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 Oh Jewish New Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 Chanukah! Book Fair Cookbook Photo Album by Aviva and son Aric

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December 2011/January 2012 Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5772 Volume XXXVI: Number 4 FREE

New York Times correspondent Roger Cohen to speak at U-M Hillel to honor incoming Kimberly Kunoff, special to the WJN director Tilly Shames n the evening of Sunday, February 5, your history, 2001, and foreign editor six months later. and outgoing director at 7 p.m., Roger Cohen, columnist end Jew ish Since 2004, he has written a column for The Michael Brooks O for the International Herald Tri- meekness and Times-owned International Herald Tribune, bune and New York Times, will speak at the humiliation, first for the news pages and then, since 2007, Michael Spitulnik, special to the WJN University of Michigan. His talk—“Israeli the acquies- for the Op-Ed page. In 2009 he was named The Ann Arbor Jewish Spring? The Enduring Jewish Question”— cence that took a columnist of The New York Times. community is invited to will ask how close, 63 years after the found- your forbears Cohen has written Hearts Grown Bru- a Chanukah celebration ing of the Jewish state, has Israel conformed to the ditches tal: Sagas of Sarajevo (Random House, to welcome Tilly Shames to its founding ideals. and the gas: 1998), an account of the wars of Yugosla- into her new role as ex- “Israel,” explains Cohen, “by giving Jews that was Israel’s via’s destruction, and Soldiers and Slaves: ecutive director of the at last a small piece of earth, was supposed message.” American POWs Trapped by the Nazis’ Final University of Michigan to create what Ben Gurion called ‘a self-suf- The lesson Gamble (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005). He has also Hillel. The event will also ficient people, master of its own fate,’ rather of strength, co-written a biography of General Norman Roger Cohen honor Michael Brooks than one ‘hung up in midair.’ This was to be coupled with Schwarzkopf, In the Eye of the Storm (Farrar for his 32 years as ex- Tilly Shames the resolution at last of the Jewish Question. that of tolerance declared in the Founding Straus & Giroux, 1991).n ecutive director as he After the millennia of marginalization,” he Charter of 1948, are what Cohen will discuss transitions into his new position as Director of continues, “after the pits in the Lithuanian during this talk. This talk is part of a two-day symposium on “Israel Today,” organized by Sarai Aharoni, Institutional Advancement at U-M Hillel. forests and Auschwitz and Dachau, it was Roger Cohen joined The New York Tilly, the current associate director of U-M supposed to end Jewish precariousness, Times in 1990. He was a foreign correspon- the Schusterman Visiting Lecturer at the University of Michigan. For more informa- Hillel, is originally from Toronto, Canada. Be- Jewish annihilation angst—the inner ‘exile’ dent for more than a decade before becom- fore coming to Ann Arbor in 2008, she worked of the Jew. Know your history, be proud of ing acting foreign editor on September 11, tion, email [email protected] or visit http://www.lsa.umich.edu/judaic/. at the Hillel of Greater Toronto first as the di- rector of Israel Affairs and then as the associate director. She also spent a year in Nairobi, Kenya, working for the United Nations Environmental Chanukah Wonderland opens at Briarwood Mall December 20 Programme (UNEP), where she coordinated David Alpert, special to the WJN the implementation of environmental curricu- lum, and assisted in the collection and review of n any given day, Briarwood Mall Wonderland and oversees all activities. Her contributions from around the world to GEO- goers spend hours shopping for inspiration, she says, is the possibility of 2000, UNEP’s leading publication. Another one O the latest fashions and accessories transforming a store into a “fully immersive of her valuable experiences was the Interna- on display at the popular mall in Ann Arbor. Chanukah experience, where we offer an tional Groups Coordinator at the Ben Gurion But this Chanukah, many shoppers will find exciting destination for families during the Heritage Institute where she coordinated and something different at a Chanukah-themed Chanukah festival. The message of Chanu- led educational programs for visiting interna- store located in the Sears wing. kah is the triumph of good over evil, so it tional youth groups. She received her bachelor’s Chabad of Ann Arbors’ Chanukah Won- is gratifying when people of all stripes, not degree from York University in Environmental derland begins with the attractive Chanukah- only Jewish people, stop by the Chanukah Studies and Political Science. Her masters de- themed decorations in the front display. Step Wonderland to learn about this wonderful gree is from the Norman Paterson School of inside and into a virtual, fun-filled Chanu- holiday,” she adds. n International Affairs, Carleton University, with kah experience. Children can build their own a specialization in water scarcity and conflict in For more information, call Shternie Zwiebel at dreidels with arts and crafts and compete in a Israel and the Middle East. 994-9832 #5. competition for the best Lego menorah. Ven- Sallie Kochin Abelson, U-M Hillel devel- ture deeper into the store and slip into a full- opment director, says, “It’s been a joy to work blown costume of Yehudah Maccabee, and Chanukah Wonderland dates and hours Tuesday, December 20 — 1–7 p.m. with Tilly. She has brought so many innova- record the moment with a photo. In another Wednesday, December 21 — 1–7 p.m. tive ideas and programs to our Hillel that I am corner inside the store, visitors will learn Thursday, December 22 — 1–7 p.m. excited for where Tilly will take U-M Hillel in how to manufacture oil with a special inter- Jackie Shapo, a lawyer in Ann Arbor Friday, December 23 — 11 a.m.–3 p.m. the upcoming years.” active presentation featuring a functioning brought her family to enjoy the Chanukah Saturday, December 24 — closed The dessert reception will take place on olive oil press. celebrations at the Chanukah Wonderland Sunday, December 25 — closed Wednesday, December 21, the second night A menorah-building event will be held on last year. “I’m a long-time shopper at Briar- Monday, December 26 — 1–4 p.m. (“Cha- of Chanukah, at 7:30 p.m. at Hillel, 1429 Hill December 27, in Briarwood Mall in the area by wood Mall, and I just wanted you to know nukah On Ice” at the Ice Cube at 5 p.m.) Street. R.S.V.P. by December 15 to Chris at 769- JCPenney. Fueled by Chanukah music, latkes how much my kids enjoyed the Chanukah Tuesday, December 27 — 1–7 p.m. (Jelly 0500 or email her at [email protected]. Park- and doughnuts, kids can help build a ten-foot Wonderland festivities there,” she said. Bean Menorah event at 5:30 p.m.) ing on Hill Street is permitted from 7–10 p.m. menorah made out of hundreds of jellybeans. Shternie Zwiebel runs the Chanukah on the night of the event. I Chanukah

2935 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 Giving the gift of tikkun olam voice: 734/971-1800 By Suzanne Kurtz fax: 734/971-1801 e-mail: [email protected] WASHINGTON (JTA)—If the thought of Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, N.J., says www.washtenawjewishnews.org spending too much Chanukah gelt on lavish the home-based aspect of the holiday lends gifts for friends and loved ones seems a little itself to an ideal opportunity for families to dim this year, adding a little tikkun olam to also reinforce traditional values like learning, the presents can give your Festival of Lights humility and acts of loving kindness. Editor and Publisher a memorable glow. During the lighting of the menorah, Susan Kravitz Ayer The Religious Action Center of Reform Ju- Frishman encourages families to take the Calendar Editor daism has assembled a Social Justice Chanu- time and ask questions: Who are these can- Claire Sandler kah Gift Guide with gift-giving ideas suitable dles for? What matters to us as a family? Who Happy Holidays! for all the do-gooders on your list. Buying fair might we think of tonight? Advertising Manager Join us for New Years Celebration trade products, adopting a U.S. serviceman or If children in need of books come to Gordon White servicewoman, donating blood or joining the mind, Reading Village, a nonprofit organiza- National Bone Marrow Registry are just a few tion that promotes literacy in impoverished Design and Layout Dennis Platte of the suggestions that can be found easily on villages in Guatemala, has created a family their website. There’s an idea for each of the discussion guide geared to Chanukah. Staff Writer eight nights of Chanukah. Sandor Slomovits The organization created the guide two years ago, says Naomi Abelson, the social Contributing Writers action specialist at the Union for Reform Aura Ahuvia, Halye Aisner, David Alpert, Roann Altman, Barbara Bergman, Dasee Berkowitz, Judaism, “when we realized no such re- Robert D. Blackwill, Miriam Eve Borenstein, Henry source existed” to help those interested in Brysk, Tyler DeJong, Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, Ruth giving gifts for Chanukah with a social jus- Eglash, Uri Fintzy, Eileen Freed, Karla Goldman, tice bent. Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Shoshana Jackson, Ron Some rabbis and synagogues go even Kampeas, Sybil Kaplan, Dan Klein, Kimberly Kunoff, further in aiding their congregants with Hillel Kuttler, Sala Levin, Rabbi Robert Levy, Fran non-commercial gift-giving ideas. Martin, Pat McCune, Dvora Meyers, Alice Miller, Alice Mishkin, Merrill Poliner, Edmon J. Rodman, Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Mae Sander, Penny Schwartz, Dina Shtull, Bethlehem Texas, has been hosting a Chanukah Mitz- Shoals, Walter B. Slocombe, Elliot Sorkin, Michael vah Bazaar for the past 15 years, says Rabbi Spitulnik, Rachel Urist, Brett Wilner Cookie Olshein, as an alternative to gift shopping for the holiday. The Washtenaw Jewish News is published A philanthropic cause is chosen each monthly, with the exception of January and July. It is registered as a Non-profit Michigan year—like hunger, aging, Israel or the en- Corporation. Opinions expressed in this pub- vironment—and several charitable orga- lication do not necessarily reflect those of its nizations devoted to the cause are invited editors or staff to come to the bazaar and introduce their Member of work, services and mission to the holiday American Jewish Press Association shopping congregants. The shoppers se- lect an organization that they would like to support, and purchase a donation for friends With its Light Up Literacy program, chil- and loved ones in lieu of buying them an ac- dren are encouraged to forgo a toy on the tual present. A beautiful, personalized card seventh night and instead give tzedakah to is included. Reading Village. Guided learning material “Chanukah isn’t Yom Kippur, it isn’t a for having a discussion about the impor- major holiday,” Olshein says. “It is a celebra- tance of books and literacy are also part of tion of Jewish identity, and small acts can the program, along with a special blessing to make a big change in the world.” be recited over the Chanukah candles. ©2011 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw And unlike Purim, says Rabbi Sari Laufer The program, says Linda Smith, founder Jewish News may be reproduced without of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in New of Reading Village, not only “helps to less- permission of the publisher. York, there is no religious commandment en the consumerism angle” of Chanukah Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should instructing us to give gifts on Chanukah. but creates a shared bound between Jewish not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the Still, every year, Laufer compiles an “8 families and the families in Guatemala, since editor at [email protected]. Name will be withheld at the discretion of the editor. Nights, 8 Ways” list for her congregants with candle-lighting rituals are also symbolic in suggestions for them to “Bring Hope on Mayan culture. Circulation: 5,000 Subscriptions: Chanukah,” she says. For families who want Rabbi Isaac Jeret, of Congregation Ner $12 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County to bring a social action spirit to their holiday Tamid of South Bay in Rancho Palos Verdes, $18 first-class su bscription celebration, Laufer encourages parents to Calif., however, says the Chanukah candles have their children pick out a toy for a child should ultimately serve as a reminder “of our The deadline for the February issue of the in need instead of receiving one themselves unique Jewish light.” Washtenaw Jewish News, is Monday, January 9. or volunteering as a family at a soup kitchen “We won’t be able to be there for anybody Publication date: Thursday, January 26 one night instead of making latkes at home. else if we don’t ensure our own sustainabil- Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News Since gift giving is probably not what the ity,” Jeret says. “We teach the world by way of are available at locations throughout Maccabees had in mind for celebrating the example, but we are the miracle of Chanu- Washtenaw County. Chanukah miracle, Rabbi Elyse Frishman of kah and we must preserve that light.” n

IIn this issue… Congregations ...... 8 Seniors ...... 4 Advertisers ...... 39 Film ...... 28 Technology ...... 22 Books ...... 22 Israel ...... 27 Youth ...... 15 Campus ...... 7 Kosher Cuisine ...... 30 Vitals ...... 39 Calendar ...... 32 On Another Note ...... 29 Women ...... 4

2 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 ICommunity

Party Expo returns to the JCC Mussar study group at BIC Roann Altman, special to the WJN Halye Aisner, special to the WJN A new Mussar study group is set to begin at he Jewish Community Center of she wanted to Beth Israel Congregation in January 2012. Greater Ann Arbor will host the sec- bring some- Ann Arbor The group will use the materials provided by T ond annual Party Expo on Sunday, thing larger to Party The Mussar Institute as part of their Mid- December 11, from 2–5 p.m. The JCC will the Jewish com- Planning dah a Month program. The course is open open its doors to those in the community munity. Hay- Expo! to anyone who has completed either of The planning bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, grad- man also owns Mussar Institute’s introductory courses— uations, baby/wedding showers or any other POP! Designs Season of Mussar I or Everyday Holiness. special event. Community-wide non-profit and Creations, Middah a Month provides a way for agencies will also be in attendance for those which makes participants to continue studying Mussar interested in mitzvah projects. There is no and delivers bal- locally with a va’ad (group) while connect- charge to attend this event. loon creations ing with others across the country who are Event vendors—caterers, party planners, for any type of studying the same middah (soul trait). Each balloon artists, photographers, decorators event. Co-chair Staci Kennedy’s Who’s Got month participants will receive texts for and entertainment companies—will be on- The Time? is an event planning business study alone or with a partner, stories about hand to answer questions. Door prizes and specializes in the time-consuming areas of the middah in daily life, and suggestions for free samples are also part of the event. researching, organizing and planning events the monthly affirmation to reinforce the Carolynn Hayman, Party Expo co-chair, while attending to the individual needs of trait being worked on. The group members was planning her daughter’s bat mitzvah two busy families and professionals. n will then meet locally once a month (at a years ago. During this process, she attended a Let Encore Sell It For You: mutually convenient time to be determined) Electronics • Musical Instruments few parent meetings about planning a mini- For more information, contact Karen Freedland at 971-0990 or [email protected]. to share insights about the middah and how Designer Items • Antiques & Collectibles vendor fair, which was a one-stop shop for it operates in their lives. For additional in- Automotive Parts • Sporting Goods party-planning. It was so successful that formation, go to http://mussarinstitute.org/ Camera & Audio/Visual Equipment middah_a_month/. The cost of the course is $70 for the year Finding New Homes Chaverim B’Shirim to perform music (12 lessons). For questions or to enroll, email for Great Stuff! or call Roann Altman ([email protected]; 483-8352) by December 16 to ensure timely 1958 South Industrial from State Fair and Funny Girl receipt of the materials. (in the Colonial Lanes Plaza) Halye Aisner, special to the WJN providing a glimpse into the life of the farm- For those interested in learning more 734.761.6187 about what Mussar is and how it works, an haverim B’Shirim, Ann Arbor’s all- ing Frake family and their three-day EncoreOnlineResale.com introduction to Mussar study will be offered volunteer choir will adventure at the Iowa State Fair in at Beth Israel in early spring. To receive perform Des Moines in 1946. While par- C ents Abel and Melissa are hop- further information about the upcoming music from Rod- course, contact Roann Altman. gers and Hammer- ing to win a few blue ribbons, stein’s State Fair, siblings Margy and Wayne are and Jule Styne more interested in finding ro- and Bob Merrill’s mance on the midway. Menorah lights to shine at Funny Girl at their Funny Girl is a musical with a Ann Arbor Ice Cube winter concert on book by Isobel Lennart, music David Alpert, special to the WJN Sunday, Decem- by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Chabad of Ann Arbor will host a Chanu- ber 3, at 3 p.m. at Merrill. The semi-biographical kah bash for the broader Jewish community the Jewish Com- plot is based on the life and ca- in Ann Arbor, on munity Center reer of Broadway, film star and comedienne Monday, Decem- of Greater Ann Arbor. In the past, Chav- Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with ber 26, at 5 pm., erim B’Shirim entertained audiences with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein. Its at the Ann Arbor music from Harold Rome’s I Can Get It For original title was My Man. The musical was Ice Cube, 2121 You Wholesale, Pins and Needles and Call Me produced by Ray Stark, who was Brice’s son-in- Oak Valley Drive. Mister. law via his marriage to her daughter Frances, “By having a State Fair is a musical with a book by and starred Barbra Streisand. The production Chanukah cel- Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, lyrics by Os- was nominated for eight Tony Awards but, fac- ebration in the car Hammerstein II, and music by Richard ing tough competition from Hello, Dolly!. It Ice Cube, we are Rodgers. Rodgers and Hammerstein origi- failed to win in any categories. allowing many more people to learn about nally adapted the Phil Stong novel of the Donations are welcome and refreshments the message of Chanukah and experience same name for a 1945 movie musical, which will be served. For more information, con- the lighting of the Menorah,” said Shternie was remade in 1962. The stage production tact the JCC at 971-0990. n Zwiebel, coordinator of the event. closely follows the plot of its predecessors, Kids can skate to the backdrop of Cha- nukah music, and enjoy traditional Chanu- kah food staples like doughnuts and latkes, Yiddishe Cup at the Ark February 4 followed by a dinner. To cap off the night, a WJN staff writers five-foot Menorah will be built from ice. Admission to the event includes dinner On Saturday, February 4, at 8 p.m., The Ark will and skate rental. The cost is $25 per fam- once again welcome Yiddishe Cup to its stage. Reviv- ily/$8 per person before December 24; and ing the wacky Jewish humor of the ’50s and ’60s by $30 per family/$10 per person at the door. parodying everything from cha-cha to doo-wop to For more information, call Shternie Zwiebel rock, Northeast Ohion’s Yiddishe Cup is also one of at 995-3276#5. the tightest, most vigorous klezmer bands around. Year after year they wind up on Jewish-music ten- best lists, and their live shows are legendary. Get ready for songs like “Gentile on My Mind” or “K’nock Around the Clock.” But they can also play it straight, bringing the energy and tradition of klezmer music to their audiences. Says no less an authority than the late cartoon- ist Harvey Pekar: “Yiddishe Cup plays cleanly and enthusiastically. Clearly its members are enjoying themselves.” The shtickmeister— a klezmerite will be on hand to lead the audience in dancing. The Ark is located at 316 South Main Street. Tickets are $20; $10 with student ID and can be ordered by calling 763-8587. from the Washtenaw Jewish News

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 3 I Seniors I Women

SPICE* of Life Olive oil tasting links to historic *Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Educational Programs for Adults Chanukah celebration Merrill Poliner, special to the WJN Mae E. Sander, special to the WJN December & January n olive oil tasting will be the December kah story,” explains Esther Goldstein, organizer event for the Jewish Women’s Circle of the Jewish Women’s Circle. “We’re lucky to Tuesdays Thursdays A of Ann Arbor. Fustini’s Oils & Vin- have been invited to meet here, and to taste and 11 a.m. – Energy Exercise with Maria Farquhar. 10 a.m. – Energy Exercise with Maria Farquhar. egars in Kerrytown will host the tasting, with a learn about the various olive oils. I was pleased $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 presentation by Jill Gardner-Bakewell, the store to discover that many are kosher, as indicated manager. Fustini’s specializes in very fresh extra- on the labels in the store.” Noon – Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person 11 a.m. – Current Events with Heather Dombey. virgin olive oils from all over the world, as well as She further explained about the histor- A discussion of this week’s news. Bring 1 p.m. – Games and Activities. Join in for a aged balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy. ic meaning of olive oil: “The oil that lasted items of interest for group discussion. variety of games and activities including throughout the original holiday after the Mac- mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott Noon – Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person cabee’s victory was special olive oil made for the Hospita, art projects, and other card games. 1 p.m. – Special Events and Presentations Temple. The Greeks had broken the seals on the 1 p.m.– Wii sports including bowling, tennis, 2:15 p.m. – Sidney Warschausky Literary Group Temple’s oil jars, and the miracle occurred, as golf and baseball. No sports or computer facilitated by group members. Call Merrill we know, when the small quantity of oil lasted experience necessary. Poliner, 971-0990, for more information for eight days.” Olives are one of the “seven species” of grains 1:30 p.m. – Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversa- and the title of the current book. tional Group). Open to the public as well and fruits mentioned in the Torah because they as University of Michigan faculty, staff and Fridays were an important crop in the early agricultural students, all ages and levels welcome. Bean- 1:30 p.m.–Yiddish Reading Group at the Jewish life of ancient Israel. It was the custom of the ster’s Café, ground floor, Michigan League. Community Center. Call Ray Juni for addi- Temple priests to seal containers of first-pressed Free. For more information, call 936-2367. tional information at 761-2765 olive oil for religious uses, including anointing kings as well as illuminating the Temple. After the fall of the Temple, pure first-pressed oil was traditional for the lamps in Chanukah Special events and presentations celebrations. Candles replaced olive oil lamps in Thursday, December 1 later times, when Jewish communities settled in 12:30 p.m.: Birthday celebration for all with December birthdays! Bring your family regions where olive oil was unavailable. Many people now have returned to lighting oil lamps and friends for lunch and birthday cake. Fustini’s manager, Jill Gardner-Bakewell 1 p.m.: Join Happy (Sheila) Feigelson and discover ways to lighten up as you put instead of candles for Chanukah. The olive oil your own sense of humor and fun to work. Long-time Ann Arbor resident and pop- Participants will taste varietal extra-virgin tasting and discussion at the meeting will give ular presenter, Feigelson is author of the book, Energize Your Meetings with Laughter. olive oils from Chile, Australia, and Italy, and a participants a chance to find out about some of selection of oils that are naturally infused with these traditions, as well as to learn about mod- Thursday, December 8 herbs or citrus. Also, a salad will be prepared ern uses of olive oil. 12:30 p.m.: A registered nurse from Care Response will take and record blood pres- and served to show how olive oil can be an ex- The Jewish Women’s Circle provides an sures and address any questions. Free cellent ingredient in home-made salad dressing. opportunity for Jewish women to meet new 1 p.m : Join in for a presentation that will demonstrate some of the magic of phys- Discussion will include suggestions for salads, friends, socialize, and learn about a variety of ics by University of Michigan Professor Fred (Frederico the Great) Becchetti. recipes for cooking with olive oil, and a sum- issues. It is open to all, no affiliation necessary. Thursday, December 15 mary of the benefits of using extra-virgin olive The Olive Oil tasting will take place December 12:30 p.m.: Meet the Social Worker: Jewish Family Services Geriatric Social Worker oil rather than other processed oils. Attendees 12, 7:30 p.m. at Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars on Joanna Rosenthal will be available for discussion and questions. will have the opportunity to purchase oil or the the second floor in Kerrytown. Donation re- 1 pm: Frankel Scholar, Herbert Weisberg, will speak to the group. Dr. Weisberg, vis- Fustini’s Cookbook if they choose to do so. quested: $10. Spaces are limited: email esther@ iting from The Ohio State University, will discuss the characteristics and behaviors “We chose December for this tasting because jewmich.com to reserve. n of Jewish-American voters. olive oil is an authentic element in the Chanu- Thursday, December 22 1 p.m: Join the JCC Older Adults for a Chanukah celebration including activities with children of the ECC, latkes and holiday movies. Hadassah Chanukah Party December 15 Thursday, December 29 Barbara Bergman, special to the WJN 1 p.m: Ring in the New Year with Klezmer music brought to the JCC by Dave “O’ Chanukah, O’Chanukah come light the and prizes for all. Desserts, including souvganiot Gitterman and Ralph Katz. menorah, Let’s have a party we’ll all dance (jelly doughnuts) will be served. the hora…” Participants are asked to bring an “upscaled Thursday, January 5 Hadassah will hold it’s annual Chanukah white elephant” for the gift exchange and come 12:30 p.m.: Birthday celebration for all with January birthdays! Bring your family Party on December 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the home find out why elephants were important in the and friends for lunch and birthday cake. of Julie Ellis, 3929 Waldenwood Drive. Hadas- Chanukah story. Everyone in the community is 1 p.m.: The Happiness Boys return to perform at the JCC. Don Devine and David sah can’t promise dancing the hora, but it can invited to attend. RSVP to Julie at 665-0439 or Owens are proud to be following in the footsteps of the original Happiness Boys, promise a Chanukah party with fun, games Barb at 668-6821 or [email protected]. Billy Jones and Ernest Hare, the famous Vaudeville duo of the 1920’s and 30’s. Pre- senting wonderful songs from the glory days of Tin Pan Alley. Thursday, January 12 ORT to host “Chai’nukah” party 12:30 p.m.: A registered nurse from Care Response will take and record blood pres- Fran Martin, special to the WJN sures and address any questions. Free. 1 p.m.: Rabbi Robert Dobusin, of Beth Israel Congregation, will lead a group dis- The Ann Arbor Chapter of ORT America will University of Michigan, College of Literature, cussion and presentation. host its annual Chai’nukah party on Sunday, Science and the Arts. Axelrod’s topic will be December 18. This is not a typo. It is called “Jews of the South.” Thursday, January 19 a “Chai’nukah” party because attendees will This Chanukah celebration will feature 12:30 p.m.: Meet the Social Worker: Jewish Family Services Geriatric Social Worker each donate $18 (chai) to ORT America, as good food, great company and a stimulating Joanna Rosenthal will be available for discussion and questions. well as celebrating Chanukah with friends. talk. Participants are asked to bring the $18 1 pm: Frankel Visiting Fellow, Sammy Smooha of the University of Haifa, will present ORT members and prospective members are donation to ORT and a new, wrapped gift that on Israeli society. invited to attend. anyone would enjoy, valued at no more than Thursday, January 26 The party will be held from 2–4 p.m. on $10, for the Chanukah Harry gift exchange. December 18, in the Community Room at The gift can also be a gift certificate. Move 1 p.m: Senior Lifestyle and Injury Prevention Series (monthly through April) This Nature Cove, 2115 Nature Cove Court. The over Secret Santa. month, Joyce Kessler R.N., injury prevention coordinator at St. Joseph Mercy Hospi- guest speaker will be Robin Axelrod, cur- To RSVP or for further information, con- tal will present on home safety. rently the Undergraduate Program Coordi- tact Fran Martin at [email protected] nator, Department of Classical Studies, at the or at 665-1452. 4 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 ICampus

JCLP enjoys communal fall Alice Mishkin and Karla Goldman, special to WJN t has been a busy fall for students in the director of the Jewish Council on Urban Jewish Communal Leadership Program Affairs; Barbara Nurenberg, president and I (JCLP) at the University of Michigan CEO of JVS Detroit; Frankel Institute schol- School of Social Work. ars Herbert Weisberg and Kenneth Wald, and

s JCLP student meeting with Jerry Silverman, GA 2011 t JCLP students during meeting with program alumni WE PAY TOP PRICE In October, the School of FOR GOLD Social Work’s courtyard was transformed by the appearance of the second annual JCLP suk- kah. Along with branches and silver, platinum, paper chains, students decorated the sukkah with stories, memo- coins, gold ries and other representations of home. On October 11, students JCLP Students, U-M faculty, and community members watches and hosted a community-wide event, gather in the sukkah where local members of the Jew- ish community joined us for apples, honey Armand Lauffer, who created the first gradu- broken and conversation. The following day, JCLP ate program in Jewish communal leadership invited social work students and faculty into at the University of Michigan. jewelry the sukkah to learn more about the holiday At the beginning of November, 12 JCLP and to share information about the program. students headed west to attend the Gen- As the fall holidays concluded, the Jewish eral Assembly of The Jewish Federations Stop in for a Communal Leadership Program welcomed of North America (JFNA) in Denver. Dur- free estimate for more than 80 community members to the ing three jam-packed days in the mile high School of Social Work for a screening of city, students were immersed in this annual your gold, Between Two Worlds: The American Jewish communal effort to recharge the Jewish Culture Wars. The screening, co-sponsored communal present and imagine the future. antique rings, by the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies and Highlights for JCLP students included a student group, Makom: Intra-Jewish Dia- late-might meet-up with alumni of JCLP’s worn jewelry logue Group, was followed by a panel dis- predecessor programs, Project STaR and cussion that considered the themes of the Drachler. The alumni welcomed the students and any fine jewelry film within a Michigan context. Filmmakers, into their community and shared tips on the or gold item that you Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman, incom- perplexities of job-hunting, graduate school Immediate payment. ing University of Michigan Hillel Director and work-life balance. Students also had op- no longer need. no appointment necessary Tilly Shames, JCLP student Rachel Yerkey, portunities to meet with leaders from across Ann Arbor licensed precious metals dealer and Michigan undergraduate Danielle De- the Jewish community. Each student was as- Priest talked about the personal implica- signed a prominent Jewish professional lead- tions of the film and the possibilities for and er as a “mentor” to help introduce them to 2000 W. Stadium Blvd. • Ann Arbor limitations of Jewish communal5 pluralism in their particular fields of interest. In addition,6 Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan, and the students enjoyed private gatherings with 734.994.5111 • www.lewisjewelers.com at Hillel. JFNA president and CEO Jerry Silverman In addition to filmmakers Snitow and and Detroit communal leader Bill Berman Kaufman, other visitors who have engaged in which students had the opportunity to Bring in this coupon & JCLP students in questions of contemporary pose questions about difficult issues facing Jewish life this fall include Elissa Barrett, the community. JCLP students were proud chief of Regional Operations for Progressive to be part of a large delegation from South- receive an additional 25% Jewish Alliance and Jewish Funds for Justice; east Michigan that included Hillel students, 2000 W. Stadium Blvd. • Ann Arbor Robert Aronson, president of the Birthright local Federation leadership, and prominent 734.994.5111 • www.lewisjewelers.com Israel Foundation; Jane Ramsey, executive community members. n

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 5 F.P.O. Need--Date and Time Sunday February 5, 2012 10am–12pm

Announcing Thank a Friend. HerbThe Help a Neighbor. mster A Center Celebrate this season of giving thanks. A Division of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County Give the Gift of Gratitude and honor those you appreciate most and JFS will send up to 5 tribute cards Empowering individuals and in your name with a personalized message families through training, counseling, with each $50 donation. employment and entrepreneurship services. • Put food on the table for those who are less fortunate. • Provide transportation and accompaniment to doctor’s appointments. • Provide housing and employment services to those who struggle to sustain themselves SAVE THE DATE: • Offer assistance to couples in marital crisis. Spring • Bring hope and a sense of community to those who are isolated physically, Campaign Kick-Off emotionally and socially JFS@UMS March 25, 2012 Support JFS with your By Giving You Can... Reception: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. annual campaign gift. Recognize a teacher. Concert: 4:00 p.m. Honor a co-worker. featuring the Pay tribute to your clients. San Francisco Symphony Give thanks to a caregiver. Scan this code with your smart phone Rackham Auditorium Remember your loved ones. to make a donation Ann Arbor, MI

2245 S. State Street U Ann Arbor, MI 48104 U www.jfsannarbor.org U 734-769-0209

To give, go to jfsannarbor.org For more information, contact: Alice Miller, 734- 769-0209 [email protected]

6 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 ICampus IJewish Family Services

EMU HIllel Shabbat dinners JFS resourceful in economic hard times Miriam Eve Borenstein, special to the WJN Alice Miller, special to the WJN very other week very economics courses teach students a circumstances. She had a specialized skill set and at Hillel at EMU, basic concept. When demand increases, was still receiving job offers, but they were in ar- E students gather Esupply must also rise in order to keep eas far away and thus inaccessible as she did not to cook, pray, eat and so- stability within a system. Whether an economic have a car. With the help of JFS’s vehicle dona- cialize with other Jewish expert or not, everyone has seen this property in tion program, she was given a car and was able and non-Jewish students practice. If one is having a dinner party and more schedule interviews. She now lives independently for the Sabbath. Services people show up than planned on, more food must and works full time in a job with benefits. “Indi- are all student-initiatrf be put on the table. If there are more students vidual donors close the gaps between grants and and student-led; the food added to a classroom, more chairs are needed to the budgetary needs of the agency,” said Anya is prepared by students accommodate everyone. Abramzon, executive director of JFS. “These do- When economic conditions look like they do nations are essential for agency’s survival and the these days, nonprofits see a real life interpretation critical work we do in the community.” of the supply and demand principle. When eco- nomic conditions get tougher, people reach out for The university Friends and Family dining at Hillel more support, as they may no longer be covered by JFS’ continued relationship with the University as well. Hillel at EMU Shabbat dinners are a benefits, the security of a regular paycheck or a roof of Michigan has come in handy in times of eco- taste of home away from home. On Friday, over their head. nomic hardship. Continuing the tradition of stu- November 4, Hillel at EMU hosted a Friends With an increase in demand, nonprofits must dent support at JFS, this year there have been five to and Family Shabbat, that hosted not only stu- supply more services in order to cover the needs nine student interns volunteering with the agency. dents, but students’ family, staff, EMU faculty, of a community. Yet, nonprofit support typically The majority of which are social work students, community members and friends. Organizers does not increase during times of economic hard- these interns have been involved with all aspects of of the dinner were happy to have this oppor- ship, which in turn makes it difficult for nonprofits the agency, from older adult services and resettle- ment to marketing and development. Student Hila Levin and Executive Director tunity to share with the community what takes to offer additional services. Instead, organizations JFS is also pleased to have the expertise of Clara Silver cooking schnitzel place at Hillel at EMU. n must become more resourceful with the resources they do have, making the most out of their supply. two interns through the Board Fellows program Without getting lost in economic principles, of the Nonprofit and Public Management Cen- Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County ter based at the university. This year’s fellows Report on Wallenberg talk by honoree Aung San Suu Kyi has worked to become resourceful with its lim- join JFS with experience in public policy and Rabbi Robert Levy, special to the WJN ited resources in order to fulfill the needs of its business. Anne Zerbe J.D., is a first-year mas- A hero in the struggle for freedom. A child of privilege who sacrificed the graciousness of wealth and clients Throughout the last year, JFS has adapted ter’s student at the Ford School of Public Policy. power to serve others as their human rights were trampled. Raoul Wallenberg? Yes of course, but to increased need by making the best out of every Jennifer Krane, a first-year MBA student at the also Aung San Suu Kyi, this year’s Wallenberg Medal winner, her speech opportunity and area of support, such as JFS staff, Ross School of Business, joins the JFS team with delivered through a pre-recorded speech and Skype, as her freedom has community partners, the University and our vol- a background in strategic marketing account yet to be realized. Like Wallenberg she demonstrates that the privileges unteers and donors. management. “I am excited to get up to speed some gain in the crib do not necessarily exile one from the cries of larger with the organization and focus on the business humanity. Aung San Suu Kyi knows prison, knows isolation, knows loss. Expertise of JFS employees development of the organization,” Krane said. JFS staff members bring a variety of experienc- Yet the strength of purpose and resolve to bring freedom to her people Community partners reflects a character unimprisoned. es and areas of expertise to the table. Sometimes JFS works with other human service agencies The goal in her talk was not her freedom but freedom for ordinary staff interests inspire new ways to support clients in the community that help JFS provide wrap- people. She eloquently rehearsed the recent history of her homeland and while also providing for the agency. around services to its clients. When someone walks again and again touched on the theme of the simple need for gentle free- Lisa Keefauver, the director of clinical services at through the doors of JFS, the staff works with all of dom. People just want to live, work, and gather as they wish in peace. JFS, was inspired to expand the counseling services the tools in their tool box to make sure the client Legitimate aspirations was the theme. provided by JFS due to the amount of licensed so- leaves with his or her needs fulfilled. Democracy is about fair play and justice. People everywhere just want Aung San Suu Kyi cial workers on staff and JFS’ CARF accreditation, Another client came to JFS when she realized to be free and obviously this is also true in Burma. In Burma there was post-colonial democracy which allows for third-party billing. “This is some- new circumstances left her financially strained. but it was lost to a military coup. Yet the forces seeking freedom remained to fight for freedom, thing we hope individuals, couples and families A single grandmother gained custody of her two justice and peace, dignity and worth. The quest is not for power but to open the means of power will truly embrace,” Keefauver said. “We’ve built a grandchildren, both with special needs, after they to all the people. reputation for the highest quality services, and we were taken from their mother’s home. She had a But what of Aung San Suu Kyi and her captivity? Locked away she found hope in the connection provide them in a confidential, professional and stabilized income, but with the addition of two gained through books and the radio, in the connection with others. Common humanity gave her safe environment.” children to her budget, she faced financial difficul- hope as it once empowered Raoul Wallenberg to save Jews. Common humanity will save us from JFS also hopes to build on other areas of exper- ties. JFS was able to provide nourishment in accord evil; it will bring us to the shores of freedom and dignity. To hear the Wallenberg lecture by Aung tise through the unveiling of the new Herb Amster with the children’s special dietary needs through San Suu Kyi, go to http://www.wallenberg.umich.edu/ Center, officially kicking off in the spring of 2012. JFS has created different business lines focusing on the JFS Food Pantry, which is made possible with the emerging needs of its clients as well as its own the partnership with Food Gatherers, and dona- areas of expertise. The center’s core mission is in- tions from community members. Shachar Pinsker awarded Jordan Schnitzer Book Award spired by the legacy of its namesake. Herb Amster, “I feel like about 6 tons are lifted off of my who passed away a little over a year ago, was a huge shoulders,” this client said. “It’s a new beginning for Kunoff, Kimberly, special to the WJN proponent of JFS creating successful business lines the boys, my dog and me.” Shachar Pinsker, associate professor in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies leading to greater agency stability, in turn allowing at the University of Michigan, has been awarded the prestigious Jordan more people to benefit from JFS services. Community volunteers Schnitzer Book Award for his recent book Literary Passports: The Making of “Do good things, but remember the bottom Perhaps the biggest source of support comes in Modernist Hebrew Fiction in Europe (Stanford University Press, 2011). line,” Amster said. “So you can do more good the form of volunteers. Young, old, international The award, granted yearly by the Association for Jewish Studies, focuses on things.” The resourceful nature of JFS added and local, volunteers donate time and input to help particular areas in Jewish studies. This year, the award honors a book published to its support from the university, community all aspects of JFS operate and allocate financial re- between 2007–2011 in the category of Jewish Literature and Linguistics. and staff members that allowed JFS to continue sources to other elements of our services. “Literary Passports is readable, scholarly, and original,” observed the se- providing services giving clients the support to In 2010, JFS used only 14 percent of their bud- lection committee. Shachar Pinsker “covers vast territory, combining close ride out the economic hardships. get for administrative costs. As times get tough, readings with wide-ranging commentary, breaking new ground in mod- and even when they are not, JFS is creative and re- ernist studies generally and in the study of Hebrew literature in Europe.” Shachar Pinsker, Donations sourceful with sources of support in order to offer Indeed, as Pinsker admits, Literary Passports is a result of years of rigorous research (carried Without donor support, JFS could not provide the best quality services to the community. in archives and libraries as well as visits to cities in Eastern and Central Europe). “My aim,” he services for every fourth person who walk through As the demand for goods and service in- says, “was to present and explicate complex texts and ideas in a readable, accessible style. The Jor- their doors. Donations come in many forms, from creases, everyone can help the supply match the dan Schnitzer Award confirms that this scholarly endeavor achieved these goals and is reaching its event participants and annual contributions to need. It takes a community to help the com- intended audiance. I am humbled and honored,” Shachar Pinsker said, “to receive such a distin- tributes and in-kind donations. Recently a woman munity; JFS appreciates the support from all guished award from the Association for Jewish Studies.” came to JFS who was educated and employable, aspects of the community. n but found herself homeless after complicated life Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 7 I Congregations

The journey of a Torah scroll: Jewish history in American history Pat McCune, special to the WJN his year, Temple Beth Emeth is cel- tive Ashkenazi script. The Rabbi Salazar is providing a number of hands- ebrating the Year of Torah with a youngest was written in Is- on educational experiences for congregants as T variety of events. Many of these have rael approximately 60 years well as the wider community. a special focus on storytelling and how we ago in a Sephardic script. Goldman is director of the Jewish Com- as Jews learn through the use of stories. On Following his talk, Rabbi munal Leadership Program, a collaborative Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the Salazar will show some of effort between the School of Social Work and Sanctuary, Karla Goldman, the Sol Drachler the work in progress on TBE the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies. Her Professor of Social Work at the University scrolls. He will describe the research focuses on the history of American of Michigan, and Rabbi Yochanan Salazar, skills needed to maintain the Jewish experience with special attention to the head of the Torah Restoration Department of life of the scrolls, including history of American Jewish communities and Sofer-on-Site, will explore the stories that the the preparation and clean- the evolving roles and contributions of Amer- scrolls themselves have to tell about their cre- ing of parchment and the ican Jewish women. Dr. Goldman’s work plac- ation and about the many different journeys distinctive calligraphy. es American Jews within their broader social that brought them to homes in the US. Rabbi Salazar is a sofer, contexts, tracing the construction of Ameri- Goldman will provide historical overview (scribe) trained to preserve can Jewish identities as a function of choices and American context, focusing on scrolls Torah scrolls through clean- around class, religion, gender, race, and poli- in US synagogues. She will discuss some of ing and repair of parchment tics and the complicated place of Jews as both the typical journeys Torah scrolls now in the and of chipped and faded outsiders and insiders in American society. United States experienced during the waves of letters. However, he brings Her current work focuses on the history of the Jewish immigration: how Torah scrolls came with him far more than this Jews of Cincinnati and the Jewish experience to the U.S., how they tied American Jews to technical expertise. Rabbi of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. the past, and the special history of scrolls that Salazar received his rabbinic These talks and the demonstration will be were rescued from the Holocaust. ordination in 2004 and then followed by a question and answer period al- Rabbi Salazar, who will be at TBE for three became an apprentice in the lowing the audience additional opportunity Rabbi Yochanan Salazar showing a damaged parchment extended periods this year, will explore how art of sofrut at Sofer on Site to learn about the history of Torah scrolls and each of the Torah scrolls resident at TBE car- doors to the London synagogue with the mis- in Florida. After additional education Rabbi the arts of sofrut. An informal reception will ries with it a distinctive story. TBE acquired sion of rescuing Czech scrolls from the Holo- Salazar was ordained as a sofer at Yeshiva Uni- follow to encourage further discussion. five Torah scrolls over the course of the con- caust. Little is known about the circumstances versity. He now heads the Torah Restoration The talk and demonstration is open to all gregation’s 45 year history. All were donations of their creation. None of the TBE scrolls has Department at Sofer on Site. As well as tend- and is free of charge. For more information, yet they came from differing sources ranging the same background. The oldest was written ing to four of the congregation’s Torah scrolls contact Pat McCune at 355-0316 or phmc- from U.S. congregations that had closed their about 120 years ago in Bohemia in a distinc- during his three periods in residence at TBE, [email protected]. n

Making new friends, strengthening family connections Rachel Urist, special to the WJN group of children sits in a circle. One a draft choice. When all ten were drafted, the and participate in games that allow them to to participate. They learn about ritual in a child is chosen to step out with a kids were asked: “if you had to pick 10, would show off what they know as they learn more— kid-friendly way.” For the parents, the added Aparent to rummage through the cos- you have chosen these?” Sometimes the theme about Jewish holidays, rituals and blessings. perk is that families build close connections tume and prop box. The parent helps the child extends to the day’s choice of snack, making “Seeing what the kids are learning allows us to through these children’s programs. don a costume and choose a prop. The child reinforce these teach- A memorable story told at one session then returns to the group, holding up a vial. ings at home,” says was about a baseball fanatic who, after each “A few drops of this oil burned for eight days. one parent. Another of his Saturday games, passed a market where Who am I?” Children call out their answers; adds that this pro- he picked up an apple. One day a fellow Jew one names Judah the Maccabee. The chosen motes the practice of stopped him and took him to task for stealing child rejoins the group, and another leaves. He rituals at home, which the apple. “No, no!” said the vendor. “He pays returns with a slingshot and says: “With this underscores the im- for these before the Sabbath!” The children slingshot I killed Goliath! Who am I?” The portance of parental discussed the ramifications of the story, which next child appears in a tiara: “I just saved my involvement in these speaks to gossip, theft, and righteousness. At people from Haman. Who am I?” programs. For the other times, the program includes re-enact- This is one of many activities that draw youngest children, the ments. The kids may build walls of blocks— children to Beth Israel Synagogue’s monthly experience is comfort- the walls of Jericho—and then knock them Shabbat morning programs. They are alterna- able and comforting, down. Or kids play Torah Bingo, a variant of tive services for kids, from pre-school through since their parents are the costume and props game, where kids use grade 5. Kehillat Shabbat (for 3rd – 5th grad- with them. clues to identify biblical characters. ers) and Mini Minyan (kindergarten through Parents are quick Several parents moved to Ann Arbor be- 2nd grade) began in 2008, under the leader- to point out that the cause of Beth Israel’s children’s programs. ship of Rabbi Kim Blumenthal, and under the age guidelines for They tell about having scouted out several supervision of Jacob Kander, Beth Israel Con- each group are soft. towns and their conservative synagogues, greagation’s programs director. Tot Shabbat Beth Israel Congregation Tot Chanukah The toddler group, looking for the best fit. About half of the chil- (for toddlers and pre-schoolers) has been in even snack-time a teachable moment. “Close- for instance, may include babes in arms. dren in the programs attend the Hebrew Day place for over 10 years. Jessica Kander, Peretz ness Shabbat” had Chex mix. The group Second graders who can read may choose to School. The others are pupils at Beth Israel’s Hershbein and Gabe Pachter complete the talked about the mix of social, spiritual and join Kehillat Shabbat instead of staying in the religious school. One busy mother, with a Shabbat morning staff. educational elements in the community.” Mini-Minyan. Parents rhapsodize about all child in each of the kid-friendly services, says The kids in Kehillat Shabbat enjoy an ex- The Mini-Minyan, for children in grades three programs. “Rabbi Blumenthal comes in that the programs allow her to spend time tensive, though abbreviated service, much of K-2 offers a simpler service, enhanced with regularly to share a story that illustrates the with her youngest child, a two-year old. “Be- which they lead themselves. For each of the songs, stories, and games. One six year old parasha. Or she tells a story about an upcom- ing the littlest, she seldom gets one-on-one groups, a special theme marks each session. turned to his parent at the door, saying “This ing holiday,” says one parent. “Peretz Hersh- time with me.” When the Ten Commandments are read, is MY service!” “He won’t allow me to go in bein and Jessica Kander work well with kids; Every parent interviewed for this story the theme is “Big Ten Shabbat.” One year on with him!” said the parent, explaining that for they are seasoned instructors,” says another. mentioned that through the Shabbat morn- Big Ten Shabbat, there was a scavenger hunt this reason, she couldn’t describe the service “Peretz might conduct a pretend Shabbat ing programs, family connections have been with 10 clues. Another year Big Ten Shabbat first-hand. Pre-schoolers in the Tot Shabbat dinner, take out the props – candle holders, securely established. Parents and children alike was observed by simulating a sports team’s program sit with their parents in a circle on challah cover, etc. – and quiz the kids on what have made new friends. Every member of the draft, with each commandment representing floor mats. The toddlers sing, listen to stories, else is needed. Even the shyest are excited family looks forward to attending services. n

8 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 December and January activities at Beth Israel Congregation Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN Human Rights Shabbat CD’s are available at no charge to those people their Jewish roots. Many have even immigrated to sions, and always ends with a special snack. Ke- Friday, December 2, 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat who wish to familiarize themselves with the music. Israel. hillat Shabbat is a great time once a month for Shabbat Service; 8:15 p.m. “The Role of Human A fully transliterated Friday night service prayer The meal is preceded by a Friday Night Ser- elementary school students to celebrate Shab- Rights Advocacy in the Rabbinate” and Oneg book is also available to borrow or purchase. Con- vice at 6 p.m. bat, to schmooze, and to learn together. Kehillat Shabbat tact the office for a CD or prayer book. Shabbat meets at Beth Israel on the second Sat- In recognition of Human Rights Day, Rabbi Tot Chanukah Dinner urday of the month downstairs in room 12. Robert Dobrusin will speak on the raising of Hu- Brunch and Learn Tuesday, December 27, 5:30 p.m. man Rights issues in the Rabbinate today: How Saturday, December 17, 9:30 a.m. services; Children kindergarten age and younger Overnight Homeless Shelter Volunteers great a priority should human rights advocacy 11:15 a.m. kiddush brunch and “Laila Tov! and their parents are invited to celebrate the Needed be for a rabbi and for the Jewish community in The Jewish Imperative of Adequate Sleep,”; 6th night of Chanukah with a delicious latke Monday, December 19 –Monday, general? What traditional texts can inspire people 12:15 p.m. Musaf service. dinner and dreidel games. There will also be December 26 to greater concern and action relating to human On this Shabbat the usual Saturday morning arts and crafts, songs and stories to celebrate Beth Israel Congregation participates in the rights issues? The presentation will be followed by schedule is changed to provide an opportunity the holiday. Families are asked to bring a ha- Shelter Association of Washtenaw County’s ro- a discussion. Rabbi Dobrusin is the vice-chair of for extended study and discussion on this year’s nukkiah from their home for the candle light- tating shelter program for one week and hosts up Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. continuing theme of “Labriut: Jewish Perspec- ing ceremony. Reservations are required, and to 30 overflow guests (each night) from the main tives on the Body and Health.” The discussion there is a charge. shelter on 312 W. Huron. Beth Israel is respon- Lunch & Learn Series will focus on Jewish texts and traditions relat- sible for providing 3-4 volunteers staying over- Wednesday, December 7 and 14, Noon– ing to sleep and physical rest on Shabbat and Tot Shabbat night, and 3-4 drivers each morning and evening Saturdays, December 10, January 14 and 28, 1:15 p.m., at the Garfunkel Schteingart throughout the week. to drive the guests to and from Beth Israel. 11:15 a.m. Activities Center (2010 Washtenaw) The men permitted to participate in the Tot Shabbat is Beth Israel’s Shabbat morning Robert Dobrusin and Rabbi Kim Blumenthal Beth Israel Café program are free of serious substance or psy- Sundays, December 18 and January 15, program for toddlers and preschoolers along lead informal discussions on selections from the chological issues. The guests share two charac- 9:30 a.m.–noon with their families. Tot Shabbat features sing- Ketuvim, the Writings, the third section of the teristics: they have no place to live, and they do Men and women are invited to Beth Israel’s ing, dancing, stories, and prayers to celebrate Bible. Participants are invited to bring a dairy not currently have the resources to secure and Social Hall for a few minutes or the entire morn- Shabbat. The wonderful leaders of Tot Shabbat lunch. Beverages and snacks will be provided. maintain housing. Many of the Shelter’s cli- ing for free coffee and bagels. They may use their are Peretz Hirsbein on the second Saturday and ents are unable to obtain housing on their own laptops (the entire synagogue is wireless) to so- Jessica Kander on the fourth Saturday of the Shabbat Limmud because they are facing multiple barriers that cialize or read. The cafe is planned and sponsored month. Peretz Hirshbein is the assistant direc- Saturdays, December 3 and 17, January 14 impede their ability to do so. They appreciate by the Beth Israel Women’s League Sisterhood. tor of the Early Childhood Center at the Jewish and 17, 9–9:45 a.m. staying at Beth Israel, as the space is quieter than Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor and Rabbi Robert Dobrusin facilitates a discussion the main shelter. The overnight shelter is a great Chanukah Dance Party with Star Trax the current vice president for education on the on Parashat HaShavua, the Torah portion of the way to introduce children to the world of mitz- Beth Israel board of directors. Jessica De Young week. All are welcome to participate in an informal and Latke Dinner vot and community service. Spouse and chil- Kander is a graduate of the School of Educa- conversation on the Torah portion over coffee and Wednesday, December 21; 4–5:30 p.m. dren significant others, non-Beth Israel friends tion at the University of Michigan and former cake preceding the Shabbat morning service. Dance Party for 3rd–8th grade; 5:30–5:45 p.m. and relatives are all welcome to volunteer. The preschool teacher. She currently teaches at East- Chanukah Candle Lighting; 5:45–8 p.m. Family 3-4 overnight volunteers split sleep and awake ern Michigan University where she also earned HAZAK –Guided tour at the Detroit Latke Dinner and Dancing times as they decide among themselves, each her master of arts degree in Children’s Litera- Institute of Arts “Rembrandt and the On the second night of Chanukah, Beth Israel volunteer may get about 4-6 hours of sleep be- ture and a master’s certificate in the Teaching will offer the ultimate Chanukah dance celebra- tween 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. Bedding is provided, Face of Jesus,” tion, featuring the DJ and entertainment services of Writing. Thursday, December 15 but most people feel more comfortable bring- of Star Trax. All kids in 3rd -8th grade will get the Tot Shabbat meets at Beth Israel downstairs Hazak programs offer experiential, educa- ing their own sleeping bags. Volunteers are party started at 4 p.m. with a dance party for kids in room 15. Following services, child size tables tional, and social opportunities for people aged encouraged to bring games, books and DVDs. in the Chalutzim (3rd–5th grade) and Kadima are set out for out Tot Shabbat kids and their 55 and older. This month, Hazak will be taking Online signup is available at http://bethisrael- (6th–8th grade) youth groups. During this time, families are always invited to stay to enjoy a Kid- a trip to Detroit for a guided tour of the Detroit aa.org/socialaction.php?page=shelter or offline kids in 2nd grade will enjoy a screening of Sesame dush lunch with the rest of the congregation. Institute of Arts’ exhibit, Rembrandt and the Face through Rebecca Kanner at 994-5717 or Steve Street’s 2010 Shalom Sesame movie. of Jesus, an exhibit that, among other things, Schiff at 996-0004. At 5:30 p.m., the kids, parents, and the gen- highlights how Rembrandt revolutionized the Mini Minyan eral community are invited to a Chanukah candle way that Jesus was depicted in art by focusing on Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m. Sweatshirt Shabbat with Cholent lighting ceremony. A delicious latke dinner fol- his Jewish history. Mini Minyan is Beth Israel’s Shabbat morn- Kiddush lows with more dancing with Star Trax entertain- Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus brings to- ing service on the second Saturday each month Saturday, January 14., 9:30 a.m. Shabbat ment. The cost for dinner is $7 per person. RSVP gether for the first time many of Dutch master for all kids in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Morning Service; noon Cholent Kiddush to the Beth Israel Office. Rembrandt van Rijn’s finest paintings, prints and Mini Minyan was designed in collaboration with Luncheon Star Trax was founded in 1987 in Ann Arbor drawings that portray Jesus and events described many of the parents from Beth Israel and serves Participants are encouraged to wear their in the dorm room of a University of Michigan in the Bible. The exhibition of 64 works includes as a bridge for kids between Tot Shabbat and favorite sweatshirt from camp, college, or trav- student. Since then, the company has grown to a approximately 52 small, intimate paintings, prints Kehillat Shabbat. It shares many of the favorite el while spending the morning comfortable large entertainment and party planning provider. and drawings by Rembrandt and his students that songs and stories from Tot Shabbat while begin- in fleece. The reception following features a The Beth Israel event will feature a DJ and inter- illustrate how Rembrandt broke from traditional ning to teach prayers and incorporate activities cholent sit-down kiddush with an internation- active dance leaders. The entertainment services 17th-century representations of Jesus. similar to Kehillat Shabbat. The Mini Minyan ally influenced array of hot and hearty cholents of Star Trax for the dance party were generously Tickets for the tour are $18 per person. At- service is led by program director Jacob Kander plus other foods, prepared by Beth Israel mem- donated by Gabrielle Shapo and family. tendees of the program should pack a lunch to eat with special games and activities led by a team bers and Karan Balmer, the Beth Israel Kitchen during the day. Café dining options are also avail- Erev Shabbat House of Israel Kaifeng of parent volunteers. All parents are welcome Coordinator. There is no charge for lunch. able at the museum. To sign up, or for more infor- to join in this service along with their children. mation, contact program director Jacob Kander Chinese Dinner Mini Minyan meets at Beth Israel on the second Friday Night Lights at [email protected] or 769-1651. Friday, December 23 at Beth Israel, 7 p.m. Saturday of the month downstairs in room 16. Friday, January 20, 6 p.m. Family Friendly Beth Israel offers the opportunity to enjoy a Kabbalat Shabbat Service; 7 p.m. Friday Night Shira Hadasha Kabbalat Shabbat Service Shabbat dinner with a Chinese flavor. The cost for Kehillat Shabbat Lights Dinner Friday, December 16; 6–7:10 p.m. dinner is $15 for adults and $8 for children ages Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m. Beth Israel offers a family friendly Shabbat This one hour and ten minute service features 3–12. Children 2 & under are free. Reservations and Kehillat Shabbat is Beth Israel’s Shabbat dairy dinner for $7 per person, with no charge the melodies of the Shira Hadasha congregation in payment are requested by Wednesday, December morning service for kids in 3rd-5th grade. The for children 3 and under. Families and individ- Jerusalem, most of which were written by Rabbi 14. Due to Shabbat, all fees must be prepaid. program is designed for kids to have a great uals are encouraged to attend the full evening, Shlomo Carlebach. All are easy to pick up and ev- An annual event, its name is taken from Shabbat experience, including a kid friendly which includes a service and all the traditional eryone is welcome to attend. The service is char- Kaifeng is a city in China with a Jewish com- service along with games and other activities rituals of the Friday night meal. Because no acterized by a lot of communal singing, including munity that flourished for hundreds of years. each month to help teach about holidays and payments can be accepted on Shabbat, there many of the parts traditionally done by the shaliach Kaifeng is known for having the oldest extant Jewish values while building a stronger com- must be a pre-payment which will confirm the tzibbur, the service leader. This shaliach tzibbur Jewish community in China, the Kaifeng Jews. munity for the kids in a fun way. Gabe Pachter family’s or individual’s reservation. (service leader) will be Elliot Sorkin, the executive Recently, many residents of Kaifeng who can facilitates a service that is filled with student trace their Jewish heritage have decided to rekindle participation in the prayers, interactive discus- director of Beth Israel. continued on page 10 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 9 I Congregations

Upcoming programs at Temple Beth Emeth Brett Wilner, special to the WJN Rabbi Levy’s Friday Lunch & Learn: en’s Torah group will be studying Vayishlach, from 5:00-8pm. We will be helping to prepare month include: Food Stories in the Torah with Va-y’chi, and Va-eira. dinner and serve dinner to the shelter residence. Rabbi Levy, Brotherhood: Past Present, & Fu- Food in the Torah Following dinner there is an optional volunteer ture of Men in the Reform Movement, God and Friday, December 2, 9; January 6, 13, 20, 27; Spirituality Book Club opportunity to help out with activity time with Torah in Contemporary Jewish Music with Jack noon-1 p.m. Thursday, December 1, noon–1:30 p.m. many of the kids we will meet while serving din- Zaientz, and Wisdom from the Torah on Raising Each week, Rabbi Levy will teach an infor- Tuesday, December 13, 7:30–9 p.m. ner. RSVP by December 19th to Brett Willner, Children facilitated by Terri Ginsburg. Come mal session on food in the Torah. The topics will Thursday, January 5, noon–1:30 p.m. [email protected] or 665-4744. for one hour or both to this free event. For more range from the announcement of Isaac’s birth Tuesday, January 10, 7:30–9 p.m. information contact Rabbi Delson at ldelson@ with food, to Jacob and Esau and the red stew, Cantor Annie’s Spirituality Book Club con- Prince of Egypt at the Michigan Theater templebethemeth.org. to the story of the giant grapes in the land of tinues on in December and January. In Decem- December 25; 10 a.m. Israel. This class will discuss it all. Feel free to ber, Book Club will be reading: God’s Echo, by TBE’s annual tradition of a movie at the Movie Wednesday: The Life of Émile Zola bring your lunch. Come every week or when Sandy Sasso, while in January we will be read- Michigan Theater on December 25th is back Wednesday, January 18, 1–3 p.m. you are available. Yum! ing: The Jew in the Lotus, by Rodger Kamanetz. this year. We will be presenting, with our Year of Temple Beth Emeth’s Free Movie Wednesday Analysis of texts and group discussion will pro- Torah theme, the Prince of Egypt. This is more in January is The Life of Émile Zola. Though Jewish Parenting Workshop: Blessing of vide lively sessions each month. Participants are than just a morning at the movies. Doors open Émile Zola (Paul Muni) is not Jewish his dedi- a B Minus welcome to drop in for selected sessions or the at 10 a.m. and bagels are available for breakfast. cated work as a writer helps set in motion the Sunday, December 4; 6 pm entire series through June. Visit the TBE web- The movie begins at 10:30 a.m., and pauses for a eventual acquittal of French Army Captain Al- Join Jerry Miller PhD, UM faculty member, site, www.templebethemeth.org/content/spiri- lunch intermission where lunch will be available fred Dreyfus. He was so compelled to find out former Director of UM Center for the Child tuality-book-club-reading-list, for the book list for purchase. Tickets are $7.50 per person for the truth of the French military cover up that and Family, and psychologist, and Terri Gins- for the year. Contact Cantor Rose, cantoran- advance purchases and are available both in the he pays with his own freedom eventually being burg, Director of Education, for a conversation [email protected], with questions. TBE office and online at www.templebethemeth. sentenced to prison for libel against military of- about the challenges and joys of raising teens. org . Cost is $8 per person at the door. ficers, before he flees to England. This movie The inspiration for this workshop is Wendy Movie Wednesday: Driving Miss Daisy has been selected by the Library of Congress to Mogel’s new book, which combines Jewish Wednesday, December 21, 1–3 p.m. The Journey of a Torah Scroll: TBE. be included in to the National Film Registry for teaching, psychology, and parenting experience Temple Beth Emeth’s Free Movie Wednesday Sunday, January 22, 7:30–9 p.m. being, “culturally, historically, or aesthetically to help parents navigate the journey through in December is the 1980s classic, Driving Miss This free evening program features an over- significant.” Snacks are provided and everyone the teenage years. Daisy. When Miss Daisy’s (Jessica Tandy), a view of the history of Torah scrolls in the U.S. is welcome. Jewish widow living in Georgia, driving record ;how they tied immigrants to the past, and the Men’s Torah Study finally catches up to her and she is unable to get special history of scrolls that were rescued from Twenties & Thirties Bowling Wednesday, December 14, January 11 and 25.; insurance, her son (Dan Aykroyd) hires her a the Holocaust. Rabbi Levy, Karla Goldman, the Saturday, January 21; 7-–9:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. chauffeur, Hoke (Morgan Freeman). Though Sol Drachler Professor of Social Work at the Twenties and Thirties come bowl away a Temple Beth Emeth’s Men’s Torah study meets Miss Daisy initially refuses any assistance from University of Michigan, and the Sofer, Rabbi chilly January evening with TNT! Join us at 7 twice a month for an evening of learning. Re- Hoke, she begins to realize that she needs some- Salazar, will share the stories of the TBE scrolls p.m. at Colonial Lanes (1950 S. Industrial High- freshments served. For more information contact one to drive her around. Over the next 30 years and show some of the restoration process. way) for two hours of bowling. Bowling, shoes, Roger Stutesman, [email protected]. they build a friendship that includes Miss Daisy Question and Answer session included. pizza, and soft drinks are all included for $15. teaching Hoke how to read and her learning how RSVP by January 17 to Brett Willner, bwillner@ Women’s Torah Study as a Jew in the South she faces similar discrimi- Beit Café: Adult Education Night templebethemeth.org or 665-4744. Monday, December 5, January 2 and 16; nation as the African American community. Monday, January 30; 7–9 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. Snacks are provided and everyone is welcome. The Ann Arbor community is invited to Grief Support Group Cantor Annie Rose leads a Women’s Torah Temple Beth Emeth’s second Beit Café of 5772 A Grief Support Group is forming at Tem- Study at Temple Beth Emeth. The Women of Volunteer at Alpha House with TNT and The Year of Torah: Adult Education Night. ple. A few people have expressed interest in Reform Judaism Women’s Commentary has Wednesday, December 21; 5–8 p.m. We have a full line up of community teachers forming a group of 5 or 6 to begin meeting. It become a major source of insight for those Twenties and Thirties join Temple Beth and Temple clergy for this evening. Participants will be moderated by a trained professional. If studying Torah in depth or simply reading the Emeth’s TNT as we help out at Alpha House may choose two of four classes to attend, with interested, contact Rabbi Lisa Delson ldelson@ weekly parsha, portion. This month, the Wom- (4290 Jackson Rd.) on Wednesday, December 21 a refreshment break, around 8 p.m. Topics this templebethemeth.org or 665-4744. n

BIC Activities, continued determine the best class for their backgrounds. from page 9 Contact Mary at Beth Israel to receive the full Quiz Night brochure [email protected], or call 734- 665-9897. Anyone in the community is welcome January 21, 7 p.m. to join these classes. There is a tuition fee. Unless At Beth Israel’s fourth annual Quiz Night peo- otherwise indicated above, the classes meet at ple will compete in teams for fabulous prizes and Beth Israel Congregation to earn the coveted title of Quiz Night Champions. The classes are taught by two veteran Hebrew The competition includes multimedia trivia chal- instructors, Malli Holoshitz and Pauli Weizman. lenges (on mostly secular topics), written puzzles, Holoshitz is a native Israeli who has taught He- and friendly rivalries. There will be a dessert break brew for many years; she is noted for her lively and midway through the competition. The cost is $10 The winning team from BIC]'s Quiz Night 2011, Back (l to r)Amy Hamermesh, Peretz Hirshebin, animated teaching style. She earned a Ph.D. in edu- for adults and $5 for high school students. Jeffrey Bernstein, David Hamermesh. Front (l to r) Lisa Bernstein, Zachary Bernstein, Abigail cation from the University of Michigan, and is the World Wide Wrap Hirshbein, Miriam Hamermesh, Mira Sussman, Doron Yitzchaki Hebrew department head at Frankel Jewish Acad- emy of Metro Detroit. Holoshitz also teaches at the Sunday, February 5, 9:30 a.m. organization of approximately 270 Conserva- Biblical Hebrew B-202—Mondays at 5:15 p.m. be- School of Education at Eastern Michigan Univer- The Beth Israel Men’s Club sponsors locally tive/Masorti Jewish men’s groups consisting of ginning January 9, sity, as well as at the University of Michigan. the “World Wide Wrap.” This program is a proj- 25,000 individuals across North America and Conversational Hebrew C-201—Thursdays at Weizman has been teaching Hebrew at the ect of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs which the world. The FJMC involves Jewish men in 7 p.m. beginning January 12 University of Michigan since 1987, and is the encourages Jews around the world to put on tefil- Jewish life by building and strengthening Men’s Conversational Hebrew C-202—Thursdays at proud recipient of an “Excellence in Education” lin and pray together. Beth Israel will provide ex- Clubs in the Conservative/Masorti Movement. 8 p.m. beginning January 12 award by the Department of Near Eastern Stud- tra sets of tefillin and experienced tefillin teachers Conversational Hebrew C-203—Mondays at ies. She is a native Israeli and has earned two mas- will be available to assist anyone who would like Adult Hebrew Classes (Winter Term) 7 p.m. beginning January 9 ter’s degrees, one in Teaching English as a Second to participate in this important mitzvah. Hebrew 101—Sundays at 6:30 p.m. beginning Conversational Hebrew C-204—Mondays at Language and the other in Social Work; she also Beth Israel is known for its post service Polar January 8 8 p.m. beginning January 9 has a bachelor’s degree in Hebrew Linguistics. Bear Tefillin Photo which captures all the tefillin Hebrew 102—Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at TBE Beth Israel Congregation and Temple Beth clad participants in the out-of-doors, regardless beginning January 11 Emeth (TBE) are jointly offering 12-week Adult General community is always welcome of the weather. Hebrew 103—Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. at TBE Hebrew classes this winter beginning the week of BIC's events and educational offerings are open Following the Shaharit service, participants beginning January 10 January 8, with various levels of difficulty. New to the general community. For further information will enjoy a brunch of bagels, lox, and coffee. Biblical Hebrew B-201—Wednesdays at 2 p.m. students are asked to speak with the instructor to call 665-9897 or visit www.bethisrael-aa.org. The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs is an beginning January 11 10 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Chanukah

The uniqueness of Chanukah Celebrate Chanukah and Shabbat with Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN he mitzvah of Chanukah is different The second difference between Chanu- the Reconstructionist Havurah from all other mitzvahs in two respects. kah and the other mitzvahs is that in all other Aura Ahuvia, special to WJN TThe Lubavitcher Rebbe OB”M explains, mitzvos most of the time we do only the basic ooking for community candle light- Join the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist in all mitzvahs there is a basic way of fulfilling requirement of the mitzvah. However, when it ing and lots of latkes? Look no fur- Havurah for its annual Chanukah party and the mitzvah. Then there is an additional mitz- comes to the mitzvah of Chanukah, the custom L ther than Friday, December 23, for a its monthly fourth Friday Shabbat services vah to beautify, or enhance, the original mitz- of all Jews everywhere is to not only to beautify Shabbat and Chanukah celebration open to in one evening. The festivities begin at the vah. But you don’t the basic requirement of one candle per house- the whole community. Jewish Community Center at 6 p.m. with ac- find a third mitzvah hold per night by lighting a single candle each tivities for children and a musical Kabbalat to beautify a beauti- night for each family member, but to go further Shabbat for the adults. Chiildren can arrive fication. The initial and beautify the beautification by everyone at 6 p.m. for a pizza nosh, while everyone is beautification has lighting one candle on the first night, two can- invited to light their chanukiah together at no limit to its ex- dles on the second night, etc. 6:15 p.m., with services to follow from 6:20– tent. Although the Why is the beautification of the beautifi- 7:30 p.m. Services will feature music, singing Talmud asks, “How cation of the mitzvah of Chanukah so uni- and the Shema led by students from the Beit far should one go in versal? If we analyze the story of Chanukah Sefer, the Havurah’s religious school. the beautification of we find that it echoes the concept of beauti- The evening concludes with a dairy vege- Rabbi Aharon Goldstein a mitzvah?” The re- fication within beautification. tarian meal featuring homemade latkes, dreidl sponse is, you can ad up to a third of the price. Two miracles took place in the events of games, holiday treats and cookie decorating. For example, if the going price for a standard Chanukah. One is the victory over the Greeks. Childcare is provided during services (6:15– kosher Etrog is thirty dollars and you choose to To commemorate this we say Hallel during 7:30 p.m.) and Havurah youth will set up games beautify the mitzvah, you go ahead and buy a prayers on Chanukah as well as thanking Hash- to play during the evening such as Munchkin, nicer etrog for forty dollars. The extra ten dollars em during the Amidah for the great miracle He Small World, and Settlers of Catan. of the forty-dollar etrog is an additional third performed for us at that time. So bring your menorah/chanukiah and can- compared to the thirty-dollar etrog. The Talmud The second miracle that took place on dles to enjoy the holiday with a small alternative recommends a limit of up to a third more in or- Chanukah was the sparing of a single cruze congregation that is committed to building a der to beautify a mitzvah. However, the Talmud of sanctified oil with which to light the temple participative, inclusive Jewish community. goes on to say, “ if you want to add to a mitzvah, menorah. To commemorate this we light the There is a cost of $5 per person to cover Hashem will add for you.” Meaning to say, as far Chanukah candles. the costs of the Chanukah meal. RSVP to as adding for the purpose of beautifying a mitz- The menorah in the holy temple could only Jennifer Cohen at [email protected] vah there is no absolute limit because Hashem is be fueled by oil that had been processed in a or 971-0990 by Tuesday, December 20. n able to give you unlimited resources. very specific, holy manner. When it was finished All of the above is referring to the simple being processed and pronounced holy, it was beautification of a mitzvah. There is a further placed in a container (cruze) which held enough concept of adding beauty to an already beauti- oil for one day’s burning and then sealed with fied mitzvah. The Talmud sets out the manner the official seal of the high priest. In their des- war, the Greeks would have eliminated Juda- entity any longer—you are totally, ecstatically in which we are to observe the mitzvah of Cha- ecration of the holy temple, the Greeks tried to ism from this world. But the miracle of the oil in union with God’s will. This is the higher level nukah. It says there are three ways you can do the destroy all of the holy oil so that the holy meno- was not necessary in the same way. According of beautification within beautification. What’s mitzvah of Chanukah, you can do only the sim- rah could not be lit. Miraculously, they missed to Jewish law, during times of war and duress the advantage of doing a mitzvah beyond the ple level, you can beautify the mitzvah, or you one cruze. However, the process by which oil is when holy oil is not available, it is permitted to norm of simply beautifying it to the point of can add beautification to an already beautified made holy takes eight days to complete. There use non-sanctified oil until holy oil becomes being willing to give up your life for it? By show- mitzvah - beautification within beautification. was only one cruze of holy oil remaining. Mi- available. So God did not have to perform the ing that you are not only willing to perform the The simple, basic mitzvah is that the head raculously it burned for eight days until a new miracle of the oil. But, as the rabbis tell us, God mitzvah for its own sake, but by being willing of the household lights only one candle every supply of holy oil could be made. wanted to show His extra love for the Jewish to beautify it and also relinquish your life and night for the entire household. On the subse- So between the two miracles—the military people. So in addition to the incredible miracle your ego for the mitzvah you are adding beau- quent nights they also light only one candle. victory and the discovery of the holy oil—which of the victory He also allowed one cruze of holy tification, in God’s eyes, to the original beauti- This is the minimum required to fulfill the one has the double beautification associated with oil to be found and allowed that one day supply fication added to the mitzvah. You are totally mitzvah. If you only have eight candles for the it? The discovery of the cruze of oil. Why does the to last eight days. This was a special gift to the merged with God’s will so that your sense of entire holiday you can still fulfill the mitzvah for miracle of the oil have the doubling potential? To Jews. It was a miracle within a miracle. self as a separate entity from God’s disappears all of the members of the household. explain, we have to expand a little on the concept This is also expressed in the three approaches and your soul merges into being one with God. The Talmud then says that if you are a little of beautification within beautification a Jew can have in their service to God. One can You are not concerned with gaining any plea- better off and want to beautify the mitzvah, ev- The first aspect is the manner in which God work in accordance with the rules of nature. For sure or merit for yourself by doing the mitzvah. ery member of the household should light their conducts himself with Jewish people in a natu- example, a person will do Torah mitzvahs be- The only important thing is that the mitzvah is own single candle each night. So each night only ral way. This means working within the realm cause God says so. The Torah says if we will do done. Even if doing it puts you in danger, it is one candle per person is lit. This goes above and of natural law—the normal, physical laws. the mitzvahs God will give us what we need. still done because you are one with God’s will. beyond the basic requirement of a single person The second aspect is where God performs a The next level entails going beyond the nor- This brings us back to Chanukah. Our origi- lighting one candle for the whole household on miracle to accomplish His goal. As an example, mal rules of physical law, that is, beautifying the nal exposition was that Chanukah’s mitzvah is each night—instead you have many people each for the Jewish people to be victorious over the mitzvah. So we’re not only doing the mitzvah unique among all other mitzvahs. Not only do lighting their own single candle each evening, so it Greeks, God had to help the small, weak army of because God said to do so, but by beautifying it we do the mitzvah and also beautify the mitz- is considered a beautification of the basic mitzvah. the Jews to defeat the huge, mighty army of the we are going beyond what is required in order to vah, but we also beautify within the beautifica- Then there is a third level to which you can go Greeks. According to the natural, physical laws, express our love to God. This can be expressed tion as explained above. in beautifying the mitzvah. This is called beauti- the Jewish victory should not have happened. by performing a mitzvah with extra joy and/or During the time of the Chanukah miracle fication within beautification. Every member of It could only be described as a miracle. If two love for God beyond the minimum requirement the Jewish people were exhibiting m’siras nef- the household lights their own candles on each more or less equal armies fight, the one with the of simply performing it in a perfunctory man- esh—ready and willing to give up their lives night, and also every night they light a different best strategies or the best training or the brav- ner. God will then be inclined to respond to us for the sake of God’s mitzvahs and keeping number of candles. According to Hillel’s opin- est soldiers or the best weapons will win. This is beyond the minimum requirement for survival Judaism alive. For this beauty within beauty, ion each person should light one candle on the within the realm of natural laws. The victorious and give us bountiful blessings. We are still ego- Hashem responded in kind and sent miracles first night, two candles on the second night, etc. campaign is considered successful and miracles involved at this level. True, we are beautifying the within miracles to express His love for the Jew- According to Shammai’s opinion, on the first have nothing to do with it. But for a small, weak mitzvah but we are still getting something out of ish people. Not only were they victorious in the night one lights eight candles, the second night army to overcome the mightiest army in the it for ourselves—enjoyment, pleasure, piety, etc. war, they were able to find the holy oil and, seven, etc. According to Jewish law the common world a miracle is necessary. The third level is the beauty within the without interruption, perform the mitzvah practice is to follow Hillel’s opinion. The third aspect is beyond a miracle. The beauty. This is called m’siras nefesh, self-sacrifice. of lighting the menorah in the holy temple This level of practice is a form of beautifica- example of this is the miracle of the oil. There is Not only do you beautify the mitzvah by going with sanctified oil. tion within beautification. a difference between the miracle of the military beyond the minimum requirement, you are This is an example of the two-way street be- This beautification within beautification is victory and the miracle of the oil. The military willing to sublimate your ego even to the point tween God and the Jewish people. The Jewish one thing that is unique about the Chanukah victory was necessary for the survival of the where you would put your life on the line for mitzvah that is not found in any other mitzvah. Jewish people. If, God forbid, the Jews lost the the mitzvah. You don’t see yourself as a separate continued on page 12 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 11 I Chanukah

ercy’sAT THE BELL TOWER Teaching the Chanukah story in Israel HAPPY HOUR tuesday-friday 4:30pm-6pm Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, special to the WJN DINNER tuesday-thursday 5:30pm-9pm, friday & saturday 5:30pm-10pm was surprised by many things during the helping a little jug of oil burn for eight days. year I lived in Israel for my third year of They were satisfied with the miracle of the Mac- *bar open 1 hour later I rabbinical school. But nothing surprised cabees’ victory. me as deeply as a conversation I had with a The “oil story” has somewhat of a mysteri- group of young students. ous history. It is not mentioned in the books of MERCY’s will be OPEN Sunday, December 4th for our regular dinner service. During that school year, 1979–1980, I spent the Maccabees in the Apocrypha, and it only Join us for our LAST lunch: Friday, December 2nd, 11:30am-2pm part of my time volunteering as the rabbi and appears in the Gemara, the later section of the Judaica teacher at a Talmud dating from at least some 400 years after marvelous, innova- the Maccabeean revolt. Many suspect that the 300 S. Thayer • (734) 996-3729 • http://www.mercysrestaurant.com • Valet parking available. tive children’s vil- story was added to the tradition of Chanukah lage, Neve Hana, in for one of two different reasons: either to down- the town of Kiryat play the military aspects of the holiday so as not Gat, which is south- to arouse the suspicions of the Roman authori- east of Jerusalem. ties or to put more focus on “light,” which would The relationship of give the universal tradition of bringing light Neve Hana with the into one’s home at the darkest time of the year Masorti (Conserva- a “Jewish” reason. Whatever its origin, this story Rabbi Robert Dobrusin tive) movement was has become a central element to our narrative in its early stages, and it is a relationship that has concerning Chanukah because it emphasizes been strengthened over the years and continues the divine element in the critical moments in today. Then, however, we were still getting to the lives of our people and in our own lives. know each other. My students in Israel did not sense the im- I was preparing the 13-year-olds for bar/ portance of this story, even after they learned it, bat mitzvah and attempting to fill in some gaps because they were accustomed to seeing Cha- in their knowledge of Judaism. These children nukah as a purely human story. For my genera- were from secular homes. And while their edu- tion growing up in America, in an environment cation in the public schools had, of course, that focused on the “religious” elements of covered some Jewish topics, they really did not Jewish life, I remember the oil being the most know very much about Judaism as a faith. important part of the story. The Maccabees At one of our classes, just before Chanukah, were discussed, but the experience of fighting I asked the kids what they knew about the holi- for Jewish survival in a military battle was not day and was treated to a rather well-informed something that most of us could really identify presentation about Judah Maccabee and the with, at least until the Six Day War when it be- dedication of the Temple. But something was came a reality our teachers needed to address. missing. They never mentioned the story that Today, both here and in Israel, we must re- every one of our children knows about the little alize that both of these elements—the human jug of oil burning for eight days. I asked them and the divine—are essential parts of the story about it, and there was complete and utter si- of Chanukah. Reducing Chanukah to a God- lence. So I began to tell them the story and the centered miracle and ignoring the Maccabees kids broke out in incredulous laughter. or reducing it to a statement of Jewish pride These children had never heard the story. And, and ignoring the spiritual messages the light upon hearing it, they shook their heads in disbelief brings to us are both incomplete stories. We and went back to the story of the Maccabees. need to celebrate this holiday as a tribute to the Keep in mind that this was more than 30 strength of our people and to the importance years ago in a rather sleepy town in Israel. I of our faith. would not claim that the situation was the same We should proudly teach our children both for other students in Israel then or today. But, at stories and sing songs about both of them. that time and in that place, the story of the oil Ma’oz Tsur and Mi Yimallel—the two classic did not resonate at all with these kids who had Chanukah songs that deal with, respectively, grown up in a secular environment. They found the divine and human elements of the story and great meaning in the bravery of the Maccabees each clearly omit the other element—should and in the importance of self-determination both be sung loudly and clearly. They are not and independence. They identified with these contradictory, and neither are the stories. We heroes who stood up for the Jewish people and need both our actions as human beings and our who would not give in to the enemies around faith in God to insure our people’s survival. them. But their non-religious upbringing did I wish you a happy, meaningful holiday of not leave any place for divine miracles such as Chanukah. n Rabbi Goldstein, continued from page 11

people showed their dedication to God by performed for us then by beautifying the resisting the efforts of the Greeks to force beautification of the Chanukah mitzvah in them to assimilate to Greek culture and our times. This shows Hashem that we are worship Greek gods and relinquish Juda- willing to go beyond the norm for Him just ism. They were willing to fight to the death as He is for us. against the mighty Greek forces. According With God’s help this year’s lights of to reason and logic, this should have been a Chanukah should illuminate the world and certain death. But the Jews, in their love for show our love to Him and that we are will- God, were willing to sacrifice themselves for ing to go beyond the norm. May He also God’s way and God responded, in His love go beyond the norm and bring Moshiach for the Jews, with miracles and survival. very soon, end our exile and bring us back So in the actual performance of the to Jerusalem where the holy temple will be mitzvah of Chanukah we show our love to rebuilt and the head priest will once again God by manifesting the aforementioned light the menorah with holy oil. n three levels of the mitzvah. We commemo- rate the miracles within miracles that God 12 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 The word on new Chanukah books for kids By Penny Schwartz BOSTON (JTA)—Judah Maccabee, meet the others, again and again, story of the great military victory of the Mac- book available for Kindle Golem of Prague. And Rebecca Rubin, Engineer annoying Jacob. Jacob cabees over religious persecution by their Greek and Nook readers) Ages 8 Ari, and Nathan and Jacob, two brothers who tries to understand that rulers and the miracle of the oil. Jill Weber’s il- and up are part of a modern American Jewish family. his brother’s autism lustrations evoke ancient times with the golden Set in 1914, Jacqueline They are among the characters who take cen- causes him to think glow of the Temple and dramatic battle scenes of Dembar Greene’s his- ter stage in this year’s crop of new children’s books and act differently, but mighty Greek warriors on horses and elephants. torical novel is the third for Chanukah, the eight-day Festival of Lights sometimes Jacob loses The story ends with a modern family celebrating in a series of six popular that begins this year at sundown Dec. 20. The his patience. Jacob is embarrassed in front of new Chanukah. Back pages include Weber’s recipe American Girl books fea- lively mix includes the recent release of an e-book neighbors when Nathan blows out the Chanukah for latkes and instructions for playing dreidel. turing Rebecca Rubin, a version of a popular chapter book and a dazzling candles as if it were a birthday celebration, but he Jewish girl who lives with work of design by a renowned paper artist. defends Nathan when a new friend makes fun of The Golem’s Latkes her family on New York City’s Lower East side. his brother. The family’s creative response brings Adapted by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Aaron Originally published in book form in 2009, it is Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah! everyone together in a fun-filled Chanukah cel- Jasinski Marshall Cavendish ($17.99); ages 4-8 newly available for electronic reading devices. Illustrated by Olga and Eleksey Ivanov Marshall ebration. The story tackles a serious issue without Master storyteller Eric Kimmel delivers a de- Rebecca is uneasy when her class is assigned an Cavendish ($12.99); ages 1-4 being heavy-handed. (A PJ Library selection) liciously mischievous Chanukah spin on an old art project to make a Christmas table decora- A brightly illustrated book version of the world legend of the Golem of Prague, a kabbalis- tion because her Jewish family doesn’t celebrate popular song features double-page paintings of a Chanukah Lights tic creature with magical powers to help the Jew- Christmas. Rebecca grapples with timeless, uni- family—and their smiling Michael J. Rosen, Robert Sabuda Candlewick ish people. When Rabbi Judah of Prague leaves versal questions about acceptance and religious pet dog—celebrating each Press ($34.99); ages 5 and up his new housemaid freedom that resonate with readers from all of the eight nights of Cha- This gift book, a stunning collaboration be- Basha with a long backgrounds. nukah. Sing along as they tween award-winning writer and poet Michael J. list of chores for the In an e-mail, Dembar Greene told JTA that light the menorah, dance Rosen and master pop-up artist Robert Sabuda, holiday celebration, Jewish readers tell her that they enjoy having the hora, eat latkes and is one that kids might have to pry away from he cautions her not their traditions reflected in a series of books. play dreidel. An end note their parents—or they to leave the hard- One of the more memorable letters, she said, explains the origins of the can enjoy together. Rosen working golem was from a third-grader at a Catholic school Hebrew and Yiddish versions of the song, a main- in simple language traces alone in the house. who said that she was amazed to discover so stay of the holiday. Music and lyrics are provided. the history of celebrating The only way to get the golem to stop working many similarities between the values and social (A PJ Library selection) Chanukah and its aspira- is to tell him, “Golem, enough!” Kimmel writes. concerns of the two religions. tion for freedom from Kids will delight in the inevitable hilarity when Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah ancient times to today, Basha takes off to visit her friend and leaves Playing Dreidel with Judah Maccabee Mishap Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by from the ancient Temple the golem alone making latkes. The fried po- A play by Edward Einhorn Theater 61 Press Shahar Kober Kar-Ben ($7.95); ages 4-8 to the desert, across oceans, to shtetls and the tato pancakes pile up higher and higher, out the ($14.95); ages 12 and up Board a Chanukah train ride set in Israel, the cities of immigrant families, to an olive grove on windows, and take over the city streets. A festive Edward Einhorn is the artistic director of a latest addition to the award-winning series of a kibbutz in Israel. Sabuda’s mesmerizing paper ending gathers the whole city for a latkes-eating New York-based theater company who served “Engineer Ari” books that will especially delight creations emerge miraculously from the folded Chanukah celebration. as the director of the Fes- train-loving kids. A stubborn camel provides the pages. The artwork is outstanding in both its de- Jasinski’s memorable illustrations show the tival of Jewish Theater. obstacle as Engineer tail and the simplicity of the images it evokes. fantastical golem painted more like a Gumby- Einhorn’s play is a fantasy Ari heads home with a style robot than a frightening ghoul. Double- that travels in time between trainload of Chanukah The Story of Hanukkah page spreads place readers in the action, from a modern-day synagogue treats and toys. A Bed- David A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber Holiday the cobblestone streets of Prague to the moun- and ancient Israel. As the ouin farmer named House ($14.95); ages 4-8 tain-high towers of golden potato latkes. young Jonathan spins a Kalil comes to the res- Who was that guy Judah Maccabee and what In an e-mail, Kimmel, author of the popular dreidel, singing the familiar cue, and together they does he have to do with Chanukah? Parents and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, told JTA that dreidel song, he is startled celebrate the first night educators seeking an infor- he was inspired by earlier versions of the Golem by the appearance of an of Chanukah. Lively cartoon-like illustrations mative and engaging book story by children’s writer David Wisniewski, the old man dressed in armor. The conversation be- animate the fun and hopeful story. An author’s about the historic origins of classic story by renowned Yiddish writer I.B. tween Jonathan and Judah Maccabee starts out note explains the building of the first railway line the holiday will be attracted Singer and the tale of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. like a comedy routine, each questioning who the between Jaffa and Jerusalem. to David Adler’s signature “Ghost and goblin stories make for good sto- other is, but over eight days a warm relationship straightforward style. Adler, rytelling,” Kimmel wrote. “That’s why they’ve been develops between the young adolescent and the Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles the award-winning and around for so long.” (A PJ Library selection) ancient battle-weary warrior that sheds a con- Tami Lehman-Wilzig with Nicole Katzman; illus- popular author of more temporary light onto the long arc of Jewish his- trated by Jeremy Tugeau Kar-Ben ($7.95); ages 4-8 than 200 books for children, including The Kids’ Candlelight for Rebecca tory and ritual. Educators may find this a unique “Is it Hanukkah? Is it Hanukkah?” Jacob’s big Catalog of Hanukkah, is skillful at enlightening Jacqueline Dembar Greene, illustrations by play for performing or reading aloud. n brother Nathan repeats the question, and many readers unfamiliar with the two-millennia-old Robert Hunt American Girl (6.95 paperback/ e-

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 13 I Chanukah

Pump up the volume: Music propels the way to a rededicated Jewish life By Dasee Berkowitz NEW YORK (JTA)—My 3-year-old son is ob- how central music is to enlivening a room. (My center stage. It is not surprising that the Zionist Matisyahu takes a different tack. The hip- sessed with showing people his room, sidling 3-year-old loves to croon away to his favorite take on the Chanukah story emphasizes human hopping Chasid’s Chanukah tune “Miracle on sheepishly over to guests and asking, “Can I kiddie rock on his new CD while bouncing off agency over heavenly intervention. After all, the Ice” sets up the opposition between Chanukah show you my room?” his bed and clutching his little ukulele.) Zionists created the “new Jew,” who left the beit and Christmas. It confronts us with the threat My son reminds me how important our One of my favorite Chanukah songs is “Al Ha- midrash (house of study) to work the land. facing Judaism in a majority culture that seduces “place” is—“A Room of One’s Own,” in Virginia nisim,” literally “Of the Miracles.” Traditionally This Chanukah, how will you rededicate your- us to participate and our need to look heaven- Wolff’s words. Our rooms make us feel secure inserted into the standing silent prayer, or Ami- self to understanding Israel and its story better? ward for support. He tells us, “born to struggle and anchors us. (Just ask a teenager how impor- dah, the blessing after meals and sung through- Peter, Paul and Mary’s 1983 folk song “Light and fall but my strength does comes not from tant that is.) A room enables us to recharge be- out the holiday, it praises God for the “miracles, One Candle” casts the particular story about the man at all … eight nights, eight lights, and these fore heading out into the world to do our work, and for the salvation, and for the mighty deeds, Maccabean struggle for religious freedom with- rites keep me right/ Bless me to the highest and contains the objects, pictures and music and for the victories, and for the battles which in a universal context, and links it to other move- heights with your miracle.” that entertain us, occupy and preoccupy us, and You performed for our ancestors in those days, ments of defiance and protest that bring about a While it is easy to morph December into evoke memories of another time. at this time.” It clearly affirms God’s centrality to more just society. With the closing stanza comes one big “holiday season” (who doesn’t like the I’ve been thinking about this room metaphor, the story of Chanukah and for the miracle of oil the charge to use the memory of the past as a egg nog latte at Starbucks?), what are the ways especially as Chanukah nears. Chanukah means that lasted eight days, and renders less central the clarion call to do justice. They sing, “What is the that you want to draw distinctions between your dedication. What we are celebrating is the cour- military victory of the Maccabees. memory that’s valued so highly,/That we keep it identity and practice and those of your Christian age of the Maccabees to rededicate the Temple in Another classic, “Maoz Tsur,” or “Rock of alive in that flame?/ What’s the commitment to neighbors? How can you turn the discomfort of Jerusalem, the center of our Jewish lives, after it Ages,” written around the 13th century in Eu- those who have died?/ We cry out “they’ve not “difference” into a source of pride? was defiled by the Assyrian Greeks in 164 BCE. rope, is a brief recounting of Jewish history and died in vain”,/ We have come this far, always be- Yeshiva University’s a cappella group the They re-established the room for the Jews to do also focuses on God’s centrality: “Rock of ages, lieving,/ That justice will somehow prevail;/ This Maccabeats with its 2010 YouTube sensation their sacred work in the world. let our song/ Praise Your saving power; / You, is the burden and This is the promise,/ This is “Candelight” (a take-off of Taio Cruz’s No. 1 song What would it mean for us to dedicate a space amid the raging foes, /Were our sheltering tower. why we will not fail!” “Dynamite”) and the Israeli group the Fountain- and to make room for Judaism in our own lives? /Furious they assailed us, /But Your arm availed This Chanukah, how does our particu- heads from Ein Prat with “I Gotta Feelin’ Hanuk- More specifically, what does our “Jewish room” us, /And Your word, /Broke their sword, /When lar centuries-old struggle against the Assyrian kah” (a spoof on the Black Eyed Peas hit “I Gotta (read: Jewish identity) look like? What are the ob- our own strength failed us.” Greeks to win religious freedom help motivate Feelin’”) present us with a final challenge: How jects and pictures in it? What is the ambiance of our In a world in which we think that our own us to help others with their struggles? can we make traditions and stories that we tell Jewish room? Is it a place that we feel like ourselves, power/strength and ambition is the cause of our Of course, some contemporary fare is a bit from year to year fresh, dynamic and fun? or do we feel stiff and formal in it? Is our Jewish success, how do we let the realm of the spiritual/ more lighthearted. Debbie Friedman’s “Latke The Maccabeats in particular retell the story, room more like a closet tucked away, a place that is God/ that which isn’t known/ is out of our control, Song” doesn’t let us forget that our holiday cel- singing “I’ll tell a tale/ Of Maccabees in Israel/ in desperate need to be organized, the dust cleared into our lives when “our own strength fails us”? ebration would be nothing without traditional When the Greeks tried to assail/ But it was all to away and precious gems of our past revived? Is it a A more contemporary Chanukah song, “Mi foods with lyrics like “I am a latke, I’m a latke, no avail/ The war went on and on and on/ Until place that we feel a tinge of guilt each time we pass Y’malel,” or “Who can Retell?” has an opening and I am waiting for Chanukah to come!” The the mighty Greeks were gone/ I flip my latkes in because it has fallen into neglect? line that goes, “Who can tell of the heroic deeds song reminds us how important traditional the air sometimes sayin ayy ohh spin the dreidel/ Chanukah is an opportunity to do a little of Israel? ... Yes in every generation a hero arises food can be to help us create rich associations Just wanna celebrate for all eight nights singin rededication of our Jewish rooms and Jewish to save the people.” The Russian-born Zionist (and full bellies) during the holiday. ayy oh, light the candles.” lives. But what aspect of Jewish life do we want Menashe Ravina plays here on the words from What traditional recipes will you try this So this Chanukah season, crank up the vol- to rededicate? Psalm 106:2, “Mi y’malel g’vurot Adonai …” year? How might you spice up your repertoire ume in that Jewish room of yours. Play the mu- Classic and contemporary Chanukah mu- (“Who can tell of the mighty acts of God?”). The with some contemporary cuisine – sweet potato sic loud, even wake the neighbors and discover sic can help answer the question. We all know song places human strength and know-how at and ginger latkes anyone? the power of rededication. n The making of a Hollywood Maccabee wannabee By Edmon J. Rodman LOS ANGELES (JTA)—Who would have pro- an alternative way of drawing some attention to would show how a change in Seleucid leadership production, Rothman told me to be mindful of the jected that Chanukah could be billed as the my prospective production. brought about oppression of the Jews,” he said. The film’s potential Christian audience. festival of lights, camera, action? Mel Gibson, What about springboarding my production Eleazar and elephant scene would be the end of the “This clearly has to be a crossover,” he said. for one, who in the fall announced that he was off a best-selling game? After all, several ma- second act. “It was the turning point of the war,” To cut costs, Rothman thought I should restrict working with Warner Bros. on producing a jor films, such as Street Fighter and the Laura Siskin noted, adding that “Unfortunately, Eleazar, the battle scenes to guerrilla-type actions. “Some- movie about Judah Maccabee. Croft series, were adapted from games and had who is under the elephant, dies too.” thing like sabotaging chariots,” he suggested. Not seeing this as a boffo idea was Rabbi Mar- grossed $100 million or more. Ouch. For a holiday film, everyone wants a Suddenly worried that this was sounding vin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los That was the ticket. I speed-dialed a board happy ending.“But then, Judah and his warriors too much like a war movie, I asked Rothman if I Angeles, who was quoted on CNN as saying that game manufacturer I knew in Long Beach, Calif.— take back the country,” Siskin said, rallying for the needed a love interest. Ever the film school grad, “Judah Maccabee is one of the greatest heroes in Flaster Siskin, owner of FlasterVenure—to see if he film’s third act. he quickly outlined how I could write in a female Jewish history. Mel Gibson is an anti-Semite. He wanted in. I had checked out his Maccabees board “And the climax?” I asked. warrior who gains acceptance by fighting off sev- has made anti-Semitic remarks in the past. I don’t game online and saw that he had commissioned a “The two miracles,” he answered. “The military eral enemy attackers. know what Warner Bros. was thinking.” dramatic cinematic illustration: a Greek Seleucid victory and the oil burning for eight days.” Then I hit him with my projected title. A few months later, the Hollywood Reporter battle elephant being attacked by Maccabee insur- Now we moved to casting.“Who plays Judah?” I “Judah Mac” excited him with tie-in possibili- made it known that others in Hollywood had gents. I instantly imagined the movie poster. asked.“I would rather see a comedic tough guy like ties. “Maybe Apple will come out with a new lap- taken note of Hier’s criticism when it announced With the Maccabees very much in the news, and Adam Sandler than Mel Gibson,” he answered. ”We top, or McDonald’s a new burger,” he said, laughing that producer Bruce Nash was planning on mak- with an inventory of Maccabees games, I thought could even have Sandler sing ‘Eight Crazy Nights,’ at his cleverness. ing a competing Maccabee movie or TV minise- Siskin would be ready to deal. Not so fast. Before “ I suggested, feeling the showbiz buzz. “And could However, when I told him about the planned ries, and had even hired a screenwriter. entering the gaming business, Siskin had tried his we update the title. What about something more dramatic moment when Eleazer impales the el- With two Judah movies in production, I hand at screenwriting. He warned, “Working in box office, like ‘Judah Mac?’ “ ephant, Rothman blanched. began to wonder: Was there room for a third? Hollywood is difficult. A lot of scripts get optioned “Very hip,” Siskin responded. “You’re only going to get in trouble from PETA A low, low-budget cable version that would ex- but never get made.” Now that my concept was a go, I needed to and the ASPCA,” he warned. ploit the publicity of the other two? “The guy who’s spearing the elephant, is that audience test it with the Jewish establishment. There went my second act. I knew just the guy to do it—me. After all, Judah?” I asked, trying to draw him in. “No, that’s Since Holocaust museum folks like Hier seemed “Making ‘Judah Mac’ is going to be much I had worked for two weeks as a special effects his brother, Eleazar,” Siskin answered. to be the go-to guys for Jewish reaction these days, harder than I thought,” I said, frustrated by the new assistant on China Syndrome eons ago, and live “Would we need to change script, then, keep- I turned to Mark Rothman, director of the Los complication. in sight of the Hollywood sign. ing Judah as the film’s only action hero character?” Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, who also was “Welcome to Hollywood,” said Rothman. n Inspired by the Hasmoneans, I would strike I asked, thinking about the costs of two stars plus a film school graduate. Edmon J. Rodman, who lives just a couple of miles quickly and stealthily against the pop cultural an elephant. For starters, Rothman wanted me to know of from Hollywood, writes a JTA column on Jewish life. foes, freeing the box office. But without a bank- “It doesn’t need a major rewrite. You want to his “deep suspicion of Gibson’s telling the Judah Contact him at [email protected]. able star—in fact without anything even re- keep Eleazar in the picture,” he answered. Siskin story with any Jewish sensitivity,” he said. Then, motely related to a bank—I needed a miracle: began to warm to his plot outline. “The first act thinking of how to draw the largest draw for my 14 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Youth

Thinking hats and action gloves Dina Shtull, special to the WJN he winter is fast approaching, and we “The use of the hats and gloves,” says He- problem-solving techniques). When study- are preparing our hats and gloves for brew/Judaics teacher Sharon Lapitsky, “gives ing the story of Jonah and the whale, the Tthe oncoming cold weather. At He- students a thinking strategy which ulti- students discussed the color of the hat Jonah brew Day School, the fifth graders have been mately helps them arrive at the best solution. was wearing when running away from God. wearing their hats and gloves since the be- Students are learning problem-solving skills Was he wearing his red hat and acting from ginning of the year. Even when the weather that will be useful throughout their lives,” his emotions, or was he wearing a rainbow is warm, they keep them close by. At HDS, Lapitsky added. “I often wear three hats at hat and carefully thinking through his op- tions? What Action Gloves might they have used if they had been Jonah? When discuss- ing the story of Pharaoh and Joseph, the students thought that Pharaoh used purple gloves (delaying action to “sleep on it”) be- cause his dilemmas surfaced in his dreams. Joseph used green gloves when he creatively suggested that food be stored for times of need. Using these tools, the students learn how to become active members of their class and their community. The Thinking Hats/Active Gloves is based on a thinking process called “The Six Hats” developed by The de Bono Group, LLC as a tool for managing a meeting or a team pro- cess. The “hats” help people be productive, focused, and mindfully involved. By mental- ly wearing and switching “hats,” team mem- bers can look at all sides of an issue (www. debonogroup.com/six_thinking_hats.php). The Thinking Hats and Action Gloves is an integral part of Hebrew Day School’s Tal Am multi-track curriculum. The curriculum develops Hebrew literacy and teaches Jew- HDS fifth grade class ish content, texts, values, and concepts, but Thinking Hats and Action Gloves are the the same time,” says student Mara Metler. “I it also teaches life skills through The Every- tools used by the students for learning and wear a blue hat when I’m thinking through day Life track. This track is framed around problem solving. With different hats and what happened and why. I also wear the yel- a virtual classroom that models the social, gloves, students gather, categorize, analyze, low hat when I think about the positive side emotional, and academic development of its and present information. Using Thinking of the situation, and I wear the green hat students. n Hats they examine situations from various because I think about how to go about say- For more information about Hebrew Day perspectives. They practice empathy and try ing sorry or forgiving.” “I pull out my Action School call 971-4633 or look at www.hdsaa.org. to solve dilemmas by “wearing the other per- Gloves,” says fifth grader Mira Strauss, “when Tours of the school are scheduled for prospective son’s hat.” With Action Gloves they address I say I’m sorry to a friend.” parents on Thursday, January 12 at 9 a.m. Pro- the situation. Thinking Hats and Action Gloves are spective parents and their children are invited to The hats come in different colors: If a used for character analysis during language explore HDS kindergarten on Sundays, Decem- student is expressing feelings and emotions, arts lessons. The different hats help the stu- ber 4 and January 22, 10 a.m.y-hds.do he or she wears a red hat, and if he or she is dents read a poem or story from sharing thoughts, a blue hat is worn. When the perspective of the main char- stating the facts of a situation, a white hat acter. After reading a story about is worn. The black hat is worn when disad- a wheelchair-bound girl who plays vantages or problems are being shared in a basketball, the students used their class discussion, and the gold hat when ad- white gloves to research the Spe- vantages are shared. The rainbow-colored cial Olympics. Students also apply hat is worn by the student reflecting on vari- their hats and gloves to the study ous options, and the green hat is worn by a of the development of the Biblical student who is brainstorming ideas. “When characters. They study the psycho- I have a problem with a friend,” says fifth logical motivations of characters grader Zach Rochman, “I feel like I’m wear- (i.e., dilemmas, challenges and ing a black hat.” “I’m annoyed with myself because we were fighting, and we normally have a good time together.” Lily Rosenberg The Action Gloves also come in different colors and represent cre- ativity, leadership, assistance, and consideration. Similar color codes help students focus on a particular action. A student is wearing black gloves when objecting; yellow gloves when helping; rainbow-color gloves when being considerate; green when being creative; red when being car- ing; blue when taking the lead on a project; white when research- ing more information; and purple gloves when deciding to remove oneself from the situation to “sleep on it.” Corine Burgard Ethan Kahana Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 15 Day Tours DayFor Parents Tours 9:00amFor Parents - 10:30am 9:00amTues Nov- 10:30am 15 ThursTues Nov Jan 1512 Thurs Jan 12 Gan Open Houses GanFor Parents Open and Houses Children ForCome Parents Explore and Kindergarten! Children Come10:00am Explore -Kindergarten! 11:30am 10:00amSun Dec - 11:30am 4 SunSun JanDec 22 4 Sun Jan 22 RSVP to o
[email protected] RSVP to o
[email protected] 2937 Birch Hollow Drive Ann2937 Arbor, Birch Michigan Hollow Drive 48108 734.971.4633Ann Arbor, Michigan www.hdsaa.org 48108 734.971.4633 www.hdsaa.org Hebrew Day School - A Complete Education Hebrew DayHDS Schoolgraduates are - academically A Complete skilled , Education HDS graduatescon dent are academicallyin their talents, skilled , groundedcon dent in in their their identities, talents, A bene ciary of grounded in their identities, A bene ciary of poised to contribute to the world. poised to contribute to the world. K-5 K-5

16 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Youth/Teens

JCC youth activities Israel travel assistance Shoshana Jackson, special to the WJN deadlines–February 1 New youth programs are smash hits Snow Day programs Winter Break program offerings and March 1 This past September and October, the Jewish The JCC Youth Department will once again The JCC will offer Winter Break Fun Day Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor’s offer Snow Day programs this winter. On days programs from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on December 23, Eileen Freed, special to the WJN Youth Department offered exciting new experi- when the JCC is able to open but Ann Arbor December 27–30 and January 3-6. Each Winter The deadlines for two Jewish Federation ences within the established programming. Public Schools are cancelled due to winter Break Fun Day will feature a fun field trip or programs offering financial assistance to Two new afterschool enrichment classes weather conditions, a Snow Day program will special activity, plus crafts, games, and gym time teens travelling to Israel are February 1 and were offered in this session: Mythbusters, Jr. and be offered from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. for students in or outdoor recess. Students may sign up for one March 1, 2012. Zumbatomic. Both classes had modest initial grades K–5; middle school students may partic- or more days. Programming details for each day The Susan L. Lichter Memorial Endowed enrollment but were thoroughly enjoyed by all ipate as helpers for a reduced fee. Students will will be available in early December. Israel Scholarship Fund provides two $2500 participants. The Myth- The Winter Break Fun Day programs are scholarships annually for Ann Arbor area busters class found stu- for JCC members ONLY in grades K–5; middle high school students to participate in peer dents actively engaged school students are also welcome to participate group Israel experiences such as semester, in creating experiments as helpers for a reduced fee. The cost for each summer or gap year programs. The scholar- to test such urban myths day is $38 for care from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. ($34 for ship application includes the submission of as “Diet Coke reacts with additional siblings) and $10 for Extended Care an essay, and applications must be received Mentos candies better from 4–6 p.m. Registration and payment are in the Federation office by February 1. than any other soda,” due by Monday, December 19. Awards are determined by a committee and and “Someone escaped will be announced by March 1. from a two-story win- New enrichment classes dow using a rope made The JCC is planning an exciting schedule from toilet paper.” Stu- of afterschool classes for the January-February dents worked in pairs session. Youth Enrichment classes for elemen- to develop a theory on tary students will run for 5 weeks, beginning how to test each myth Monday, January 16, and continuing through enjoy games, crafts, gym the week of February 13. These fun and stimu- time, and fun in the snow lating afternoon classes run from 4:30–5:30 (weather permitting). p.m. and are open to both JCC members and Snow Day programs non-members. Snack and supervision in the are for JCC members only. JCC’s afterschool programs before each class Registration in advance is are included for all class participants. not required, but parents The enrichment schedule will be finalized will be asked to fill out a in December, but will likely include several re- Susan Lichter registration form and sub- turning favorites such as Fit Kids, Gym Sports, The Jewish Federation’s Israel Experience mit payment when they ar- Lego Robotics, Beads Galore, and Dazzling subsidy provides up to $1000 assistance to rive. The cost for each Snow Desserts. In addition to the afterschool enrich- teens participating in approved, organized Day is $50; additional sib- ment classes at the JCC, another session of the peer trips to Israel. Subsidies are provided for lings and Kids’ Konnection popular Swim with Kim class will be offered on summer, semester and gap year programs. and Kids’ Club participants Tuesday evenings from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at High The amount of the subsidy varies, based on receive discounts. Point School. Class fees vary; registration and the number of applicants. Individuals may payment will be due by January 11. receive this subsidy only one time. Applica- and spent the class period observing tions, including an essay, for Israel subsidies each other’s attempts to confirm or MLK Day and School’s Out Program must be received in the Federation office by “bust” each myth. Zumbatomic is the The JCC will offer two programs on MLK March 1. Notification of subsidies will be children’s version of Zumba, which Day (January 16)—a free community perfor- made by April 1. Applications received after combines exercise and dance moves to mance in the afternoon and an all day School’s the deadline will be reviewed on a case-by- upbeat music. The students in the class Out program. case basis if funds are still available. learned a movement routine through- All youth in the community and their fami- out the course of the class that includ- lies are invited to celebrate MLK Day by attend- Eligible programs ed rhythmic steps, jumps and strategic ing the free afternoon performance, which will Eligible programs for both the Susan L. freezes. Because movement routines feature the group Singers Of United Lands. Lichter Memorial Endowed Israel Scholar- require a certain discipline, the class S.O.U.L. is a unique quartet of four profes- ship and the Israel Experience subsidies also included a day when students sional young adult singers, each from a differ- must be at least four weeks in length and were challenged to walk across bubble ent country. The four singers are remarkable be organized by an approved provider such wrap without popping any bubbles. By for their high-quality vocal musicianship, as those under the auspices of Jewish youth the end of the class period all students geographical diversity, and enthusiasm for movements, denominational movements of were able to achieve this difficult feat. sharing about their respective cultures. The Judaism, MASA gap year programs, Israeli Autumn’s School’s Out Days were performance times and details will be avail- university teen summer programs, or high well-attended and visited a brand new field- able in mid December. RSVPs for the perfor- school study programs. Funds are not avail- trip location: the Great Lakes Zoological So- mance are requested by January 13. able for university-level study abroad or ciety, on Jackson Road. While there, students In addition to the community performance, any other post-gap year programs (between got a chance to meet some rescued exotic pets the JCC will offer a full day School’s Out Day high school and college). Scholarships and including a Dumeril’s boa, a crocodile monitor program from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. for JCC members subsidies are not awarded for family or in- and a Scarlet Macaw. Students learned about ONLY in grades K–5; middle school students dividual travel and will be paid directly to how the care of exotic pets differs from com- may also participate as helpers for a reduced fee. the programs in which the selected students mon domestic pets and got to see a newly- Participants in the School’s Out Day will enjoy participate. hatched snapping turtle that was only the size of the afternoon S.O.U.L. performance as well as Local high school students interested a half-dollar. On that same day, all participants special workshops with the S.O.U.L. singers and in applying for the scholarship and/or the learned how to weave baskets. At least half of other fun activities. The cost for the School’s subsidy should visit www.jewishannarbor. the students worked their baskets to comple- Out day is $36 for care from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. ($32 org or contact Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@ tion, adding colorful beads into the weaving for for additional siblings) and $10 for Extended jewishannarbor.org or 677-0100. decoration. The dedication and crafting ability Care from 4–6 p.m. Registration and payment n demonstrated by all participants, even some as will be due by Wednesday, January 11. young as five years old, was astounding. For more information on JCC youth pro- For more information on upcoming Youth grams, contact Shoshana Jackson at shoshana- Department programs, contact Shoshana Jack- [email protected] or 971-0990. son at 971-0990 or [email protected].

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 17 18 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Op-Ed

The semantics of Israel bashing Israel: A true ally in the Middle East By Henry Brysk By Robert D. Blackwill and Walter B. Slocombe t is a red flag in opinion polling that the fire lines between Israel and Jordan, Egypt LOS ANGELES (JTA)—American leaders and assessments on key countries and issues results are easily controlled by manipu- and Syria. A couple of years later, Arafat at- have traditionally explained the founda- in the region. Such was the case, for example, I lating the formulation of the questions. tempted to seize power in Jordan; his coup tions of the U.S.-Israel relationship by citing when Israel passed to the United States con- Even cruder bias is achieved by semantic was defeated and his gunmen were thrown shared democratic values and the moral re- clusive photographic evidence in 2007 that gamesmanship (twisting word definitions out of the country. King Hussein then de- sponsibility America bears to protect the small Syria, with North Korean assistance, had tendentiously). The Israeli-Palestinian de- cided to give up on the West Bank (held by nation-state of the Jewish people. Although made enormous strides toward “going hot” bate has been particularly polluted by such Israel) and wash his hands of the Palestin- accurate and essential, this characterization is with a plutonium-producing reactor. tactics, to the point that the buzz words mask ians. After one more war in 1973, Egypt also incomplete because it fails to capture a third, On important issues, the two nations the reality. I review here some of the vocabu- dissociated itself from the Palestinians. Then crucial aspect: the many ways in which Israel do sometimes differ, a phenomenon not lary gymnastics. came the peace treaties between Israel and advances U.S. national interests. unique to the U.S.-Israel relationship. Over I begin with a simple example that illus- Egypt, followed by Jordan. These established Today, Israeli contributions to U.S. na- the decades, there have been periodic policy trates a typical incantation: Under the sister the borders between those states, based on tional interests cover a broad spectrum. flare-ups, some even bitter, on topics ranging cities program, Toronto organized a film fes- the borders of the old British Mandate. The Through joint training, exercises and ex- from Israel’s preventive action against Iraq’s tival to honor Tel Aviv on its hundredth anni- Palestinians were not a party to any of the changes on military doctrine, the United nuclear reactor to Israeli sales of weaponry versary. The usual suspects from Hollywood cease-fires after the successive wars (and re- States has benefited in the areas of counter- and military technology to China. Some of issued a call for a boycott. Their argument: jected them at the time), as they were not terrorism, intelligence and experience in the most contentious disputes have been Tel Aviv is an illegal settlement established on then recognized as a separate entity by any of urban warfare. Increasingly, U.S. homeland about actions affecting the Middle East stolen Arab land. In reality, it was empty land the Arab countries. There is thus no mutual- security and military agencies are turning to peace process. bought from its owners, the sale registered ly agreed upon demarcation line between Is- Israeli technology to solve some of their most But more often have been instances of with the only legal authorities of that time rael and Palestine, and there never has been, vexing technical and strategic problems. U.S.-Israel collaboration — most impor- and place, the Ottoman Empire. Of course, let alone a border. What the Arabs call “the This support includes advice and exper- tant, the Arab-Israeli peace treaties that are the implication of the incantation is that Tel 1967 border” is the cease-fire line between tise on behavioral screening techniques for the anchor of American national interests in Aviv was conceived in original sin, and that Israel and Jordan of two decades before that airport security and acquisition of an Israe- the Middle East. retribution should be visited on all future (They want a do-over and pretend to have a li-produced tactical radar system to enhance We do not deny that there are costs to the generations, a remarkable instance of fun- right to it). force protection. Israel has been a world United States, in the Arab world and else- damentalist moral absolutism, completely at There has been a lot of oratory as to where leader in the development of unmanned aer- where, for its support of Israel, as there are odds with the belief system of this Hollywood a border should be set in a peace agreement ial systems, both for intelligence collection costs to U.S. support of other beleaguered — cabal on all other subjects. A settlement is a (notice how the term “peace treaty”, with and combat, and it has shared with the U.S. and sometime imperfect — friends, includ- new community established on a previously the connotation of permanent resolution, is military the technology, the doctrine and its ing West Berlin in the Cold War, Kuwait in uninhabited location (a subdivision in mod- shunned). There is no mention of an implic- experience regarding these systems. Israel is 1990-91 and Taiwan today. ern American parlance), but this has been it asymmetry in the definition of what lies on also a global pacesetter in armored vehicle But the long-standing U.S. commitment twisted into something sinister, with “illegal” each side of the border: On the Palestinian protection, defense against short-range to Israel has not prevented development of arbitrarily appended. side of it there is to be ethnic cleansing (eu- rockets, and the techniques and procedures close ties with Arab nations, which under- This brings me to a racist bifurcation of phemistically called “dismantling the settle- of robotics, all of which it has shared with stand — however much they disagree with terminology: A town inhabited by Jews is ments”), never mind that this constitutes the United States. U.S. support for Israel — that they benefit dubbed a settlement, regardless of its age. a direct violation of the UN Convention In missile defense, the United States has from a good relationship with the United The word is given a connotation of interlop- on Genocide; Abbas has proclaimed that a broad and multifaceted partnership with States on other issues. Nor has it made the ing, of illegitimacy and impermanence. A no Jews will be allowed on Palestinian soil, Israel. Israel’s national missile defenses — Arab oil-exporting states any less conscious town inhabited by Arabs is dubbed a refugee not even among UN peacekeepers. On the which include the U.S. deployment in Israel of their own economic and strategic inter- camp, regardless of how many generations other side of the border, Abbas insists that of an advanced X-band radar system and the est in a reasonably stable flow of oil to world ago it was settled. The designation carries an any Arab born and living anywhere should more than 100 American military personnel markets, or their eagerness to buy first-class aura of victimhood and of entitlement. The be entitled to immigrate into Israel, provided who man it — will be an integral part of a military equipment from the United States concept of nationality has an opportunistic only that he asserts that he has an ancestor larger missile defense spanning Europe, the or to enjoy the benefits of U.S. protection flexibility. When it comes to making claims who once lived in its present confines (Giv- eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf against Iranian or other aggression. on Israel, any Arab living anywhere who as- en the huge difference in standard of living to help protect U.S. forces and allies. Would Saudi Arabia’s policies toward the serts that he had an ancestor who lived in between Israel and its neighbors, the temp- Israeli-developed defense equipment, United States, for example, be markedly dif- what is now Israel can call himself a Palestin- tation to invent such ancestry is overwhelm- some of which benefited from generous U.S. ferent if Washington entered into a sustained ian refugee. On the other hand, when he goes ing). Less publicized is the corollary demand aid, now used by the U.S. military include crisis with Israel over the Palestine issue? on a rampage he is not identified as Palestin- that no future Jewish immigration into Israel short-range unmanned aircraft systems that Would Riyadh lower the price of oil? Would ian. Zarqawi, the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, should be allowed. The vehemence of the re- have seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan; it stop hedging its regional bets concerning was called a Jordanian. The ancestry of Maj. fusal to accept Israel as a Jewish state is reveal- targeting pods on hundreds of Air Force, U.S. attempts to coerce Iran into freezing its Nadal was suppressed for weeks after the Ft. ing: The Palestinian state is to be ethnically Navy and Marine strike aircraft; a revolution- nuclear weapons programs? Would it regard Hood mass murder. cleansed ab initio. Israel is to be colonized by ary helmet-mounted sight that is standard current U.S. policy toward Afghanistan more A convoluted fiction is “the 1967 bor- “the law of return” until it is taken over by an in nearly all frontline Air Force and Navy positively? Would it view American democ- der”. After World War I, Britain carved out Arab majority, and then it will also be ethni- fighter aircraft; lifesaving armor installed in racy promotion in the Middle East more its Palestine Protectorate up to the Jordan, cally cleansed. thousands of MRAP armored vehicles used favorably? Would it be more inclined to re- and the (more loosely controlled) Kingdom Under international law, a state is ex- in Iraq and Afghanistan; and a gun system form its internal governmental processes to of Transjordan beyond. When the British pected to secure the safety of all its ethnic for close-in defense of naval vessels against be more in line with U.S. preferences? No. pulled out in 1948, King Abdullah laid claim groups. The violation of that principle trig- terrorist dinghies and small-boat swarms. In sum, we believe that Israel’s substantial to all of Palestine, renaming his kingdom gered NATO intervention in the former Yu- Moreover, U.S. and Israeli companies are contributions to U.S. interests are an under- Jordan, with the two pieces labeled East goslavia. With respect to a Palestinian state, working together to produce Israel’s Iron appreciated aspect of this relationship and Bank and West Bank (of the Jordan). Israel however, there is an unspoken assumption Dome — the world’s first combat-proven deserve equal billing to shared values and proclaimed its independence and was recog- on all sides that it could not and would not counter-rocket system. historical responsibility as rationales for nized as a state by everyone but the Arabs. be held to such a guarantee. This is of con- Counter-terrorism and intelligence co- American support of Israel. n Jordan, Egypt, Syria and other (less active) cern not only for the Jews, but also for the operation is deep and extensive, with the Robert D. Blackwill, deputy national security Arab countries waged war on Israel. There silent minorities (Christians, Shia, Druze, United States and Israel working to advance advisor for strategic planning in the George was a cease-fire (with demarcation lines bro- etc.) in the area. their common interest in defeating the ter- W. Bush administration, and Walter B. Slo- kered by the UN) but the Arab countries re- To this point in the discussion, I have rorism of Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda combe, undersecretary of defense for policy in fused to make peace, rejecting the existence countenanced the illusion that the Palestine and its affiliate groups, and preventing nu- the Clinton administration, are authors of the of Israel. In the last days of the war, the Arab Authority in Ramallah is a viable government clear proliferation in the region. There are new report “Israel: A Strategic Asset for the Legion (Jordanian soldiers with British offi- over the Palestinians and that it is capable joint Special Forces training and exercises, United States” (The Washington Institute for cers) conquered East Jerusalem and expelled of upholding international commitments. and collaboration on shared targets. Near East Policy). This Op-Ed originally ap- all the Jews living there; afterwards, Jordan In reality, it has completely lost control of This intimate relationship reinforces peared in the Los Angeles Times. continued to bar Jews from access to the Gaza to Hamas and lost the last election to overall U.S. intelligence efforts by providing Wailing Wall. Nasser instigated another war Hamas. We have been taking at face value the Washington with access to Israel’s unique in 1967, after which there were new cease- set of capabilities for information collection Continued on page 38 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 19 FUN FOR ALL AGES! • • • • AMAZING LIVE SHOWS! I American Jewry THE BENARD L. MAAS FOUNDATION FAMILY- FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL NOTJUSTFORKIDS THEATER PRESENTED BY At GA, new federation plan for overseas N J F K seen as blow to Jewish Agency DENVER (JTA) —After a decades-long part- Diaspora Jewry to the Zionist enterprise. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 • 1:30 PM nership that saw the Jewish Agency for Israel “There is maybe a problem of divorce from serve as the official, exclusive Zionist arm of the collective, and you can’t guarantee the North America’s Jewish community federa- future of the Jewish people without a collec- tions, the federation system is getting ready to tive,” Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish date other partners. Agency, told JTA. “There is a danger people will But Jewish Agency officials say it feels more choose to opt out of the collective, and then to SKIPPYJON like the beginning of a divorce. restore it will be impossible.” Towards the conclusion of its General As- Federation officials say the reality is that’s sembly in Denver, the Jewish Federations of already happening; federations like the one in JONES North America board overwhelmingly ap- Boston already are doing overseas allocations proved a plan that will dramatically transform on their own. The Global Planning Table rep- FUN FOR ALL AGES! Based on the historic commitment of the federations to resents an effort to revive collective action, they Judy Schachner’s book, this fund the agency. say. By empowering the federations to make enchanting musical encourages JFNA maintains that the change is part spending decisions without the encumbrances of a grand strategy to re-establish the collec- of exclusive partnerships with the JDC and the you to unleash your imagination tive power of the federations at a time when Jewish Agency, JFNA officials say they believe and follow your dreams. collective action by Diaspora Jewry is harder overseas giving ultimately will rise. and harder to muster. Under the new model, “It’s really about engaging more Jews, creat- representatives of North America’s 157 federa- ing a new, dynamic venue to elevate the profile tions on a so-called Global Planning Table will of and get new support for global Jewish needs,” make spending decisions for overseas alloca- said Joe Berkofsky, a spokesman for JFNA. GET SINGLE SHOW TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER.COM. tions, deciding together how the money they For its part, the JDC welcomes the change. SUBSCRIBE FOR BEST SEATS AND BEST PRICES! raise will be doled out to various organizations Unlike the Jewish Agency, whose governing (734) 668-8397 x27 OR [email protected] and programs. board is controlled in large part by the fed- For decades, the federations’ overseas allo- erations, the JDC has an independent board, THANKS TO cations had gone automatically to the Jewish a robust fundraising apparatus and a strong OUR SPONSORS: Agency and the American Jewish Joint Dis- reputation in the federation world. The JDC, tribution Committee in a 75-25 percent split. which has a $300 million annual budget, has 603 E. LIBERTY ST. • ANN ARBOR Under the new arrangement, the Jewish Agency not been happy with its 25 percent share of the and JDC still will get a share, but they will have federation system’s overseas dollars, and JDC (743) 668-8397 • MICHTHEATER.ORG to compete for it with other groups. They also officials think they can do better with the open will have less discretion than they do now about field that the Global Planning Table represents. how to spend their allocations; the federations “Competition isn’t evil; it’s healthy,” said will be dictating more of the spending program Steve Schwager, CEO of the JDC. “The JDC to them. doesn’t mind competing for designated dollars. “We will set the meta priorities,” said Jerry The JDC delivers high-quality, important pro- Silverman, JFNA’s CEO. “The people who raise grams that benefit the Jewish people. I believe JANUARY 26 & 29 the money get to be part of the discussion of that when I get to make that case, we will at least allocating the money.” maintain if not increase the level of funding.” In recent years, federations increasingly have A few separate factors are converging to been opting out of the historic overseas fund- drive this major change in the federations’ phi- ing arrangement, cutting funding to the Jewish lanthropy. Agency or giving directly to causes in Israel and One is the economic downturn, which has elsewhere around the world. Backers of the plan hurt federation campaigns and overseas giving. AND hope that the new arrangement will keep fed- Another is dismay with operations at the erations doing things together by offering col- Jewish Agency. In recent years, the agency has lective decision-making and more options for reshuffled its priorities away from immigration SUNDANCE SHORT FILMS overseas spending. to Israel, which it still handles, and toward Zi- “Our goal is to keep our federations a col- onist education in the Diaspora. Some critics lective to continue to change Jewish history,” question why the federations should send mon- Silverman said. “We’re thinking about the com- ey to Israel just so the Jewish Agency can use munity as a whole.” it to ship Zionist emissaries back to Diaspora FOR MORE INFO: From the perspective of the Jewish Agency, Jewish communities. however, which gets approximately 50 percent Jewish Agency officials counter that they MICHTHEATER.ORG/SFFUSA of its $270 million annual budget from the fed- have not abandoned aliyah at all and are merely erations and has no real fundraising apparatus more focused on making Israel central to the of its own, the change is seen as the beginning vast majority of Diaspora Jews who do not plan of a shift that could deal a significant blow to on making aliyah. the agency. Another factor is the growing influence of Some federation executives suggest that’s foundations in the Jewish philanthropic land- TICKETS ON SALE not such a bad thing. scape. Birthright Israel, the big Jewish idea of the “Have you ever heard an Israeli say, ‘Give last decade, came from the foundation world, DECEMBER 9! more money to the Jewish Agency?’ ” asked Bar- not from the federations. Under the new Global ry Shrage, president of the Boston federation, Planning Table, there could be closer collabo- Combined Jewish Philanthropies. “They’re rations between federation and philanthropic Reserved seats at Ticketmaster.com stuck in bureaucracies. We’re on the ground foundations, and by absolving itself of its exclu- and all Ticketmaster outlets. working with our local Israeli partners directly. sive commitments to the Jewish Agency and the If the Jewish Agency had something compel- JDC, the federation system will have more dis- Charge by phone at 800-745-3000. ling, we’d invest in them, too.” cretion to funnel money to the right ideas. Officials at the Jewish Agency, whose mission “It’s an opportunity for us to partner with is to settle immigrants in Israel and promote Zi- foundations in ways we haven’t previously,” said onism around the world, declined to comment Joanne Moore, senior vice president of global 603 E. LIBERTY ST. • ANN ARBOR for this story except to express concern about planning at JFNA. (743) 668-8397 • MICHTHEATER.ORG jeopardizing the collective commitment of Continued on next page 20 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 Continued from previous page “Any effort to try to make individual federa- federation system. Then the Global Planning It remains to be seen whether this process probably will require the hiring of new staff tions more empowered and more engaged to Table’s executive steering committee, which will will result in smarter allocations and collec- to help manage it. But ultimately, according follow needs is good in principle,” said Andres include federations but not the Jewish Agency tive action, or whether the Global Planning to JFNA, it will be worth it. Spokoiny, president of the Jewish Funders Net- or JDC, will decide on those priorities. Table’s giving will reflect the personal and in- “Imagine a world where the greatest chal- work. “Whether the Global Planning Table does Commissions then will research how best to stitutional relationships and predilections of lenges and most exciting opportunities to that or not I don’t know.” achieve those priorities, including consultations federation leaders. strengthen and build the Jewish people are The process by which the Global Planning with outside experts, and goals for overseas “It will be those who sit closest to the trough discussed, studied, and understood,” says a Table will go about making allocation decisions spending will be set by the executive steering who eat first,” said one opponent of the plan white paper by the organization outlining involves new commissions and committees committee. Once that committee makes its who spoke on condition of anonymity. the Global Planning Table. “The mission of —lots of them. allocations recommendations, JFNA’s board What is almost certain is that the Global the GPT is to inspire the Jewish Federations’ First, committees comprised of representa- of trustees will make the final determinations Planning Table will add a layer of complexity, collective global work and drive collective so- tives of the federations, the Jewish Agency, the about allocations; the JDC and Jewish Agency work and deliberation to federations’ over- lutions to important issues within the global JDC and others will discuss priorities for the will not have a vote. seas giving. Moore acknowledges the process Jewish community.” . n

RYAN ADAMS DEVOTCHKA

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Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 21 I Technology/Books

Top 10 Jewish apps Jump-shot Jews: Review of Neal By Sala Levin (Moment)—Here are the Top 10 Jewish apps, Pollack’s novel Jewball Jew Booth By Bethlehem Shoals via Moment Magazine: Sure, that photo of you at cousin Jake’s wedding looks nice, but does it need a little (Tablet)—In the 1930s, Hank Greenberg chased pathizers with a strong base in Philadelphia. To Version Jew.0 Jewish je ne sais quoi? Jew Booth is here to Babe Ruth’s records and won the 1934 World pay off his debt, Gottlieb must have the Sphas Is your Yiddish rusty? Want to whip up help. Take any photo and make it distinctly Series with the Detroit Tigers. The national pas- take a dive against a team of Aryan supermen a kosher culinary masterpiece? Trying to re- Jewish by adding a kippah, a Star of David time wasn’t friendly territory for a Jewish athlete in Minneapolis, thus demonstrating the inferi- member which prayer to say as you cast off necklace or other Jewish accoutrements. then, but by proudly staking out a claim, Green- ority of the Jewish race and ceding their sport your sins on Rosh Hashanah? Don’t worry— Your Facebook friends will think you’ve un- berg proved that Jews could play the game as to the Nazis. Inky Lautman, so alienated and there’s an app for it! dergone a religious transformation when well as anyone else. To his co-religionists cheer- broke that he occasionally works for the Bund they see photos of you wearing a black fe- ing in the stands, this was proof that they could on what the character calls “non-Jew matters,” Oy! participate in American society. finds himself asked to make sure Gottlieb com- Ever wonder when it’s OK to toss out an dora. Whether or not you clue them in to Jew Greenberg was progress incarnate. But there plies. Inky gets religion, so to speak, after being “oy”? The opportunities, it seems, are end- Booth’s photographic trickery is up to you. was another Jewish sports story of that decade — forced to attend an enormous Bund rally at less. The Oy! app for iPhones and iPads pro- Yiddish Slang Dictionary one far less uplifting and there- Madison Square Garden. But the vides five recorded variations on the go-to The next time you’re at a party and some- fore far less retold. debt remains, Minnesota beck- favorite for moments when no other expres- one calls you a shlemiel when you spill your Once upon a time, Jews ons, and the Bund isn’t exactly sion of dismay will soda, whip out ruled basketball. Not the way out for a fair game. work. Does the the Yiddish they do now — the NBA’s com- How will the Sphas get out of situation call for Slang Diction- missioner and a majority of its this jam? Answer: lots of violence. a full-blown “oy ary on your owners are Jews — but on the And a barnstorming tour that al- gevalt”? Done. smartphone for court. If baseball was Middle lows Pollack to show us more of Need a classic “oy an appropriate America’s sport, basketball the great teams of the 1930s, like vey”? No problem. retort. Thanks at the time, like boxing, was the African-American Harlem The app even cov- to this app, Yid- redolent of city squalor and Rens or the all-female All-Amer- ers that perennial dish experts and shady dealings. Images of those ican Redheads. The history is favorite, “oy yoy neophytes alike short, pale men in belted shorts fascinating but at times can drag, yoy.” can parse the lan- launching set shots in poorly lit, especially given the pending col- Jewish Mother guage’s rich rhe- makeshift gyms are today virtu- lision with the Bund. The makers of torical epithets. ally ignored; basketball has just Historical novels are inher- Jewish Mother have The dictionary evolved too much since then, and Jews played ently speculative, but Jewball is something else remedied the logis- includes common too little of a part in its development. That his- altogether: a fantasy that doesn’t politely look tical difficulties of constant words (schlep, tory is like a dream or, at worst, a bad joke. for space to imagine but instead proposes that maternal accompaniment: mensch) along with But that history is also the subject of Jewball, an entire period is one best understood through In lieu of an actual moth- more obscure bon mots Neal Pollack’s new Kindle novel about the real- the imagination. As Pollack explains in a “Notes er, a virtual version pro- such as tummler and life Jewish team that is generally regarded as the on History” section at the end of the book, Got- grammed with more than schmutter. best basketball squad of the era. The Philadel- tlieb was never in debt to the Bund, and Lautman phia Sphas — the name came from the acronym had no affiliation with it. The Minnesota game, 100 phrases follows users. The Amazing Jewish- “Happy Chanukah, bub- for the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association, too, is his invention. So little is known about the beleh,” she might say. “Of Fact-a-Day Calendar which sponsored the team — dominated early off-court lives of most of the Sphas, including course, I’d be happier if you had kids.” The Can you name the play into which Shake- pro basketball, winning seven championships Lautman, that Pollack created characters where digi-mom even spouts out phrases based on speare slipped some Hebrew? What do you in 13 seasons with the American Basketball history had left none. gender and marital status. know about the Talmud’s seemingly pro- League in the 1930s and 1940s. The book’s bad guys — figures such as Wil- phetic stance on airplanes? This app informs Pollack delivers crisp, vivid episodes of the liam Dudley Pelley, founder of the American Gematria Calculator users about important historical events that team in pitched battle, capturing the era’s style as fascist group the Silver Legion, and German- Gematria, part of kabbalistic thought, as- occurred on that date, fascinating religious well as that of key players. Around these scenes American Bund leaders Fritz Julius Kuhn and signs a numerical value to each of the He- practices and famous figures. Learn about he weaves a fast-moving tale of underworld Gerhard Wilhelm Kunze — are more faithfully brew alphabet’s 22 letters, used to decode everything from Louis Armstrong’s early job intrigue, the looming Nazi threat, love lost and portrayed, perhaps because they left more of a deeper meanings in Hebrew words and working for a Jewish family to historic dis- found, and plenty of sharp-tongued banter. In historical record with which to work. phrases. For those unable to perform such agreements between Hillel and Shammai. “Alternadad” and “Stretch,” Pollack brought his Thus Pollack’s characterization of Laut- complex calculations in their heads, the Ge- outwardly prickly but secretly warm persona man is less about revealing a real person than matria Calculator determines the numeri- Going Paprikash to bear on parenting and then yoga; he was an it is about imagining the ideal protagonist for cal values of phrases in Jewish texts, making Before World War II, as many as 250,000 outsider learning to fit in on his own terms. In the “Jewball” era — a nasty, uproarious, and at the trajectory to spiritual reward a little less Jews lived in Budapest, filling the Hungarian “Jewball,” described in the acknowledgements times glorious one. This isn’t a historical novel mathematically onerous. capital’s 125 synagogues. When they weren’t as “a true labor of love,” Pollack pays homage to so much as it is a tall tale, or better yet, an at- praying, they were cooking up a treasure trove these unsung Jewish athletes and their colorful tempt to at once reclaim the past and lend it the Jewish Temple Jigsaw of culinary treats, such as rakott krumpli milieu. But for all his historical detail, Jewball same antic, outrageous quality that the shtetl Re-jigger this app’s puzzle pieces to form (potato casserole), paprikas csirke (chicken ultimately tells us not only what was, but what took on for I.B. Singer. Pollack wants to find the Holy Temple, known in Hebrew as the paprikas) and gomboc (dumplings). Those Pollack would like to have seen. new ways to revitalize a dead era. Beit HaMikdash. Those who solve the puzzle longing for a taste of Hungary’s Jewish heri- Take Inky Lautman, the Sphas’ sure-handed The brand of nostalgia in Jewball may play are rewarded — the screen flashes: “You built tage can download this app, which features point guard from 1937 to 1947. Though plenty right into the hands of the book’s villains, or the a Beis Hamikdash!” Not even King David 120 kosher Hungarian recipes and the tales is known about Lautman’s on-court exploits history that has deified Hank Greenberg and could say that. of how they came to be. — he was one of the top scorers in the league consigned Inky Lautman to the shadows. Or — and about the Philadelphia of the time, Pol- just maybe it’s entirely the right note to strike iTashlich Judoku lack creates his Lautman from scratch, bring- when reclaiming Lautman — not as a source of Tashlich, the Rosh Hashanah ceremony Thumb twiddlers on subways and in of- ing to life a cynical, scarred anti-hero for whom shame or consternation, but as another kind of in which pieces of bread symbolizing sins fice meetings can now brush up on their Jew- basketball is an escape from doing dirty work Jewish hero who not only fought back, but liked are cast into a body of running water, has ish symbols while passing the time: A new on the streets. (The real Lautman did quit high to fight — and almost always fought dirty. n gone high-tech. This handy app explains the version of the popular logic game Sudoku, school at 15 to earn money for his family.) Bethlehem Shoals (the pen name of Nathaniel ritual and provides audio of the main prayer usually played with numbers, features im- This kind of invention allows Pollack room to Friedman) is a founding member of basketball in both English and Hebrew, as well as the ages such as the shofar, the Star of David and provide both startlingly well-researched game writers’ collective FreeDarko.com and co-au- Hebrew text of the three primary blessings. It Hebrew letters. Just make sure to follow the scenes and a madcap adventure that, plausible thor of The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basket- also prompts reflection on possible modern cardinal rule of the game: no more than one or not, makes the sports go down easier for n ball History. He has also contributed to GQ, sins, such as, “Have you used other people’s menorah in each three-by-three box. those who aren’t fans. The Awl, Sports Illustrated, The Nation and unsecured wireless Internet?” In Pollack’s story, Eddie Gottlieb, the coach- This article originally appeared in Moment McSweeney’s. This article originally appeared owner-impresario of the Sphas, owes money to Magazine, momentmag.com. on Tablet Magazine, tabletmag.com. the German-American Bund, U.S. Nazi sym- 22 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 Your feet are in good hands Great Kids

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Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 23 I Book Festival

Jewish Book Festival, November 2011 1 Halye Aisner, special to the WJN The Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor’s 24th Annual Book Festival was held November 1–13 at the JCC. Attendance was at an all-time high as authors, both local and from around the country visited the JCC to discuss their most recent works. Several events were also a part of the Festival, including several Lunch & Learn programs, a cooking demonstration, a poetry reading, a Shabbat celebration, a film showing, an evening with the University of Michi- gan Frankel Center for Judaic Studies scholars, a pancake breakfast with Curious George, an educational workshop, a local authors’ breakfast featuring some of Ann Arbor’s most talented writers, and a Global Day of Jewish Learning. The event could not take place without the sup- port of the community, sponsors, guest authors, committee, staff, volunteers, and everyone who attended an event or purchased items from the bookstore.

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14 1 - Lee Kravitz signing books 7 - Marvin Brandwin 2 - David Shoem 8 - Martin Stolszenberg 3 - Joan Chessler perusing local 9 - Judith Laikin Elkin authors' books 10 - Jeremy Ben Ami 4 - Rabbi Robert Levy 11 - Doug Moffat 5 - Editors of Ma Baseema-Middle 12 - Lee Kravitz speaking Eastern Cooking With Chaldean at Book Fair Flair giving cooking demonstration 13 - Jane Alkon signing books 6 - Rachel DeWoskin 14 - Charles Butter

24 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012

Celebrate with U-M Hillel

Sunday, Dec. 18th The Ann Arbor Jewish community is invited to a Chanukah celebration 10:30–noon at the JCC to welcome Tilly Shames into her new role as Executive Director of University of Michigan Hillel.

We also want to thank Michael Brooks for his 32 years as Executive Director as he transitions into his new position as Director of Institutional Advancement at U-M Hillel.

We look forward to seeing you at a dessert reception on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, the second night of Chanukah, at 7:30 p.m. at Hillel,1429 Hill Street, Ann Arbor. R.S.V.P. by December 15 to Chris at (734) 769-0500 or email her at [email protected]. Parking on Hill Street is permitted from 7:00–10:00 p.m. Co-Chairs: Harlene and Henry Appelman & Chuck and Sharon Newman Host Committee: Carol Amster, Mark Bernstein and Rachel Bendit, Evan Caminker and Stacey Lee, Carl Cohen, Larry Crockett and Kathleen Richards, Deborah Dash-Moore, Mark and Babette Daskin, Rob and Ellen Dobrusin, Todd and Judith Endelman, Paul and Judith Freedman, Enid Galler, Chuck and Rita Gelman, Marvin and Florence Gerber, Beverly Gershowitz, Elliot Ginsburg and Linda Jo Doctor, Zvi and Marlene Gitelman, Larry and Caroline Hiss, Yale and Joan Kamisar, Steven Leber and Dina Shtull, Mike and Pat Levine, Paul and Carolyn Lichter, Ami and Pru Rosenthal, Sarai and David Shoup, Seth Warschausky and Sandy Finkel, Robert and Mimi Weisberg, Stephen and Lisa Weiss, Jeffrey and Beth Wilensky

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26 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Israel

Meet Dan Shapiro, the Hebrew-tweeting U.S. ambassador By Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA)—The U.S. ambassa- for his kids’ school, the Jewish Primary Day Shapiro, 42, appeared last month at the The state of the U.S.-Israel defense relationship: dor to Israel tweets in Hebrew. School of the Nation’s Capital. And Shapiro Jewish Federations of North America General “It’s as strong as it’s ever been, and that is some- A generation ago, the latter part of that noted his Jewish roots—and his affinity for Assembly in Denver in a conversation with his thing that the military leaderships on both sides statement would have been as shocking as the Israel—in his confir- Israeli counterpart, have said publicly but also told us internally that first part would have been incomprehensible. mation hearings. Michael Oren, who they are overwhelmed by the depth and the qual- The notion of an ambassador to Israel “I’ve been involved also happens to be ity of the interchange and coordination. It takes having a pre-existing affinity with the coun- with Israel most of U.S. born. the form, obviously, of military assistance. It takes try, never mind fluency in its native tongue, my life,” he told U.S. Before appear- the form of the joint technological work on mis- was unimaginable. The U.S. State Depart- senators in the May ing with Oren, sile defense, especially Arrow and Iron Dome and ment had a policy of not sending Jewish dip- 4 hearings. “I lived in Shapiro spoke to David’s Sling. [The Arrow is a long-range mis- lomats to the top post in Israel. The late Ezer Israel as a young child JTA and explained sile defense system, and the other two are short- Weizman, when he was Israel’s defense min- during the 1973 war. I why he makes a range missile defense systems.] It takes the form ister in the late 1970s and early 1980s, teased took two tours of uni- point of addressing of Israeli technologies that we are deploying in the Samuel Lewis, then the U.S. ambassador, by versity studies there. Israelis in Hebrew. U.S. military, like armor for our Bradley fighting addressing him as “Shmuel Levy,” partly be- And I worked here “Nowadays the vehicles. It takes the form of joint exercises, and we cause the men had become friends—but also in the Congress for public diplomacy now have announced the largest-ever joint exer- because the notion of a Jewish ambassador many years to support part of an ambassa- cises to be scheduled for early 2012, breaking the to Israel seemed preposterous. Middle East peace ef- dor’s role is almost record of the previous largest ever, from the fall of That changed in 1995 when President Bill forts, strengthen the as or as important 2010, Juniper Cobra. It reflects a real convergence Clinton named Martin Indyk to the post, to U.S.-Israel relation- as the conventional of strategic interests and recognition that we both much Israeli fanfare. Indyk served two stints, ship and combat ter- diplomatic func- benefit from coordinating efforts to deal with the and Daniel Kurtzer, an Orthodox Jew, also rorism—the terrorist tion, and there’s no significant strategic challenges we both face in the served in the post in the mid-2000s. threats against both Dan Shapiro better way to reach Middle East.” It’s a measure of how much the Jewish our nations.” people than in their factor is no longer an issue that when Dan It was a measure of his popularity that own language. Even those who speak English The U.S. strategic interest in maintaining the Shapiro assumed the post earlier this year, Obama’s naming of Shapiro earned plaudits appreciate it,” he said. “Many Israelis have told relationship with Israel: his religion surprised no one, although it was from across the pro-Israel spectrum, from me they appreciate the effort to master—to use “We simply have no better partner than acknowledged: In the 2008 election, he was Americans for Peace Now to the Zionist Or- Hebrew to convey American ideas and policies Israel, no partner with whom we have such a leading Jewish proxy for the Obama team, ganization of America. in their language and to give them a chance to overwhelming common interests as well as and as the National Security Council officer In the months since, Shapiro has become express themselves to me in Hebrew.” common values. So when we’re looking at the in charge of the Levant, he was the go-to per- a familiar presence in Israel both through his But it comes with hazards, he said: “I’m challenges of preventing Iran from acquiring son for the pro-Israel community. Hebrew status updates on Twitter and Fa- starting to be recognized. Nobody hesitates to nuclear weapons, and building an international Shapiro is not shy about his Jewish con- cebook, and as a reliable talking head for a share their opinion, which is part of the job.” coalition that would put the squeeze on Iran so nections. He even has cajoled top adminis- country that seems to take its broadcast news Here are some other topics Shapiro ad- that it does not happen; when we look at dealing tration officials into fundraising appearances intravenously. dressed in his conversation with JTA: Continued on page 38 As U.N. push fizzles, Abbas faces unclear path ahead By Ruth Eglash JERUSALEM (JTA)—Palestinian Authority in the wings to seize on his stumbles. Abbas line up the hoped-for nine Security Council $3.1 billion directly or indirectly,” he said. President Mahmoud Abbas’ statehood push has insisted that he will not resume negotia- member states—the number needed to give “It would be very difficult because there has at the United Nations may be fizzling, but his tions with Israel in the absence of a settlement a green light for U.N. membership, though been so much invested in the P.A. I think supporters insist that he can find a way out freeze, so the way forward remains uncertain. the U.S. has vowed a veto in any case. these are merely threats to put pressure on of the impasse. “The Palestinian leadership is now in the In addition, Abbas’ Fatah party took a hit the U.S., to put pressure on Israel to disman- “Abu Mazen is a powerful leader and is process of discussing the future and where in October as a result of the prisoner swap tle the settlements.” very persuasive,” said Ahmad Tibi, an Arab that won captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit Frisch said that Abbas faces challenges member of Israel’s Knesset, using Abbas’ his freedom. Its rival, Hamas, managed to to his authority both from Hamas and from nom de guerre. “He has managed to con- negotiate the release of 1,027 Palestinian se- younger Fatah activists. vince the majority of the Palestinian people curity prisoners from Israel. On the day of “He is scared of factions within his own peo- that the way to reach statehood is through the prisoner exchange, there were reports de- ple, which could become a threat,” Frisch said. nonviolent means. scribing green Hamas flags flying high over “He is not a strong leader, and as the situ- “The problem is that Abu Mazen does the West Bank. ation deteriorates, there needs to be a strong not see this Israeli government as a partner In response to recent developments, and person in charge,” he said, adding that for- to peace. He believes they are anti-peace.” with statehood looking increasingly unlikely mer Palestinian Authority President Yasser Some in the Israeli government have no in the near future, Abbas has threatened to Arafat “was a strong leader, but he did not great love for the Palestinian leader either, par- disband the Palestinian Authority. have willingness. Abbas has a willingness but ticularly since he took the Palestinians’ case to “Of course Abbas is continuing on with not the strength.” the United Nations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Abbas’ his U.N. bid, but if it fails, he could decide to Isaac Herzog, a member of the Knesset’s Avigdor Lieberman said last month that Ab- return the keys to Bibi and go back to occupa- Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee rep- bas is the main impediment to peace. it wants to go, what options there are on the tion,” said Tibi, referring to Israeli Prime Min- resenting the Labor Party, sees the situation “If there is one obstacle that should be table and the current status quo with Israel,” ister Benjamin Netanyahu by his nickname. a bit differently. removed immediately, it is [Abbas],” he told said Tibi, who was a special guest of Abbas Tibi added, however, that Abbas also “Abbas has been successful in uniting the reporters. “If he were to return the keys and re- during his September trip to New York for might decide to call for Palestinian elections Palestinian people and he has the overwhelm- sign, it would not be a threat but a blessing.” the opening of the U.N. General Assembly. in the near future. The latter path has been ing support in the West Bank,” he said. Israeli President Shimon Peres, however, With the peace process in a stalemate, Tibi hinted at in recent months, with senior Ab- Herzog said that Israel erred in not being responded the next day that Abbas and Pal- said, “It is possible we could see some dramatic bas aide Nabil Abu Rudeineh suggesting that more receptive to Abbas’ statehood push. estinian Authority Prime Minister Salam developments [from Abbas] in the near future.” elections could happen as soon as January. “We should have run with it because at Fayyad “are serious leaders that want peace Since Abbas’ September 23 address at the Hillel Frisch, a senior research associate at the end of the day, him and Fayyad are the and are working to prevent violence and ex- U.N. General Assembly, when the PA leader the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies best partners we can get,” he said. “I’m not tremism in our region.” told the world that it was time for a “Pales- at Bar-Ilan University, said he believes that saying Abbas is irreplaceable, but he is com- Abbas now faces a daunting set of chal- tinian Spring” and to see an end to “63 years the threat to dismantle the P.A. is little more mitted to preserving security and stopping lenges, including strained relations with Israel of suffering,” the Palestinians have faced se- than a scare tactic. terror, and he has achieved major success in and the United States, which are angry over rious setbacks. It is becoming increasingly “I doubt that someone would really dis- building a political system that works.” n the U.N. bid., and a Hamas movement waiting clear that the Palestinians will not be able to mantle an authority that commands some Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 27 I Israel/Film

Israeli band goes viral with video about virals By Uri Fintzy NEW YORK (JTA)—Making it in the music busi- According to Paz, The GAG Quartet is named ness used to follow a pretty simple formula: Make a for the cat of one of the band members. The cat’s record, sell albums, play concerts, make money. name: “The.” GAG has been around for about a It used to. year and this was their first actual project. The formula changed after the Internet entered “We are all from Herzliya and we have been our lives. With reams of music freely available on- playing all different kinds of music, from salsa to line, it takes more than just good music to make heavy metal,” Paz said. “But since we are pretty money. After all, we live in the Bieber era, where ev- broke, it took us some time to make this debut ery YouTube view counts. If you can grab people’s video happen.” attention, even a horrible music video can be a After finding out about the band’s poor fi- moneymaker if it goes viral. nancial situation, I couldn’t help but asking Paz But how to create a viral hit – or meme, an idea if there is an ulterior motive behind the creation spread by the Internet? How about create a video of the mother of all memes. that has pretty much every meme out there? “Of course,” Paz admits. “The idea behind The band that seems to have figured this out making the video was in fact to get as many hits is The GAG Quartet, an Israeli trio composed as possible, so we could buy a yacht with all the of Gilad Chehover, Guy Bernfeld and Or Paz. The GAG Quartet money we make, since we all know that YouTube Its new video, “le Internet Medley,” is basically a pays you a million dollars for every million hits.” tribute to every silly video your friends ever sent to the Numa Numa kid and even Rick Astley. production, with help from music and anima- Busted. or posted on your Facebook wall. Don’t know what or who these things are? You’re tion professionals. The idea behind the project But to Paz, a yacht is not enough. Within days, the video garnered nearly 4 mil- probably not distracted enough at work. came from the video’s animator, Tom Trager, “We are planning on getting rid of the yacht lion hits and was featured on websites such as the Bibi Netanyahu and his famous Gilad Shalit who had worked on online videos with Paz. the moment we get it, and then get another HuffingtonPost, Mashable and KnowYourMeme. photo-bombing meme make a guest appearance, Their collaboration included the YouTube- yacht,” he says. “To be honest, we didn’t really think the which is the only Israeli reference in the clip other turned-television series “Ahmed and Salim,” a And while in his dreams Paz is already on video would be this successful,” Paz, the band’s than a Hebrew sticker on the drums. Three of comedy about two nerdy Palestinian terrorists his way to viral glory, maybe his fantasy is not so guitar player, told JTA. “We assumed people all my friends posted the video on my wall, aware of who would rather play Guitar Hero than prac- far-fetched. After watching “le Internet Medley,” over the web would enjoy it, but we didn’t think my personal fascination for memes. I was disap- tice their jihad ways. people may owe him something almost priceless it would evolve to these proportions. It makes us pointed that I could find only 20, but I loved it “We all love memes and are pretty much In- – all the time they are saving by only watching really happy and well worth the time.” nonetheless. And obviously I’m not the only one. ternet geeks, except our drummer, Gilad, who a four-minute video instead of moreo than 40 GAG’s YouTube page features more than 40 According to Paz, it took the band about a actually leaves his house and sometimes even different ones. n meme references, from the cat playing keyboard month to do the filming, recording and post enjoys himself,” Paz said. “He’s a weird guy.” Other Israel Film Festival: Torn and 77 Steps By Dvora Meyers NEW YORK (JTA)—The premise of Torn, a Jakub’s path to residency, if not citizen- of her new documentary, 77 Steps, which are a minority—Arab, not Jewish—it’s still documentary premiering in the U.S.last month ship, takes him to a religious kibbutz where he chronicles her relationship with a Jewish man, not really a place that’s happy to hug you.” at The Other Israel Film Festival in New York, wishes to study Judaism and Hebrew. When he Yonatan Ben-Dor. Indeed, the film begins with Mara’ana trying sounds a bit like the classic rabbi and priest walk meets with the admission committee of Kib- “I want to belong to this place,” she says in to rent an apartment in Tel Aviv. She is rejected into a bar joke. Except that unlike the joke, the butz Sde Eliyahu, he asks to be given leave to go the film. by a broker who had been willing to show her Jew and the Christian in the film are one and the to Tiberias on Sundays to pray at a Franciscan “This place” is Tel Aviv, a city both culturally a flat until she revealed her Arabic first name. same—Romuald Jakub Weksler-Waszkninel. monastery. They politely tell him that this is an and geographically distant from Fureidis, the Eventually she finds an apartment and meets Jakub, as he is called throughout the film, was impossibility. fishing village in northern Israel in which which her neighbor, Ben-Dor, a Canadian expat also born a Jew during the Holocaust in Poland. His “Who are you, Yaacov?” a Sde Eliyahu rep- Mara’ana, an Arab Israeli, was raised. trying to adapt to his new surroundings. birth mother, who perished along with Jakub’s resentative asks in Hebrew. “Are you Jewish? Mara’ana explored the history of Fureidis “We met as strangers,” she said. father and brother, left him in the care of a Polish Christian?” (Arabic for “paradise”) in her first film, Para- Ben-Dor was trying to find his place in Catholic couple who raised him ignorant of his Both, he might have answered had his He- dise Lost. Her mother, who still lives in their his new homeland and she was trying to Jewish background. At 23, Jakub was ordained brew been up to snuff. Not that this would have village, appears in 77 Steps only as a voice on gain acceptance and respect for both sides of as a Catholic priest. been an acceptable answer to the government, the other end of a phone call, urging her to her—her Israeli citizenship and the Palestin- If the story ended there, it would merely which allowed him to remain in the country on return and resume a traditional lifestyle that ian roots—in the country of her birth. Like be an interesting footnote in the tragic history a visa granted to monks but will not give him the includes a husband and children. She has not Jakub, she discovers that insisting on seem- of the Holocaust. But when Jakub was 35, his Jewish recognition he craves. watched most of Mara’ana’s films because she ingly competing identities alienates her from adoptive mother, believing that she did not have The cruel irony in all of this, Kertsner observes, does not approve of her daughter’s vocation. the mainstream. This was especially obvious much time left to live, told her son about his is that the state does acknowledge his Jewishness In this refusal, Mara’ana’s mother is joined toward the end of the film when Ben-Dor and Jewish origins. That led to years of exploration in some capacity. His parents were posthumously by many in Israeli Arab society. Though femi- Mara’ana’s breakup seems imminent. and soul searching, culminating with Jakub’s honored as Righteous Gentiles for rescuing a Jew- nism is not among the dominant themes in 77 “I understand the limits of our relation- decision, at 67, to move to Israel. ish child. For the purposes of honoring them, the Steps, it is apparent in the very act of filming her ship,” Ben-Dor tells her, referring to her in- Torn, by Ronit Kertsner, tells the story of government considers him Jewish, but when it premarital relationship with Ben-Dor, which ability to celebrate Independence Day with Jakub’s attempt to gain recognition as a Jew comes to immigration, he is not. Mara’ana said is a revolutionary act for an Arab him because for her it is the Nakba, or catas- under Israel’s Law of Return. Despite being “His sister could move to Israel as the woman. In fact, a screening of the documen- trophe, as Palestinians refer to Israel’s creation. a victim of the Holocaust, the state won’t let child of Righteous Gentiles,” Kertsner told tary in an Arab town was halted due to the per- But because he can easily identify with Israel him enter as a Jew since he refuses to renounce JTA by phone, referring to his Polish sibling ceived impropriety of the subject matter. and celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Ben-Dor, who his Christianity. who is not mentioned in the film. “If he is a For this reason, Mara’ana felt compelled to had only been in the country for six years, will Like most of the films at the Other Israel Film Jew, he is not their son and therefore he can’t leave Fureidis and move to Tel Aviv, where she have an easier finding his place in Israel than Festival, now in its fifth year, Torn gives voice to [move to Israel as a child of Righteous Gen- would have more creative freedom. many Israeli Arabs. the marginalized and excluded, to the commu- tiles]. But if he is a Jew, then why can’t he “As a woman, as a liberal, as a progressive, Unlike Jakub and Mara’ana, he only has to nities who can’t assimilate into the Jewish main- become a citizen?” as an artist, as a director—I want to belong check one identity box. Yet despite the breakup, stream due to intolerance or legal obstacles. The Jakub perceives the indignity in his situation to this big city,” she told JTA. “When I came Mara’ana ends 77 Steps on a note of quiet uplift. festival was founded in 2007 by Carol Zabar to and chokes up at times when discussing his to Tel Aviv, I had a lot of questions about my “As a woman, you have your own space to showcase the stories of minorities in Israel, es- treatment by the government, insisting “I am a Israeli identity, about my Palestinian identity, create, to live, to make love, to hate, to be what pecially its Arab citizens, though other groups Jew.” Yet despite his tenuous immigration status, about my female identity.” you want to be,” she said, invoking Virginia have been included as well, including migrant “I want to be in Israel,” he affirms. Though she felt free enough to explore Woolf. “For now it’s my apartment in Tel Aviv workers, Ethiopian immigrants and Christians A similar impulse underlies the predica- these competing identities in Tel Aviv, she ac- and I’m happy for that.” n such as Jakub. ment of Ibtisam Mara’ana, 36, at the start knowledges that “it’s still a city where if you

28 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I On Another Note

Classical soprano Jennifer Goltz Sandor Slomovits, staff writer Jennifer Goltz is a highly regarded classical band). My musical life was not very well than playing and thinking about music. soprano. She teaches voice privately and also connected to my Jewish life. When I was She loves to dance; she dances to the beat, teaches music theory at the University of an undergrad at Santa Cruz, one of my which links her body and her mind in a Michigan’s School of Music. musicology professors was also the choir fruitful way. She likes to sing songs, she director at the local Reform Synagogue recognizes songs. I can’t wait to hear little WJN: Do you remember when you first realized and he brought me in really early. That singing voice. you had a special voice? Was it a realization gave me an opportunity to learn, to get you came to, or did someone say, “Wow!” connected with the Jewish music world in WJN: I saw you at Kerrytown a couple of a way that I really hadn’t before. That was years ago, singing the songs of Ignatz Wa- Goltz: It wasn’t until late that I felt like I had a ghalter. How did you find that music? special voice. I come from a family of musi- quite a pleasure. There were several Jew- cians. Everyone sang. And I just continued ish musicians on that faculty, which is not Goltz: That was pure luck. It was just won- to love it more. It remained the biggest part something I’ve encountered in the classi- derful. I did a concert at the Scarab Club of my life. I sang a huge amount, growing cal singing world. in Detroit, and David Green’s wife was up. I also played the piano. I started when I WJN: In the piano and violin world it’s different. there (David Green is Ignatz Waghal- was four and I continued to play and study. ter’s grandson). She told him “You really It actually took a long time—I had that kind Goltz: Sure, yes, the violin world, but there should invite her to look at this music.” I of will—before my voice finally settled into aren’t a lot of Jewish singers. don’t know if she read something in my what it was going to be, and I could relax bio that made her think they might really about it a little bit, and I didn’t have to be the WJN: Most Jewish parents want their kids to suit me, but it suited me more than she main engine of belief in my voice. grow up to be something other than classical could have ever known. I did my masters in voice here at the Uni- singers. (Laughter) Were your parents happy That time period is one of my main versity of Michigan, right after my four years about you choosing music school? Jennifer Goltz fascinations. The Arnold Schoenberg CD of college. I got into the program for voice Goltz: You know, there wasn’t a sense that I is to delve deeply into a piece of music and I recorded, and also my PhD thesis, was here, but I was definitely not the most in- was doing something that was not accept- kind of unpack it and look at what makes on the connection between Schoenberg’s teresting voice in that crew of twelve. There able. Both of my parents, I think, had a cer- it tick, what makes this piece do what it cabaret songs and his writing Pierrot Lu- were much bigger voices, more developed tain amount of regret that they didn’t have does. Why do I feel the way I feel when naire. [I was researching] Berlin cabaret voices, and people who I think the admin- the opportunity to go on in music. Both of I listen to this piece of music? What is it songs around the turn of the century, and istration and teachers felt were destined for them are very talented, but their training about the way this harmony goes to that what I kept finding as I was writing, (you greatness. Some of those voices didn’t really stopped quite early, and so they’re limited. next harmony that just melts you? That know the process of writing a PhD thesis, go anywhere, and mine just kind of became I think either of them could have been a was absent from my training as a musi- you find all of these tangents that inter- what it is now, a little later. very successful musician. But they made cian until college. It was like a revelation. I est you, but you have to close them off) but there was one that kept opening and WJN: A later bloomer. choices. So for them there was, I think, a knew that was out there, that knowledge! certain pride that I was going on. I’m a big theory nerd and I embrace it. I just couldn’t close it, and it was about Goltz: Yes, but I was persistent. I sang all the My grandparents were not thrilled. My [Laughter] For me though, it’s very tied to these Jewish composers and musicians. In time, and did all kinds of different proj- grandfather, I think he’s still not particu- my performance. And it wasn’t till a long the Berlin cabaret around the turn of the ects. My voice just didn’t do exactly what larly invested in music. It took a long time way through my PhD that I started to re- century, there were so many Jewish musi- I wanted it to do until I was in my mid before he started to feel like, “Oh, OK, alize how strange that is. cians who couldn’t fill the more central, twenties, and then it was, “OK! That’s she’s really doing something.” My grand- institutional posts in music… WJN: Strange in what sense? That’s not the what all that work was for.” And that was mother enjoys my singing, but she wishes WJN: Because they were Jewish. a nice moment. I would sing things that she knows. case for most music theorists? Goltz: No, or maybe not quite so on the sur- Goltz: Exactly. And so they ended up on WJN: You said everyone in your family sang. WJN: You sing some Yiddish material. Was that the fringe. And, as is often the case, these from your family, or did it come later? face. Deep down, everyone is a musician, Goltz: My parents actually met, playing music but some theorists are less open about the fabulous musicians, great composers and together in high school in Palo Alto, Califor- Goltz: I wish I could have studied it more. connections that they make between theory players of all kind, who were doing music nia. My dad is a drummer and also an at- I sang Yiddish only once or twice when and performance. I needed to make very ex- that maybe was not their favorite stuff, torney, but he continues to play drums in a I was younger. My grandparents speak plicit for myself, what the relationship is be- but they did it really well. And you find a (lowers her voice conspiratorially) German Yiddish, and so there was a lot of Yiddish tween performance and analysis. I am much bunch of them, right around the turn of Polka band. Same guys, for 40 years. It’s in- spoken for a long time as I was grow- more at ease now, because I realize that as a the last century, and then you stop hear- credible; they’ve been together a long time. ing up. But my parents, they have some teacher and performer in voice, my music ing about them. You trace them and you My mom is a singer and started in mu- words, and we have a few less. When I was theory thinking is not just kind of interest- hit the late Thirties and they stopped be- sical theater, her first love, and I guess she working with Into the Freylakh (now de- ing, but it’s essential. It’s a huge part of why I ing heard from because they’re excluded brought these three guys together in high funct local jazz/klezmer band) and there sing music the way I sing it. It also allows me from performing. And then you know… school because she wanted a backup band. were some songs I wanted to learn, I’d go to perform a lot of music that many singers they are dead. So I kept finding that, and And they stayed together and my mom to my grandmother and say, “How do I can’t perform. And then, as a music theorist, it was haunting me. And then there were and dad got married quite young. Then pronounce this? Read me this line.” And it provides me, I think, an extra resonance, a a couple of things that even Schoenberg my mom had us and stopped singing as she’d say, “That depends. Do you want me kind of purpose for what I publish. I haven’t said at one point to his friend, Kandin- much and took a long hiatus and only to say it the way my dad said it or the way published a lot lately. I published a kid. I feel sky. At one point Kandinsky, Schoenberg in the last couple of years started sing- my mom said it.” For her, it’s all Yiddish, like that’s OK. found out, was involved in something ing again and rediscovered her talent. My all together. It was a family project in that that was not so nice, something kind of dad has managed to keep music in his life way, me connecting with my grandmoth- WJN: Tell us about your “publication” and your anti-Semitic. And he wrote to Kandinsky, thanks to my mom being a really devoted er, just trying to draw out things that I family. Is your husband also a musician? he actually wrote a second draft, he really parent, being able to give that up a bit to don’t think she was aware she had in her. thought deeply about it, and one of the Goltz: He’s not a musician, although he has lines was, “What is anti-Semitism to lead be able to be with us. And he was able to a great tenor voice. I was directing a pro- maintain this connection with his band. WJN: You’re a music theorist. Most people to, but acts of violence.” And this was in don’t know what that is. duction of “You’re a good Man Charlie 1926 he was seeing this. And of course he I’m glad that my mom has been able to Brown” and I got him to play Snoopy and get back into the music world again. She wasn’t the only one. People talk about this Goltz: Even in the academic world music he was fabulous. I think he burned the time period as being fabulous, wonderful, has an extraordinary, a giant voice. It has video. [Laughter] It was so fun working a similar timbre to mine, but it’s huge! theory tends to focus more on what’s hap- blossoming, and who could have foretold pening in the music itself, looking at how with him. that this kind of thing [the Holocaust] WJN: Did your mom sing German Polkas music, how pitches, harmonies, rhythms WJN: What about your daughter? would happen? Well, perhaps not the ex- with your dad’s band? and counterpoint, how they work together tent, but what is anti-Semitism to lead to, to create meaning. For me, that’s the most Goltz: Well, you know there’s going to be but acts of violence? Goltz: No, my mom sang updated standards, important part of it. Because I’m a singer, music in this house all the time because These composers just haunted me. pop, musical theater, in the early 70’s. I also look at how text is connected to that. it’s my profession and my passion. It’s go- There was the story of Schoenberg’s teach- Let me tell you, the relatives in Israel re- For me the most exciting activity, and it’s re- ing to surround her. I can’t think of any- ally loved that one, (the German Polka ally analogous to what I do as a performer, thing better for a growing brain and body, Continued onpage 31 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 29 I Kosher Cuisine

Frying high: Keeping known, lesser-known culinary traditions By Sybil Kaplan JERUSALEM (JTA)—Latkes and sufganiyot, Legend has it that Judith fed him cheese the jelly-filled doughnuts especially popular to make him thirsty, and since she lived in the Vanilla ricotta fritters 1 in Israel, are well-known Chanukah fare made same period as the Maccabees, Jews of various Vegetable oil 1 /4 cups flour with oil to signify the holiday tale. communities instituted the custom of eating 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 Lesser known is the tradition of cheese and cheese dishes in honor of her heroism. /4 cup sugar Confectioners’ sugar 1 the story of Judith. On my cookbook shelf is a a classic written /2 teaspoon vanilla extract Like the Chanukah story, which is part of the in the 1970s —A Taste of Tradition, by Ruth Sir- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese Apocrypha—books not incorporated in the Bi- kis, the “Julia Child of Israel.” Sirkis has written In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil. Set a large wire rack over ble—the book of Judith tells of a beautiful widow numerous cookbooks and was the food editor a baking sheet, top with paper towels and position near the saucepan. whose town was under siege by the army of the for a major Israeli women’s magazine; she also In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the ricotta and Assyrians and decided to visit the commander in had a popular radio show. beat until smooth. Add flour and baking powder and beat until just blended. chief of the army to ask him not to overtake the A Taste of Tradition covers all the Jewish hol- Using a very small ice cream scoop or 2 teaspoons, slide 8 walnut-size rounds of batter into the hot oil. town. As the story goes, she gives him wine, he gets idays; below are some of her Chanukah recipes. Fry over moderate heat until deep golden all over and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted fall-down drunk and falls into a stupor. Judith be- Plus to celebrate Judith, some cheese recipes are spoon, transfer the fritters to the rack to drain. Continue frying the remaining fritters in batches of 8. heads the king and saves her people and the town. included from various sources. Arrange the fritters on a platter and dust well with confectioners’ sugar. Makes 8 servings. Cheese latkes This recipe comes from a Chicago chef Gale Gand, who got it from her mother-in-law. 3 eggs 1 cup milk 1 cup drained cottage cheese Modern potato latkes 1 1 1 /2 cups flour 1 cup mashed potatoes /2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 ounces margarine Dash white pepper 1 1 /2 teaspoon salt /2 cup flour 1 teaspoon dehydrated 5 tablespoons sugar 2 eggs onion flakes 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare mashed potatoes according to 1 /2 cup oil packaged directions, substituting water for milk or boil and mash Place eggs, milk, cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and 1/2 pound fresh potatoes. mix until smooth. Add margarine, flour, eggs, salt, pepper and onion flakes. Mix well. Heat oil in a frying pan (if using nonstick pan, use less oil.) Drop batter by spoon into hot Fill a pastry bag with a 1/2-inch round tip with potato mixture. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. oil. Fry until brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and continue until all batter is Press out latkes on cookie sheet to resemble a 3-inch long ladyfinger. used. Keep warm until serving. Serve with sour cream or applesauce. Reduce oven to 375 degrees. Bake latkes for 15 minutes. They should puff a little and have a From Spice and Spirit, The Complete Kosher Jewish Cookbook of the Lubavitch Women golden color. Serve immediately. Makes 16-20 latkes.

30 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 Jennifer Goltz, Exciting new cookbook melds American, Iraqi and Israeli cuisine continued from page 29 Tyler DeJong, special to the WJN “This cookbook is not about the right way of those times where you realized, in the actual mo- vors conjured by her mind’s eye, which were then er, Alexander Demlinsky, who was also cooking, it is about an attitude towards cooking,” ment and not just after the fact, how great of a time born with her hands in a flurry of uninhibited cre- Jewish and converted. Schoenberg also said Aviva Nadia Kleinbaum, referring to her re- that was.” ativity. Other samplings are based on recipes bor- converted. Schoenberg was living in Vien- cently published cookbook Fusion by Nadia: A Kleinbaum was born in Baghdad at the time rowed from her mother, mother-in-law, and other na, but he’s so hardheaded and stubborn Quilting of Flavors From Iraq, Israel and America. of the founding of Israel. Amid Anti-Semitic senti- friends and family. that in the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Co-authored with her son, Aric Mutchnick, Fusion ment in Iraq, the Jewish community was expelled; “This cookbook is not about inventing new Empire, the seat of the Holy Roman… by Nadia has more than 150 unique recipes, woven she and her family fled to Israel where they settled recipes,” she said. “It is about old recipes that I have he converts to Protestantism. (Laughter) together in a culinary riot of flavor, creativity, oral in a refugee camp near Petach Tiqva until she was used and developed, and made my own.” Then famously, on his way out of Europe, history, and personal healing. fourteen years old. At first, Kleinbaum’s aversion to measuring I think in 1939, Marc Chagall was actu- Mutchnick most adeptly summarizes ingredients and standardized ally the one who signed his re-conversion the rich text as a “magical amalgamation cooking processes further papers back to Judaism in Paris. of levity in cooking, sharing time with confounded Mutchnick’s So this composer, Waghalter, for me family, and remembering why we all love transcription of his mother’s the fact that he had a very similar story, to eat.” recipes for the cookbook. that he came to the United States and The book also tells the inspiring story “Lots of times she really didn’t never really got hooked up. Wonderful of a dynamic Jewish mother through the know how much of an ingre- composer and conductor who had such a eyes of her son, highlighting his insatiable dient she was using; she just happy life there in Germany, comes to the appetite for his mother’s culinary exper- added whatever felt right. In United States and just can’t plug in. That tise, and the bond that they forged while the beginning I told her to take is hard for me. So I was glad to get this cooking through his favorite recipes. the amount of salt she was go- project. His grandson, David, has a whole When Kleinbaum underwent treat- ing to add to a dish and drop it archive of things that were published and ment for breast cancer, she and her family onto a piece of paper so I could haven’t been out. There is a whole opera, were confronted with the uncomfortable measure it first,” he said. Ahasverus and Esther, which needs to be reality that she might succumb to the Many of the recipes found reconstructed, which I am just aching to disease. According to Mutchnick, a con- in Fusion by Nadia were first do. The music is beautiful, the topic is versation with any Jewish mother is not conceived at Aviva’s at Ker- interesting and I think there is a Jewish a serious conversation until she brings up rytown, Kleinbaum’s former community that’s ready to look at that the subject of her own mortality. restaurant in Ann Arbor. kind of thing as well. n “I told her that one of the things that There she maintained a full would have upset me the most about her Aviva (center) surrounded by her family restaurant and two bakeries dying from breast cancer was that she had never Stories of her magnificent journey interlaced for several years. Jennifer Goltz’s recording of the songs of Ig- written down a single recipe from her vault of deli- throughout the cookbook give the recipes authen- Kleinbaum does not allow her creativity to be natz Waghalter will be available sometime cious creations and all of my favorite things to eat tic character and paint a vivid portrait of the wom- contained by the kitchen. She is also an accom- in early 2012. Check at www.waghalter.com would have been lost forever,” he said. an who created them. Kleinbaum’s musings range plished artist, specializing in oil painting, pastels, for further information about the recording At the prospect of losing this delectable store- from Middle Eastern dining etiquette, raising a multimedia pieces, quilts and clothing, and pours and about the date of the release concert. house of information, Mutchnick packed up his family, making mistakes, and the hardships she en- the same passion and emotion into her artwork as Goltz will be appearing locally in January as life in Washington, DC, and moved back to his dured while living in an Israeli refugee camp. she does into her cooking. a featured soloist when, in conjunction with hometown of Ann Arbor to transcribe her cre- That’s not to say the time Aviva and Aric spent The cookbook is categorized by type of dish the exhibition “Face of Our Time,” the UofM ations into a cookbook for safekeeping. There he in the kitchen went without disagreement. “The and primary ingredient, including appetizers, sal- Museum of Art will present celebrated song spent the next two-and-a-half years in his mother’s relationship I have with my mother is heavily laced ads, soups, beef, lamb poultry, seafood, vegetarian, cycles by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer kitchen playing the role of thirty-something year- with frustration, arguments, exasperation and bread, desserts, and more. and U-M Professor Emeritus William Bol- old student, while his mother expounded her views most importantly, love and understanding,” said Above all, Kleinbaum encourages creativity and com. Bolcom’s From the Diary of Sally Hem- on life, culture, family and overall, food. Kleinbaum. innovation in the kitchen. “I’ve never met a recipe ings imagines the recollections of Thomas As they cooked through beef kufta, matabaq, Kleinbaum describes her son as, “exact and that I didn’t change, including my own,” she said. Jefferson’s long-time partner, and Briefly It and orange duck, Kleinbaum frequently recounted precise, organized, well planned”—characteristics “Cooking is about what you want to do for your Enters traces Jane Kenyon, through her po- to her son memories from her childhood as they that didn’t always mesh well with her artistic style. family and the love that goes into it … you must etry, in the last months of her life. Joan Mor- related to the particular dish of the day. “I do my painting and cooking with my emo- not be afraid of making mistakes. Have a sense of ris and William Bolcom will also perform “When she started telling a story while she tions. It has nothing to do with being organized or humor and boldly go to where you want to go.” n his new set of cabaret miniatures, Minicabs. cooked, I just started typing. She told lots of sto- structured, so doing this cookbook was an interest- Aviva Nadia Kleinbaumís artwork and cookbook The concert will be on January 27, 2012, at 8 ries—many that I had never heard before—about ing and enriching exercise for me,” she said. are available on her website at www.avivanadia. p.m. in the UMMA Apse. Admission is free, me and my brothers as kids, her childhood in Iraq, Kleinbaum’s approach to culinary confection is com. For more information contact aviva@avi- and the exhibition will be available for view- and growing up in Israel,” said Mutchnick. He re- free-form and functional, self-styled and inspired. vanadia.com. ing during the intermission. called the time spent with his mother as “one of Many of her signature dishes began simply as fla-

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 31 I Calendar

Chanukah Mania Sale: BIC Women’s League December 2011 Sisterhood. 10 a.m. Thursday 8 Sunday 11 Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Thursday 1 the basic text of Chassidism and open your Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philoso- Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. phy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Phi- Every Sunday. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at losophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the Rock Climbing: BIC Kadima. Noon. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; JCC. Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Chabad House. Every Sunday. Music of Torah Concert: TBE. With Kol Halev, ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise HSSC, MSSC and Youth Choir. All ensem- $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, the basic text of Chassidism and open your with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; ble concert featuring music based on Torah Noon; Special events and guest presentations, eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- themes. Lively songs, sing-and-dance alongs, 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- Chabad House. Every Sunday. ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 choral music, and instrumental arrangements. schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special For all ages. Gourmet dessert reception fol- Planning Session: BIC Men’s Club. 9:30 a.m. 971-0990 for name of current book. events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary lows. For information, email Cantor Annie Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Series: BIC. 7th Grade Group with Sidney Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Rose at [email protected] Medical Check and Physics Magic: JCC Seniors. Siyyum and brunch. 9:30 a.m. Call Merrill Poliner at 971-0990 for name of A nurse from Care Response will monitor blood Concert: JCC–Adult Programs. Chaverim Party Expo: JCC–Cultural Arts and Education. current book. pressures and address questions at 12:30 p.m., B’Shirim winter concert, featuring music from One-stop shop for party planning, including followed at 1 p.m. by a demonstration of some Spirituality Book Club: TBE. An exploration of State Fair by Rodgers and Hammerstein and invitation vendors, planners, florists, enter- of the magic of physics by UM professor Fred Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with Af- Funny Girl by Julie Stein and Bob Merrill. Do- tainment companies, caterers, and more. Door (Frederico the Great) Becchetti. terlife, by Lisa Miller. Contact cantorannie@ nations welcome. 3 p.m. prizes and free samples. For information, gmail.com for information. Noon. DAMES Dinner: TBE Sisterhood. In the Social Hall. Jewish Parenting Workshop: TBE. Based on The contact Karen Freedland at karenfreedland@ Contact Sandy Harlacher at 663-3253 or by email Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings jccfed.org or phone 971-0990. 2–5 p.m. at [email protected] to become Sisterhood Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish to Raise Resilient Teenagers, by Wendy Mogel. Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning the member. RSVP to Helaine Reid at 663-0198 or by legal system by following the intriguing discus- 6–7:30 p.m. deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. 8 p.m. sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite email at [email protected]. 6–9 p.m. Basic Judaism: TBE. Meets in Room 9/10. 7:45–9 p.m. Every Sunday. of practical law, logical argumentation and moral Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learning the Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. deeper meanings to the Jewish way of life. 8 p.m. legal system by following the intriguing discus- Monday 12 Every Sunday. Birthdays and Presentation: JCC Seniors. Birth- sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite day celebration for all with December birthdays. of practical law, logical argumentation and moral English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Family and friends invited to share lunch and Monday 5 teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on birthday cake at 12:30 p.m. Followed at 1 p.m. Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 by presentation by Happy (Sheila) Feigelson and English as a Second Language Daily Classes: South State Street. For more information, discover ways to lighten up and put a sense of JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Friday 9 contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- humor and fun to work. Long-time Ann Arbor Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– narbor.org. Ongoing. resident and popular presenter, Feigelson is au- Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 thor of Energize Your Meetings With Laughter. Rabbi’s Lunch with the Torah: TBE. Lively conver- Torah Trop: TBE. With Cantor Rose. Noon. South State Street. For more information, sation about moments in the Torah when food is contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@ served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m. Chanukah Gift Shop: BIC Women’s League. 4 jfsannarbor.org. Ongoing. p.m. Friday 2 Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Torah Trop: TBE. Weekly group with Cantor Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Olive Oil Tasting and Discussion: Jewish Wom- Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Rose. Noon. 761-2765 for information. en’s Circle. Tasting and discussion of history Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at and uses of olive oil. Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, Women’s Torah Study: TBE. Led by Cantor Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot 761-2765 for information. Kerrytown, Second Floor. $10 donation. Lim- Annie Rose. 7–8:30 p.m. Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot ited space. To reserve, email esther@jewmich. Tot Dinner at 6 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Shalom com. 7:30–9 p.m. Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. with Popsicle Oneg fol- p.m. Tot Dinner at 6 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Tuesday 6 lowing. Family Shabbat Services honoring 5th Shalom Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. with Popsicle Grade Middle School Shir Chadash (MSSC) “Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Tuesday 13 Oneg following. Traditional Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. at 7:30 p.m. Mysteries of Judaism:” Jewish Learning In- Friday evening services: See listing at the end of “Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and 7th Grade Shabbat Service and Dinner: BIC. 6 p.m. stitute. Does Judaism believe in guardian angels? Why do Jews use matchmakers? Who the calendar. Mysteries of Judaism:” Jewish Learning In- Service and Presentation: BIC. Service at 7:30 wrote the handwriting on the wall? A fun stitute. Does Judaism believe in guardian p.m. followed by presentation on Human course in Jewish cultural literacy, full of sur- Saturday 10 angels? Why do Jews use matchmakers? Who Rights at 8:15 p.m. prising facts, myths, and mysteries surround- wrote the handwriting on the wall? A fun Friday evening services: See listing at the end of ing Jewish tradition and practice. 9:30–11 a.m. course in Jewish cultural literacy, full of sur- Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. the calendar. at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. prising facts, myths, and mysteries surround- Every Tuesday. Mini-Minyan: BIC. For K–2nd graders. 11 a.m. ing Jewish tradition and practice. 9:30–11 a.m. rd th at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Kehillat Shabbat: BIC. For 3 –5 graders. 11 a.m. Saturday 3 Every Tuesday. with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or Tot Shabbat: BIC. For preschoolers and their SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet families. 11:15 a.m. Lunch, noon; Games and activities including with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or Shabbat Limmud: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin. 9 a.m. Second Saturday Service: Ann Arbor Recon- mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott structionist Havurah. Interactive community $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Hospital, art projects and card games. 1 p.m. service featuring music, singing, modern Eng- Lunch, noon; Games and activities including Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Wii sports including bowling, tennis, golf lish reading and a substantial time for Torah mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- and baseball. No experience necessary. 1 p.m. discussion. Led by rabbinic intern Aura Ahu- Hospital, art projects and card games, 1 p.m. down. Every Saturday. Every Tuesday. via. To get involved, contact aura613@gmail. Wii sports including bowling, tennis, golf and baseball. No experience necessary. 1 p.m. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). All com or visit www.aarecon.org for more infor- Every Tuesday. group code of law for Shabbat, and study of ages and levels welcome including UM and mation. JCC. 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). Saturday. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- All ages and levels welcome including UM and Malave Malka: Chabad. UM history faculty For information, call 936-2367. mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. member, Dr. Vic Lieberman, will present, “A “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. down. Every Saturday. Historian Looks at the Mideast Conflict, c. For information, call 936-2367. Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study 1900-2011.” Consideration will be given to the Spirituality Book Club: TBE. An exploration Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- group code of law for Shabbat, and study evolution of Zionism and Palestinian nation- of Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with Af- standing it is no simple matter. Study the text of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. alism. 8 p.m. terlife, by Lisa Miller. Contact cantorannie@ in the original, together with the classical com- Every Saturday. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. gmail.com for information. 7:30–9 p.m. mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Monthly Bridge Game: TBE Renaissance Group. For information, contact Lucy Cohen at lcohen@ “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. Sunday 4 umich.edu or phone 426-5743. 7:30–11 p.m. Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Wednesday 7 Melave Malka: Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Frankel Fellow, Dr. Melissa Klapper of Brown standing it is no simple matter. Study the text Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring a dairy lunch. University will speak about “Before Bat Mitz- in the original, together with the classical com- Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Snacks and beverages provided. Noon. mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah vah: Early Jewish Education for Girls in Amer- reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. ica.” Light refreshments. UM Hillel. 8 p.m. Every Sunday. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar.

32 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 RSVP by December 12 to Harriet Charson Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. Located at Bri- Pizza nosh for children at 6 p.m. Candle light- Wednesday 14 at [email protected] or phone 538-1061 arwood Mall in the Sears wing. $3 per person. ing at 6:15 p.m. Childcare offered from 6:30– or Judy Spellman at [email protected] or Menorah lighting every evening at 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $5 per person. Bring chanukiah and Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring a dairy lunch. phone 485-7966. 1–7 p.m. Through December 27. candles. RSVP to Jen Cohen at mamacohen@ Snacks and beverages provided. Noon. Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). comcast.net or phone 975-6527 by December Chanukah Gift Shop: BIC Women’s League. 4 p.m. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- All ages and levels welcome including UM and 20. 6–10 p.m. Cooking–Baking Discussion Group: BIC Wom- mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Chinese Dinner and Kabbalat Services: BIC. An- en’s League. 4:30 p.m. down. Every Saturday. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. nual dinner at House of Israel Kaifeng at 6 p.m. Men’s Torah Study: TBE. Bi-monthly group in- Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study For information, call 936-2367. Kabbalat Services at 7 p.m. cludes learning and lively discussion. Led by group code of law for Shabbat, and study Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot Roger Stutesman. For information, contact of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 [email protected]. 7:30–9 p.m. Every Saturday. standing it is no simple matter. Study the text p.m. Tot Dinner at 6 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Shabbat services: See listing at end of alendar. in the original, together with the classical com- Shalom Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. with Popsicle mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Oneg following. Thursday 15 Latke Dinner: TBE Brotherhood. 6 p.m. Sunday 18 Chanukah Family Service: TBE. 7:30 p.m. Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philoso- Wednesday 21 Friday evening services: See listing at the end of phy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Yoga and Light Exercise: BIC Women’s League. the calendar. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Jump start your morning. 9 a.m. Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Beth Israel Cafe: BIC Women’s League Sister- 20. Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- hood. 9:30 a.m. Chanukah Gift Shop: BIC Women’s League. 4 p.m. Saturday 24 ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; Chanukah Gift Shop: BIC Women’s League. Chanukah Family Party and Latke Dinner: BIC. $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, 9:30 a.m. Dance party for 3–8 graders at 4 p.m. Candle Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. Noon; Special events and guest presentations, Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for lighting and school dismissal at 5:30 p.m. Fam- Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the ily latke dinner and more dancing at 5:45 p.m. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Volunteering: TBE TNT. Join the Twenties and mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- 971-0990 for name of current book. reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. Thirties to help at Alpha House at 4290 Jack- down. Every Saturday. Question Session and Presentation: JCC Se- Every Sunday. son Road. Help prepare and serve diner to Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study niors. Meet Jewish Family Services social Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into shelter residents. RSVP by December 19 to group code of law for Shabbat, and study of worker Joanna Rosenthal who will be available the basic text of Chassidism and open your Brett Wilner at bwillner@templebethemeth. Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every for questions and discussion at 12:30 p.m. At eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. org or phone 665-4744. 5:30–8 p.m. Saturday. 1 p.m., Frankel Scholar Herbert Weisberg will Every Sunday. discuss characteristics and behaviors of Jew- Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. ish-American voters. Chai’Nukah Party: Ann Arbor ORT. Robin Axel- Thursday 22 rod will speak about “Jews of the South.” Bring Guided Tour: BIC HAZAK. Tour of the Detroit $18 (chai) donation to ORT America and new, Sunday 25 Institute of the Arts “Rembrandt and the Face Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- wrapped gift valued at no more than $10 for of Jesus.” Call for details. ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. the “Hanukkah Harry” gift exchange. Nature Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Chanukah Party: Hadassah. Julie Ellis’ home at Cove Condominium Community Room, 2115 Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; 3929 Waldenwood. RSVP to 665-0439. 7:30 p.m. Nature Cove Court. RSVP to maizenblue@ prayer book, plus an overview of the weekly To- Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. comcast.net by December 7. 2–4 p.m. rah reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. Jewish perspective on this week’s news, 11 Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Every Sunday. Chanukah Bazaar: TBE. 3–7 p.m. a.m.; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, legal system by following the intriguing discus- Basic Judaism: TBE. Held in Room 9/10 from Noon; Special events and guest presentations, December Movie: TBE. Showing of The Prince of sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite 7:45–9 p.m. 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- Egypt at the Michigan Theater. Bagels will be of practical law, logical argumentation and moral available for breakfast and the movie will be Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate paused for a lunch intermission when food will the deeper meanings of the Jewish way of life. 971-0990 for name of current book. Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. be available for purchase. Tickets are $7.50 per 8 p.m. Every Sunday. Chanukah Celebration: JCC Seniors and Early person in advance and $8 at the door. Doors Childhood Center. Seniors and children open at 10 a.m. Movie shown at 10:30 a.m. Friday 16 share in activities and enjoy latkes and holiday Monday 19 movies. 1 p.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to Rabbi’s Lunch with the Torah: TBE. Lively conver- Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December 20. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. sation about moments in the Torah when food is Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m. JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December 20. Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Latke Party: Chabad. Witness the lighting of the Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 legal system by following the intriguing discus- Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at largest outdoor menorah in Washtenaw County. South State Street. For more information, sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite 761-2765 for information. of practical law, logical argumentation and moral Gala latke party. 7:30 p.m. contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot narbor.org. Ongoing. teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 p.m. Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. the deeper meanings of the Jewish way of life. Torah Trop: Weekly group with with Cantor Tot Dinner at 6 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Shalom 8 p.m. Every Sunday. Rose. Noon. Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. with Popsicle Oneg fol- Friday 23 lowing. Monday 26 Shabbat Service: TBE. With Kol Halev. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 20 Winter Break Fun Days: JCC Youth. On days Shira Hadasha Service: BIC. 6 p.m. when Hebrew Day School and/or Ann Arbor English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Friday evening services: See listing at the end of “Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Public Schools are on break, the JCC Youth JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on the calendar. Mysteries of Judaism:” Jewish Learning In- Department offers full day programs featur- Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– stitute. Does Judaism believe in guardian ing field trips or special activities. Programs Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 angels? Why do Jews use matchmakers? Who are for JCC members in grades K-5. Middle South State Street. For more information, Saturday 17 wrote the handwriting on the wall? A fun school students are also welcome to partici- contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- course in Jewish cultural literacy, full of sur- pate as helpers for a reduced fee. Details avail- narbor.org. Ongoing. Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. prising facts, myths, and mysteries surround- able at www.jccannarbor.org. Contact Shosha- Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December 20. Shabbat Limmud: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin. 9 a.m. ing Jewish tradition and practice. 9:30–11 a.m. na Jackson at [email protected] or at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. Chanukah on Ice: Chabad. At Ann Arbor Ice Chanukah Bazaar: TBE. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. phone 971-0990 for information. $38/day for Every Tuesday. Cube. $30/family; $10/person. Dinner and Brunch and Learn Shabbat: BIC. “Laila Tov! The 8 a.m.–4 p.m.. ($34/additional siblings). PM skate rental included in admission fee. 5 p.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Jewish Imperative of Adequate Sleep.” 9:30 a.m. care from 4–6 p.m. is $10/day. Torah Trop: TBE. Weekly group with Cantor with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or Rabbi’s Lunch with the Torah: TBE. Lively conver- The Learner’s Service: Ann Arbor Reconstruc- $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Rose. Noon. tionist Havurah. Part 3 of 9 monthly sessions sation about moments in the Torah when food is Lunch, noon; Games and activities including served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m. offered by rabinnic intern Aura Ahuvia explor- mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott Tuesday 27 ing the historical, geographical and political Hospital, art projects and card games. 1 p.m. Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December 20. traditions that are part of Saturday services. Wii sports including bowling, tennis, golf and Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. “Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and December’s theme is “Postures Toward God.” baseball. No experience necessary. 1 p.m. Every Meets at the JCC. Call Ray Juni at 761-2765 Mysteries of Judaism:” Jewish Learning In- For more information, visit www.aarecon.org Tuesday. for information. 1:30 p.m. stitute. Does Judaism believe in guardian or phone 971-0990. JCC. 10 a.m.–Noon. Chanukah and Shabbat: Ann Arbor Reconstruc- Movie Wednesday: TBE. Showing of Driving angels? Why do Jews use matchmakers? Who Chanukah Potluck Party: TBE Renaissance tionist Havurah. Dual celebration including Miss Daisy, with optional discussion follow- wrote the handwriting on the wall? A fun Group. Bring dish to pass and wrapped “white communal lighting of chanukiah, homemade ing. In Adult Lounge. 1–3 p.m. course in Jewish cultural literacy, full of sur- elephant” for the gift exchange. $3 per person. latkes, and musical Kabbalat Shabbat services. Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 33 I Calendar

prising facts, myths, and mysteries surround- Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. ing Jewish tradition and practice. 9:30–11 a.m. January 2012 Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Wednesday 11 at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. 761-2765 for information. Every Tuesday. Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot Men’s Torah Study: TBE. Bi-monthly group in- SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Sunday 1 Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 p.m. cludes learning and lively discussion. Led by Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or $10/3 Tot Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Sha- Roger Stutesman. For information, contact sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, lom at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Tradi- [email protected]. 7:30–9 p.m. noon; Games and activities including mahjong, Monday 2 tional Shabbat Service at at 7:30 p.m. quilting for the patients of Mott Hospital, art English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Friday evening services: See listing at the end of projects and card games. 1 p.m. Wii sports in- Thursday 12 JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on the calendar. cluding bowling, tennis, golf and baseball. No Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- experience necessary. 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad. See December 20. Saturday 7 South State Street. For more information, SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Menorah Building: Chabad. Help build Ann Ar- contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; bor’s largest menorah from jellybeans. Donuts, narbor.org. Ongoing. Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. Chanukah gelt, Judah Macabee, crafts and Women’s Torah Study: TBE. Led by Cantor ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; games for the whole family. Briarwood Mall Annie Rose. 7–8:30 p.m. Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Cha- $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, near JCPenney in children’s play area. For in- bad. Learn more about the mystical dimen- Noon; Special events and guest presentations, formation, phone 995-3276 or email chabad@ sions of the Torah. 1 hour before sundown. 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- jewmich.com. Tuesday 3 Every Saturday. schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at Tot Chanukah Dinner: BIC. 5:30 p.m. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study 971-0990 for name of current book. Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise group code of law for Shabbat, and study Medical Check and Discussion: JCC Seniors. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. A registered nurse from Care Response will standing it is no simple matter. Study the text $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Every Saturday. monitor blood pressures and address ques- in the original, together with the classical com- Lunch, noon; Games and activities including Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. tions at 12:30 p.m., followed at 1 p.m. by dis- mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott cusion led by Rabbi Robert Dobrusin. Hospital, art projects and card games. 1 p.m. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- Wii sports including bowling, tennis, golf Sunday 8 bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Thursday 29 and baseball. No experience necessary. 1 p.m. Jewish legal system by following the intriguing Every Tuesday. Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). composite of practical law, logical argumenta- ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah All ages and levels welcome including UM and tion and moral teachings. Study of the origi- reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Chabad House. Every Sunday. Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Current Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Every Thursday. Events with Heather Dombey, a Jewish perspec- For information, call 936-2367. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into tive on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Homemade Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. the basic text of Chassidism and open your Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special events and Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Friday 13 guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary Group with standing it is no simple matter. Study the text Chabad House. Every Sunday. Sidney Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill in the original, together with the classical com- Basic Judaism: TBE. Meets in Room 9/10. 7:45–9 p.m. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Poliner at 971-0990 for name of current book. mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Jewish Concepts–for Women: Cha- Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Klezmer Music: JCC Seniors. Ring in the New bad. Learning the deeper mean- 761-2765 for information. Year with klezmer music brought to the JCC ings to the Jewish way of life. 8 p.m. Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot by Dave Gitterman and Ralph Katz. 1 p.m. Wednesday 4 Every Sunday. Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 p.m. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Tot Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Sha- Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Thursday 5 lom at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Fam- legal system by following the intriguing discus- Monday 9 ily Shabbat Services honoring 3rd Grade Class sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- with Youth Choir at 7:30 p.m. of practical law, logical argumentation and moral ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Friday evening services: See listing at the end of teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on the calendar. Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 Jewish perspective on this week’s news, 11 South State Street. For more information, Saturday 14 Friday 30 a.m.; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- Noon; Special events and guest presentations, narbor.org. Ongoing. Jewish Parenting Workshop: TBE. “Using the Rabbi’s Lunch with the Torah: TBE. Lively conver- 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- Torah Trop: TBE. With Cantor Rose. Noon. Wisdom of the Torah to Raise Self-Reliant sation about moments in the Torah when food is schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at Jewish Children.” 8:30 a.m. and !0:45 a.m. served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m. 971-0990 for name of current book. Tuesday 10 Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Cantor Rose leads Shabbat Limmud: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin. Meets at the JCC. Call Ray Juni at 761-2765 an evening exploration of Heaven: Our Endur- 9 a.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise for information. 1:30 p.m. ing Fascination with Afterlife, by Lisa Miller. with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or Sweatshirt Shabbat: BIC. Followed by Cholent Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot For information, email cantorannie@gmail. $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Kiddush. 9:30 a.m. Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 com. Noon. Lunch, noon; Games and activities including Chapel Service: TBE. 10–11 a.m. p.m. Tot Dinner at 6 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Birthdays and Music Performance: JCC Seniors. Shalom Shabbat at 6:30 p.m. with Popsicle mahjong, quilting for the patients of Mott Shabbat Services for Children and Youth: BIC. Birthday celebration for all with January birth- nd Oneg following. Traditional Shabbat Service Hospital, art projects and card games, 1 p.m. Mini Minyan for K-2 Grade at 11 a.m. Kehillat days. Family and friends invited to share lunch rd th at 7:30 p.m. Wii sports including bowling, tennis, golf and Shabbat for 3 –5 Grade at 11 a.m. Shabbat for and birthday cake at 12:30 p.m. Followed at 1 baseball. No experience necessary. 1 p.m. Every preschoolers and their families at 11:15 a.m. Friday evening services: See listing at the end of p.m. by performance of Tin Pan Alley songs Tuesday. Monthly Bridge Game: TBE Renaissance Group. the calendar. by the Happiness Boys, Don Devine and Da- Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). For information, contact Lucy Cohen at cohenl@ vid Owens following in the footsteps of the All ages and levels welcome including UM and umich.edu or phone 426-5723. 7:30–11 p.m. original Happiness Boys, Billy Jones and Er- non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Saturday 31 nest Hare. Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. For information, call 936-2367. mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Cantor Rose leads down. Every Saturday. Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Jewish legal system by following the intriguing an evening exploration of Heaven: Our Endur- Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study ing Fascination with Afterlife, by Lisa Miller. mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- composite of practical law, logical argumenta- group code of law for Shabbat, and study For information, email cantorannie@gmail. down. Every Saturday. tion and moral teachings. Study of the origi- of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. com. 7:30–9 p.m. Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Saturday. group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Every Thursday. “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of alendar. Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Saturday. Friday 6 Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. standing it is no simple matter. Study the text Sunday 15 in the original, together with the classical com- Rabbi’s Lunch and Learn: TBE. Lively conversa- mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Yoga and Light Exercise: BIC Women’s League. tion about moments in the Torah when food is Jump start your morning. 9 a.m. served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m.

34 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 Beth Israel Café: BIC Women’s League Sisterhood. 9:30 a.m. Thursday 19 Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Every Sunday. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- the basic text of Chassidism and open your ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, Every Sunday. Noon; Special events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney War- Bowling: BIC Women’s League Sisterhood. schausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at Colonial Lanes. 2:30 p.m. 971-0990 for name of current book. Basic Judaism: TBE. Held in Room 9/10 from Discussion and Presentation: JCC Seniors. Jewish 7:45–9 p.m. Family Services geriatric social worker Joanna Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn Rosenthal will be available for discussion and the deeper meanings of the Jewish way of life. questions at 12:30 p.m. Followed by presenta- 8 p.m. Every Sunday. tion on Israeli society by Frankel Visiting Fellow, Sammy Smooha, of the University of Haifa. Monday 16 Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish English as a Second Language Daily Classes: legal system by following the intriguing discus- JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– of practical law, logical argumentation and moral Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate South State Street. For more information, Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- narbor.org. Ongoing. Friday 20 Women’s Torah Study: TBE. Led by Cantor An- nie Rose. 7–8:30 p.m. Rabbi’s Lunch and Learn: TBE. Moments When They Serve Lunch: Food Stories and the Torah. Tuesday 17 Noon–1 p.m. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or $10/3 761-2765 for information. sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot noon; Games and activities including mahjong, Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 p.m. quilting for the patients of Mott Hospital, art Tot Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira and Sukkat Shalom projects and card games. 1 p.m. Wii sports in- at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. Traditional cluding bowling, tennis, golf and baseball. No Shabbat Service with Kol Halev at 7:30 p.m. experience necessary. 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Friday Night Lights: BIC. Kabbalat Shabbat Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). Service at 6 p.m. followed by family friendly All ages and levels welcome including UM and dinner at 7 p.m. non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. For information, call 936-2367. “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. Saturday 21 Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Blood Drive: TBE Brotherhood. To volunteer, Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- contact Larry Yanovitz at [email protected]. standing it is no simple matter. Study the text 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in the original, together with the classical com- mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. Learner’s Service: An Arbor Reconstruction- ist Havurah. Part 4 of 9 monthly interactive Wednesday 18 sessions offered by Rabbinic intern Aura Ahu- via. This month’s theme is “The Shema: Why Movie Wednesday: TBE. Monthly movie of Jew- does this prayer stand at the center of Jewish ish interest, followed by optional discussion. faith?” For information, visit www.aarecon. This month’s film is The Life of Emile Zola. In org or phone 971-0990. Held at the JCC. the Adult Lounge. 1–3 p.m. 10 a.m.–noon.

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 35 Anything that is not actually impossible can be done if one sets one’s mind to it and is determined that it shall be done.

- Sir Nicholas Winton Nicky’s Family One man. One mission. More than 650 lives saved.

December 4 • 3:00 pm Complementary cappuccino and refreshments after the film • Free admission

M ME ORI ST AL U C A E C N Event Location: O T L

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O R

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28123 Orchard Lake Rd. •

Z A R C E Farmington Hills, MI H B O EM R • REM www.holocaustcenter.org

36 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Calendar

Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: South State Street. For more information, Shabbat Services: Chabad. Morning services at Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Thursday 26 contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 minutes be- mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- narbor.org. Ongoing. fore sundown. down. Every Saturday. Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- Torah Trop: TBE. Weekly group with Cantor Shabbat Services: Pardes Hannah. Gener- Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Rose. Noon. ally meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each group code of law for Shabbat, and study SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Beit Café: TBE Adult Education. Variety of com- month. Call 663-4039 for more information. of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; munity teachers and temple clergy. Participants 10 a.m. Led by Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg. Every Saturday. Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- may choose two of four classes including: Food Shabbat Services: TBE. Torah Study with Rabbi Annual Quiz Night: BIC. 7 p.m. ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 in the Torah with Rabbi Levy; Brotherhood: Past, Levy at 8:50 a.m. Morning Minyan with Rabbi Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special Bowling: TBE TNT. Twenties and Thirties bowling Present and Future, Men in the Reform Move- Delson and lay leaders at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Literary at Colonial Lanes, 1950 South Industrial High- ment; God and Torah in Contemporary Jewish Service at 10 a.m. most weeks. Call the office Group with Sidney Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. way. Bowling, shoes, pizza and soda included Music with Jack Zaientz; and Wisdom from the at 665-4744 or consult website at www.tem- Call Merrill Poliner at 971-0990 for name of for $15. RSVP to Brett Willner at bwillner@tem- Torah on Raising Children facilitated by Terri plebethemeth.org for service details. current book. plebethemeth.org or phone 665-4744. Ginsburg. For information, contact Rabbi Del- Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday Lifestyle and Injury Prevention Series: JCC Se- Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. son at [email protected]–9 p.m. Meals: AAOM. Call 662-5805 in advance. niors. Injury Prevention Coordinator at St. Jo- Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every seph Mercy Hospital, Joyce Kessler, R.N., will Shabbat and Holiday. Call 995-3276 in ad- present on home safety. 1 p.m. Tuesday 31 Sunday 22 vance. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Phone numbers and addresses of Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the legal system by following the intriguing discus- Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- organizations frequently listed in prayer book, plus an overview of the weekly To- sions in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite standing it is no simple matter. Study the text rah reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. of practical law, logical argumentation and moral in the original, together with the classical com- the calendar: mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Every Sunday. teachings. Study of the original Talmud tractate Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM) Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into the Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. 1429 Hill Street 994-5822 basic text of Chassidism and open your eyes to Weekly Friday night Shabbat services Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah (AARH) the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every Sunday. Friday 27 P.O. Box 7451, Ann Arbor 913-9705 Sharsheret Meeting: BIC Women’s League. 2 p.m. Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at UM Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) Hillel. Call 994-9258 in advance to confirm Sofer on Site Community Event: TBE. “Year of Rabbi’s Lunch and Learn: TBE. Lively conversa- 2000 Washtenaw Ave. 665-9897 Torah–The Journey of a Torah Scroll.” Featur- tion about moments in the Torah when food is time. ing an overview of the history of Torah scrolls served. Bring your own lunch. Noon–1 p.m. Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. Chabad House 715 Hill Street 995-3276 in the U.S., how they tied immigrants to the Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 5:30 p.m., past, and the special history of scrolls rescued Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at followed by tot dinner. Sukkat Shalom service EMU Hillel from the Holocaust. Rabbi Levy, Karla Gold- 761-2765 for information. at 6:30 p.m. for “tot grads,” preceded by din- 965 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti 482-0456 man, the Sol Drachler professor of social work Shabbat Services for Young Families: TBE. Tot ner. Shira at 6:30 p.m. Oneg for Tot and Sukkat Jewish Community Center (JCC) at the UM, and the Sofer, Rabbi Salazar, will Shabbat and Tot and Sukkat Shalom at 5:30 Shalom families at 7 p.m. Traditional Service at share stories of the TBE scrolls and show some 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 971-0990 p.m. Tot Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Shira and Suk- 7:30 p.m. Once a month Middle School Service of the restoration process. 7:30–9 p.m. Jewish Cultural Society (JCS) kat Shalom at 6:30 p.m. Popsicle Oneg follows. at 7:30 p.m. For information, call 665-4744. 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 975-9872 Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn Traditional Shabbat Service at 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist the deeper meanings of the Jewish way of life. Friday evening services: See listing at the end of Havurah. 6:15 p.m. at the JCC the last Friday Jewish Family Services (JFS) 8 p.m. Every Sunday. the calendar. each month. Musical Shabbat service followed 2245 South State Street 769-0209 by vegetarian potluck. Pizza nosh for the kids Jewish Federation Monday 23 at 6:00 p.m. Childcare provided during the 2939 Birch Hollow Drive 677-0100 Saturday 28 service. All are welcome to attend. For infor- mation, call 975-6527, email mamacohen@ Pardes Hannah English as a Second Language Daily Classes: Torah Study with Rabbi: TBE. 8:50–9:30 a.m. comcast.net, or visit www.aarecon.org. 2010 Washtenaw Ave. 761-5324 JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Shabbat Limmud: BIC. With Rabbi Dobrusin. 9 a.m. Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle- 2309 Packard Road 665-4744 Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 Tot Shabbat: BIC. For preschoolers and their lighting time. Home hospitality available for South State Street. For more information, families. 11:15 a.m. Shabbat meals and Jewish holidays. Call 995- UM Hillel 3276 in advance. contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@ Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 jfsannarbor.org. Ongoing. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Torah Trop: TBE. Weekly group with Cantor mensions of the Torah. 1 hour before sun- Weekly Shabbat services Annie Rose. Noon. down. Every Saturday. Shabbat Services: AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 Shabbat Candlelighting Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sun- group code of law for Shabbat, and study set. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/ Tuesday 24 of Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Ma’ariv with Seudah Shlisheet and Dvar To- December 2 4:46 pm Every Saturday. rah every week. Torah topics and a bite to eat. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with December 9 4:45 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. Discussions led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or $10/3 other local scholars. Home hospitality avail- December 16 4:46 pm sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, able for Shabbat meals. UM Hillel. noon; Games and activities including mahjong, Sunday 29 December 23 4:48 pm quilting for the patients of Mott Hospital, art Shabbat Services: BIC. 9:30 a.m. Morning child- care from 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. December 30 4:53 pm projects and card games. 1 p.m. Wii sports in- Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for Shabbat Services: AA Reconstructionist cluding bowling, tennis, golf and baseball. No Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Havurah. Learners’ Service held first or sec- experience necessary. 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. prayer book, plus an overview of the weekly To- January 6 5:00 p.m. ond Saturday each month at the JCC from Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group). rah reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. 10 a.m.–noon. Discussion-based format with January 13 5:07 p.m. All ages and levels welcome including UM and Every Sunday. non-UM participants. 1:30 p.m. at Beanster’s changing topics, focusing on historical, geo- Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into graphical, and political traditions of different January 20 5:15 p.m. Café, ground floor of UM Michigan League. the basic text of Chassidism and open your For information, call 936-2367. parts of traditional service each month. For January 27 5:24 p.m. eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. Every info, email [email protected] or call 913-9705 “Engaging Israel” Series: BIC. 8 p.m. Sunday. or visit www.aarecon.org. Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Auction and Dinner: BIC Women’s League. 6:30 p.m. Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Basic Judaism: TBE. Meets in Room 9/10. 7:45–9 p.m. standing it is no simple matter. Study the text Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn in the original, together with the classical com- Make your next mailer, the deeper meanings of the Jewish way of life. mentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. brochure, invitation or 8 p.m. Every Sunday. any design project a Wednesday 25 Monday 30 Men’s Torah Study: TBE. Bi-monthly group in- English as a Second Language Daily Classes: cludes learning and lively discussion. Led by JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Roger Stutesman. For information, contact Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– 734.483.9619 [email protected]. 7:30–9 p.m. by Dennis Platte Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 dennisplatte@gmailcom

Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 37 Dan Shapiro, continued from page 27

with uncertainty and change in the Arab world; cus is on returning the parties to negotiations. when we look at the threat posed by terrorist Will the Obama administration press Congress groups like Hezbollah and Hamas and others to continue funding the Palestinian Authority, and more radical groups, you’re drawn toward despite congressional opposition in the face of the partners you can count on.” the PA’s efforts to gain statehood recognition in What’s ahead for Iran: Is there a prospect of a the absence of talks? military option? “We do think that the institution-building “The president said many times that noth- that we have supported in the Palestinian Au- ing’s off the table when it comes to how to thority and that Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad address the threat posed by Iran and ... it’s a has led has been very beneficial to our interests determination we absolutely share with Israel [and] to Israel in providing a better security en- to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weap- vironment, a partner with whom to negotiate. ons. That’s why we have together with Israel ... Of course, it’s been beneficial to Palestinians and a lot of other partners built the strongest- in laying the foundation for a future state. So ever sanctions regime against Iran that’s had we’d like that project to continue. We think our real bite ... and why we’re going to be looking to support is an important component of that.” increase that pressure in days to come.” UNESCO last month admitted Palestine as a member, necessitating a cutoff in U.S. funding The Arab Spring: per U.S. law. The Obama administration is “The transition in Egypt, like the other tran- seeking ways around this. What happens now? sitions in the Arab world, are not going to play “The law is clear and we’ll implement the law. out over months; they are going to play out over I think we will consult with the Congress on how years. And what we are going to try to do in a to continue to advance our interests and support situation where we don’t control outcomes ... is programs in the United Nations system that we minimize the risk that these transitions pose— believe do advance our interests; I think many and there is real risk—and prepare for it, and members of Congress think they do as well. Ob- maximize the opportunity, because there is also viously we will certainly uphold the law.” real opportunity. We will be making clear to Egyptians of all backgrounds that we want to Was it a mistake for President Obama not to see a more open, transparent Egyptian govern- speak in Israel in 2009 when he traveled to Now offering a needle free injection option. Ask at the time of your visit. Egypt to address the Muslim world? ment that respects the universal rights of the Egyptian people. “The president, I know, has enjoyed his pre- “We will expect them to be responsible in- vious visits as a senator to Israel, and does look ternational players and uphold their commit- forward to an opportunity to visit Israel. I don’t ments, including the Israel-Egypt peace treaty, have any news I can make on that or any knowl- and will be very closely coordinating with Israel edge of any planning, but I know it’s something as these new transitions unfold to try to make he looks forward to.” Divertimento No. 11 Symphony No. 38 sure we are charting a common course through in D major What is your relationship with Prime Minister in D major what are clearly uncharted waters.” Benjamin Netanyahu and his staff? (“Prague Symphony”) MOZART Piano Concerto No. 27 Was it a mistake for the Obama administration “Excellent. I’ve worked very closely with the in B-flat major to emphasize a settlement freeze at the outset? prime minister and his senior advisers since 2009; BIRTHDAY “We clearly have not made as much prog- they’re great professional advisers, they’re close ress as we would have liked in advancing nego- personal friends. We speak daily, often multiple BASH tiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and times daily, and it’s collaborative, it’s friendly, it’s a undoubtedly everybody would do some things very productive working relationship. Even when differently because of that. there’s something that we don’t fully agree on, we “It’s important to emphasize that nego- talk it through and we work it out.” tiations without preconditions was the appro- Describe your Israeli Shabbat: JANUARY priate basis upon which to bring the parties “We go to shul on Shabbat morning. We 21 together. Our position on settlements and con- try to spend good family time the rest of the struction in East Jerusalem hasn’t changed. We Shabbat and visit with friends, including Israeli THE believe those kind of announcements are coun- friends. We’ve taken hikes, we ride bikes, we go terproductive to our goals of trying to get nego- Conductor Arie Lipsky MICHIGAN 8:00 to the beach, we go to the museums, we’re a tiations under way and trying to move toward a Pianist Ran Dank family with young children enjoying Israel the THEATER PM two-state solution that resolves the conflict on way a family with young children should.” n the basis of two states for two peoples. Our fo- 2011-2012 Israel Bashing, continued from page 17 public stance of Abbas, the “moderate” in the brutality of the Nigerian government while PLO (which also includes the al Aqsa Martyrs securing its oil fields. At the end of the article, Brigade), as if it represented a Palestinian con- there was brief mention of another case on the WE sensus. The Hamas position is much simpler: It docket raising related legalistic issues, that in- SPEAK wants Israel wiped off the map and all its Jews volves “... Azzam Rahim, an American citizen eliminated, preferably following the contingen- who was tortured and killed during a 1995 visit MUSIC cy plans that its patron saint Amin al Husseiny, to the West Bank. Mr. Rahim’s relatives sued the the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, drew up (while Palestine Authority and the Palestine Libera- he was in Berlin on Himmler’s payroll) to ex- tion Organization under a 1991 federal law, the tend the Holocaust to the Middle East. Torture Victim Protection Act.” Evidently, not Sponsored by The Carl and Isabelle Brauer Fund There have been other Palestinian voices, something the Times found exciting. n but they have been silenced, murdered or ex- Henry Brysk is a Holocaust survivor who says iled, amidst general apathy in the outside world. he remembers that it is “unwise to dismiss calls For instance, I recently read in a back page of to kill the Jews as mere rhetoric.” He is a retired the Business section of the New York Times theoretical physicist who worked as a univer- 734.994.4801 about a case on the Supreme Court docket in sity professor, a government scientist, and an Tickets start at $10 www.a2so.com which Royal Dutch Shell is being sued for past industry researcher. 38 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 I Vitals

Mazel tov Avi Covigaru on his bar mitzvah, November 5. Ruby Lowenstein on her bat mitzvah, November 12. Rebecca Lipson on her bat mitzvah, December 3. Leah Borquez on her bat mitzvah, December 3. Benjamin Pinsky on his bar mitzvah, December 3. David Estes on his bar mitzvah, December 10. Yotam Fisher-Pinsker on his bar mitzvah, December 10. Eli Shoup on his bar mitzvah, December 29. Miriam Siegel on her bat mitzvah, January 28.

Condolences Nancy Hitchcock on the death of her father, Sherman Becker, October 2. Diane Wilson on the death of her mother, Violet Becker, October 16. Daniel Glazer on the death of his father, Gary Glazer, October 17. Henry Velick on the death of his father, Harry Velick, October 18. Stephanie Newell on the death of her mother, Mary Newell, October 23. Lauren Mermelstein on the death of her mother, Bonnie Weil, November 3. Dolcy Garfield on the death of her mother, Henny Garfield, November 3. Bonnie Sarnoff on the death of her father, Lester Sarnoff, November 6. Ruth Bernard on the death of her husband, and Aaron Ahuvia on the death of his father, Sydney Bernard, November 7.

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Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012 39 133rd season ums 11/12

Handel’s Messiah Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra UMS Choral Union Jerry Blackstone conductor Mary Wilson soprano Meg Bragle mezzo-soprano Colin Balzer tenor Joshua Hopkins baritone Edward Parmentier harpsichord Saturday \ December 3 \ 8 pm Sunday \ December 4 \ 2 pm Hill Auditorium The Grammy Award-winning UMS Choral Union (2006 “Best Choral Performance” for William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience) launches the holiday season with its signature work, Handel’s Messiah. An Ann Arbor tradition in the beautiful surroundings of Hill Auditorium, these performances are ultimately the heart and soul of UMS, connecting audiences not only with the talented people on stage, but also with the friends and family who attend each year. Start off your holiday season with a spirited “Hallelujah!” Sponsored by the Carl and Isabelle Brauer Fund. Media Partners Michigan Radio 91.7 FM and Ann Arbor’s 107one.

London Philharmonic Orchestra Vladimir Jurowski conductor Janine Jansen violin Tuesday \ December 6 \ 7:30 pm Hill Auditorium The London Philharmonic returns for its fi rst appearance since November 2006, this time under the direction of the exciting young conductor Vladi- mir Jurowski, who succeeded Kurt Masur as the orchestra’s principal con- ductor in 2007. Jurowski conducts Tchaikovsky’s rarely-performed Manfred Symphony, which is based on a poem by Lord Byron and the only one of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies that is not numbered. Janine Jansen, a 23-year- old violinist who has been a huge star in her native Holland ever since her Concertgebouw debut at the age of 10, makes her UMS debut. PROGRAM Pintscher Towards Osiris (2005) Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219 (1775) Tchaikovsky Manfred Symphony, Op. 58 (1885) Media Partners WGTE 91.3 FM, WRCJ 90.9 FM, and Detroit Jewish News.

Puer Natus Est Stile Antico Wednesday \ December 7 \ 7:30 pm St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church One of the most talked-about UMS events two years ago was the debut of the young British ensemble Stile Antico, which is now fi rmly established as one of the most original and exciting new groups in the choral music world. Working without a conductor, the 12 members of Stile Antico rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing artistically to the end result. Their performances have been repeatedly praised for their vitality and commitment, expressive lucidity, and imaginative response to text. For this return engagement, Stile Antico will perform a program of Tudor music for Christmas and Advent. The program is centered on Thomas Tallis’s magnifi cent seven-part “Christmas” mass, written for the combined choirs of the Spanish and English Chapels Royal and fi rst performed in December 1554. The mass is interspersed with contemporaneous liturgical settings for Advent and Christmas, from the perfect miniatures of William Byrd’s exquisite Propers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent to Robert White’s exuberant setting of the Magnifi cat and John Sheppard’s extraordinary Verbum Caro. Sponsored by Gary Boren. Media Partner WRCJ 90.9 FM.

Call or click for tickets! 734.764.2538 \ www.ums.org Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 am to 5 pm, Sat: 10 am to 1 pm.

Ad #3 — Washtenaw Jewish News First Proof of Ad Due: Mon, Oct 31 Final Ad Due: Tue, Nov 1 Size: 9 13/16 (8125) x 12.75 Color: Full color Ad Runs: December 40 Washtenaw Jewish News A December 2011/January 2012