is the true meaning of “Ask two Jews seeing the sights, I make sure that there is “free you feel that sense of harmony and sharing in a of Jews matters most and that our national and get three opinions.” Ask one Jew and lis- time” in Jerusalem. Of course, many people want brief but fleeting moment when the bells and identity, its development and advancement, ten over time for the response and a cornu- to shop for souvenirs or ritual objects, and that’s the chants and the shofar all blend together. But is the necessary task of modern Jewish life. copia of answers comes out. There is indeed understandable. But I beg people to take the to make that harmony last, and to bring Jeru- On the other side, organized religious life more than one focus to Jewish life. But only time to get to know this city, to walk its streets salem to a greater sense of glory, will take great among Jews, in all of its many manifesta- one can be at the center of our attention in and alleyways, to see its synagogues, churches efforts, both political and spiritual. tions, would need to proclaim God and our any moment. Luckily for us, we can be lib- and mosques, to sit still on a wall outside the Old Every time I take my morning walks I stop relationship to the Holy One of Blessing eral in our multiplications. This is a gift. n City and listen and watch and breathe the air, for and dream of the day when all Jews will realize as paramount. there is no place on earth that you will ever expe- this treasure… and all people who love Jerusa- This is why organized Jewish religious rience what you experience in Jerusalem. lem will be able to embrace her and find peace life, in all of its movements, at times, has I am an early riser here at home, even more and comfort within her gates. n so when I travel to Jerusalem. It isn’t jet lag so much as the desire to walk Jerusalem’s streets at dawn. And I have my favorite routes. One day I walk to the Old City, through the Armenian Striving for spiritual awareness Quarter, into the Jewish Quarter, and down to Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN the Kotel, the Western Wall. The sight of those he 49 days between Passover and arrow symbolizes the power of inwardness— ows the most holy heading to pray at dawn mixes with the sound Shavuot are called “Sefirah days”—the the power unleashed by the mystic soul of of endeavors, and of the call from the minaret, the church bells, T “Counting of the Omer.” It is a char- Torah. With a bow and arrow, the tension in the sparks of good- and the davening at the wall. One day I walk acter-refinement program from the Kabbalah. an arched bough of wood is exploited to propel ness that lie buried through Jerusalem’s Yemenite neighborhood to Just as we read of the 49 days between our an- a missile for great distances and slash through within the darkest the shuk, the market, called Mahaneh Yehuda. It cestors’ physical release from slavery in Egypt barriers. The inventor of this device first had to reaches of creation. is early and many stalls are not open as of yet, and the greatest spiritual event in history, the grasp the paradox that the deadly arrow must How are we to ap- but those that are offer fresh bread and beauti- receiving of the Torah, we can make a parallel to be pulled back toward one’s own heart, and that proach these chal- ful produce, olives and—my favorites—sweet our spiritual growth, in large part limited by the the more it is drawn toward oneself, the more lenges, so distant and juicy dates. One day I walk through Re- emotions, which also needs liberation. If we can distant it can reach. from our sensory release ourselves from the tyranny of our emo- The external body of Torah is our tool for reach and so elusive havia, past gardens and old homes, marveling at Rabbi Aharon Goldstein street names that tell the story of Jewish history, tions, we can achieve greater heights of spiritual meeting the obvious challenges of life. Do not of our mind’s com- ancient and modern, and testify to the miracle and character development. The “Counting of kill or steal, it instructs us, feed the hungry, hallow prehension? of the rebirth of the Jewish state. And one day I the Omer” provides Kabbalistic tools for us to your relationships with the sanctity of marriage, This is where the mystical dimension of walk through my favorite neighborhood of Je- help gain control of our limiting, restricting rest on Shabbat, eat only kosher foods—for thus Torah comes in. It guides us in a retreat to our rusalem: Yemin Moshe, with its beautiful wind- emotions, thus allowing our personal inner you will preserve the order that God instituted in own essence, to the very core of our soul. It il- mill, its small synagogues, and beautiful gardens Exodus from our Egypt. His world, and develop it in accordance with the luminates the selfless heart of the self, the spark overlooking the Old City walls. I finish my walk These 49 days, with one exception, have a purpose towards which He created it. of Godliness within us that is one with its Cre- at the Ashkenazi synagogue where I have dav- somber, serious tone. That day is known as Lag But not everything is as up front as the ex- ator and His creation. From there we unleash ened often during trips to Jerusalem. B’Omer. One of the ways in which we celebrate plicit dos and don’ts of the Torah. Beyond them the power to deal with the most distant and ob- The walks are my way of celebrating my love Lag B’Omer is by taking children out to parks lie the ambiguities of intent and motive, the scure adversary; with our newly refined spiritual of Jerusalem, a love that is challenged sometimes and fields to play with bows and arrows. The subtleties of love and awe, the interplay of ego awareness, we catapult our redeeming influence by the overbearing attitudes of some religious Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that the bow-and- and commitment, the taint of evil that shad- to the most forsaken corners of God’s world. n

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ally resonated with me,” are just just are with me,” resonated ally ow! I learned so much about“Thisand myself!” weekend re , , middot with meetings held every

Dr. Dr. Morinis, founding director of The Since the March workshop was so well Other Mussar courses or workshops will Jewish Education Jewish and “honoring” others “honoring” and on lashon hara doing an exercise Participants nizations, nizations, focused on the theme “Change World.” the Change Yourself, Mussar Institute (TMI), says that we on, work to each curriculum” “soul our own have and that by working with our soul traits (or the with deal to tools the acquire we ), middot ofmind, peace greater withof life challenges thus bringing about transformation. Details on the basics of along withMussar, source and material, texts for distance study, learn ing opportunities, can be found at TMI’s www.mussarinstitute.org. website: received local organizers have decided build on this momentum, and toare planning to create learning and practice opportuni ties in the near future. The firstcourse will sponsored through “Season be of I,” Mussar The 13-week program Institute. The Mussar will run from June 16–September 15 and cover six other from Tuesday 7–9 p.m. The course and directly to payable TMI, willcosts $100, be limited to 12 participants. For questions, or to sign up for the course, email course facilitator Roann Altman at roann@umich. edu by June 1. Details about exact payment, and location will email. be by sent dates, likely follow. receiveTo information about tele your with email an send offerings, these phone number to AnnArborMussarWeek n [email protected]. a couple of the comments heard following the March 20–22 weekend of Mussar study with Alan Dr. Morinis. The weekend, sponsored by a wide range of local Jewish orga W Roann Altman, special to the WJN the to special Altman, Roann Mussar Weekend a resounding success a resounding Mussar Weekend

Rena Seltzer and Keith Kurz Rena Seltzer and Keith I IYouth

Camp Raanana enrollment on the rise despite economy Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN espite the current economic downturn, registration numbers are on the rise for the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County’s summer day camp. The D JCC’s Camp Raanana, which serves children entering grades K–8, is preparing to welcome record numbers of campers this summer. Camp Raanana’s registration numbers are far ahead of this time last year, and the JCC projects that many sessions will fill up before the June 1 registration deadline. The Coun- selor in Training program for entering ninth and tenth graders has already filled up for the summer, and many sessions for younger campers are nearing capacity. One reason for Camp Raanana’s strong enrollment numbers, is the quality of the camp’s programs and staff. Camp Raanana enjoys an excellent reputation in the community and is known for its mature and dedicated college-age counselors, beautiful outdoor setting at Independence Lake County Park, and exciting weekly field trips and special activities. Last year’s camp season was extremely successful and featured the introduction of more Red Cross swim lessons for grades K–2, new weekly specialty options for grades 3–5, and revamped programming with unique field trips and mitzvah projects for grades 6–8. Based on the favorable response to last year’s camp program, Camp Raanana expected slightly higher registration numbers for this summer despite the tough economy. In fact, registration has far exceeded expectations. Camp Raanana appears to be insulated from the economic downturn since working parents still need to provide quality childcare for their children. Even families that are cutting discretionary spending see Jewish summer camp as a priority due to its importance for Jewish identity and bonding. Some families may also be sending their children to day camp rather than the more expensive overnight camps. Camp Raanana’s effort to keep prices low this year is another factor that has undoubtedly contributed to its high registration numbers. The camp did not increase any fees this summer, and actually lowered its prices for several programs. Camp Raanana lowered the price for its Pioneer Adventure Program for middle school students and decreased the fees for extended morning and afternoon care to help working parents. In addition, many families took advantage of the camp’s early bird discounts, saving up to $10 per week. Camp Raanana’s money back guarantee has also allowed many families to register for camp despite uncertainty regarding employment status or vacation plans. Families that register early for Camp Raanana can drop weeks and receive a refund any time before June 1 without incurring a cancellation fee. Families may also switch camp weeks at any time for no additional charge. This flexibility allows families to reserve their space in camp with the knowledge that they can easily reduce or modify their camp schedule. Many families are hurting in this economy, and Camp Raanana has seen an increase in scholarship requests. Camp Raanana has always made an effort to provide need-based scholarship assistance, but this year the JCC has expanded its efforts to secure donor support for camp scholarships. Any community members wishing to donate toward this important effort are encouraged to contact the JCC at 971-0990 or send a check made out to the JCC, labeled “camp scholarships.” Camp Raanana will accept camper registrations for its remaining spots through the June 1 registration deadline, but families are encouraged to register as soon as possible to reserve their space. Camp brochures and registration forms are available at the JCC and at www. CampRaanana.com. For further information, contact camp director Deborah Huerta at [email protected] or 971-0990. n Host families needed for Israeli counselors Each year two Israeli shlichim join the staff of Camp Raanana (the Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County’s summer day camp) to enrich the lives of campers and benefit the broader Ann Arbor Jewish community. Theshlichim are talented young Israe- lis who have finished their military service and chosen to spend their summers serving as counselors and Israeli specialists at camps across North America. Camp Raanana’s shlichim not only have a wonderful impact on the campers, but they also provide local host families with an unparalleled experience. Carol Lessure, whose family has hosted a shaliach for the past two summers, remarked that their shaliach quickly became part of the family and captivated her two young sons with stories of Israeli life. She said, “When we volunteered to host one of the shlichim for the first time, I wasn’t sure our location and modest accommodations would be sufficient. In fact, Camp Rannana assured us that all the shlichim need is a private place to sleep and some refrigerator space. What you receive in return is a life experience!” Two shlichim—one male and one female—will be sharing their talents and enthusi- asm with Camp Raanana this summer. Gilad Bonfil lives in a small town near Tel Aviv and is looking forward to serving as Camp Raanana’s sports and nature specialist this year. Erika Jasaityte, of Eilat, is also excited to be joining Camp Raanana as a head counselor for the entering third grade group this summer. May 2009 May Bonfil and Jasaityte, will be arriving in Ann Arbor around June 12 and staying for A approximately nine weeks. The JCC is seeking several host families who can host either shaliach for about three weeks. Host families are also needed to host several teenage members of the Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan for one night on Wednesday, July 1. Contact Deborah Huerta at [email protected] or 971-0990 as soon as possible if you would like more information or are interested in serving as a host family. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 12 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009

13 ------n Kids’ Kids’ Night Out events are open to JCC The cost for JCC members is $20 (ad The location of the museum holds particular holds museum the of location The PartySocialist National American the 1977, In About 20 holding neo-Nazis signs denying the our is Shoah the of lessons many the “Among “We must “We learn certain values and lessons. members and non-members in elementary school. Since the May event will be the last graduat- Out ofNight the school year, Kids’ ing pre-school students who will be enter welcome also are fall the in kindergarten ing attend. to ditional siblings: $18). The cost for non- members is $25 (additional siblings: $23). Registrations are due May by 7. Thursday, Registration forms are available at the JCC and For at more www.jccannarbor.org. in formation, contact Deborah Huerta at deb n 971-0990. or [email protected] meaning to those who have worked to build it. settled Jews European many II, War World After to was thought at one point Holocaust which in of Skokie, number capita per largest the have ofsurvivors outside Israel. which Skokie, through march a hold to attempted served as a catalyst for the creation of the Holo caust Memorial Foundation of Illinois by survi away area. Chicago living in the Metropolitan vors miles several counter-rally a staged Holocaust from the museum. The demonstration echoed of the streets speech on sounded hate other Chica mu The Hamas. with war recent Israel’s during go combating in which became aid recently seum, a beneficiary agency will Fund, United Jewish the of new “the allanti-Semitism in forms masked theof said. Nasatir guise of anti-Zionism,” understanding that words have meaning, and “Thismu said. Nasatir ignored,” be cannot hate seum is an institution ofhistory, images, words, and learning.” tolerance, education, values, the lessons of the past. Memory is a vital tool in in teach the tool next generation vital about a empathy and is Memory past. the of lessons the he said. genocide, preventing Whatever happens to one affects community, a When is allJew hit other in communities. the he said. its knees,” falls the whole to world face, ------Mad “The mu seum seum will serve as a beacon to the world where we will learn from the past and make sure that this or any other Ho l o c a u s t never hap - - , , which The Jewish Community Center Countyof is Washtenaw seeking a dynamic and experienced experienced individual for the position of Afterschool Program Coordinator for the 2009–2010 school The year. ideal candidate will have extensive experience working of knowledge solid with Jewish elementary programsplanning and for students, aged culture and traditions, and a passion for working with Applicants children. must be available on weekdays from 3–6 p.m. throughout the school as year, well as during early as start could training but fall, the in beginsposition This vacations. school most as this spring. For more information, contact Deborah Huerta at deborahhuerta@ 971-0990. or jccfed.org JCC seeks Afterschool Program Coordinator Afterschool seeks JCC Sammy: A Child Survivor Sammy: of the Holocaust. Boys’ Night Out Night Boys’ willfeature event Out Night Boys’ The The $45 million museum extends its ex Bill Clinton, in his keynote address, paid “Our differences make up one-tenth of one Speaking before Clinton, Wiesel empha and lots of fun animal-themed activities before the movie. agascar 2: Escape to Africa follows zoo ani mals Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo, stranded in Af rica. Participants will enjoy dinner pens in said the Harris, who future,” survived the Deblin and Czestochowa concentration camps—experiences he described in his mem oir, hibits beyond the realm of It history. uses the lessons of the Holocaust and modern genocide attempts Cambodia, and in Rwanda Darfur, to of and understanding others. empathy teach special attention to the genocide not in did Rwanda, administration his that acknowledging enough. soon in the conflict intervene percent ofpsy our geneticPolitically, makeup. without enough and chologically, noth that’s philosophically, short is “Life said. Clinton ing,” being shortened or scarred by violence related of of one-tenth percent to one our identities.” to effort the in museum the of impact the sized ------Illinois Center Holocaust Museum and Education - - - - For the Girls’ Night Out event, the JCC - Cen Community Jewish the month Each The mu The two partsThe two of connected the building are The museum also features a Room of Re A special children’s exhibit will explore lounges will be transformed into a beautymovie and parlor After set. prepar ter of Washtenaw County offers a Kids’ Night Night Kids’ a offers County Washtenaw of ter Out event featuring games, crafts, dinner, and a movie. This NightKids’ month’s Out will actually be two simultaneous events, a Girls’ Night Out in the JCC lounges and a Night Boys’ Out in the Jewish Community Center gym. The events will be held on Sat at the JCC. 6:30–10 p.m. 9 from May urday, stars the be to ing of the show and eating a dinner fit for a movie participants star, will watch the movie Bolt, fea turing the voice- acting of Miley Cyrus and John Travolta. The movie follows dog a ofstory the and show TV hit a on dog heroic a plays that thinks he actually has superpowers. Girls’ Night Out Kid's Night Out can do to fight the many forms of injustice and cruelty that per sist in our own time.” seum’s striking building guides visitors from the dark of hate- the to mongering side, dark the on begin Visitors empathy. of light where exhibits tell of the horrors of the Holo caust and other genocides, and then emerge on on emerge then and genocides, other and caust the light ofside the Stanley Tigerman-designed building for exhibits that“represent the rescue and renewal ofac- survivors of the Holocaust,” materials. museum to cording 20th early authentic an houses that “cleave” a by century German rail car. membrance as a memorial to those who per ished in the Holocaust as well as personal artifacts of survivors and more than 2,000 video testimonies Steven by survivors by from the Mid recorded were memories whose west, Shoah Foundation. Spielberg’s themes such as fairness and respect, diversity, and so “bystanding,” rather than “upstanding” space. in a safe cial responsibility ------. -

Feature The JCC will host a two-day American Red The class is open to students ages 11–17; Pritzker Pritzker was master of ceremonies at the President Israeli Obama, Barack President “The will museum serve as a lasting memo “The stories told here are not just Jewish sto Jewish just not are here told stories “The

deborahhuerta@g jccfed.or I Cross Babysitting Class on Tuesday, May 19, and Cross Babysitting Class on Tuesday, Thursday, May p.m. 4–7 from 21, will dinners Pizza be served both days. The class will teach child safety, first aid, baby care, and developmentally appropriate play. Upon comple tion, students card a receive will showing that they are certified Cross. American Red the by students must have turned 11 by the start of who Students certification. receive to class the but participate to welcome are old years 10 are will not receive certification. Thecost is $75 for JCC members and $90 for non-members. Registration and payment are due by Mon day, May 4. Registration forms are available at at available are forms Registration 4. May day, ad For www.jccannarbor.org. at and JCC the ditional information, please contact the JCC youth director Deborah Huerta at 971-0990 or Red Cross Babysitting Class Cross Babysitting Red

By Jane Charney Jane By Illinois Holocaust Museum emphasizes lessons for future Illinois Holocaust lessons for Museum emphasizes rial to all those who died in the Holocaust “But and said. Obama it,” through lived who those it will also help each of us understand what we ries, ries, or gay and lesbian stories, or Catholic sto about stories the are “They said. Pritzker ries,” mankind in all its dimensions.” public grand opening, which featured a key note address by former President Bill Clinton and speeches by Holocaust survivor and Nobel to German Ambassador Elie Wiesel, laureate Illinois KlausStates Gov Scharioth, the United ernor Pat Quinn, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Museum President and Holocaust sur vivor Samuel Harris, and Jewish United Fund/ Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Nasatir. Steven President ofSecretary U.S. State Hillary Shimon Peres, recorded Spielberg Steven director and Clinton, ofspecial in honor messages the event. SKOKIE, Ill. (JUFSKOKIE, News)—The opening of the Educationand Museum Holocaust Illinois new odys 10-year a of completion the marks Center sey. First imagined by local Holocaust survivors, survivors, Holocaust local by imagined First sey. the Skokie, Illinois, museum stands as a testa over life “of made survivors choices the to ment Capital Museum heartbreak,” of over loss; hope audi an told Pritzker CampaignChairmanJ.B. ence of 10,000 people at official the Museum’s Sunday. on opening

Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN the to special Huerta, Deborah JCC youth activities youth JCC IFeature

Man on a mission: Baruch Weiss and the search for justice Richard Greenberg WASHINGTON (WASHINGTON JEW- As a partner in the law firm of Arent Fox “If you think of the federal government’s ISH WEEK)—A federal prosecutor typically since 2006, Weiss has drawn on skills he devel- case as a rock,” said one observer who asked spends no more than half a dozen years with oped by immersing himself in the Talmud as not to be named, “Baruch destroyed it with the government before graduating to private well as by prosecuting wrongdoers for more the drip, drip, drip water torture of legal ex- practice, where the prospect of serious money than two decades. egesis.” beckons. During his tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Weiss is no stranger to textual gymnastics, Baruch Weiss did not follow that well- Office in New York, for example, he worked having grown up in a home steeped in rigorous worn career path, and those who know him to extradite Hamas leader Abu Marzouk from intellectual give-and-take and advanced Jewish are not surprised. the United States to Israel, but politics appar- scholarship, with an emphasis on the Talmud, Shortly after graduating cum laude from ently intervened. Israel decided not to take virtually a handbook for future lawyers. Harvard Law School in 1981—first aban- him because peace seemed likely. “We never went on vacation,” recalled doning Harvard Medical School when he “Israel made a mistake,” Weiss said, add- Weiss, the oldest of three boys. “For fun, we discovered he didn’t really want to be a doc- ing later, “It was a well-intentioned mistake to argued around the Shabbat table about al- tor—Weiss was hired by Rudolph Giuliani to further the peace process.” most anything.” fight crime under the auspices of the U.S. At- Terrorism figured prominently in another His mother, Tzipora Hager Halivni, who torney’s Office that has jurisdiction over New case he worked on at the U.S. Attorney’s Office— died last summer, was a Holocaust historian York City. the appeal of the convictions handed down in and Auschwitz survivor with a doctorate in He stayed for 18 years, then put in four the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Yiddish and Hebrew literature. more years with the feds in Washington be- Weiss went on to hold high-level legal posts His father, David Weiss Halivni, now 81 and fore joining a prestigious law firm in D.C. in Washington at the Department of Treasury, living in Israel, is a renowned Talmudic scholar,3 In remarks at his going-away party in New as assistant general counsel for enforcement, a so-called “boy genius,” who first earned rab- York in 2002, Weiss—who has since made and then at the Department of Homeland Se- binic ordination as a teenager in Europe before his name representing two Jewish clients in curity, where his positions included associate the Holocaust decimated his world. headline-grabbing criminal cases—presented general counsel. Beginning at age 8 or 9, Weiss regularly a personal manifesto of sorts. delved into the Talmud with his father, who It offered an insight into why he became pioneered an exacting approach to studying a prosecutor, why he stayed so long and per- Weiss grew up in a home steeped in rigorous intellectual give- the text Weiss said “taught me to not always haps why he is routinely described in terms accept the standard answer as the answer.” not always associated with up-and-coming and-take and advanced Jewish scholarship, with an emphasis Weiss received a master’s degree in Tal- Washington lawyers: idealistic, unassuming, mud from the Jewish Theological Seminary, loyal, a mensch. on the Talmud, virtually a handbook for future lawyers. and has conducted an informal Talmud class Weiss’ friend and neighbor, John Donvan, for years. a correspondent with ABC’s Nightline, has re- His two best-known clients at Arent Fox areas of responsibility at Homeland Security He said his study of Judaism’s signature re- ferred to him, without a hint of irony, as “the are Keith Weissman, a former senior analyst had included immigration enforcement. pository of mind-sharpening argumentation classiest man in Washington.” at the American Israel Public Affairs Commit- Weiss was retained specifically to press for and reasoning “certainly gave me a head start” Weiss told his colleagues at his 2002 sen- tee, and Sholom Rubashkin, former manager Rubaskhin’s release on bail pending the start in developing lawyerly thinking. doff that he remembered holding the hand of the now-defunct Agriprocessors kosher of his trial, a move that federal prosecutors Weiss’ wife, journalist Laura Blumenfeld— of his father, a Holocaust survivor, as they meat plant in Postville, Iowa. opposed on controversial—some said inflam- who has observed the Weiss clan in action—is walked to synagogue on Shabbat in Manhat- Weissman and co-defendant Steve Rosen, matory—grounds. also intimately familiar with the dogged pur- tan decades ago. also a former AIPAC staffer, who is being They argued during a November19 hear- suit of justice, having walked that path her- “When he would pass a policeman, he represented by local attorney Abbe Lowell, ing that Rubashkin should remain in custody self. (They live in the District with their three would almost involuntarily squeeze my hand,” are charged with violating the World War until the trial because he posed a heightened children, and attend Conservative Adas Israel Weiss, now 52, recalled in a recent interview. I-vintage Espionage Act for allegedly pass- flight risk. The prosecutors contended that Congregation, Orthodox Kesher Israel Con- “He was obviously very stressed, even though ing along classified information on Iran to Israel might present a convenient refuge for gregation and Chabad in the District.) he had taught us that the policeman is your unauthorized individuals, including Israeli Rubashkin because the nation grants auto- Blumenfeld’s father was shot in Jerusalem friend. I sensed from this that he could never Embassy officials. matic citizenship to all Jews through its Law of in 1986 by a terrorist, but he survived. She rid himself of the view that law enforcement “These guys really are innocent,” Weiss Return, and Rubashkin, of course, is Jewish. later resolved to confront the man who had and the uniform were vehicles for the worst insisted in an interview, elaborating that by “The Law of Return business really got tried to kill her father, and she wrote about her kind of evil ever visited on mankind.” exchanging information with members of into his kishkes,” Shemtov said of Weiss. quest in a 2002 book titled Revenge: A Story One reason Weiss became a prosecutor, it the foreign policy establishment, Weissman “I was stunned,” Weiss said. “So I guess if of Hope. eventually dawned on him, was to demon- and Rosen were breaking no law, but rather you’re Jewish, you get locked up with greater In her book Blumenfeld, a reporter with strate to his father that government could be were engaging in a routine and perfectly law- frequency than if you’re a non-Jew? For me the national staff of The Washington Post, re- a force for good, that in America, decent and ful Washington political ritual that has been that converted the Rubashkin matter from a counts Weiss’ nightmares of being captured dedicated public servants—Jews and non-Jews practiced “since time immemorial.” case into a cause.” by the Nazis, as well as his fantasies of retaliat- alike—proudly work to ensure that the rule of Some Jewish organizations have suggested Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles ruled in favor ing with bombs from above. law prevails, not the whim of demagogues. that the sensitive and emotional issue of dual of the prosecution. In an appeal brief filed on “Maybe it’s not so much what Baruch is “So I went to the U.S. Attorney’s Office loyalty has reared its head in the AIPAC pros- behalf of his client, Weiss said there is virtually chasing,” she said, “but what is chasing him— and I stayed,” he continued in his interview. ecution. Weiss isn’t sure, maintaining in an e- no evidence that a prosecutor had ever argued the injustice done to the generation before “I was surrounded by people who really did mail that “we just do not know what triggered that an American Jew might not show up in him, the generation of the Holocaust.” the right thing. They became friends, good the investigation [into the defendants’ activi- court because of the Law of Return. Whatever his motivation, Weiss’ “purpose friends. I felt a comfort level right away. And ties], and as much as we would like to know, By the government’s logic, the brief contin- in life is to undo injustice,” added Blumenfeld, I think that vindicated my view about what [we are] not sure we will ever find out.” ued, all Jews therefore can be viewed as posing who said “there is something almost super- this country is.” A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in a heightened flight risk “simply because they human” about her husband’s drive to do the The Bible famously commands, “Justice, the case declined comment. A spokesperson for are Jews.” Weiss concluded, “It is ironic that a right thing. justice you shall pursue,” which is often inter- AIPAC, which has not been charged with wrong- law designed to provide refuge to persecuted “He is the consummate law man,” she preted to mean that one must seek righteous doing, could not be reached for comment. Jews has now become the basis for detaining continued, determined to demonstrate that ends through righteous means. Rubashkin faces an array of federal charges Jews who might otherwise have been released the courtroom is superior to “the crack of “I think Baruch personifies that,” said No- filed last year in connection with the operation pending trial.” the whip.” n

May 2009 May bel laureate and author Elie Wiesel, who has of the ill-fated Agriprocessors plant, including In late January, Linda Reade, chief judge of

A known Weiss since he was a child. bank fraud, money laundering, and helping the U.S. District Court for the Northern District Richard Greenberg is the associate editor at the That biblical imperative continues to drive illegal immigrants procure fake documents. of Iowa, granted Rubashkin’s release on $500,000 Washington Jewish Week. Weiss, according to friends and colleagues, Rubashkin turned for help to Rabbi Levi bond, with other provisions attached, ruling that even though his venue for pursuing justice has Shemtov, director of the American Friends of although he might indeed flee, reasonable mea- changed and he now occupies much snazzier Chabad Lubavitch Washington office. Shemtov sures could mitigate that risk. A spokesperson office space than ever. then contacted Weiss, a longtime friend whose for the prosecution declined comment. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 14 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 15 - - - - - “Tourists who care about the Jewish history ofhistory Jewish the about care who “Tourists his to voice its added has Consulate Israeli The ain gravestones put to luck bad it’s “Theysaid Bar-Gal now runs the tour of Jewish Shang But But Shanghai’s population of 26 million is ago six to years agreed mayor The district 60 Bar-Gal’s Meanwhile, headstones rest in a “They are somewhere between the pickles Shanghai come to this park, so it’s a natural place Shanghai so it’s this to park, come serve would “It said. Bar-Gal memorial,” a such for cul Chinese and Jewish between bridge great a as tures while expressing the mutual hardship we II.” War ofWorld in the dark days shared pleas, but Bar-Gal has just received one response the authorities. from he said. the living,” park used by hai formerly who offered by has Noy, left China. Quite often, he says, former ghetto residents show residents ghetto former says, he often, Quite city the homes; their up on his Iflocate tour. they remember their wartime usually can he address old buildings. on the numbers has not changed growing rapidly, and the Hongkew neighbor hood, including the 1.25-square-mile Jewish redevelopment. for is slated ghetto, Canadian two stave by off construction for interest a sum ofinitial $700 mil despite but lion, benefactors, no buyers have come forward. Bar- Gal points out that $700 million would be used primarily to relocate the neighborhood’s 16,000 bewould more much needed main to residents; as a tourist destination. tain the area with Center. he shares the Jewish warehouse n he said. matzah,” and the Passover

------Funded in part by a grant from the Sino-Juda the from grant a by part in Funded Their inscriptions chronicle the history of shanghaijewishme site, Web set up a Bar-Gal of Twenty the headstones found by Bar-Gal the city. Some were being used as stepping stones. stones. stepping as used being were Some city. the to used walls, garden in embedded were Others build bridges or simply were thrown into rivers. Some village women used them as washboards, of years by scrubbing. away worn the letters ic Institute at Bar-Gal hiredStanford University, teams of workers to dig out the headstones from who villagers from many In rest. the strange to theythem places had come purchase to had he cases own them. to claimed the from 1874 headstone ofShanghai Jewry, a head 1958 the to Lazarus named sailor British stone of Charles Perceval Rakuzen, a British- born ophthalmologist whose sister still lives in England. about information and photos with morial.com, interviewsincluding the he headstones found, he with survivingconducted members. family are being held by the government in a Buddhist cemetery whileoth their Five fate is determined. ers were too heavy to dig out. The 60 in his pos been to session four moved have storage facilities over the years while Bar-Gal awaits government permission build to a memorialJewish in a small parkThe ghetto. former ofthe middle the in park already contains a granite marker commemorat which ing the Jews of Synagogue, the ghetto, and it Moshe is close Ohel to the restored recently history. Jewish ofhouses an exhibit the city’s - - - -

After 1905, Russian Jews fleeing pogroms and pogroms fleeing Jews Russian 1905, After butII War World Shanghaiin occupied Japan Disease and poverty were rampant, but the Bar-Gal discovered this history in November What began as a mystery tale soon turned The first headstone led Bar-Gal to dozens

Shanghai’s fortunesown. and their Shanghai’s in the 1930s,And in Shanghai. arrived revolution in the third wave, some 30,000 refugees from coun other citywhen the in arrived Europe Nazi tries were closing their doors to immigration Jewish refugees. allowed city,” “open an Shanghai, without visa passport. or in city’s the murder or deport still to orders Nazi refused refugees Jewish stateless 20,000 The Jews. the city confined inwere what became known as the but those ghetto, Hongkew with jobs outside Iraqi The working. continue to permitted were and along Russian Jewish communities, with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, aid. in frequent sent ofthe horrors the spared were ofShanghai Jews After Holocaust. the virtuallywar, all of them left for Hong Australia, North America, Kong, and Israel. 2001 during a Jewish tour of Shanghai led by fel low expatriate She Georgia told Noy. him that a tomb Jewish two selling was dealer antiques local of one from cemeteries. the abandoned stones into an all-consuming project. Bar-Gal and Noy of one head the purchased and visiteddealer the had been sold. already the other stones; more, which he hunted down in villages outside ------

The four cemeteries that once served this city’s city’s this served once that cemeteries four The Israeli photojournalist Dvir Bar-Gal is try The project has kept Bar-Gal in Shanghai for “In a few years, the area where I found these Shanghai, a major port that is now China’s World Jewry World SHANGHAI, SHANGHAI, China (JTA)—In Eastern Europe and the former Soviet philan Western Union, thropists and volunteers are restoring dozens of But in thereShanghai, historic Jewish cemeteries. restore. to none are small but prosperous Jewish community disap peared in the late 1960s during Cultural China’s The Revolution. sites were paved over to build a park, factory, hotel, and theirMuslim cemetery, history forgotten. mission his it ing made to change that. has While the cemeteries may be Bar-Gal 2001 since gone, of originalthe headstones many as track down to as possible. He has located 85 and hopes to use past. Jewish Shanghai’s in a memorialthem to more than and seven he years, is waiting for gov ernment permission to erect the memorial. The he says. is ticking, clock stones will“The Bar-Gal told be vil JTA. gone,” lages I redevelopedfirst andbeen arevisited have upscale residences.” now largest city, has had three waves of Jewish im migration. The first began in 1845, when David Sassoon, an Iraqi Jew living in India, moved his family business to Shanghai, which was China’s first cityto open West.toHe the was joinedby built they two other grew Baghdad Elly Jews, Kadoorie and Silas community the as and Hardoon,

By Sue Fishkoff Sue By Saving Shanghai’s Jewish past, headstone by headstone by headstone past, Jewish Saving Shanghai’s I I Washington D.C.

The scoop on Obama’s new faith-based office By Eric Fingerhut WASHINGTON (JTA)—Barack Obama said logue and cooperation. nents say it amounts daism, praised the “level of communication during the campaign that he wanted to keep He also emphasized to federally funded re- and effort at dialogue,” adding that the ad- George W. Bush’s faith-based office around that the administration ligious discrimination, ministration needs “these groups to be effec- but revamp it. Among the examples of the wanted a “policy-based while supporters say tive” and to “work through these groups.” changes—the new Office of Faith-based and partnership,” and that it is essential to main- Diament, Saperstein, and National Coun- Neighborhood Partnerships invited the press the office did not have taining the religious cil of Jewish Women President Nancy Rat- to its first briefing for religious and commu- a political or advocacy- character of the orga- zan, who also attended the session, all have nity leaders. based agenda. Much nization. been named to the office’s Advisory Council. A handful of religion reporters were able of Monday’s meeting When Obama estab- Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of the to sit in on the two-hour session last month consisted of Obama lished the faith-based Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building administration officials office in February, a group’s Washington director, Hadar Suss- for many of the members of the office’s new who work in areas such legal review was in put kind, also attended the briefing. 25-person Advisory Council, as well as other as education policy, ur- in place but no deci- Even the Rev. Barry Lynn from Ameri- religious and community activists and even ban affairs, and combat- sion was made on the cans United for the Separation of Church some church-state separation advocates. ing poverty outlining Joshua DuBois employment issue. and State, another meeting attendee, said Much more important than media access the president’s goals in DuBois also noted he was happy that DuBois had emphasized were the contrasts Joshua DuBois, execu- those areas and appealing for ideas from the that despite beliefs to the contrary by many strengthening the “legal and constitutional” tive director of the office, drew between the leaders on, among other things, the kinds of he had met during the presidential cam- footing of the office, and liked the inclusiv- new office and its function over the previous programs that work in their communities. paign, the faith-based office does not distrib- ity of the meeting, which included every- eight years. DuBois said strengthening the “legal and ute grant money. He did say the office could one from an evangelical Christian minister DuBois said the goal of the Bush admin- constitutional footing” and drawing “appro- provide “technical assistance” to groups who to church-state separationists such as Lynn istration’s faith-based office to “level the priate legal lines” for faith groups receiving were interested in applying for such grants and a representative from the American Civil playing field” for faith-based organizations government dollars also were a priority and from government agencies. Liberties Union. As for the idea of having re- when bidding for government grants was another way the office would differ from the Reaction from Jewish leaders attending ligious leaders sitting on an advisory council important, but that the new president’s goal Bush administration’s faith-based opera- the meeting was positive. in a secular democracy, Lynn said “red flags was to utilize the knowledge and expertise tions. He did not go into specifics on legal “It’s a very good start,” said Orthodox go up,” but “we’ll see” how it develops. of religious and community organizations issues but told the group he wanted to “work Union public policy director Nathan Dia- The gathering, sans media, continued to to achieve particular policy goals. Those pri- with you all on that process.” ment, noting that the administration had in- the next day and included an appearance orities include addressing domestic poverty The most contentious legal issue is wheth- vited a “broad and diverse group” and adding from Melody Barnes, the head of Obama’s and contributing to the economic recovery, er faith-based groups receiving federal funds that it would be interesting to see how the Domestic Policy Council. n promoting responsible fatherhood, reducing should be able to take religion into account office developed in the coming months. This was adapted from Capital J, JTA’s politics unintended pregnancies and the need for when hiring, which groups were allowed to Rabbi David Saperstein, the director of blog (blogs.jta.org/politics). abortion, and enhancing interreligious dia- do during the Bush administration. Oppo- the Religious Action Center of Reform Ju- Exceptional Talent Sarah Winter, Mitchell Elementary Teacher Sinit Lijam, First Grader, Class of 2020

Fine arts education in Ann Arbor Public Schools opens student minds through creativity and self-expression. The problem-solving activities inherent in art-making help develop cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills beginning at the elementary level. Each March, our young artists' efforts are celebrated as part of Youth Art Month when downtown storefronts become art galleries and local merchants host the annual Main Street Art Walk. Every April, student artwork is on display at the Ann Arbor Public Library downtown and each May, the University of Michigan Slusser Art Gallery showcases this young talent. May 2009 May A ANN ARBOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.a2schools.org Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 16 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 17 I Washington D.C.

Post-Katrina rebuilding efforts fueling Obama’s top two Jewish advisers hit the Jewish service movement Jewish conference circuit By Jacob Berkman By Eric Fingerhut NEW ORLEANS (JTA)—In mid-March, more came attached with a serious social message about WASHINGTON (JTA)—When President than 500 of the Jewish federation system’s young poverty and class disparity, not to mention com- Obama’s top two advisers spoke last month leaders descended upon the St. Bernard Parish in pelling human stories. to Jewish audiences, the venues they chose metropolitan New Orleans to help turn a school Take for example the UJC’s recent day of and the ground rules they set up played ex- that was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina into a service . There are very few service projects any- actly to type.

community sports center. where in the world that could handle more than David Axelrod, one of the brains behind yer On a damp and muddy day, the hundreds 500 volunteers at once—yet even three years af- the grass-roots campaign that brought Ba- of volunteers—in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s— ter Katrina, the demands of the rebuilding ef- rack Obama to the White House and a liberal stepped outside their white-collar world and toiled fort are still huge. proponent of the president’s pledge for a new in the rain. They dug ditches and sunk posts into At the same time that the UJC brought its 500 kind of politics, spoke to the Religious Action

the earth to build a beach volleyball center, used volunteers to New Orleans, Hillel had more than Center of Reform Judaism—a liberal group A by Su san P hoto power tools to build picnic tables and benches, and 200 Jewish college students in the area. with its own impressive grass-roots network David Axelrod hauled bricks to build planters around trees. Between December 2005 and the end of March that embraces talk of a cleaner, friendlier way nears the 100-day mark—from the “tremen- The day of service was something of a departure 2009, Hillel has sent some 2,900 volunteers to New of doing business in Washington. dous progress” made by passing the “econom- for the United Jewish Communities, the federation Orleans, according to Michelle Lackie, the director His appearance was open to the media, ic recovery” legislation, to the introduction of system’s umbrella group. It was the centerpiece of the Weinberg Tzedek Hillel Program, Hillel’s ser- and the genial senior adviser to the president initiatives on climate change and health-care of the UJC’s annual national young leadership vice learning arm. even made time afterward to take a few ques- reform, to restoring “science to its rightful conference—a three-day affair that usually takes Hillel’s alternative spring break program dis- tions from JTA. place in decision-making” with the relaxing of place at the Washington, D.C. Hilton and that UJC patches hundreds of Jewish college students around A few hours later Chief of Staff Rahm restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research. officials openly admit can sometime resembles a the world—mostly to the Gulf Coast and Latin Emanuel, the rugged political in-fighter who He said the positive reactions for the pres- three-day raucous frat America—on seven- to in private can be blunt when saying what’s ident over the weekend from the leaders of party broken up by a few 10-day service learning on his mind, came to the Anti-Defamation Cuba and Venezuela demonstrated that “an- sessions and lobbying A new nonprofit called Repair projects. Those projects League—an organization that’s not afraid to ti-Americanism isn’t cool anymore” because excursions. the World is prepared to invest contain at least 25 hours step on toes and speak bluntly if it believes Obama “hasn’t only engaged the leaders but A year ago, the UJC of volunteer hours and the Jewish people are threatened. Emanuel’s the people of the world.” thought about ramping millions of dollars in the Jewish another 10 hours of Jew- appearance was off the record and closed to Axelrod also spent time reiterating what up the party and tak- ish learning. the media. Obama said during the campaign and the ing the conference to service learning sector. Jewish groups such Their audiences and styles may have been early days of the administration about the the Las Vegas Strip for as Avodah now have a different, but they both generally stuck to a simi- Middle East—that he would be “engaged” 2009. Instead, officials changed course, reached full time presence in New Orleans. Nine Avodah lar script—touting the Obama administration’s and “deeply involved” in the region from the outside their traditional fundraising box, and fellows between the ages of 21 and 27 live in a accomplishments and upcoming agenda while beginning of his presidency. seized on what many organizations now see as the communal house on St. Charles Street, where also touching on their Jewish backgrounds. “We believe strongly in the two-state solu- most effective engagement tool: “Jewish service they make communal Jewish decisions together Emanuel offered a brief speech before tion,” he said to applause from the crowd. “We learning”—placing Jews in situations where they about how to practice Judaism—and all work spending most of his half-hour taking questions believe that it’s in our interest and Israel’s in- can perform volunteer service and advocacy, and with existing advocacy and volunteer organiza- from the 400 delegates at the ADL’s national terest, and the president will continue to push then learn about why service is a Jewish mandate. tions involved in poverty issues and the post- leadership conference, according to some who for that. “We want to see momentum moving “We figured we have done enough conferences Katrina rebuilding effort. were present. They said Emanuel did not pro- forward, not backward. We want to be a posi- where it is just young people getting together and “The Jewish community spends a lot of energy vide many details about the Israel-Palestinian tive force.” hearing speeches and having fun,” Hugh Bassewitz, thinking about how to reach out to people who are issue other than reiterating the administration’s In a short interview after his appearance the UJC’s national young leadership co-chair, told just out of college,” said Joshua Lichtman, the orga- commitment to a two-state solution. at the Reform event, Axelrod told JTA that JTA. “We wanted to add a third component to get nization’s program director for New Orleans. “This Two conference-goers said Emanuel a meeting between Obama and new Israeli people out to get their hands dirty and to do some- is the most effective way of building community stressed how important Israel and Jewish val- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will thing that mattered to change the world.” for young people—to have them live together and ues were to his life, noting his family in the happen in the very near future” and that “of That decision—by the largest Jewish charita- create their own Jewish life.” Jewish state ,and how his children attend Jew- course” Obama wants to meet with the new ble network in North America—is evidence of a But the new growth and new investment in the ish day school. (He also told a joke: “What’s Israeli leader. Jewish service movement in full boom. It started field does come with a warning label, according to the difference between a pit bull and a Jewish As for the controversial views of Israel’s in earnest a decade or so ago, with the rise of Messinger: More is not necessarily better. mother? The pit bull lets go.”) new foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, then-small organizations like the American Jew- “I made it clear we are proud of what we do, and Emanuel also discussed the success of the Axelrod said that “obviously we have a differ- ish World Service, Avodah: The Jewish Service we would love to see more get people get involved, president’s recent trip to Turkey, as well as the ent view” on the Palestinian issue and “I think Corps, and Jewish Funds for Justice that helped but there is a quality of the service programs that administration’s efforts at engagement with that’s clear and will continue to be clear.” a handful of young Jews find an alternative Jew- have been most visible so far, such as AJWS, Avo- the Muslim world. He said Obama would “These are challenging issues,” he said, and ish model. Over the past decade the number of dah, and Jewish Funds for Justice, and I don’t want continue to communicate with the Muslim “it’s best if everyone take a deep breath and Jews between the ages of 18 and 24 taking part in to see that lost,” she said. “We are constantly evalu- world through overseas trips and diplomacy reflect and think about the path forward.” such projects has grown to more than 3,000 an- ating and reevaluating our program and improv- so that America is seen differently—as a na- Axelrod noted that as the son of an im- nually. Recently, several foundations—led by the ing out curriculum in order not to lose that quality. tion willing to use the power of engagement to migrant, he often thinks about his father and Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Founda- If you lose the quality, you will lose the impact.” improve its reputation throughout the world. how having a “son who works 20 feet from tion, the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust, the For UJC, the recent experiment with sending “We strengthen America when America’s the Oval Office for the first African-American Jim Joseph Foundation, and the Nathan Cum- young leaders to New Orleans was a success. image is stronger around the world,” Emanuel president” is a affirmation of his dad’s fatith. mings Foundation—have banded together to Miami resident Steven Scheck, one of the said, according to an ADL news release. “Our He said he came to the Reform group as an start a new nonprofit called Repair the World, event’s co-chairs, who has been involved in fed- image in the world is different today because “ally and friend” and appealed for their help. that is prepared to invest millions of dollars in eration young leadership for 10 years, said that of the leadership of the president.” Axelrod asked the crowd members to “express the Jewish service learning sector. registration was open for only five weeks before In response to a question about how the yourselves when you feel that we’re losing our The UJC’s recent trip not only reflects the the New Orleans gatherings sold out —which administration would handle immigration way but to understand that we’re generally growing popularity of Jewish-themed service, but was a surprise to organizers given the economic reform, attendees said Emanuel stressed headed in the right direction,” adding that “to also the degree to which which the rebuilding ef- situation. Scheck said that the gathering, which the importance of making sure the solution the extent that you can rally support for us fort in New Orleans has served as an engine for this was not as party-oriented as in years past, at- is “comprehensive.” They also said he was that would be greatly appreciated.” May 2009 May growing movement. tracted a much larger percentage of first-time forthright in saying there were certain ques- After the speech, he noted to JTA that

A “It had a galvanizing impact, just at the point participants. Scheck attributed the boost to the tions about complex issues that he could not many in the room were likely not only sup- when service was becoming visible,” said Ruth new social service component. or would not answer, such as a query about porters but activists for Obama during the Messinger, the president of American Jewish World “Just to see all of these people doing all these dealing with Iran. campaign and share a “great sense of invest- Service, a leader in the Jewish service movement. things, even though this is not our specialty, Earlier in the day, Axelrod offered the 450 ment in the kind of change that” Obama has Hurricane Katrina opened up thousands of we are getting our hands dirty,” Scheck said. “I delegates at the Reform movement’s Consul- vowed to bring to America. readily available and relatively inexpensive vol- think that this may sign of things to come.”n tation on Conscience a wide-ranging review “We feel a great kinship” with the Jewish unteer opportunities—and it was a situation that of the administration’s accomplishments as it Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw community, he said. n 18 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 19 ------n Ronan Ronan Hillel, a 37-year-old father of six But Hillel, the son of Israelis, is optimistic. beginning,” the in can we anything do “We’ll “Israel has been on their agenda,” said Dan “Israel has been on their agenda,” That’s what Salomy did after two “scouting” “scouting” did whattwo after Salomy That’s over that organization the B’Nefesh, Nefesh ny ny Oberman, viceexecutive president of Israel operations for the “Theygroup. are looking summer towards camps and paying for next education year’s for their kids, ‘OK, thesaying, I bonuses got two ago years are not going to landscape.” a new it’s happen; aliyah his up moved has N.Y., Island, Long from re Until because of plans June to the economy. cently he was a mortgage working in banker, a field that has dried up inUnited the States and in Israel. exist doesn’t planning He’s to switch careers in Israel to the food industry. us.” takes life see where we’ll “and he said, nomic crisis.nomic sees North American aliyah, attributes the 100 percent jump in the number of inquiries to their call center in recent months to the eco ployment. ployment. Otherwise, the recruiters warn, the job seekers are not taken as seriously by employers. prospective trips to Israel, where he had dozens of inter views and meetings. Soon after returning last he found a summer, job as a director of corpo a ofmanufacturer for Modu, rate development light phones. mobile ------“Then the markets started falling apart and A lawyer by training, Salomy had to take “The was not deterioratingas badeconomy chil Salomy’s factors: “pull” also were There but life, a for better not was decision “The When it comes to findingwork, recruit technology start-up Americawhile — in an in teractive touch-screen system for the backseats finding Despite City. York in New cabs of taxi initial success, it became clear the company would have to raise tens of millions of addi competitive. stay to tional dollars commitments crumbled, and with the pinch it the and up tightening were people clear became company was not going to be able to support he said. longer,” any family me and my temporary consulting jobs to stay afloat.His and his thoughtswife’s soon focused on their Israel. to return plan to deferred then as it but is it now, was still pretty bad and it pushed us he to make a pivotal life decision,” move, to want we if that ourselves told “We said. now.” should move we to them wanted he and older, getting were dren grow up in Israel — a sentiment many return echo. ing Israelis said bigger,” got kids the as back come to wanting summerlast Israel to returned who Efroni, Ruti even had “They Washington. in years five after we and other, each to Hebrew speaking stopped our families.” to back come to wanted ers suggest that those who intend to return should move back first and then seekem - - - - Among those Among returning highlyare educated “I hope because of the campaign tens of the ministry its campaign, launching Before Among the major stumbling blocks the While Israel has been affected by the eco a had 41, founded transportation Salomy, 4,500, according to the ministry. In the past six six past the In ministry. the to according 4,500, months, as the global economic situation has deteriorated, interest in moving to Israel has officialsskyrocketed, say — notjust amongIs- too. immigrants, potential raelis but abroad aca and work valuable gained have who Israelis abroad. experience demic of will findwayback theirthousands Israelis Erez Halfon, to director general Israel,” of the “I think Absorption im told Ministry, it’s JTA. to needs government the and them, to portant will we years 10 in sure I’m because it encourage see their importance, how the economy and security situation will be improved because of return.” their researched some of the main reasons Israelis return. to hesitate abroad ministry removed were penalties for failing to (akin payments Insurance to National pay States) United the in payments Security Social extra provides also ministry The abroad. while education Hebrew for the children of return provides and loans business offers Israelis, ing a tax exemption for two years on all income earned abroad. nomic crisis, it has felt the blow less severely States. than the United - - -

Last year, Last the year, number of returning Israelis Then the economic crisis hit, giving them an an them giving hit, crisis economic the Then Day Independence first his celebrating Now “The most surprising aspect of the series of

The Salomy family is among a growing As as many 1 ac million Israelis overseas, live Israel

By Dina Kraft Dina By Economic crisis prompting Israeli expats to return home return to expats prompting Israeli crisis Economic cording cording to varying estimates, but the Israeli gov little effortofficial exerted the years ernment over when recently changed That back. them woo to campaign new a adopted Ministry Absorption the to offer returning Israelis tax and other financial finding jobs. as well as assistance incentives, rose to 11,000 from a recent annual average of TEL AVIV (JTA) — TEL When AVIV Oded Salomy and his family first leftIsrael for theUnited States, quickly it and they planned to move back good, after a few was years of life But building. career home. the return delay became easy to Israel. to back go to extra nudge rela- the at marvels Salomy years, five in Israel in tive ease of the hetransition from suburban New here,” great feel “I Aviv. both Tel suburban move to Jersey right the was it feel definitely “I said. and as a family. me as person for Day Memorial Day, reaction Remembrance Holocaust children’s my is Day Independence and Hitler, and Herzl about talking them hear I it. to learning about it at school and hear their con

versations about it as 4- and 7-year-olds.” versations number of Israeli families living abroad who, motivated by new economic realities and ties to friends family, and are country, making the journey home. back I I Israel

Before meeting, Obama and Netanyahu negotiate Middle East policy By Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA)—It’s like any courtship: “It was a very complicated process for” the , in the Middle East which would include settle- Indyk, now head of the Saban Center think Before Barack Obama and Benjamin Netan- Israeli government “to put a coalition together, ment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a tank, during a session at the Anti-Defamation yahu get to the big dance, they’ve got to learn they are going to have to formulate and solidify two-state solution involving a Palestinian state League’s national leadership conference in the steps. position,” the president said before adding im- living side by side alongside the Jewish state of Washington. On the other hand, he added, Is- Delicate negotiations over Middle East poli- mediately, “We can’t talk forever.” Israel in peace and hopefully stability and pros- rael was not freezing settlements, as it had com- cy between the two young administrations have He said wants to see concrete measures from perity.” mitted in the “road map” peace plan outlined by delayed a first meeting between the two men as Israel and the Palestinians over “the next several That was followed by Netanyahu’s partial re- President George W. Bush in 2002–03. leaders—but not for long. months.” traction, issued as a “clarification” on Sunday. “The U.S. and Israel are on some sort of col- Instead of meeting in the second week of “What we want to do is step back from the “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is lision course,” Indyk said. May, as had been rumored, the U.S. president abyss,” Obama said. “As hard it is, as difficult as insistent in his approach that recognition of Is- Elliott Abrams, a deputy national security and the Israeli prime minister are likely to get it may be, the prospect of peace still exists.” rael as the national state of the Jewish People is adviser in the previous administration, told the together by the end of that month, according First, though, terms must be set, and the a matter of substance and principle that enjoys ADL audience that the critical element in the to the officials at U.S. Jewish organizations who sides are now working through a “two-state so- wide recognition in the country and around failure to advance the peace process was an un- routinely bridge the two governments. lution” two-step: The United States insists the the world, without which it will not be possible ready Palestinian leadership. An earlier May meeting had been bruited as prospect of Palestinian statehood is paramount; to advance the diplomatic process and reach a “We do not have a Palestinian leadership a possibility because Netanyahu had hoped to the Netanyahu government would prefer not to peace settlement,” his office said in a statement. that can or will” agree to a deal, Abrams said. attend the American Israel Public Affairs Com- address the issue for now. “However, the prime minister has never set this He advised the Palestinians to emulate pr- mittee annual policy conference, which begins That was reflected less in direct exchanges as a pre-condition for the opening of negotia- estate Zionists and to build institutions until May 3. and more in the passive aggressive drama that tions and dialogue with the Palestinians.” they were ready for statehood. Officials emphasized that it’s not just dis- unfolded last week between Netanyahu and That appears to be one step closer to a for- There are fewer differences when it comes to agreements on how to frame policy creating the George Mitchell, Obama’s top Middle East mula that would allow Israel to participate in Iran, where close U.S.-Israel consultations con- delay. Both leaders are preoccupied with other peace envoy. Palestinian statehood negotiations without ac- tinue on coordinating a unified policy. fraught matters: Obama with the economy and The first step in the dance came when an tually saying so. Despite the slowdown in top-level U.S.-Isra- Netanyahu with an unwieldy coalition that al- unnamed Netanyahu official broke the govern- Axelrod told JTA that the issue would be el political contacts necessitated by Netanyahu’s ready is showing strain. ment’s silence last week on the issue of Palestin- addressed when Obama and Netanyahu meet, efforts to pull together his government, top Obama’s top political adviser told JTA that a ian statehood, telling Israeli media that the new and that the leaders “will have a full discussion career officials have continued meeting on the meeting was likely soon. government requires explicit Palestinian recog- about that.” matter. In recent weeks, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashke- “I think there will be a meeting,” David nition of Israel’s status as a Jewish state. The leak Earlier, describing the two-state solution, he nazi, the Israeli military chief of staff, and Meir Axelrod said after addressing the Reform move- came just as Mitchell was in the region meeting had told the Reform audience, “We want to see Dagan, the Mossad chief, have been in Wash- ment’s Religious Action Center Consultation on with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. momentum moving forward, not backward” ington for meetings led by Dennis Ross dealing Conscience here Monday. “That’s in the works, On the Friday afternoon of April 17—eve- on Palestinian statehood. specifically with the Obama administration’s they had a good conversation” when they spoke ning in Israel and the Sabbath—the State De- The statehood question is not the only issue review of how to keep Iran from developing a on the phone after Netanyahu assumed office partment posted online without comment that needs working out. nuclear weapon. earlier this month. “Of course he wants to meet two videos of Mitchell’s tour, both consisting Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Past statements by Ross, the Obama admin- with him. I think that will happen in the very almost entirely of the envoy’s reaffirmation of Israel who is close to Secretary of State Hillary istration’s top Iran policy official, suggest that near future.” two states. Rodham Clinton, said that Israel’s settlement the sanctions component of such a policy will be In remarks after meeting Tuesday with Jorda- “Policy of the United States under President expansion meant that it was lagging behind the far reaching and will be coupled with Obama’s nian King Abdullah II, Obama also said he would Obama is clear,” Mitchell said in one of the clips, Palestinian Authority in meeting peace process diplomatic outreach to the Islamic Republic. meet with Netanyahu, although he did not say flanked by U.S. and Israeli flags. “Beyond any goals. Obama said Tuesday that he is still com- when. He expressed sympathy for the Israeli doubt it is in the United States’ national interest “The Palestinians have fulfilled their committed to outreach, despite further inflamma- prime minister’s coalition-building difficulties. that there be a comprehensive peace settlement mitments” to begin maintaining security, said tory rhetoric from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a U.N. conference in Geneva, where he described Israel as “racist.” Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric was “appalling” and What will our grandchildren say? “harmful,” Obama said, but added that his out- By Richard Pearlstone reach to Iran was on track. “We’re under no illusions,” the U.S. leader NEW YORK (JTA)—In January, the Jewish Nor would he have imagined that along- Finally, if they believed Israel were to said. “Iran is a very complicated country with Agency renovated some 300 bomb shelters side this boom, a growing socioeconomic reach its seventh decade, my grandfather’s a lot of different power centers. The Supreme in the south of Israel. With the increased divide and an unprecedented number of generation would have assumed there would Leader Khameini is the person who exercises range of rockets from Gaza hitting Ashdod children were living in poverty. be quiet, if not peace, and that Israel would the most control over the policies of the Islamic and Beersheva—the first time these cities It also would have been hard to think of not at once be facing homemade Kassam Republic.” came under rocket attack since the 1948 the Jewish Agency partnering with Cisco to rockets from Gaza and a nuclear threat from Obama said he would “continue to pursue War of Independence—it was time for some offer a three-year course giving high school Iran. I don’t think they would have envi- the possibility of improved relations and a reso- renovation. students in underprivileged areas a comput- sioned us renovating bomb shelters in 2009. lution of some of the issues,” citing specifically Visiting these refurbished bomb shelters er technician’s certificate, so they can make But the really interesting question is, what nuclear issues. or watching kids as they practice taking cov- their way into technical units in the army. will Israel look like 60 years from now, when “Tough, direct diplomacy has to be pursued er in them gives one a sense of deja vu. Today Today, instead of kibbutzim and develop- our grandchildren are where we are today? without taking a whole host of other options off the Jewish Agency is able to provide color TV ment towns built by the Jewish Agency dur- That’s the unwritten part of the story; that’s the table,” he said. and air conditioners in the shelters, an im- ing our grandparents’ heyday in the 1950s the part we are writing today. Netanyahu says he welcomes outreach, as provement over a transistor radio and a fan. and ‘60s, we are founding young commu- It’s easy to lose sight of this amidst our long as it is backed by tough economic mea- But a bomb shelter is still a bomb shelter and nities built by college students in socioeco- daily lives, personal and communal turbu- sures, among the “other options” alluded to a rocket still a rocket. nomically challenged areas of Israel. When lence, especially during these times of eco- by Obama. Which makes me wonder: As Israel cel- they aren’t studying, members of these nomic challenge. But if we keep on course, In one of his last speeches on Monday as Is- ebrates its 61st year of independence, what young communities are mentoring at-risk especially when it is difficult, come Israel’s rael’s ambassador, Sallai Meridor told the ADL would my grandfather, Joseph Meyerhoff, youth, volunteering at the local council and 120th Independence Day our grandchildren conference that talk alone would not stop Iran’s think if he saw Israel now? participating in projects to improve the area. will look back with pride on what we did enrichment of uranium. As he sat huddled with David Ben- These students call themselves the Zionist just as we look back on the generation that “They would like to talk and spin at the Gurion in 1950 contemplating how to get pioneers of the 21st century. founded the state. n same time,” he said, “or as somebody told me May 2009 May urgently needed capital into Israel – he sub- Would our grandparents have imagined Richard Pearlstone is chairman of the board of yesterday, they would like to at the same time A sequently started Israel Bonds—my grand- that Jews would continue to find a haven in governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel. both spin the talks and the centrifuges.” n father wouldn’t have imagined driving today Israel in 2009 from countries as diverse as north of Tel Aviv to Israel’s high-tech hub Germany, Georgia, and Yemen? Would they or inside Intel’s micro-processing factory in have imagined the busloads and planeloads Kiryat Gat. He wouldn’t have imagined Israel of Jewish youth from all over the world com- boasting of 4,000 high-tech companies and ing to Israel on Birthright or to study for a

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw more than 100 venture-capital funds. year on a Masa program? 20 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 21 ------Nasrallah, although funded and armed by and armed funded although Nasrallah, That may be one of the reasons the Egyp Whatever the Whatever case, the very fact that a Hez rant for his arrest. The government-controlled media have been scathing in their criticism of Nasrallah, calling “the him monkey andsheik” clock.” in the Iranian cuckoo “the Iran, says he is a Lebanese patriot, not an Ira nian agent. For its part, Iran claims the whole an in Israel and Egypt by up cooked was affair Leb the in chances Hezbollah’s hurt to attempt anese national election in June. tians have given the affair so much public play. But Egypt also is determined to remind Presi in predilection his to forget, not Obama dent for dialogue with Iran, that the Islamic Repub lic continues to threaten regional stability and pro-American governments. In other words, Obama should not forget his friends and allies n as he tries appease his foes. to claims claims out of They hand. recall duringhow the Egyptianthe peo on called Nasrallah war Gaza ple to rise gov the up Mubarak and overthrow ernment. That call, they was say, the signal for ring into to spring Hezbollah the clandestine action—except by then many of the operatives had been arrested. already Egyptian of bollah ring was secretly violation active on Egyptian soil grave a constitutes itself in are Parliament ofEgypt’s Members sovereignty. triedbe absentia in to Nasrallah for calling now war a out put to Interpol for guilty, found if and, - - - - vis-a-vis The Hezbollah spy ring revelation underlines revelation ring spy Hezbollah The So far, So the far, Egyptians say they have arrested Even Nasrallah does not deny the basic “If helping the Palestinians is a crime, I - of dismiss Nasrallah’s The Egyptians, however, the common regional interests shared by Israel and Egypt. The result on the ground could be closer security and intelligence coordination in the ongoing struggle against Iran and its prox ies. If this includes a strong Egyptian strong over efforta includes Ifthis ies. time to stop arms smuggling through the bor der tunnels it into Gaza, would be a major leap forward in Israel’s overall game plan regime long-term a establish to Gaza: in Hamas of deterrence. based and quiet on peace 49 members of the Hezbollah network and confiscated millionsof dollars and ordnance ac terrorist for earmarked or Gaza for destined tivities in Egypt. The leader of the ring, a Leba nese citizen and Hezbollah operative named Sami Shihab, reportedly was trained for the operation in Iran. Egyptian allegations. He has admitted that Shihab “brother” was a member of Hezbollah and that the organization had been operating a ring on Egyptian But he denies it soil. intended in any way to undermine the Egyptian regime. ringthe 10 claims he had only contrary, the On members and that its sole goal was to help the in Gaza. Palestinians on 10 April declared he crime,” my admit ficially television station. al-Manar official Hezbollah’s - - - The Hezbollah operatives in Egypt bought bought Egypt in operatives Hezbollah The One of the Hezbollah cells apparently was plans by The say they Egyptians thwarted disbanded when the Egyptians discreetly let theEgyptianslet the whendiscreetly disbanded tak was what of aware were they know Iranians ing place. shops and apartments in key areas as cover for their on activities: the border with Sudan to discon foment to cities major in arms, in bring monitor to Canal ofSuez banks the the on tent, shipping, and in El Arish and Rafah to be close at- launch to and tunnels smuggling Gaza the to tourists Israeli in Sinai. on tacks meant to help bring Iranian weapons into Gaza from Sudan. Its operatives were to activate and oversee the Egyptian leg of an ambitious arms supply route from Iran to Sudan by sea or air, overland into Egypt, and then across Sinai and through the Some tunnels ofinto Gaza. the plans were foiled earlier this year when planes, report on convoys arms two least at destroyed Israeli, edly Egypt to desert. way their the Sudanese through attack mega-terrorist a out carry to cell another the to similar Sinai the in tourists Israeli against Hilton the of bombings car 2004 simultaneous and Taba two other nearby resorts in which more than 30 Israelis were killed. The foiled attack apparently was planned as a large-scale retaliation for the assassination in Damascus last ofyear terrorist Hezbollah operations chief for which the Lebanese-based Imad Mughiyeh, militia blamed Israel. ------

The developments have far-reaching im chief Cairo’s prosecutor is considering in to According the Egyptian media, the Hezbol A fourth group in Iran ostensibly was be

By Leslie Susser Leslie By JERUSALEM (JTA)—The discovery of a Hez Hezbollah plot in Egypt highlights shared interests with Israel with shared interests in Egypt highlights plot Hezbollah Hosni bollah President terrorist network in Egypt and assassinate reports to plot Iranian an of be relations strained already left have Mubarak Egypttween in tatters. and Iran plications for the region and for Israel’s con flict withHamas in Gaza.They highlight the divide between moderates the inpro-Western the Middle led East, by Egypt, and the Iranian- led radicals. The revelations have exposed the go to prepared radicals the which are to lengths to led and hegemony regional for struggle the in a severe deterioration in Egypt’s relations with main Iran’s the proxies, Lebanese-based Hez regime in Gaza. bollah the Hamas and dicting Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nas rallah for promoting seditious activities on Egyptian soil, and Egyptian forces have begun clamping down on arms smuggling into Gaza before. have they never in a way lah network in Egypt had been active for approxi mately two years. It was divided into three cells, each with a different assignment: one recruited terror for Arabs Egyptians,other and Palestinians, ist attacks on Israeli tourists in Sinai; one focused on arms smuggling from Egypt to Gaza; and one the Egyptian destabilize aimed to regime. ing trained to assassinate Mubarak but was May 2009 May A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 22 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 23 - - - - Flos Yes. It’s We Yes. have funny. dogs. We I love golf. [Laughter] That’s a new Yes, we play Yes, all the solo stuff, and we Last week’s Last concert week’s was one of them. It’s everything. It’s What I love the most It is. For years I used to do martial art,martial do to used I years For is. It , , a wordless setting of portions of the I know you perform with your wife, the The other thing I is love playing chamber Your students are your kids. You’re passing passing You’re kids. your are students Your Is there one moment that you can point to to point can you that moment one there Is love to always be able to feel the way I felt about about felt I way the feel to “I’d love to and have say, that able all the time. be I’d always to love moment.” that teaching or that concert, Schotten It [Professor was a really wonderful experience, because piece. beautiful a played I was the featured soloist at Hill Auditorium when the University of Michigan Symphony orchestra Williams’s performed Vaughn Campi biblical Song of Songs for viola, small chorus, a and piece orchestra.] that It’s really suits my Ter for written actually was It ofplaying. kind lier. Also, I played a very big instrument, a very very a instrument, big ear mentioned I that violist great very really the a tis, played I Also, lier. big viola, and he also played a big viola. It’s to play it love such again.a I’d beautiful piece. that. do to chances many get too I don’t record. Almost all my recordings are with are her. recordings allAlmost my record. that way. it along standard poodles. This have is the latest one. [Shows a picture from his wallet] thatIsn’t a I funny have charming. Really beautiful? I I was little didAspen. teaching at anecdote. students and a afterwardclass for my master and I lot, to the parking together we went saw my wife was coming with our dogs. At the time we had two standard poodles. And wife my comes “Here students, my to joked I And one with of the my family.” older stu dents said, very knowingly, “His kids.” And dents said, “His very kids.” knowingly, actu - now she’s one ofstudents, younger my thought “I ally in voice, the Cleveland Orchestra, that hurt was a so in said, She ago. long we And are the his older kids.” student said, [Laughter] the dogs.” are “We music with my wife withmusic friends. and with my my addiction. I’ve done it for a few years now. it. I love But in it. belt a had black I actually aikido, you when know, you get a little golfolder, is perfect, because you can play it till you’re outdoors even and in your You’re nineties. something to look forward It’s beautiful. it’s not re to ready But I’m to for when I retire. this morning, Even tire (mid-February)yet. I went to a big field nextto my house and I hit golf balls and my doggie, he runs and loves He back. them brings and them fetches the golf balls. [Laughter] So, I keep up my n in the winter. practice even reer. What is your favorite? Is it the solo work, work, solo the it Is favorite? your is What reer. is it the recording, the teaching? Or is it the ofcombination everything? also I music. chamber playing and playing, is love teaching a teaching My lot. comes from and I play When practice still my playing. in many played I that pieces haven’t some years, and play them in a concert, just the process of practicing and figuring out some different fingerings, some bowings, thatjust feeds right into my teaching. I love it all. It’s life. an interesting pianist Katherine Collier. pianist Katherine Schotten: Schotten: Do you have kids? have WJN: Do you No. Schotten: WJN: Schotten: WJN: WJN: What else, besides the music? else, What WJN: Schotten: in life. sport up later pick to an interesting WJN: It’s Schotten:

Schotten: Schotten: WJN: Schotten: Schotten: ------Camelot

cial student. They had had They student. cial Heifetz, Piatigorsky, and Primrose, the play string great three I and got at USC, ers this full tuition schol I there. study to arship for studying there, was a few months, three, maybe four months, and then I had a call who somebody from was doing a tour all over the Mid me asked he and west, if I could join it for months. three So I asked Mr. Prim to study, to be study, a normal student, but the deal was that I was a spe . What What has happened over the years is You know, I don’t even remember. I remember. even I don’t know, You I’ve done a lot of work in the orchestra the in work of lot a done I’ve

You have You had a long, and remarkably You’ve had such a long and high-level ca You’ve All my early experience was doing show

that I feel I keep getting because better, I keep still studying, still practicing. Interesting, I’m recording some of these little transcriptions, Primrose by originalthe to recordings listening amazing. really It’s still learning. I’m and Tertis. career varied, world. I was in in Boston for six years member and one exchange an was I years those of the Japan Philharmonic. When I came back I wanted to be more… not just be in an or business business tunes. Not really, but I anyway, missed those few months, and Primrose decided to move to Indiana I University. couldn’t get a scholarship because I was a give they didn’t the time, At transfer student. money to transfer students. So I was in the room with him when he made a call to the of conductor Symphony the Indianapolis burr) and he creditable asaid in (Professor his into Scottish accent, lapses briefly Schotten (Eisler Solomon know, Eisler,” was “You get his cannot he and “I name) have this gifted Israeli boy here Bloomington and to moving I’m a scholarship because a he’s transfer student. Can you make room for him in your orches with how [Smiles] tra?” I lessons That’s got my first So, job. taking and job this playing was I Primrose over and the then year, the orchestra went on strike and I auditioned for the Pitts burgh Symphony and I got in. The next year it was the So Boston Symphony. that was the of studies. course my chestra. I was very ambitious. So I became Symphony Cincinnati the in violistprincipal and later on Ac in the Houston Symphony. and teaching started I Cincinnati, after tually, I started music festivals and series and mak a lot of done stuff. I’ve So, ing recordings. ert Goulet. I didn’t even know… But later on later But know… even didn’t I Goulet. ert - Arrow Lake in gig a doing was I remember I think don’t I head, at No, a gambling place in California, and featured. was Goulet Robert he was in that Camelot. think it was someone less well known. At the At known. well less someone was it think Rob was who less cared have couldn’t I time rose, and I was sure he was going to say, “No, “No, say, to he was going and I was sure rose, So need [Laughter] You no. to be But studying.” he said, ahead.” Go experience. “Great tour. this on I went

WJN: Schotten: You learned the job. on You WJN: Schotten: WJN:

Was Robert Goulet in the cast? Was WJN: Schotten: - - Yizhak Schotten Schotten Yizhak When I No. He was in the States by then. He He then. by States the in was He No. Very short time. It’s very strange. I wasI strange. very It’s time. short Very This was in 1961. I hear didn’t from him So I did. I was sitting there and there was no no was there and there sitting was I did. I So So we went there, and he wasn’t there, and there, wasn’t he and there, went we So that saw I Later, bug. the had I then by But, I went to hear How old were you you were old How that’s what I’ve been been I’ve what that’s recording. played for Primrose, Force Air the in was I Army said (I actually. earlier because in - Is rael when you say Army, it can mean branch.) any when you moved Israel? from for for a long time. Then he sent me this letter a heart had had sick, very been he’d saying made he and me, remembered he and attack, the arrangements, so when I finished the there. went I just Army, was originally study to from Scotland, but came I he lived States. the in life his of most with him at the University of California, coincidences. in believe don’t I 1964. in USC, everything be. I think, is meant to wantedI really as admitted a special student. answer. I answer. sat there for I an Finally, gavehour. something then And away. walked and up it told me to go And back. I went back and the called just his for Primrose Mr. “Oh, said, lady He found out breakfast.” I was there and he playedI And up.” come him have “Please said, was fate. It it was. how So that’s him. for said, “I’m sorry. Mr. Primrose wasn’t feeling feeling then this lady came wasn’t from the orchestra and Primrose Mr. sorry. “I’m said, well, and he was rushed to the hospital for checkup.” some took I just I Haifa. of So hometown my in Force. Air playing was he the in Aviv, back Tel went in was concert, his to went I and off day a you?” for play I Can here. “I’m said, and stage not He “Some I’m said, friends might but be taking me tomorrow, tour sightseeing a on to come just you don’t Why time. what sure and ring hotel me up.” my him play, him and play, at that time I thought I still needed a lot of time I before better get to even went to ask him violist another was It if me. teach he would ready. wasn’t I thought I friend of mine who wanted to play for Prim rose. In Israel the Philharmonic has many, many subscription concerts, maybe fiveor sitting was I to. and I finallyended upgo Aviv, just went six, in Tel friend my that one to ing next to him and I asked “Do him, you really want to go talk to him about And playing?” withhim. stage back went I So, “Sure.” said, he Mr. gone. have wouldn’t probably OtherwiseI Primrose was so stood We nice. there and he friend My said, can I “What do “Can for you?” said, said, I so “I’d like to So play opportunity, I for thought, you.” here’s my chance, life my So he wrote “Of He course.” said, too?” I play, down when we could meet him, outside the which is Auditorium, an Mann orchestra hall (It was built Aviv. when I in was Tel still a kid I we went to theremember growing up there. concert there.) first WJN: WJN: Schotten: You went to Scotland? to went You WJN: Schotten: with study him? did you long How WJN: Schotten:

------. He History Not Not at all. None.

- impres strong a made It [Laughter]

rimrose was Scottish, the greatest was rimrose Scottish, es, on the radio in Israel. But later on, on, later But Israel. in radio the on es, Yes. It Yes. was the violin and then the I heard the man who later turned out Y P

Yes. Yes.

izhak Schotten has long been consid ered one of the finest violists in the US. He has performed widely in Is

You just And You knew. that was it from Ironically, I’m in Ironically, the middle of recording

a CD which is a tribute to these two great a great two is CD to these a which tribute artists. arrangements, It’s transcriptions of what they used to play in the beginning, was not a there lot of because music viola written. They arranged a lot of short pieces, but some mostly long short ones too, pieces, encore type pieces, for viola and piano, and violist who ever lived. Actually, him and Ter Actually, violist who ever lived. tis was the other was one. English. Tertis He from Jewish, was He violist. great first the was estab violists great two These origins. Jewish lished the viola as a solo instrument in the early started 1900s. Tertis in the early 1900s came a little later. and Primrose Schotten has recorded a widevarietya of viola recorded has Schotten Neither Neither of my parents were musicians, or even even liked classical music. before I grew up in 1943, Israel in born was I 1940s; the in aboutwas I When born. was of Israel State the four years old, my mother took me once to a coffeehouse where a gypsy violinist was play to be my William teacher, Primrose, play on the I radio. That sound after of the viola viola really play to had really I me. haunted that sound. heard Army, the in was I already, viola played I after andhim to talked I and live play him heard I he arranged for me to get a scholarship and withstudy him. viola, years later. years viola, the point that—in those days, Haifa, where I where ing. And, I just fell Haifa, in love with the days, violin. To those that—in point the day one town—that small a such was up, grew I just spotted this guy walking on my street. I ran up to him, grabbed him by his coattails me the violin!”“Please teach and said, on? then sion on me. I don’t know how it happened. how know I don’t me. on sion On Another Note On Another

San Slomovitz, staff writer staff Slomovitz, San Violinist Yizhak Schotten

Y rael, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Austria, Holland, Malaysia, rael, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, England, Canada, and throughout the United States. He has appeared in solo and chamber music Carnegie recitals in York’s New Hall Symphony Boston’s in Hall, Town and Hall and at and Hall, the Jordan Library of Congress among D.C., many in other Washington, pres of many a teacher been has He venues. tigious prize-winning students and gives master classes throughout settings in many violists young to pianisthis and He abroad. and States United the wife, Katherine are Collier, music directors of and Hawaii, in Festival Music Classical Maui the Strings in the Mountains Festival in Steamboat and he is also Colorado, Springs, music director Arbor. Ann of Music Chamber music for Crystal and Records, Pearl Records included his playing on its anthology of the Recording Finest of Violists the World’s has been professor of viola at the University of School ofMichigan’s Music since 1985. Earlier there. in his office spoke we this year a lot of family? there in your music Was WJN: Professor Yizhak Schotten: This was when you were still living in Israel? were WJN: This was when you Schotten: States? the United was from He WJN: Schotten: Why did you switch? did you Why WJN: Schotten: When you were four years old? [Laughter] years four were you When WJN: Schotten: Schotten: WJN: WJN: I I Books

Did the Armenian genocide have its own Primo Levi? By Adam Kirsch NEW YORK (NEXTBOOK)A week before genocide. (After much controversy, the director fields of decomposing corpses majority of Turkish Arme- Germany’s invasion of Poland, Hitler reportedly of the ADL, Abraham Foxman, tempered his and hills of bones and skulls. nians were totally uninvolved urged his generals to slaughter civilians —Slavs stance.) For, as many writers urged at the time, Most of those who survived in the war.) and Jews, the two most hated groups in Nazi ide- it is surely incumbent upon Jews, above all, to these organized attacks suc- Balakian writes that he ology—without mercy. “After all,” he flippantly remember the Armenians, whose oblivion Hit- cumbed to starvation and ill- was already worried about asked, “who remembers the Armenians?” ler counted on. ness. In total, an estimated 1.2 the intentions of the Turks In fact, the attempted genocide of the Ar- That is why the publication of Armenian million Armenians died. before the war started and menians by the Turks during the First World Golgotha: A Memoir of the Armenian Genocide, The enmity between tried to alert his superiors in War was very well documented, at the time and 1915-1918 is especially noteworthy for Jewish Christian Armenians and the Church. But “no one gave ever since. Henry Morgenthau, the American readers. In this eyewitness account of the geno- Muslim Turks was of long any credence to the possibil- ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during cide, written in 1918 and now translated into standing, dating back to the ity of such a huge political the massacres, wrote at length in his memoirs English for the first time, Grigoris Balakian of- Middle Ages, when Turkish plan, because in human his- about this attempt to wipe an entire population fers an Armenian equivalent to the testimonies invaders had conquered the tory from prehistoric times, off the face of the earth. The word genocide had of Holocaust survivors like Primo Levi and Elie ancient kingdom of Armenia there had never been a forced not yet been coined, but that is clearly what Wiesel. Balakian, a priest of the Armenian Ap- in Asia Minor. By the 20th century, most of the displacement of an entire nationality. But as we happened in Armenia between 1915 and 1918; ostolic Church, was deported from Constanti- other Christian subject populations of the Ot- will unfortunately see, that which had seemed in fact, Raphael Lemkin, the Polish Jewish ac- nople in April 1915, along with a large group of toman Empire—in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece impossible to everyone at that time, and even tivist who coined the term, had the Armenian Armenian intellectuals and community leaders. and Serbia—had broken free of the sultan’s rule. became a subject of derision, became possible example in mind. For the next three years, until Turkey’s defeat The Armenians, however, lived in the heartland during the world war, as did a litany of other Yet it is true that the Armenian genocide and surrender in September 1918, Balakian of Turkey and were deeply integrated into the tragic and criminal events.” Like Hitler during has not entered into America’s common cul- lived constantly under the shadow of death. Ex- region’s economy. Rather like the Jews of Po- the Second World War, the Turkish government tural memory in the same way as the Nazi Ho- iled, sent on forced marches, threatened by ban- land, they served as merchants and craftsmen used the First World War to cover and justify a locaust. In part that is because it took place in dits and government officials, starved and sick, to the mainly rural Muslim population; also scale of killing that was unimaginable in ordi- the Ottoman Empire, from which few Ameri- he managed to survive only by a combination of like the Jews, they attracted envy and hatred. In nary times. cans come, rather than in Europe, where many luck, daring, the corruption and inefficiency of one terribly ironic passage, Balakian notes that Readers familiar with the literature of the Americans have their roots; in part it is because Turkish officials, and the support of righteous “German officers [stationed in Turkey] would Holocaust will read Armenian Golgotha with a the U.S. never fought the Ottomans in World non-Armenians who hid and fed him. often speak of us as Christian Jews and blood- combination of recognition and estrangement. War I, as it did the Germans in World War II; As Balakian, along with his fellow deportees, sucking usurers of the Turkish people.” Many of the events Balakian writes about could in part it is because of the greater prominence was sent from place to place, he witnessed and One signal difference between the Jewish be taking place in Poland or the Ukraine 20 of Jews than Armenians in American life. And heard about the unbelievable horrors inflicted and the Armenian cases, however, is that the Ar- years later. Again and again, we hear about how sadly, it is also due to the continuing refusal of on the Armenians of Turkey. The Ottoman state menians had a comparatively recent history of Turkish policemen would tell the residents of a the Turkish government to acknowledge the was far less powerful and organized than the sovereignty and strong hopes for regaining an village to assemble for a long journey, herd peo- crimes of its predecessor state, thus creating Nazis’ would be; it did not have the resources to independent Armenian state. Many Armenians ple into carriages, then drive them to a remote an illusion of controversy about a history that build gas chambers, or even the railways to bring lived across the border in Russia, the Christian spot, where they would be murdered and their no historians doubt. (When the Turkish Nobel people to them. The mechanics of mass murder, power that was historically the greatest foe of the possessions divided up among the murderers. laureate Orhan Pamuk spoke publicly about then, were primitive and face to face. Armenian Ottoman Empire. When the First World War Armenians were told that they were simply be- the Armenian genocide, he was charged with deportees were attacked by mobs and groups of broke out, the Russian Armenians and some ing relocated to the Syrian desert province of the crime of “insulting Turkishness” and forced bandits armed with axes and farm tools, much Turkish Armenian rebels took up arms against Der Zor, just as Jews were told that they were to flee abroad.) as in the Hutu massacre of Tutsis in Rwanda. Turkey. This offered the pretext for the Otto- being resettled in the East; the name of Der Zor In 2007, the Anti-Defamation League was Balakian records many scenes of Armenians man government to undertake a “final solution” takes on, in Balakian’s account, the same aura rightly embroiled in scandal when it supported being tortured, mutilated and decapitated, of to the Armenian problem, by annihilating the of nightmare and death that “the East” did for the Turkish government’s plea to the U.S. Con- babies torn apart by soldiers, of women raped entire population, men, women, and children. Jewish victims. Balakian even wonders, as have gress not to officially recognize the Armenian dozens of times until they died; he shows us (And it was a pretext: As Balakian notes, the vast Continued on page 26 A coming-of-age novel set in the Yishuv By Adam Kirsch NEW YORK (NEXTBOOK)—Over the past 10 years of Zionist settlement in unapologetically in the town, to guess that, in time, Fania will be healed by years, the Toby Press, a small trade house found- heroic and sentimental terms. Indeed, Fania shattering the Yehiel’s patient, manly attentions, and that her ed by Matthew Miller, has become one of the Mandelstam, the heroine of Valley of Strength, dream of as- mistrust will blossom into passionate love. Much leading American publishers of Israeli fiction. is a kind of Israeli Scarlett O’Hara. Like her similation in of the plot of Valley of Strength takes the form of While some of Israel’s major writers have long American cousin, she is a dauntless, beautiful which she has roadblocks to that consummation, which Lapid been published by big American houses—Da- young woman who suffers through all her na- lived. Fania’s postpones so that it will be all the sweeter when vid Grossman, Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua—Toby tion’s trials but manages to survive them thanks parents are it comes. Yehiel is baffled by his young bride’s Press is making it possible for English speakers to her courage and spirit. At one moment, Fania murdered; resistance to his sexual advances. He becomes to get a richer sense of the whole spectrum of even vows that she’ll never go hungry again: her brother, jealous when she makes friends with another Hebrew writing today. Toby’s list includes clas- “No more! Nothing would ever scare her Lulik, is driv- man, the poet Naphtali Herz Imber; then Fa- sics of Israeli literature, like Bialik and Agnon, as again and nothing divert her from her purpose. en mad; and nia becomes jealous when Rivka, the sister of well as new writers like Amir Gutfreund; it also Not the east wind, not the snakes nor the hun- she herself is Yehiel’s first wife, starts insinuating herself into publishes Jewish writers from around the world, ger, nor the hard work. She was the monument raped. By the their household. Yet Fania virtuously resists the like the young Argentinean novelist Marcelo to the slaughtered members of her family, and time the novel opens, she has made her way to other men who throw themselves at her, se- Birmajer. At a time when American publishers she had one objective in life: To survive. To go Jaffa with her brother, uncle, and baby daughter duced by her bronze curls and gypsy eyes—not translate fewer and fewer books, this commit- on living. In any way possible.” searching for refuge and a new life. to mention her ability to play Chopin and read ment to internationalism has made Toby Press Such a woman clearly carries her own “valley She finds one, though not quite the one she Tolstoy, rare graces in the Galilee. Finally, all the an important and hopeful presence. of strength” inside her; but the title of the novel is expected, thanks to Yehiel Silas, the strong and misunderstandings are cleared up, and in a pas- Valley of Strength, by Shulamit Lapid, is the not just a metaphor. Gai Oni, the Hebrew name silent farmer who spots her in Jaffa and quickly sage that one can imagine Israeli adolescents latest Israeli title to appear from Toby Press, in a translated by the title phrase, is an actual place— convinces her to join him at Gai Oni. Technically, dog-earing, Fania and Yehiel are united: “They May 2009 May clear and elegant translation by Philip Simpson. a tiny, struggling settlement in the Galilee where the couple are married—Silas is a young widower now let the desire flow between them, guiding A While few American readers have heard of it, the Fania turns up at the beginning of the novel. Yet with two children, and he needs a woman around them tentatively towards the rapids.” book has become a kind of Israeli classic since she is no Zionist pioneer, by conviction or train- the house—but Fania is still too traumatized to The love story in Valley of Strength,then, is it appeared in 1982, and no wonder: It is a quite ing. She is, in fact, a rather spoiled bourgeois girl become intimate with any man. She even con- conventional. What is surprising is that many deliberate exercise in national mythmaking. brought up in a well-to-do, Russophile family ceals the truth about her baby, telling Yehiel that of Fania’s other trials, too, sound familiar, even Lapid, a prolific and acclaimed writer born in in Elizavetgrad. But in 1881, after the assassina- she is a widow rather than a rape victim. though there have been few novels about the or- Tel Aviv in 1934, sets out to dramatize the early tion of Tsar Alexander II, a pogrom breaks out It does not take much readerly foresight Continued on next page Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 24 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 25 ------My My Happiness. n War of Independence. By fo fo By By Independence. Independence. ofof War War cusing cusing on on Saffuriyya Saffuriyya and and itsits people, people, Hoffman Hoffman makes makes thethe human human costs costs ofof the the conflict conflict come come to to life, life, and and she she clearlyclearly means means to to confront confront AmeriAmeri can can and and Jewish Jewish readers readers withwith the the factsfacts ofof Palestinian Palestinian suf suf fering. fering. But But this this Saffuriya- Saffuriya- allowsallowsalso also centriccentricapproach approach larg larg the the neglectneglect to to Hoffman Hoffman thethe and and war war ofofhistoryhistorythe the er er portrayportray IsraelIsrael to to and and period, period, deal deal with Palestinian literary The more original and valuable parts of however, book, Hoffman’s for problem a is It And while Hoffman knows the poet well— Indeed, she is clearly uncomfortable speak as the aggressor in what was in fact a war in defense of retrospective Her its very existence. which through lens best the not is indignation history. viewto this complex My Happiness writ - Palestinian how shows Hoffman culture. ers dealt with obstacles everyfrom side—they were cut off from foreign books and maga zines by the Arab boycott, and subjected to censorship by the Israeli government—and how they evolved new institutions and forms in response. The poetry festivals of the 1950s their with face to face poets brought 1960s and audiences, thus “poetrymaking the most im portant means of political expression for the hemmed-in, cut-off Palestinian citizens of Is The publications of the rael.” Israeli Commu nist the Party, only one to welcome Jews and Arabs were equally, another important venue for Palestinian writers. Hoffman shows how, poetrybecame resources, meager these despite po that way a in culture Palestinian to central imagine.America can hardly ets in that Ali Muhammad Taha played little role in of years few a just with autodidact An story. this formal schooling, he spent many years teach ing himself to write Arabic classical and expos ing himself to modern literature from around the While world. his shop in Nazareth became be- he and salon, open-door of kind a as known friended many Palestinian writers, he seems to have been shy about writing or publishing un til he was in late middle When age. he read his in literature Arabic of festival London a at work the late “How 1980s, another writer exclaimed, existed?” you know even didn’t is it that we has throughout—and him as Taha to she refers ofhis interviewsand withyears him conducted abstractandrather a remains he acquaintances, guarded presence throughout Hoffman warns the reader of the poet’s ten formidablestories—“his his embellish to dency impro fanciful involve to storytelling tend gifts visation on more-or-less true themes”—but she is constrained by the political barriers and cultural differences between them from chal self-presentation. Ali’s lenging Muhammad life. Palestinian ofaspect any about critically ing She writes sentimentally about the relationship between and Taha Amira, for instance, when it would make more sense for as her, a secular prom of archaism sexist the question to liberal, Hoff then But birth. at husband a to girl a ising notis she and impartial, tryingbe not to is man really writing a She biography. is, con rather, historydifficult unbearably almost the fronting that binds and Arabs divides and in Jews Israel, reader the that courage witha this does she and emulate. hope to can only ------is not finally a novel Valley of Valley Strength It It is not until a boatload of Romanian Jew Yet Thus Thus she devotes much of the first halfof When loved ones leave, our Amira, left,as you an endless migration in us begins and a certain sense in us hold takes that all of what is finest us, in and around except the sadness, for — away is going departing, return. to not The fact that Taha Muhammad Ali is a In In his poem “The Fourth overseer overseer in charge of distributing charitable funds to the farmers of Gai Oni is represented as a tyrant and a womanizer (he, too, throws himself at Fania). villagethe Rosh renames and arrives settlers ish Pinnah that the destinies of and Jews Gai Oni’s Arabs urges begin one Yehiel to When diverge. of the Romanians to Arab hire to workers help build his house, the newcomer arrogantly re “They’re going fuses: to have to leave the place. This land belongs to us and now, the village is ours They’ve too. already proved what they’re going to turn this place into a We’re capable of. fertile garden.” about the ambiguities of the Zionist project. It is It project. Zionist the of ambiguities the about of self-sacrifice pio- and strength the to hymn a who neers redeemed like Yehiel, the land with their blood; and it is a paean to early feminists like Fania, who held their own in a world run by men. Any reader who is alive to the drama and grandeur of Zionism will be moved, at times against his will, by Lapid’s lush pageant n of a novel. cant than those of hundreds of thousands of other Palestinians who suffered the same in in lies fact, the main Here, juries. trouble with book: Hoffman’s She is writing about one man, but she is really interested in what she calls, with polemical “the exaggeration, Pales tinian century.” clash Jewish-Arab the recounting to book the Israel’s culminating 1940s, and 1930s ofthe es gifted poet and a very appealing personality— appealing very a and poet gifted Hoffman writes of his ability to charm Arab, Jewish Americanand audiences alike—makes him easy for the reader to care about. But it signifi more inherently fate his make not does

speaking in his own voice ofspeaking hisin his own voice own experience, Muhammad hisof suffering the voicing is Ali generation. Palestinian Muhammad Qasida,” Ali ad whom girl to the Amira, dresses he was betrothed in childhood, get mar to whombut he didn’t ry because she wound up on of side Lebanese- wrong the the he the process, In border. Israeli Hoffman what into Amira turns literary“archetypically stand-in calls for allan lost ever is that all for indeed and of Saffuriyya separation”: and to death, to time, to ------. Instead, the future poet the future settled Instead, . moshav Indeed, Indeed, from the perspective of modern Along Along with most of the village’s popula Ali’s Muhammad of summary dry this Even wrote the lyrics to “Hatikvah.” More important, More “Hatikvah.” lyricsto the wrote Lapid shows the reader the bitter ideological and economic rivalries that made the Yi first shuv such a minefield.Fania meets the idealis one of impractical tic, pioneers young of BILU, the earliest Russian Zionist groups (one of the thrown rocks gets she her); at pass a makes men at her by the Orthodox Jews of Safed, who see the farmers of Gai Oni as heretics; she negoti Rothschild like with philanthropists ates Jewish and Hirsch, whose largesse always comes with strings attached. Israeli politics (the book was first published in 1982), it is noteworthy how Lapid emphasizes the tensions among Jews, and downplays the na a is Yehiel Arabs. and Jews between tensions tive of a Palestine, Sephardi Jew who is at ease just is fact, in Oni, (Gai neighbors. Arab his with Jaoni.) of village Arab the for name Hebrew the The Jewish and Arab farmers make common maraudingthe enemies, real their against cause Bedouins and the rapacious govern Turkish the are hates really Yehiel people only The ment. pious from donations on live who Safed, of Jews in and Jews Europe who see the Zionist settlers as a threat to their entitlements. The Jewish book in 1982 and 1983, during the months when the Israel Defense Forces was invading Lebanon, leading to the massacres at Sabra and Shatila. The most important date of all is 15, July however, story, in Ali’s Muhammad vil- Galilean the that night that on was It 1948. lage of Saffuriyya, where Ali Muhammad was born and raised, was captured by the army of the newborn state. Jewish fam his and Ali Muhammad teenage the tion, in camp refugee a in up ending foot, on fled ily Ghaza where Lebanon, his sister, 12-year-old died of leh, (Six other siblings meningitis. had diedHoffman writes, and in the infancy, poet was actually the fourth boy to bear the name They Taha.) were able to sneak back into Is rael the following and year, eventually even to gain Israeli residence cards, but they were never to return to their ancestral village; Saf - Tzip into turned and leveled been had furiyya a pori, where he in opened Nazareth, a small grocery store. Eventually this grew into a prosperous souvenir shop catering to Christian tourists, which Ali Muhammad still owns (The today. eccentric- ofthis photos several includes book looking establishment, which is decorated “A Keats: from withsign quotation bearing a a thing of forever.”) beauty is a joy story shows why it is such a painful one for a Hoffman why and encounter, to reader Jewish ais Here missionary withfervor. writessuch it the by damaged grievously was life whose man land, his from expelled was state—who Jewish separated from his and family, subjected to discrimination and violence. Hoffman makes to wanted never has Ali Muhammad that clear political poet—neither be his “committed,” a innovative free-verse style nor his ironic hu mor are suitable for the kind of platform ora in inevitably, tory that Yet move large crowds. ------, , in Sep My Happiness BearsHappiness My Never Never Mind an interesting interesting an Strength of Valley

My Happiness Bears No Relation to in the bookstore, you will probably find itfind willprobably you bookstore, the in

That kind of grim calendaring can be his first modern read book,” 1946 Taha “In first his for poems the of most produced He Taha Muhammad Taha Ali was born in 1931, What makes makes What Yishuv, continued previous from page Yishuv, tember 2000—in “the same month,” Hoffman Hoffman month,” same “the 2000—in tember out.” intifada broke the al-Aqsa “that notes, found in every ofchapter Happiness. to Relation No writes—justHoffman the around time the Ir Hotel. David up the King gun blew ing for Life in Cen the Palestinian A Happiness: Poet’s tury in the biography section; but it is an unusual to the the put neglects that sort of biography name of its subject in the title. Few readers will recognize the blunt-featured man who looks out from the cover of the book as Taha Muhammad Ali, the Palestinian poet whose life and work ostensible are Adina Hoffman’s subject. But then, not many more readers Hoffman As either. name, his recognize would acknowledges, he is not as well known, even among as Palestinians, a poet like Mahmoud Darwish, whose death last year was mourned Arab world. the across and while he has been part of the Palestinian literary scene for most of his life, he did not publish his first book of poems until 1983. Over the last few he years, has however, won a growing for his international readership hu sometimes mane, melancholy, comic poetry, thanks in large part to the efforts of Hoffman, a film critic and authorof thecollection essay , and House of Windows her the husband, poet and translator Hoffman Cole. and Peter Cole, American-born Jews who live in Jerusalem, are two of the founders of Ibis Editions, a re markable small press that publishes Hebrew was Ibis It in translation. literature Arabic and that brought out the first English editionof Ali’s Muhammad work, NEW YORK (NEXTBOOK)—If you go look (NEXTBOOK)—Ifgo you YORK NEW deals of Jewish farmers in the Ottoman empire. empire. Ottoman the in farmersof deals Jewish That is because, the the reader life discovers, of a pioneer woman is much the same whether she is in Galilee or Nebraska. Like the heroine of Fania many a must Western, learn to cook ani the tend and fields the in work to clean, and mals, mals, to nurse the children when they are sick, to even deal with hostile in nomads (Bedouins, finallyshe When Indians). than rather case, this transforms herself from into a self-sufficient Palestinian woman, she marks the change by swapping her fancy old clothes for a Bedouin’s native “The costume: sooner she becomes like better. the much so women, Bedouin ofthe one I’m country. this suit that clothes the are These not a Russian high school student any more, Bedouin.” a Jewish I’m torical setting, making her the reader’s guide through the social and make physical landscape people of real of number A Palestine. 1880s appearances in the book—Naphtali Herz Im for ber, instance, was the Hebrew poet who and even educational book, despite its formulaic its despite book, educational even and plot and characters, is the way Lapid translates this coming-of-age story to a Zionist context. his in She a setsmeticulously Fania researched

By Adam Kirsch, Adam By Adina Hoffman’s quasi-biography of Palestinian poet of quasi-biography Hoffman’s Adina I Community

Dear Gilad, I know that your commanders prom More than 1000 days ago… 3 years older… ised you, on your first day as a combat - Tomer Zur, special to the WJN soldier, that they would never leave you hadi Juaaba was born in Hebron hundreds of attacks on Israeli citizens in Israeli We’ve been waiting for Gilad Shalit for three behind. I know that your capturers are in 1982. He is currently sitting be- cities from the north to the south. years. Almost two years have gone by since the telling you that Israel forgot about you. hind bars in an Israeli jail for 18 life But Hamas says “NO.” They say this is not last proof was received that he’s alive. A few You are probably speaking Arabic with P them. Three years is enough time to learn sentences. He was one of the terrorists that enough. weeks ago we thought that maybe the time had planned the suicide bombing attack on bus Abdalla Baraguti is serving 67 life sentences come; maybe Gilad would be home soon. Arabic, right? I know that a few months number 37 in the city of Haifa. Seventeen Is- for his involvement in the deaths of 66 Israeli citi- There were meetings in Cairo, and Hamas ago you heard the bombings around you raelis, Jewish, and Arab, died that day, and zens. He made bombs with his own hands that finally seemed willing to talk. They were nego- and you were sure that any moment now more than 40 were injured. exploded in a Sbarro restaurant, on Ben Yehuda tiating the final number. the IDF would blast the door and take you Mahmud Tahar Al-Karem was born in Jenin Street, and in Café Moment, all in Jerusalem. We will throw a big party for him in the back home. I know that the terrorists that in 1972. He is currently sitting in jail for 15 life Hassan Salame was the head of the terrorist streets of Tel Aviv, and he will wave to us from are holding you are not human beings… sentences, and was responsible for the death of group that was responsible for the attacks on the open car, and then he will go to meet the they are animals in my eyes… I just wanted to say that I’m sorry… 15 Israelis who lost their lives in a terrorist at- bus number 18 in two different instances. His president, and some celebrities will take a pic- tack on another bus in Haifa. men murdered 46 Israeli citizens and injured ture with him for tomorrow’s paper, and then Tomer Ibrahim Shamasanna was born in 1963. He more than 100. he will go home. To Mom and Dad. And they was part of a group that murdered two young These two murderers are from a list of 10 will hug him and kiss him, and his dad will ask Israeli hitchhikers in 1990 and a cab driver two terrorists that Hamas wants to see back in Gaza. some questions and his mom will make him sleep and wake up and continue his life from months later. They are the 10 most dangerous and brutal ter- schnitzel and Israeli salad. And then he will the point it stopped… more than 1000 days These three are just a few examples from the rorists that are locked for life behind bars. watch some TV and read the news. He will see ago… 3 years older… list of 325 terrorists that the Israeli government Israel has said “NO.” that Holon took the b-ball championship last is willing to free from jail, in a deal that will I’m trying to remember where I was more year and the Kinneret is still dry, and then his Tomer Zur is Community Shaliach (Israeli bring Gilad Shalit back home. Terrorists who than 1000 days ago. 1000 days is almost three mom will give him a towel and make his bed cultural ambassador) to the Jewish Federation murdered, planned, helped, and supported years, or 34 months, or 142 weeks. while he is taking a long shower. He will go to of Greater Ann Arbor Colten Baitch returns from combat in Iraq David Erik Nelson, staff writer arly in his first tour in Iraq, Colten Baitch “snatch-and-grabs” or “kill-captures”), working mately a success—the platoon captured the long tour in had a stark reminder of why he joined in 40-man platoons composed of three sections leader they’d been sent after and saved their Iraq, hav- E the U.S. Army First Cavalry Division af- of cavalry scouts and one of infantry snipers. comrade’s life—it was still harrowing. ing “earned ter graduating from Pioneer High School: When a TV news anchor reports that soldiers on Nonetheless Baitch, who has spent much his spurs” in “Sunni Al-Qaeda came into this Shia neigh- patrol in Sadr City took fire or were injured by an of the last four years in the streets of Al Anbar combat and borhood and started blowing up school buses, improvised explosive device (IED), those soldiers province and Baghdad, was optimistic: When he been deco- fire bombing them, with kids in them. I saw are almost invariably scouts like Baitch. first arrived Iraqi forces showed little initiative, rated with a thirteen girls burned alive in a bus, just for being During his second tour, Baitch was stationed but “now Iraqi security forces are doing pre- Combat Ac- Shia… you know, it kinda changes your whole in southeast Baghdad, where U.S. patrols were dominantly all the missions.… We shut down tion Badge. point of view on life. I wanted to help out… . In almost invariably ambushed. On a September our forward operating base and handed it over He will al- World War II we needed help, and so now we 2008 mission through a Shia-controlled district to Iraqi control. It’s looking pretty good.” most certain- help them.… It’s only right, as a Jew.” in the slums of New Baghdad, Baitch and his To those who scoff at President Obama’s ly deploy into In a conventional war, cavalry scouts like platoon were surrounded by 30 Mahdi Army plan to extricate US combat forces from Iraq by Afghanistan Colten Baitch Baitch go ahead of the main body of troops, and Iraqi Al-Hezbollah militants. During the the summer of 2010, Baitch pointed out, “A lot by late 2010, a tour that he expects will be “just relaying back useful information. In the uncon- hour-long firefight, a US sergeant was shot and of the people that judge the war and these cam- like Iraq.” Noting Afghanistan’s notoriously rug- ventional battlefields of Iraq, cavalry scouts are re- injured and the group ran dangerously low on paigns are people that don’t really see combat.” ged terrain, Baitch chuckled, “but not as many sponsible for urban “special missions” (frequently ammunition. Although the mission was ulti- Baitch recently returned from his second year- vehicles, and a lot of walking.” n I Books New book examines Jews and intermarriage Armenian genocide novel , continued from page 25 Kim Reick Kunoff, special to the WJN emorial Day weekend kicks off ried women, Still Jewish is a multi-generational some Jewish observers of the Holocaust, why Wasn’t he betrayed because he preached justice summer and also initiates the wed- study combining in-depth personal interviews more of the victims did not fight back. in this world, while perhaps justice could only be M ding season. With approximately and an astute analysis of how interfaith rela- “They had the psychology of a herd of celestial and eternal, not worldly?” half of American Jews marrying outside their tionships and marriage were portrayed in the dumb sheep, going to their death without Moments like these make clear that even religion and numbers still rising, Still Jewish: A mass media, advice manuals, and religious complaint,” he complains about one group of genocide did not destroy Balakian’s faith or his History of Women and Intermarriage in America, community-generated literature. deportees who failed to seize the chance to flee. belief in his nation’s future. He was, after all, a by Keren McGinity, couldn’t be more timely. Still Jewish dismantles the assumption Yet as the title of Armenian Golgotha sug- senior clergyman in the Armenian Church, and McGinity, the Mandell L. Berman postdoc- that, once a Jew intermarries, she becomes gests, Balakian’s story has a unique religious and throughout his wanderings he was treated by toral research fellow in contemporary Ameri- fully assimilated into the majority Christian political context. Victims of the Holocaust were other Armenians as a leader. He writes mov- can Jewish life at the University of Michigan’s population, religion, and culture. Rather than often brought to question the existence of God, ingly of the burdens of that role—having to Jean & Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Stud- becoming “lost” to the Jewish community, and even the possibility of meaning and order in remain rational and inspirational when he, too, ies, was surprised by how little historical lit- women who intermarried later in the century the universe. Primo Levi famously wrote about was hungry and afraid. Yet without his sense of erature had been written about intermarriage. were more likely to raise their children with Auschwitz as a place where “there is no why.” But vocation, Balakian would doubtless never have Most existing scholarship was sociological— strong ties to Judaism than women who did Balakian viewed even the worst trials of his peo- survived to write this terrible, necessary book. and the role of gender had been all but ignored. so earlier in the century. Bringing perennially ple as a prelude to the rebirth of an independent “Like many who were going to die,” he re- “Understanding the implications of gender and controversial questions of identity, continuity, Armenia—a crucifixion that would be followed calls about one man he encountered, “the late

May 2009 May its relationship to intermarriage over time,” ob- and survival to the forefront of the discussion, by resurrection. In one astonishing passage, he Hamamjian often asked me to chronicle this

A serves McGinity, “is imperative to understand- the book addresses topics of great resonance in remembers how he and some fellow Armenians, tragic story of the Armenian Golgotha. And ing the nuances of interfaith relationships.” a diverse America. meeting secretly during the war, “got so excited with this account, I think I have executed the By closely examining the intersection of in- Keren R. McGinity is currently working on that we started to draw the borders of tomor- will of those who are no more.” n termarriage and gender across the 20th century, the meaning and representation of interfaith row’s liberated Armenia on a map... and calcu- Adam Kirsch is the author of Benjamin Disraeli, McGinity describes the lives of Jewish women romance and fatherhood for Jewish men. Still late the number of surviving Armenians.” This a new biography in Nextbook’s Jewish Encounters who married outside of the Jewish faith while Jewish can be found locally at Shaman Drum national faith went hand-in-hand with Balaki- series. Reprinted from Nextbook.org, a new read placing their decisions in historical context. The n an’s unbroken Christian faith: “But no matter, for bookshop or online at www.stilljewish.com. on Jewish culture. Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw first comprehensive history of these intermar- hadn’t Christ suffered? Hadn’t he been tortured? 26 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 27 ------JCC graders. th Chabad. Study Study Chabad. Chabad. Chabad. Learn- through 5 through Chabad. Chabad. Delve into st BIC. BIC. Sign up at www. featuring the ofvoices TBE. Honoring Rabbi Bolt, Bolt, TBE. TBE. Brotherhood at 7:15 Madagascar Madagascar 2: Escape to Af BIC. For 1 For BIC. JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise TBE. With Rabbi Levy at 8:50 a.m. a.m. 8:50 at Levy Rabbi With TBE. Anniversary. Rabbi Anniversary. Levy will be th Chabad. An in-depth study into the into study in-depth An Chabad. TBE. Haftarah Trop TBE. with Haftarah Trop Cantor Annie JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noonMondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on on Mon days–Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. For more informa tion, contact JFS at 769-0209 or email an Ongoing. [email protected]. p.m. Noon–1 Rose. at 7:30 p.m. and Sisterhood p.m. prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Torah weekly the of overview an book, prayer at 9:30 a.m. with reading, philosophy. Jewish Every Sunday. House. Chabad Women: Women: the basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of way Jewish the to meanings deeper the ing . Every Sunday 8 p.m. life. ing Mahjong, ing quilting, artMahjong, and projects, card . Tuesday Every 1 p.m. games, with 11 Maria Farquhar, a.m., $4/session or $10/3 sessions, $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ givelife.org. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2 p.m. to 8 a.m. givelife.org. followed by Chapel Service by at 9:30 a.m. followed Miley Cyrus and John Travolta. 6:30–10 p.m. p.m. 6:30–10 Travolta. John and Cyrus Miley $20/members, $18/additional siblings. $25/ non-members, $23/additional siblings. For information, email deborahhuerta@jccfed. call or 971-0990. org A night Youth. of animal adventures featur ing the movie rica, fun Enjoy animal-themed activities and dinner before the movie. 6:30–10 p.m. $20/ members; $18/additional siblings. $25/non- members; $23/additional siblings. For infor mation, email [email protected] or call 971-0990. the scholar-in-residence on the topic, “Day of the Whirlwind: Understanding the Book 3–6 p.m. ofAmos.” JCC lounges will be transformed into Youth. a beauty parlor and movie to set. Prepare be a eat star, a dinner fitfor a movie and star, watch the movie Today’s theme is “Torah Drama.” Calling for all for Calling Drama.” “Torah is theme Today’s a star when act Everyone’s actors. Beth Israel’s 11 a.m. the Torah. from scenes ing out Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di before hour 1 Chabad. Torah: ofthe mensions Every Saturday. House. at Chabad sundown Levy’s Levy’s 25 group group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at Every Saturday. House. Chabad SPICE of LIFE: English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Class: Board Meetings: Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Tanya–Jewish Jewish Concepts–for Women: Jewish Concepts–for Women: Red Red Cross Blood Drive: Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Prayer the through Hebrew Reading Torah Study: Torah Shabbat: Kehillat Boy’s Boy’s Night to Out–Travel the Future: Ethics: ofShabbat–Jewish Laws Girl’s Night Girl’s Out–An Enchanted JCC Evening: Mystical Mystical Insights to the Women: Torah–for Afternoon of Learning: Shabbat services: Shabbat endlistingcalendar. the ofSee at Tuesday 12 Tuesday Monday 11 Monday Sunday 10 Sunday Saturday 9 Saturday

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TBE. Honoring Rabbi Levy’s 25 TBE. 5:30 p.m. followed by tot and tot by followed p.m. 5:30 TBE.

TBE. Haftarah Trop TBE. led Haftarah by Trop Cantor Annie

An Chabad. in-depth Women: study into the an overview of book, Torah the weekly prayer reading, with Jewish 9:30 philosophy. a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad the basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad Noon. required. Reservations 2. age over dren nore Marwil Jewish Film Festival sponsored by JCC of CountyWashtenaw in association the and Detroit withofJCC the Metropolitan days at films Fifteen in five Theater. Michigan LibertyEast 603 Street. Theater, Michigan the Schedule available on the web at www.jcca nnarbor.org. $10/film or $65/JCC member Fes member $75/non-JCC Pass, Festival Film 7. Through May Pass. tival ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of . Every Sunday 8 p.m. life. tated by Rabbi Dobrusin. Discussion ofDiscussion weekly Dobrusin. Rabbi by tated 9–10 a.m. and cakes. coffee portion over Torah House. Alpha at 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Anniversary. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di before hour 1 Chabad. Torah: the of mensions Every Saturday. House. at Chabad sundown group group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown Every Saturday. House. Chabad at ouin, and Druze children’s paintings and mu paintingsand children’s Druze and ouin, Through- peace. and ofwar theme the on rals out 1994–2004, teacher Maureen Kushner traveled Israel and worked with children to exhibit View during create the normalworks. contact information, For JCC business hours. 971-0990. at phone by or [email protected] Through month of May. JCC. JCC. Exhibition of Israeli Arab, Bed Jewish, Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at information. 761-2765 for adult dinner at 6 p.m. and Shira at 6:45 p.m. at 6 p.m. dinner adult ducts the service with TBE choir. 7:30 p.m. ducts the service with TBE choir. Ongoing Ongoing class from 9 at a.m.–noon on Mondays– Mondays–Thursdays on p.m. 1–3 and Fridays Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Ongoing. [email protected]. email or p.m. Noon–1 Rose.

the calendar. Calendar ewish Film Festival: English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. Reading Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Mysticism: Tanya–Jewish Courtyard Barbeque: J Jewish Women: Concepts–for Shabbat Shabbat Limud: Mitzvah Day: Mystical Insights to the Women: Torah–for Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Shabbat services:Shabbat See listing at the end of calendar. Weekly Yiddish Yiddish Reading Weekly Group: The Art and Soul of Peace Through Humor: Shabbat: Tot Brotherhood Shabbat: Friday Friday evening services: Class: Class: 7 p.m. Study: TBE. Sisterhood Torah Monday 4 Monday Sunday 3 Sunday

Saturday 2 Saturday

May 2009 2009 May 1 Friday I I Calendar

Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute. mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before Finding Yourself in the Book of Genesis. Six- sundown at Chabad House. Every Saturday. session course examines classic stories from Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter- group code of law for Shabbat, and study of nal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. Chabad House. Every Saturday. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar All ages and levels welcome including UM and non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Sunday 17 For information, call 936-2367. Lag B’Omer Picnic and Carnival: Chabad. Pic- Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for nic dinner of hotdogs, salads, and drinks. Fun Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the program, prizes for children and adults. Bring prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah blankets and Frisbees. 5:30–8 p.m. at the JCC. reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Every Sunday. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Mussar Study Group: BIC. 9:45 a.m. standing it is no simple matter. Study the Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into text in the original, together with the classical the basic text of Chassidism and open your commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Chabad House. Every Sunday. Wednesday 13 Celebrate Israel: Jewish Federation. Fifth annual celebration at the JCC to commemorate Israel’s 61st birthday and the 100th anniversary of the found- Lunch and Learn: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin ing of Tel Aviv. Israeli dancing, Israeli street food, and Rabbi Blumenthal. Today’s topic is “David, Israeli marketplace, a Tel Aviv Café and disco, en- the Man, the Myth, the Legend.” Bring a dairy tertainment, and more. $5/individual ticket, $10/ lunch. Drinks and desserts provided. Noon. family. Celebration from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. followed Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Rabbi Rod Gl- by Israeli Dance Party from 3:30–5 p.m. Pre-reg- ogower presents different topics each week istration encouraged. Contact celebrateisrael@ using texts from Tanach, Talmud, and rab- jewishannarbor.org or phone 677-0100. binic literature. English translations of texts Hike: Jewish Hikers. Mitchell Nature Preserve. provided. Discussions in areas of law, philos- 2:30 p.m. ophy, and theology. 8 p.m. at UM Hillel. For information, call 662-5805. Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn- ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of Thursday 14 life. 8 p.m. Every Sunday.

Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- Monday 18 ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays at Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special or email [email protected]. Ongoing. events and guest presentations (see description below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney Class: TBE. Haftarah Trop with Cantor Annie Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. with continuing dis- Rose. Noon–1 p.m. cussion of Cousine Bette by Honore de Balzac. Community Reception: Jewish Federation. Of- Dancing Presentation: JCC Seniors. A registered ficial reception to welcome six-member del- nurse will take and record blood pressures and egation from Ann Arbor’s Partnership 2000 address questions at 12:30 p.m. followed by community, Moshav Nahalal. 7 p.m. For infor- “Dancing With the Stars” at 1 p.m. Instructors mation, contact Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@ from the Kenville Dance Studio will perform jewishannarbor.org or by phone at 677-0100. and demonstrate ballroom dancing. Sisterhood Torah Study: TBE. 7 p.m. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Tuesday 19 legal system by following the intriguing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a compos- Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute. ite of practical law, logical argumentation, and Finding Yourself in the Book of Genesis. Six- moral teachings. Study of the original Talmud session course examines classic stories from tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eternal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at Friday 15 Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at $10/3 sessions, $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet 761-2765 for information. Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- Anniversary Service: TBE. Special service hon- ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card oring Rabbi Levy’s 25th Anniversary. 6:30 p.m. games, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): the calendar. All ages and levels welcome including UM and non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Saturday 16 For information, call 936-2367. May 2009 May Movie and Dinner: BIC. For 6th grade parents A Shabbat Limud: BIC. Shabbat Learning facili- and children. 6 p.m. tated by Rabbi Dobrusin. Discussion of weekly Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Torah portion over coffee and cakes. 9–10 a.m. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Torah Study: TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 a.m. standing it is no simple matter. Study the followed by Chapel Service at 9:30 a.m. text in the original, together with the classical Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday.

Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- 28 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 29 - - - - (AAOM) (JCC) (Jewish holiday). Call 7:14 p.m. 7:22 p.m. 7:29 p.m. 7:36 p.m. 7:43 p.m. TBE. Torah TBE. Study Torah at 8:50 Pardes Hannah. Generally Chabad. Chabad. Morning services AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 service, Morning AAOM. Ann Ann Arbor Reconstructionist AA Reconstructionist Havurah. Havurah. Reconstructionist AA yom yom tov Chabad. Begins at candle-lighting candle-lighting at Begins Chabad. May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 May Shabbat Candlelighting 2309 Packard Rd. 665-4744 Rd. 2309 Packard a.m. a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sun set. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/ withMa’ariv Seudah Shlisheet and Dvor To eat. to bite a and topics Torah rahevery week. Discussions led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and Home hospitality scholars. local avail other UM Hillel. and meals. Shabbat for able p.m. 10 a.m.–12:15 from childcare Morning 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 Street 1429 Hill 1429 Hill St. 994-5822 St. 1429 Hill Arbor 913-9705 Ann 7451, Box P.O. 665-9897 Ave. Washtenaw 2000 995-3276 St. 715 Hill Ypsilanti 482-0456 Ave., Washtenaw 965 Dr.971-0990 Hollow 2935 Birch 975-9872 Dr. Hollow 2935 Birch 769-0209 St. State 2245 South 677-0100 Dr. Hollow 2939 Birch 761-5324 Ave. Washtenaw 2010 time. Home hospitality available for Shabbat meals Shabbat for available hospitality Home time. Call 995-3276 in advance. holidays. and Jewish Havurah. 6:15 PM at the Havurah. JCC the last Friday each month. Musical Shabbat service followed option with Shabbat Tot potluck. vegetarian by welcome are All PM. 6:00 at dinner pizza kid’s al emailcall information, 913-9705, For to attend. visit or www.aarecon.org. [email protected] a.m. Chapel Service at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary 665-4744 at office the Call Servicea.m. 10 at www.templebethemeth. at website consult or service for org details. Call 662-5805 in advance. AAOM. Meals: Shabbat and 995-3276 in advance. Discussion-based format with topics changing changing topics with format Discussion-based For monthly. info, email [email protected] or call visit 913-9705 or www.aarecon.org. at 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 minutes sundown. before meets the 2nd and 4th information. Saturdays more for 663-4039 Call month. of each Elliot Ginsburg. Rabbi by Led 10 a.m. Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) Temple U-M Hillel Shabbat Shabbat Service: Services: Shabbat Mincha. p.m. 6 a.m.; 9:30 BIC. Services: Shabbat Services: Shabbat Arbor Orthodox Minyan Ann (AARH) Arbor Havurah Reconstructionist Ann Beth Congregation Israel (BIC) House Chabad EMU Hillel Center Jewish Community SocietyJewish Cultural (JCS) ServicesJewish Family (JFS) Jewish Federation Hannah Pardes Shabbat Shabbat Service: Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every Shabbat Shabbat Services: Shabbat Services: Shabbat Services: Weekly ShabbatWeekly services ofPhone numbers and addresses organizations frequently listed:

- - - - - JCC Seniors. BIC. BIC. A special Chabad. Study Study Chabad. . Every Sunday Chabad. Chabad. Learn Chabad. Delve into AAOM. 9:30 at a.m. AAOM. BIC. Seudah Shlishit Seudah BIC. AAOM. 9:30 a.m. at 9:30 a.m. AAOM. grade class, followed followed grade class, AAOM. 8:45 p.m. at th ORT. Dine with friends ORT. AAOM. AAOM. Midnight. For TBE and St. Clare’s Epis Clare’s St. and TBE AAOM. ServicesAAOM. held at UM TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 Chabad. An An in-depth study the into Chabad. copal Church. Annual concert at 7 p.m. concert Annual Church. copal of way Jewish the to meanings deeper the ing House. at Chabad 8 p.m. life. and Study Program. 4:45 p.m. Program. and Study before hour 1 Chabad. Torah: the of mensions Every Saturday. House. at Chabad sundown group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown at Every Saturday. House. Chabad Chabad. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di Hillel. Hillel. Call 994-9258 in advance for times. of rest month. 7:30 p.m. 4/3; on 6:15 p.m. Women: Women: Torah weekly the of overview an book, prayer 9:30 at a.m. reading, with Jewish philosophy. Every Sunday. House. Chabad the basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad Amer ORT to donors generous recognize and ica. 6 p.m. at Quarter Bistro Restaurant, 300 South Maple Road. 6 p.m. Rides available, if contact reserve, to or information For needed. 22. May by [email protected] at Levitt Joan in Shabbat Family Shira: p.m.; 6 at dinner by lowed p.m. 7:30 at Service Traditional p.m.; 6:45 at Song For information, call 665-4744. information, For by Torah Service and Musaf. 9:30 a.m. Service and Musaf. Torah by UM Hillel. a.m. followed by Chapel Service by at 9:30 a.m. followed a.m. Torah weekly of Discussion Dobrusin. Rabbi by 9–10 a.m. and cakes. coffee portion over U-M Hillel. 6 programfor Shavuot details, call 994-9258. details, UM Hillel. Meets Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at information. 761-2765 for Jewish Concepts–for Women: Jewish Women: Concepts–for Mystical Mystical Insights to the Women: Torah–for of Ethics: Laws Shabbat–Jewish services:Shabbat See listing at the end of calendar Shabbat Shabbat Service: Service: 6 p.m. Shabbat BIC. fol p.m. 5:30 at Shabbat Tot Service: Shabbat TBE. Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Prayer the through Hebrew Reading Mysticism: Tanya–Jewish Concert: Joint Annual Annual Spring Dinner: Mincha Shavuot Program: Program: Shavuot Mincha Tikkun Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Torah Study: Torah facilitatedLearning Shabbat BIC. Limud: Shabbat Shavuot Morning Service: Services: 9:30 a.m. and Shabbat Shavuot BIC. Sixth Grade Shabbat Program: Erev Erev Shavuot Services: Service: 9:30 a.m. Morning Shavuot BIC. Shavuot Morning Service: Weekly Yiddish Yiddish Reading Group: Weekly Confirmation Service: 7:30 p.m. TBE. Service: 7:30 p.m. Mincha Shavuot BIC. at UM Hillel. 8:45 p.m. Service:Shavuot AAOM. services: evening Friday Listing at end of calendar. Weekly Friday night Shabbat Friday Weekly services Sunday 31 Sunday 1 June Monday, Saturday 30 Saturday Friday 29 Friday ------Chabad. Chabad. Chabad. Chabad. Sharp Chabad. Chabad. Learn Every Thursday. Every TBE. TBE. Rabbi Levy will dis Jewish Jewish Learning Institute. Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. 9 a.m. Chabad. JCC Seniors. Heather O’Neal, O’Neal, Heather Seniors. JCC JCC Early Childhood Cen BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin BIC. BIC. Followed by Tikkun Leil JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Exercise Energy Seniors. JCC All includ ages and levels welcome and Rabbi Blumenthal. Today’s topic and “Sar is Rabbi Blumenthal. Today’s ah, Rebekkah, Leah and Rachel, the Mothers Bring of a Our dairy People.” lunch. Drinks Noon. and desserts provided. Finding Yourself in Finding Yourself the Book of Genesis. Six- session course examines classic stories from Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter with Maria 11 Farquhar, a.m., $4/session or $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects, and card . Tuesday Every p.m. 1 games, nal relevance to everyday 9:30–11 life. a.m. at at the JCC. 7:30–9 p.m. and House Chabad Dairy ter. crafts, dinner, performers, garden ing tips and a Shavuot parade. $10/children (includes dinner and crafts) and $8/adults (includes dinner). Children under 2 free.11 ndey email information, For p.m. a.m.–12:30 call or 971-0990. [email protected] ing UM and non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. Michi UM of floor ground Café, Beanster’s at call 936-2367. information, For gan League. standing it is no simple matter. Study the in text the withtogether original, the classical . Tuesday Every 8:30 p.m. commentaries. Reading Reading the Bible may be easy, but under ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of . Every Sunday p.m. 8 life. eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad cuss “A Question of“A cuss Authority: How Do We 9 p.m. is True?” the Torah Know 9:30 p.m. Shavuot. wits of your and knowledge en legal the Jewish system by following the intriguing discussions in The is the Talmud a Talmud. composite of moral and argumentation, logical law, practical tractate Talmud original the of Study teachings. 8 p.m. 2. chapter Taanit intrepid intrepid local traveler and will entrepreneur, 1 p.m. Nepal. to trek about her the group tell Maria Farquhar, 10 Maria a.m., Farquhar, $4 or 3/$10; Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jewish per Women: ophy–for spective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Home $3 a.m.; 11 news, week’s this on spective events Special noon; Lunch, Dairy Buffet made Group Literary p.m.; 1 presentations, guest and at 2:15 p.m. Warschausky with Sidney Ongoing Ongoing class from 9 at a.m.–noon on Mondays– Mondays–Thursdays on p.m. 1–3 and Fridays Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Ongoing. [email protected]. email or SPICE of LIFE: LIFE: of SPICE Lunch Lunch and Learn: English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. SPICE of LIFE: Biblical Reflections: Celebrate Shavuot: Tish: Yidish Portion—for Women: Torah Weekly Jewish Concepts–for Women: Jewish Women: Concepts–for Ma’ariv Service:Ma’ariv Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Mincha Service: 7:30 p.m. Mincha BIC. Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Travel Presentation: Presentation: Travel Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos Jewish and Reading Torah Weekly Prayer, Thursday 28 Wednesday 27 Wednesday Tuesday 26 Tuesday Monday 25 Monday

------8:30 p.m. 8:30 Chabad. – JCC Seniors. Chabad. Chabad. Study Chabad. Delve into JCC and JFS. Monthly JCC and Monthly JFS. Every Thursday. Every BIC. Following Yom Ye Yom Following BIC. JCC Seniors. Charlene Helton, Helton, Charlene Seniors. JCC BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin See listing at the end of calendar. JCC JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise TBE. TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 Chabad. Chabad. An in-depth study into the prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah an overview of book, Torah the weekly prayer reading, with Jewish 9:30 philosophy. a.m. at Every Sunday. House. Chabad the basic text of Chassidism and open your Women: Women: a.m. followed by Chapel Service by at 9:30 a.m. followed a.m. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di before hour 1 Chabad. Torah: the of mensions Every Saturday. House. at Chabad sundown group group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown Every Saturday. House. Chabad at JCC Early Childhood Seventh Center. annual Shabbat luncheon where children are encour aged to invite grandparents and special friends. ndey email information, For p.m. a.m.–12:20 11 971-0990. phone or [email protected] Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at information. 761-2765 for at the JCC. RSVP encouraged to Abbie at 769- [email protected]. to email 0209 or 7 p.m. rshalayim. with Maria 10 Farquhar, a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Current Events with Heather a Dombey, Jew ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 a.m.; 11 news, week’s this on perspective ish Dairynoon; SpecialHomemade Buffet Lunch, description(see presentations guest and events below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney with at dis- continuing 2:15 p.m. Warschausky Balzac. de ofcussion Bette Honore Cousine by UM professor of willmusic, present a program of vocal music at 1 Prior to p.m. the music program, Al Jewish ServicesFamily Geriatric Worker Social discussion, for available be will MSW, Pollock, lison at 12:30 p.m. and assistance questions Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Jewish of the knowledge and wits your Sharpen legal system by following the intriguing discus sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite The Talmud sions in the Talmud. moral and argumentation logical law, practical of teachings. Study of the original tractate Talmud 8 p.m. 2. chapter Taanit When a Loved One Has Dementia.” 6:30 Dementia.” Has One Loved a When on, the First High Priest.” Bring a dairy lunch. dairya Bring lunch. Priest.” High First the on, Noon. Drinks and desserts provided. program for adult children in a variety of care giving roles for their aging parents. The topic is “Goodbye Without Leaving: Coping With Loss and Rabbi Blumenthal. Today’s topic and “Aar is Rabbi Blumenthal. Today’s Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Tanya–Jewish Reading Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Mystical Mystical Insights to the Women: Torah–for Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Torah Study: Torah Shabbat services:Shabbat Grandparents/Special Friends Shabbat Luncheon: Shabbat Friends Grandparents/Special TBE. 1 p.m. TBE. Meditation: Yiddish Reading Weekly Group: TBE. 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. TBE. Shabbat: Tot Dinner: Shabbat Israeli TBE. 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. 7:30 p.m. TBE. Meditation: services: evening Friday Listing at the endcalendar. SPICE of LIFE: Vocal Music Program: Program: Music Vocal Study Group–Jewish Talmud Civil Law: Lunch Lunch and Learn: Caregiver Caregiver Conversations: Sunday 24 Sunday Saturday 23 Saturday Friday 22 Friday Thursday 21 Wednesday 20 Wednesday I Ruthless Cosmopolitan I Around Town

Ruthless Cosmopolitan: Online epitaph Great time to renovate By Ruth Ellen Gruber David Erik Nelson, staff writer ROME (JTA)—One year ago I joined my fa- straightforward—as was my mother—and ost people today are staying put,” replacement windows and maintaining, re- ther, my brothers and their families, as well so far it seems to fit the bill. explains Joseph Brown of J.E. pairing, and replacing gutters, siding, and as a few other friends and relatives, at my People already have begun to find it. M Brown Building (761-3961), “Years roofs. “The last couple winters have been re- mother’s grave in Santa Monica, California. “I was so happy to come across this web- ago, when you outgrew your house, you moved. ally bad” for roofs, Kleinschmidt says. Com- It was close to the first anniversary of site. Your parents were very important to me Today, for some people, that’s not an option… petent roofers will perform an inspection Mom’s death, and we gathered with a rabbi when I was a young child,” reads our first instead of growing out of a home, people are and give an honest assessment of any prob- for a ceremony to unveil her headstone. post, a moving tribute from a woman who growing with their home.” According to Brown, lems (which may not be related to the roof it- Mom is buried in a municipal cemetery knew my folks 25 years ago. who, over the last 27 years, has done everything self; an “ice dam,” for example, is actually the shaded by palm trees. Like most of the other “I am so glad that you started this web- from light renovations to building new houses, result of poor ventilation and insulation, not grave markers there, a simple, flat plaque site,” she added, “if only for the opportunity kitchens and bathrooms are popular targets for a roof leak) before making a quote. “We’ve rather than a standing tombstone denotes that it gave me to reflect on what your moth- remodeling. Although these complicated rooms been around for 37 years, so we’re not gonna her resting place. er and father meant to me.” are the most expensive to modify, they are also sell you something if you don’t need it.” All that is written about her is her name In my work over the past two decades, I’ve the areas of a house that see the most use. “We Most roof replacements take about two and the years of her birth and death. And visited hundreds of Jewish cemeteries where try to steer people in the direction to spend days; Kleinschmidt’s crews hand nail every- there’s a menorah, following the tradition of lives and life stories endure in sculpted form, their money wisely.” Brown suggests that ho- thing (rather than using staple guns), and marking Jewish women’s graves with depic- sometimes for centuries. meowners always replace ailing appliances and haul away all debris at the end of each day, tions of candlesticks. Some epitaphs use stock phrases and pi- fixtures with “green” alternatives. The owners so that there are no dumpsters on site and But there is no epitaph. Nothing that tells ous platitudes. But some tombstones bear will enjoy an immediate savings on utility bills, no trash left around the house overnight. about who she was, where she came from, elaborate carvings, with symbols denoting and the house will be more attractive when it’s Autumn is busy for roofing, primarily be- how she lived or the way she was regarded. the name, heritage, attributes, or profession ultimately placed on the market. cause most homeowners wait until the last The fifth commandment enjoins us to of the deceased. Others feature epitaphs that Alan Friedman of Modern Mechanical minute. “If you’re gonna get a deal on your honor our fathers and mothers. read like full-blown CVs—birth place, death (662-6644, www.modernmechanical.net) roof, you’re better off getting it done in the This year, as the second anniversary of place, education, professional positions, offers similar advice. Friedman points out spring or summer than fall, when everyone Mom’s death approached, my brothers and honors, titles, family. that President Obama’s economic stimulus is backlogged.” I joined the growing ranks of children who Sometimes I get a chill when I read these per- package includes a tax credit of up to $1,500 Ken Lussenden has also found that spring now choose to honor their parents online, sisting evocations of rich and complex lives. to defray the cost of installing a super-ef- is when the “diligent planners” schedule creating a web site to celebrate our mother’s Because of the Holocaust, most of the the ficient furnace. High-end, variable-speed their renovations. Ken Lussenden Con- life and commemorate her. Also, since my people buried in Jewish cemeteries in Central furnaces are 95 percent more efficient than tracting (995-0715) has been repairing and mother was an artist, we wanted to share im- Europe have left no direct descendants. The older models, with a much smaller carbon renovating homes since 1971, often working ages and information about her work. cemeteries themselves often are overgrown and footprint. Air-conditioning technology has on the turn-of-the-century gems found on Essentially what we did with the web site abandoned. Still, here are the declarations of likewise advanced by leaps and bounds: Ann Arbor’s Old West Side. Among other re- was to etch an epitaph for Mom in cyber- love and bereavement, of honor and respect. Even the most affordable 2009 unit is quieter sponsibilities, the company handles annual space, picking up on an age-old tradition For example, I never knew my great- and 30 percent more efficient than its 2006 maintenance on the University of Michigan’s of personifying the deceased through words grandmother, Ettel Gruber. She was the counterpart. According to Friedman there historic properties, such as the Burnham chiseled into solid stone. mother of my father’s father, and I was given are “really good manufacturer’s incentives House in Nichols Arboretum. My brothers and I all collected material and my middle name in her honor. Ettel died in this spring,” such as a $1000 rebate on top- The major mistake Lussenden sees people supplied content, but I was the one who designed Romania, well up in her 90s, in 1947, having of-the-line Carrier-brand Infinity™ Series make is in neglecting regular “trivial, inex- the site, sticking to several basic priorities. survived the Holocaust. heating-cooling systems. “The bottom-line pensive, preventative maintenance.” For ex- For one, the software had to be easy to use. Prewar pictures show her with a stern- for the customer has never been lower… for ample, homeowners should schedule an We had to be able to post both text and pho- looking visage. But her epitaph calls her “a high-quality, high-efficiency equipment.” annual inspection, ideally on a rainy day, tos. Since we wanted to encourage response positive and dedicated woman, fair and kind Ann Arbor’s Rochman Design-Build since minor water problems along a roofline, and interaction, we also needed a format that in all her doing; (she) offered hospitality and (761-6936, www.rochmandesignbuild.com) imperceptible in dry weather, can grow into combined a web site with a blog. charity to the poor and set a full table for the likewise focuses on maximizing value and major headaches. Similarly, reapplying poly- The web sites built by friends of mine for Tzaddikim.” energy-efficiency. Since 1989, this full-service urethane to hardwood floors annually—a their parents run the gamut from simple me- Cyberspace is not stone, and I have no design and building firm has focused solely job that’s no more arduous than waxing— morials aimed primarily at family and close idea how long the online epitaphs we are on remodeling and additions. Founder Gary will save you from having to periodically friends to elaborate multimedia construc- creating with our web sites will endure. Rochman maintains that it is implicitly more strip, grind, and refinish the floors; “it can tions or sites aimed at placing a personal life I do know, however, that if you Google environmentally sound to refit an existing run into the tens of thousands of dollars to story into the context of broader history. my mother’s name, you’ll find her. And if you home than to build from scratch. “Good de- do remedial repair to surfaces that could The web site for Lore Rasmussen, who follow the link, you’ll get to know something sign is nearly always green design,” since it have been maintained with very little effort died in January, details her life as a Jewish about who she was and why we still care so focuses on efficiency, minimizing construc- or money.” refugee from Nazi Germany who went on to much about her. tion waste, and keeping the home comfort- If you are looking to sell your home in the become an American civil rights activist and The Web site for my mother, Shirley ably, conveniently compact. short term, Lussenden advises you attend to educator. The site that artist Josh Gosfield Moskowitz Gruber, is at shirleymoskowitz. Rochman Design-Build’s award-winning the house’s “curb appeal”: “When perspec- put up to honor his father, Gene, includes wordpress.com. n work has been featured in Remodeling Mag- tive buyers consider a building, they fre- animation and a jivey rap poem. azine, Our House, and Upscale Remodeling. quently make up their minds before they’ve “In the two minutes that it takes from be- Ruth Ellen Gruber’s books include National Check their website for an impressive port- even entered.” A new front door, new siding, ginning to end, I recall his life—that which I Geographic Jewish Heritage Travel: A Guide folio of before-and-after shots. or a coat of paint are vital in a constricted know only through stories, that which I ex- to Eastern Europe, Letters from Europe (and Sharon Kleinschmidt of R.D. Klein- market, since “the psychology for buyers perienced firsthand, and that which I imag- Elsewhere), and Virtually Jewish: Reinvent- schmidt, Inc. (428-8836) notes that, “Spring really is set, to a large measure, before they ined,” Josh told me. n ing Jewish Culture in Europe. She blogs on in Michigan is a slow time for most construc- even open the door.” I considered various formats, but in the Jewish heritage issues at jewish-heritage-trav- tion companies, and that’s when you’re going end I chose a simple wordpress.com blog el.blogspot.com. to get your better deals.” R.D. Kleinschmidt, template. It’s not overly ambitious, but it’s Inc. specializes in installing high-efficiency May 2009 May A Washtenaw Jewish News Jewish News Washtenaw 30 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2009 31 Cuisine gourmet pizza Tanfastic Tanfastic good healthy and get ready for the sun! the for get ready San Fu Oriental Anthony’s PizzaAnthony’s -out great cuisine to go! cuisine to great Back Alley Gourmet Specialty Foods Dine-in & Carry Corner of Main & Madison www.southmainmarket.com delicacies in your neighborhood!in your from around the world the around from Brazamerica By the Pound Pound the By teas, spices and staples and teas, spices Discover Authentic Foods Authentic Discover Copernicus Deli homemade bread and Polish Polish and bread homemade travel Brazilian & Latin Brazilian styletravel - 6 2 8 8 2 21 10 28 11 21 28 28 30 31 27 19 22 31 ..

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South Main Market Main South Joe Cornell Entertainment Joe Jewish Federation Jewish Lake Forest Golf Club Forest Lake Carpet One Merkel Mechanical Modern Realtors Reinhart Charles Sjo; Pam Co-op Food People’s Realtors Surovell Edward Porath; Michal P.T. Probility Kleinschmidt R.D. Michigan Theater Michigan PLC Sevick, Christopher Simply ScrumptiousSimply Two Wheel Tango Wheel Two Bank and Trust United University Musical Society Musical University Apothecary Village Zingerman’s Jewish Community Center Community Jewish 2 8 6 8 2 7 6 . 16 15 11 31 28 12 12 31 11 11 10 12 30

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Advertisers Vitals Patisserie Cafe/ Amadeus Schools Arbor Public Ann Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah Arbor Reconstructionist Ann Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts the Performing Arbor for School Ann Susan Ayer Photography Ayer Susan Arbor Bank of Ann Beautiful Earth Farm Family Camp Caen Camp Gan Israel Camp Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Plastic and Reconstructive for Center Flowers Chelsea Dennis Platte Graphic Design Graphic Platte Dennis House Cleaning House Repair Auto Westgate Fawzi’s Food Gatherers (Grillin’) Gatherers Food Gold Bond Cleaners Cantor Samuel Greenbaum; mohel Greenbaum; Samuel Cantor Haifa Falafel Haifa Inc. Building, Brown J.E. J’spaa birth of their son, Adin Simcha, on March 14. March on Simcha, Adin birth of son, their berg, on March 23. March on berg, on March 17. March on daughters of Dina Zand and Adrian Zelazny. ofdaughters Adrian and Dina Zand and Jonah Klein. and Jonah ter of Rebecca and Kyle Morse, little sister of Lion, great-granddaughter of Blanche Cohen. Blanche of great-granddaughter Lion, of sister little Morse, Kyle and Rebecca of ter Linda and Richard Greene, on the birth of granddaughter, Judah Burr Morse, born April 1, daugh 1, April born Burr Morse, Judah the birth on of granddaughter, Greene, Linda and Richard Mazal Tov Mazal 9. May on bat mitzvah, her on Danielle Markel 9. May on his bar mitzvah, on Sage Ozdarski 16. May on bat mitzvah, her on Berkooz Hana 16. May on his bar mitzvah, on Brodkey Aaron 16. May on bat mitzvah, her on Teitelbaum Rachel 23. May on bat mitzvah, her on Taub Katherine 23. May on his bar mitzvah, Gitlin on Andrew 25. May on bat mitzvah, her on Lainie Mermelstein 30. May on his bar mitzvah, on Brenner Alexander 30. May on bat mitzvah, her on Gabrielle Keen the on the birth on Ari Kahan of and and Emily Meltzer grandson, their and Lenny Leslee Jim Saalberg, Jonathan and William Saalberg, on the death of wife and mother, Ellen Saal- of the death on Saalberg, wife and mother, William and Jonathan Saalberg, Jim Gloria Zimet on the death of her husband, Natan Zimet. Natan Gloria of the death on Zimet husband, her Lill Rosenberg. of the death on his grandmother, Kander Jacob Sidney Fine. of the death Fine on husband, her Jean Mark, Harold of the death on and father, husband Mark, and Ira Ann, Betsy, Mark, Bernice Condolences James and Ashley Adox on the birth of their son, Nathan Adox, also brother of also brother Max. Adox, the birth on Nathan of son, their Adox Ashley and James Zelazny, the birth on Ariela Zand Bob and Tamar and Charlene of granddaughters, their Nikki and Diana Klein on the birth of their daughter, Rebekah Violet Klein, sister of sister Elijah Klein, Violet Rebekah and Diana the birth on Klein ofNikki daughter, their

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