Synagogues Are Not Rushing to Reopen, Even As Vaccines Are Making

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 Learning Visiting Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 to Pray Art in Film Outside Person Festival Again Schedule

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May 2021 lyar/Sivan 5781 Volume XX Number 9 FREE Jewish Federations work with growing movement for religious diversity in Israel Stephanie Glass, special to the WJN ince 2017, the Jewish Federations of viet Union or those who converted outside North America has worked to ad- the chief rabbinate, or if they are a same-sex Svance religious freedom for Israeli couple. This results in countless numbers of Jews through the Israel Religious Expression Israeli Jews being unable to legally wed. Platform (iRep). This consortium of Federa- In the past five years, iRep and its grant- tion communities supports Israeli organiza- ees have worked to grow a niche movement tions addressing religious civil rights in Israel. to a majority-supported cause. Through Greater Ann Arbor’s Federation was one of the public marketing campaigns highlighting first twenty-six Federations to join iRep and we Israeli Jewish couples who chose to marry continue to support its efforts in such matters outside the rabbinate and providing finan- as creating options for civil marriage in Israel cial support to organizations offering alter- and promoting equality for all streams of Ju- native lifecycle services, iRep has created a daism. groundswell of public support for marriage In March, North American Jewish com- choice. Recent data shows nearly 70 percent munities, including greater Ann Arbor, joined of Israelis now voice support for legal op- together to virtually celebrate and learn more tions that do not involve the rabbinate and about iRep’s work at JFNA’s Forward Focus approximately 1 out of 5 couples are choos- Mission. This four-part series brought reli- ing alternative methods, such as marrying gious leaders, experts, activists, and everyday abroad or common law marriage. While Israeli Jews into thousands of living rooms, as there is further work to be done around ad- they shared stories and victories regarding Jew- vancing marriage choice, iRep’s efforts have ish diversity and expression in Israel. created a critical mass of support transform- Liat and Tome, Israeli couple who married outside the Rabbinate ing marriage choice into a central issue of Fighting for Freedom of Choice for marriage choice in Israel, an issue impact- be legally married. The Rabbinate has the Israeli public discourse. in Marriage ing thousands of Israeli Jews. All Israeli Jews power to refuse to marry couples if they do One of iRep’s central initiatives upon must go through the Israeli chief rabbinate, not view one or both members as Jewish, a forming was to increase access and support the supreme rabbinic authority in Israel, to common issue for Jews from the Former So- Continued on page 7 Synagogues are not rushing to reopen, even as vaccines are making gatherings safer Shira Hanau, originally for the JTA abbi Craig Scheff knows he could didn’t feel spiritually uplifting, it didn’t feel safely hold indoor, in-person ser- participatory and many people chose not R vices at the upstate New York syna- to come,” Scheff said of the first foray into gogue he leads. indoor services last summer. “At this point In fact, the synagogue first experimented in time we’ve managed to achieve a certain with an indoor service for up to 50 people amount of intimacy and participation with last summer. Now it’s now holding bar and what we’ve been offering.” bat mitzvah services on Shabbat mornings Scheff’s community is like many oth- for a maximum of 10 households and up to ers at this stage of the pandemic: While 40 people in the sanctuary, which typically American Jews appear to be embracing the held 100-150 worshippers on Shabbat morn- Centers for Disease Control’s recent guid- ings pre-pandemic. Those services are then ance that permits small Passover Seders for streamed for the rest of the congregation. vaccinated adults and hugs between vacci- Yet Scheff isn’t rushing to resume the nated grandparents and grandchildren, few wider range of indoor services that his syna- appear to be hastening toward a return of gogue, like virtually all others across Ameri- the old way of worshipping together. ca, abruptly put on hold one year ago, even as Congregation Shearith Israel of Dallas. PHOTO CAPTION COURTESY OF SHEARITH ISRAEL For some American Jews, namely the more of his congregants get the coronavirus the Mourner’s Kaddish, and streaming Shab- for the holiday will remain virtual. Orthodox, in-person services were only on vaccine. Instead, Scheff and his Conserva- bat services. A socially distanced parking-lot “We tried opening up to a very limited hold for a matter of months, with most Or- tive synagogue are sticking with the daily Yizkor service is scheduled for the last day of number of people, very socially distanced thodox synagogues resuming in-person ac- virtual prayer service, where people can say Passover, but the synagogue’s other services inside and the feeling was not a great one. It tivities by last summer, many with masks and Continued on page 9 IFrom the Editor

havuot, beginning the evening of May ready yet. I want this year's Spring to last a few 16, feels early this year. For me, it more months. I want surety that we are over marks the end of Spring and I'm not the hump of the pandemic and that we'll be S 2935 Birch Hollow Drive able to incorporate new ways of doing things Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 that are more mindful. I love the essay on page (734) 395-4438 9, about learning to pray outside. Look up the www.washtenawjewishnews.org B'nai Jeshrun Outdoor Shabbat Tisch on April [email protected] 23 for true inspiration. If you have made some pandemic inspired changes you plan to con- Editor and Publisher tinue, WJN would love to hear about it! Clare Kinberg Have you wondered about the changing colors in Washtenaw Jewish News front pages? Advertising Manager They do have a meaning, inspired by this color Gordon White wheel of the Jewish year. And, finally, remember that the WJN is sup- Design and Layout Dennis Platte ported entirely by display advertising. If you patronize any of our advertisers, please tell Staff Writers them you say their ad in the Washtenaw Jew- Clare Kinberg ish News. n Lonnie Sussman, Shifra Epstein Contributing Writers

Lisa Bernstein, Emily Eisbruch, Stepha- nie Glass, Amanda Glucklich, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Idelle Hammond- Sass, Kayla Kapen, Kesley Robinette Keeves, Molly Kleinman, Molly Kraus- Steinmetz, Margaret Schreiber, Paige Walker, Logan Wall, Jessica Weil.

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2 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 ICommunity FOR THE HOME YOU A special tour for WTBE of UMMA LOVE TO LIVE IN. Adapted from the WTBE newsletter ore than 60 Women of Temple Among the more arresting pieces in this col- Beth Emeth members gathered lection was a portrait of James Madison (art- Monline in February to hear Grace ist: Titus Kaphar) that had been “flayed” by VanderVliet, University of Michigan Mu- the artist to expose the other (or maybe inner) seum of Art Curator for Museum Teaching James Madison, the enslaver of more than 300 and Learning, lead a tour that was provoca- people. With juxtapositions of “old” or “tra- tive, engaging, and eye-opening. Designed to ditional” art with work by artists originally help the group learn about themselves and to excluded, the effects of earlier choices become provide “an insider’s view of the complexity

behind events, decisions and community programs” at UMMA, the event also addressed UMMA’s effort to shape its evolving role in these changing times: “How do we tell our story as an institution that collects objects? How can we be honest about the colonial basis on which we were founded?” The tour addressed the all-white, 24-foot sculpture of a head outside the museum, a shredded portrait of James Madison, and a largely shuttered museum that’s as active as ever. Anyone who expected a conventional strikingly clear. Use our highly effective expertise to optimize walk-through of a series of museum collec- VanderVliet then transitioned into an your goal: tions was in for a delightful surprise. overview of some upcoming exhibitions, fo- After opening remarks by Bobbi Heilveil cused again on showcasing voices not always and Yuni Aaron, VanderVliet challenged par- heard (African/African-American art and a ticipants to reflect on why they had come to queer reading of the collection). The thorny • Strategic, targeted marketing the presentation. (People? Commitment? Cu- issue of repatriation — what to do with riosity? Enrichment?) Next, she introduced “problematic” pieces in the collection that • Highly effective negotiator the enigmatic sculpture “Behind the Walls” were obtained by a process closer to plunder (artist: Jaume Plensa), a 24-foot-tall head than acquisition — was also examined. with hands covering its eyes (currently on dis- Tying together her theme of a museum • Customized staging play outside UMMA). VanderVliet prodded telling a story, VanderVliet concluded with the participants to explore what we thought “Beyond the Walls,” a discussion of how • Compelling photography it meant, and she shared the perspectives of UMMA is telling its story in the age of COVID. the “person on the street.” She also shared the From podcasts to websites and videos — even story of how the sculpture came to UMMA a “Stump the Curator” TikTok game show! • 21 years of leading sales performance and the surprisingly complex details of its in- UMMA has in some cases actually reached a stallation here. larger section of the community than when Next was a look “within the walls,” focus- the events were held in person. The event Call Alex at (734) 418-2400 for a dedicated ing on the “Curriculum Collection,” a reinter- concluded with a lively Q&A session. pretation of existing museum collections in The “tour” was made possible by the commitment to the success of your next move. collaboration with UM art students. (While hard work of WTBE vice presidents for the museum is closed to the public, it is open membership, Bobbi Heilveil and Cilla Tomas, in accordance with social distancing for re- UMMA docents, and WTBE members search activities.) Called “Unsettling Histo- Greta Spier (who extended the invitation to ries – Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism,” Grace) and Yuni Aaron, and WTBE’s tireless the CC aims to use art as a way into learning. president, Trina Fuller. ALEX MILSHTEYN, CRS, GRI, ABR The approach “rejects the simple narratives To receive a link to the hour of the collection’s past and forces examina- long presentation, write to wtbe@ Associate Broker tion of whose history is prioritized and why.” templebethemeth.org n (734) 417-3560 [email protected] • www.alexmi.com A PROUD MAKING INVESTING PERSONAL LOCATION MAKING INVESTINGINVESTING PERSONAL PERSONAL 2723 S. State St., Ste 130, Ann Arbor WE ARE WITH THE COMMUNITY WE ARE WITH THE COMMUNITY WEIN ARE THESE WITH TIMES THE OF COMMUNITY CRISIS AND ININ THESECAPABLE THESE TIMES TIMES OF WORKING OF OF CRISIS CRISIS WITH AND AND CAPABLECAPABLE$5YOU OF OF0 REMOTELYWORKING WORKING O WITHF WITH F Tax deadlineYOUYOU has REMOTELY been REMOTELY extended to May 17th Mention this ad for $50 off (new customers only) An exclusive affiliate of contact-free tax prep available LIVONIAWOLVERINETAX.COM OFFICE OPEN NOW; . 213 ANN WEST ARBOR LIBERTY LOCATION STREET SUITE COMING 110 SOON. Coldwell Banker Global Luxury GABRIEL SANDLER, EA CAPSTONETF.COM 5(734)1(734)(734)1 E. MICH I999-1040 G489-9851489-9851AN AVE, SALINE MI 48176 734.429.1040

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 3 I Community

AARC leaders take their service to D.C., temporarily Emily Eisbruch, special to the WJN am Bagenstos and Margo Schlanger neighborhood. I’m working at home, and am I am working in person, though most of my working on several writing projects — but I’m recently had a major transition in getting used to the sirens and city noises (today, staff — and most of the staff of the Executive doing a bit of remote teaching, just like I did S their lives as they relocated, for the I thought I’d set off a fire alarm cooking lunch, Branch — are working remotely. in Ann Arbor. As folks are vaccinated and the time being, from Ann Arbor to Washington, but it turns out it was a restaurant on the first Emily: How do you hope your work will improve world opens up, I expect it will make more of D.C. Sam is serving as general counsel for floor of our building). government and society? a difference that we’re living in the middle of the Office and Management and Budget in Emily: Sam, tell us about your work at the Office Sam: I hope that I can help move along efforts a big city, not a college town. the new Biden/Harris administration. Margo of Management and Budget. to get people relief from COVID-19 and Emily: Margo, you’ve been a key advocate for continues her work, remotely, as the Wade H. Sam: My job involves working on basically the economic dislocations it has caused immigrants in Michigan, and you wrote about and Dores M. McCree Collegiate Professor every aspect of domestic policy. In any given and to help set our economy on a more this in your April 2019 Washtenaw Jewish of Law at the University of Michigan. day, I may review regulations from multiple sustainable and just path. My job is really to News piece “The Mitzvot of Immigration Leaders in the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist agencies, help prepare executive orders for the help government work better, and to clear Advocacy.” Are you continuing your work on immigration? Has this changed with your move to Washington, D.C. or the new Biden/ Harris administration? Margo: I’ve been continuing to work on immigration issues here. I just published a short article about a new legal strategy to promote accountability for disability discrimination by private prisons holding immigration detainees. (See https:// lawreviewblog.uchicago.edu/2021/03/05/ schlanger-detention/.) The Biden/Harris administration is far less anti-immigrant than the Trump administration was, and I’m hopeful that this will lead to more humane and welcoming policies. Right now, that’s all still settling out, and I’m doing some advocacy to push the administration along. Emily: How are your kids adapting to their parents’ new home base in D.C.? Margo: Our kids are juniors in college, and as it happens, they are both out on the east coast. Sam Bagenstos Margo Schlanger So we’re actually quite a bit closer to them from here. So far, COVID has meant that Congregation, Margo was AARC board chair President’s signature, advise on the drafting away bureaucratic obstacles to delivering for they haven’t been able to visit. But it looks like in 2015 and 2016, and Sam served on the of legislation, and work with federal agencies the people. Every day, I feel like I’m helping Harry will spend the summer with us; he’s AARC board in 2020. Their kids Leila and to implement the President’s agenda. I feel to make a little progress. One of the great got research to do at the National Archives, Harry were b’nei mitzvah in 2013. I talked with privileged and humbled to be able to do parts of my job is that I get to work on all of and that means our D.C. apartment will be Sam and Margo about their new adventures. my part to address the key crises we face: the domestic policy issues confronting the a perfect location for him for a few months. COVID-19, the economy, racial injustice, government. But a huge chunk of my time Emily: How has your move impacted your Jewish Emily: How is life in Washington, D.C.? What and climate change. has focused on responding to the COVID community participation? are you liking and are there any challenges? Emily: Sam, what size of team do you work with? pandemic — making sure that vaccination Margo & Sam: Not so much, actually. AARC’s Margo: We’re having a great time here, although Do you work remotely or in person? and testing programs can be funded and work communal life is entirely remote right now. So of course we miss our friends and life in Ann Sam: OMB has about 450 employees, about 90 well, protecting workers and others against we’re still able to participate fully. Sam did have Arbor. This is my third and Sam’s fourth stint percent of whom are career staff. The basic the virus, ensuring kids and teachers can to withdraw as AARC treasurer, but Margo in D.C. — we last lived here in 2010 and 2011. ethos of the place has been described by a safely go back to school, and so forth. It’s been continues to do occasional projects for the So it’s both familiar and new. We have lots of famous political scientist as aiming at “neutral enormously rewarding to play a role in that. AARC Board. As live gatherings restart, we friends here, and hope to see more of them competence.” The idea is that OMB is the place Emily: What is your daily routine like compared may need to adjust; there’s a Reconstructionist as people are vaccinated and COVID-related that makes sure that the rest of the Executive to life in Ann Arbor? Havurah down the street, so perhaps we’ll restrictions ease. The biggest challenge has Branch is effective and assiduous in carrying Margo: Really, everything is kind of dominated venture over there. just been setting up a new home: after a out the President’s program. So, every day, I by the pandemic, still. I’ve been working Emily: Thanks, we appreciate your sharing this n temporary stay elsewhere, we’re living in a work with folks from the White House and a from home here, just like I did in Michigan. exciting journey with us. lovely apartment in the middle of a very busy variety of cabinet departments and agencies. I’m mostly on a research leave, this semester, AARC virtual open house in May re you looking to connect with a warm, Sunday, May 16, 12–1 p.m. tunities in various Zoom rooms. Email office@ vibrant, and intellectually curious Jewish Creating Food Justice bethisrael-aa.org for the required link. Learning Acommunity? In May, the Ann Arbor Re- Fourth in a series of presentations leading up to leaders will be from Ann Arbor Reconstruction- constructionist Congregation is opening its virtual a Shmita year. ist Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, Hillel, doors! AARC is holding all of its events online. For Speakers will be Damien Thompson, PhD, Jewish Cultural Society, Pardes Hannah, Kehilat more information about services or events or to re- co-founder of Frontline Farming in Colorado Israel (Lansing), and Temple Beth Emeth. ceive Zoom links, please e-mail aarcgillian@gmail. and director of the Center for Food Justice and com. Visit the AARC website at aarecon.org. Healing Communities, and Paul Sherman, out- Sunday, May 23, 7–8:30 p.m. reach manager, Mazon. Suggested donation $18 AARC Book Group Saturday, May 8 We are reading per session. Registration required at www.ekar- The Ten Year War, Obamacare and Second Saturday Shabbat by farm.org/land-justice-sign-up. the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage Ta’Shma “Pray What!?” 10 a. m. Jonathan Cohn. Jon will lead the discussion. Shabbat Services 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 8 p.m. Email [email protected] for the link Meditation, prayer, discussion, community. Ev- Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot eryone is welcome! Zoom link will be sent out Area rabbis and leaders will be joining together Friday May 28, 6:30 p.m. the week before the event. for a Zoom Shavuot Tikkun on Sunday May 16 Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Everyone welcome at this musical Shabbat ser- from 8 to 11 p.m. Washtenaw County Prosecu- Wednesday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. vice. Come connect with community, rest, re- tor Eli Savit will be the keynote to begin, and then What IS Reconstructionist Judaism? charge, and rejuvenate. n A Discussion with Rabbi Ora. there will be multiple concurrent learning oppor-

4 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Community

AAOM says goodbye to Rabbi Anstandig, Detroit Jews for Justice honors organizers resumes in-person summer events and activists at virtual gala Logan Wall, special to the WJN From DJJ press release During Passover, the Ann Arbor Orthodox and Sarit, both talented Jewish educators, will Detroit Jews for Justice hosts the second Myra Pregnant Pause. Minyan kicked off its spring and summer pro- be departing Ann Arbor after three years to en- Wolfgang Awards as a virtual gala on Tuesday, A fundraising online auction with donations gramming with a return to in-person services. rich the lives of Jewish families elsewhere. May 4, at 7:30 p.m. to honor local organizing from local artists, craftsmen, and small busi- The community met in a member’s yard to cel- “The AAOM is a very special community,” partners. DJJ organizes metro Detroit Jewish nesses will open on Monday, April 26, and close ebrate the holiday and see one another again af- Rabbi Anstandig said. “Sarit and I are so grate- communities to participate in movements for at the end of the virtual event on the evening of ter a cold winter apart. (All local and state health ful to have met so many wonderful people and racial and economic justice. DJJ will host its Tuesday, May 4. guidelines, such as masking and social distanc- forged many meaningful relationships.” second Myra Wolfgang Awards as a virtual gala Organizing is slow and steady work. Events and individuals can join the host committee like the Myra Wolfgang Awards are bright mo- or purchase tickets at detroitjewsforjustice.org/ ments within the hardworking DJJ commu- wolfgang2021. nity for joy, connection, and pride. The Myra This year the Myra Wolfgang Awards honors Wolfgang Planning Committee (Roslyn Abt two individuals and a disability rights organiza- Schindler, Lora Frankel, Jane Miller, Syma Eche- tion. Julie Hurwitz, a civil rights attorney, is rec- andia, Emiko Hayashi, Miriam Chesterman, ognized as a 2021 Myra Wolfgang Honoree for and Blythe Kim) is excited to invite the metro her work representing victims of the Flint, Michi- Detroit Jewish Community to this virtual gala gan, water crisis and Detroit Black Lives Matter to celebrate and honor DJJ’s amazing partners in organization Detroit Will Breathe. Rudy Simons, organizing towards racial and economic justice a peace and human rights activist, is recognized in Detroit. n for his lifelong impact to enable peace and human rights in Detroit and the world; and Detroit Disability Power, a disability rights organization, is recognized for their work during the COV- ID-19 pandemic to ing, were followed.) During his tenure, the AAOM was able to ensure access to care, Even when the weather was less than spring- grow its membership, deepen its ties with stu- testing, and vaccines like, as on the morning of the first day of dents at the University of Michigan Hillel, and for the disability Passover, this only provided a dramatic back- participate in the family-oriented program- community in De- drop to holiday davening. In moments that ming he helped develop. The community troit and across the seemed “too-scripted-to-be-true,” the sun burst thanks Sarit and Rabbi Anstandig for their lead- state of Michigan. through clouds during the recitation of the ership, learning, and especially for the guidance The evening sh’ma while a light drizzle blew through during they provided during the most recent year. will include a cultural program Tefilat Tal, the annual prayer that asks for dew In the coming spring and summer months, with contributions during the summer months. the AAOM plans to hold weekly Tot Shab- from Detroit art- Best of all, however, were the excited and bat and Shabbat morning services as well as ists, including vi- cheerful voices of children as they saw one an- a monthly Shabbat picnic lunch in safe and sual art by Olivia Guterson, a musi- other again and played, ran, and sang through- healthy settings. All members of the Ann Arbor cal performance out the tree-framed shul. Jewish community are welcome to join. Email by pianist Ian Fink Still, the holiday was bittersweet: it marked [email protected] for further and a poetry read- the final time that Rabbi Jared Anstandig would information. n ing by the TETRA lead the community in prayer. Rabbi Anstandig Art Collective. The event will be hosted by Zak AAOM May events Rosen, creator of podcasts the Best The Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan has Shavuot Events Advice Show and resumed in-person Shabbat morning services, Pre-Shavuot Learning held outdoors with social distancing and masks Join the AAOM on Zoom Havdalah and required. Contact president@annarborminyan. engaging presentations by U-M faculty and org more information and for Zoom links. community members! Past topics for Shavuot Pardes Hannah events in May learning have included “Torah & psychiatry,” Shabbat Morning Pardes Hannah events take place on Zoom. Tuesday, May 11, 7–8:30 p.m. Time: 9:30 a.m. “poetry & prayer,” and “when Talmud study turns deadly.” Thursday, May 13 at 8 p.m. All interested participants are welcome. Information, including Zoom links, on these Rosh Chodesh Sivan Online Minyan Tot Shabbat Wednesday, May 12, 9–10:15 a.m. Engaging, accessible, song and play driven! The Shavuot Morning Services or any of our ongoing services, rituals, circles, AAOM’s weekly Tot Shabbat services resume Outdoors, socially-distanced, and masks and teachings can be found on the Pardes Shavuot Chant Circle for the spring & summer at 11 a.m. in Burns required. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Hannah website at https://pardeshannah. Sunday, May 16, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Park. Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18. Tuesday org/ or call Renee Robbins at 734-904-5459. includes a reading of Megillat Ruth and Yizkor Tikkun Leil Shavuot BYO-Kiddush service. (Weather permitting.) Zohar: Study and Practice Sunday, May 16, 9:30 p.m.–midnight Drop by Burns Park any time between 11:30 Sunday, May 2, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 12:30 to schmooze with friends and Shavuot Picnic Shabbat Morning Service Sefirat ha-Omer Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. neighbors. Feel free to bring your own grape The Ann Arbor Jewish community is invited to Monday, May 3, 7:30–8 p.m. juice, black-and-white cookies, or whitefish join the AAOM for a Shavuot picnic in Burns Love at the Center salad to create a true “kiddush” feel! Park beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. Shabbat Chant Service Weekly on Thursday, 7:30–8 p.m. on Monday, May 17. Weather permitting. We Saturday, May 8, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Monthly Shabbat Picnics look forward to seeing everyone from picnic Twenty-five Minute Mindfulness w/ Linda Pack a basket, grab a blanket, keep an eye out blankets spaced at least six feet apart! n Sefirat ha-Omer Greene, Jewish Spiritual Director (Co- for Yogi, and join the AAOM on the second Monday, May 10, 7:30–8 p.m. sponsored with Temple Beth Emeth) Saturday of each month for a Shabbat pic-a- Weekly on Tuesday, 8:30–9 a.m. n nic in Burns Park. Rosh Chodesh Sivan Circle Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 5 I Community

Community online adventure for Israel’s Independence Day Jessica Weil, special to the WJN n celebration of Israel’s 73rd Indepen- shops. dence Day, an estimated 100 people Amanda Fisher, local caterer and owner Igathered via Zoom for “Choose Your of Shuk, a new Israeli-inspired pop up take Israel Adventure: An Erev Yom Haatzmaut away restaurant, led Boureka Making. One Celebration,” presented by the Jewish Com- first time boureka maker noted, “I am so glad I learned to make bourekas. I will be making them again in the future.” Another noted, “I usually use phyllo to make bourekas, but the puff pastry was so easy! I’m not messing with the layering again!” Yael Ross, an educator with Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, led Design a Hamsa, which used materials on hand to make this symbol of protection commonly found in Middle Eastern homes. Metropolitan De- troit shaliach (Israeli emissary) Yiftah Leket led Street Hebrew. According to one participant, “the literal translations from the He- brew coffee shop conversation video were LEGACY DONOR APPRECIATION EVENT munity Center of Greater Ann Arbor’s Israel hilarious.” Sydney Fine, local University Center @ the J and the Jewish Federation of of Michigan graduate student and Jewish Thank you to the 100+ local individuals and families who are part of Greater Ann Arbor in partnership with Beth Young Professionals program team member, the LIFE & LEGACY® initiative. Israel Congregation, Temple Beth Emeth, led the Israeli-inspired Campfire Sing-a- Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, and the long. One participant put it simply, “Sydney You are one of 18,000 donors who is securing the future of the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan. The event was incredible!” Jewish community through your legacy gift. highlighted Israeli culture by hosting Israelis Clara Silver, Director of Operations and living in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan director of the Israel Center @ the J, part-

as workshop presenters. nered with the Federation’s Jessica Weil to We hope you will join us for a wonderful virtual evening of gratitude The day before the event, participants spearhead the planning. Silver said, “Is- and storytelling in appreciation of your commitment. were invited to pick up Israeli-inspired raeli culture is best experienced hands-on snack packs and supplies for the workshops. through active connection to each other. We can't wait to celebrate with you! The packs included popular Israeli treats of Professional colleagues from many agencies Elite brand milk chocolate bars and Bissli were inspiring, creative thought partners. brand snack bags, along with olives and pita Together we created an online event where crackers, and of course, hummus. Supplies we really connected with each other despite Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 7:30pm included colored pencils for making hamsas the screens, and we really experienced some- and ingredients for making bourekas, the sa- thing of Israel.” vory Israeli street snack of hand-sized filled The event was free to participants due to pastry. a grant from the Israel Engagement Fund: A Join us as we celebrate your legacy with 17,999 The community joined together briefly JCC Association Program Accelerator, made to transition from Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s possible by the generosity of several com- others across North America! Memorial Day, as well as to learn about the mitted donors, as well as support from Re- impact the Ann Arbor Jewish community inhart Realtors. The Israel Center @ the J is and Israel have on each other. Cantor Regina funded by a generous grant from the D. Dan RSVP at Hayut of Temple Beth Emeth led the com- and Betty Kahn Foundation, which is also surveymonkey.com/r/2021LegacyDonorEvent munity in singing Hatikvah, Israel’s national underwriting the upcoming online program anthem. She was then joined by her hus- The Israel Experience: Don’t Leave Home band, Avishay, to perform Shir LaShalom as to Visit, which takes place May 9–16, 2021. he accompanied on guitar. Participants then Those interested in this participatory “trip” chose their own adventure to celebrate from can find more information by visiting jccan- among four different experiential work- narbor.org/event/israelexperience. n

LIFE & LEGACY is a partnership between the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, in collaboration with: Director of Philanthropic Services The Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo (JFGT) is seeking a Director of Philanthropic Services (DPS) to be part of its Endowment team. Reporting to the Director of the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation, a division of JFGT, the DPS will provide operational support to the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation in the key areas of board and committee staffing, stewardship of fund distributions, marketing of needs and opportunities, and planning and To create your Jewish legacy, contact development of donor events. The successful candidate will be an innovative leader and a team player, with strong Margaret Schreiber, Greater Ann Arbor LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator [email protected] | (734) 773-3538 interpersonal skills and a desire to cultivate relationships at all levels. The DPS is a full- Be remembered forever with a gift in your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy. time, non-exempt employee of JFGT. For complete job description and application information, go to www.jewishtoledo.org/career-center.

6 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 Toledo Federation I Community

TBE events May Legacy donors to be honored May 25 ll events and services are virtual. Go translations and commentaries. Margaret Schreiber, special to the WJN to the Temple Beth Emeth website reater Ann Arbor’s 107 legacy donors organizations including: Ann Arbor Orthodox for the Zoom links and more Twenty-five-minute mindfulness with Jewish A spiritual director Linda Greene are among the 18,000 who will be Minyan, Beth Israel Congregation, Chabad information. Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Ghonored at the first Legacy Donor House of Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan Families with Young Children Tot Shabbat Zoom room opens at 8:15 a.m. for optional Appreciation Event sponsored by the Harold University Center for Jewish Studies, Hebrew Fridays check-in. Blessing and intention setting Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY® Day School of Ann Arbor, Jewish Community Tot Shabbat Services at 5:45 p.m. 8:30–8:35 a.m. Meditate 8:35–9:00 a.m. Start initiative. The event, to be held virtually on Center of Greater Ann Arbor, Jewish Cultural your day centered and connected. May 25 at 7:30 p.m., will celebrate each of the Society, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw Shira Service at 6:15 p.m. donors from LIFE & LEGACY’s seventy-one County, Jewish Federation of Greater Ann All of your favorite songs led by TBE’s tot Talmud Tuesdays with Rabbi Alter partner communities who are securing the Arbor, Temple Beth Emeth and the University team, Cantor Hayut and Rabbi Whinston. Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Jewish future through their legacy gift. of Michigan Hillel. Contact [email protected] Join Rabbi Alter to learn about the history of The evening will feature the stories of “We are excited to celebrate the 107 for more information. Rabbinical literature and some tremendous donors from across North America who legacy donors here, along with the legacy texts from Talmud! Shabbat morning Torah study have made legacy commitments, as well donors from the other communities in Saturdays at 8:50 a.m. Children’s Programming as greetings and reflections from Harold the LIFE & LEGACY network, who have Join us for this weekly discussion of the K–2 Whatchya Doin Wednesday Grinspoon, Founder of the Harold Grinspoon already committed to ensuring the long-term Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston. Wednesday, May 5, 12, 19, 26, at 2:30 p.m. Foundation, and Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, financial health of our valued organizations,” 3–5 Whatchya Doin Wednesday the Foundation’s president. Jonah Kaplan, said Eileen Freed, executive director of the Saturday Shabbat service Wednesday, May 5, 12, 19, 26, at 3:30 p.m. an award-winning political and investigative Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. Saturdays at 10 a.m. reporter at WTVD, the ABC-owned station in “It is our hope that every member of the Meditation with Claire Weiner Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, will serve community will join us by making a legacy Daily morning blessings Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Daily at 9:15 a.m. as the evening’s host. commitment to those organizations in our Join Claire Weiner for a 40-minute Join Rabbi Whinston each morning via There is no charge for the 45-minute event. Jewish community they value.” meditation session Zoom for a short morning blessing. “Through LIFE & LEGACY, we are If you have not yet had a chance to make Social Action Committee Congregational sustaining vibrant communities so future your legacy commitment but would like to Daily afternoon blessings Read - The Color of Love generations will be able to enjoy our rich participate in the May 25 event, please contact Mondays–Thursdays at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, and May 26 at 7 p.m. Jewish culture and heritage,” said Harold the organizations named above or Margaret Join Cantor Hayut each afternoon via Zoom Register at: socialaction@templebethemeth. Grinspoon, the founder of HGF. “I am Schreiber, LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator at for a short afternoon blessing. org thrilled to have the opportunity to honor all [email protected]. those who have made a legacy commitment Legacy donors who have yet to WTBE Historical Novel Reading Group Details on TBE website Monday, May 10, at 12:30 p.m. to date, and to encourage others to join us in register for the event can do so by Dayenu Circle – Climate Action Committee The WTBE Reading Group meets on the sec- this endeavor.” visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/ Meeting n ond Monday of each month, contact Molly LIFE & LEGACY donors of Greater Ann r/2021LegacyDonorEvent. Wednesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Lindner at [email protected]. Arbor have made commitments to 11 local Biblical Book Club with Cantor Hayut Weekly Mahj - Offsite, see contact info on TBE Thursdays at 11 a.m. website Sundays at 3 p.m. Jewish Federations work with growing Mondays at 1 pm For more information or questions, please Tuesdays at 7:30 pm contact Cantor Hayut. movement for religious diversity in Israel WTBE Cooks Monday meals continued from page1 Back Door Food Pantry Mondays, May 3 and May 17, at 3:30 p.m. ability, expanding transit on Shabbat offers in- Thursdays, 4–7 p.m. Power of Grassroots Activism Alongside the important fight for marriage dividuals a way to visit family and friends, par- WTBE Fiber Arts Rosh Chodesh Circle – Sivan take in leisure activities, and access necessary Mondays, May 3 and May 17, at 7:30 p.m. choice, Forward Focus also highlighted Israeli Thursday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Jewish activists who are invested in improving services. While public transit on Shabbat is still WTBE Virtual Happy Hour options related to kashrut (kosher) certifica- extremely limited, this movement experienced TBE Brotherhood Join WTBE’s virtual Happy Hour to catch up a major victory in early 2020 when Tel Aviv and Guys Night In tion and public transportation. In 1983, the Is- and schmooze. its surrounding municipalities decided to op- Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. raeli government passed a law making it illegal Second and Fourth Thursdays, May 13 and for a restaurant to call itself kosher unless it was erate free public transit on Shabbat, highlight- 27, at 5:30 p.m. Weekly Lunch & Learn certified by the chief rabbinate, creating a mo- ing the powerful impact grassroots activism Fridays at noon nopoly that led to corruption and frustration. has in responding to public needs. Adult B’nai-mitzvah classes Rabbi Whinston meets on Fridays for an In 2013, a group of rabbis responded to this Mondays at 6 p.m. informal discussion about religion. Sessions dissatisfaction by providing certificates that Advancing Religious Freedom Join Cantor Regina Hayut for an hour for are open to the entire community. Feel free circumvented the law by citing that the res- for Our Future either an afternoon session or an evening to bring your lunch. taurant “followed Jewish law.” This movement At the beginning of the Forward Focus session. To join the class, or for more toward community-based kashrut changed the mission, Mark Wilf, board chair of JFNA, re- information, contact Cantor Hayut. Alden Solovy Event: Standing at Sinai face of kosher food in Israel, eventually finding flected that “our faith has always embraced a Sunday, May 2 at 1 p.m. its way to the Israeli Supreme Court, where in range of opinions. The midrash writes ‘there Women’s Torah study Event info on TBE website Mondays, 7 p.m. 2018, the model was ruled legal. Food services are 70 faces of the Torah,’ which tells us to seek An in-depth study and lively discussion Kol HaLev rehearsal and meeting are now able to receive certification through out variety and beauty in our tradition.” Wilf’s of the week’s Torah portion led by Cantor Sundays at 7 p.m. Tzohar, an organization providing Modern statement illustrates why pluralism continues Regina Hayut. The group will explore various For more information or questions, please Orthodox lifecycle programs and services. to be an important, necessary cause upheld by passages from the portion, looking at several contact Cantor Hayut. n “The certificate doesn’t matter as much as the the Federation movement. By embracing the fact that there is a good trustworthy person be- different ways our Jewish community, both lo- hind it,” shared Yaakov Ben Elul, a café owner cally and throughout the world, expresses its employing Tzohar’s certification services. Judaism, we can help ensure a welcoming and The power of grassroots activism is also vibrant Jewish community for current and fu- reflected in the growing movement for pub- ture generations. THE DORFMAN CHAPEL lic transportation on Shabbat. Forward Focus To learn more about iRep’s work, please participants heard from the creator of Yambus, visit jewishfederations.org/about-jfna/israel- Serving with Dignity, Sanctity, and Compassion a service operating private buses on Shabbat. overseas/advancing-religious-freedom-in- Directors: Alan Dorfman & Jonathan Dorfman What started as a group of friends searching israel. Explore Jewish Federation of Greater for a solution to help carless Israelis get to the Ann Arbor’s impact in Israel by visiting www. Providing professional and personal Funeral arrangements to the Jewish Community beach on Saturday led to similar transporta- jewishannarbor.org/about-us/community- Now serving Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities tion movements happening in municipalities impact/. n 30440 W. 12 Mile Rd. • Farmington Hills around Israel. In a county where many citizens 248-406-6000 • www.thedorfmanchapel.com are carless or unable to drive due to age or

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 7 I Community

Frankel Center Celebrates Class of 2021 Kelsey Robinette Keeves, special to the WJN he Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for This year’s Marshall Weinberg prize, given center has friendly faces, a plethora of opportu- have helped me develop a strong understanding Judaic Studies is celebrating the Class annually to an outstanding graduate student nities both on and off campus, and has been a of my heritage, and the history of my commu- Tof 2021, consisting of nineteen minors, who is engaged in writing a dissertation, was backbone to my Michigan experience.” nity.” seven majors, and four graduate certificate awarded to Pragya Kaul. Kaul’s dissertation Rebecca Levy will be joining U.S. Bank as To celebrate the graduates, the Frankel Center students. These students graduated with a project, Refugees in Empire: Jewish Refugees a product manager after graduating with a held a virtual event featuring faculty remarks wide range of scholarly focuses in addition in British India (1921–1951), makes an original Bachelor of Arts in cognitive science and minor from Director Jeff Veidlinger and Associate to Judaic studies, including political science, and significant contribution to Jewish studies in Judaic studies. “Not only was I able to take Director Shachar Pinsker congratulating the microbiology, neuroscience, economics, and Holocaust studies. The Frankel Center interesting classes that I really enjoyed, but I also students and presenting the Judaic Studies linguistics, and history of art. Several graduates committee was particularly impressed with felt a sense of community,” said Levy. Class of 2021 to their friends and family. will be continuing their education in, law, the methodological and theoretical breadth Economics major and Judaic studies minor The 2021 graduates join a distinguished medicine, and business, while others have of her research, as well as the transnational Joshua Zack added, “The faculty and staff within group of Frankel Center alumni. We wish them already secured employment. components of her scholarship. the Judaic studies program at the University the best of luck! Miriam Saperstein won the Outstanding Graduates with degrees in Judaic studies are of Michigan are made up of high-caliber Class of 2021 Undergraduate Student Award, given to a moving on to an array of diverse career paths, individuals with impressive backgrounds and Graduate Certificate graduating student who has achieved a grade benefiting from the education they received at widely recognized work. I always found the point average of at least 3.8 in Judaic studies the Frankel Center. semester course lineups to be intriguing, filled Lauren Benjamin, Dory Fox, Yeshua Gabriel courses and been nominated by a faculty Vanessa Freedman graduated with a with interesting courses ranging from Jewish Buso Tolle, Sam Shuman member for having made standout academic Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and a history, philosophy, culture, and more. The Major achievements. Saperstein commented, minor in Judaic studies and plans on attending Judaic studies program helped me as a Jew “Through Judaic studies I got to learn more medical school after graduation. “I loved the learn more about my history and culture. I am Allison Bloomberg, Ariel Lowenstern, Marie about Jewish history, which has been incredibly variety of options for classes to take in Judaic very thankful to have been a part of such an Pattipati, Brian Price, Miriam Saperstein, Jason influential on my art. I would take history Studies,” commented Freedman. “There is impressive program.” Semaya, Lauren Silva classes and incorporate that into my ritual and something for everyone, and I was able to focus Honors student Jason Semaya graduated Minor writing.” on learning specific topics and classes that with a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic studies, his- Stephen Beer, Molly Copley, Vanessa Freed- Rachel Levy received the Outstanding interested me the most.” tory, political science, and Middle East & North man, Samantha Herman, Rebecca Levy, Sophie Yiddish Student Award, which is awarded to Allison Bloomberg graduated with a Bach- African studies. “One of my favorite things Mittman, Alayna Nugent, Ayomide Okunade, a student whose classwork and commitment elor of Arts in Judaic studies and psychology, as about the Judaic studies program is the variety Alexandra Popkov, Noah Rubinstein, Eliana to Yiddish stands out. Levy graduated from well as a minor in community action and social of different courses available,” said Semaya. “I Schreier, Nikki Shultz, Allison Siegel, Ilana U-M in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in change. “The small class sizes allow for easy rec- have taken classes about Modern Hebrew, Is- Weinfeld, Hannah Wolfson, Ainslie Woodward, sociology of health and medicine and a minor ognition, and various events also offer students raeli television and media, and Nazism among Ilana Young, Josh Zack, Matt Zeni n in Judaic studies. She is currently in the Jewish the opportunities to learn with professors in a other courses. These have all given me a unique Communal Leadership Program class of 2022. more intimate setting,” noted Bloomberg. “The perspective on my own Jewish identity and they JCLP celebrates class of 2021 with virtual graduation Paige Walker, special to the WJN s per usual on the first Sunday in Crabb will be retiring at the end of the views JCLP admissions applications. She COVID-19 hit and the University drasti- May, the University of Michigan summer after her many years supporting will be greatly missed across the School of cally shut down, switching to an online AJewish Communal Leadership students in their field placements (social Social Work, but especially within JCLP. format. These students not only felt the Program will host a graduation celebra- loss of finishing their first year of gradu- tion in honor of the Class of 2021. Just ate school in person, but also the highly like last year’s event, it will be virtual and anticipated JCLP group trip to Israel and hosted on Zoom. While some restrictions summer field placements (both national have been lifted and conditions generally and international). They persevered and improved, U-M School of Social Work’s came together, adjusting to these changes commitment to public health and safety amid chaos. They planned an incredible for the community means that all Winter hybrid new student orientation, as con- 2021 Semester graduation events will be tinuing students do, and it set a tone that online. JCLP is both student-led and unstoppable While most, if not everything, has through all barriers. The last major event been online this year, the Jewish Commu- was the annual community conversation nal Leadership Program has proved time and was absolutely spectacular. Both of and again to be creative in their approach these programs demonstrate their cre- to community building and maintaining ativity, collaborative nature, and thought- the essence of their program even with fulness. Not only did their efforts lead to the constraints of Zoom. At an alumni wonderful events, but also allowed them seminar in November, current students to stand out as the leaders they are. As spoke with over 40 alums from across the Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “The ulti- country. Likewise, at the recent commu- mate measure of a [person] is not where nity conversation in March, over 105 in- [they] stand in moments of comfort, but dividuals from over 20 different cities and where [they] stand at times of challenge two countries came together for robust and controversy.” To Simi Adler, Rebecca conversation around faith communities Belkin, Meredith Berlin, Courtney Bush- in justice work. Even with the barriers and nell, Hilary Forrest, and Kayla Kapen: stress of online learning and interactions, thank you for sharing you remarkable JCLP continues to find ways to convene gifts with us during these exceptionally community in meaningful ways. challenging times. The graduation celebration will be Join the Jewish Communal Leadership like any other JCLP graduation, featuring From left: JCLP Director Karla Goldman, Courtney Bushnell, Meredith Berlin, Re- on Sunday, May 2 at 10 a.m. to celebrate remarks from representatives from the becca Belkin, Simi Adler, Kayla Kapen, and Hilary Forrest. these remarkable individuals. Email Paige School of Social Work and Frankel Cen- work internship) as well as teaching. She As the Class of 2021 says farewell to Walker at [email protected] for the ter for Judaic Studies. This year’s keynote has been an especially important person JCLP and starts their next chapter, it is link to RSVP. n speaker is School of Social Work Field to JCLP as she supervises the JCLP stu- important to note how resilient, adap- Faculty and Lecturer, as well as longtime dents in their field experience, serves on tive, and strong they have been. About mentor to and friend of JCLP, Su Crabb. the JCLP Advisory Committee, and re- halfway through their second semester,

8 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Community

This year, I learned the pain and beauty of praying outside Esther Sperber, this essay originally appeared in the New York Jewish Week riday night. We are standing in a paved through good times and hard times, that moved us see ourselves better. Someone who can give watch us, or even joined us. Can we do this? I’m plaza beside Riverside Drive; the air me so much. We often forget to notice the mag- us permission to feel sadness and encourage us sure those who use this spot for yoga on Sunday Fis crisp, the fresh snow is sparkling nificence of nature in the hyper-urban concrete to celebrate success. morning have felt this discomfort too. like diamond dust in the setting sun. We are and glass of Manhattan. Community can play a similar role. It legiti- The reclaiming of public space has been 6 feet apart and masked (I can’t wait for this one of the surprising joys of the pandemic: combined phrase to become obsolete). We join restaurants using the parking lane for seating the hazzan, chanting the Friday evening prayer, and closed streets becoming plazas for bikes welcoming the Sabbath as the sun disappears and pedestrians. I realize how many things we over the Hudson River. “Come my beloved could do outdoors if our city were designed to towards your bride to welcome the Sabbath.” facilitate these activities. I hope we move toward Suddenly I’m choked up, no longer able to making outdoor life in our city more easily ac- sing. My eyes fill with tears and emotions. I have cessible to all of its inhabitants. sung these words almost every week of my life The pandemic has stripped our service to — that’s about 2,500 times — but tonight these its bare basics. We worship without a space, very familiar words feel new and deeply moving. without chairs, with dim light and no heat. Perhaps it is the beauty of praying outside. I realized that this was all we really needed. A Kabbalat Shabbat, the prayer welcoming, committed group, willing to stand in the snow or literally accepting, the Sabbath, is a relatively and sing together. new prayer service. It was added in the 16th The hazzan sings, “He removes day and century by the Jewish mystical Kabbalists (note brings night, God is his name” in synchrony the repeating root) in the holy city of Tzfat in with the darkening sky. It is getting harder to the Galilee. They got into the habit of leaving read the small print in my prayer book, but I the city and walking out to the nearby hills and know the words by heart. orchard. Out in nature, they sang and meditated The lump in my throat loosens and I breathe about God’s glory as manifest in the universe in the cold air. and in history. Park bench locked off with barrier tape during the corona virus lock down Marc Cousins, the architectural theorist, said This new service was an instant hit and has PHOTO CAPTION: GETTY IMAGES in one of his lectures that, although philosophers become part of the prayer book canon. But Prayer is a strange thing. We try to deeply mizes and creates a place for deep emotions. To- will not tell you this, the sign of truth is that for most urban dwellers, it is a rare occasion, connect with our pain and gratitude, speak to gether, we dare to say that life is fleeting and that upon hearing it one breaks into tears. maybe on a high school weekend trip, our hopes and regrets. We say these words to the universe is vast, and history has awful mo- That night I was touched by truth. Shabbaton or retreat, to practice it outdoors ourselves ments and humanity can be inspiring. We can Was it the pain and loss of the pandemic? The as the Kabbalists did. with a divine intention. Prayer is something that hold these disturbing conflicting ideas because fragility of life? The support of togetherness? Early in the pandemic, our congregation should be so personal and private, yet I find it we are doing it together, and together we feel I’m not sure, but it was real, and it was worth shifted to outdoor services. We thought this most meaningful when done with a commu- safe and accepted. This need for community is bundling up for and seeking out on a freezing, would work during the summer. None of nity. so fundamental that our numbers have grown snowy Friday evening. n us envisioned the weekly service continuing I have come to see communal praying as a even as the temperature dropped. The views and opinions expressed in this outside through the bitter New York winter. bit like therapy. In therapy we learn to hear our Praying on a public New York City sidewalk, article are those of the author and do not But it did. feelings, accept our pain and cherish our joys. I felt exposed and vulnerable at first. Some necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its Perhaps it was the link to the origin of But it is hard, if not impossible, to do this work stared, others took photos on their phone or parent company, 70 Faces Media. Kabbalat Shabbat, the repetition of a practice alone. We need someone, the therapist, to help lingered, while their dog sniffed a shrub, to

Synagogues are not rushing to reopen Continued from page 1 social distancing required. But for most Reform Manhattan, all services have been virtual this said of the plan. become an integral part of her work. In fact, in and Conservative congregations, the one-year year except for bar and bat mitzvahs, which But the synagogue is going to keep up its the first weeks of the lockdown last spring, the anniversary of the pandemic also marked an have been limited to 15 people. But where Rabbi daily prayer service online. rabbi did not participate in the community’s entire year without in-person services, which Lauren Grabelle Herrmann had originally “Our engagement online for daily minyanim virtual Shabbat services because she does not have remained virtual to prevent the spread of hoped the congregation could expect to return is considerably higher than it was when we were use technology on Shabbat. the coronavirus in synagogue sanctuaries. to in-person services sometime in the fall, the in person,” Sunshine said, noting that the virtual But within a few weeks of beginning virtual Even as vaccinations increase and COVID uptick in vaccination rates has her reevaluating option made it much easier to access a weekday Shabbat services, Brous began joining by cases plummet, many of those Reform and that timeline and wondering if the congregation minyan. setting up the video call before the start of the Conservative synagogues are electing to stay could come back together in person as soon as As a Conservative synagogue, Shearith Israel Zoom service. And Ikar is among a number of largely virtual for now. this summer. has been offering Zoom services on Shabbat synagogues to see growth with the launch of At Beth David Reform Congregation in “Biden’s announcement might make us and holidays only on an emergency basis, after virtual services, with 210 households joining Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, some in-person comfortable coming back sooner than we the movement’s Law Committee published a Ikar over the course of the last year, 40 of which activity has resumed — but only for children thought,” she said of the president’s address last Jewish legal opinion last year allowing online joined during Yom Kippur alone. and their teachers. The synagogue prioritized week that all Americans would be eligible to services as a pandemic measure. But Sunshine The newcomers are an integral part of the resuming Hebrew school over services in part receive the coronavirus vaccine by May 1. said he expects that the virtual option won’t community, Brous said, even as not all of them because it seemed safer, given the singing that Even synagogues that are taking steps back disappear anytime soon, even on Shabbat, live near Los Angeles — or even in the United takes place during services and data suggesting into their sanctuaries don’t plan to end the where he thinks more people want to return to States. that children may spread the disease less readily virtual services their congregants have been in-person services. “We will be maintaining the online presence than adults, according to Rabbi Beth Kalisch. attending for the last year. “Especially in a time when people have regardless,” she said. Kalisch said there was another reason, too: At Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas, the been so lonely and confined, to be able to give Some critics of virtual services have raised Virtual religious school was a significantly more final day of Passover will mark the first day of them another way to connect on Shabbat with concerns about whether congregants will challenging experience, but Zoom services had the synagogue’s reopening, nearly a month after community is powerful,” he said. return to synagogue buildings when it becomes proven to be a meaningful way of connecting as Texas ended its mask mandate and all statewide The same goes for Rabbi Sharon Brous, the safe. Brous has no such worries. a congregation. pandemic restrictions. The synagogue will open rabbi of Ikar, a nondenominational synagogue “There have been really beautiful advances “People have not been banging on our doors for a Yizkor service for 50 congregants with in Los Angeles, and one of its founders. Though made that have made people feel connected in asking for us to reopen for Shabbat services,” masks and social distancing, and will also add in- she hopes to resume in-person services in the a difficult time,” she said. “But I am not at all Kalisch said. “We’ve also discovered a whole person services for one evening service per week, near future as California expands its vaccination worried that we’re not going to find our way other way of being together that we never would Shabbat morning services and Friday evening eligibility, Brous is sure Ikar will continue to back to each other.” n have constructed before.” services over the course of several weeks. offer some virtual services over the long term. At the Society for the Advancement of “It’s going to be a gradual startup in terms At the beginning of the pandemic, Brous Judaism, a Reconstructionist congregation in of the arc that it’s taking,” Rabbi Ari Sunshine hadn’t thought the virtual Ikar offerings would

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 9 I Feature

‘Relieved but disappointed’: How America’s Jewish refugee aid agency is doing under Biden Ben Sales, originally for the JTA hree weeks after taking office, Joe HIAS into a new era in its history. Founded in where the refugees are and where they need us,” that’s a welcoming environment because that’s Biden announced that he would 1881 as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the Nezer said. “Resettlement is such a wonderful, the whole theme of who we are. It’s really hard.” Tquadruple the number of refugees agency at first was a resource and aid to waves of humanitarian positive solution for people, HIAS was only one piece of Jewish activ- allowed into the United States. newly arrived Jewish immigrants from Eastern but it’s only a solution for a small number of ism on behalf of immigrants in the Trump For HIAS, it seemed like an answered prayer, Europe. Later it worked to resettle Holocaust refugees.” era. Another group, Never Again Action, was as the Jewish refugee aid agency had endured survivors and Soviet Jewish refugees. One advantage of the work abroad is that it founded in 2019 and quickly received national a rough four years under Biden’s predecessor, In the years after the Soviet Union’s col- can be far less dependent on the U.S. president. attention for demonstrating in front of ICE de- Donald Trump. lapse, HIAS shortened its name to the acronym In Ecuador, for example, where HIAS has 420 tention centers, blocking the entrances and be- HIAS, which once focused on resettling and pivoted to resettling non-Jewish refugees employees and 17 offices, the group focuses ing arrested. The tactics were the most explicit refugees, had confronted the first president since World War II who demonized refugees and then temporarily banned them from the United States. The gunman who killed 11 Jews at a Pittsburgh synagogue condemned HIAS by name shortly before the massacre. So HIAS was excited for Biden, who spoke of America’s duty to be a compassionate and welcoming country. Biden’s promise on Feb. 12 to let in 62,500 refugees in 2021 seemed to be a fulfillment of that rhetoric. Trump had set the cap for fiscal year 2021 at 15,000. And then nothing happened. Two months went by in which Biden did not actually raise the limit on refugees above 15,000, and would not say why, despite the prodding of HIAS and other refugee resettlers. More than 700 refugees who had received plane tickets based on Biden’s February promise had to cancel their flights, according to HIAS. In April, Biden made it official: He would not be raising the cap on refugees above the limit set by Trump, though he would let in refugees from a wider range of countries in Africa and the Middle East. Later in the day, following pushback from activists, the White House said it would raise the cap in a month, by May 15. “We’re relieved but disappointed,” said HIAS CEO Mark Hetfield following Friday’s initial announcement that the cap, also known as the refugee ceiling, would not be raised. Following the second statement, Hetfield Activists hold a banner during a pro-refugee demonstration organized by HIAS outside the U.S. Capitol, Sept. 14, 2017. added, “There’s no reason to delay raising the CAPTTION: AARON P. BERNSTEIN/GETTY IMAGES refugee ceiling. It’s just a ceiling, it’s not a floor. They should be focused on what’s the goal and and mobilizing the American Jewish commu- on refugees fleeing conflicts in Colombia and expression of frustration in an American Jew- how are you going to reach it?” nity around advocating for immigrants and Venezuela. ish community that, divided as it might be on The fight over the refugee cap encapsulates refugees. Asked whether the 2020 election changed other issues, has historically championed the a dilemma confronting HIAS as the agency Days after taking office, Trump announced anything, Sabrina Lustgarten, who has man- rights and plights of immigrants. moves from Trump to Biden. On one hand, that he was banning all refugee entry, and while aged the agency’s work in Ecuador, said “We Stephen Lurie, one of the group’s organizers, HIAS leaders are glad that the United States no refugees never stopped coming, the numbers haven’t seen any change with Trump and with said the group hopes to stress that even if, from longer has a president who opposes refugees, plummeted to a fraction of what they once Biden.” its perspective, the Biden administration is separates families at the border and fires up his were. HIAS resettled 3,844 refugees in Fiscal Perhaps the nadir of the Trump era for saying the right things about immigrants, it can base with anti-immigrant rhetoric. Year 2016, but only 1,171 two years later with HIAS, as for the entire American Jewish be pushed to do more. On the other hand, they say that Trump Trump in office. community, came on Oct. 27, 2018, when a “One of the challenges that we’re facing, did so much harm, and made immigration Trump’s actions on immigration, beginning white supremacist wrote on social media that or anyone that’s doing advocacy on this front so heated an issue, that it will be a challenge with the travel ban, spurred a flood of donations “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our faces, is that people may believe that the just to bring the immigration and refugee to HIAS. Since the start of Trump’s term, the people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get administration is doing the best it can already, systems back to where they were before Trump. agency more than doubled its annual budget slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” and that is demobilizing,” Lurie said. “There Returning to a point in which the U.S. allows to $90 million. But resettling refugees — how Soon after, he entered the Tree of Life*Or actually is still a big gap between what they can hundreds of thousands of refugees a year, and the organization had once spent the majority L’simcha synagogue in Pittsburgh and do and what they are doing.” passing immigration reform through Congress, of donations — became unprecedentedly perpetrated the worst anti-Semitic attack in The April announcement drove that these leaders say, feels even more daunting. controversial and difficult. American history, killing 11 Jews as they prayed gap home to Hetfield. He still sees the Biden “It’s just a relief to have that administration With its windfall, HIAS sued the Trump on Shabbat. administration as an ally rather than an in the rearview mirror,” said Melanie Nezer, administration over its travel ban, increased its “It was a real wakeup call for us,” Hetfield adversary. And he’s happy that the changes vice president for public affairs at HIAS. She advocacy work and shifted its weight outside said, adding that before the Trump era and the Biden did make will allow resettlement agencies dubbed the Trump era “the fire swamp.” the U.S. The organization opened offices in shooting, he had thought resettling refugees to meet the limit of 15,000 refugees this year. But Nezer is cognizant as well of “the sheer Mexico to help people who were camped on was relatively uncontroversial. But Biden’s decision to delay raising the amount of time, effort and creativity it’s going the other side of the border. Overall, it opened Until the Trump administration, according limit means that, just like in past years, Hetfield to take for the new administration and those offices in five new countries, sending its total to to the Pew Research Center, the United States is looking to the future, hoping for better news. of us who work on these issues to unravel and 16 foreign offices. Rather than helping potential consistently let in more refugees than the rest “We don’t know if they’re clarifying or fix it.” refugees reach the United States, HIAS assists of the world combined, no matter who was backpedaling or what,” he said following the “The prior administration really decimated them in accessing resources and obtain rights president. White House’s second announcement. “They our infrastructure, our systems, our staffing,” and legal status in their home nations. And “We were such an apple pie issue,” he said. should just raise the damn ceiling and figure she said. “It’s stunning to think about the the agency increased its fundraising work in “We didn’t have to worry about security, and out how many refugees they can bring in under damage that was done.” Europe. now we realized we’re just like every Jewish that ceiling, and what’s the plan for doing it.” n In a sense, the Trump administration thrust “We decided we needed to do the work agency, yet we have to create an environment 10 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 SAVE THE DATE

2021 Wednesday, Jewish Federation of Annual Greater Ann Arbor's June 9, 2021 Meeting 7pm

Optional schmoozing in Celebrate a year of Zoom breakout rooms resilience immediately following the meeting

9MAY

J F S w o u l d l i k e t o w i s h a l l t h e m o t h e r s , g r a n d m o t h e r s , d a u g h t e r s , a u n t s a n d n i e c e s a w o n d e r f u l M o t h e r ' s D a y 2 0 2 1 ! C o n s i d e r g i v i n g a t r i b u t e g i f t i n h o n o r o f a s p e c i a l p e r s o n : j f s a n n a r b o r . o r g / d o n a t e

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 11 I Feature

Jewish Poland then, Jewish Poland now By Shifra Epstein first visited Poland in 1988. On March 9 cialized in tours to Poland for Orthodox Jews has been undergoing a revival in Poland. later, Gebert, now a well-known reporter and 10 of that year, I traveled to Poland Most of the country’s Jews and columnist with the leading Polish daily Iwith a group of 95 American Hasidim on live in Warsaw, but smaller Gazeta Wyborcza, has become one of the a 48-hour pilgrimage to visit several cem- communities also exist in most prominent advocates in Poland and eteries in Poland where Hasidic rebbes and Kraków, Wrocław, Łód, Ka- abroad for (re)building the Jewish commu- other distinguished rabbis are buried. The towice, Szczecin, Gdask and nity in Poland. pilgrimage was organized by Reichberg Trav- several other cities. Jewish We also discovered that in 1988, two el, a veteran Hasidic Travel Agency of Bor- cultural festivals, kosher res- important Jewish cultural institutions of ough Park, Brooklyn, owned by R. Mendel taurants, klezmer bands and the past were still in operation. The first Reichberg (1922–2011), a Bobover Hasid. I Jewish schools have returned is the bilingual Jewish-Polish newspaper was the only non-Hasidic person on the tour, to the Poland of today. Folks-Sztyme. The second is the Ester Rachel and only one among five women who par- Counting the number and Ida Kaminska State Yiddish Theater in ticipated in the event. Visiting Poland for the of Jews in Poland is a com- Warsaw. first time and traveling with Hasidim was an plicated issue. One reason We traveled to the summer resort city uplifting experience for me. is the phenomenon of the of Shwodborow, 15 miles east of Warsaw, The highlight of the pilgrimage was the “New Jew,” young Poles who to observe the performance of the Yiddish visit to the grave of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk discover their hidden Jew- theater. The performance was for an (1717–1786) in the city of Lizhensk (Lezajsk ish roots. Institutions where audience of one of the most prominent in Polish), approximately 127 miles east of Jewish organizations in Poland, the Social- Ankah and Shlomo Newman in Miodowa Cemetery in Kra- people can explore their Krakow. The occasion of the celebration kow with their recently discovered nice, Sofia Radikova, Jewish heritage are growing, Cultural Association. The actors performing was R. Elimelech’s yortsayt, “the annual still from "Pilgrimage of Remembrance." further contributing to the in Yiddish were not Yiddish speakers. They celebration of the death.” Jewish population in Po- mostly learn their roles in Yiddish. Likewise, Upon my return home, which was then land. According to the 2002 the majority among the audience didn’t Austin, Texas, I was able to convince Yaron Polish census there were know Yiddish either. Shemer, a fellow Israeli and a student at the 1,055 Polish citizens who In 1991, the Folks-Sztyme was closed for Department of Film at the University of declared their nationality as good. However, the Yiddish theater continues Texas, to produce a film on Jews in Poland. Jewish. In the 2011 Polish in other ways. With some creativity, Yaron and I were able census this had increased to I hope this brief article and the program to raise a modest budget from the University 7,353. However, the Ameri- on May 30 will inspire more Michigan of Texas which made it possible for us to fly can Jewish Joint Distribu- locals to travel to Poland to visit sites to Poland for a second time in the summer tion Committee and Jewish connected with the 1,000 year history of of 1988 and make the film, “Pilgrimage of Agency for Israel estimate Jews in Poland. I am planning to return to Remembrance: the Jews of Poland Today.” that there are between Poland next year to participate in a 48-hour The award-winning film will be presented 25,000 and 100,000 Jews in Hasidic pilgrimage, organized specifically on May 30 during the program “Jewish Poland today. for women, to the graves of Hasidic Rebbes Life in Poland: Then and Now.” The full I recently discovered that and Rebezzen in Poland and Hungary. This program, a partnership between Beth Israel more than 1,200 Israelis of pilgrimage, scheduled for March 24–25, Congregation, the Jewish Federation of all walks of life and of dif- 2022, is organized by Reichberg Travel and Greater Ann Arbor, and JCC Krakow, will Local Jewish men await Hasidim next to the Rema Syna- ferent backgrounds are call- will be led by Rebbetzin Sara Meisels, the also feature two distinguished guests from gogue, still from "Pilgrimage of Remembrance." ing Poland home. They live daughter of the late Bobover Rebbe, R. Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, the Chief of all denominations and backgrounds. We mostly in Warsaw and work as translators, Shlomo Halberstam (1908–2000). Rabbi of Poland and Jonathan Ornstein, the follow this group to the former extermina- tour guides, security personal, and in high- I invite Jewish women from Ann Arbor executive director of the JCC in Krakow. The tion camp in Majdanek near Lublin. tech. and from elsewhere in the United States program, open to all, will begin on Zoom at The more than hundred and twenty Jew- “Pilgrimage of Remembrance” also pro- to join me on the pilgrimage. I promise it 10:30 a.m. ish cemeteries in Poland are major destina- vides a glimpse into Polish Jewry thirty is going to be an interesting and inspiring As I reviewed the film to prepare for this tions for many Israelis visiting Poland. In the years ago before the revival. In the film, we event. Men are, of course, also invited. presentation, I was brought back to Poland cemeteries, Yaron and I met several Israelis meet several old-time members of the Jew- However, they will join other Jewish men, in the late 1980s, its Jewish visitors and its searching for tombstones of their relatives. ish community of Poland. They survived the Hasidim and not-Hasidim, and will travel Jewish community as it was emerging into For instance, in the Moidowa cemetery in Holocaust and the pogroms which followed. on separate pilgrimages. one of the most vibrant Jewish communities Krakow we met Shlomo Heiman and his Their numbers are dwindling. We meet Mrs. Visiting the grave of R. Elimelech on in Europe today. wife and brother searching for tombstones Chana Fogel, born in 1914, who fled to Rus- the occasion of his yortsayt on the 21 of For the film, we followed several Jewish of members of his family buried there. sia during the war and came back to Krakow Adar II (March 24, 2022) will be a good tourists for whom Poland has become a In the Jewish cemetery of the city of after the war. We meet her in the Rema Cem- place and time for all of us, women of religious and familial destination. After Kazimierz Donly, 127 miles northeast of etery cleaning the tombstone of her husband. different denominations, to thank God for the fall of Communism and the opening Krakow and once the home of a thriving She is dedicated to the Hasidim who come the invention of the COVID vaccine which of Poland to western tourism more than Jewish community, we met another Israeli, on pilgrimage to Krakow, helping cook for helped us survive the pandemic. thirty years ago, Poland has become the though with a different mission. Zusya Efron them in the kitchen of the Rema Synagogue. At the end of the pilgrimage we can second most popular (after Israel) tourist (1911–2002) who was born in Poland and is We meet Jewish shnorers, “beggars,” stay in Poland and further explore sites destination for Jewish travelers. Hasidim the former director of Mishkan Museum of members of the Krakow Jewish community connected with the 1,000-year history of were among the first to return to Poland after Art in Kibbutz Ein Harod, had been coming who come to the cemetery when Hasidim ar- the Jews in Poland. In Warsaw we will visit the fall of Communism and continue to visit to Poland since the early 1970s in order to rive and beg for money and food. the Polin Museum of the History of Polish every year since. Only COVID-19 prevented document synagogues and cemeteries. The viewer is also introduced to several Jews. I hope Professor Barbara Kirshenblatt- Hasidim from returning to Poland in 2020 During Yom Hazikaron laShoah ve- (then) young members of the Jewish com- Gimblett, the Chief Curator of the Core and 2021 laG’vurah/’Holocaust and Heroism Remem- munity. They were mostly intellectuals who Exhibition and Advisor to the Director of The Hasidic pilgrimages to Poland have a brance Day’ this year, while I was writing the were concerned with the future of the Jewish the Polin Museum, will be in Poland at this special place in the film. We meet R. Mendel final version of my presentation on the film community of Poland. time as well. Reichberg, the owner of Reichberg Travel. to Beth Israel, the prayer El Male Rachamim, Take, for example, Konstanty Gebert, We can also visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Reichberg was a pioneer, in the 1970s, in “God, full of mercy, dwelling on high,” sung then a young journalist and intellectual, who State Museum and the newly expanded organizing pilgrimages to Poland. In the by the cantor, became for me a mini memo- lost his job as a psychologist in 1988. Gebert Auschwitz Jewish Center. And finally, you can film we see Reichberg arriving with a group rial service. is married to a non-Jewish woman, though also spend time in Warsaw, just shopping. In of Hasidim at the Rema synagogue (named “Pilgrimage of Remembrance” provides they are raising their children Jewish. At the recent years Warsaw has become a shopping after Rabbi Moses Isserles, known as the a glimpse into the beginnings of Poland time, he was quite pessimist about the future destination for many Israeli women of all Rema) in Krakow. becoming, post-1989, a home to one of the of the Jewish community of Poland which, walks of life. n The film also follows the pilgrimage orga- fastest-growing Jewish communities in the he claimed, needs leadership and scholar- nized by an Israel travel agency, Akivah Weiss world. ship. of Bne-Braq, Israel. Akiva Lachish Tours spe- Jewish cultural, social, and religious life It is interesting that thirty-three years

12 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Community

Beth Israel Congregation May events BIC showing film “Walking While Black” Amanda Glucklich, special to the WJN “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer” day Jewish life in innumerable ways. This Film, Presentation, and Discussion presentation will discuss two key feminist eth Israel Congregation is pleased to police officers, these divisions are clear as is Sunday, May 2, 4 p.m. concepts: “the personal is political” and announce a collaboration with the the way forward: we need to meet each other, Interested in learning about your “consciousness raising,” to examine how Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Depart- talk to each other, establish the connections community, opening your heart to people contemporary American Judaism has been B ment on a screening for interested members that overcome the divisions. Love may be the in it, volunteering to be part of the solution influenced by these ideas. Register on the of our community of the 2017 movie “Walk- answer, but returning to the type of commu- in their lives and empowering others to do Beth Israel website. Living Room Lectures ing While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer,” on nity policing we gave up would also be criti- the same? Join us for a showing of “Walking is a partnership of Beth Israel Congregation Sunday, May 2, at 4 p.m. After the 90-min- cal. Summary: Riveting and important. While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer”, a film and the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor. by A.J. Ali. The screening (90 minutes) will be followed by a presentation and discussion Jewish Life in Poland: Then and Now (90 minutes). Please register for this event Sunday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. on the Beth Israel website (www.bethisrael- Join us for a brief film screening and aa.org). This program is brought to you, in conversation with the producer of partnership, by Beth Israel Congregation, “Pilgrimage of Remembrance: The Jews of Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Jewish Poland” (1991), Shifra Epstein, Executive Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, and the Director of the Jewish Community Center Jewish Community Relations Council. in Krakow Jonathan Ornstein, and the Chief Rabbi of Poland Rabbi Michael Schundrich. Tot Shabbat with the Caine Family Register on the Beth Israel website. Friday, May 14, 5:30 p.m. Join Rav Nadav, Lynne, Merav and Ziva for Theology Book Club - Online Kabbalat Tot Shabbat by Zoom! Bring in Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Shabbat with music, dancing, candle lighting, Beth Israel Congregation’s Theology Book and kiddush. Invite your friends! If you are Club welcomes you to join them to read new to the program and have not received together and discuss books on Jewish your special Tot Shabbat bag, contact Sam at thought and beliefs. The books are in [email protected]. English. Contact Paul Shifrin at (248) 514- 7276 for more information. Shabbat Biweekly Lunch and Learn: Contemporary Issues in Jewish Law with Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin Filmmaker Mr. A.J. Ali Rabbi Caine Mondays at 3:30 p.m. Rabbi Dobrusin will be facilitating a Talmud ute documentary, attendees are invited to Saturday, May 15, 11:45 a.m. stay for a presentation and discussion led by From the kashrut of eating in restaurants class online on Monday afternoons from 3:30–4:30. While we will read the Hebrew/ filmmaker Mr. A.J. Ali and human resources to electric cars to Zoom on Shabbat, Rabbi consultant/former law enforcement officer Caine brings traditional Jewish legal codes Aramaic text, translations are available and all discussions will be in English. All are Mr. Nathaniel “Nat” Alston. And while “love” is always important and responsa to have us consider “Jewish “Walking While Black” interviews police as we interact with our fellow community Law” thoughtfully and to elucidate the welcome to join regardless of the level of your familiarity with Hebrew. officers and community members in Bal- members, Mr. Ali’s “L.O.V.E.” stands for issues of living Jewishly in our modern lives. timore, Benton Harbor, and Los Angeles Learn, Open, Volunteer, and Empower — a Biweekly through May 15 following Saturday Pirke Avot: Teachings of the Sages among other locations to open up important critical approach to moving beyond rhetoric services. Register on the BIC website. Thursdays at 5 p.m. issues in police/community relations. toward action. Understanding “L.O.V.E.” will Rabbi Dobrusin will facilitate “Zoom” Here is a review of the movie written in be the focus of the 90-minute post-screening Collaborative Justice-Themed Shavuot discussions on the classic Rabbinic text: January by a BIC member: presentation and discussion. Evening Tikkun Learning Pirke Avot. While the title is usually We have been living in a “zero tolerance” There is no cost for attending the screen- Sunday, May 16, 8 p.m. Area rabbis and leaders will be joining translated as “Teachings of the Sages”, a environment for policing since the 1990s. ing/presentation. We look forward to having together for a Zoom Shavuot Tikkun on more interesting translation is “Chapters of This impactful documentary examines the you join us! For more information and to n Sunday May 16 from 8 to 11 p.m. Washtenaw Fundamental Principles.” Pirke Avot consists divisions that have resulted. Seen through register, visit bethisrael-aa.org. County Prosecutor Eli Savit will be the of short rabbinic statements concerning the eyes of both community members and keynote to begin, and then there will be ethics, faith, and interpersonal relationships. multiple concurrent learning opportunities Reading Pirke Avot helps us focus on the in various Zoom rooms. Email office@ values and principles which guide our lives. bethisrael-aa.org for the required passcode. We will study the text in English referring $15 minimum wage for Washtenaw Leaders from Ann Arbor Reconstructionist occasionally to the Hebrew. The text can be Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, found in the Shabbat morning Sim Shalom county government employees Hillel, Jewish Cultural Society, Pardes siddur. Check the online calendar for specific Stephanie Glass, special to the WJN Hannah, and Temple Beth Emeth. dates. ashtenaw County Board of as well as advocating on behalf of low-income Commissioner’s April 7 meet- citizens. CAB is comprised of private, public, Shavuot Morning Services Online Services Everyone is welcome to join Beth Israel for ing was a short session focused and consumer representation, and Adams will Monday, May 17, 9:30 a.m. W services, classes, and events, all virtually. on confirming appointments and passing a be serving as a public representative through Tuesday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. with Yizkor Below is a list of the links to participate in number of resolutions, including an approval the end of the year. included to provide a $15 an hour minimum wage for The resolution to provide a $15 Join us for both Shavuot morning services services at Beth Israel. Beth Israel is now all regular, full-time Washtenaw County Gov- minimum wage for all regular, full-time with Yizkor included during services on May live streaming services on the Beth Israel ernment staff. Washtenaw County Government staff passed 18. YouTube channel (Beth Israel Congregation AA MI). All links will also be available on the Chair Sue Shink (District 2) and unanimously and will go into effect on May 9. Living Room Lectures – Molli Spalter Presents Beth Israel homepage (www.bethisrael-aa. Commissioner Morgan (District 8) will According to a press release from the County, “The Stories We Tell: Pulling Back the Veil on org). Please note that passwords are used. continue to serve on the Environmental this resolution will only “impact a small Judaism and Feminism” Contact the office to get the links at office@ Council through March 2022, aiding the portion of the current workforce, as the vast Sunday, May 23, 1 p.m. bethisrael-aa.org. Council in its work to address environmental majority of Washtenaw County government Many contemporary Jewish practices Evening Minyan and intergenerational injustice through employees have been making over $15 an are indebted to feminist interventions. Sunday at 5 p.m. policy recommendations to the county hour for several years.” Chair Shink said Women’s inclusion in prayer service and Monday–Thursday at 7:30 p.m. government. Notably, the Council hopes to that while the resolution is an “important ordination, for instance, would have been achieve net-zero emissions from all County first step,” $15 an hour is not enough to help impossible without the strides made by Friday Evening Services operations by 2030. The Board additionally Washtenaw County families out of poverty. 20th and 21st century feminist movements. Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 6 p.m. approved the appointment of Linda Adams She shared that the Board would continue While the feminist impact on the public Shabbat Morning Services to the Community Action Board (CAB), an working to “disrupt generational poverty” n aspect of Jewish law and practice are well Saturday at 9:30 a.m. n advisory group addressing matters related to and support residents. known, feminism has influenced day-to- the antecedents and consequences of poverty

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 13 I Community

Visiting art in person again, Olivia Guterson and Laura Earle Art Review by Idelle Hammond-Sass uring Passover I had an opportunity The exhibit, “Lumenality: Embodying Light,” Guterson’s lacelike designs. As I passed through the well-attended “Saturday Night Seder,” the to go to Detroit to view a temporary on display till the end of April, is a collaboration and under the lanterns, I felt a sense of wonder amazing Zoom seder offered last year featuring Dart installation at MOCAD (Museum between artist/curator Laura Earle and Olivia and delight. Continuing to the back of the gal- well-known entertainers. of Contemporary Art Detroit) by Detroit art- Guterson. The impetus for the show was their lery, a floating, fluttering rainbow of butterflies For this Passover, REBOOT was part of a ist Olivia Guterson. Her piece, “At Our Table,” dual desire to create an uplifting, joyous, and in- with golden inner wings threw shadows on the national project that invited artists to create was one of the installations for REBOOT’s spiring experience. As Guterson explained, she wall, moving into and out of focus, like lost outdoor installations in cities around the coun- souls. While beautiful and ethereal, this piece try to explore the idea of “Dwelling in a time of also invites contemplation, as artist Laura Earle Plagues.” Olivia Guterson created an installation explained that the migrations of animals and for Detroit, “At Our Table.” Outside and visible butterflies, as well as many lives lost to COVID, from the parking lot at MOCAD, the installa- were very much on her mind this year while she tion was a riff on the theme of “Plastover” — a was working. look at our dependency on single use plastic, Earle frequently uses computer-aided design and how we can “free ourselves from the plague and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to realize her of plastic waste,” just as we get rid of hametz at sculptural work, used here to cut Guterson’s in- Passover. At the entrance to the site, a container proclaimed “Let my Plastics Go Bitul Hametz: Nullify your plastics!” The plastic collected will be turned into eco-bricks by Hazon Detroit. Guterson’s multi-racial heritage informs her work, as well as growing up in New Mexico where she was influenced by the landscapes, textures, and patterns around her as a language that draws from both her Jewish and African American heritage. She works primarily in black and white, incorporating ancestral patterns and narratives, an unraveling and re-weaving of her experience. Olivia Guterson working on "At Our Table." Laura Earle's butterflies, "Lumenality." As I looked closely at the Passover table Gut- erson had created, complete with seder plates,

Olivia Guterson, detail, "At Our Table." “Plastover: An Exo- Laura Earle and Olivia Guterson, "Lumenality: dus from Plastic Embodying Light," at 22 North Gallery. Art Hop presents quality work by local artists: Waste” initiative and was installed outside tricate designs into plastic tableware, and her lace-like meandering glass, painting, wood, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and at MOCAD. Guter- the structure of the designs, two things caught my attention. She wearables, photography, gifts, cards and more. son’s installation was lanterns. Earle also took the project to heart, noting she could not In Open Studios, porches, garages and yards on also a part of the na- Olivia Guterson, "At Our Table," installed at creates furniture celebrate Passover as usual this year with her tional “Dwelling in Detroit's MOCAD and Judaica, such family. In order to cover the table, she had wo- the Westside – see website for Artists’ names, a Time of Plagues” as an Omer Coun- ven together hundreds of plastic bags to create commissions that wanted to create a space that would ter and Menorah designs. An active artist and a tablecloth almost 15 feet long, representing map and more info. were installed in cities bring joy both to her young child as curator, Earle and Ann Arbor artist Leslie Sobel the many hours that she collected bags from around the country well as adults, where they could ex- are leading a group of artists to prepare a mul- the streets in her Detroit neighborhood. It was during both Sukkot perience “hope and wonder.” With timedia exhibition to open at 22 North in July sobering, those woven bags, reminding me of and Passover. the long and isolated winter, COVID, titled “All We Can Save,” based on a book of the the enormity of the waste we create. Each chair As luck would political uncertainties, actions and ac- same name. Earle’s other projects have included back (socially distanced) was marked for the have it, Guterson was tivism providing plenty of stress, this an exhibit titled “Seeing White” which took on four questions — How do we learn the story, also exhibiting at 22 Laura Earle and Olivia is a time for art to be healing and con- the long history of racism in the U.S. based on re-imagining the outcome, so we can move past North Gallery in Yp- Guterson, "Lumenali- templative. the podcast of the same name, and back in De- this consumer-driven waste? silanti the night be- ty: Embodying Light," By embracing light, the many pat- cember, Guterson and Earle also collaborated Although the Plastover project is over, fore I was to go. I was at 22 North Gallery terns and shadows bring the space to on a REBOOT event for the third night of you can see the installations online at www. excited to venture out life. As you enter the gallery you pass Chanukah, “The Light Within,” which featured bycanvas.org (plaguedwelling.com) and read in search of art and an opportunity to meet art- through vertical branches and enter a circular similar lantern forms in a large outdoor meno- about it at www.nu-detroit.com/setting-our- ists, something I had not done for the past year labyrinth lit with pinpoints of light emanat- rah illuminated by solar power. The purpose table. 22 North Gallery has exhibits planned (except on Zoom), and to see two exhibits by ing from within. Although we were there a bit was to bring light and shine a light upon the through the summer and fall. I hope you will the same artist. And unlike online events, it was early, as dusk fell the lights twinkled and glowed families that have been impacted by COVID-19 feel like venturing out of your routine, to ex- great to see people and objects in three dimen- gently, while in the center of the spiral were il- and homelessness. Guterson’s design motifs il- perience the joy and wonder of light and the sions with all the complexity of using my senses, luminated lanterns of various sizes and designs. luminated all from within. magical worlds these artists have created. n to hear, see, and feel the space. Lanterns with openwork patterns, suspended REBOOT is a nonprofit arts and culture Idelle Hammond-Sass is a Jewelry and 22 North is an exhibit space in Ypsilanti ded- from the ceiling, threw intriguing shadows. organization which has reimagined a number Judaica artist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, www. icated to encouraging emerging and established Two large circular paintings anchor the space of Jewish themes and holidays, “reinforcing idellehammond-sass.com. artists to create their most adventurous works. on both sides of the gallery filled with Olivia Jewish thought and traditions.” They produced 14 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Community

Exploration of Jewish diversity in 5th grade at HDS Lisa P. Bernstein, special to the WJN “Three, two, one…play!” The boys hit play on record stories about immigration from the “old they are assigned to research and learn about course. We have only to look in our own commu- the recordings at the same time. Masked and country.” Students include recipes, documents, a different Jewish ethnic group. Students learn nity to see a great deal of diversity in Jewish iden- sitting six feet apart, they were listening to Pass- family traditions, and photos of heirlooms. about Jews from Morocco, Ethiopia, Yemen, tity. People identify Jewishly in many different ways over melodies from different parts of the world, Over the years, these have included wedding Persia, Iraq, or India. They find out about how — heritage, covenant and faith, ethics, ethnicity, each on their own Chromebooks. They decided ketubot, conversion certificates, a unique hag- Jews arrived there, how they were treated by the and more. We end the year with the “I Am Jewish” project, focusing on Jewish identity. Students inter- to synchronize as they listened to Yemenite, gadah, and a pair of eyeglasses. As students work non-Jewish majority, unique holiday and life cy- view a parent about their Jewish identity, and are North African, Chasidic, and other renditions then matched with a community member who of Passover classics like Avadim Hayinu, V’hi is willing to participate in an email interview. The SheAmda, and Dayeinu. They laughed and ex- group of community members whom students pressed amazement at the different melodies interview is, of course, diverse, composed of indi- and Hebrew pronunciations they heard. The viduals who are secular and religious, traditional recordings from different traditions exemplify and non-traditional, young and old. The parents the overarching theme of Jewish diversity in the and community members answer questions such Judaic Studies curriculum in 5th grade at the as how and why they make being Jewish a part of Hebrew Day School. their lives, how they are connected to other Jews and the Jewish community, their beliefs, practices, While most students are familiar with the experiences, and feelings about being Jewish. story of the Exodus and the wandering in the Finally, as a culminating project both to desert, Jewish history gets fuzzy for them after this “I Am Jewish” unit, to the fifth-grade year, that. How did our people go from twelve tribes and all their years at HDS, students write their entering Canaan to being a Jewish people spread own essays about what being Jewish means to all over the world? Through the use of a couple them at this point in their lives. These essays lessons, which I fondly call “Jewish History on are often very moving, and they demonstrate One Foot,” students get a quick overview of con- on the project over the span of several months, cle rituals and traditions, and about their immi- that even in our own class, the students them- quests and dispersions, highlights and lowlights children, parents, and often grandparents con- gration and absorption to Israel. It’s interesting selves have a variety of ways in which they iden- of Jewish history. The students then move on to tribute their photos and family stories — many to the students to find out that Yemenite boys tify as Jewish. The essays also demonstrate that a variety of projects. times, stories the students are hearing for the learned to read upside down because they had our students have a strong foundational Jew- Students and their families love working on first time. to share books and that Moroccan Jews have a ish identity as they prepare to venture into the the Family History Project. Students compile a Most American Jews trace their ancestry to chair for Elijah hanging on the wall of the suk- more diverse landscape of middle school. They scrapbook album, complete with photos and Eastern Europe. We’re largely Ashkenazi Jews, kah! As the students learn about these things, are ready to contribute to the beautiful diversity copies of documents, which tell their own fam- and the family history albums usually depict they are tasked with writing a research paper, of the Jewish community and to the diversity of ily stories. They find out why their parents chose these traditions and immigration stories. In which reinforces the writing skills they are de- our broader Ann Arbor community. n their name and what older family members order to explore other Jewish cultures, students veloping in their General Studies class. liked to do when they were in 5th grade, and also engage in the “Am Yisrael” project, in which Jewish diversity extends beyond ethnicity, of

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Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 15 CROSSINGS

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16 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 CROSSINGS

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Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 19 I Feature

One Jewish photographer’s mission to preserve the legacy of the Rosenwald schools Dave Schechter, originally for the JTA o the end of his life, the civil rights dren in the South, an estimated number of should uniquely sympathize with the plight of that.” hero and later congressman John more than 663,000 students. Lewis was one. African-Americans. Feiler, a Savannah native, began taking pho- TLewis remembered the half-mile walk Others included writer Maya Angelou, civil “The horrors that are due to race prejudice tographs as a 10-year-old, wielding a Kodak from his family’s farm in rural Pike County, rights activist Medgar Evers, and playwright come home to the Jew more forcefully than to Instamatic. His avocation has since become a Alabama, to the Dunn’s Chapel School. and director George Wolfe. A study published others of the white race, on account of the cen- vocation. There was no school bus for Black children; by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago found turies of persecution which they have suffered “Starting in mid-2008, I went through 4 1/2 that the educational gains by and still suffer,” he said. very difficult years — the death of a business A portrait of Jewish Rosenwald school students In 1912, a couple of years after reading partner, near-death of my brother, health col- philanthropist Julius spurred many Black young Washington’s autobiography, Up From Slav- lapse of my father and over three years of real adults to migrate north, and ery, Rosenwald met its author, the founder of estate workouts during the Great Recession,” he Rosenwald at the Noble Hill those who remained in the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (to- said. “Collectively these experiences caused me School in Bartow County, South had wage gains over day called Tuskegee University). Together they to ask what I wanted to do with the rest of my Ga. one of his namesake their peers who did not attend set out to change the educational landscape of life. I still manage our family real estate business, “Rosenwald schools” the schools. the region. but I now do it part-time.” for Black children in the The Rosenwald schools Rosenwald personally invested $4.3 million His first book, published in 2015, wasWith - segregated South. (Andrew closed several decades ago, — more than $80 million in today’s currency out Regard to Sex, Race, or Color: The Past, Feiler) a process accelerated by the — to construct the schools. In varying ratios Present, and Future of One Historically Black landmark 1954 Supreme over the years, matching funds came from the College (University of Georgia Press), a tour of Court ruling that racially seg- Black community and white-controlled gov- abandoned classrooms and facilities at Morris regated, “separate but ernments. Brown College in Atlanta. The school, on the equal” schools were Rosenwald’s philanthropic philosophy was city’s west side, emerged relatively recently from “inherently unequal” “give while you live,” believing that a founda- bankruptcy and is seeking reaccreditation. and violated the Equal tion should expend its funds within a predeter- Feiler’s latest work was influenced artistical- Protection Clause of mined period. To that end, he stipulated that ly by the early history of the Rosenwald schools, the 14th Amendment the Rosenwald Fund, created in 1917 to support specifically a pilot project built near Tuskegee. of the Constitution. the schools and his other philanthropic proj- “Washington sent Rosenwald photographs Of the roughly ects, should cease operations within 25 years of of the children and teachers proudly gathered 10% of the school- his death. in front of their new schools,” Feiler said. “These houses that remain, By the time the fund stopped operating in deeply moved Rosenwald and contributed some have been repur- 1948, some $70 million (equaling more than to his support for expanding the program. posed as museums or $700 million today) had been spent benefiting Making such photographs became common, community centers, schools, colleges and universities, Jewish and they are a prominent visual element of the while others have de- charities and institutions serving the Black program’s history.” cayed with the passing community. Recipients of Rosenwald-funded Feiler usually works in color, “but I found years. A small number fellowships included singer Marian Anderson; this history so compelling that I decided to pay still operate as schools. poet Langston Hughes; authors James Baldwin, homage to these historical images and shoot my A restored classroom at the Pine Grove School in Richland Atlanta-based pho- Ralph Ellison and W.E.B. Du Bois; diplomat Rosenwald schools work entirely in black and County, South Carolina, one of the “Rosenwald schools” tographer Andrew Ralph Bunche; photographer Gordon Parks; white and horizontal,” he said. funded by the Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to Feiler, a fifth-gener- and choreographer-dancer Katherine Dunham. Feiler hopes his book can add to the steps educate Black children in the segregated South. ation Georgian Jew, The fund also financed early litigation by the that have been taken to preserve Rosenwald’s Caption (Andrew Feiler) has spent several years NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organi- memory. In 2002, the National Trust for traveling throughout the South zation, that led to the historic Supreme Court Historic Preservation declared the Rosenwald Photographer documenting what remains of the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of To- schools a National Treasure, placing them on its Andrew Feiler at school sites. Now the images have peka making integrated education the law of list of Most Endangered Places and providing the Carver School in been compiled in his book A Bet- the land. The decision also began the close of assistance “to help save these icons of progressive ter Life for Their Children: Julius the era of the Rosenwald schools. architecture for community use.” Coffee County, Ga., Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, Despite some recent efforts to tell the story On Jan. 13, the day that he was impeached by working on his project and the 4,978 Schools that Changed of the Rosenwald schools, including the 2015 the House of Representatives, President Donald documenting the sites America, published this month by documentary “Rosenwald,” it remains a lesser- Trump signed the Julius Rosenwald and the of former Rosenwald University of Georgia Press. Lewis known piece of American history. That’s what Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020, which directs schools. authored the foreword not long attracted Feiler to the project. the Department of the Interior to study the before his death in July from pan- Feiler spoke to Jeanne Cyriaque, a historian sites of the former schools for preservation. It’s creatic cancer at age 80. of African-American culture, and she detailed a first step toward creating a multistate national The 136-page book, featuring her efforts to preserve what remained of the park that would include some of the surviving 85 black-and-white images, is the Rosenwald schools. schoolhouses and a visitors center in Chicago. Lewis’ hike was short compared with the miles product of 3 1/2 years of research — and 25,000 As the African-American Programs Backers say it would be the first national park walked by many of his classmates. They were miles of driving. Feiler photographed 105 of the coordinator for Georgia’s Historic Preservation site to honor a Jewish American. being educated in surroundings separate from structures that once housed Rosenwald schools, Division, Cyriaque sought out the oldest The Jewish American Society for whites, but hardly equal. along with some of the men and women whose structures in Black communities in the state’s Historic Preservation has erected markers The school was a small, wooden, white- lives were changed by the education they re- 159 counties. acknowledging the role played by the Jewish washed building with a large window. An inte- ceived in their classrooms. “In that quest I would ultimately become philanthropist at Tuskegee University in rior wall partitioned the space into two rooms, “It simply became imperative that I share a preservationist of remaining [Rosenwald] Alabama, and at the sites of Rosenwald schools heated by potbelly stoves, burning wood that these stories as part of this endeavor, so each schools and an advocate for documenting their in Warrenton and Rectortown, both in Virginia. students fetched from a nearby forest. Water image or pair of images comes with a narra- powerful stories of African American achieve- Rosenwald and Washington’s shared vision was drawn and carried from a farmer’s well up tive written by me,” the 59-year-old Feiler said. ment in education,” she wrote in a contribution changed the educational landscape of the South the road. “This is a book of photography, but it is also a to Feiler’s book. and expanded the horizons for generations of Dunn’s Chapel was a “Rosenwald school,” book of stories.” Feiler said the story of the schools “shocked students. That certainly was the case at the one of nearly 5,000 such schools built across 15 Rosenwald, who was born in 1862 and died me.” Dunn’s Chapel School, where the young John Southern states from 1912 to 1932. This effort in 1932, was part owner and president of Sears, “How could I [have] never heard of Rosen- Lewis loved to read biographies and learned was an outgrowth of a collaboration between Roebuck & Co., back when the Sears, Roebuck wald schools? The pillars of this story — Jewish, “that there were black people out there who had Julius Rosenwald, the son of German Jewish mail-order catalog was the Amazon of its day. Southern, progressive, activist — these are the made their mark on the world,” as he wrote in immigrants and a leading philanthropist of his As a member of Chicago Sinai Congregation, pillars of my life,” he said. “That afternoon I sat the foreword to A Better Life for Their Children. time, and Booker T. Washington, the renowned he was influenced by the social justice teachings at my desk in Atlanta and Googled ‘Rosenwald The structure itself may have been basic in educator born into slavery in Virginia. of Rabbi Emil Hirsch, one of which held that schools.’ I quickly found there were a few books design and lacking amenities, but as Lewis re- In the years they operated, Rosenwald “property entails duties.” on the topic, but there was no comprehensive membered: “It was beautiful, and it was our schools educated one-third of rural Black chil- For his part, Rosenwald believed that Jews photographic account. I set out to create exactly school.” n

20 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Feature

Looking for Rose: The daily ferry to Benton Harbor Clare Kinberg 17th installment in a series

y Aunt Rose and her husband in their own front yard or to be run out of more marvelous thing than Idlewild?” brings me so close to Aunt Rose I can almost Mr. Arnwine lived on Chicago’s town for competing with white businesses.” Idlewild was a gathering place for African inhabit her. Msouthside at the beginning of The town’s name, “Covert,” has led me American elite society, but I imagine all Afri- When I was in my early twenties, I made World War II, but by 1943, Mr. Arnwine into a deep meditation on the Hebrew can Americans had heard of it, its reputation my first of three moves to rural areas where already had a Michigan address on Paw Paw scriptures, much like the word “Exoduster” something like “Beverly Hills” when I was I lived amidst farmland, with enough space Street in Benton Harbor, directly across Lake inspired in me a few years ago. When the growing up. A place name that can stand in to grow large gardens. The first time in Michigan from Chicago. I found his address Exodusters left the South in 1877 bound for for the rich and famous. But Idlewild, sur- my early twenties, I moved to a lovely 140 on the deed of sale for 25 acres he and two rounded by woods and acre communally-owned piece of land in other men from Chicago bought on a lake in farms, was also largely southern Missouri shared with a constantly Vandalia, Michigan. Little Paradise Lake was hidden from white peo- changing collective of lesbians. On the farm, about an hour’s drive southwest from Benton ple’s gaze. my ecological values, my nature-based Harbor, almost to the Indiana border. I also In 1940, daily fer- spirituality, my desires for simplicity and found in the archives of the Cass County ries traveled over Lake self-sufficiency could all be explored. Recorder of Deeds that a few years later, in Michigan from Chicago I loved these challenges, but they were far 1946, the land was divided among the three to Benton Harbor, carry- from fulfilling. I also thrived on interacting couples whose husbands had bought it. ing vacationers, tourists, with people of different races and ethnic If I could have interviewed Aunt Rose and seasonal workers. backgrounds in the city. The culture of white and Mr. Arnwine about their lives, my first Benton Harbor boasted rural America was not for me, even if I loved question would have been, “how did you the “world’s largest open waking to the sounds of chickens and goats meet?” The next question I’ll never be able to air fruit market” and sur- rather than traffic. My childhood in the all- ask is, “why did you leave Chicago and move rounding farms supplied white suburbs of St. Louis was more than to Vandalia, Michigan?” I imagine they were produce direct from enough segregation for my lifetime. Learning looking for a place where an interracial Black farmers to individuals, what it takes to chip away at racial injustice and Jewish couple could breathe. restaurants, and brokers felt as necessary to me as fresh air. As World War II continued, Chicago’s in the whole region, in- The posse of lesbian-feminist radicals I southside, already densely populated, be- cluding Chicago. ran with were anomalies in city and country, came suffocatingly overcrowded. There were Perhaps on a frigid in white and Black communities. But as I, plenty of jobs, but for working class African Chicago day, Rose or and then Patti and I, searched around for the American men, employment outside of the Mr. Arnwine saw the ad right place to live, our choices always seemed Black Belt started at the bottom — in the in the February 17, 1940 limited to urban/racially complex vs rural/ furnace room or equivalent — and discrimi- Chicago Defender, put white. We discussed this frustrating choice so nation kept Black workers from advancing. there by Dr. C. A. Mott often, and moved around so many times, that Before the Equal Rights Act of 1964, employ- of South Bend, Indiana, the conundrum was permanent background ers could legally segregate their employees, for 40 acres of land near noise to my life. relegating Black women and men to the least Paradise Lake, Michi- When Patti and I got the call in 1998 that secure, lowest-paid jobs. Black professionals gan. It wasn’t the lake of our daughter had been born and needed an in Chicago — doctors, lawyers, politicians, Idlewild, but a different adoptive family, we were living on an idyllic and business owners — were accumulating small lake just north of few acres outside of Eugene, Oregon. We had wealth, but still facing considerable confines. Indiana, in Cass County. abundant plum and apple trees and a half Travel and leisure activities such as sports Kansas, it was their hope and faith in the God Dr. Cassel A. Mott was a respected family acre garden that we’d fenced against the deer and entertainment at clubs, theaters, and of Exodus that carried them. doctor who like many African Americans in and our large capricious dogs. We heated the restaurants were limited by racism and seg- Cox connects the naming of this small South Bend had ties to Cass County, Michi- small home with a wood stove and drank regation. village of Covert in 1876 with the Hebrew gan, and to Chicago. Perhaps Rose made and watered the growing vegetables with an At the same time, opportunities were word “mistor,” which is often translated as a some inquires, took the ferry over to Michi- elaborate system fed from the well in a corner opening up across Lake Michigan in a region “covert,” and sometimes as a “hidden refuge.” gan, brainstormed how to come up with the of the garden. In our five years there, we’d that, while predominantly segregated, also Cox writes, “The word [covert] connotes money. Perhaps Rose and Mr. Arnwine talked painted the house inside and out, built a pot- had pockets of determined anti-racist inte- concealment and shelter. This community up the possibilities with some friends. Across tery studio for Patti, put in all new electri- grationists, farms owned by Black families, was a symbol of all that white supremacists S Michigan Avenue from their kitchenette cal wiring, and fed ourselves almost entirely resorts for African Americans, and new man- were arguing was impossible and overtly ab- lived another couple, Leon and Ivie, and a from our own garden. Yet as parents of a ufacturing plants that hired all races. Benton horred. ... These settlers of Covert were peo- few blocks away, another friend, Lionel and Black child, we knew we would be moving. Harbor’s war boom went beyond Whirlpool, ple of great faith and were almost certainly his wife. All of them would likely have heard We needed to live somewhere a Black child Superior Steel, and Remington Rand, with a aware of this passage from the book of Isaiah: of Idlewild, where the wealthiest and most could be in Black community, ideally a rural growing entertainment economy at its beach ‘There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in influential of their neighbors vacationed. area or a small town. resorts and hotels. the day time from the heat, and for a place In the 1940s, the official highway map is- When I discovered that the aunt whom I’d In her 2007 book A Stronger Kinship: One of refuge, and for a covert from storm and sued by the Cass County Road Commission never met lived most of her life in what was Town’s Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith, from rain’ (4:6).” The connotations of covert was titled “Cass County the playground of then the most racially mixed rural county in about the growth in the 1800s of the small continue further on in Isaiah, speaking of a Southwestern Michigan.” The map lists pop- the entire Midwest, I was awestruck. She had town of Covert, Michigan, just a few miles “hiding place from the wind, and a covert ular lake side fishing and boating resorts. Out found what I had been looking for, and now north of Benton Harbor, Anna-Lisa Cox tells from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry of the dozens of named locations, Paradise I had found her. the story of a community committed to free- place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary Lake near Vandalia is notably the only place The farm and lakeside community that dom and racial equity. Some of the found- land” (32:2). listed as “a tourist resort lake devoted to col- Rose and Mr. Arnwine made their home was ers of Covert were Black Civil War veterans In the same Michigan region as Covert, ored people.” a sparsely populated, rural corner of Michi- from Vandalia, who walked the 30 miles to other places of refuge were built. Two hours’ Three Black Chicago doctors, including gan with a history that has fascinated me, Covert to stake a new claim. Many of the drive northeast of Covert is the legendary the nationally known, trailblazing derma- and others, but which has eluded a true tell- early white pioneers came to Covert as mem- Black lakeside resort town of Idlewild. When tologist Dr. Theodore K Lawless, invested in ing. Their covert remained concealed. They bers of a radical, abolitionist, Congregational W.E.B. DuBois visited Idlewild in 1920, he land on Paradise Lake and built a small ho- raised chickens and sold eggs among Black church influenced by William Lloyd Garri- was inspired to buy a plot there and wrote tel. Historians of the region have taken oral farmers who’d come to Michigan before the son and Frederick Douglass. Stronger Kinship in his magazine The Crisis, “For sheer physi- histories from Vandalia locals that report Dr. Civil War. I can’t ask them how or why they tells rare stories of white men loaning Black cal beauty — for sheen of water and golden Lawless and the others were hoping to rep- chose Vandalia, Michigan, but perhaps in men needed money to start businesses, all air, for nobleness of tree and flower of shrub, licate the success of Idlewild, perhaps on a 1943 it appeared as a possible haven, a ref- very conscious that “race should not define for shining river and song of bird, and the smaller scale. Within three years of Dr. Mott’s uge, from segregation and anti-Black racism a man’s dreams or hamper his potential.” low moving whisper of sun, moon, and star, ad in the Defender, Aunt Rose and Mr. Arn- where an interracial couple might breathe. n These business transactions were taken with it is the beautifulest stretch I have seen ... and wine and two other couples together bought full knowledge that “It was not unheard of in then to add to that fellowship ... all sons and land on that same lake in Michigan. nineteenth-century Midwest for successful grandchildren of Ethiopia, all with the wide Imagining this move, from Chicago to Black businessmen to be shot as they stood leisure of rest and play — can you imagine a Paradise Lake in Vandalia via Benton Harbor Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 21 We can’t help Instant you downsize. online access to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal with your But we can help you AADL card buy a new home.

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22 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 Savit responds to criticism of new policies regarding sex work. by Eli Savit write in response to Lori Lichtman’s let- state that has said that we will bring sexual as- the introduction of the Nordic/Equality Model charging consensual sex work after a year’s ter to the editor criticizing the Washtenaw sault charges against buyers who refuse to wear in France “has had a detrimental effect on sex worth of data from a “trial run” showed a sig- ICounty Prosecutor’s policy regarding sex a condom despite a sex worker’s expressed workers’ safety, health, and overall living condi- nificant decrease in violent crime. work, and urging our office to adopt the so- wishes, or against buyers who refuse to pay a tions.” The same report concluded that “the law All of this is why every sex workers’ rights called “Equality Model” (otherwise known as sex worker. has pushed sex workers to operate under more organization from across the globe has called the “Nordic Model”) in which buyers of sex face But we need the trust of sex workers if such risky conditions with dangerous implications for for policies that resemble ours. So, too, have the prosecution, but sellers do not. crimes are to be reported and prosecuted. How their health.” Observed effects included a “worry- ACLU, Amnesty International, Human Rights Two preliminary points. First, our office has best to facilitate that? Many people (including ing decrease in condom use,” “increased difficul- Watch, and Freedom Network USA (the na- not (and could not) “decriminalize” anything. Dr. Lichtman) appear to agree that we should ties continuing treatment for those who are HIV tion’s leading coalition of anti-trafficking or- The laws relating to prostitution in the State not charge sex workers. The question is what positive,” and an increase in “cases of violence, of ganizations working to protect the rights of of Michigan remain on the books. So, too, do to do with buyers. And though the Nordic/ all kinds,” including “insults in the street, physical trafficking survivors). And these calls are also parallel city and township ordinances within Equality Model — in which buyers are targeted violence, sexual violence, theft, and armed rob- echoed by many leading feminist organiza- Washtenaw County that prohibit both the buy- for criminal charges, but sex workers are bery.” Sex workers in France reported that even tions. Indeed, Survivor’s Agenda — a coalition ing and selling of sex (and, as under state law, not — may sound good in theory, the real- in the face of this increased violence, they “would of groups working to end sexual assault includ- are punishable as misdemeanors). Violations of world results indicate that model has caused never report that violence to the police.” ing Me Too, Time’s Up, the YWCA, and the those misdemeanors, it bears emphasis, can still significant harm. What is more, public health officials from National Women’s Law Center — has called for be prosecuted by city and township attorneys, Research indicates that when only buyers around the world have concluded that full de- full decriminalization. without any involvement by our office. are criminalized, it makes buyers more likely criminalization is key to preventing the spread To be clear, we are laser-focused on combat- Our policy is simply an exercise in prosecu- to disguise their identities and to rush negotia- of HIV and other sexually transmitted infec- ting trafficking, sexual assault, and physical as- torial discretion, geared towards ensuring that tion. It also makes transactions more likely to be tions. That is because if sex workers do not fear sault. And the argument that policies like ours we are focusing on crimes such as trafficking, consummated in remote and unsafe locations. going to the police to report assaults, they are increase trafficking simply is not borne out by sexual assault, physical assault, and the victim- As the American Civil Liberties Union has con- more likely to be able to insist on condom use. data. Dr. Lichtman’s letter suggests that Nevada ization of children. It is my belief that we can cluded, all of this can “increase the risk of dis- Indeed, a series of research papers in The has seen increased trafficking rates as a result of much more effectively go after these serious agreement and violent or aggressive escalation Lancet — the world’s leading independent med- sex-work legalization. But in fact, over 90% of offenses if we have the trust of those who are by the client during or after the fact.” ical journal — concluded that decriminaliza- sex trafficking in Nevada takes place in Reno involved in commercial sex — and encourage Furthermore, in practice, an “end demand” tion of sex work would have “the greatest effect,” and Las Vegas — jurisdictions in which sex work victims to report crimes without fear of state- model makes sex workers far less likely to report worldwide, on reducing new HIV infections in is entirely illegal. Very little occurs in the few rural level prosecution. serious crimes to law enforcement. That is be- the next decade. Other leading public-health Nevada counties that have legalized sex work. Second, to be absolutely clear, the entirety of cause they fear future surveillance and harass- organizations have reached similar conclusions, We recognize that sex work is a complicated the policy is about the safety and well-being of ment by police (even if only to “arrest buyers”), including the World Health Organization and and nuanced subject, and there are good-faith sex workers. We are committed to going after as well as consequences such as deportation or the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ disagreements from those on all sides of the is- traffickers, those who commit sexual assaults, eviction. AIDS (UNAIDS). sue. I trust that many proponents of the Nordic/ and those who commit physical assaults. Our There are many troubling examples which And again: this has been borne out by re- Equality Model approach this issue from a place policy expressly provides that we will continue validate these concerns. After France adopted al-world data. Though Dr. Lichtman refers to of compassion. At the end of the day, however, to prosecute pimps and brothel-owners. And it the “end demand” model, for example, 10 sex Rhode Island’s decriminalization of indoor sex our office is committed to looking at the data also provides that we will bring charges against workers were killed in the span of six months. work as a “failed experiment,” many of the out- and research, and implementing policies that those who seek to purchase sex from minors or Similarly, after Ireland adopted an “end de- comes were in fact quite positive. Specifically: have the best chance of reducing harm. We also trafficked persons. mand” model, violent attacks against sex work- after Rhode Island decriminalized indoor sex have had multiple conversations with sex work- Indeed, we have expanded the situations ers increased by 92%. work, gonorrhea rates in women fell by a stag- ers themselves — who will of course be most in which we will seek serious criminal charges And deaths and violence are just the tip gering 40%. Sexual assaults, moreover, fell by affected by our policies. against buyers. To my knowledge, for example, of the iceberg. A 2018 report by Médecins du more than 30%. And in Baltimore, the State’s Their voices, their lives, and their safety we are the only prosecutor’s office in the entire Monde (Doctors of the World) concluded that Attorney permanently adopted a policy of not matter. n Ann Arbor developing unarmed public safety response program Molly Kleinman, special to the WJN n Monday, April 5, the Ann Arbor meeting in support of the unarmed re- people’s health and we need to envision asked that the resolution be tabled until City Council unanimously ap- sponder resolution. “Current policing alternatives that do not include firearms, there could be “meaningful participation Oproved a resolution that is the first surveillance, and harassment, and take a designed with and by community-led step toward developing an unarmed public more humane approach to public safety.” groups.” safety response program including having Using talking points developed by the The City Council unanimously passed non-police professionals respond to cer- Washtenaw Housing Alliance and Ava- the resolution. Now the process of plan- tain 911 calls. The resolution instructs city lon housing, Bend the Arc Jewish Action: ning an unarmed responder program administrator Tom Crawford to collabo- Greater Ann Arbor sent an action alert begins, but a separate decision will be rate with Washtenaw County, the Washt- urging its members to contact the City required to fund and create it. Council enaw County Sheriff’s Office, and relevant Council in favor of the resolution. “Creat- Member Linh Song, Ward 2, a co-sponsor community agencies, and to consult with ing this program would be an important of the resolution who also represents City the city’s Independent Community Police step in reducing police violence and im- Council on the police oversight commis- Oversight Commission, and to include the proving safety for everyone in our com- sion, said “We are committed to a robust program in the 2022 city budget. munity … Public safety is about more public engagement process as we create Police officers are often asked to re- than just policing; when residents experi- this program, and will take special care to spond to calls better suited to subject mat- ence crime or disorder, they should have include the communities most affected by ter experts with training and expertise in tools beyond the police at their disposal.” policing and criminalization.” areas such as conflict resolution, mental Liberate Don’t Incarcerate, a local Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Greater health, and human services. Since 2015, 22 group advocating for a community-based Ann Arbor is committed to sharing in- percent of people killed by police nation- Aura Rosser vision of public safety grounded in human formation about the planning process, wide suffer from mental illness, often oc- practices have spillover effects on the en- dignity and liberation, expressed concern ensuring that impacted communities are curring during calls where the deployment tire community, particularly communities that the resolution was created without included and centered, and engaging with of armed police officers was not necessary. of color, making people who live in areas adequate input from residents, and that it the Jewish community to advance safety Being killed by police is the sixth leading that are aggressively policed more likely to embedded the police and sheriff’s depart- and equity for all members of the com- cause of death for young Black men. suffer mental health issues and physical ments in the program. While they support munity, especially for Black, Latinx, Asian, Paul Fleming, a University of Michi- health ailments,” he said. “Simply put, the the creation of an unarmed responder and other communities of color. n gan public health professor, was among current system of policing throughout the program, it “must be de-linked from po- the public speakers who called into the U.S. and including in our own area harms licing and police departments,” and they

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 23 515 words, 1 book cover

I Feature

How Duolingo created a Yiddish course with a secular scholar and Hasidic Jews from Brooklyn Gabe Friedman, originally for the JTA hen Meena Viswanath signed on and 32 states, a 65% jump from the previous interest in and recognition of the language. hand washing performed every morning and more than two years ago to help year. Meanwhile, YIVO’s Uriel Weinreich Sum- “Just the amount of exposure that it is going before meals with bread. “And the word they WDuolingo, the world’s largest mer Program saw attendance increase by 60% to bring for the Yiddish language, and increase use for cup is the word we use for glass.” language learning app, create its first Yiddish that pipeline of people who then might Among dilemma for the Duolingo team: course, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. do the course and then say, ‘Hey, this is how to design a flag for the course. Most of But Viswanath, the daughter and grand- interesting. Let me look up further op- the app’s other offered languages simply use daughter of famed Yiddish scholars who speaks portunities.’ And then could take them the flag of the country where each language Yiddish at home with her children, assumed further,” she said. “You could be from originated — the French flag for the French most of the difficulties would be technical. She anywhere and Duolingo could lead course, for instance. Yiddish, a combination wasn’t prepared for the challenge of blending you to this Yiddish world where you of German, Hebrew, Aramaic and even bits of the academic Yiddish she knows with the ev- could become fluent in it.” other Slavic and Romance languages, presented eryday dialect spoken by her Hasidic colleagues As an example of someone who a more complicated situation. on the project. took on Yiddish later in life, Viswanath After much deliberation, the team agreed The result of those negotiations will be cited her father, a native of India who on a white aleph with a “komets” diacritic Duolingo is giving users who order in Yiddish a free visible when the course goes live on April 6, learned the language and married Gitl underneath — that gives the Hebrew letter tapping into the groundswell of interest in bagel on the course launch date. CAPTION: DUOLINGO Schaechter-Viswanath, editor of the pronunciation roughly an “ooh” or other the language spoken by at least 500,000 Jews to 120 people — and then five times as many “Comprehensive English-Yiddish Diction- sound, depending on the dialect — on a dark around the world and studied by others. students enrolled for the winter program com- ary” and a daughter of Mordkhe Schaecter, the blue background. Viswanath said the symbol “We used mostly the spelling and gram- pared to the previous year. progenitor of a dynasty of Yiddishists. Meena represents the foundation of the Yiddish mar that’s a little bit more formalized among “It was a chance of a lifetime for people who Viswanath, who is involved in other Yiddish alphabet, and also brings to mind the classic the secular Yiddishists,” Viswanath said. “But didn’t have to come to New York and spend education programming but is a civil engineer Yiddish song “Oyfn Pripetshik,” about a then when we recorded the audio, we used the money on renting a place, which can cost more by day, grew up speaking Yiddish and Tamil, rabbi teaching students the aleph-bet, which pronunciation that is used in the vernacular than the registration for the program, or who and is now raising her children with Yiddish has featured in “Schindler’s List” and other among students, specifically in Borough Park couldn’t come for the whole summer,” Dovid in her home. (Her brother Arun is also noted soundtracks. Part of its chorus goes: “Repeat in Brooklyn and so forth.” Braun, the YIVO program’s academic director, in the Yiddish world — he published the first and repeat yet again/‘Komets-alef: o!’” Launched in 2012 to help Spanish-speaking told The New York Jewish Week in August. translation into Yiddish of a Harry Potter book The white-and-blue color scheme was immigrants access English education, Duolin- The Duolingo program is different from last year.) coincidental, Viswanath said, and not meant go now offers 40 languages on a free app that those classes in ways that go beyond gamifi- “So many people, especially Americans, are to evoke the Israeli flag’s colors. Yiddish is not condenses language learning into what many, cation. First, it’s geared toward introducing aware of Yiddish. But their awareness is often spoken or as much of a subject of fascination its founder included, have compared to a game. users to contemporary spoken Yiddish rather limited to stereotypes, or a few phrases here in Israel as it is in the United States, mostly Users accumulate points and climb leader- than the historical form taught at YIVO or The and there that they heard their grandparents because many of the state’s founders and other boards of fellow “players” for finishing lessons Workers Circle classes. Second, it’s probably or neighbors say,” Viswanath said. “And I really early Zionists — David Ben-Gurion included and practicing every day. Its cast of cartoon- less likely to result in anything approaching hope that those people will open the course — pushed to make Hebrew the country’s ish characters, including its mascot owl aptly fluency: Duolingo has been criticized for be- and start doing it and realize, ‘Hey, Yiddish is a language. They saw Yiddish as “old-fashioned” named Duo, adds to the fun atmosphere. ing fun but not offering functional language real language, it’s got grammar, it has a vocabu- and a symbol of the scattered Diaspora — in The company is taking the dopamine instruction. lary.’ You can’t just say anything in a funny way, opposition to their vision of a unified nation boost to a new level for promoting the Yiddish Viswanath was the only representative on in a funny accent, and say it’s Yiddish. You can of Jews, many of whom spoke other languages course: Those who start on its launch date can the Duolingo creator team of the more secu- talk about day-to-day things and Yiddish is not in their native lands. get a free bagel courtesy of Duolingo at a few lar, academic realm of Yiddish learning. While just for the punchline.” Viswanath said the team also was keenly participating shops across the country, includ- she admits that using a Duolingo course is not Among the tricky decisions Viswanath and aware of not aiming to position Yiddish as ing Katz’s Deli in New York and Manny’s Caf- equivalent to taking a college-level or immer- her collaborators faced was how to balance the universal language of the Jewish people eteria in Chicago — as long as the users place sive summer language class — and the first various dialects. In one small example, “The (Duolingo has a Hebrew course). Instead, she their orders in Yiddish. version of the course will take users only to an word that the secular Yiddish world uses for hopes the broadly shared language course can The new course comes amid an explo- approximate “intermediate” level (Duolingo cup, like a drinking cup, is what Hasidim use help bridge the divide between secular society sion of interest in Yiddish instruction during often adds content to its courses over time with as a cup to wash your hands, to pour water on and the haredi Orthodox world. the pandemic. The Workers Circle classes last the help of user feedback) — she does think it your hands,” Viswanath said, referring to the “I hope there’s going to be some increased summer had 305 students from 20 countries will have a big impact on the general public’s Orthodox custom of netilat yadayim, a ritual understanding between the two,” she said. n To be a Jewish dyke in the 21st century Sinister Wisdom 119 reviewed by Molly Kraus-Steinmetz hat does it mean to be a Jewish just west of mine. Growing up in the Ann Arbor . A cataloging of the physical sensations . Karen Bender and Lisa Edward’s narrative dyke, a Jewish lesbian, a queer Jew- Reconstructionist Congregation, I remember a Kelsey Jannerson is submerged in as she and reflections on being the country’s first Wish woman, right now? group discussion at the JCC where one Jew after converts to Judaism out lesbian rabbis It’s not a question any one person can another confessed the guilt they felt as assimilated . Thoughtful words by Amy Horowitz on . And of course, our own Clare Kinberg’s answer. Who would be the authority on such a Jews for not knowing enough, not observing how she works to be in coalition with exploration into the mostly-erased history subject, and who would claim to speak for such enough, not being enough. Finally, one wry dedicated feminist activists whose circles or of her aunt who married a Black man, and a notoriously argumentative crowd? But dozens congregant remarked that experiencing those coalitions also include anti-Semites the parallels to her own journey to find a give their answers and counter-questions in particular guilts and anxieties was one of the most . A eulogy for the proud, socialist, accepting, city in which to raise her African-American this volume 119 of the Sinister Wisdom lesbian Jewish experiences there was. inhabitant-less Israel that Jyl Lynn Felman children. literary and art journal, and I’ve felt privileged It’s hard to describe a varied body of artistic had once believed in It’s a powerful volume. Reading it, I to read it and write this review. Privileged, works about being a Jewish lesbian, just as it’s . A sudden, wrenching moment of Bonnie experienced both the tender familiarity of and somewhat terrified, because despite being hard to describe “the experience” of being a Morris realizing the anti-Semitism of her recognizing my own experiences, and the awe a young Jewish lesbian myself, many of the Jewish lesbian – though the contributors to this girlfriend’s volleyball team of learning from those who came before me contributors to this volume are luminaries. volume describe their own experiences in rich, . The powerful line “I want to kiss mezuzahs or elsewhere. My list of favorites, biased as it Among such company, it’s easy to wonder if you joyous, and heart-aching detail. and I want to kiss girls” in Abbie Goldman’s is towards written rather than visual art, only are enough. Some highlights of the volume for me lists on how she’s reconnecting to Judaism scratches the surface of the vast collection Who among us ever feels Jewish enough, included: . A plea from an anthropomorphized tub of of stories of queer Jewish women, across though? No matter how many parshot I’ve chanted . An imagined moment of intimacy between sour cream (Judy Freespirit) continents and generation, across race and or seders I’ve planned or Jewish co-ops I’ve lived anarchist speaker Emma Goldman and . Yael Mishali’s struggle as a Mizrachi lesbian ethnicity and gender presentation, across class in, I’ll probably always cringe when strangers on labor organizer Rose Schneiderman in an Ashkenazi-dominated Israeli culture and profession. I still don’t know what it means Facebook call me self-hating for criticizing Israel’s (Kate Raphael) that pushes her to assimilate and disavow her to be a Jewish dyke in the 21st century, but I inhumane treatment of Palestinians, and wilt . A scene of a butch mikvah attendant and cultural heritage am honored to be figuring it out alongside this under the potentially-judgmental eyes of the her married lover in a 1905 shtetl, imagining . Tovah Gidseg’s poem about finding her community. n Orthodox Jews who live in the neighborhood a future of abundance (Terry Baum) place for prayer as a dyke in her gender- partitioned synagogue 24 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Kosher Cuisine

Shavuot, or What a difference a year makes Lonnie Sussman, special to the WJN ne year ago, we had just begun to be another way to mark the days according Strawberry Soup Spinach Filling realizing the seriousness of our to the season. Since each of these holidays coin- Also makes about 40. Mix all ingredients , by Joseph Kushner He- modern-day plague, but still cided with harvest times, traditional foods re- The Kosher Palette and use about 1 heaping teaspoon per O brew Academy thought we would be through the crisis soon. flect the seasonal harvest. Shavuot is the time of pie. Remember when we were thinking about the wheat harvest as well as the birth of sheep Serves 4 1 pound frozen chopped spinach, summer vacations, camps, picnics, and trips to and goats, and the traditional foods reflect the Let’s start our Shavuot meal with a cold sea- thawed and pressed to get the water the beaches? We experienced our first Passover dairy products made from their milk. There are sonal fruit soup. Simply blend all the ingre- out “Zeders,” you know, the family on a screen, and spiritual and metaphorical reasons for the use dients except the yogurt in a blender or food 2 eggs, lightly beaten how happy we were to even see them. It’s been a of dairy products for Shavuot as well. processor until they are smooth, then stir in ½ pound feta cheese, mashed the yogurt. 4 tbs Parmesan Salt to taste (not much as the cheese is salty) 1 pint strawberries, stems removed Pepper to taste 1 ripe peach (okay, not in season but you could use frozen chunks of peaches) 1½ cups pineapple juice Italian style Tuna filling 1 tsp vanilla Makes about 18 little pies. Mash all the 5 to 6 tbs sugar ingredients together and proceed with 4 oz. vanilla or plain yogurt (that’s half filling the pie rounds, again, about 1 an 8 oz. container) heaping teaspoon, folding over the edges and pinching them closed then Syrian Cheese Pies finishing with the egg wash to make the pie shiny. The Book of Jewish Food, by Claudia Roden 14 oz. canned tuna in water, well drained Makes about 40 About 16 black olives, pitted and chopped Basic Dough 2 tbs capers ½ cup sunflower or canola oil Juice of ½ a lemon (1 to 2 tbs.) 4 oz. unsalted butter 2 tbs olive oil. ½ cup water ½ tsp salt Barley Salad with Vegetables 2 About 3 /3 cups flour Shavuot also marks the end of the barley 1 egg yolk mixed with about 1 tsp. water harvest in Israel. This recipe made 4 serv- to glaze the top of the pies ings. I didn’t measure the vegetables. I used Heat the oil and butter in a pan over low heat a combination of these vegetables because I until the butter melts. Place in a large bowl had them in the refrigerator. Add the veggies and add the water and salt and beat well. you like and decide whether to roast them Slowly add the flour until the dough be- or sauté them. I had some leftover roasted comes soft, a little greasy, and holds together Brussels sprouts and cauliflower so I added in a ball. You can start with a fork to add in that to the mix of mushroom, green onion, the flour but eventually you will use your and red peppers that I sautéed in a little olive hands. You want the dough to just hold to- oil and added some butter to the pan as well. gether, don’t overwork it. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and leave at room tempera- 1 cup of pearled barley cooked for about ture for about 20 minutes. Take walnut sized 25 minutes in about 6–8 cups of salted lumps of the dough and roll them into a little water ball. Then press and squash them with your Mushrooms — I used about 8 oz. of the palms and pull into about a 4-inch round. small portabellas Filling: mix all the ingredients together ex- Onions or green onions — I used about cept the egg yolk that will be used for glaz- 4 green onions ing. Put a heaping teaspoon of filling in the 1 red pepper middle of the rounds and fold over to make a Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots or a half moon shape. Be sure to pinch the edges combination. Roast in a little olive oil firmly. Place on oiled trays or use parchment and salt. paper to cover the trays. Brush the tops with Chop the vegetables and sauté them in a the egg yolk mixture. Sprinkle sesame seeds mixture of olive oil and butter. Serve on a on top, if desired, and bake at 350 degrees platter or wide bowl with the grain on the somber year. Spring and the promise of a safer A few years ago, I wrote a story about mak- for about 30 minutes. They can be served hot bottom and the vegetables on top. n year is solidly here. At least we hope that the ing my mother-in-law’s (z.l.) recipe for Pickled or at room temperature and they also freeze vaccination programs, as chaotic and quixotic Trout and it was written up in the Ypsilanti Press well. as they are, have allowed a significant percent- (also, its memory is a blessing) as “They Keep a Cheese Filling age of us to be vaccinated. I hope so. Kosher Home.” If you like your fish pickled, go 1-pound grated cheese or a mixture of The Jewish calendar is marvelous and for it. It was tasty, but I never made it again. I’m feta and cottage cheese, well drained. meaningful. I look into the sky to watch the not completely sure why not but it may have You could use Gruyere, Parmesan, phases of the moon and the movement of the to do with my growing interest in Jewish tra- Gouda, or any combination you like. constellations throughout the year. The holi- ditions beyond Ashkenazi. A year ago, I wrote 2 eggs, lightly beaten days that are crowded into the fall spread out about The Bread of the Seven Heavens, a Sep- Pepper to taste for the rest of the year and slow down to one a hardi tradition that I’d never heard of. It was month. This month we have the major holiday delicious and I will make it again this year. Of of Shavuot. It is one of the three festivals speci- course, many of us inherited the traditions of fied in the Torah as a pilgrimage holiday and dairy kugels and cheesecakes from our Ashke- the time of the Giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. nazi roots and no one can deny how yummy The Israelite festival practices were to go to they are. You all have your favorite recipe for Jerusalem to celebrate at the Temple and offer those dishes, but I’d like to think outside the sacrifices, but for 2,000 years the tradition has box and look toward foods reflecting Sephardi been to use prayers and other rituals to mark traditions as well as early spring. the days of these holidays. Special foods came

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 25 I Calendar

meets on Fridays for an informal discussion Shavuot Chant Circle. Pardes Hannah. 11 a.m. Spiritual Director Linda Greene: TBE and May 2021 about religion. Noon–1 p.m. Creating Food Justice, Shmita series: AARC. Pardes Hannah. 8:30 a.m. JCS First Friday Shabbat. Includes secular Register at ekarfarm.org, $18 fee Noon. Talmud Tuesdays w/ Rabbi Alter: TBE. 11a.m. The Calendar has been updated to reflect Jewish readings, singing, candle lighting, Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads and 8 p.m. challah and wine rituals, and a Yahrtzeit events that are happening only online. Always discussion. 3 p.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday–for Women: observance to remember loved ones. Children Collaborative Justice-Themed Shavuot Evening Chabad. 8 p.m. check websites or call for updates before are welcome. 6:30-7:30p.m. Registration planning to attend anything listed here. For Tikkun Learning: BIC, AARC, Hillel, JCS, Wednesday 26 required: jewishculturalsociety.org. For Pardes Hannah, TBE. Washtenaw County prayer services, check congregation websites. more information: 734-975-9872 or info@ Prosecutor Eli Savit will be the keynote Yidish tish Conversation & Reading Group: jewishculturalsociety.org. 6:30 p.m. Saturday 1 to begin, and then there will be multiple Every Wednesday, see above. 2 p. m. Saturday 8 concurrent learning opportunities in various Meditation with Claire Weiner: TBE. 5 p.m. 1 Day 34 of the Omer Havdallah 9:29 p.m. Zoom rooms. Email [email protected] The Color of Love book discussion: TBE Social Havdallah 9:21 p.m. Torah Study: TBE. Zoom. Weekly discussion for the required link. 8 p.m. Action Committee read. 7 p.m. Torah Study: TBE. Zoom. Weekly discussion of the Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston Shavuos Celebration: Chabad afternoon and Dayenu Circle – Climate Action Committee of the Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston 8:50-9:50 a.m. evening services, followed by festive meal and Meeting: TBE. 7 p.m. 8:50-9:50 a.m. all night learning 8:30 p.m. TaShma Come and Learn: AARC. Half hour Theology Book Club: BIC. Online 8 p.m. Sunday 2 before second Saturday Shabbat service. 10 a.m. Monday 17 Thursday 27 JCLP Graduation. Email Paige Walker at vpwalker@ Sunday 9 Shavuot (Check your congregations umich.edu for the link to RSVP. 10 a.m. website for service times) Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Israel Experience Virtual Tour Begins: JCC. discussion. 11 a.m. Zohar: Study and Practice: Pardes hannah. 11 a.m. Shavuos: Chabad All children are invited to Weeklong Israel Adventure ends May 16. 8 a.m. Pirke Avot with Rabbi Dobrusin: BIC. 5 p.m. Alden Solovy Event: Standing at Sinai: TBE. 1 p.m. come and hear the Ten Commandments, Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Ice Cream party for the children, and then Virtual Happy Hour: WTBE . 5:30 p.m. Intro to Judaism with Rabbi Caine. BIC 1 p.m. the basic text of Chassidim and discover the followed by our annual festive dairy meal for Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m.. “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer” beauty and depth of Judaism. 11 a.m. everyone. Begins 9:45. Film: BIC 4 p.m. Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin. BIC. 3:30p.m. Friday 28 discussion. 3 p.m. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into WTBE Cooks. 3:30 p.m. Candle Lighting 8:44 p.m. Behaalotecha the basic text of Chassidim and discover the Lunch and Learn: TBE. Zoom. Rabbi Whinston Monday 10 Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. 6 p.m. beauty and depth of Judaism. 11 a.m. meets on Fridays for an informal discussion Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Historical Novel Reading Group: WTBE. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. For questions, about religion. Noon–1 p.m. contact Cantor Regina Hayut at cantorhayut@ discussion. 3 p.m. Contact Molly Lindner, burnham@umich. Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat, Open House. templebethemeth.org. 7 p.m. edu. 12:30 p.m. AARC. 6:30 p.m. Monday 3 WTBE Fiber Arts. 7:30 p.m. Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin. BIC. 3:30p.m. Saturday 29 Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin. BIC. 3:30p.m. Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. 6 p.m. Tuesday 18 WTBE Cooks. 3:30 p.m. Havdallah 9:54 p.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. For questions, Twenty-five minute Mindfulness with Jewish Torah Study: TBE. Zoom. Weekly discussion Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. 6 p.m. contact Cantor Regina Hayut at cantorhayut@ Spiritual Director Linda Greene: TBE and of the Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston Women’s Torah Study: TBE. For questions, templebethemeth.org. 7 p.m. Pardes Hannah. 8:30 a.m. 8:50-9:50 a.m. contact Cantor Regina Hayut at cantorhayut@ Counting the Omer. Pardes Hannah. 7:30 p.m. Talmud Tuesdays w/ Rabbi Alter: TBE. 11a.m. Sunday 30 templebethemeth.org. 7p.m. Tuesday 11 and 8 p.m. WTBE Fiber Arts. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 19 Jewish Life in Poland: Then and Now: BIC. Counting the Omer. Pardes Hannah. 7:30 p.m. Twenty-five minute Mindfulness with Jewish 10:30 a.m. Spiritual Director Linda Greene: TBE and Yidish tish Conversation & Reading Group: Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Tuesday 4 Pardes Hannah. 8:30 a.m. Every Wednesday, see above. 2 p. m. the basic text of Chassidim and discover the Rosh Hodesh Sivan Circle: Pardes Hannah. 7 p.m. beauty and depth of Judaism. 11 a.m. Twenty-five minute Mindfulness with Jewish Meditation with Claire Weiner: TBE. 5 p.m. Spiritual Director Linda Greene: TBE and Talmud Tuesdays w/ Rabbi Alter: TBE. 11a.m. and 8 p.m. Theology Book Club: BIC. Online 8 p.m. Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Pardes Hannah. 8:30 a.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday–for Women: Chabad. 8 p.m. Thursday 20 discussion. 3 p.m. Talmud Tuesdays w/ Rabbi Alter: TBE. 11a.m. Wednesday 12 Monday 31 and 8 p.m. Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin. BIC. 3:30p.m. discussion. 11 a.m. Detroit Jews for Justice Myra WolfgangAwards: Rosh Chodesh Sivan Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. 6 p.m. Rosh Hodesh Minyan: Pades Hannah. 9 a.m. Virtual fundraising gala. 7:30 p.m. Pirke Avot with Rabbi Dobrusin: BIC. 5 p.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. For questions, Yidish tish Conversation & Reading Group: Guys Night In: TBE Brotherhood. 7 p.m. Tea and Torah on Tuesday–for Women: Chabad. 8 p.m. Every Wednesday, see above. 2 p.m. contact Cantor Regina Hayut at Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m.. [email protected]. 7 p.m. Wednesday 5 Meditation with Claire Weiner: TBE. 5 p.m. Friday 21 Book Launch & Conversation: The Arab and The Color of Love book discussion: TBE Social Action Committee read. 7 p.m. Candle Lighting 8:37 p.m. Naso Phone numbers, websites and Jewish Questions: Geographies of Engagement What IS Reconstructionist Judaism?: AARC. 7:30 p.m. Lunch and Learn: TBE. Zoom. Rabbi Whinston in Palestine and Beyond: Frankel Center. Theology Book Club: BIC. Online 8 p.m. meets on Fridays for an informal discussion addresses of organizations frequently Editors Leila Farsakh and Bashir Bashir in about religion. Noon–1 p.m. conversation with contributor Moshe Behar Thursday 13 listed in the calendar: and Nadia Fadil. Noon Saturday 22 Havdallah 9:46 p.m. Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM): 1429 Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Torah Study: TBE. Zoom. Weekly discussion Yidish tish (Virtual) (Yiddish Conversation & Hill Street, 248-408-3269, annarborminyan.org discussion. 11 a.m. of the Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston Reading Group): Zoom. About 45 minutes Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation 8:50-9:50 a.m. each of conversation and reading. Free and Pirke Avot with Rabbi Dobrusin: BIC. 5 p.m. (AARC): 2935 Birch Hollow Drive, open to all those interested in Yiddish language, Virtual Happy Hour: WTBE . 5:30 p.m. Sunday 23 734.445.1910, aarecon.org literature, and culture, no matter what level Rosh Chodesh Sivan Circle: TBE. 7:30 Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Beth Israel Congregation (BIC): 2000 ofproficiency. For more information, to get the Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m.. the basic text of Chassidim and discover the Washtenaw Ave, 734-665-9897, bethisrael-aa. link, and to make certain that we are meeting beauty and depth of Judaism. 11 a.m. org on a specific day, please e-mail Elliot H. Gertel Friday 14 Living Room Lectures – Molli Spalter Presents Chabad House: 715 Hill Street, 734-995-3276, at [email protected] at least one day before The Stories We Tell: Pulling Back the Veil on scheduled meeting day every Wednesday Candle Lighting 8:31 p.m. Bamidbar jewmich.com Lunch and Learn: TBE. Zoom. Rabbi Whinston Judaism and Feminism: BIC. 1 p.m. (except major Jewish holidays). 2 p.m Frankel Center: 202 S. Thayer St., lsa.umich. meets on Fridays for an informal discussion Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads edu/judaic/ Meditation with Claire Weiner: TBE. 5 p.m. about religion. Noon–1 p.m. discussion. 3 p.m. Theology Book Club: BIC. Online 8 p.m. Tot Shabbat with the Caine Family: BIC. 5:30 p.m. Book Group: AARC. The Ten Year War, Jewish Community Center (JCC): 2935 Birch Thursday 6 Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Hollow Drive, 745-971-0990, jccannarbor.org Saturday 15 Universal Coverage by Jonathan Cohn. Jon Jewish Cultural Society (JCS): 2935 Biblical Book Club: TBE. Cantor Hayut leads Havdallah 9:38 p.m. will lead the discussion. Email gsaltzman@ Birch Hollow Drive, 734-975-9872, discussion. 11 a.m. Torah Study: TBE. Zoom. Weekly discussion albion.edu for the link. 7 p.m. jewishculturalsociety.org Pirke Avot with Rabbi Dobrusin: BIC. 5 p.m. of the Torah portion led by Rabbi Whinston Monday 24 Jewish Family Services (JFS): 2245 South State 8:50-9:50 a.m. Talmud–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. 8 p.m. Talmud Study with Rabbi Dobrusin. BIC. Street, 734-769-0209, jfsannarbor.org The Power of Women Who Fight Gun Violence Shabbat Biweekly Lunch N’ Learn: 3:30p.m. Jewish Federation: 2939 Birch Hollow Drive, Contemporary Issues in Jewish Law with featuring Gabby Giffords, Hadassah Chicago- Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class: TBE. 6 p.m. 734-677-0100, jewishannarbor.org North Shore Register by May 4, , There is a Rabbi Caine BIC. 11:45 a.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. For questions, Pardes Hannah: 2010 Washtenaw Ave, 734-761- $36 event fee. 11:30 am CT/12:30 pm ET Sunday 16 contact Cantor Regina Hayut at cantorhayut@ 5324, pardeshannah.org Friday 7 Omer Day 49, Erev Shavuot, 8:33 p.m. templebethemeth.org. 7 p.m. Temple Beth Emeth (TBE): 2309 Packard Road, Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into 734-665-4744, templebethemeth.org Candle Lighting 8:23 p.m. Behar- the basic text of Chassidim and discover the Tuesday 25 Bechukotai beauty and depth of Judaism. 11 a.m. Twenty-five minute Mindfulness with Jewish UM Hillel: 1429 Hill Street 734-769-0500, Lunch and Learn: TBE. Zoom. Rabbi Whinston michiganhillel.org 26 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 TheRide and WAVE have partnered with the Washtenaw County Health Department to provide free transportation to their vaccine sites.

TheRide service to the Eastern WAVE service to the Pierce Lake Michigan University Vaccine Site. Elementary School Vaccine Site.

Vaccine Schedule: Vaccine Schedule: Wednesday–Saturday Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

FlexRide and A-Ride service available. Door-to-door service available.

Visit TheRide.org or Visit RideTheWaveBus.org or call 734-996-0400 for details. call 734-475-9494 for details.

Scheduled vaccine appointment required to ride. To schedule your appointment, visit washtenaw.org/covid19vaccine

The service is at no cost to the rider. Service and fares paid for by CARES Act funding. Service subject to change.

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 27 I Rabbis' Corner

Two aspects of Torah: Understanding and beyond understanding Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN e will find ourselves celebrat- and letter, for sure when it repeats the Ten and one must nullify their sense of self and speaks about God speaking to the Jewish peo- ing the holiday of Shavuot this Commandments a second time there must stand with awe in the presence of Torah, as the ple at Mt. Sinai, where the Jewish people are Wmonth, on Sunday beginning be a special lesson that we can learn because Rabbis tell us, just like at Sinai when the Jew- given the ability and recognition to see how in the evening of May 16 and continuing for of the repetition of the Ten Commandments, ish people received the Torah, they stood with Torah is beyond our understanding, and we two days until the evening of Tuesday, May as they are one of the foundations of Torah awe and were frightened to be in the awesome still stand with awe in front of it. The second 18. Shavuot marks the day upon which God and actually include the entire Torah. So the presence of God. The Rabbis tell us that even time, in Deuteronomy, Torah is given through gave the Torah to the entire Jewish nation, at fact that it’s repeated twice indicates to us that today when we study the Torah it has to be Moses. This is the role of Moses — to bring Mt. Sinai, over 3,300 years ago. there is a profound lesson to be learned here. with all of the awe, realizing that this is some- Torah down to our level so that we should be The Ten Commandments appear in the So the question arises; why is it repeated thing that is beyond us and we’re lucky for any able to understand it with our limited physical Torah twice. Once twice? It’s because in the Ten Commandments understanding that we are able to glean. comprehension. in Exodus when there are two aspects of Torah. One is the es- On the other hand, when a person sits This wasn’t only happening at the time the Jewish people sence of the Torah — how it stands for itself down to study Torah, they have to realize that Moses was relating the Torah to the Jewish left Egypt. The and how it’s filled with God’s wisdom and will. God has lowered the Torah into this world, people in the desert. This idea is for every second mention This aspect existed even before creation. The specifically to this world, in order that a per- generation in every place and in every time — is in Deuterono- second Torah aspect is how it comes down son should be able to use their physical un- that God gives us new insight and inspiration my in the portion into this physical world to work within the derstanding and intellect to understand the into the Torah that makes the Torah valid and of Va’eschanan. rules of nature so that people in this physical Torah. pertinent for all times — including ours to- What’s the dif- world will be able to understand Torah with It’s not enough to say that the Torah is day. We can see in the blessing when we read ference between their intellect. beyond understanding so there’s not much I the Torah, we say “nosain hatorah” — God is these two times When we speak about when God spoke to can do with it. On the contrary, one should giving the Torah — not only that God gave the that the Torah the Jewish people, that expresses the essence try to understand it to the best of their abil- Torah once in the past but that it is being given tells us about the of Torah, which is, as we said before, the wis- ity — to the extent that they should be able in the present tense for all time. Rabbi Aharon Goldstein Ten Command- dom and will of God. When we speak about to internalize the Torah and have it become a Now, also, we get to receive this level of ments? The first the second time, the second aspect of Torah, part of them — to the extent that the Torah is Torah that is beyond our understanding and time, in Exodus during the portion of Yisro, through Moses our teacher, it shows the level called on in their name. In other words, when at the same time we also have a teacher like the Torah speaks about the Jewish people of Torah that clothes itself in the finite limi- someone has the ability to come up with a Moses. In every generation there is a teacher standing in front of Mt. Sinai and the Ten tations of this physical world in order that a new idea or insight based on the principles of who takes the words of God that are beyond Commandments being given over to them human intellect will be able to understand it. the Torah it’s something they created and are our understanding and brings them down to by God Himself. As the verse says, God spoke This is something that is very important credited with. That’s the second level of Torah. a level of human understanding — as a soul is all these words — the Ten Commandments. for us to be aware of. When a person sits down Who is the one that gives us the ability to in a body and using a physical intellect to un- However, in Deuteronomy, God is not speak- and studies Torah, they must have these two understand Torah and to bring it down to our derstand the Torah. This will come to its high- ing directly to the Jewish people. Rather, Mo- attitudes towards the Torah regarding the two level? est level when Moshiach comes. God will then ses is repeating God’s words to the Jewish aspects previously mentioned. These two aspects of Torah, how Torah reveal new knowledge and insight which will people and recalling the event of going out On the one hand, they must always re- is beyond understanding as well as coming come down here to us and this world will get of Egypt and receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. member that the Torah is something, in its down to our understanding, illustrate the to see the greatness of the Torah. n Since the Torah is very precise in every word very essence, beyond human understanding difference between the first time the Torah Choosing a Judaism of joy Rabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner, special to the WJN n May 16, Jews around the world another describes the will celebrate Shavuot, the holiday mountain as a magnif- Othat commemorates our receiving icent chuppah for the of the Torah on Mount Sinai. wedding between Is- Why did I write “our,” rather than ”their”? rael and God (Mechilta Because tradition teaches (Shevuot 39a) that Bachodesh 3). when the Torah was given, every Jew was This is the story I standing at Sinai, including the souls of all prefer: That being Jew- Jews (and converts to Judaism) who would ish is a choice we make ever be born. to be in relationship. The idea that every soul was present at It’s a choice that we get Sinai means that each one of us has a natural to affirm daily, weekly, connection to God, Torah, and every other Jew monthly. It’s a choice that ever lived. This is a powerful birthright. that makes room for But it might also be felt as a burden. joy. And we are en- A burden in what way? Well, I’ve had couraged to come to countless conversations with Jews across the relationship with the denominational spectrum who insist the fullness of who we that they’re “not a good Jew,” meaning not are and who we are knowledgeable enough, or not committed striving to become. enough, or not connected enough. Weighted May is Open House down with overblown expectations of what Month at the Ann Ar- it looks like to be “a good Jew” and shame bor Reconstruction- for not meeting those expectations, it’s no ist Congregation. We surprise that for many, Judaism can feel like cive and burdensome. But that’s not the only the living embodiment of Judaism, we get to welcome all visitors to an albatross. way. discern which aspects of Judaism support our our Zoom Shabbat services and programs, And ours isn’t the first generation to feel In Reconstructionist Judaism, we under- moral vision for ourselves and for the world. including our Wednesday May 12 program, this way. According to one midrash (Shabbat stand that wrestling with God and our re- We get to choose what kind of relationship to “What IS Reconstructionist Judaism: A Dis- 88a), during revelation, God held a moun- ceived tradition is part and parcel of being have to commandments, culture, history, and cussion with Rabbi Ora,” at 7:30 p.m. To regis- tain over the Israelites’ heads and threatened: Jewish. It can be generative and joyful, espe- communities. ter, email [email protected]; learn more “Either accept the Torah or this shall be your cially when done in the company of fellow This perspective is also rooted in our tradi- at www.aarecon.org. n burial place!” From the very beginning, we seekers. Reconstructionist Judaism also teach- tion. Even as one midrash imagines God hold- have some interpreting our religion as coer- es that the past has a vote but not a veto. As ing the mountain over our heads as a threat,

28 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Community

A recap of JCLP’s community conversation Kayla Kapen, special to the WJN n March 18, the University of Michi- 2020 reinforced the great value of interfaith re- took on during the pandemic, understanding living on the streets. This request transformed gan’s Jewish Communal Leadership lationships in the face of hardship. that they were uniquely positioned to address into Alternative Solutions Advocacy Project, OProgram hosted their annual com- The students of JCLP began the discussion needs that were both revealed and exacerbated bringing together several organizations to help munity conversation, this year titled “Build- by the pandemic. combat homelessness in the area. “It wound up ing Bridges in a Divided World: The role of In response to a ques- being able to push the city to allow for the city’s interfaith collaboration in justice work.” The tion regarding collabora- first tiny home village for people experiencing event reached both a local and national audi- tion among organizations homelessness. It was a big push and a lot of ence. Five leaders working in the interfaith space to spread awareness about work,” says Reverend Henderson. in cities around the country joined this panel. local issues, Rabbi Spector After the panel discussion, guests were in- They discussed the need to build relationships of Salt Lake City spoke vited ask questions to the panel and then to across communities and the unique opportuni- about forming a coalition participate in smaller breakout sessions led ties and challenges that come with showing up of religious organizations by the panelists as well as a share out after the for one another in meaningful ways. during the COVID-19 breakout rooms. Students from JCLP want to The panelists included: Aziza Hasan, co- pandemic. The coalition thank the panelists and community partners founder of New Ground: A Muslim Jewish was given the opportu- for all their work to help put together this event Partnership for Change in Los Angeles, Califor- nity to speak with Senator together. Those who were not able to attend the nia; Reverend Amanda Henderson, the Dean of Mitt Romney and express event in real time can view the recording on the Religion, Politics & Culture at the Iliff School of their specific concerns for JCLP website, https://ssw.umich.edu/events/ Theology in Denver, Colorado; Pastor Aramis the communities. Sena- list/2021/03/18/62537-building-bridges-in-a- Hinds, Executive Director at Bethel Commu- tor Romney’s response to divided-world-the-role-of-interfaith-collabo- nity Transformation Center and lead Pastor of this was, “I would love to ration-in-justice-work. the Breakers Covenant Church in Detroit; Rab- come to your communi- Kayla Kapen, Simi Adler, Rebecca Belkin, bi Andrea London, Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth ties and have virtual town Meredith Berlin, Courtney Bushnell, and Hilary Emet in Evanston, Illinois, and former chair of halls.” Forrest all recently graduated from the Jewish the Jewish Council of Urban Affairs with a focus Reverend Henderson Communal Leadership Program at the Univer- on Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initia- noting that after a tumultuous year with trag- from Colorado spoke about an instance when sity of Michigan. n tive; and Rabbi Samuel Spector, current rabbi edy and struggle for many, the message of unity she was the Executive Director at the Interfaith at Congregation Kol Ami, the largest synagogue has become more significant. They wanted to Alliance of Colorado. The organization Denver in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each panelist shared highlight the importance of intercommunity Homeless Out Loud called on her to help lift the the ways in which the unprecedented events of dialogue and showcase the role that faith leaders voices of the organization and people who were

I Obituaries Aaron Zelig Cutler, known as Zel, was a year until he was drafted into the United cross country skiing and doing the Canadian Already parents of three children in 1965, born in 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. His par- States Army and sent to Europe in September Air Force exercises that were part of his de- the Garvins looked for a secular, humanis- ents, Sam and Ida Cutler, were part of a group 1944. His unit was sent into the Battle of the votion to health and fitness. He will also be tic Jewish community in which to raise their of Yiddish speakers and readers of Yiddish, as Bulge where he was wounded by a shell. He remembered for the heirloom tomato seeds children, David, Amy and Tony. They wanted well as the Zionist movement. When Zel was always credited the wound to actually saving from his garden which the family has named their children to learn about the traditions, in his teens he joined the newly formed group his life because the next day’s action led to AZC tomatoes and are now grown in gardens history, culture and values of the Jewish of Habonim, a Zionist youth movement, the deaths of nearly everyone else in his unit. across the country. people so they would be proud of who they which became a core element of his future Following his recovery, he returned to action He is honored and missed by his children, are. It turned out that several of the Garvins’ life. He helped build the Habonim summer that then included guarding a prisoner of Elana (Ron) Sussman, Daniel (Chris) Cutler, colleagues had similar concerns, so in 1965 camp then called Camp Kinneret in Chel- war camp. grandchildren: Mira (Doron Yitzachi) Suss- they and their friends created the Jewish Cul- sea, Michigan. In the 1950s this camp moved After he was honorably discharged with man, Ari (Jaimie) Sussman, Eitan (Joanna) tural School. As the years passed, the Garvins to a larger site in Three Rivers, Michigan. a Purple Heart, he visited with his parents Sussman, Naomi (Grant Barton) nee Cutler, helped the school that began 56 years ago The name and then went to Creamridge, New Jersey Barton and Sadie Cutler, great- grandchil- expand. It became the Jewish Cultural Soci- changed to see his sister, Basha. Creamridge was the dren: Matan, Ishai, Judah Sussman-Yitzcha- ety, with events and activities for members of to Camp site of Hechalutz Farm, the commune where ki, Sam, Anna and Lucy Sussman, Nava and all ages. The Garvins have been actively in- Tavor, the members of North America Habonim went Ilan Sussman and Nora and Phoebe Barton. volved in all aspects of JCS throughout those Midwest to prepare themselves to live on kibbutzim in He is also survived by his nephew, Dani Sha- decades. camp of the Israel. He met Simi Bernstein, and they mar- lev and niece, Naomi Sharon. Janet held a number of social work po- national ried later that year. The marriage lasted 73 sitions beginning with the Jewish Commu- Habonim years until the death of Simi in 2019. Aliyah Janet Tuft Garvin, one of the found- nity Center in Chicago and later at the Hillel movement. was delayed while he used the GI Bill to attend ing members of the Jewish Cultural Society, Foundation in Ann Arbor. She then took a The adult Michigan State University and earned a BS in died on April 9, 2021. Born on September 22, job at the Veterans Administration Hospital move- animal husbandry and a Master’s Degree in 1931, Janet grew up in Philadelphia, Penn- in Allen Park, and later at the Michigan De- ment of chemistry. Their children, Elana and Dan- sylvania. She did her undergraduate work partment of Social Services in the Adult Pro- Habonim iel, were born and Zel needed to find work at Penn State and tective Services Department in Washtenaw was called to support the family. At first, he worked on Temple University County. Her last job before she had a stroke the Labor the line at the Plymouth Auto Plant as it was and then earned a in 2000 was with Foote Hospital in Jackson. Zionist Al- hard for him to find work in agriculture. He Master’s degree in Janet loved to travel and she and Charles liance and Zel and Simi were members of finally found work as a chemist with a com- Social Work at the took many trips around the globe. To cel- Branch 11. Today that group is called Ameinu pany providing products for the automobile University of Il- ebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they and many of the children of the members industry. He became a specialist in zinc plat- linois in Chicago. took a special cruise, and were joined by their continue in their footsteps. The children and ing and travelled around the Midwest help- It was there that children as well as by many members of their many of the grandchildren of the members ing providers with that process. His dream of she met Charles children’s families. At a virtual memorial ser- still call Camp Tavor their summer home. aliyah was not realized but his sister, Basha, Garvin. They were vice on April 16, friends and family from all Another life-long interest came from Ha- and her family eventually did move to Israel. married in 1957, over the country shared their memories of bonim’s emphasis on aliyah, moving to Is- Zel leaves a wonderful legacy of a life 64 years ago. The Garvins moved to Ann Ar- Janet. Her interest in and fondness for other rael, to help build the new state. He became filled with devotion to his family, friends, Ju- bor in 1965, when Charles accepted a posi- people was mentioned again and again by interested in agriculture and got a job on a daism, Israel and hard work. We picture him tion at the University of Michigan School of the participants. Everyone felt very cared for farm, also in Chelsea. He worked there for in his vegetable gardens, biking, ice fishing, Social Work. by Janet, right up until the end. n

Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 29 I Obituaries

George Segal, vanguard of 1960s wave of young Jewish actors, dies at 87 Ron Kampeas, originally for the JTAG eorge Segal, whose career as an film, which earned him his only Academy “The Quiller Memorandum,” tracking down “A Touch of Class” in 1973. He filmed the actor ranged from shattering Award nomination. a ring of postwar Nazis. Harold Pinter, the crime caper classic, “The Hot Rock,” op- GJewish stereotypes in his youth to His roles were soon Jewish as well, in Jewish playwright who wrote the screenplay, posite Robert Redford, in 1972, and joined cheerfully indulging them in his dotage, has reshaped the laconic British with Elliott Gould in 1974 in “California died at 87. spy in Elleston Trevor’s novel Split,” considered one of the best gambling The fact that early in his career Segal had into an American furious at films ever. to field questions about why he didn’t change Europe for allowing the Na- His career went into a downward spiral his name or fix his nose was a testament to zis to flourish and for never in the early 1980s, fueled by what he said was how unusual it was at the time for a Jewish truly crushing them. self-destructive behavior, including drugs. actor who could play a plausible tough guy “Nobody wears a brown His rehabilitation included touring with a and romantic lead to present as Jewish. shirt now, no banners, you band he led with his banjo, the Beverly Hills “I didn’t change my name because I don’t see,” Quiller’s British handler, Unlisted Jazz Band. In an appearance with think George Segal is an unwieldy name,” played by Alec Guinness, tells the band in Israel in 1982, he was welcomed Segal told The New York Times in 1971. “It’s him. “Consequently, they’re as a hero. a Jewish name, but not unwieldy. Nor do I difficult to recognize, they Segal played minor roles and then re- think my nose is unwieldy. I think a nose job look like everybody else.” emerged in 1996 in a role as Ben Stiller’s is unwieldy. I can always spot ’em. Having a Quiller is ultimately be- father in “Flirting with Disaster.” That char- nose job says more about a person than not trayed (spoiler alert) by his acter would define the rest of his career: the having one. You always wonder what that young German girlfriend. He neurotic, self-effacing Jewish dad. It was a person would be like without a nose job.” Actors Wendi McLendon-Covey and George Segal is captured by the Nazis and role he replicated in the television sitcoms Segal’s meld of defiance and self- attend an event celebrating the 100th episode of resists their torture to escape. “Just Shoot Me!” (albeit as an ostensible Ital- deprecation helped pave the way for actors “The Goldbergs” in Culver City, Calif., Oct. 4, 2017. He meets with his handler ian) and “The Goldbergs,” from 2013 until like Elliott Gould, Dustin Hoffman and CAPTION: RICH POLK/GETTY IMAGES FOR SONY PICTURES TELEVISION and they have a Pinter-esque now. Richard Benjamin. The days of Jewish actors exchange that alludes to the Segal was born in 1934 in New York. and actresses like John Garfield and Lauren films like “Bye Bye Braverman” in 1968 and postwar anomaly of being Jewish in a conti- He is survived by two daughters, Polly and Bacall changing their names in order to “Blume in Love” in 1973. In 1970, he shat- nent that has made Jews disappear. Elizabeth, from his first marriage to Mari- present as desirable were over. tered Jewish stereotypes in “The Owl and the “Met a man called Oktober,” Quiller says on Sobel, and his third wife, Sonia Schultz Segal brought sex and athleticism to his Pussycat,” where he starred opposite Barbra of his encounter with the head Nazi. “At the Greenbaum, a high school girlfriend with 1966 role as a naive academic caught in a Streisand. end of our conversation, he ordered them to whom he reunited after the death of his sec- trap by a destructive couple in “Who’s Afraid His most emblematically Jewish role from kill me.” The handler rejoins: “And did they?” ond wife, Linda Rogoff. Sonia said Segal died of Virginia Woolf?” Segal played opposite that time was not obviously Jewish: He played Segal continued to play romantic leads, of complications following bypass surgery. n Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the the eponymous hero in the 1966 spy thriller notably teaming up with Glenda Jackson in giraffe

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30 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 I Advertisers I Simchas and Sorrows The Washtenaw Jewish community sends condolences to:

Alex Milshteyn, Real Estate Associates...3 Jewish Family Services The Family of Sander David Levin, father of Barry (Stephanie) Levin, grandfather of Sarah, and Samuel. February 26. of Washtenaw County...... 11, 19 Ann Arbor District Library...... 22 Dan Cutler and Lonnie Sussman on the death of their father, Zelig Cutler, also Jewish Federation of Greater grandfather of Mira Sussman, March 25. Ann Arbor Reconstruction Congregation ...... 2 The family of Irwin Sherwood Alpern, father of Bernard B.J. (Pyper) Alpern, Ann Arbor...... 6,11,18 grandfather of Sam, Margaret, Charlotte Alpern, and Hannah King. March 26. Ann Arbor Spark...... 32 Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo...... 6 Gloria Gurt on the death of her sister, Jeanne Wagenfeld, also aunt of Dennie Car- beck, March 27. Bank of Ann Arbor...... 22 Margolis Nursery ...... 18 Marina Seeman on the death of her husband, Robert Seeman, April 8. Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial The family of Janet Garvin, who died on April 9. Plastic Surgery ...... 22 Michigan Theater ...... 18 Debbie Schwartz on the death of her mother, Harriet Schwartz, April 10. The family of John Swerdlow on the death of John’s brother Paul S. Swerdlow, Dorfman Funeral Home...... 7 Modern Mechanical...... 25 April 11. Valerie Rosenberg on the death of her husband, Victor Rosenberg, April 11 Pam Sjo, The Reinhart Company...... 4 Encore Online Resale...... 2 Dorine Kroll on the death of her husband Seymour Kroll, April 14. R. D. Kleinschmidt...... 2 Food Gatherers Grillin' ...... 19 The Washtenaw Jewish community sends mazal tovs to: Sword Seafood ...... 18 Frankel Center for Judaic Studies ...... 15 Nancy & Sam Silver on the birth of their twin grandsons, Isaac Noah Rubin and TBE Social Action Committe ...... 2 Ryan Ari Rubin, sons of Emily Silver & Joshua Rubin. Giraffe Design Buildand Design...... 30, 31 Oliver Morgan on his Bar Mitzvah, March 13 The Ride Mindy Collis on her Bat Mitzvah, March 20 Holocaust Memorial Center...... 19 ...... 27 Joshua Behringer on his Bar Mitzvah, March 27 West Side Art Hop Hurwitz-Greene Real Estate...... 19 ...... 15 Debbie and Bob Merion on the birth of their granddaughter, Aviva Zazie Merion Corrado, born Friday March 26. Jewish Community Center of Wolverine Tax and Financial...... 3 Greater Ann Arbor...... ,..16, 17 Zemyck Pottery...... 15 giraffe Now offering! Giraffe Interior Design

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Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021 31 32 Washtenaw Jewish News A May 2021