PerformancePeriodicals Postage Guide PAID Indianapolis IN

Volume 74, Number 25 • September 3, 2008 • 3 Elul 5768 Two Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com

Called to the Torah

Perri Gray Bat Mitzvah on February 23, 2008

Perri Gray interview on page IN 4 . Photo by Scott Romer. IN 2 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 3 movie of the stage musical. The Critics Corner stage musical is pure entertain- ment. The music and lyrics are by Mel Brooks. Yes, he wrote the memorable music, while The Power of the book is by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meeham. Just to let The Producers you know how big this musi- cal at Beef & Boards is, here are the numbers: 69 Swastikas, 8 pigeons, 52 wigs, 64 hats, 13 walkers, 130 elaborate costumes made from 450 yards of fabric, By Charlie Epstein 54 performances, 3 guns, 18 ac- tors, 3 adding machines, and 1 When I first heard that the panion, or the sexy blond Ulla, statue of David. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre or the insane Nazi playwright The Beef & Boards cast had the new Mel Brooks musi- Franz Liebkind? All right, who consists of the Beef & Boards cal The Producers on their sched- are they going to get to play producers, Douglas E. Stark, ule, I said to myself, “Oh no. the two enormous leads – Max as Max Bialystock, and Ed- They can’t do that, especially Bialystock, the role played by die Curry, as Leo Bloom. It with those elegant sets and ex- the comic Nathan Lane, and is fascinating watching these travagant costumes. This is im- Leo Bloom, played by Mat- two wonderful performers possible on that postage-stamp thew Broderick?” working together. Actually, After being pressed by Max Bialystock (Douglas E. Stark), left, to make stage. And what about the cast? Rest assured, all my fears Eddie Curry could play Leo $2,000 disappear from his books, frightened accountant Leo Bloom (Eddie Who are they going to get to were unnecessary. The pro- Bloom in any national touring Curry) concedes in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of the Mel play the strange director Roger duction of The Producers at company. As Franz Liebkind, Brooks smash hit The Producers. This is Indiana’s first independent production DeBris, or the effeminate Car- Beef & Boards is absolutely the playwright of Springtime of the Broadway sensation that won more Tony Awards than any other show men Ghia, the director’s com- tremendous. Forget that awful for Hitler, resident comic Jeff in history.

Stockberger was perfect. Curt does himself proud as scenic Dale Clark was good as direc- and lighting designer even tor Roger DeBris, while Sean without the huge mirror. The Blake was hilarious as Carmen fabulous costuming is by resi- Ghia. The Blond Bombshell dent Brian Horton. It is amaz- Ulla was played by Elizabeth ing how everything comes Broadhurst. The special tenor together for a great show. The in the second act is beautifully Producers plays through Sept. sung by Peter Scharbrough. 28. It would not surprise me The magnificent direction if more performances were and choreography are by the added. talented Marc Robin whose Tickets range from $33 to contributions to this produc- $55 and include Chef Odell tion are hard to be appreciated Ward’s specially prepared buf- fully. The whole show is in his fet. Parking is always free. For capable hands. reservations, call the box office Technically it would be hard at 317.872.9664. For more in- to duplicate the Broadway pro- formation and show schedule, duction, but Michael Layton visit www.beefandboards.com. IN 2 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 3 Marsh revamps kosher foods section Condolences The Indiana Jewish Post foods of any single chain gro- Marsh at 86th and Ditch has tions, sale items, sharing of be in December. For more & Opinion extends con- recently revamped its kosher cery store in central Indiana. orders, and substitutions are information or to add your dolences to Shoshana and section. The new location for Store manager Mike Soliday taken care of automatically on name to the email list, contact their kosher foods section is says, “During the holidays, the site. The next order will [email protected]. David Harper and their just behind the produce sec- especially Passover, shop- son, Nadav, on the death tion. And Marsh has added pers come from as far as of Shoshana’s mother, Terre Haute and Lafayette many new items. Anne Watkins. The fu- The newest hot items include for supplies.” Visit our Website: a huge selection of chocolates Indianapolis kosher neral took place on Aug. from Israel and Zelda baked food coop www.jewishpostopinion.com 24, 2008 in New Jersey. goods from Skokie, Ill. Other The Indianapolis Kosher new items include sauces and Food Coop is taking orders marinades, soups, prepared for a delivery on Sept. 17. packaged meals for people on The order deadline is Sept. the go and for lunches. The 3rd. Please visit the website, number of kosher wines of- www.kckoshercoop.com, for de- fered has been increased, and tailed information about de- champaign has been added. livery and to browse around The department also carries and shop 24/7 at your con- staples like matzo, gefilte fish, venience. Virtually all of the and some household prod- details including payment, ucts. detailed product descrip- The best selling new prod- ucts are the kosher cold cuts, including a variety of meats such as corn beef, salami, bo- logna, pastrami, and turkey. These meats are sliced twice a week in the store under the supervision of the Indianapo- lis Board of Kashrut (IOBK) then sealed and labeled with the IOBK label. The new cold cuts are available in a small section of the regular deli counter. Be sure to look for the IOBK label. Other kosher meats, includ- ing baking chickens and pep- peroni, can be found in the kosher cooler in the kosher section of the store. Although some other stores have a smattering of kosher foods, this Marsh location has the largest selection of kosher IN 4 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 5 Perri Gray bat mitzvah

Perri Gray, daughter of Israel didn’t aid in giving or ing you to do something, or Scott and Barbara Gray, melting the gold jewelry to a disagreement with family became a bat mitzvah on Feb. build the golden calf. Perri members or classmates, your 23, 2008. Rabbis Dennis Sasso shared: “As a women, that opinion always matters and and Sandy Sasso were both in makes me feel very proud. you should always stand up attendance. There are many lessons that for what you believe in.” Perri’s Torah portion was can be learned from this. When asked about being Ki Tissa, which she explains During my life I will be faced nervous on the bima, Perri is the story about when the with many decisions. Some- talked about the fact that Israelites melted down their times it will be easy to follow every bat mitzvah candidate golden jewelry to make the the crowd. However, it will must be a bit nervous, but golden calf. They did this be important to know when that her nervousness lasted because Moses had gone to following the crowd isn’t the only the first day she met Mount Sinai to get the tablets, right decision. I pride myself with the cantor to go over and it took him a long time on being an independent her prayers. to return. The Israelites were thinker and I am confident She felt like she practiced becoming impatient and that I will make the right and practiced and practiced feeling like their god wasn’t decisions, not necessarily the so hard and that her efforts paying any attention to them, most popular ones.” paid off, that she gained con- so they melted their gold to She explained that “if you fidence. In fact, Perri really make a golden calf, which believe strongly in something felt proud to get up in front would be their new god. you should not be afraid to of the entire congregation. As part of her studies, she stand up for it. Whether it’s “I’ve watched others do this learned that the women of your close friends pressur- – my older brother, Spencer, and my friends and cousins – but I had no idea about how it would be when it was the real deal. There’s a lot on your shoulders. But I felt prepared.” Perri especially appreci- ated how Rabbi Sandy helped her dig deep when she was considering what she learned from her portion. She also felt she couldn’t have done with- out help from Rabbi Dennis and Cantor Meyersberg, and she wouldn’t have known what to read or chant and when to stand and when to sit without Cantor Sharon. “The work you do before hand means everything.” She also mentioned Mr. Cohen from Hebrew School at the BJE who she particularly liked because he encouraged her. Perri and her family had lots of out-of-towners come to support her and help her celebrate. She had cousins, and friends of her parents and grandparents from Calif., Wisc., NY, Fla., and Texas. When asked what the easiest part was, Perri said strongly: “No part was easy. It was a lot of work.” But she went on to say that she felt successful. “I learned a lot. And I’m happy that I’m welcome as an adult Jewish woman now, and I’ll be proud to wear the tallit during the holidays.” Perri attends Carmel Middle School and belongs to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. Perri has an older brother, Spencer Gray, 17, who became a bar mitzvah at Beth-El a few years back. IN 4 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 5 Abigail Matt bat mitavah Abigail Matt, daughter of Bruce and Rhonda Matt, be- came bat mitzvah on April 12, 2008 at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Carmel, Ind. Rabbi Bienstock presided. Abigail’s torah portion was Metzora, which is about leprosy. Abigail shared, “It reinforced the idea of not judging a book by its cover. People are all different, by abilities, intelligence, and appearance and my torah portion demonstrated this concept.” She says that she was nervous only on Friday be- cause she wasn’t as familiar with that service and it was the start of the process. She went on to say that every- thing turned out fine and the service went very smoothly. In fact Abigail felt like the most surprising thing about her bat mitzvah was how smoothly everything went and how beautiful the shul Abby Matt holding the Torah. looked. “All the planning and Photo by Goldberg Photography. preparations turned out nicer than I even expected.” Her favorite part was the the volunteer activities she Saturday morning service: “I did for her bat mitzvah proj- got to see how everything ect: “I volunteered my time turned out. I was proud of in a homeless shelter, food the job I did. And my least bank, and nursing home.” favorite part was having it Looking back on the whole end so quickly.” process, Abigail decided the Abigail had relatives come most difficult part for her was from Philadelphia, Washing- mastering the Friday night ton, D.C., Florida, northern service. She shared that they Indiana, New York, and Ohio tackled the Friday night ser- to attend her bat mitzvah. She vice last and ended up hav- shared that it was amazing to ing the least amount of time have all her relatives there on to study it. She explains that her special day. the easiest part, on the other When asked about prepar- hand, was helping the rabbi ing for her bat mitzvah, she move to use MP3 record- explained, “I attended the ings from his standard tape Hasten Hebrew Academy up recorder. Then she said with till the 4th grade and than at- a straight face, “The rabbi tended BJE for two additional worked really hard to make years. My Hebrew was pretty this change. My dad came to good with all that training.” the shul and worked one-on- She went on to say that Rabbi one with the rabbi. The rabbi Bienstock spent an amazing was really a good student.” amount of time with her in Abigail says she will strive one-on-one instruction. “We to be a good Jew. “I know that studied together for a year I will not be perfect but will before my bat mitzvah. He work to improve myself. This was very patient with me was a wonderful and mean- even when I had problems ingful experience. I think all with difficult portions. Jews, even if they are older Spending all this time with should have a bar or bat Rabbi Bienstock helped make mitzvah.” my bat mitzvah more mean- Abigail was featured on ingful and special. I really the cover of the Aug. 6 is- appreciated all his help.” sue. Abigail also talked about Congratulations Abigail! IN 6 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 7 Documentary film festival brings films and filmmakers to Bloomington

Student-initiated and Indiana (Flying: Confessions of a Free film industry, but documentary from around the globe. present to discuss their films at University sponsored event assem- Woman) will be on site to dis- films remain one critical site of The two featured direc- length with the public. bles a weekend of Jewish-themed cuss their films and answer women’s creative indepen- tors, Jennifer Fox and Faye Ten films will be screened documentaries featuring two visits questions. dence, an avenue through Lederman, have produced throughout the weekend, by internationally renowned film- The Celluloid Ceiling, a which women can explore the two award-winning docu- addressing subjects such as makers. study of women’s employ- intersections of feminism and mentaries. Ms. Fox, director homosexuality, body image, ment in the American film ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and of Flying: Confessions of a Free Jewish comediennes, sex and BLOOMINGTON — Gradu- industry, reported in 2006 that class-consciousness. Woman, has been featured at reproduction, race, and class. ate students Devorah Shubow- the number of women working By showcasing these films festivals around the world in- Carefully assembled panels of itz and Jessica Alpert came up as producers, directors, writers, and bringing some of their di- cluding the Sundance Festival, university scholars and com- with the idea over a year ago. and cinematographers on top- rectors to Indiana University, International Documentary at munity leaders including local Now it is a reality. From Oct. grossing Hollywood films had Jewish Women in Global Perspec- Amsterdam, Hot Docs, Van- midwives, lawyers, professors, 11–13, the Indiana Memorial decreased from 19% in 2001 to tive aims to increase the visibil- couver, Thessaloniki, and Ed- and physicians will conduct Union (IMU) will host a free 16% in 2004. Martha M. Lauzen ity of independent films by and inburgh Festivals. open discussions after each documentary film festivalJew - reported this and other facts in about Jewish women, to bring Ms. Lederman, an educator screening. ish Women in Global Perspective, The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the- international documentary and filmmaker, is the director, The film festival begins Sat- featuring ten films from around Scenes Employment of Women in films to a wider American au- producer, and writer of A Good urday evening October 11 from the world. Two award-winning the Top 250 Films of 2005. She dience, and to demonstrate the Uplift. Her films have been 6 p.m.–11 p.m., and continues directors, Faye Lederman (A and others believe that wom- professionalism and achieve- screened around the world Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Good Uplift) and Jennifer Fox en are still marginalized in the ment of women filmmakers and her work is supported by and Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. the National Foundation for The festival contains multiple Jewish Culture, the New York screenings and is free and State Council on the Arts, and open to the public. For more the New York Foundation for information, contact Jessica the Arts and the Funding Ex- Alpert at [email protected] change. Both directors will be or 713-822-5546.

Fall 2008 Purdue Jewish Studies Events – West Lafayette All members of the Purdue The Larry Axel Memorial University community and the Lectureship in Religion – Mon., general public are cordially in- Nov. 10, 8:00 p.m., at Purdue’s vited to attend events offered Krannert Auditorium. by the Jewish Studies Pro- Michael Berenbaum, professor gram. For more information of Jewish Studies and Director about these and other events of the Sigi Ziering Institute for go to www.cla.purdue.edu/ the Study of the Holocaust and jewish-studies/. Ethics, American Jewish Univer- How Tevye Learned to sity, will speak on “Jewish Life Fiddle – Mon., Sept. 22, 8: Under Attack: The Role of the 00 p.m., at Purdue’s Stewart Synagogue in Nazi Germany2 Center, Rm 310. between 1933 and 1938.” Anita Norich will speak The Search: A Graphic Novel about Sholem Aleichem’s for Teaching the Holocaust in most well-known work, Te- Europe vye the Dairyman, which has Wed., Sept. 3, 12:30, at been adapted for stage and Purdue’s Stewart Center, Rm screen in various languages 320. Wendy Flory, professor of and countries. The most fa- English at Purdue University will mous of these is Fiddler on speak on The Search the Roof. But in addition to this English film, there are The Story of Shofar: An extraordinary adaptations in Editor’s Personal Account Yiddish, Hebrew and Rus- Wed, Oct. 22, 12:30, at sian. Using screen clips from Purdue’s Stewart Center, Rm each of these four films, Anita 320. Joseph Haberer, professor Norich explores why this emeritus of Political Science at story continues to haunt the Purdue University will speak on modern Jewish imagination The Story of Shofar. and how it has been reinter- Land of Anti-Semitism? preted throughout the 20th Home of the Brave: The Trans- century. formation of Jewish America Anita Norich is professor during World War II of English and Judaic Studies Wed., Nov. 12, 12:30, at at the University of Michigan. Purdue’s Stewart Center, Rm She is the author of The Home- 214D. Ashley M. Hebda, win- less Imagination in the Fiction of ner of the 2008 Edward Simon Israel Joshua Singer (1991) and Barzillai Lodge No. 111 Prize in co-editor of Gender and Text in Jewish Studies will speak about Modern Hebrew and Yiddish Lit- the transformation of Jewish eratures (1992). America during WWII. IN 6 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 7 ritics orner The Indiana Jewish Post & Opinion is now available C C at four locations in Indianapolis: Marsh at 86th and Waiting for Goffman Ditch, Northside News at 54th and College, Nora By Charlie Epstein Library and Shapiros in Carmel.

ary Cohen, distin- guished and talented stage director, is di- Grecting the new play Me Too at the Mud Creek Players Barn. It is written by his son-in-law, Mark Goffman, a well-known writer from Los Angeles. Mark will attend the first weekend of performances, starting Sept. 5. The performances will con- tinue through two more week- Gary Cohen ends, with a matinee Sun., Sept 14, which incidentally will be daughter, Risa, is to be married signed. soon. The Mud Creek Players Me Too, a comedy drama community theater was es- dealing with relationships, tablished some time ago by premiered in Los Angeles at Sol Blumenthal and has flour- the Stella Adler Theater in ished ever since. The barn is 2006 and ran for six weeks. located at 9740 E. 86th Street, Mark’s father-in-law, Gary at the corner of 86th and Mud Cohen, coproduced the show. Creek Rd. The play revolves around a hope- This is the first play writ- less romantic who meets the girl ten by Mark Goffman, whose of his dreams. However, the path writing credentials are exten- of true love and happiness proves sive. Currently he is a super- to have some bumps in the road. vising producer for A&E’s Me Too deals with adult subject new series The Beast, staring matter. Among the local actors Patrick Swayze. He also was a performing in Me Too are Betty supervising producer for Law Bullis, Brenna Campbell, Robb & Order: SVU. Mark wrote for Day, David Pittman, Anne Phel- The West Wing and Studio 60 on an, and Paul Burton. Gary Cohen the Sunset Strip. is extremely proud of this cast. He met Gary’s daughter For more information, call Lindsay in L.A., and they have 290-5343. Many people have been married for approxi- been waiting for this play to mately two years. Gary’s other open. Me Too.

Getting to Know You: Flipping your date onto the ground may not seem to be the best way to get acquainted, but it seems to work for Lucy (Brenna Campbell) and Andrew (David Pittman) in the Mud Creek Players production of the Midwest premiere of Me Too! IN 8 September 3, 2008 Mazel Tov!

Simcha (Eddie) Margolis, of Indianapolis, is engaged to Sarah Feldman. Sarah is the daughter of Joe and Ann Feldman of To- ronto. Simcha is the son of Mary Ann Margolis and Sam Margolis, of blessed memory. Both Simcha and Sarah made aliyah and now reside in Jerusalem. The wedding will take place there on Nov., 30, 2008. Visit our Website: www.jewishpostopinion.com IN 8 September 3, 2008 NATIONAL NEWS

Big Hug of Jerusalem and peace building in Jordan By Eliyahu McLean

n June 24, we hosted eral hundred between Damas- Iraqi and American youth the second Big Hug of cus and New Gates. Arab and meet in Jordan JerusalemO event that brought Jew, young and old, we stood Forty American and Iraqi together 800 "lovers of Jeru- on the green lawn overlooking teenagers met for one week at salem" – Palestinians, Israelis the Old City Walls, holding 10 the King Abdallah Academy and internationals around minutes of silence for the peace near Amman, Jordan. On July the walls of the Old City. We of Jerusalem. At that moment 16–17, Sheih Bukhari and I started at two meeting points children flew kites right in were invited as keynote speak- at the Gan HaBonim garden front of us, it seemed as if the ers to talk about our work. The below Jaffa Gate, and at Shuk il soaring kites were carrying teenagers were chosen from a Falahin, the market area above people's intentions upward to wide variety of backgrounds Damascus Gate. Under the the heavens. and regions in both countries. palm trees, we started with a We then guided the line It was amazing to see how fast small listening circle that grew of people down to the steps they were able to bond, and as many passersby – Israeli, of the Damascus Gate. As we speak so openly about differ- Palestinian, and internationals fi lled the area above Damascus ent points of view concerning – joined us. Musicians played Gate, many more people – Pal- US-Iraqi relations. The confer- peace songs, then we formed estinian shopkeepers, children, ence organizer, himself only 19 a large circle and did a spiral religious Jews, hippies, soldiers years old, has initiated a project dance and chant for unity. and police – joined us. We led to pair American universities At the same moment 200 hundreds in a chant and zikr, with Iraqi high schools, supply- people were forming a line to chanting “Shalom, Salaam, Hu ing them with used computers Hedva and the youth dance. ”Hug” the Old City near Jaffa Hu.” Spiritual leaders Rabbi and other equipment. Gate, we formed a chain of sev- Menachem Froman, Sheikh In Amman I also attended a Bukhari, a Hindu woman leadership course at the United teacher from India, Haj Ibra- Nations University on Nonvio- him and a guest from Jordan lent Approaches for Conflict offered blessings. After drum- Resolution, Negotiation, Me- ming, singing and praying, we diation and Peace Building: lifted our hands in unison with "Promoting Peace Through an intention for healing the di- Dialogue: An International visions in Jerusalem, honoring Conference with a Focus on the our shared love for this Holy Palestinian/Israeli Conflict.” City. The event ended with a There we spent a week, July 28 large drum circle, led by Eyal – Aug. 3rd, with young adult Davidov, on the lawn above activists and scholars from all New Gate. Orthodox Jewish over the world, including Jor- yeshiva students and Pales- dan, Palestine, Japan, England, tinian youth drummed and Yemen and Bahrain. Jordan is danced together into the night. now seen as an island of stabil- The Big Hug is planned now to ity in the Middle East and has be an annual event. Thanks to become the central meeting organizer Dvora Pearlman. point for people from all over Great pictures of the the region. Big Hug of Jerusalem are The Abrahamic Reunion posted here: www.fl ickr.com/ meets in Zichron Yaakov jerusalem_peacemakers/sets. We held a two-day retreat Jerusalem Peacemakers has for the Abrahamic Reunion, been involved in many other a group of Muslim, Christian, peace initiatives that are de- Jewish and Druze religious Declaring "Allah-hu akbar," which means "peace will prevail." scribed below. Continued on page NAT 4 IN 10 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 11 IN 10 September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 IN 11 IN 12 September 3, 2008