Washtenaw Jewish News Presort Standard In this issue… c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor U.S. Postage PAID 2939 Birch Hollow Drive Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Permit No. 85 JCC Havurah’s Apples & Book New Honey Festival Rabbinical Community November Intern Celebration 3-15 Page 4 Page 9 Page 12

October 2009 Tishrei/Cheshvan 5770 Volume XXXIV: Number 2 FREE Federation’s Main Event—an Evening with Peter Sagal Lydia Cacho Riberito Jeffrey Lazor, special to the WJN he Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Trobe and Joan Lowenstein chair the 2009 to receive U-M Arbor will welcome Peter Sagal from Main Event. This year’s program will bring TNPR’s “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me” on a different feel to the long running commu- Wallenberg Medal November 17, at the Ypsilanti Marriott Eagle nity event. “Hosting Peter Sagal is a departure Jill McDonough, special to the WJN Crest Resort for the Annual Main Event. from the typical speakers we have welcomed to exican journalist, author, femi- For the ninth year, the Jewish Federation is Greater Ann Arbor in the past. We anticipate nist, and human-rights activ- very fortunate to have the generous support that Mr. Sagal’s lighter, yet still educational ist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro will be of the Ford Motor Company. This continued M tone will be refreshing and well-received,” said awarded the nineteenth University of Michi- support ensures that the Main Event remains Lowenstein and Trobe. gan Wallenberg Medal on Thursday, Octo- one of the most celebrated community events The Main Event also represents an oppor- ber 8, at 7:30 p.m., in Greater Ann Arbor. tunity for people to come together and sup- in Rackham Audi- As the host of National Public Radio’s port the community. “We are very happy to torium. After the “Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me,” Peter Sagal is be involved with this event. It gives the entire medal presenta- heard by more than three million people Jewish community an opportunity to meet tion, Cacho will every week, on 450 public radio stations na- and to celebrate the Federation’s Annual Cam- give the Wallenberg tionwide and via a popular podcast. In 2008, paign, and makes a significant contribution to Lecture. the show passed its tenth anniversary and local and international needs,” remarked Ron A fearless and received the prestigious Peabody Award. The Perry. Guests will have an opportunity at the courageous de- hour-long show has captivated news junkies Peter Sagal event to make their gift to the Jewish Federa- fender of the rights across the country with its lighthearted ap- tion’s 2010 Annual Campaign. n of women and proach to current events, and has become the orable moments, and a look at today’s news For more information, contact Jeffrey Lazor at children in Mexico, biggest weekend radio phenomenon since “A stories. Whether providing insightful, colorful Lydia Cacho Ribeiro the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, Cacho routinely Prairie Home Companion.” commentary on current events or a behind the either by phone at 677-0100 or by email to jef- risks her life to shelter women from abuse At the podium, Sagal takes audiences be- scenes peek at one of the funniest shows on ra- [email protected]. Invitations will and challenge powerful government and hind the scenes of “Wait, Wait…” to explore dio, Sagal never fails to inform and entertain. be sent out in early October. business leaders who profit from child pros- the show’s beginnings, some of its more mem- Ron and Dr. Julie Perry, and Dr. Jonathan titution and pornography. Journalist Mari- anne Pearl has described Cacho as “a woman of great strength and courage, and who is deeply committed to ethical journalism and Head of Rabbis for Human Rights to speak at events on October 29 the advancement of human rights in Mexico Martha Kransdorff, special to the WJN for the long haul.” abbi Arik Ascherman of Jerusalem, sion and work of something similar will be scheduled this year. In her 2005 book, Los Demonios del Edén executive director of Rabbis for RHR in Israel. A fundraising dinner is scheduled at 6 p.m. (Demons of Eden), Cacho accused a promi- R Human Rights (RHR)-Israel, will A native of Erie, to honor Rabbi Ascherman and the work of nent businessman of protecting a child por- speak at the Jewish Community Center of Pennsylvania, Rabbi RHR. The host committee for the dinner nographer, which resulted in her illegal arrest. Greater Ann Arbor on Thursday, October 29 Ascherman is a 1981 includes Aaron and Aura Ahuvia, Ed and Ellie While in jail she was beaten and abused. She at 8 p.m. His talk will provide an update on graduate of Harvard Davidson and Diane Lehman Wilson. Seats became the first woman to bring a case to the RHR’s new projects and the ongoing work of University and was are still available. For information on this Mexican Supreme Court; the court ruled that the organization. The program will conclude ordained in 1989 by event, contact Helene Tamarin, 484-2133 or the content of her book was truthful. Cacho with a reception. Hebrew Union Col- [email protected]. Donations to RHR is the founder of Ciam Cancún, a shelter for Co-sponsors to date include Beth Israel lege. Since RHR-Is- are encouraged to support it in “upholding battered women and children, which has pro- Congregation, Temple Beth Emeth, the Ann rael was founded in Arik Ascherman the moral vision of Israel, maintaining Jewish vided refuge for countless individuals. She Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah, the Jew- 1988, he has headed the organization of more values in the face of devastating violence.” has spoken out against the abuse of women ish Community Center of Great Ann Arbor, than 100 Israeli rabbis committed to educa- For additional information about Ann Ar- in Mexico, citing the unsolved murders in Pardes Hannah, and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom tion, advocacy, prayer and action in support bor events, contact Ed Davidson at 973-0751 Ciudad Juárez as a call to action against the (Ann Arbor chapter). Rabbi Rob Dobrusin of the human rights of all people. He is mar- or [email protected] or Martha Kransdorf failure to bring justice to perpetrators of vio- of Beth Israel Congregation and Rabbi Bob ried to Rabbi Einat Ramon, the first Israeli- at 663-7933 or [email protected]. n lence against women. Levy of Temple Beth Emeth will provide in- born woman ordained as a rabbi. Confronted with countless credible For additional information about Rabbis for troductions and comments. They are mem- During his visit here in 2007, Rabbi As- threats against her life, Cacho has refused Human Rights, visit the websites www.rhr-na. bers of RHR-North America, an organization cherman met with University of Michigan offers of asylum from the United States, org and www.rhr.israel.net.c-rabbis. of rabbis representing all streams of Judaism Hillel students and others working to conduct France, and Spain. She will not leave her dedicated to expanding support for the mis- dialogue on the Middle East. It is likely that continued on page 2 ICommunity

2935 Birch Hollow Drive Wallenberg, from page 1 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 voice: 734/971-1800 country and abandon the women and children she has dedicated her life to protecting. An fax: 734/971-1801 April 2007 Washington Post article described Cacho as “one of Mexico’s most celebrated and e-mail: [email protected] imperiled journalists.” The article went on to explain that she “is a target in a country where www.washtenawjewishnews.org at least seventeen journalists have been killed in the past five years and that trailed only Iraq in media deaths during 2006. Do-gooders and victims want to meet her, want to share their stories. Bad guys, well, they want her in a coffin.” Cacho was born in 1963 in Mexico City to a Mexican father and a French feminist with a Portuguese background. She has published hundreds of articles, a book of poetry, a novel, sev- Editor and Publisher eral books of essays on human rights, and other nonfiction works. She speaks Spanish, French, Susan Kravitz Ayer Portuguese, and English. Calendar Editor Cacho has received many awards for her work as a humanitarian and a journalist, includ- Claire Sandler ing the State Journalists Prize in 2000, the Amnesty International Ginetta Sagan Award for Women and Children’s Rights in 2007, and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Freedom of Expres- Advertising Manager sion Award in 2008. The Ginetta Sagan Amnesty International Award committee said of her: Gordon White “Lydia remains deeply humbled and genuine. She is rooted in her community and no amount Design and Layout of recognition will ever change this.” Dennis Platte Lydia Cacho Ribeiro’s unflinching determination to carry on her work in the face of repeated threats on her life makes her a superb example of the humanitarianism of Raoul Wallenberg. Staff Writers The University of Michigan Raoul Wallenberg Endowment was established in 1985 to com- Noa Gutterman, Sandor Slomovits memorate Wallenberg and to recognize those whose own courageous actions call to mind Wal- lenberg’s extraordinary accomplishments and values. Contributing Writers A 1935 graduate of the University of Michigan College of Architecture, Swedish diplomat Lauren Barr, Laura Berger, Jacob Berkman, Margi Brawer, Ed Davidson, Rabbi Lisa Del- Raoul Wallenberg saved the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews near the end of World son, Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, Marcy Epstein, War II. Working in Budapest in the late 1930s, Wallenberg came into contact with many Jewish Patty Gillum, Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, Ben refugees from Europe. In 1944, at the request of Jewish organizations and the American War Harris, Deborah Huerta, Dina Kraft, Martha Refugee Board, the Swedish Foreign Ministry sent Wallenberg on a rescue mission to Budapest. Kransdorff, Jeffrey Lazor, Adam Liebowitz, Over the course of six months, Wallenberg issued thousands of protective passports. He con- Robin Little, Eszter Margit, Rabbi Nathan fronted Hungarian and German guards to secure the release of Jews whom he claimed were Martin, Jill McDonough, Linda Morel, Brent Morris, Ron Perry, Merrill Poliner, Cantor under Swedish protection, placing some 15,000 Jews into thirty-one Safe Houses. Annie Rose, Allison Sheren, Martin Sherman, After reporting to Soviet headquarters in Budapest on January 17, 1945, Wallenberg van- Ronnie Simon, Elliot Sorkin, Uriel Heilman, ished into the Soviet Gulag. Although the Russians claim that Wallenberg died in 1947, the Erica Zviklin results of numerous investigations into his whereabouts remain inconclusive. The Washtenaw Jewish News is a free and inde- pendent newspaper. It is published monthly, JCC gets challenge grant for lounge renovations from JCS with the exception of January and July. It is registered as a Non-profit Michigan Corpora- Margi Brawer, special to the WJN tion. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of its editors The Jewish Community Center of Greater ings, religious services, speakers and a pleth- or staff Ann Arbor serves as the hub of communal ora of other events are regularly scheduled life for the local Jewish community. Because in the rooms. Because of the broad use, the Member of it is central to so many community events, entire community stands to benefit from the American Jewish Press Association the Newman, Gelman and Levine lounges are proposed renovations. JCC Executive Direc- in demand from morning to night daily. The tor Leslie Bash hopes the community will constant use coupled with aging infrastruc- join in this effort and donate $100 or more to ture has taken a toll on the lounges. The Jew- help make new JCC lounges a reality. “We un- ish Cultural Society, which considers the JCC derstand that it is difficult to ask everyone to its home, has offered to fund one half of the reach into their pockets again, and we know cost of completely renovating and redecorat- that people are facing difficult choices right ing the lounges, if the JCC can raise the other now. However, if each of us gives just a little, half of the necessary funds. we will all gain a lot.” ©2009 by the Washtenaw Jewish News. All rights reserved. No portion of the Washtenaw Architect plans are complete and the total Seth Penchansky, president of JCC’s board Jewish News may be ­reproduced without cost is estimated at $66,000 requiring the JCC of directors, adds “We need families in our permission of the publisher. to raise $33,000 to match the Jewish Cultural community to join the $100 Lounge Renova- Signed letters to the editor are welcome; they should Society’s generous contribution. The New- tion Challenge. The JCC has accomplished a not exceed 400 words. Letters can be emailed to the man, Gelman and Levine families, for whom great deal in the last several years in enhanc- editor at [email protected]. Name will be with- the rooms are named, have already pledged ing your Jewish community building—all held at the discretion of the editor. to generously support the project as has the with community support.” Circulation: 5,000 Subscriptions: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah that For more information on the lounge reno- $12 bulk rate inside Washtenaw County also use the facility. vation, contact Leslie Bash at 971-0990 or les- $18 first-class su­bscription B’nai mitzvot, holiday celebrations, meet- [email protected]. n Affordable design for brochures, The deadline for the November, 2009 issue of the Washtenaw Jewish News is advertising, invitations and all of Friday, October 9. your personal or business needs. Publication date: Friday, October 30. IIn this issue… Extra copies of the Washtenaw Jewish News Make your next are available at locations throughout design project a Advertisers...... 31 On Another Note...... 26 Washtenaw County. Calendar...... 27 Seniors...... 8 Campus...... 16 Teens...... 18 Congregations...... 9 Youth...... 15 Israel...... 20 Vitals...... 31 by Dennis Platte Kosher Cuisine...... 24 World Jewry...... 23 734.483.9619 [email protected]

2 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 ICommunity

Religion’s relationship to terror topic of talk by Amos Guiora Patty Gillum, special to the WJN and challenges arising in five countries—the ow should we work to curtail the United States, the United Kingdom, the Neth- threat of new terrorist attacks? Au- erlands, Turkey, and Israel—Guiora shares his thor Amos N. Guiora challenges insights on religion’s relationship to terror. H ‐ conventional wisdom on this globally debated Guiora’s views are based on his own counter subject by arguing for an unusual technique: terrorism experience in Israel and the U.S. as well limiting religious freedom. Guiora will speak on as information gleaned from an international the topic of “Freedom from Religion” October advisory group of leading scholars from all five 25 from 10 a.m.–noon at the Jewish Commu- countries under review. Guiora addresses not nity Center of Greater Ann Arbor. The Jewish just Islamic extremism, but Christian and Jew- Cultural Society and the JCC are sponsoring ish varieties as well, at the University of Utah’s SJ this “Sunday Schmooze” event. Quinney College of Law where Guiora teaches In his book, also entitled Freedom from Re- classes. He has published four books--three on ligion, Guiora argues that Western and Middle counterterrorism. In addition, he served for 19 Eastern tolerance of religious extremism has years in the Israel Defense Forces where he held led to the current security crisis that our world senior command positions as part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. n now faces. By exploring the different policies Amos N. Guiora Journalist Orly Halpern to talk on Hamas and the Arab World Ed Davidson, special to the WJN sraeli-American Reporter Orly Halpern will miliarity with Arab culture she was able to talk Jewish Twitterers, (http://blogs.jta.org/tele- speak to the Ann Arbor Jewish community their way free.) Since then she has served as the graph/article/2009/05/01/1004826/jtas-100- Ion “Hamas, Iran, and the Arab World: what Middle East correspondent for The Jerusalem most-influential-jewish-twitterers). threatens Israel’s Post and The Forward, traveling across the Arab She is now writing a book about her year liv- existence, what and Muslim world to learn about its politics and ing among Iraqis and hearing their stories, all does not, and people. She developed a particular interest in the while hiding her other identities, Jewish and why?” on Tues- Jewish communities living amongst the Arabs. Israeli, from the locals she met across the coun- day, October 13, She has spent Passover with the last Afghan Jew try, including Shiites in Sadr City, Sunnis in Fal- 7:30 p.m. The in Kabul and with Bahraini Jews in Manama. luja, and Saddam’s extended family in Tikrit. talk will take Today Halpern continues to roam the re- While in Ann Arbor, Halpern will also place in Temple gion as a freelance journalist. Her reports have speak at the University of Michigan’s Center Beth Emeth’s appeared in many newspapers and magazines, for Middle Eastern and North African Studies Social Hall. including US News and World Report, Dallas (CMENAS) on Monday, October 12, at noon, Orly Halpern Morning News, Globe and Mail, New York Sun, on “Hamas: who they are, what do they want, Orly Halpern grew up in Or- San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Moni- should we talk to them, are they an existential ange County, California and Tucson, Arizona. tor, Ha’aretz, McClatchy Newspapers, Hadassah, threat?” in Room 1636, International Institute, A visit to the Middle East as a teenager enticed and Homemakers (Canada). During the Second School of Social Work Building, southwest cor- her to return as an adult. Since moving to Jeru- Lebanon War she reported for US News and was ner of East and South University Avenues. The salem and becoming a journalist, her reporting an analyst on Fox News. In the summer of 2007 talk is open to the public. For further informa- has focused on the Arab-Israeli conflict. But in she traveled to Rwanda and wrote about the tion, contact Amber Blomquist, at 764-0553, or 2003 she traveled by a string of taxis to Baghdad empowerment of women since the genocide [email protected]. Additional area venues, where she spent a year living in and reporting there. She learned that many of the Tutsi vic- and discussions with student groups, are in the from Iraq. (During that time she and a colleague tims identify with the Jews. planning stages. For further information, con- were kidnapped by insurgents near Falluja, but Halpern joined Twitter this year and quickly tact Ed Davidson at 973-0751 or davidson@ thanks to her knowledge of Arabic and her fa- became #8 on JTA’s list of 100 most influential umich.edu. JCS annual board retreat formulates mission for present, vision for future Adam Liebowitz, special to the WJN n August 16, the Jewish Cultural Soci- pose of a vision statement and presented the group in a discussion, focusing on each of the ety conducted its annual board retreat vision statements of some well known and suc- five goals, including where the JCS is currently, Oat the Jewish Community Center cessful companies such as Google and Micro- where should the JCS be in the future, and what of Greater Ann Arbor. Twelve board members soft. Then the group took a look at their own will it take to get there. In this manner, 15 spe- and staff were in attendance. The purpose of the draft vision statement. After several hours of cific objectives were formulated. These objec- board retreat was to strategically plan for the fu- discussion and fine tuning, the group agreed on tives will be the basis for action throughout this ture of the organization. This year’s event started a vision statement, which in part reads: “We will year and possibly next year as well. with the very basic but difficult task of formu- be a welcoming home for everyone interested in At the end of the board retreat, there was a lating a mission statement for the present and a being part of a secular humanistic community general feeling of accomplishment and delight vision statement for the future. where Jewish traditions, history, culture, and in the results. When asked how he felt about The JCS was fortunate enough to have Gary values are celebrated through lifecycle events, the outcome, Magenta said, “The JCS board has Magenta, a professional coach, volunteer to facili- Sunday school, adult programming, holiday done a spectacular job of creating a vision and tate this year’s retreat. Magenta, a past JCS member, observance, and social activities.” mission for the organization. I believe this clar- conducted phone interviews prior to the August 16 Once the group agreed on the vision state- ity and focus provides the foundation for the meeting to gain insight about current and past JCS ment, the mission statement was developed in JCS to grow and better serve the community.” board members’ vision for the future. These inter- much less time. The JCS mission statement is as “The board retreat proved to be a real com- views resulted in a draft vision statement. follows: “We are a full-service secular human- munity building experience.” stated Julie Gales, Magenta began the board retreat with intro- istic Jewish community welcoming everyone JCS madrikha. “The collaborative work we ductions and an icebreaker–he asked each par- to share in the traditions, history, culture, and did to create our community’s new vision and ticipant to state their name, connection to the values of the Jewish People.” mission statements has helped us create stron- JCS, and what CD was in their car’s CD player. Before the retreat ended for the day, the ba- ger bonds of friendship and shared leadership The group then agreed on goals for the day, which sis for five goals to support the mission and vi- among board members. It’s a great place to be were to refine the draft vision statement, write a sion were developed, and the group agreed to as we enter a new year together.” mission statement, and create three to five goals to reconvene on August 30 to continue the work Adam Liebowitz is president of the Jewish Cultural support the mission and vision statements. that was begun. Society. Magenta explained the definition and pur- On August 30, Magenta again lead the Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 3 IJewish Book Festival

22nd Annual Jewish Book Festival November 3-15 Margi Brawer, special to the WJN he Jewish Community Center of Great- expert look at Israel’s meteoric rise in the global pearance sixty years to learn the full stories of the boys’ fractured er Ann Arbor will hold its 22nd Annual economy — with timely hints for a world reel- ago during the cha- lives. Michael and Leslie decided that their re- T Jewish Book Festival, November 3–15, ing from financial crisis. os of war and revo- sponsibility, like that of parents everywhere, was at the JCC. Mimi Chapman, Fran Martin and Dan Senor worked in congress, as both a lution, if they are to to help all their boys get a start in life. Esther Ullman are the Book Festival chairs. The foreign policy advisor and communications di- stop more killings So began a turbulent learning experience for event is supported by the Fred and Ned Shure rector to former U.S. Senator and Energy Secre- and uncover the all, movingly depicted in What Else But Home. Endowment, as well as many local commu- tary Spencer Abraham (R-MI) before becoming truth of what is go- It’s a quest to escape the previously inevitable, a nity organizations, businesses, and individu- joining the administration of President George ing on today. test of the resilience of a newly assembled family, als. Twenty compelling and diverse authors are W. Bush as deputy White House press secretary. S.J. Rozan was a love story unlike any other, and a celebration schedule to speak during noontime Lunch & During the Iraq war, he was a Pentagon and born and raised in of the fact that, whatever the differences, base- Learn events, Monday through Thursday eve- White House advisor based in the Middle East. the Bronx and is ball and commitment can help bridge them. S.J. Rozan ning presentations and on both Sundays. All He has written extensively about the Middle a long-time Man- Michael Rosen, a community organizer, author presentations are free and open to the East for publications including the Wall Street hattan resident. An architect for many years, is also the author of Turning Words, Spinning public. Lunch may be purchased at the daily Journal, the New York Times, the Washington she is now a full-time writer. Her critically ac- Worlds. He is a former real estate developer Lunch & Learn programs for $10 in advance or Post, the New York Post, and the Weekly Standard claimed, award-winning novels and stories have and former CEO of a publicly traded company $12 at the door. and worked for Fox News. Senor holds an MBA won most of crime fiction’s greatest honors, in- destroyed in the events of September 11, 2001. from Harvard Business School. cluding the Edgar, Anthony, Shamus, Macavity, He lives in New York, and with his wife, Leslie Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 p.m. and the Nero Award. Gruss, helps raise the “extended Rosen family.” Jeff Zaslow, author of The Girls from Ames Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. Meet the Ames Girls: 11 childhood friends Jonathan Cohn, author of Sick, The Untold Thursday, November 5, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 12:15 p.m. who formed a special bond growing up in Ames, Story of America’s Health Care Crisis—and Abigail Pogrebin, author of One and the Same Children’s Program: Afternoon Tea featuring Iowa. As young women, they moved to eight the People Who Pay the Price In One and the Same, Abigail Pogrebin takes Rebecca Rubin, the newest American Girl Doll. different states, yet America’s health care system is unravel- an unsparing look at the bizarre and exhilarat- Luncheon and Tea $7.50 managed to main- ing. Every day, millions of hard-working people ing experience of being an identical twin. In Meet Rebecca Rubin, the newest member tain an enduring struggle to find affordable medical treatment examining what of the American Girl Doll family. The Rebecca friendship that for themselves and it means to go series includes six fiction titles, for readers 8–12 would carry them their families. Some through life as a years old, about a Russian-Jewish girl growing through college and of these people end double, Pogrebin up in the Lower careers, marriage up losing money. weaves her own East Side in 1914– and motherhood, Others end up personal story with 1915. This period dating and divorce, losing something extensive research captures the mo- a child’s illness and more valuable: their and revealing in- ment when the the mysterious health or even their terviews. Pogebrin Jewish experience Jeffrey Zaslow death of one mem- lives. In this power- talks to twins with in America be- ber of their group. ful work of original fascinating sto- came inseparably The Girls from Ames is a testament to the deep reportage, Jonathan Abigail Pogrebin ries: a pair who intertwined with bonds of women as they experience life’s joys Jonathan Cohn Cohn travels across still dress alike as cultural develop- and challenges—and the power of friendship to the United States to adults, twins who measure every success by the ments that shaped triumph over heartbreak and unexpected trag- investigate why this crisis is happening and to see, other, a twin unraveled by the loss of his identi- the entire nation: massive immigration, the edy. The girls, now in their forties, have a life- first-hand, its impact on ordinary Americans. cal twin brother in 9/11 tragedy, and twins who labor movement, and the movie industry. Re- time of memories in common, some evocative Jonathan Cohn is a senior editor at The New survived the chilling experiments of Nazi doc- becca’s stories bring these important events to of their generation and some that will resonate Republic, where he has written about national tor Josef Mengele. One and the Same explores life for young readers. with any woman who has ever had a friend. politics and its influence on American com- the intimacy between twins and uncovers what Attendees are invited to dress as their favorite Jeffrey Zaslow is a Wall Street Journal colum- munities for the past decade. He is also a senior twins can tell the rest of us about how we all American Girl and come enjoy tea sandwiches, nist and co-author, with Randy Pausch, of The fellow at the think-tank Demos and a contrib- forge a unique identity in the world. cookies and games. Everyone who purchases a Last Lecture, the #1 New York Times bestseller, uting editor at The American Prospect, where he Abigail Pogrebin is also the author of Stars Rebecca book will be entered into a raffle for a now translated into 41 languages. The Girls From served previously as the executive editor. Cohn, of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jew- new Rebecca Rubin doll. Ames grew out of one of Zaslow’s columns. who has been a media fellow with the Kaiser ish. A Yale graduate, she has written for many national publications and was a producer for Sponsored by Perlove-Siegel Families Sponsored by Simply Scrumptious Catering Family Foundation, has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Mother Mike Wallace at 60 Minutes, Charlie Rose, Bill Sunday, November 8, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, noon Jones, Rolling Stone, and Slate. A graduate of Moyers, and Fred Friendly. She lives with her Harvard University, he now lives in Ann Arbor, husband and two children in Manhattan—a Michael Tucker, author of Family Meals: Com- Dan Senor, co-author of Start-Up Nation with his wife and two children. mile from her identical twin sister, New York ing Together to Care for an Aging Parent Dan Senor and Paul Singer’s Start-Up Na- Times reporter Robin Pogrebin. and Jill Eikenberry Sponsored by Jewish Cultural Society tion addresses the trillion-dollar question: How Michael Tucker was born into a large Jewish is it that Israel—a country of 7.1 million, sur- Friday, November 6, noon Thursday, November 5, noon family. Growing up, his parents, grandparents, rounded by en- Michael Rosen, author of What Else But Home uncles, aunts, and cousins were a constant pres- emies, in a constant S. J. Rozan, author of The Shanghai Moon One day, Michael Rosen’s seven-year-old ence. When it came for his own family, he opted state of war, with no In The Shanghai Moon, the hunt for a valuable son Ripton decided to join a pick-up game for a more “Ameri- natural resources brooch propels S.J. Rozan’s ninth Lydia Chin and in the park. After the game, Ripton asked his can” model—he —produces more Bill Smith nail-biter. In 1938, Rosalie Gilder, an 18- new friends if they wanted to come back to his and his wife Jill start-up companies year old Jewish refugee, fled Nazi-annexed Austria house. Over time, five of the boys—all black pursued their ca- than large, peaceful for Shanghai, which, as an open city, provided safe and Hispanic, from an impoverished neighbor- reers and their nations like Can- haven for thousands of Jews during World War II. hood across the park—became a fixture in the adult children lived ada, Japan, China, There, she married an aristocratic and the couple Rosens’ home and on separate coasts. India, and the U.K.? had a jeweler create the Shanghai Moon, a brooch eventually started When Jill’s mom With the savvy of combining Rosalie’s mother’s diamonds with his referring to Mi- was diagnosed with foreign policy in- Dan Senor ancestors’ rare jade, which became a symbol of chael and his wife dementia, the fam- siders, Senor and their union. Leslie as their par- ily came together Singer examine Israeli culture and government Its disappearance during WWII interests trea- ents. As the boys in a way that none to reveal the secrets behind the world’s first ever sure hunters in the present day. In search of the began to see the of them could have “start-up nation.” As countries across the globe Shanghai Moon, Lydia and Bill follow a trail to Rosens as more imagined. Family Meals is about children becom- restart their own economies, and businesses try Manhattan’s Chinatown, where some connected than just an arcade ing adults; it’s about an aged parent becoming a to re-energize their entrepreneurial spirit, one to the brooch have been murdered. Now Lydia of middle-class child; it’s about a husband and wife realizing that can look to Israel for some impressive, surpris- and Bill must unravel the truth about the Shanghai creature comforts; the direction of their life is never the issue—only ing clues. Start-Up Nation provides a fascinating Moon and the events that surrounded its disap- Michael Rosen the Rosens began that they’re moving in that direction together. 4 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 Michael Tucker is an actor and author, best fare. Coached by a former Marine reservist, the known for his portrayal of Stuart Markowitz in team learns to overcome adversity on and off the NBC series, LA Law. He and his wife, ac- the field. The story reminds readers of the im- tress and fellow L.A. Law co-star, Jill Eikenberry, pact that coaches, parents and teachers have on now split their time between New York City and developing their values, human potential, and their home in Umbria, Italy. leadership skills. Brooks Mendell speaks professionally and Sponsored by Jewish Family Services is president of Forisk Consulting. A Fulbright Monday, November 9, noon Scholar, Brooks earned degrees at MIT and UC Berkeley, and a PhD from the University of Howard Blum, author of American Lightning Georgia. At MIT, Brooks was co-captain and co- American Lightning begins with an explo- MVP of the record-setting 1993 baseball team. sion that reverberated across the country—and into the very heart of early-twentieth-century Ira Berkow. author of The Corporal America. On the Was a Pitcher morning of Oc- The Corporal Was a Pitcher recounts Lou tober 1, 1910, the Brissie’s struggle to overcome incredible odds walls of the Los An- and become one of the “nation’s greatest.” In geles Times Build- December 1944, ing buckled as a 6 of 11 American thunderous deto- corporals died nation sent men, when an enemy machinery, and shell hit their trans- mortar rocketing port in Northern into the night air. Italy. The promis- Howard Blum When at last the ing Major League wreckage had been sifted, 21 people were dead pitcher Lou Brissie and dozens more injured. As it turned out, this survived, although was just a prelude to the devastation that was with a debilitating to come. Ira Berkow. leg injury. When The L.A. Times was at the center of a “you the doctors want- must take sides” conflict between labor and ed to amputate, Brissie implored them to save capitalism, and management quickly blamed the leg. They did, and Brissie fought his way union terrorists. Interweaving the tales of Billy into the Major League while wearing a knee-to- Burns, a private detective known as the “Ameri- ankle, steel-and-aluminum brace. can Sherlock Holmes”; famed attorney Clar- Berkow profiles Brissie’s courage in over- ence Darrow, of Scopes Monkey Trial fame; and coming his injuries and realizing his dream, but filmmaker D.W. Griffith, director of Birth of a he also details the man’s post-baseball career, Nation, Blum weaves an early twentieth century in which he inspired injured veterans and sick murder mystery. American Lightning is a story children with his calming presence, sincerity, still reverberates today. It is a masterpiece of and history of overcoming the odds. The Cor- narrative nonfiction. poral Was a Pitcher is a must-read not only for Howard Blum, an award-winning former baseball fans, but also for anyone looking to find reporter for the New York Times, is currently inspiration from a man who never quit despite a contributing editor of Vanity Fair. Blum is the odds being stacked so highly against him. the also the author of several bestselling non- Ira Berkow, a sports columnist and feature fiction books, including The Brigade, The Gold writer for the New York Times for more than of Exodus, Gangland, and Wanted! The Brigade 25 years, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001. He is is being made into a major motion picture by the author of 18 books, including the best sell- Miramax Films. This is Blum’s second appear- ers Red: A Biography of Red Smith and Maxwell ance at the Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival Street: Survival in a Bazaar, as well as two mem- oirs, Full Swing and To the Hoop. Monday, November 9, 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Temple Beth Emeth Baseball Night Brooks Mendell, author of Beaverball Tuesday, November 10, noon Beaverball details the story of a team of Kurt Roberg, author of A Visa or Your Life!: unlikely winners. In 1993, the Massachusetts A Boy’s Life and the Odyssey of His Escape Institute of Technology (MIT) Varsity Baseball from Nazi Germany Team—known This autobiography is the story of a Jew- more for its SAT ish teen growing up in Nazi Germany. The scores than its bat- author recounts ting average—won his youthful ex- its first ever cham- periences and pionship. How did impressions, the this team, without restrictions and athletic recruiting degradations or scholarships, forced on Jews achieve beyond by a hostile, to- expectations? talitarian regime, Brooks Mendell Brooks Mendell and the ultimate brings the reader struggle to secure into the locker room humming Adom Olam, Kurt Roberg the permits and into the dugout to share matzo during a dou- visas for a life-saving emigration. After his bleheader, and inside MIT’s auditoriums where escape to Holland, he is caught there in the homemade robots engage in mechanical war- Continues on page 6

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 5 IJewish Book Festival continued from page 5

grips of war. His problems do not end when facts, while the son he finally reaches the United States. The au- wondered if long- thor then takes the reader to New York City buried secrets of the 1940s and US army life in World War were best kept that II during his tour of duty in the Pacific. His way. His questions trips back to Germany after the war open a were many: What door to the emotions of returning to a scene prompted Annie’s of humiliation and brutality, as well as recog- commitment, at nition of those righteous people who helped age 21, to Eloise his family in their hour of need. The book Hospital, south- relates a wealth of historic information and eastern Michigan’s succeeds in painting a vivid picture of a world Steve Luxenberg sprawling psychi- at war, a young man and his family’s escape to atric facility? Why was there next to no record freedom, and coming to terms with the past of her early years? Most baffling of all, why did through redemption and recognition. Beth, two years Annie’s senior, refuse for so Kurt Roberg was born in Germany and long to acknowledge her sibling’s existence? lived there during Hitler’s rise to power. He Luxenberg pieces together the story of eventually immigrated to the United States. his mother’s motivations, his aunt’s life, and Now retired from business, his fascination the time in which they lived. Combining the with history and researching his family gene- power of reportage with the intrigue of mys- alogy are evident in his writing. His first book, tery, Annie’s Ghosts explores the nature of self- written in German, was published in 2005. deception and self-preservation. The result is Roberg has given presentations on his expe- equal parts memoir, social history, and rivet- riences in Nazi Germany and participated in ing detective story. exhibits at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. Steve Luxenberg has been a senior editor with the Washington Post for twenty-two years. Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. His reporting has won numerous awards, in- Chris Bohjalian, author of Skeletons at the Feast cluding two Pulitzer Prizes for explanatory Skeletons at the Feast is a WWII love story, journalism. set in the waning months of the war when a group of people begin the longest journey of Wednesday, November 11, 7:30 p.m. their lives. At the Ernie Harburg, author of Liberty, Equality, center is Anna, the Consensus, and All that Jazz at the Del Rio Bar daughter of Prus- Every revolution needs a good bar. In Ann sian aristocrats, Arbor, that bar was the Del Rio. In the late and her first love, 1960s and early1970s, Ann Arbor morphed a Scottish prison- from a quiet, Republican university town to er of war. But he an epicenter of the “counterculture.” And the is the enemy, and new Del Rio bar became the place for anti-war their love must and black power remain a closely activists, gays and guarded secret. lesbians, women’s Only Manfred, a libbers—a whole Chris Bohjalian Wehrmacht cor- range of uppity poral, knows the truth. As these unlikely allies youth—to strat- flee the advancing Russians, their flight will egize, booze and test the trio’s love and friendship and forever enjoy great jazz. bind them together. In Li b e r t y, What’s particularly interesting about this Equality, Consen- novel is its connection to a piece of real his- sus and All That tory—a diary. The book was inspired by an Ernie Harburg Jazz, social scien- actual diary a friend asked Bohjalian to read tist and former Del Rio owner Ernie Harburg in 1998; it had been kept by his friend’s East shares the “warts and all” story of the social Prussian grandmother from 1920 to 1945. experiment that was this business establish- Eight years later, Bohjalian read a history of ment —somehow, miraculously run by con- that time and recalled the diary; after a second sensus, right down to hiring and firing. He reading, it inspired his novel. recounts the lesbian cooks who balked at hir- Chris Bohjalian is the critically acclaimed ing a male, the employee who slammed the author of 11 novels, including the #1 New York door on would-be customers because they Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club se- wore suits, and Tory Harburg, co-owner, who lection Midwives. His most recent novel, The begged haughty employees for a raise. Inter- Double Bind, hit the New York Times bestseller woven are an employee’s memories of coming list in both hardcover and paperback. His to age in the raucous, sexually promiscuous, work has been translated into 25 languages. often drugged-out but surprisingly support- ive Del family. And amazingly, the bar stayed Wednesday, November 11, noon open, sometimes just barely, until 2004. In Steve Luxenberg, author of Annie’s Ghosts one quixotic bar is the story of a generation. Steve Luxenberg’s mother Beth claimed Ernie Harburg is a research scientist throughout her life she was an only child. emeritus at the University of Michigan and Then, a few years before her death in 1999, president of the Yip Harburg Foundation, Beth admitted out of the blue to having a which promotes both the creative works of disabled younger sister named Annie. Beth’s the famous lyricist and Yip’s commitment to failing health precluded Luxenberg and his social justice and world peace. From 1969– siblings from learning any more. After Beth’s 2004 Harburg was a co-owner of the Del Rio death, Luxenberg began to dig for answers. Bar. He is the author, with Harold Meyer- And as he dug, he uncovered more informa- son, of Who Put the Rainbow in the Wizard tion, both puzzling and shocking. His dual of Oz? Yip Harburg, Lyricist and, with Ber- roles as reporter and son proved both a bless- nard Rosenberg, of The Broadway Musical: ing and curse; the journalist dug furiously for Collaboration in Commerce and Art.

6 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 IFederation

Thursday, November 12, noon foreign to them, Jewish youngsters—all shapes, sizes, and ori- making life’s chal- gins—at play at her children’s day school. Cabinet Retreat inspires Carol Leifer, author of When You Lie About lenges especially Sponsored by The Early Childhood Center young Jewish leaders Your Age, the Terrorists Win difficult. This By Ron Perry When You Lie About Your Age, the Terror- book on anxiety Sunday, November 15, 12:30 p.m. ists Win is the first book by comedian Carol written specifi- Miami in August? Leifer. It is a laugh-out-loud look at life, love, cally for adults Bruce Feiler, author of America’s Prophet Just a few weeks ago I traveled with fellow and family that deals with her personal jour- with Asperger America’s Prophet is a timely, provocative Ann Arborites Herb Aronow and Stacey Lee ney through aging, adoption, animal activ- Syndrome, offers exploration of the integral role of Moses (and to sweltering Miami to energize our Jewish ism, feminism, practical advice the Bible’s Exodus narrative) at every stage of batteries. The three of us, all under age 45 and faith. Ulti- on how individu- U.S. history. One part adventure story, one and currently serving on the board of direc- mately, it is about Nick Dubin als with AS can part literary detective story, one part explo- tors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann coming to terms manage anxiety more effectively. The book ration of faith in contemporary life, bestsell- Arbor, participated in an annual gather- with yourself, will also be of interest to family members, ing author Bruce ing called “Retreat.” Retreat is organized by coming into your teachers, and other professionals working Feiler taker read- Cabinet, the young Jewish leadership arm of own, and becom- with individuals with AS. ers to the seminal United Jewish Communities, which is the ing the person Nick Dubin was diagnosed with Asperger touchstones in the umbrella organization for all Jewish Federa- you are meant to Syndrome in 2004. He holds a bachelor’s American story- tions across North America. Herb and I have be. degree in communications from Oakland the Pilgrims land- been members of Cabinet since 2007; Stacey Carol Leifer is University, a master’s degree in learning ing on Plymouth joined the group this year. Other Ann Ar- Carol Leifer an accomplished disabilities from the University of Detroit Rock, the colo- borites who are members, but were not able stand-up come- Mercy, and a specialist degree in psychology nists revolting in to participate in Retreat this year, are Steven dian, and an Emmy-nominated writer and from the Michigan School of Professional Philadelphia, Berger and Mark Bernstein (also serving on producer for work on TV shows such as Psychology. He is the author of Asperger Syn- Harriet Tubman the board of directors of the Jewish Federa- Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Saturday drome and Bullying and two DVDs, Asperger freeing slaves on tion of Greater Ann Arbor). Night Live, and The Academy Awards. Carol Syndrome and Employment and Being Bul- Bruce Feiler the Underground Cabinet aims to inspire young Jews to has been seen on The Tonight Show, Real lied. Nick lives in a suburb of Detroit. Railroad, Abra- serve and lead their communities – now and Time with Bill Maher, Conan O’Brian, and ham Lincoln addressing the country at Get- in the future. It also equips them with prac- The Oprah Winfrey Show. She starred in and Sunday, November 15, 10 a.m. tysburg, Martin Luther King, Jr. being struck tical information, advice, and the resources created the WB sitcom, Alright Already. She Debra B. Darvick, author of down in Memphis the day after he compared to do so. Cabinet is a six-year commitment lives in Santa Monica with her partner and himself to Moses, saying “I have been to the with three primary prerequisites. You must I Love Jewish Faces their son. mountaintop, but I will not reach the Prom- be: (a) under age 40 to join, (b) willing to I Love Jewish Faces affirms identity, em- ised Land.” In each place Feiler explains the make a significant annual financial commit- braces diversity, and celebrates Jewish life, all Thursday, November 12, 7:30 p.m. role of the Exodus story as the defining theme ment to your local Federation’s campaign, in one remarkable little book. In 94 words in American life. In America’s Prophet, he pro- and (c) willing to, at minimum, participate Book Club Night: David Liss, author of The and 30-plus photos, I Love Jewish Faces turns poses that Moses, who has been heralded by in the annual Retreat as often as possible Devils Company the image of the all political parties and embraced as an icon (there is much more programming offered From the acclaimed author David Liss Yiddehe punim by every generation from Plymouth to today, to Cabinet members which I will touch on comes a superb new historical thriller set on its head. I Love offers a path to reclaim the unifying vision of later in this article). in the splendor and squalor of eighteenth- Jewish Faces sings America as the beacon of freedom—the new I personally have found Cabinet/Retreat century London. the long overdue Promised Land. to be an extremely rewarding experience Ruffian for hire, song of Jewish di- Bruce Feiler is the New York Times best- and I know my fellow “Cabineteers” feel the and master of versity with pas- selling author of Walking the Bible, Abraham, same. This year’s Retreat, as in years past, disguise, Benja- sion, honesty, and Where God Was Born, among other titles. He took place over the course of three and a half min Weaver finds celebration. is a frequent contributor to NPR and CNN, a days. The programming was divided into two himself caught in Debra B. Dar- contributing editor for Parade, and has written primary segments: (1) individual leadership a deadly game of vick is an award- for the New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, skill development and (2) group discussions cat and mouse, winning essayist Washington Post, USA TODAY, and Gourmet, on various topics of importance to Cabi- against a wealthy whose byline has appeared in various news- where he won three James Beard Awards. net and the Jewish community in general. schemer who papers and magazines, including Newsweek, The first part utilized the philosophy and needs Weaver’s Forward, Moment, and Hadassah, as well as Sponsored by Beth Israel Congregation toolkit called “StrengthFinders,“ pioneered guile for his on websites, including JewishFamily.org and David Liss by the Gallup organization, which helps own treacherous OU.org. Her essays are excerpted in eight For more information on the book festival, people focus on developing their strengths. plans. With the anthologies. A much-followed blogger, Dar- contact Julie Gales at 971-0990 or juliegales@ Prior to Retreat, each of us was required to explosive action and scrupulous research, vick wrote I Love Jewish Faces after watching jccfed.org. The Devil’s Company, is the most impressive take an online exam to determine our top 5 achievement yet from an author who contin- strengths. Then at Retreat, we spent a morn- ues to set ever higher standards for historical ing session with a facilitator learning more suspense. about our strengths, their significance, and David Liss is the author of The Whiskey Annual Book Festival sponsorship opportunities how we can better leverage them to be more Rebels, The Ethical Assassin, A Spectacle of effective leaders, whether in the Jewish com- Margi Brawer, special to the WJN Corruption, The Coffee Trader, and A Con- munity or in our daily lives. I really enjoyed spiracy of Paper, winner of the Edgar Award The Jewish Community Center is soliciting community support of the book festival this session and the opportunity it afforded for Best First Novel. He received his B.A. to offset the cost of bringing the annual event to Ann Arbor. This popular and unique us to invest in ourselves. from Syracuse University, a masters degree Jewish cultural event features authors such as Chris Bohjalian, David Liss, Jeff Zazlow, Most of Cabinet, however, is group- from Georgia State University and his mas- Dan Senor and Bruce Feiler. This year’s festival will host 20 authors from around the oriented, and we spent a significant por- ters in philosophy from Columbia Univer- country, making it the most ambitious Ann Arbor Jewish Book Festival to date. tion of our time interacting with our “class” sity, where he left his dissertation unfinished The JCC is offering several sponsorship categories. Sponsors of $125 dollars or (people who joined Cabinet the same year to pursue his writing career. more will receive an invitation to the Sponsor Reception and Dinner with L.A. Law we did), our geographic region (we had din- actors, Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry, as well as a complimentary autographed ner with Cabineteers from Detroit, Grand Friday, November 13, noon copy of their book, Family Meals. In addition, those sponsors will receive recognition Rapids, and Cleveland), as well as with the in all publications and discounts for purchases throughout the festival. Contributors entire Cabinet group (about 150 people in Nick Dubin, author of Asperger Syndrome of $360 or more will receive the above stated benefits, the opportunity to sponsor an total from across the U.S. and Canada). The and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress author or a Jewish Book Festival event, and receive complementary tickets for lunch group discussions focused on challenging Management to the Lunch & Learn Authors Series. The JCC is also soliciting corporate sponsorship. current issues, such as how the global eco- Many people suffer from stress and anxi- More information about sponsorship levels and benefits can be found on the JCC’s nomic crisis has affected our local commu- ety in their everyday lives. For people with website, www.jccannarbor.org nities, and how Federation can continue to Asperger Syndrome (AS), this stress can be The Book Festival runs from November 3–15 and is free and open to the entire provide key services to the growing number particularly difficult to manage. People with community. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Gales of needy people in our communities. We AS must fit into a world that seems totally at 971-0990 or [email protected]. also took time to plan the year ahead. Cabi- Continues on page 30 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 7 ISeniors/Community

October SPICE* of Life Chabad brings toys to hospitalized children *Social, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Educational Programs for Adults Erica Zviklin, special to the WJN Tuesdays ground floor, Michigan League. Free. For more t the end of August, as many children ten. The organizers of the campaign believe that 10 a.m.: “The Bible in It’s Time” with Liz information, call 936-2367. enjoyed their last days of summer, this simple gesture can brighten the life of a sick Fried. 8 sessions through October 27. Tuition Thursdays other children lay in their hospital or recovering child. free for Washtenaw County residents 65 and 10 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- A beds at the University of Michigan Motts Chil- “As we approach the Jewish New Year, giving older through Washtenaw Community College quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10 dren’s Hospital, some fighting for their lives. to others is one of the most meaningful mitzvot Outreach Program. Call Merrill Poliner, 971- 11 a.m.: Current Events with Heather Dombey. 0990 to register. Through an orga- A Jewish perspective on this week’s news. Bring nization called “Toys 11 a.m.: Energy Exercise with Maria Far- items of interest for group discussion. quhar. $4 per session, or 3 sessions for $10. Noon: Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person for Hospitalized Chil- Noon: Dairy Lunch Buffet. $3 per person. 1 p.m.: Thursday Special Events and Presenta- dren,” Rabbi Alter and 1 p.m.: Games and Activities. Join in for a vari- tions (see below for details) Chanchi Goldstein of ety of games and activities including mahjong, 2:15 p.m.: Literary Group facilitated by Sidney the Chabad House of quilting, art projects, and other card games. Warschausky, Call Merrill Poliner, 971-0990, for Ann Arbor utilized a New—Bridge club at 1 p.m. more information and the current book. program to bring com- 1:30 p.m.: Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversation- Fridays fort and joy to these al Group). Open to the public as well as Uni- 1:30 p.m.: Yiddish Reading Group at the Jew- children during their versity of Michigan faculty, staff and students, ish Community Center. Call Ray Juni for ad- challenging times. For all ages and levels welcome. Beanster’s Café, ditional information at 761-2765 more than 50 years, the Toys for Hospitalized Special events and Presentations Children Campaign Wednesday, October 14–1 p.m. Afternoon De- Thursday, October 8–1 p.m. Michael Hommel, pro- (a division of National Rabbi Alter and Chana Goldstein presenting toys to the staff at Committee for the Fur- lights Concert presenting Arie and Friends spon- fessor at EMU returns to SPICE with a presentation the U-M Mott Hopsital. sored by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and about “The Red Scare of the 40s and 50s.” therance of Jewish Edu- the JCC. Tickets $8 at the door or through the Thursday, October 15–12:30 p.m. Allison Pol- cation based out of Brooklyn, New York) has (good deeds) one can do,” Chana Goldstein said Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. NOTE: TIME lock, MSW, Jewish Family Services geriatric social brought children confined to hospital wards as she helped unpack the gifts that would be CHANGE. worker will be available for discussion, questions toys and games during the holiday months. distributed to the children by the staff at Motts. Thursday, October 1–12:30 p.m. Birthday celebra- and assistance. Three years ago, they expanded their service by Kimberley Barker, the manager of UMHS Mott tion for all with September birthdays! Bring your Thursday, October 15–1 p.m. Dr. Liz Fried brings launching the Toys for Hospitalized Children Community Relations, said that the gifts from family and friends for lunch and birthday cake. us a presentation on “Bereishite and Noah.” Summer Campaign. U-M Motts Hospital was “Toys for Hospitalized Children” gave the pa- Thursday, October 1–1 p.m. JCC SPICE Older Thursday, October 22– 1 p.m. Bobbie Levine will chosen to participate in the program. tients and their families joy and brightened Adults Annual Meeting. Join SPICE for a free present on American Indian Art. The gifts—which include games, stuffed their hospital stay. “It is incredible to see the dif- lunch and discussion about ideas for future activi- Thursday, October 29–1 p.m. “Playing Around animals, coloring books, toy cars, and the ference a new toy can make to a child or family ties, presentations and trips. with Recorders.” Learn about the history of re- like—are intended to comfort children during member when they are going through a diffi- Thursday, October 8–12:30 p.m. A registered nurse corders and recorder music. from Care Response will take and record blood pres- Sunday, October 25–1 p.m. “Lullaby of Broad- their hospital stay, which can be an isolating cult time, she said. “The toy not only provides sures and address any questions. Free. (This event way” concert with members of the Michigan and emotionally difficult experience. The gifts comfort, but shows the child/family that the n is repeated the second Thursday of each month.) Opera Theater. Tickets $5 at the door. remind the children that there are people who community is rooting for them!” care about them, and that they are not forgot-

8 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 ICongregations

AARH takes one of its own as its first rabbinical intern By Marcy Epstein ometimes I must remind myself that deepen her skills tremendously. She went ex- This year with us in this new capacity There is too much there,” she explains, “The the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist pecting to hone her public speaking in front brings from her wishes for collaboration, challenge of our generation is to find what S Havurah (AARH) has a living his- of a worshiping crowd. The teachers of DLTI forgiveness, strengthening, and growth in breathes life into our prayer, [this way] giv- tory. Now is such a time. This summer holds broke open the prayers for her more deeply, community. She feels this internship to be an ing our children and grandchildren their particular significance for the Havurah as honor and a privilege, but at the same time own real paths toward prayer and Torah.” one of our members, Aura Ahuvia, makes a a weighty responsibility. Sometimes this heft Providing spiritual leadership for the beit more formal transition into our service for scares her, because she wishes our congrega- sefer, conducting a variety of rituals, build- one year as a rabbinical intern. tion to continue its fuller formation, in the ing Jewish community: as the AARH grows, Ahuvia has worked and worshiped in next years, for example, developing a chevra Ahuvia feels a permission to be constantly the Ann Arbor Jewish community for many kadisha. It is an important function for the creative in her duties. She revels in the lee- years. For the AARH, Ahuvia has handled larger Ann Arbor Jewish community to have way to try new things out in order to bring simchot, holiday cycles, Shabbat, education a burial society, but more important, she is the group closer to its beliefs and values. She for adults and children, myriad other bless- awed by doing things right and well. In order trusts, in her Havurah family, that even if ings and concerns. There is more to see than to be here for us, Ahuvia plans to look a lot of things go wildly bad, somehow it will make meets the eye, always, inviting a long and things up; whenever she worries that a stu- a good story. mindful look. dent rabbi has some sort of a priori “perfect Ahuvia hopes to help facilitate new friend- Ahuvia, with her husband Aaron, moved knowledge”, she tries to remember that she is ships and ideas, even new groups of like- to Ann Arbor in 1991 to find little Recon- still a student and that seasoned rabbis worth mindedness: a men’s group, a Jewish book structionist presence here, something that their salt also check their sources. group, Hebrew class. In the same spirit, she felt important to them to create. Scoping Avodah (worship) will be a core value hopes to support people exploring their own things out, they invited a group to their of Ahuvia’s practice with the Havurah this spiritual paths. In all, Ahuvia feels an excite- home. In the early days of the Havurah, year. Working with prayers, particularly, is ment in supporting collective growth from these friends searched for ways to connect Aura Ahuvia to her like “adding water to the dust”—it is her own person, professional and familial, as creatively with like-minded people within because leading was about deepening the what breathes life into them. She regrets the the county’s Reconstructionist presence ex- Jewish tradition. Her professional path was prayers with others and for others. old experiences many of us have of prayers plores yet another dimension of ourselves, of so different back then. She sold college text- Some of her most valued friends from dry as dust, “Prayer should not be boring. community, and of relationship. n books then changed gears to complete one DLTI have stayed with her, pursuing canto- of the last master’s degrees in journalism at rial, rabbinical, or pastoral programs. They, the University of Michigan. As they had Isaac like Ahuvia, came from wildly different back- Havurah to offer year-long Learning Services series and Jonah, she started a parenting magazine grounds and trajectories, united in a love of and organized her first Jewish event for the knowledge and connection. She thought, as From now until next spring, the Ann Ar- contributed to the siddur, in this ses- Havurah, tot Shabbat, as a way to unite her she registered for the program that DLTI was bor Reconstructionist Havurah will be sion we’ll learn why. In what histori- identities as a thinker, mother, and Jew. the epitome of the path, offering her a taste offering a series of Learning Services that cal context did our contributors live? This Aura Ahuvia—unlike the person who of the Divine, like a rabbinical cul-de-sac or explore different aspects of the Shabbat What hardships did they endure, and today conducts Shabbatot shira, playful nig- a forbidden bar of chocolate. One taste, and morning service, and prayer in general. Led what blessings did they enjoy? How did gunim, and holiday cant—never sang, never she’d be done. Many of us know that candy by rabbinic intern Aura Ahuvia, the ser- these influence their writing? touched a guitar, never imagined herself a lay- bar. It whet her appetite. And the cul-de-sac, vices will entail a sizable measure of time Session 6, Feb. 6 for discussion and creative exploration of leader. Yet she became aware of a passion for she discovered, was an irregular road that The Shema. Why does this prayer stand at concepts and historical periods. No prior growing community. This passion burgeoned many others were already on. the center of Jewish faith? How can we knowledge of Hebrew is required, and the as she started serving as program director at Ahuvia’s path of becoming a rabbi started unpack its theology? This session seeks to Learning Services are open to all members Beth Israel Congregation and became active with several years of wrestling just with the understand the Shema on multiple levels in CAJE, the Coalition for the Advancement application to a Renewal rabbinical program. of the community. Services will be held of Jewish Educators. She began to ask herself: Her transition has never been easily decided. on the first Saturdays of the month at the Session 7, March 6 What sets people on fire? How to connect this She was aware of the heft of her decision to Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann The Amidah. Why is this prayer regarded as fire with their Judaism? be a rabbi, and to this day she worries about Arbor, from 10 a.m.–noon. For further in- the peak of the service? How is it quali- Meanwhile, back at the Havurah, sev- living up to the image of what a rabbi should formation, call Aura Ahuvia, 975-9045, or tatively different than the prayers which eral strong lay leaders had left, and Ahuvia be. She had to rethink her previous concep- [email protected]. precede and follow it? How can we work joined Deb Kraus in training to lead services tion of a rabbi, the iconic righteous scholar Session 2, Oct. 3 with it in a more meaningful way? for adults as well as for their children. We are sitting in a junior chair right below God. Postures Toward God. Why do we stand, Session 8, Apr. 3 (first day after a participatory and primarily lay-led com- This wasn’t the image of what she wanted sit, and bow at various points during the conclusion of Pesach) munity. Our values and practices are derived for herself or for Jewish community. service? This session will explore these The Torah Service. How did it evolve into both from Jewish tradition and the com- She had to make room for another image stances as well as related prayer objects its current form? What was its original plexity of contemporary influences; liturgy of rabbi. What does being a rabbi bring to a such as tallit, tefillin and kippah. intent? Why is it seen as the highlight of and ritual does not always come easily to us, community? In pursuit of this answer was the service? How can Reconstructionist because we embrace widely and meet Jewish room then for herself, wherein she could look Session 3, Nov. 7 communities address the challenges this Matbeah haTefillah. Did you know there’s responsibility head on, full heart. to part of her own answer, to bring this ques- service poses, including making its deep- a “warm-up section” in the prayer ser- Ahuvia and Kraus brought much to the tion to the fore of every day. In the end, she er meanings more apparent and felt? Havurah through the years. Ahuvia was couldn’t forbid herself from becoming a rabbi vice before formal prayer is begun? Or teaching herself guitar chords, years away for today’s Jewish community. She felt com- that prayer services conclude with a Session 9, May1 from finger-picking— “I couldn’t bar an F!” pelled to the intense learning, tempted to the turning from inwardness to outward- The Prophetic Voice. Where is the voice The opportunity to lead coincided with her full participation of every part of her, not just ness toward the world? Learn the deep of the prophets heard in the course time at CAJE and her first musical retreat her brain and spirit but also her behavior and structure of the Jewish prayer service. of a prayer service? How does it com- with Hava Nashira. It was as though a veil attitude. Training with our Havurah is sup- Cross-denominational similarities and pare and contrast with the other voices was lifted from her eyes. What if she learned porting exactly that sort of engagement. differences will also be explored. found in the siddur? Where is proph- even more? What if what she ventured could And it has been a growing experience, Session 4, Dec. 5 esy’s place today? make a difference? What might services be as Ahuvia accepts that the label rabbi has The Sources of Tefillah I: Characters. Who Session 10, June 12 like if we brought music, theological idea, enough space for plain human beings. The are the individuals and groups that Siyyum, or end-of-year celebration. The and other powerful vision behind prayer role of rabbi is breaking open for Ahuvia, contributed to the contents of the sid- year of Learning Services concludes into the midst of our community? What if her way of perceiving the changing needs for dur? What did they stand for? How did with a fuller davening experience, in- this pursuit became her job? rabbis in community. She wants to be part of they think? Learn about the major con- cluding incorporation of participants’ This has been a ten-year journey for Ahu- that conversation, not the voice but a voice. tributors to the siddur at this session. original compositions. Includes time via, full of lessons and relearning. Five years What is the rabbi’s role today, unlike 100 to reflect on what was learned through- ago she took a two-year intensive lay leader’s years ago? What began once as simple mem- Session 5, Jan. 2, 2010 out the year. training called DLTI (Davennen Leadership bership in the Havurah grew into thinking The Sources of Tefillah II: History. Now Training Institute), taught by Rabbis Marcia about these community questions day in and that we’ve been introduced to who Prager and Shawn Zevit. They helped her to day out, a central focus.

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 9 IFrom the Rabbis

Observing Shabbat Will the real sukkah please stand up? Rabbi Nathan Martin, special to the WJN Rabbi Robert Dobrusin, special to the WJN uring the hectic weeks before each of “died” on Shabbat afternoon and there was no he Biblical verses related to the Jewish More recently, in my own reflections on the our children was born, I was asked way to keep the formula properly, would that holiday of Sukkot (Feast of Booths) are sukkah design, I have also come to realize that it Dthe same question three or four times. justify running out and renting a small refrigera- Tsparse in their sukkah building specifi- has taken on an additional dimension of mean- Knowing that we do not drive on Shabbat, peo- tor (which we in fact did) or would it be more cations. The closest we come to a building in- ing in this moment in our human history when ple would ask: “If Ellen goes into labor on Shab- consistent with Jewish law to “make do” until struction is the verse “you shall dwell in booths we are facing on the biggest challenge of our bat, what are you going to do?” three stars appeared to signal the end of Shab- (Sukkot) for seven days (Lev 23:29)”—not a generation: living a lifestyle that does not overtax My first instinct was to make a joke but then bat. Does the fact that a child’s health might be great blueprint to work from. This limited guid- the resources and health of our planet. By draw- I realized that the question was serious and so affected as to that of an adult change the equa- ance, however, did not deter rabbinical authori- ing from locally harvested organic materials for it needed a direct answer: “We will drive to the tion, which I feel it does. ties in both the Talmud and later legal codes the roof covering, the sukkah roof reminds us hospital immediately.” These are very serious questions that each from writing exacting specifications. These in- to bring this practice of buying locally into our The tradition of Shabbat is one of most person should discuss with his or her rabbi clude such items as roof construction (the roof homes and lives for the rest of the year as well as beloved traditions as a people. At Beth Israel but the general principle of the tradition is that needs to be made of organic materials, with an important way to reduce our impact. And just Congregation, we are embarking on a year Shabbat is meant to enhance our life, not to put nothing nailed down, and the stars visible), and as the covering and beams of the room must be long programming theme of “Shabbat: Take us in any physical danger. wall design (the sukkah needs at least 2½ walls made from natural materials, this too serves as a the time….” We plan Shabbat experiences and While the instances in which we face this that won’t sway in the wind and are at least 3 feet reminder to use natural materials and products educational programs to enhance and deepen situation may be rare, they are real as are the tall). In one passage from the Mishnah (the first in our other home throughout the year, products our commitment to Shabbat and we invite questions of how Shabbat should be affected Jewish law code), the rabbis seem almost playful that don’t leave a toxic residue on us, or our sur- the community to join us at these programs by other situations which are not quite life and when they concoct and evaluate some more ex- roundings. And finally, there is the detail about through the year. death but which are significant. Needless to say, treme sukkah design possibilities. For example, the 2½+ walls. Just as these walls are strong and One of the issues that we have explored in the more serious the situation, the easier it is to they ask whether building a sukkah in the shape yet temporary, and open to the outside, they re- our Monday evening class on the laws of Shab- justify violating the laws of Shabbat. But, if we of a cone or on top of a camel would pass mus- mind us that in living in our permanent homes, bat is the entire issue that is implied in the ques- find ourselves too quick to go against the laws of ter (it would), or constructing one less than knee we, too, need to be open to the outside, open to tion that I mentioned above. What does one do Shabbat, it will become the proverbial slippery height would suffice (it wouldn’t). others in our neighborhood to build stronger when the laws of Shabbat conflict with health or, slope that erodes our traditional observance. Levity aside, the rabbinic attention to sukkah local communities, open to learning from those in extreme circumstances, with life itself? We live in a real world and we live in a place construction specification carries a deeper mes- near and far how to improve our sustainability Our tradition is clear. Pikuach Nefesh doche in which it is difficult to commit to Shabbat ob- sage. The structure reflects an intention of being practices, and open to ourselves to acknowledge Shabbat. When one’s life is at stake, the laws of servance. That makes it even more important strong enough to withstand some of the vagaries our vulnerability and fear as we embark on this Shabbat are cancelled out. The Torah teaches that that we make wise and proper decisions and of the weather, as we celebrate the abundance of civilizational experiment in human survival. the laws are meant to “live by” and the Rabbis de- draw lines which are firm while, at the same the fall harvest. At the same time—with its porous With all these various possibilities for duced that this meant that they are not to “die by” time, understanding that some compromise, at roof—the sukkah design intentionally exposes us “sukkah”—a harvest hut, a fragile home to feel and for that reason, all ritual laws are suspended the right time, is appropriate. to the stars, sky, and even rain. (Yes, I’ve been rained God’s abundance, a reminder of our personal when one’s life is in the balance or when one’s Yes, Jewish law would allow us to go to the out of a few sukkah meals myself!). By its design the and planetary fragility—one may ask the ques- health is harmed would be harmed in any signifi- hospital immediately if my wife went into la- rabbis are almost forcing us to experience a more tion: “will the real sukkah please stand up”? As cant way by observing the tradition. bor on Shabbat. A more interesting question direct connection between heaven and earth. As we celebrate the Sukkot holiday this season hope- This principle of Jewish law is crucial and is:, what if insurance dictated that my wife Rabbi Alan Lew (z”l) writes in his reflection on fully we can find ways to allow all these multiple while it may seem as obvious, it is important to and our newborn would be discharged from the High Holiday season (including Sukkot), “This meanings of sukkah to resonate within us, ener- teach this tradition. It is critical that we not get the hospital on Shabbat. Would I drive them house has no roof… yet, as you sit in this house eat- gizing us to more deeply connect with ourselves, so wrapped up in the details of our traditional home or have them wait in the lobby until ing the bounty of the earth, you feel a deep sense of our community, and the planet. n observance that we put ourselves in danger or in three stars appeared? security and joy. Here in this mere idea of a house, Rabbi Nathan Martin is assistant director at the some way place Jewish law above the very basic Thankfully, my kids had the good sense to you finally feel as if you are home.” (This is Real and University of Michigan Hillel. human needs for survival. be born on Wednesday and Sunday so we didn’t You are Completely Unpreprared, p.5) Of course, the issue is not always black and have to face that dilemma. But, I had already white. Different people might respond to bor- made up my mind and was ready with my an- derline situations in different ways. For example, swer just in case. what if a woman went into labor one half hour How each of us balances the laws of Shabbat Shemini Atzeret before Shabbat was over, would the prohibition and the spirit of the day is a personal issue but Rabbi Aharon Goldstein, special to the WJN on driving be suspended in that situation even one which any Shabbat observing Jew thinks f all the holidays of the month of The key to maintaining a close connection with if waiting 30 minutes would not present a prob- about at all times. The struggle with these ques- Tishrei, it is perhaps the very last, God is achdut (unity). lem? What if, as happened to us a few months tions underline how important Shabbat is to all Shemini Atzeret, which best expresses When Jews are united with one another our after our daughter was born, the refrigerator of us. n O God’s love for the Jewish people. The name itself, relationship with God is strong. When, however, “Atzeret,” comes from the Hebrew word “to stop” there is strife and division, it forms a wedge be- or “delay.” God detains us, as it were, for one more tween the Jewish people and our Father in heaven. day before we return to our regular lives. The entire theme of Sukkot is Jewish unity; The Midrash likens this to a king who holds a indeed, the mitzvah of the Four Kinds represents seven-day celebration for his sons. On the eighth the four types of Jews coming together to be bound day, when it comes time for them to leave, he is into one entity. Nonetheless, after Sukkot is over reluctant to see them go and asks them to remain and its positive effect has dissipated, the possibility for one more day of festivities. still exists that the individual elements will revert to A question is asked: How can one more their previous separateness and dissociation. day of celebration make the inevitable depar- In order to prevent this from happening, God ture less painful? What is gained by pushing it asks us to remain with Him a while longer, to cel- off? We must therefore conclude that there is ebrate a holiday which will secure our unity in an something about this special holiday, Shemini everlasting manner. Atzeret, which actually prevents the departure On Shemini Atzeret, a single sacrifice is from taking place at all. brought in the Holy Temple, expressing the idea This concept is reflected in the precise lan- of the indivisible nature of the Jewish people. guage of the Midrash. “Your departure is diffi- Furthermore, this concept is also reflected in the cult,” the king tells his sons, not “our departure.” way the holiday is celebrated: great scholars and This alludes to the fact that God never aban- simple people alike dancing with the Torah scroll, dons the Jewish people; His love for us is con- without distinction between them. stant and eternal. “Your departure is difficult,” The absolute unity with which we conclude God tells us. God doesn’t want us to abandon the holidays of Tishrei thus guarantees that these Him; He therefore requests that we celebrate feelings will carry over into the rest of the year, ef- Every year, in preparation for the High Holidays, Steve Rohde and Marc Joseph make one more holiday together that will serve to fectively preventing that we will ever “depart” from n shofarim for Chabad House, in the yard of Steve’s sister, Denise Rohde. strengthen our bond. holiness, God forbid.

10 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 TOURS 9 am Tues, Nov 10 Tues, Jan 12

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Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 11 ICommunity

Apples and Honey, September 13, 2009 1 Nearly 700 community members attended Apples and Honey, the community celebration of the fall holidays, held each year at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor. Representatives from local Jewish organizations and several vendors participated in the event, where they handed out literature and sold everything from children’s books, games and clothing, to baked goods, Judaica and artwork. Children’s activities included bouncers, a train ride, clowns making balloon animals and face painting, cookie decorating, crafts and more. There was a special newcomer’s table where the JCC welcomed 17 new families to the Ann Arbor area. Each family was greeted and given a bag filled with goodies from the Jewish agencies. Hundreds of area residents were able to attend this program free through a generous grant from the Benard L. Maas Foundation.

2 3 4

5 6 7

8 1. Young Judaea was represented by Michele Freed, Mara Abramson, Miriam Alexander, Hannah Alexander 2. Labe Eden and Tilly Shames from U-M Hillel sold “Michigan in Hebrew” clothing and giftware. 3. Carrie Bank, Apples and Honey chair, with her husband Andrew and children, Asher and Leila 4. Maccabi athletes Sacha Moravy-Penchansky, Emma Share, and Cassidy Moravy-Penchansky 5. Julie Gales and Esther Ullman at the JCC Book Festival Table. 6. Children and adults enjoyed the balloon creations by the clowns. 7. HDS teacher Aron Kaufman kibbitzing with ECC Director Noreen DeYoung and ECC teacher, Jessica Gillespie 8. Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah members Mark Schneyer and son Jacob, Debbie Zivan, and Jennifer Cohen

12 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 ICongregations

Temple Beth Emeth programs open to all Rabbi Lisa Delson, special to the WJN Orly Halpern to speak at TBE Movie Tuesday Spirituality Book Club the sukkah at TBE (weather permitting) and a On Tuesday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m., the Movie Tuesdays are for people with flex- Join Cantor Annie short adult learning session on Judaism, Suk- TBE Social Action group will host a talk by ible schedules. Tuesday, October 20, at 1 p.m., Rose on Tuesday, Octo- kot, and the environment. Those whose last international journalist, Orly Halpern. Halp- the group will watch Religulous, followed by ber 6, at 7:30 p.m., for name begins with A-N should bring a main ern’s lecture is titled “Hamas, Iran, the Arab discussion. Childcare is available with ad- the first gathering of the dish or salad, and O-Z should bring dessert. World and Existential Threats: What are Is- vanced notice. Spirituality Book Club. TBE will provide environmentally-friendly rael’s existential threats, and what are not, and Religulous stars comedian and TV host The first book isHow God dishes, silverware, and drinks. RSVP to Rabbi why?” (See article on page 3.) Bill Maher, who takes a pilgrimage across the Changes Your Brain by Lisa Delson at [email protected]. globe on a mind-opening journey into the ul- Andrew Newberg M.D. Basic Judaism timate taboo: questioning religion. Through- and Mark Waldman. Nature walk and discussion Every Sunday, starting October 15 through out this movie, Maher simply asks questions, The group will ex- Join Gabe Goldman, Jewish environmental March 21, 7:45–9 p.m., the course Basic Juda- like “Why is faith good?” “Why doesn’t an all- plore nine books over nine months on the educator, for a nature walk on Friday, October ism will be offered. This is a course for those powerful God speak to us directly?” and “How first Tuesday of each month, October–June. 16, at 6:45 p.m., before Shabbat services and hoping to learn more about Judaism, whether can otherwise rational people believe in a talk- Each month there will be a new book explor- hear his talk “What’s Jewish about Environ- you were born Jewish, are studying toward ing snake?” ing a different aspect of one’s spiritual life. mentalism: What’s not Jewish about Environ- conversion or just want to know more about The class is designed with everyone in mind: mentalism?” during Shabbat services. your Jewish neighbors. Rabbi Lisa Delson will Jewish meditation firm believers, non-believers, gentle skeptics, Dr. Goldman is nationally recognized as teach Judaism through discussion of God, To- Need some time to focus and relax? Come or interested seekers. The book club is free the architect of the informal approach to Jew- rah, and Israel (the people and the land). The to the TBE chapel for Jewish meditation on to join, with the exception of the cost of the ish education. His approach integrates the “New Beginnings” coordinator, Janice Gutfru- Wednesday, October 23, at 7 p.m., and Friday, books. Books are available on amazon.com or teaching of Jewish values with hands-on na- end, will also join the group once a month to October 30, at 1 p.m. Jewish Meditation is through other booksellers. Sign up for the ture experiences. It transforms the outdoors discuss the ins and outs of living a Jewish life. held every third Wednesday and fourth Friday book club by emailing Cantor Annie Rose at into a natural Jewish learning environment The course is free for TBE members and of the month. Each week focuses on teachings [email protected]. and makes nature a co-teacher. Goldman is $25 for non-members to cover materials. A from the Torah and other Jewish sources. This the director of Experiential and Environmen- book purchase may also be required. For more peer-led group is for people who have experi- Pot-Luck and adult learning tal Education at the Brandeis Bardin Institute information, contact Rabbi Lisa Delson at ence with meditation. Those who have never Sukkot, the fall harvest festival, is a great in California and the lead instructor in the [email protected] or 665-4744. meditated and would like to learn how, can chance to reconnect with nature and good University of Judaism’s Masters Degree pro- To register, use the new online registration contact Judy Freedman at freedmanjudy@ friends. This year on Thursday, October 8, gram in Experiential Jewish Education. form at www.templebethemeth.org. comcast.net. at 6 p.m., there will be a pot-luck dinner in October activities at Beth Israel Congregation Elliot Sorkin, special to the WJN Sukkot and Shmini Artzeret Services Sukkot potluck Baby Shabbat Rethinking Franz Rosenzweig’s Morning Sukkot services will be held on Sat- On Tuesday, October 6, Beth Israel is team- On Saturday, October 17. at a service that conversions urday October 3, and Sunday, October 4, from ing up with YAD, the Jewish Federation of begins at 9:30 a.m., Baby Shabbat will be cel- On Sunday, October 18, at 7:45 p.m., Ben- 9:30 a.m. to noon. As part of the congregation’s Greater Ann Arbor’s Young Adult Division, for ebrated at Beth Israel. New babies born in the jamin Pollock, assistant professor of religious celebration of Sukkot, there will be a kiddush a potluck dinner in Beth Israel’s sukkah. Par- past year are officially welcomed and blessed studies at Michigan State University, will pres- luncheon in the sukkah on the first day of Suk- ticipants are asked to bring a dairy dish to pass by the congregation around 11:30 a.m. Babies ent “Soul and World: Rethinking Franz Rosen- kot, and a kiddush in the sukkah on the second and join in for a great evening under the stars are presented with T-shirts marking the date of zweig’s Conversions.” This lecture is the first day. Because Shabbat is on the first day of Suk- in the sukkah. There will be games and outdoor their upcoming bar/bat mitzvah year, followed presentation offered through Beth Israel Con- kot, the lulav and etrog are only used in the activities for both adults and kids. For more de- by a special kiddush for everyone present, with gregation’s Current Topics in Jewish Studies ancient ceremony of the lulav and etrog proces- tails, contact Program Director Jake Kander. In the name of each baby decorated on the cakes. series. There is no charge, and reservations are sions, as well as during the Hallel Service on the case of inclement weather the event will be held not necessary. second day of the holiday, which is Sunday. downstairs in the Garfunkel Schteingart Activi- Maimonides Class with Rabbi Dobrusin One of the foundational narratives of mod- On October 5, 12, 19, and 26 following the Sukkot Evening services will be held at 6 p.m. ties Center (2010 Washtenaw Avenue). ern Jewish thought is the story of Franz Rosen- minyan at 7:30 p.m., interested persons may on Friday, October 2, and will be followed by an zweig’s near-conversion to Christianity in the join the ongoing text study group studying the oneg in the sukkah. Simchat Torah and the International summer of 1913 and his subsequent decision, at laws of Shabbat as presented in Maimonides’ On the following Friday evening, October Shul of Pancakes the baptismal font three months later, to recom- Mishna Torah. The Mishna Torah is a medieval 9, erev Sh’mini Atzeret, hors d’ouvres will be For the fifth year in a row, on Sunday, Octo- mit himself to Judaism. The version of this story law code but it is much more than that as the served at 6 p.m. in the sukkah, followed by the ber 11, after the Simchat Torah Shacharit and that has attained legendary status among stu- great philosopher Maimonides attempted to Friday night Shmini Atzeret service, and con- Hallel services which start at 8:30 a.m., there dents and scholars of religious thought presents present the laws in a format in which they con- cluding with a dessert oneg in the Sukkah. will be a free pancake breakfast in the Social both Rosenzweig’s initial decision to convert to vey the essential priorities and values of Juda- Hall from 9:30–10:30 a.m. for congregants and Christianity, and his last-minute reversal in the ism. The text will be read Hebrew with English Tot Shabbat Sukkot dinner in the sukkah visitors, followed by the Hakafot, the Torah pro- wake of his participation in a traditional Yom On Wednesday, October 7, at 5:30 p.m., tots translations available. cessionals, and the rest of the service. Tots and Kippur prayer service, as the results of consid- and their parents and family are invited to a their parents are invited to the Pancake Break- erations of faith and faith experience. Pollock’s special time just for them in the sukkah. This is fast with the rest of the congregation, followed Judaism 101: an introduction/refresher Judaism 101 is meant for anyone who is current research questions this conventional one of a series of events outside of Saturday’s Tot by a Tot Simchat Torah program. looking to learn or review some of the fun- account, and suggests that the perplexity that Shabbat which allow families with preschoolers On the previous evening, Saturday night, damentals of Judaism. There will be 5 topics plagued Rosenzweig during this period of to participate in Jewish holiday observances. October 10, at 7:30 p.m., the congregation will covered over the course of the year—The Jew- personal transformation was not over matters All these events are open to the general com- mark the beginning of the Simchat Torah holi- ish Calendar, Shabbat, Prayer, Passover, and Sa- of faith, but rather over the moral or spiritual munity. Reservations are a must and there is a day with family-friendly Torah processionals cred Texts. Each topic will be explored for three status of the world. Pollock will explain why he modest charge of $18 per family. and special snacks. weeks. Participants are welcome to sign up for thinks such a revision of this important story is Sukkah Hop New member dinner one topic, a few topics, or all five topics. All essential for an understanding of Rosenzweig’s On Sunday, October 4, at 12:30 p.m., all classes begin at 7:30 p.m. with Maariv, the eve- own later thought, and he will suggest ways On Wednesday, October 21, from 6–7:30 in which the questions Rosenzweig raised for those interested will gather at the synagogue p.m., new members at Beth Israel and their ning service. The classes take place as follows: (or attend after Sukkot services) to visit a variety The Jewish Calendar: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, Shab- himself in 1913 are still very relevant today. families are invited to a dinner in their honor. Pollock's primary field of research is mod- of sukkot in the area. There will be fun holiday Childcare will be provided. This is a great op- bat: 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, Prayer: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, activities, food, schmoozing, and learning op- Conservative Judaism: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24. Sacred ern Jewish philosophy. In the spring of 2009, his portunity to meet with Rabbi Dobrusin and first book, Franz Rosenzweig and the Systematic portunities at each stop along the way. No res- Rabbi Blumenthal and the rest of the profes- Texts: 4/21, 4/28, 5/5. Those interested are asked ervation is necessary. to contact Mary at 665-9897, or email rabbisof- Task of Philosophy, was published by Cambridge sional staff, and other new members. Each University Press. family is asked to bring a Jewish object that [email protected]. There is no charge for has had some significance in their life. this series. Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 13 I Congregations

Holidays at Temple Beth Emeth Ronnie Simon, special to the WJN Shabbat Simchat Torah multi-generational study. This year’s topic During the service, the first grade students Shabbat at Temple Beth Emeth brings the Simchat Torah, Friday, October 9, at TBE will ask which Torah leader would best help will be consecrated, celebrating the formal congregation and community together and will combine learning, dancing, prayer and solve today’s problems. There is dancing beginning of their Jewish education. At 8:30 responds to the needs of all attending. Each song. At 7 p.m. the community is invited with the Torah scrolls and reading both the p.m., following the oneg Shabbat, a second Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening) begins at to gather in the sanctuary for a service and end and the beginning of the yearly cycle. Torah study will be held in the TBE Cha- 5:30 p.m. with Tot Shabbat led by Rabbi Levy pel. This year’s topic will follow the earlier and Cantor Rose, a celebration in the sanctu- multi-generational Torah Study and com- ary of song, story and dance for the youngest bine elements of the Haftarah reading “How in the community. After services, Tot Shab- Cantor Linda Hirschhorn, TBE Sukkot artist-in-residence to Succeed Moses: Is Joshua up for the Job?”. bat continues with a fish stick and macaroni Cantor Annie Rose, special to the WJN dinner with gourmet salad bar, followed by a Sukkot Cantor Linda Hirschhorn will be artist-in-residence at Temple Beth Friday, October 2, TBE’s celebration of Suk- song session and popsicle oneg. Tot Shabbat Emeth during Sukkot, October 2–5. Cantor Hirschhorn is most kot begins with sukkah decorating and a pizza also has its own web site at tbetots.org. widely known for her award-winning musical compositions, her dinner from 6-7 p.m. Participants will gather At 7:30 p.m., back in the sanctuary, TBE storytelling, and her singing as a soloist and in the a cappella group in the social hall to make decorations to hang holds its traditional service using the new she created, Vocolot. During her weekend at TBE, she will engage in in the sukkah. Pizza dinner includes a large Reform prayer book, Mishkan Tefillah. These a wide variety of events, including a Sukkot Women’s Retreat. salad bar, and either the purchase of a whole services include a monthly service designed On Friday night, October 2, Cantor Hirschhorn will lead a To- pizza or individual slices. A Tot Shabbat dinner to span the generations with music provided rah Study session following Erev Shabbat services, from 9–10 p.m. will also be offered following the 5:30 p.m. Tot by TBE youth ensembles; a monthly service Her session, “Studying Torah through Song,” is free and open to the Shabbat Sukkot service. At 7 p.m., the group based on traditional poetic theme; a service public. Refreshments will be served. will gather in the sukkah for prayers and songs. with Kol Halev, the adult choir; and a once- On Saturday, October 3, Cantor Hisrchhorn will be part of Tem- A traditional Shabbat service follows at 7:30 a-month Shabbat dinner. There are also ple Beth Emeth’s annual Women’s Retreat, under the care of Cantor Annie Rose. The retreat p.m. Call the TBE office, 665-4744, to reserve many special Shabbat events. begins at 1 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m., and costs $20. Afternoon snack and dinner will be space for the pizza dinner. All are welcome to On Shabbat morning TBE offers two ser- provided. Celebrating Sukkot, the retreat will include time in the sukkah and a walk; afternoon attend this holiday celebration. vices for the congregation and the commu- meditation with Sandra Berman; Havdalah led by Cantor Rose; a special focus on telling the nity. In the small chapel, there is a 9:30 a.m. stories of our own lives, led by Cantor Hirschhorn, who will share stories from her own journey Sukkot Yiskor Service and Dessert innovative service led by congregants work- through Yeshiva, Zionism, Feminism, and the cantorate. All women in the community are in- On the last day of Sukkot, Saturday, Octo- ing with Rabbi Lisa Delson, the director of vited to attend; registration is available on the Temple website, www.templebethemeth.org. ber 10, TBE will have a Sukkot Yiskor Service Congregational Services. This is preceded by On Sunday, October 5, Cantor Hirschhorn will work with the temple’s middle school and and dessert. The service will begin at 1 p.m. a Torah Study, led by Rabbi Robert Levy, at high school musical ensembles, conducting her own compositions. The rehearsals are open to in the chapel. All are invited to attend. 8:50 a.m. In the main sanctuary, at 10 a.m., the public free of charge at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. traditional services are held, often with cel- For more information, contact Cantor Annie Rose, 665-4744. Details on all of TBE’s holiday programs are found ebrations of b’nai mitzvah. on the website: www.templebethemeth.org.

14 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 IYouth

HDS receives grant for SMART Board JCC welcomes new Afterschool Programs Dina Shtull, special to the WJN ebrew Day School of Ann Arbor students in creating their own digital projects that Coordinator, Rebekah Gamble received a new SMART Board. The demonstrate language development.” Deborah Huerta, special to the WJN H SMART Board equipment has been “There are multiple ways to use the SMART he Jewish Community Center of enaw Association for the Education of Young generously donated by Legacy Heritage Fund Board,” says fifth grade teacher, Carol Gannon. Greater Ann Arbor has hired Rebekah Children (WCAEYC). Limited. Smart Boards are whiteboards that “We have only just begun, and the students T Gamble as the new JCC Afterschool Gamble has worked at the JCC in many have touch sensitive screens and are interactive have already used it to jointly write our Code Programs Coordinator for the capacities since February of tools that invite student participation in the of Conduct, to create a food web for our sci- 2009–2010 school year. The 2002. She began as a pre- learning process. The SMART Board facilitates ence unit on the meal worm, to learn prefixes JCC’s afterschool programs school teacher in the Early the use of graphics, video, sound, and images and suffixes, and to record and send home their serve students at Hebrew Day Childhood Center, working daily homework.” School and other local el- in almost every ECC class- Fifth graders commented on their first ex- ementary schools, including room, including the former perience with the Board. “It’s totally useful,” Bryant, Pattengill, and Burns half-day kindergarten pro- Park. The programs run from gram. She has also taught 3:20-6 p.m. daily and offer a many ECC and Youth En- which can be manipulated on the screen. The variety of scheduling options. richment Classes, including user’s finger is the mouse, and by touching Rebekah Gamble has her popular jewelry, scrap- the screen the teacher or student controls the helped the JCC’s Kids’ Kon- booking, and clay classes last information projected on the screen from the nection and Kids’ Club after- year. During the summer of attached computer. Information shared by the school programs get off to a 2007, Gamble served as the Rebekah Gamble teacher or student is instantly displayed on the great start this year. Students Camp Raanana aftercare co- Board, and anything written on the Board can have been enjoying creative art projects, fun ordinator. Since then, she has served as the be saved as a file on the computer. gym games, homework sessions, and plenty JCC front desk coordinator and administra- The grant includes training sessions for the staff of time outdoors on the playground. Gam- tive assistant. She will continue to work in and reimbursement for a new computer, with the ble also helped the students put together an the JCC office part time in addition to serv- anticipation that the teachers will be adding lesson apples and honey themed bulletin board in ing as the Afterschool Programs Coordinator plans to the SMART Board Jewish Educational honor of Rosh Hashanah, complete with a this year. Database (SJED), a collection of SMART Board four-foot tall bumble bee. Besides her work at the JCC, Gamble’s lesson plans made available to teachers throughout Gamble has been involved with the JCC previous experience included working as a the country. Hebrew Day School will use the tool and the local Jewish community for many preschool teacher at Bright Horizons/Pfizer, for both secular studies and teaching Hebrew lan- Mira Kaufman touches the SMART Board to years. She grew up in Ypsilanti, and attended at a summer camp run through High Point guage and Judaic Studies. Consistent with the mis- answer a question. religious school at Beth Israel Congregation. School in Ann Arbor, and as a teaching coach sion of the Legacy Heritage Fund to support Jewish At Beth Israel, she served as a madricha and for teachers in the Wayne County Head Start education, the SMART Board Project brings the says Zachary Bernstein. “You don’t have to chapter president of USY for four years in system through U-M’s School of Educa- power of a new dynamic educational tool to the worry that your homework is erased from the high school. tion. Gamble currently resides in Ypsilanti day school classroom. board because it’s saved on the computer,” ex- After receiving a bachelor’s degree in with her husband Justin. n. Teacher Aron Kaufman, who has been par- plained Jane Mintz. “The teacher’s hand writing musical theater, Gamble returned to school For more information about the JCC’s after- ticipating in courses and workshops on inno- is clearer and easier to read because she types to study child development. She has a CDA school programs, contact Youth Director Deb- vative uses of technology to enhance learning, what she wants to appear on the board,” added credential and an associate’s degree in child orah Huerta at [email protected] or says: “Our students are ‘digital natives,’ and the Daniel Zacks. “I’ve never met a board that was development, and is completing a second 971-0990. Registrations are accepted through- SMART Board is an important technological tool smarter,” remarked Miriam Siegel. n. bachelor’s degree, also in child development. out the school year. to effectively teach them. I am personally excited Gamble is also currently serving as the mem- For more information about Hebrew Day about using the SMART Board to teach Hebrew bership and marketing chair for the Washt- School open houses and tours, call 971-4633, writing skills, to create and send home files of stu- or visit the HDS website at www.hdsaa.org dent work written on the Board, and to involve

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 15 ICampus

U-M Hillel welcomes back students Allison Sheren, special to the WJN niversity of Michigan Hillel hosted a series of successful welcome back activities for students from September 4-10. U-M Hillel began by welcoming close to 600 stu- 3 U dents on Friday night for the first Shabbat dinner of the year. Festivities continued on September 7 where 200 students enjoyed the kick-off BBQ. New students met one another and had the chance to connect and ask advice from upperclassmen. U-M Hillel’s Open House featuring over 50 Hillel student groups on Wednesday, September 9, encouraged students to get involved in a variety of opportunities. Finally, Festifall (a university-wide club fair) on September 10 allowed students to represent U-M Hillel in Michigan-in-Hebrew shirts to the larger university community.

1

2

1. Olympic Swimmer Alon Mandel with Hillel student leaders and new students at the U-M Hillel kick-off BBQ.

2. Students talking about all the Hillel has to offer at this year’s FestiFall.

3. Welcoming students to HARTs (Hillel Arts) at the U-M Hillel Open House

16 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 ICampus/Teens

EMU HIllel By Brent Morris illel at Eastern Michigan University Carolina. While I Since becoming an active student at Hillel at invited me in and warmly welcomed was in Young Ju- EMU, I have been able to voice my opinion on H me as a new transfer student in Janu- daea Year Course service structure, types of events, and the wel- ary 2009. As of September 2009, I became the in 2005–2006, my coming social environment. The Hillel at EMU fifth First Year Students of Hillel (FYSH) Intern parents moved staff recognized my enthusiasm and invited me at EMU. My enthusiasm for Hillel at EMU con- to Lambertville, to participate in programs and events they knew tinues to grow in leaps and bounds the more I Michigan, near the would help me connect my passion for Judaism participate with this small but amazing group Ohio border, where with being comfortable as a visible Jew at EMU. of Jews. we became part of They encouraged my leadership skills by allow- From the first Shabbat dinner I attended last the Toledo Jewish ing me to plan programs like the Passover seder January, for which I also volunteered to help community. I began and the “Bedouin Tent” events. cook, I immediately felt completely at home, Brent Morris college at the Uni- I was elated to accept the challenge of the even though everyone I had just met were pretty versity of Toledo, but found a better academic FYSH Internship, where I can now impress much strangers. Even though they all had their fit at EMU. I came to EMU not knowing that upon new and continuing Jewish students at own friends, I was welcomed in and treated as there was any Jewish organization on campus, EMU how to explore their Jewish identity and if I was already a part of the group. Since then, let alone a Hillel, and thought that I would have expand their Jewish comfort zone in a safe my participation has grown from being a kitch- to travel down the road to the University of and welcoming “home away from home.” As en schlepper to being a trusted member of the Michigan Hillel to have any Jewish community we begin the new school year, with the Jewish Hillel at EMU staff, where I can share my love while in college. new year right around the corner, I also want to for Judaism and my experience with small but I was excited to find Hillel at EMU by start a new chapter in the life of Hillel at EMU. diverse Jewish populations around the country. chance. While driving by campus, I noticed the One program I would like to organize is invit- I grew up in a traditional Jewish family, but large Hillel at EMU sign outside the small white ing rabbis to have discussions on how Judaism certainly not in any traditional Jewish com- house facing the EMU campus and was thrilled is relevant to us as college students in a modern munity. My first memories are of a small syna- that I might find a “home away from home” at world. I would like to help create an environ- gogue on the central coast of California. After EMU. Despite growing up in small Jewish com- ment in which new and current Jewish students that we moved to several different communi- munities, Judaism has always been a big part of can connect and grow in their Jewish identity in ties throughout the country including Joliet, Il- my life. Hillel at EMU gives me a chance to let this small but very diverse community. n. linois; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and short stints in my Jewish identity glow in the face of a diverse Brent Morris is a junior at Eastern Michigan Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Charleston, South community. University. JFS Summer Youth Employment Program Robin Little, special to the WJN ewish Family Services participated in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) J Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) by providing a six week-long com- prehensive job training program for 49 low- income youth (ages 14 to 24). The program included one-on-one tutoring, as well as classroom curricula that emphasized resume writing, interviewing and other pre-employ- ment readiness training. JFS staff also pro- vided mentoring, counseling and support for the students, many of whom came from low-income families, had special needs, and had either dropped out of school or were at risk of doing so. SYEP provided them with a structured, appropriate setting to both en- courage them and teach them necessary skills for employment success. The students were placed in a variety of work sites, including Summer Youth Employment Program students with Maxi Sherman, coordinator (first row far left) The ReUse Center, Ypsilanti Housing Com- and Susan Wagner, Employment Worksite Liaison (first row far right) mission, Dynamic Edge and Neighborhood For many of the students, participating the life of the classroom.” Almost half of the Senior Services. in this program at JFS was their first contact SYEP students were asked to continue their The JFS board of directors made a sig- with the Jewish community. They learned placements because of positive feedback nificant contribution to the SYEP program by first-hand about the JFS mission and vision from their employers—another indication participating in mock interviews in order to “to enhance the lives of individuals and fam- of success and a reflection of the excellent prepare the students for the “real” thing. Phyllis ilies in our community, across the lifespan, preparation and training provided by JFS Herzig noted that “The students were extremely with professional, compassionate and af- staff under the leadership of Lisa Keefauver well-prepared by the JFS staff; they were polite, fordable services provided in the spirit of and Maxi Sherman. As Board President Steve enthusiastic and appreciative of the interview Jewish values and traditions.” In their evalu- Gerber noted, “Our highly dedicated staff experience. It was interesting for me to talk with ations, students commented on the warmth members worked tirelessly and long hours to them and encourage them on their way.” and friendliness of the JFS staff and how that equip these youngsters with skills they will Board member Margie Checkoway “was contributed to their satisfaction with the long remember.” struck by their eagerness, the bumps in the SYEP program. As the program was ending, JFS learned road that they had experienced in their lives, One of the students was placed in the that there is additional funding available for and their receptivity to talking about their Frog Room at the JCC Early Childhood Cen- the Youth Employment Program. The agency lives, goals and dreams. SYEP was a needed ter. She was so popular with the teachers and is planning to apply for these funds in order lifeline for some of the youth. The JFS staff children that JFS was asked if her placement to continue this important work of helping did a wonderful job of opening doors and could be extended. Peretz Hirschbein, ECC youth to a better future through positive broadening visions for the young adults. The assistant director, said “she seems to have a learning and work experiences. n. program is an example of a successful invest- real gift for working with children, has been ment in our young people’s future.” learning a lot, and is an active participant in

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 17 I Campus/Teens

Soul searching B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program Noa Gutterman, staff writer Laura Berger, special to the WJN pplying to college is stressful. First, college applications, yet there is an unde- he Jewish Federation of Greater Ann responsibilities as community members. I had to decide where to apply. niable connection between the two. While Arbor is excited to present the B’nai The most important thing about B’nai A This involved becoming educated self-introspection on Yom Kippur may be a T Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program. Tzedek is that it allows teens to make a dif- in college non-fiction, from resources like search for sins as opposed to extra curricular Part of a national endeavor of the Har- ference. For students who enjoy giving, it is the Fiske Guide, activities, there is no doubt that these actions old Grinspoon Foundation, B’nai Tzedek a powerful way to make change in the world. which promises share similar attributes. empowers teens to improve the world by B’nai Tzedek is a chance for teens to express to teach you ev- As a teenager, the practice of Yom Kippur launching them on a personal and engaged themselves, and it is an opportunity to sup- erything about is fairly new to me. I can no longer apolo- relationship with life-long Jewish giving. port the Jewish issues they really care about. every college you gize for simply hitting my sister or lying to B’nai Tzedek enables bar/bat mitzvah-age With the help of synagogue education ever wanted to my parents. It is a much deeper and much youth to establish individual endowment directors and committed parent volunteers, know, to the un- more difficult process. The soul searching limited number that I have experienced during the weeks of college web- leading up to the High Holidays can only be sites, all of which described as a little bit scary. Looking back pledged that their over the past year is not an easy thing to do. college would be And that’s exactly why I have to do it. Just like the best match for Noa Gutterman college applications, this soul searching is an me. Second, I had to talk to college advisors, important process in human growth. Setting counselors, and every person who thought aside a time to look back over the year, and they knew the best college for me. Third, I realize the mistakes I’ve made, can easily be Hana Berkooz Samantha Brandt Tania Nemeth Shira Hammerslough Katia Kassof3 had to begin the actual application process. characterized as a coming of age moment. It’s quite possible that my potential colleges Just like college applications. funds, which will be administered by the word about this innovative program has start- know more about me than my best friends. One of my favorite High Holiday activi- Jewish Community Foundation and will be ed to spread. Five teens have already joined From my social security number to my extra ties is Tashlich. The simplicity of throwing generously matched by local philanthropic the first cohort of B’nai Tzedek members. curricular activities, transcribing my life into my sins into the river and watching them couple Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein. Hana Berkooz, daughter of Corry and a fill-in-the-blank worksheet was not an easy wash away is an activity that acts as a re- The educational component will consist Gahl Berkooz, is a member of Beth Israel task. Even after years of schedules bursting at minder of the frankness of the holidays. If of three programs, as well as one day of site Congregation and attends Tappan Middle the seams, with dance classes and volunteer I let it, the entire holiday can be as simple as visits and a graduation event. Between Oc- School. Hana celebrated her bat mitzvah opportunities, my resume seemed meager throwing bread into a river. I try to remind tober and May, B’nai Tzedek members will on May 16, 2009. Hana is involved in Camp and sparse. Next I began the daunting task myself that dwelling on my mistakes after the come together to learn about the importance Young Judaea and her interests include ani- of writing essays. While I obviously enjoy holiday ends is not a healthy practice. In fact, of tzedakah1 in Jewish life and in community mals and pets, nature and science. writing, college essays fall into a completely it defeats the whole purpose. Yom Kippur in general. Topics of discussion will include Samantha Brandt is the daughter of different ballpark than do articles for the is a day set aside simply to think about my the Jewish values associated with tzedakah; Carolyn Grawi, Jewish Federation board Washtenaw Jewish News. No amount of soul mistakes. If I can let go of everything else for what are foundations and non-profits, and member. Brandt is a member of Beth Israel searching and self-introspection convinced just one day, and concentrate on reflection, what role they play in our daily lives; and Congregation and participates in the Kadi- me that my experiences with diversity or my there is no point in continueing this process how to do research about charitable organi- ma youth group. Previously, Samantha has special talents were good enough. Re-write after the holiday ends. The act of throwing zations and give wisely. Teens will make site been involved with Camp Young Judaea, and after re-write I continued to question my away my sins is vitally important. Strangely, visits to various non-profit organizations she has volunteered at the YMCA Youth Vol- essay topics and my writing style. As I con- I have learned the same with college applica- (Jewish and non-Jewish) in the Ann Arbor unteer Corp and Camp Birkette. Her inter- tinued to write these essays and fill out even tions. At some point in the near future, I will area to learn about the work they do in the ests include sports, computers, reading, and more applications, a strange correlation was press the send button, and turn it over to the community. The program will culminate in games. Samantha became a bat mitzvah on drawn in my mind between college applica- college admission committees. I will have to a combined allocations and graduation ses- March 7, 2009. tions and the High Holidays. Presenting my remember that after I press the send button, sion, where participants will be asked to an- Tania Nemeth became a bat mitzvah on life to particular colleges seemed very similar nothing I do will change the outcome. And nounce the distributions they have chosen to March 21, 2009 at Temple Beth Emeth. Tania is to presenting my sins to God on Yom Kippur. some time in April, when the letters arrive, it make from their individual funds. The edu- the daughter of Michelle and Jim Nemeth, and The High Holidays are a spiritually impor- will all have been worth it. n cational programming will be interactive and she enjoys dance, travel and reading books. tant experience, one that greatly surpasses will challenge teens to consider their roles and Shira Hammerslough is an 8th grade stu- dent at Tappan Middle School and attends Beth Israel Congregation Religious School. The daughter of Lexi and Charlie Hammer- Op-Ed: Changing our campuses from polarized to pro-peace slough, Shira is interested in acting, volley- ball, dancing, playing with her dogs Sparky By Lauren Barr and Sprinkles, and classic cars. Shira loves WASHINGTON (JTA)—Last spring, a pro- shared the same opinions. However, they sat country that stands against this angry and di- volunteering at the Alpha House home- Palestinian club at American University in this together, laughed over the musical plight of visive talk that defines our university environ- less shelter, and was motivated to become a city built a big tent on the main quad. Inside Israeli and Palestinian star-crossed lovers, and ments. B’nai Tzedek member because of her desire were posters demanding an immediate end to then reflected on the role of comedy and enter- Collectively, we are J Street U, founded to take care of others. Shira’s bat mitzvah occupation. Outside the tent, some pro-Israel tainment media in the debate. on the principle that it is high time to plot a was February 7, 2009. students protested, distributing pamphlets en- We certainly haven’t solved the conflict at new path. Katia Kassof became a bat mitzvah on couraging more U.S. support for Israel to pro- American University, but we have begun an In dealing with the charged campus envi- June 6, 2009. She and her parents, Mark tect against the Palestinian terrorist threat. It important conversation. ronment, we find the most effective and mean- and Maureen, are members of Beth Israel ended in bitter feelings and confusion among When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian ingful approach is to advocate a stance that is Congregation. Katia is an 8th grader at For- the onlookers. Did either side win? conflict, most American college campuses are at once pro-Israel and pro-Palestine in that it sythe Middle school and is involved in Beth In an effort to foster a much-needed middle at a mutually destructive stalemate: One side advances the ambitions of both peoples to live Israel’s Kadima youth group. Her hobbies ground, a few friends and I started a new stu- claims to fight for Israel, rivals on the other in peace and security. Advocating for a viable include iceskating, dance and gymnastics. dent organization. We hosted speakers and or- claim to represent the Palestinian cause. Each two-state solution challenges the zero-sum Katia has been involved with Ele’s Place, a ganized events sharing both the Palestinian and side uses inflammatory language to persuade equation that has traditionally defined this is- healing center for bereaved children and Israeli narratives and creating a space for criti- students to empathize with their message while sue and perpetuated the conflict. donated some of the gift money from her cal discussion on politics in the region. Building discrediting the other. The result is that no one Many students, if not most, fall in between bat mitzvah to benefit the center. coalitions through involvement in events like is effective in advancing what everyone says the two extremes and have no forum to discuss, It is not too late to be part of B’nai Holocaust Remembrance Week and Palestine they want—peace and security. act or advocate. This polarized discourse stands Tzedek. Applications are being accepted Awareness Week, we were able to bring both Competing events, heated demonstrations to alienate a whole generation of activists who until the program begins in late October. sides together to co-sponsor a film screening and visual displays of self-serving facts and understand the answer to resolving the conflict If you are a teen, or if you have a teen who and discussion of the parody film “West Bank flags are common occurrences. But the club lies in redefining this unproductive “us versus may be interested, contact Laura Berger at Story.” With both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine at American University is part of a growing them” paradigm. [email protected] or call the Jew- voices represented, not everyone in the room movement of students on campuses across the continued on page 24 ish Federation at 677-0100. . n

18 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 IFeatures

Amid hedonistic indulgence, Jews search for meaning at Burning Man By Ben Harris BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev. (JTA)—At first they Though popular with tech types from the Bay a kiddie pool, the reciting of gibberish and hoist- pact on their souls as much as on their bodies. came slowly, perhaps a half-dozen sitting cross- Area—according to a recent census, nearly one in ing them on Elijah’s chair while “Hava Nagila” “If Burning Man’s a big party, how come there’s a legged in a circle waiting for Kabbalat Shabbat five burners earns more than $100,000 per year—a is played. “For me it’s a break from everything temple in the center of it?” Dharma asks. services to begin. But as the sun dipped below fierce anti-commercialism prevails in Black Rock that’s serious to just be able to be as free as pos- The temple is a wooden structure built on the the mountains marking the western edge of Black City. Participants are expected to bring everything sible,” said Levinson, 26, who sat for an interview open playa. Three stories high, the temple features Rock City, and as the Sabbath melodies wafted they need to survive a week in harsh desert condi- clad in Star of David pasties, panties fashioned to ornate wood cuttings that are lit from within, mak- across the desert, the crowd grew to at least 200, tions—and failing that, to depend on the generos- look like tzitzit and a bra made out of yarmulkes. ing the entire structure glow against the dark desert fanning out in concentric circles from the middle ity of others. “That’s why Burning Manischewitz, I think, is backdrop. Burners write wishes on the wooden of a metal-framed geodesic dome. As a result, an amazing culture of gifting pre- really appropriate for this place,” she continued, planks and leave personal effects to be incinerated With its Shlomo Carlebach melodies, ecstatic vails. Themed camps offer everything from snow “because we can make jokes like, ‘Well tonight’s when the temple is engulfed in flames on Sunday dance and New Age-y innovations like sharing cones to coffee, from workshops in erotic massage the Gaza Strip club. Bring on my water balloons evening—for many the most poignant moment of memories from the past week, the service may to healing modalities like reiki and shiatsu. Others and bomb us.’ In my day-to-day life, I would prob- the festival. have been familiar to a Jewish Renewal commu- set up enormous open-air dance parties that last un- ably think talking about something like that would “I think it’s a bit of a religion almost,” Fishman nity in Berkeley or a hippie shul in Jerusalem. til daybreak and beyond. And all of it is offered in be offensive and insensitive. But out here, it’s like said. “But at the same time, you got to watch out. I Except for the costumes. One man in a gold exchange for little more than a smile. anything goes.” think part of growing up that way is that any time you spandex jumpsuit sat atop the dome, his high-top “This is the ‘Olam Haba’ a little,” said a well- Further down the playa, a camp marked by see group think, right away my paranoia kicks in and sneakers dangling above the worshipers. Another known writer on Jewish spirituality who goes by three Moshiach flags, the emblem of the messi- says, ‘OK, hold on, what’s going on?’ And Burning wore a red velvet vest with gold embroidery that the playa name Dharma, refering to the ancient anic wing of Chabad, was the temporary home of Man is very like that. At the burn you see 30,000 could have been swiped from Michael Jackson’s rabbinic term for the afterlife. “Burning Man is a a group of former Chasidim who found in Burning people doing something and it’s like, whoa, no.” closet. Others were clad all in white, their gar- little of what the world could be.” Man something of a replacement for the spiritual The burn happens on Saturday night, when all ments billowing in the breeze. Some outfits defied Like any other American city, Black Rock path they had abandoned. of Black Rock City gathers on the open playa for description altogether. hosts a significant Jewish presence and several “Burning Man for me is Pesach, Rosh Ha- the ritual burning of the Man, an enormous wood- And this being Burning Man, several attend- Jewish-themed camps. In 2003, a Chicago rabbi shanah and Yom Kippur all mixed into one,” said en figure several stories high and bathed in yellow ees, men and women, wore almost nothing at all. named Menachem Cohen established the first Sholom Fishman, who was raised Chabad in Los and white neon. At the appointed hour, the Man’s “You don’t have to leave things behind or organized Jewish presence at Burning Man, the Angeles and now lives in New York. mechanical arms are raised and a thunderous roar change when you come to Burning Man. I mean Black Rock JCC, which offered Shabbat services “Why? One, Pesach is freedom ... and then rises from the assembly. Teams of fire twirlers per- I don’t,” said Joel Stanley, a London-based theater and kosher food. In the intervening years, Jewish Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, it’s almost like the form in a sort of preparatory homage to the inferno director, actor and Jewish educator who was at- life at Burning Man has grown in both organiza- new year. My year starts at Burning Man. Burn- to come. Finally, presaged by a fireworks display, tending for the sixth time. “For me it’s about in- tion and diversity. ing Man is the beginning and it gives you like this the Man ignites in a massive fireball. tegrating who I am into this and letting it all have “I think what’s changed is in the Jewish world, amazing amount of energy and strength to carry on For his first several burns, Dharma worried that an effect on me. So why not express Judaism here not Burning Man,” Dharma said. “The new Jew- through the year.” the whole affair was idolatrous, a cardinal violation at Burning Man, on the playa, in a way that is ap- ish culture is not new anymore.” One expression of Despite such lofty ambitions, Burning Man has of Jewish tradition. Eventually he concluded that propriate to Burning Man as well?” that culture was on offer at Burning Manischewitz gained a reputation for debauchery, and not unde- it wasn’t. But even if it were, it wouldn’t matter Since its inception on a San Francisco beach in camp, a ribald group whose contributions to life on servedly. Men and women walk around in various because the ecstatic experience of Burning Man is the 1980s, the annual festival known as Burning the playa included hosting games of strip dreidel states of undress, public sex is not unheard of, and what truly matters. And in that, he said, there may Man has grown into a mass phenomenon. More and America’s Next Top Shixxxa. drugs are freely on offer. be a lesson for the wider Jewish world. than 40,000 people, or “burners,” now come each The brainchild of a “fake lesbian couple”— Maybe not freely. Despite the commu- “It’s neither a good thing nor a bad thing—it’s year to this post-apocalyptic landscape in the Ne- San Francisco writer Molly Freedenberg and nity’s insistence that no cash change hands a powerful thing,” Dharma said. “Hitler knew it. vada wilderness for an experiment in temporary Kate Levinson, an advertising location scout from on the playa—officially, only ice and cof- The Ba’al Shem Tov knew it. And when Judaism community and radical self-sufficiency. Chicago—the camp was home to a multi-religious fee are permitted to be sold—drugs are ex- is at its best, it harnesses that power for tremendous Over the course of the week leading up to Labor group whose members uniformly cited “insta- changed on more or less the same terms as they good. Basically, I think we could all stand to get Day, an entire city—complete with departments of mitzvahs” as their most popular innovation. are on street corners across the United States. our freak on in shul a little more.” n — public works, planning and “mutant vehicles” is Aimed at non-Jews and Jews who had never Still, even the party folks at Burning Manis- For video and more reporting on Jewish life created and then dismantled on the playa, the an- had a formal bar mitzvah, the process includes chewitz made sure to mention the cathartic at Burning Man, visit blogs.jta.org/wander- cient lake bed where Burning Man unfolds. “un-baptizing” its subjects through submersion in aspects of the Burning Man experience, its im- ingjew. Is it 5770 yet? The year that nonprofits want to forget By Jacob Berkman NEW YORK (JTA)—As they prepare to offer month period. Of the organizations that have sliced America cut staff twice in the last year and had to Despite the carnage, there may be a silver loved ones Rosh Hashanah wishes, many people their budgets, the majority are making ends meet slash its budget from $37 million to slightly above lining: The current crisis is forcing communal in the Jewish nonprofit world would probably like by cutting services and freezing staff salaries, and $30 million. leaders to figure out how to build a more sus- to wish away 5769. 30 percent have resorted to layoffs. Eight percent The Jewish Agency for Israel has had to cut tainable nonprofit system. It had become clear At this time last year, most economists were said they were in danger of closing down. $80 million from its budget thus far. The Ameri- that over the past 15 to 20 years of unprecedent- aware the recession was on our doorsteps. The In the Jewish nonprofit community, similar can Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is facing ed wealth, the Jewish community has built up a financial institutions Bear Stearns and Lehman signs of philanthropic recession have been clear. a $40 million budget cut. It let go 40 staffers in system that may have not been sustainable even Brothers already had collapsed, the housing market Even the strongest nonprofits have been hit hard. May and will cut more this year. if the good times had never ebbed. was in the tank and joblessness was on the rise. The largest foundation, the Harry and Jeanette The alphabet soup of the Jewish world has laid The most glaring example is the day school Nonprofits also had gone from anxious to red Weinberg Foundation, lost 13 percent of its assets, off hundreds and hundreds of employees; nearly system. Day schools are perhaps the best Jewish alert by the time the High Holidays hit. or $300 million, in the past year. The foundation, every organization has had to let go of staff. identity-building initiative, but tuition costs have Yet somehow, the situation worsened. with 60 percent of its money invested in the plung- And that’s before we even get to Bernard Ma- been rising, and an increasing number of observ- In 2009, according to a recent Foundation Cen- ing stock market, dropped from $2.3 billion to $2 doff and his $65 billion swindle, which completely ers and families have complained for some time ter survey of more than 1,200 foundations, overall billion, and its allocations over the next two years wiped out several foundations and took a major that the system was just too expensive. foundation giving is expected to decrease from the will total about $40 million less than foundation chunk from the endowments of several institutions Similar arguments could and have been high single digits to low double digits, and nearly officials had anticipated before the recession. and organizations. made about many sectors of the Jewish nonprofit half of the surveyed foundations predict reductions Birthright Israel cut $35 million from its 2009 What the long-term effect will be on Jewish world, from camps to social service agencies in the number and size of their grants. A substan- budget, and it has had to revamp how it raises charity remains to be seen. to synagogues. tial share (44 percent) also anticipate reducing the money, shifting toward a more grass-roots ap- A philanthropy insider who worked for a foun- Yet before the economy hit the skids, few number of multi-year grants. proach focused on smaller donations. dation that was closed because of Madoff’s scheme organizations and institutions felt the need to Guidestar, a nonprofit watchdog, also detected The fund raising of the UJA-Federation of predicted that the Jewish community would lose take a hard look at whether there was room to alarming trends in its survey of more than 1,000 New York is down 11 percent. The federation in more than $2 billion a year in charitable donations reduce their costs and reorient their strategic di- nonprofits between October and February. Boston will cut its allocations by 15 percent. The for the next five years. Conversely, the chief fund- rections. Now they are being forced to sit down More than half of the organizations experi- MetroWest federation in New Jersey has a $3 mil- raiser from a $300 million-a-year Jewish organiza- and take that look. n enced a decrease in contributions, and about a third lion shortfall. Federations across the board are cut- tion said he had yet to hear one donor say he or she of grant makers gave less in grants over the five- ting back. The UJC/Jewish Federations of North could not give because of Madoff losses. Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 19 I Israel

20 years on, FSU immigrants making their mark By Dina Kraft TEL AVIV (JTA)—At Nanuchka, every table is The 100,000 engineers that came in the aliyah, Gloushkin, first violist with the Israeli Symphony products in Israel, the immigration from the for- filled upstairs and down, the bar is packed and a among them computer and electrical engineers, Orchestra-Rishon LeZion. Gloushkin emigrated mer Soviet Union along with the arrival of foreign line has formed outside. became the backbone of Israel’s emerging high- from Moscow in 1991 with a pair of cleaning laborers has brought the sale of Christmas trees A Georgian restaurant with offerings such as tech sector in the 1990s, constituting the relatively gloves in her suitcase, preparing for the possibility and Santa dolls to Jewish cities for the first time. goose and beef dumplings and homemade pick- cheap labor and know-how that helped give the that she would not find work as a musician. And, more significantly, hundreds of thousands les, Nanuchka at first glance may seem an unlikely industry its competitive edge. “Here there is no truly high-level musician that of immigrants not considered Jewish according to nighttime hot spot for Tel Aviv, with its shabby- The 23,000 doctors and 25,000 nurses who does not work,” she adds, noting that the orchestra halachah, or traditional Jewish law. chic decor a hodgepodge of gilded mirrors, oil came transformed the face of Israeli hospitals and with which she performs was created by the city That has forced Israel to grapple with some paintings and purple glass chandeliers. clinics. The arrival of the doctors has been cred- of Rishon LeZion in large part to provide employ- fundamental questions about its Jewish identity. “I started this place as a project and a chal- ited with saving Israel’s medical system from a ment for immigrant musicians. Israel’s Law of Return allows only for those with at lenge: to transform the image of Georgians here shortage. Russian-speaking immigrants are cred- Amir Bakman, a native Israeli oboe player least one Jewish grandparent to immigrate, along into something noble,” said owner Nana Shrayer, ited with raising the level of science, research and in the orchestra whose talent was cultivated by with their spouses. Many immigrants from the 41, an immigrant from the former Soviet republic teaching in the country. Nearly 70 percent of the Russian-speaking teachers, is grateful for the im- former Soviet Union want the government to ease of Georgia. “It looks like I’ve succeeded.” math faculty at Ben-Gurion University of the Ne- migrants’ contribution. its immigration criteria to allow non-Jewish family As far as Shrayer can tell, only one table in the gev, for example, is comprised of immigrants from “Classical music would exist without this ali- members to come to Israel. restaurant is occupied by Georgians, Nona Rafae- the former Soviet Union. Russian-speaking immi- yah, but it has contributed so greatly by having so Many couples from the community cannot li’s family, which has come to celebrate a birthday. grants have worked to enter Israeli society under many top musicians along with the audience it marry legally in Israel because both partners are “I love that so many young Israelis are here,” said their own terms, determined to integrate while pre- provides,” he said. “Because of them there is both not Jewish, and Israeli law bars Jews from marry- Rafaeli, a doctor who immigrated in 1995. “They serving their own culture. supply and demand.” Even Israeli rock music has ing non-Jews. Some have turned to conversion as clearly feel so comfortable here, and that’s a great Immigrant parents and teachers, discouraged been cross-fertilized by young immigrant musi- a solution, but for the most part the requirements of affirmation.” by the level of education in the Israeli school sys- cians who have brought the styles of their home conversion—a long and rigorous process in which Twenty years since the beginning of the his- tem, have established networks of enrichment countries to Israel, then exported them back to the prospective converts must pledge to become ob- toric wave of immigration that brought approxi- courses inside schools and as extracurricular pro- former Soviet Union interlaced with the Oriental servant, since only Orthodox conversions are rec- mately 1.1 million newcomers to Israel from the grams in subjects such as physics, math and lit- motifs they found in the Middle East. ognized in Israel—is impractical for most. former Soviet Union between 1989 and 2000, erature. At first they included mostly children of In the southern coastal city of Ashdod, which Immigrants and their children who have grown Nanuchka is one small example of how immi- Russian-speaking immigrants, but now they are has the highest percentage of Russian-speaking up in Israel and encounter this problem say they are grant subcultures are providing a home for fellow popular among other Israelis. immigrants in the country—some 35 percent of resentful of a system that readily accepts them for immigrants while integrating and contributing to Russian media also have established a strong its 75,000 residents—immigrant groups perform military conscription—one in five Israeli soldiers Israeli society. presence in Israel. In the mid-1990s, Russian- a series of music festivals offering a mix of jazz, hails from the Russian-speaking immigrant com- To be sure, some elements of Russian im- language print media peaked at 130 periodicals, classical and klezmer concerts. munity—but does not consider them full Jews. migrant culture have not resonated with Israelis. including four daily newspapers and dozens of Immigrants have founded ballet schools, gym- “It’s an issue that hurts many,” said Michael But in fields such as education, theater, sports and weeklies. With the arrival of a Russian-language nasiums, poetry reading groups and literature clubs Zinigrad, a chemistry professor who emigrated music, a rich exchange has taken place, and the television station and the Internet, many of the in the city. Store signs can be seen in Russian and from Russia in 1992 and is now rector of the Ariel immigrants’ contributions can be felt particularly publications have folded. But Russian-language Hebrew. Russian groceries sell dense brown bread University Center. strong in Israel’s high-tech, medical and academic Web sites, including sites focused on Israeli news of the variety found in Russia, tins of caviar, Rus- Elazar Leshem, an immigration expert affili- sectors. and politics, are flourishing. sian teas and pre-made frozen packages of dump- ated with the Hebrew University and Ariel Univer- The massive aliyah was unprecedented for Some 200 Russian bookstores and local press- lings. It was here that the highly successful Tiv sity Center, says one of the main reasons potential Israel, both in its sheer size—Russian-speaking es are publishing about 300 Russian-language Tam company began—known in Israel for its sale immigrants from the former Soviet Union who Israelis now constitute the largest single minority titles every year. Some authors have significant of non-kosher items like cuts of pork and bags of have not come to Israel are staying away is the group in the country—and in the high educational followings in the former Soviet Union, although frozen shrimp. sense that families with mixed Jewish parentage and professional background of so many who they remain unknown to most Israelis. It’s one of the elements of Russian-speaking suffer discrimination in Israel. came. Some 70 percent of those who immigrated Music has been more easily translatable. society that has dismayed some religiously obser- “Israel is losing out on a huge human resources are college-educated. “Israel has received us well,” said Galina vant Israelis. Aside from the surge in pork-related as a result,” he said. n Don’t write off the kibbutz yet By Martin Sherman LOS ANGELES (JTA) —When I left South Africa activities. Today the major source of income is Plas- demic study was not overtly shunned, any pursuit As the kibbutz began casting off the mantle of to volunteer to be a soldier in the Israel Defense son, a multimillion dollar global plastics manufac- not deemed absolutely necessary for the acquisi- national leadership, the social rewards of member- Forces in 1971, Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael agreed turing corporation whose shares are traded on the tion of skills to enhance the kibbutz’s productive ship diminished commensurately. As the sense of to host me for the duration of my military service. Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. operations often elicited expressions of suspicion belonging to society’s elite waned, many members My assigned residence at the kibbutz -- located The shift reflects how kibbutzim have deviated and derision. – particularly the more talented and younger ones about 20 miles south of Haifa, on the Mediterra- sharply from their socialist roots into full-fledged Today, however, every child of Ma’agan Mi- – began leaving the kibbutz for the lure of the city. nean coast -- was a single room in a wooden shack participants in the capitalist system. chael members is guaranteed the opportunity to This move, once considered the ultimate act of be- without running water, air conditioning or other As Israel’s most successful kibbutz, Ma’agan attain an academic degree or some chosen equiva- trayal, became acceptable and commonplace. modern conveniences. The nearest showers and Michael has preserved a high degree of coopera- lent without any connection to future earning po- Although Ma’agan Michael largely has been toilets were public and situated at least 100 yards tive life. At less prosperous kibbutzim, economic tential. Similar developments have taken place in spared the detrimental impact of this phenome- from my spartan abode. hardship has forced privatization of elements that virtually all of Israel’s kibbutzim. non, it devastated the kibbutz work force and jeop- It was a far cry from the way I live today at the once were collective. In stark contrast to its former A watershed moment for the kibbutz move- ardized the future of many other kibbutzim. kibbutz -- in a roomy three-bedroom apartment ideology of asceticism, today’s kibbutz is replete ment came in 1977, when a Likud government If current trends continue, kibbutzim likely will equipped with all the latest electronics and a spa- with once-scorned human comforts and pri- was sworn into power for the first time and kib- be overtaken sooner or later by the very bourgeois cious porch that opens onto a stretch of manicured vately owned gadgetry. In fact, much of Ma’agan butz members feared that their long-maligned materialism they once held in such contempt. lawn surrounded by variegated bougainvilleas. Michael’s communal activity is conducted online political opponents, whom they had labeled However, this is far from inevitable. There is sin- In many ways this dichotomy encapsulates from members’ private homes, where they can re- as fascists, would seize kibbutz assets. Hasty cere soul-searching going on in Ma’agan Michael much of the change that has taken place over the serve a car from the kibbutz’s ample fleet, submit economic decisions were made that began the about the community’s future: how to maintain past few decades in the kibbutz movement in Israel, work schedules or receive medical test results con- chain of events that brought many kibbutzim social solidarity in an age of individualism and how and at Ma’agan Michael in particular. There has ducted at the inhouse clinic. to the brink of economic collapse. Interestingly, to fashion the kibbutz’s role in society at large. been a dramatic metamorphosis affecting not only The dominant ethos that characterized the religious kibbutzim, which viewed Likud’s as- It is premature to write the epitaph of the the outward appearance of the kibbutz and sources kibbutz well into the 1970s was that of members cent with far more equanimity than their secu- kibbutz movement. Even without individual of its livelihood, but also the manner in which it who were rugged warrior-farmers strongly rooted lar counterparts and reacted with less alarm, financial rewards, Ma’agan Michael’s mem- perceives itself and is perceived by others. to the land, willing to sacrifice life and limb to de- fared far better economically. bers have brought the kibbutz to the forefront In the past few decades, Ma’agan Michael has fend Israel. For a young man eligible for military The importance of military service as a social of global achievement in agriculture—par- changed from a tiny, impoverished fishing vil- service, it was taboo not to serve in a combat unit. imperative declined. Service in non-combat capac- ticularly animal husbandry, aquiculture and lage into a sprawling, affluent community with a Societal emphasis and social stature was focused ities in the IDF -- even draft evasion -- were treated orchard cultivation. variety of industrial, commercial and agricultural more on the physical than the cerebral. While aca- with increasing tolerance. Continued on page 30

20 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 21 I Israel

Israeli, Palestinian mayors pitch rare joint industrial project By Gil Shefler NEW YORK (JTA)—Even as Israeli and tinians do well, and we hope that two years Palestinian leaders argue about the conditions from now it will start operating. We will pro- that must be in place for a return to the nego- vide the infrastructure from the Israeli side, tiating table, they are striking similar tones on but this is their project. It is entirely up to the need for economic development. them to make it succeed, and that makes all Palestinian Authority Prime Minister the difference.” Salam Fayyad unveiled an economic plan Robert Zwank, the executive director of last month intended to bring about a stable, the Jewish Federation of Western Connecti- independent Palestinian state within two cut who organized the tour, says he hopes the years, while Israeli Prime Minister Benja- plan will be extended to other parts of Israel min Netanyahu has been talking for months and the West Bank. about the need for an “economic peace.” “As a bottom-up initiative, it has to be Some local Israeli and Palestinian offi- supported by people in the private sector,” cials aren’t waiting for the rhetoric to trans- he said in a phone interview. late into action. Seven years They’re taking ago, few could matters into their We’re taking responsibility and have imagined own hands. Jenin as a model Soon after, combining politics with economics. of coexistence. A the Jewish may- hotbed of mili- or of a region in We are building an industrial park tancy from which northern Israel Palestinian ter- adjacent to the that will provide employment for rorist groups West Bank an- 15,000 Palestinians and 2,000 Israelis. dispatched sui- nounced a plan cide bombers to with the gover- strike Israeli cit- nor of the West Bank city of Jenin for a joint ies, Jenin was the site of a 2002 Israeli army industrial zone, coexistence projects and a incursion that left many dead on both sides sports league that would bring together the and leveled parts of the city’s refugee camp. region’s Israeli and Palestinian children. Now, however, Jenin is one of the places “We believe that life in the Middle East Palestinian and U.S. officials tout as a model can be different,” said Danny Atar, the Jew- of success for a revamped Palestinian secu- ish mayor of the Gilboa Regional Council, a rity force, and even some Israeli officials mountainous area of Israel of 22,000 people speak of a changed atmosphere in the city. located between Jenin and the Israeli city of “I can walk around Jenin without a guard, Beit Shean. “We’re taking responsibility and without any of Qadoura’s people,” Atar said. combining politics with economics. We are “It is now a paradigm of good security and building an industrial park that will provide good governance.” employment for 15,000 Palestinians and Qadoura, a member of P.A. President 2,000 Israelis.” Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah Party, says the proj- The plan is unusual not only because it ect will help bolster moderates among Pal- represents a coordinated effort between lo- estinians and weaken support for Hamas and cal Israeli and Palestinian officials, but also its radicalism. because it involves the Palestinian governor “We have our radicals and it is of con- of a city that until recently was known as cern, but when we have over 50 percent the suicide-bomber capital of the West Bank unemployment and 6,000 graduates without and because the project is being supported work, then they become targets for radicals,” by Jewish groups in the United States. Qadoura said. Jenin’s governor, Qadoura Qadoura, says This isn’t the first attempt at a joint Pales- now is the time for cooperation. tinian-Israeli industrial project. Perhaps the “No two people can live beside each oth- best known is the industrial park at the Erez er while one is prospering and the other is Crossing, on the north end of the Gaza Strip. not,” he said. Once a thriving commercial area that pro- Qadoura and Atar, along with Atar’s vided employment for thousands of Pales- Israeli-Arab deputy, Eid Saleem, are on a tinians, it now lies vacant following repeated U.S. tour this week trying to sell their idea attacks by Hamas on the facility. to the Jewish public and win investors for At their meeting last month in New York, the project. Atar said his project would not suffer the The plan calls for establishing a joint Isra- same fate as the Erez park. el-Palestinian industrial park just inside the “This is not an intergovernmental proj- West Bank that will manufacture products ect,” he said. “Our aim is to encourage the such as olive oil and packaged salad greens private sector to invest.” to be exported to overseas markets via Israel. Atar adds, “What other alternatives are It also involves setting up cultural centers to there, to have nothing in the news but how teach Hebrew to Palestinians and Arabic to many Palestinians or Israelis were killed?” n Israeli Jews, organizing women’s empower- ment courses and holding sports tournaments for children from both communities. “The plans are already all set up,” Atar said at a news conference last month at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in New York. “It is in my own benefit as an Israeli that the Pales-

22 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 I World Jewry

At Limmud in Siberia, some unique challenges By Grant Slater BIROBIDZHAN, Russia (JTA)—As the ma- by a Moscow-based core of young Jewish pro- Limmud in iridescent blue skate shoes with tas- Chesler said Limmud FSU’s expansion to roon bus trundled its way past the collective fessionals that has played on three continents sels hanging out from underneath his cardigan. Russian speakers beyond the old Iron Curtain farms where Yiddish-speaking communists from the Chinese border to New York City. The Limmud’s only paid employee in Russia, Jenya ruffled some feathers in the Limmud organiza- once struggled to tame the muddy earth, a com- conference seeks to provide participants with a Malkina, drafted Sahmanov as a volunteer for tion, which is based in London and holds vol- motion arose from a row of seats in the rear. crash course in Jewish education and activity, the conference. unteer-led conferences all over the world. “Moooo-shiach!” shouted four teens in the and a safe haven to make Jewish connections. Two years ago, Sahmanov decided that Hil- “In America, they gave us hell,” he said. back of the bus. Last week’s Limmud conference played lel no longer provided him with all the Jewish But he pushed forward, and Chesler now Their cheers for the Messiah drew the at- host to a large contingent from the Hillel fulfillment he wanted. He decided to become says his outreach to Russian speakers largely has tention of 22-year-old Kristina Faibushenko, a in Khabarovsk, which is two hours away by observant and sought out the Chabad rabbi in been accepted. young reporter for a local paper whose mast- train. These young Jews provided the back- his hometown of Khabarovsk for instruction. Andrew Gilbert, the chairman for Lim- head is in Yiddish. bone for the conference in both volunteer Sahmanov’s descriptions of his Jewish life mud International, says the Russian-speak- When the bus stopped, Faibushenko ap- effort and knowledge. in Siberia are peppered with the Russian word ing branch headed by Chesler has a contract proached Zhenya Vladykin, a 13-year-old in a Though they live in what is ostensibly a “klyova,” which means cool. to operate within the former Soviet Union. kipah and tzitzit, with a question: What does it Jewish district—Yiddish is an official language “It’s klyova that we have Chabad, and the There is an “ongoing discussion” about their mean to observe Shabbat? here—many of the participants from Birobid- rabbi is definitely klyova,” he said. efforts to reach Russian-speaking Jews outside “It means you can’t do anything,” he said. zhan never had attended any kind of Jewish Now, Sahmanov says, he wants to travel to the region, he said. The young Russians’ exchange reflects the conference or educational seminar. Israel for yeshiva, then return to promote Juda- Limmud FSU has no analog in the world in patchwork knowledge and observance of Jewish Limmud participants spent the first day ism in Khabarovsk. that it seeks to target a demographic rather than traditions that defines Russia’s largely assimi- at the recently completed Jewish community One purpose of Limmud is to give people an area, Gilbert said. Limmud FSU has exceed- lated Jewish community. That is the case even center and neighboring synagogue and the that choice—the how for Russians interested ed expectations, but the ideal would be for it to in this strange and unique region of Russia’s Far second day at a compound 40 minutes out- in exploring their Jewish identity, said Chaim work with local Limmud bodies already in place East known as the Jewish Autonomous District. side the city. Teens in kipahs mingled with old Chesler, a co-founder of Limmud FSU. outside the former Soviet Union, he said. But last week some 200 residents of the re- women who remembered the Jewish songs of Malkina says the goal of the program is not While Limmuds closer to Moscow now are gion converged on the province’s capital city, Bi- their youth and completely secular Russians to compete with other groups seeking to devel- partially self-sustaining, Chesler and his organi- robidzhan, for the most remote Limmud Jewish with distant Jewish roots. op life but to bring them all together under one zation rely on a litany of donors both Western educational conference held to date in the for- In Birobidzhan, nearly everyone claims banner for a few days. and local to host far-flung conferences among mer Soviet Union—possibly the world. some Jewish ancestry, but some locals say they Limmud FSU began three years ago on the poorer areas like Birobidzhan. He says he has Nearly 4,000 miles from Moscow, Birobid- have never met a “real Jew.” outskirts of Moscow with sizable contributions received donations from Jewish businessmen in zhan is the capital of Soviet Union’s agitprop- Young people in Russia’s Far East have from Western funders. The last year has seen Kazakhstan and Ukraine, as well as the support inspired, semi-autonomous Jewish territory in limited access to Jewish life. The Chabad-run Russian-speaking Limmuds in Israel, Ukraine, of American donors like Matthew Bronfman. Siberia. It lies on a spot of land on the Russian Federation of Jewish Communities maintains New York, Moscow, Belarus and now Siberia. Jewish welfare groups also have been sup- border with China to which Soviet leader Josef rabbis in Birobidzhan and Khabarovsk, Hillel is Along with free choice of programming and portive. In particular, Chesler said the Jewish Stalin sought to lure Jews in the 1930s. very active in Khabarovsk, and there are some involvement, Chesler says it is important that Agency for Israel has been much more recep- In places like Birobidzhan and Khabarovsk, Jewish music groups and other programs. But the leaders of the Limmud programs in Russia tive and helpful in recent months under the the most populous city in this region, the dis- young Jews interested in their roots must ac- approach participants in their own language. leadership of former Soviet dissident Natan parity in access to Jewish life is stark. Outreach tively seek out Judaism, says Roman Leder, the “They will speak Russian rather than one Sharansky. programs reach this remote area only in drips. Jewish community leader in Birobidzhan. American rabbi coming to Russia with his bad “He understands what we are trying to do in Enter Limmud FSU, a traveling show run Kirill Sahmanov, 17, bounces around the Russian and telling them what to do,” he said. Russia,” Chesler said. n A hunger to keep the faith at a Budapest shtiebel By Eszter Margit BUDAPEST, Hungary (JTA)—Andras Mayer The minyan meets Saturday mornings The Teleki Square shtiebel is the last in man Mayer calls the engine of the minyan, has is on a mission to get the Teleki Square shtiebel and on major holidays. Members say Teleki operation and houses the remnants from the been established to help pay for the work. on the map—literally. is the only synagogue in Hungary where other synagogues—kabbalistic paintings, re- Glaser, a carpenter also known as Glaser Renovations have started on the little Bu- prayers are recited following a rare Sep- ligious objects, Torah scrolls, old armchairs bacsi, died recently. dapest synagogue, which tour guides generally hardic nusach, or liturgy, adding special and chandeliers. “Glaser bacsi, even at age 92, used to start pass over when visiting Jewish sites. tunes unique to the community. “We were surprised to find not only a beau- making calls on Wednesday to recruit a minyan “We’ll do whatever it takes,” says Mayer, Poor Jewish migrants settled in the neigh- tiful bimah, crumbling books and prayer stands, for Saturday morning,” Mayer says. “Over the 37, one of the young intellectuals who worship borhood of Teleki beginning in the 1850s, most but also suitcases full of clothes, shoes, calen- years he attracted a group of young men whose regularly at the shtiebel—literally, Yiddish for of them making a living at the flea market sell- dars, dishes and other personal items from the ritual became to hang out in shul, then go out “little room”—in the center of the Hungarian ing throw-away goods, geese, spices, vegeta- time of the Shoah,” Mayer says. with Glaser bacsi for cakes and coffee to a near- capital. “We are on a cultural mission now, doc- bles and rugs. The Hungarian Orthodox Union has donat- by pastry shop after services and listen to his umenting this last bit of an almost completely The shtiebel had been one of 17 syna- ed a few thousand dollars to repaint the shtiebel, somewhat funny, somewhat horroristic stories lost culture.” gogues in the neighborhood, each of which but members are looking into additional fund- of a world that’s been lost. A Chabad rabbi and some elderly Jews are had its own group of vendor members. Po- ing to repair the Torah scrolls and install heat- “We loved him for his courage, knowledge joining Mayer and a group of young, not overly groms in October 1944 destroyed several ing, a bathroom and a kitchen. and sense of humor,” says Gabor Mayer, 28, observant Jews in their quest to rebuild the cen- small shtiebels, although Zionist youth fought They want to start Torah classes with Cha- who helped out around the shtiebel and eventu- tury-old shtiebel. back at an inn for market vendors and injured bad Rabbi Sholom Hurwitz, who became the ally took over its leadership. “We became religious on Saturdays from 9 several German soldiers. religious leader of the community, although the It is Gabor who now makes any calls need- to 11 a.m. in order to help the old people who Peter Stein, whose family had been shtiebel shtiebel is not connected to Chabad-Lubavitch. ed for a minyan, though they are rare because prayed here,” Mayer says. Smiling, he adds, regulars for five generations, said the Chortkow The rabbi’s wife prepares kosher cholent and there are a growing number of devoted con- “Now they are not around anymore, we kept on Chasidim from Galicia started the Teleki Square cookies for visitors, but shtiebel members want gregants. He had assisted Glaser on a personal coming and even attracted girls and kids.” shtiebel around the turn of the 20th century. to do more. level, tending to health care needs and buying Despite its central location, the Orthodox Stein says that when he was a child in the Speaking about the renovations, Mayer’s his lottery tickets. synagogue remained on the fringe of the Hun- 1950s, the shtiebel was full of congregants. He brother, Gabor, says, “We are doing it very Talking about the young people now re- garian Jewish community’s attention because recalls that his father, upon returning from the carefully, respectfully and gradually in order to viving the minyan, Gabor says, “Nobody will of its location in one of the poorest neighbor- Auschwitz death camp, rushed to the shtiebel keep the spirit of the shtiebel alive. We want to know our names in a few years, just like we hoods of Budapest. It was neglected for so long to see if it was still there even before he went maintain it the way we found it a decade ago.” don’t know who those old people were on those that the young people who started going there home to check on whether his home and family Andras Mayer says, however, that “the old pictures we found, for whom this shtiebel a decade ago were able to shape it into a rela- were intact. question is what was its original state—layers had been a meaningful part of their lives.” tively independent community of their own. By the 1990s, while a Jewish renaissance was and layers of paint have been added.” The shtiebel, he adds, “will live on and re- The Hungarian Orthodox Union provides taking place elsewhere in Hungary, the shtiebels As a first step, Andras says, the rotten en- main the same as it was yesterday, today or to- the synagogue with basic funding and pays and the Jewish establishments were closed in Tele- trance door and pipes were replaced. The Jakab morrow.” n the bills. ki as the remaining Jews moved away. Glaser Memorial Foundation, named for the Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 23 I Ask the Expert I Kosher Cuisine

Burying the Genizah Strudel struggles a thing of the past From MyJewishLearning.com By Linda Morel uestion: What is the protocol for Torah scholar. However, you are welcome to NEW YORK (JTA)­­—With Sukkot approach- among the many who have used fillo dough burying damaged Jewish prayer bury your household genizah in your back- ing, I’ve become obsessed with strudel, a pas- for strudel. Q books and shawls? Should they yard, as long as it is done respectfully. try I buy at bakeries but haven’t had the nerve The difference between the two doughs be wrapped? Can they be buried in my Before burial the items should be put in a to make myself. Like creating airy pie crust, is both enormous and subtle. An ancestor yard? Are there special prayers to be recited? shroud (a white pillowcase will do), and any strudel baking is an art that died in home of strudel, fillo dough was an invention of —Linda, Randolph, Mass. Torah scrolls should be cut off from their kitchens sometime during the 20th century, the Turks that probably arrived in Europe nswer: It sounds like you’re talk- wooden spools. when the pace of life quickened and conve- during the Ottoman occupation. Bakers in ing about burying the contents of There is no set liturgy for a genizah nience foods replaced family recipes. Austria and Hungary took the recipe to an- A a genizah, Linda. Genizah means burial, but many congregations have created This year I decided to teach myself to make other level by adding eggs and butter to a “reserved” or “hidden” in Hebrew, and is their own ceremonies. I particularly like the strudel in time for Sukkot. Nothing traditionally a place where Jews store sacred one from Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, which could be more delightful during the documents when they fall out of use. contains passages from the Torah and Mish- holiday’s seven days than eating a The Talmud (Shabbat 115a) stipulates nah, as well as the rabbis’ Kaddish and con- slice of my own strudel accompa- that all sacred writings (scrolls of Torah, temporary poetry. You can adapt the liturgy nied by a cup of tea. Prophets, and Writings), should be preserved to make it more appropriate or meaningful Resonating a harvest theme, in a place where they cannot be destroyed. for your family or community, but it is cus- Sukkot is a celebration of the grow- Though this idea originally was closely tied tomary to include the rabbis’ Kaddish. ing season’s final harvest. Many to a prohibition from ever erasing God’s The most famous genizah, by far, is the Jews observe the holiday by build- name, Maimonides ruled that holy books, Cairo genizah, a room attached to the Ben ing a sukkah, an outdoor hut, such as the Talmud and midrash, should be Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo. The room con- where they enjoy as many meals as retired to the genizah as well, even though tained more than 200,000 documents and possible. Hanging autumn produce they do not contain God’s name (Mishneh ritual objects from as far back as the 10th from the sukkah’s interior walls, Torah, Hilhot Yesodei HaTorah 6:8). century, including commentaries and letters they traditionally serve soups, stews For a long time, Jewish communities set written by Maimonides and Rabbi Judah and filled foods. aside a room in each synagogue exclusively Halevi. In the 1890s, Solomon Schechter, a By definition, a filled food is for this purpose and called that space the lecturer at Cambridge University, convinced one that has been stuffed with genizah. Anything from a worn-out siddur synagogue officials to allow him to ship most other things to eat. What could represent the rather plain batter, making strudel dough to a contract written in Hebrew would be of the contents of the Cairo genizah to Cam- bounty of the harvest better than stuffing more elastic than its predecessor. This pastry put in the genizah when it was no longer use- bridge, and since then thousands of docu- something delectable with additional good- became wildly popular throughout Central ful, and often ritual objects such as a tallit or ments from the genizah have been restored, ies? For that reason, dishes such as stuffed and Eastern Europe, where Jews consumed a lulav were added as well. translated, and studied. cabbage and stuffed peppers are associated it with gusto. Most synagogues now have a closet or a Today, most of the works from the genizah with Sukkot. There are anecdotes about Budapest box where they collect used papers and ritual can be found at the Cambridge University Perhaps the most elegant food of the genre families, Jewish and gentile, who hired pink- objects that are considered sacred. The gen- Library, and at the Jewish Theological Semi- is strudel, a pastry dough that is covered with cheeked country girls as maids -- with their eral rule is that anything dealing with sacred nary, and the entire corpus of manuscripts a layer of sweet or savory foods, rolled into a pudgy fingers, they were renowned for mak- subjects should be placed in a genizah rath- is being digitized by the Friedberg Genizah log and baked until flaky. Many bakeries sell ing the most delicate strudel. er than thrown out. An Israeli newspaper, Project, so that it can be studied and searched strudels laden with fruit, chocolate, nuts or Inspired by their skill, I devoted an en- though written in Hebrew, would not need by scholars all over the world. cream. However, strudels bursting with vege- tire day to teaching myself to make strudel. to go in a genizah, but a Megillah that had Before you bury your own genizah, take tables, sometimes mixed with chopped meat, Armed with defrosted fillo dough, a damp been damaged would. a look through it. You probably won’t find are rarely commercially produced. towel, and advice from every cookbook au- Most synagogues clean out their genizot scraps of business contracts from the 13th thor who’d ever layered dough and coaxed it every few years by burying the contents in a century, but you might come across some into strudel, I began experimenting. Jewish cemetery as a sign of reverence and re- valuable lessons and stories that you hadn’t As I had invited people for dinner that spect. Some communities even have cemetery thought about in years. Good luck! n Nothing could be more night, I felt great pressure to succeed. What plots that have been donated expressly for the if I created a soggy mess and had to feed my For more information about Judaism and purpose of burying the genizah. It is consid- delightful during the holiday’s friends pizza? However, I found fillo dough Jewish life, visit MyJewishLearning.com. ered a great sign of respect to bury a Torah seven days than eating a slice easier to work with than I’d ever imagined scroll or other sacred work near a prestigious and was sorry I hadn’t attempted strudel de- of my own strudel accompa- cades ago. Changing our campuses, from page 18 I experimented with four fillings, giv- nied by a cup of tea. ing my friends a chance to dine on strudel throughout the meal, from appetizer to des- Our communities and our leaders have lost Through education and action, let’s expand the When I’ve waxed poetic about strudel’s sert. They raved about each successive stru- sight of the fact that our best ideas have always discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict savory side, none of my friends were aware del, discussing which fillings they preferred. sprung from lively discussion and debate. They and provide a forum for productive discussion that the pastry could be an appetizer or hors As a bonus, the intoxicating scent of buttery are so wrapped up in their own rhetoric that about U.S. policy and the future of peace ne- d’oeuvre. This is all the more reason to bring pastry wafted throughout my home. they hurl accusations at one another instead gotiations. Agreement on all questions is not back this old-fashioned delicacy, in spite of Each sheet of fillo must be brushed with of taking it upon themselves to demonstrate the objective—fair representation of the issues, how involved it is to make. shortening, which promotes its flaky tex- the constructive engagement and building of sincere attempts to listen to and understand Cookbook author and rabbi Gil Marks ture. I discovered that fillo dough brushed common ground they wish to see in the world. each other, and shared solidarity in support of a once told me that his mother had prepared with butter is more tender than the results Immediate action is needed to overcome the two-state solution are. strudel for his brit, but the experience must achieved with oil, which are delightfully naysayers who would rather perpetuate mis- We need to show that we, the future leaders have overwhelmed her because she never at- crisp and equally irresistible. While buttered trust of the other side than make a real effort of America, support the difficult road to peace tempted it again. fillo is cushy, oil-brushed fillo is a delicious toward a two-state solution. and are dedicated to resolving it so both Israelis Yet I yearned to add this skill to my cu- option for kosher observers. As we learned from the impressive cam- and Palestinians can look forward to a better linary repertoire. Like most people, I’ve There’s only one downside: Strudel is too paign that helped elect Barack Obama, the future. Let’s end the hateful stalemate on col- avoided strudel because I was terrified of hot to eat when it comes from the oven, driv- engagement and mobilization of students can lege campuses and start a movement that will dealing with the dough. I’ve heard stories ing anyone waiting for a bite to go mad. But make all the difference, and we need to inte- influence and challenge our leaders to replicate of grandmothers stretching strudel dough on the upside, a piping hot strudel fares better grate them into the conversation. College cam- our model. Together strong, we can be the trail- across their dining room tables until it was than other foods when exposed to the chilly puses are filled with young, creative minds, blazers for a new path toward two sustainable thin enough to read the newspaper through. night air inside a sukkah. Because strudel can and if constructive conversation cannot ensue states and the ultimate goal of peace. n I didn’t think it was something I could do. be prepared ahead and easily reheated, it is a in the prestigious houses of academia, then how Not now anyway. Not without experience or practical dish to serve at Sukkot. (Lauren Barr is a junior at American Univer- can we expect politicians to reach a negotiated a grandmother to help. Ecstasy will ensue from a forkful of this sity and the national secretary of J Street U’s settlement? Instead I turned to frozen fillo dough, pastry. The problem is, once you’ve provid- board.) We students must give support to our lead- which is available in supermarkets. In recent ed a taste of homemade strudel, guests will ers by turning our polarization into cooperation. decades, even renowned pastry chefs are clamor for it every year. n

24 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 Turning frozen fillo dough into flaky strudel Caramelized onion and mushroom strudel filling These directions appear daunting, but they are parchment paper. Make sure a long side of the An hors d’oeuvre, appetizer or side dish broken down into easy steps. You will pick up rectangular fillo sheet is facing you. (Don’t for- Dairy or Parve (if fillo sheets are brushed with olive oil) the technique of making strudel in minutes get to replace the plastic and towel.) 4 extra large onions, sliced into thin disks and never have to look at the directions again. 9. Dip a basting brush into melted butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil, or more if needed Note: If box of fillo is frozen, defrost it in the spread butter along the edges of the sheet of Kosher salt to taste refrigerator for 24 hours before using. Don’t fillo, using additional butter as needed. Move 1 1/2 pounds white mushrooms, sliced thin leave fillo sheets in the refrigerator longer than the brush over the fillo gently, so it doesn’t tear. 1. With your fingers, separate onion disks into rings. 48 hours. Unused fillo can be wrapped tightly Although the fillo sheets are thin, they are not in aluminum foil, placed in a plastic bag and as fragile as they appear. Continue brushing 2. On a medium flame, heat oil in a large pot. Add raw onion rings and sprinkle with salt. re-frozen. butter from the outside of the fillo sheet toward Stir occasionally. 1 pound box of fillo sheets the center, until the entire sheet is covered with 3. When onions start to brown, after about 15 minutes, add mushrooms and more salt, if 8 to 12 tablespoons of butter, or compa- butter. For parve strudel, follow instructions in desired. Stir occasionally, until mushrooms brown and onions are fully caramelized, about rable amount of olive or vegetable oil for steps 9 and 10 using oil. 25 minutes. pareve strudels 4. Cool to room temperature. Place onion mixture in a colander to drain excess oil. Recipe Several pieces of parchment paper 10. Place another sheet of fillo on the buttered can be made to this point 2 days in advance, placed in a covered container, and refrigerated. A soft bristled basting brush surface and butter it the same way. Repeat this process, placing a new fillo sheet on top of the 5. Follow directions in Turning Frozen Fillo Dough Into Flaky Strudel above. In step 11, place 1. Prepare strudel filling (recipes below) in ad- last one, until there’s a buttered pile of 6 fillo half of onion mixture on top of a pile of six fillo sheets. There’s enough filling for 2 strudels. vance and cool to room temperature before sheets. Don’t forget to butter the last sheet. (For a pareve recipe, in steps 9, 10, and 14, use oil instead of butter.) opening box of fillo. 11. Spoon a filling from a recipe below on the 6. If fillo was brushed with butter, bake for 30 minutes, or until dough browns and flakes. If 2. Place a parchment paper on a baking sheet. top fillo sheet. Leave a border of 1 inch around brushed with oil, bake for 20 minutes, or until dough browns and crisps. Preheat oven to 350 °. all 4 edges, where there will be no filling. Spread Yield: 2 strudels, cut into 8 pieces, or 16 pieces in all. 3. Lay another piece of parchment paper on a filling evenly. clean, dry kitchen counter or table. If possible, 12. With your fingers, carefully lift the long side choose an area large enough to accommodate 2 of the pile of fillo sheets closest to you. You may Viennese apple strudel filling pieces of parchment paper lying side by side. have to raise the parchment paper and gently Dairy 4. Remove packaging material from box of de- peel the fillo sheets from it. Don’t worry if the 3 tablespoons butter frosted fillo and carefully unroll the scroll of edges are slightly uneven. These sheets are firm 4 medium sized baking apples (Cortland, Gala, Rome, etc.), peeled, cored, and sliced fillo sheets onto the parchment paper on the yet flexible, and amazingly easy to handle. Roll thin counter. There should be a neat pile of thin flat the pile of fillo sheets around the filling and 2 tablespoons sugar sheets. continue rolling, until the sheets become a log 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 5. Immediately cover fillo with plastic wrap. of strudel. 1/2 cup apricot preserves Dampen a clean, fragrance-free terry-cloth 1 teaspoon brandy 13. Carefully lift the strudel and place it on the 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest kitchen towel and lay it on top of plastic wrap, parchment-lined baking sheet seam side down. covering the fillo sheets completely. To avoid 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Fold the ends of the strudel under itself so the 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped fine drying out fillo, which happens quickly, do not filling doesn’t seep out. the leave the pile of sheets uncovered for more 1. On a medium-low flame, melt butter in a large skillet. Add apples, sugar, and cinnamon. 14. With a sharp knife, cut the top of the stru- than a minute at a time. Stir occasionally until apples soften, about 15 minutes. Add lemon zest, vanilla and walnuts. del, scoring it 8 times, every 1 1/2 inches. Score 6. Heat butter on a low flame until melted (8 Stir well. Cool to room temperature. Recipe can be made to this point 2 days in advance, only the 6 layers of dough. Don’t cut through placed in a covered container, and refrigerated. ounces of butter will make 2 strudels and their entire strudel. Brush the top of the strudel with 2. When ready to continue, place apricot preserves in a small saucepan on a low flame, until toppings). If making a parve strudel, use oil at melted butter or oil. room temperature instead. heated through. Remove from flame and stir in brandy. 15. For additional strudels, repeat the steps 3. Follow directions in Turning Frozen Fillo Dough Into Flaky Strudel. In step 11, place half 7. Place a third piece of parchment paper on a above. clean dry kitchen counter or table next to the of apple mixture on top of a pile of 6 fillo sheets.There is enough filling for 2 strudels. pile of fillo sheets. The recipes have been developed by Linda Morel. 4. Bake strudels for 35 minutes, or until dough browns and flakes. Serve with vanilla ice 8. Move one sheet of fillo and lay it on the third cream or whipped cream. Yield: 2 strudels, cut into 8 pieces, or 16 pieces in all. Sweet and sour cabbage strudel filling Dairy or Parve (if fillo sheets are brushed with olive oil) Easy pear and cranberry strudel filling 1/2 cup golden raisins Dairy or Parve (if fillo sheets are brushed with vegetable oil) 1 small-medium sized cabbage 4 (14 1/2-ounce) cans of pears, preferably pre-sliced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup dried cranberries 6 carrots, diced fine 2 tablespoons sugar, optional Kosher salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Freshly ground pepper to taste 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped fine 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1. Drain pears in a colander and reserve the liquid. Pour 1 cup of the liquid into a small 1. Soak raisins in a 1/2 cup warm water while assembling ingredients. saucepan and discard the rest. Add the cranberries. Simmer on a low flame until cranberries 2. From cabbage, discard thick outer leaves. Remove core and coarse veins in some leaves. soften, about 10 minutes. Remove from flame and leave in liquid while assembling remaining Slice cabbage into thin ribbons. ingredients. Drain in a colander. 3. In a large pot, heat the oil on a low flame and add cabbage and carrots. Sprinkle with salt 2. Slice pears and cut them into 3 or 4 chunks and place in a bowl. Add sugar, if pears need and pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until vegetables wilt. sweetening. Add remaining ingredients, including cranberries. Mix gently with a spoon to 4. Meanwhile, place vinegar and brown sugar in a small bowl and mix with a spoon. Stir oc- blend. Recipe can be made to this point 2 days in advance, covered, and refrigerated. casionally, until sugar dissolves. 3. Follow directions in Turning Frozen Fillo Dough Into Flaky Strudel. In step 11, place half 5. Add vinegar mixture to cabbage pot, along with raisins and 1/2 cup water. Stir ingredients. of pear mixture on top of a pile of 6 fillo sheets. There is enough filling for 2 strudels. (For a Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften. parve recipe, in steps 9, 10, and 14, brush the fillo sheets with oil instead of butter.) 6. Remove from flame and cool to room temperature. Pour ingredients into a colander and 4. If fillo was brushed with butter, bake 35 minutes, or until dough browns and flakes. If let liquids drain. Recipe can be made to this point 2 days in advance, placed in a covered brushed with oil, bake 25 minutes, or until dough browns and crisps. Serve with vanilla ice container, and refrigerated. cream, whipped cream, or lemon sorbet. 7. Follow directions in Turning Frozen Fillo Dough Into Flaky Strudel above. In step 11, Yield: 2 strudels, cut into 8 pieces, or 16 pieces in all. place 1 1/4 cups cabbage mixture on top of a pile of 6 fillo sheets. There is enough cabbage filling for 3 strudels. (For a parve recipe, in steps 9, 10, and 14, brush the fillo sheets with oil instead of butter.) 8. If fillo was brushed with butter, bake 40-45 minutes, or until dough browns and flakes. If brushed with oil, bake 30-35 minutes, or until dough browns and crisps. Yield: 3 strudels, cut into 8 pieces, or 24 pieces in all.

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 25 I On Another Note

Ira Lax, one fan’s story Sandor Slomovit, staff writer I’ve been writing this column about music Then in high school… Dylan. I graduated blues, I just love listening to the old tim- and musicians for nearly five years and it oc- in ’65. When a Dylan album came out, ers, Bukka White, Sleepy John Estes. That curred to me recently that I’ve not yet writ- we’d all gather at somebody’s house and stuff is like lullabies to me. But I also listen ten about some of the most essential people listen to it, and listen to it, and listen to it. to classical, and opera, also to Irish, Scot- in music—the fans, the people who listen to It was very exciting. tish and Appalachian music, which is full music. To begin to rectify that situation, here In the late 1960s and early 1970s I also of the lives and history of those countries is a conversation with Ira Lax. Whenever played flute and loved Eric Dolphy’s mu- and ours. I attend a local concert, be it classical, jazz, sic, and a small group of friends had some Then there is my own reading. The folk or any other genre, there is a pretty good mighty intense jam sessions, with guitar, library has a great collection not only of likelihood that I’ll run into Ira and his wife, piano, drums, flute and bass. recorded music, but also of books about Gari Stein, an outstanding music educator Music played a big part in our lives, as music. So that’s also where my interest is who I have profiled in this column. Ira is not it does for kids today, and will forever. going. only a knowledgeable fan of many different The Paul Butterfield Blues Band used WJN: How did Library Songsters come styles of music, he also passionately believes to come to town. In those days a group about? in the importance of music in education. would come and play a club for a week or In his work in the Outreach and Neighbor- more. They knew they had a big following Lax: I believe it came out of a conversation I hood Services department of the Ann Arbor among underage kids, so they would set Ira Lax had with Dave Siglin (long time manager District Library, he runs a program called up a special performance on a weekend of the Ark Coffeehouse) in the mid 1990's. Library Songsters, in which traditional mu- afternoon at a VFW hall, or something, I also took a workshop in Califor- nia with Ansel Adams in Yosemite. I got It had something to do with songwriting. sicians in a variety of styles, work on song- and the word got around and we’d all just This was before I was working at the li- writing and music making with students in go. Or we’d go to the Chessmate, which to spend some time with him, showing him what I was working on, and he’d of- brary. Dave said, “If you can get a grant, local schools. Ira is also a fine photographer was a non-alcoholic coffeehouse, and we’ll figure out a way to work on this to- and has taken pictures of many musicians. there we heard Muddy Waters and How- fer suggestions. Very gentle, wonderful man. It was a wonderful influence, work- gether.” So, that’s what we did. The kids His pictures of performers at the 1972 Ann lin’ Wolf. It was very intimate. One night would write their songs based on what Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival and at a num- Muddy Waters sat down at our table dur- ing with real people, spending time with artists, not just reading about it. Just like they were learning in class with three dif- ber of the revived Blues and Jazz Festivals of ing his break and just shot the breeze. ferent musicians. They performed their the late 90s are up on the Library’s website And there was the Ann Arbor Jazz and what we do today in Library Songsters, where kids get to work with some great songs in school, but then the kicker would at www.aadl.org/gallery/pictureAnnArbor/ Blues Festival. be, learning audience skills at the Ark, and laxi/?g2_page=1. musicians. It impacts a person, and I’m WJN: You’ve got these great photos of the sure some of the same kinds of things will hearing all three musicians perform to- WJN: How did your interest in music get ’72 Festival. How did you get started in stay with them, as have stayed with me. gether. sparked? photography? That lasted a few years and then I WJN: What kind of work were you doing at got the library job in 1999. I started in Lax: My parents loved music. Mostly, they Lax: I worked for Channel 56, public TV in Channel 56? liked to dance. The dance crazes at that Detroit from about 1970 to 1972. My still community relations, and then began time, in our area, were Latin dances, Cha photography developed a couple of years Lax: I got the job based on my photographs. doing programming, and Library Song- Cha, Mambo…. earlier. In 1968 I was out in Aspen, Colo- They’d send out film crews to do stories, sters grew out of that. I talked with Tim and I would go and take photographs and Grimes and told him about this thing I WJN: You grew up in Detroit? rado working one summer as a bellboy at Aspen Meadows. That’s where I took my also do sound. was already doing and said, how about Lax: Yes. My parents were Manny and Kath- first photo workshop with a guy named WJN: They would use your stills as part of doing outreach in the schools? Make sure leen Lax. My dad was a founding mem- Arnold Gassen. He was a fine, fine teach- their stories? everybody has library cards, and then ber of Adat Shalom synagogue in Detroit bring them into the library for their fi- er. I was very excited about doing that. Lax: Right. They’d go from film footage to and one of its early presidents. They took When I got back to Michigan, my friend, nal performance. That’s how it evolved. dance lessons and then they’d show us some stills with voice over. I did that for The Ann Arbor Area Foundation gave David Einstein, a very fine painter who three years, from ’70 to ’73. It was right what they learned. now teaches out in Palm Springs, David me my first grant, for the first two years. towards the end of my time there that I They seeded the thing and got it off the WJN: This was in the Fifties? and I had a studio together in Troy, in an got a press pass from them to go to the old church owned by Balthazar Korab, ground. After that I got grants from Tar- Lax: Yes. I was born in 1947. We watched A2 Blues and Jazz Festival to photograph. one of the great architectural photog- get and Mervyn’s and several other large them, and we took dance lessons. My That’s how I got such great access. I was raphers today. He and his partner had a local businesses and foundations. brother went on to be a state champion right on stage, or backstage. I got to meet studio upstairs and they rented out space WJN: Library Songsters brings together in ballroom dancing. and get close to all these amazing people. in the basement. I learned photography many aspects of your interest in music My mother liked opera too, so I heard Houndog Taylor, was probably the most from him. He was a master. I worked at and in teaching. that too, but I didn’t want to listen to it on memorable person I met that weekend. Channel 56, downtown, from about one my own, yet. WJN: In what way? Yes, I’ve had a whole other career in alter- But the other big influences were my native education. Before I worked at the older brother and sister. They were eight Lax: Just how friendly he was. His music was library I taught full time in Brighton at and nine years older than me. When I was incredible, of course. But after a ten-min- the Phoenix Alternative High School. ten, my sister was in high school. She loved ute conversation, he invited me to visit I was working with kids that had either music. She had Elvis albums, she had him in Chicago. He had blue matchbooks, quit school or got kicked out. We’d try to Harry Belafonte, she had Ramsey Lewis, with his name on them, and his address. find ways to make those kids want to be the great jazz pianist. Those three cover They were his business cards. {Laughter] there. What you had to do is find a more a lot of territory, right there. {Laughter} WJN: Did you take him up on it? active way for them to learn, to make an artistic connection for them to the mate- I loved listening to her records. Then, at Lax: No, I didn’t. Never did. Wish I had. some point, she took me to a club, maybe rial. I enjoyed doing that. the Minor Key, where I heard John Col- WJN: Have your tastes in music changed And the library’s been a great thing. I trane and Pharaoh Sanders. That was over the years? see the library as a kind of a secular temple. quite a thing, quite an influence on me. I Lax: They’ve broadened, mostly in terms of People are coming in, everyone is looking was probably fifteen. listening to older stuff. A big influence has for something, something to fulfill them- I listened to the Beatles, and to ear- been going to hear Paul Klinger’s band, selves in some way. And that’s just the ma- lier folkies like Burl Ives and Hoyt Axton. the Easy Street Jazz Band on Friday nights terial side of things. They’re also coming Those came from my sister. And then I at the Firefly. Another is Lars Bjorn. Lars in for programming. It’s just amazing the had a good friend who was a guitar player is a good friend of mine and we talk about kind of evolution I’ve seen in this library and liked to sing. We had a group that Muddy Waters, 1972 photo by Ira Lax jazz a lot. He teaches sociology at U-M over the ten years that I’ve been here. The liked to sing songs. We’d learn songs by Dearborn and leads discussions at the programming has increased hugely, and to nine in the evening, but first, in the Elvis and the old Doo-Wop groups and jazz festival down at Hart Plaza. And my with public computers, it’s become a very mornings, I’d go to this church and work Rhythm and Blues groups. We really had wife, Gari’s traditional music based pro- important place for many people that in my darkroom. I was very serious about a big record collection of those guys. I still gram, Music for Little Folks, is a continual don’t have access to computers, especially it for a number of years. have quite a few. inspiration for me. I still listen to the folk in these rough times. n

26 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 Calendar I Chelsea Flower Shop, LLC 203 E. Liberty St. Phone 662-5616 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study October 2009 group code of law for Shabbat, and study of www.chelseaflowersllc.com Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every Thursday 1 Saturday. Over 60 years of excellence services Shabbat services: See listing at the end of calendar. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Sunday 4 ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3  Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for events and guest presentations (see description Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the  below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah  Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at at 971-0990 for name of current book. Chabad House. Every Sunday. Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- Sukkot Services: BIC. Shaharit service, 9:30 a.m. ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Sukkot Services: AAOM. 9:30 a.m. at U-M Hillel. Birthdays and Presentation: JCC Seniors. Cel- Sukkot Services: Chabad. 9:45 a.m. ebration for all with birthdays in October. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Friends and family are invited to join group for the basic text of Chassidism and open your lunch and birthday cake at 12:30 p.m. Followed eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at by the SPICE Annual Meeting at 1 p.m. Join Chabad House. Every Sunday. SPICE for lunch and discussion about ideas for Sukkah Hop: BIC. Walk from Beth Israel af- future activities, presentations and trips. ter Sukkot services to various Sukkot in the Sukkot Celebration: Chabad. Annual fun com- neighborhood. Enjoy light lunch for the Sun- munity event to assemble the Lulav and its day Kiddush and munch on dessert at the  species. 6:30 p.m. various Sukkot. 12:30 p.m.   Mussar Class: TBE. With Judy Freedman. 7:30 p.m. Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn-   ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of Vocal Workshop: TBE. With Cantor Linda  Hirschhorn. 7:30–8:30 p.m. life. 8 p.m. Every Sunday. Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha-   bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Monday 5   Jewish legal system by following the intrigu-  ing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is English as a Second Language Daily Classes:  a composite of practical law, logical argumen- JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on   Temple tation and moral teachings. Study of the origi- Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–    nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 Beth Emeth Every Thursday. South State Street. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan-  Friday 2 narbor.org. Ongoing. Sukkah Program: TBE Brotherhood. 5–8:30 p.m. Mussar Class: TBE. With Judy Freedman. 11:30 a.m. Women’s Torah Study: TBE. With Cantor Annie Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Rose. 7–8 p.m. Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Alternative Spring Break Information Meeting: 761-2765 for information. EMU Hillel. Dinner provided. 7 p.m. For in- Baristas With Brent: EMU Hillel. 5 p.m. at the formation, contact [email protected].  Student Center Starbucks. For information, Mishnah Torah Text Study Class: BIC. “Mai- contact [email protected]. monides on the Laws of Shabbat,” with Rabbi  Sukkot Services: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 5:30 p.m. Dobrusin. 8 p.m. Sukkot pizza dinner and Sukkah decorating from 6–7 p.m. For reservations, call 665-4744. Tuesday 6 Songs and prayers in the Sukkah at 7 p.m. Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Class: JCC Seniors. “The Bible in its Time,” Sukkot Services: BIC. Sukkot and Shabbat taught by Dr. Liz Fried. Eight-session class Ma’ariv service. 6 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College. Free for Sukkot Shabbat–Guests in Our Own House: EMU Washtenaw County residents 65 and older. To Hillel. 6–8 p.m. at Big Bob’s Lake House. For in- register, call Merrill Poliner at 971-0990. Tues- formation, contact [email protected]. days through 10/27. Sukkot Services: Chabad. Afternoon and eve- SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with ning services. 7 p.m. Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m.; $4/session or $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, Sukkot Services: AAOM. 7 p.m. at U-M Hillel.  noon; Games and activities including Mah- Friday evening services: See listing at of the calendar. jong, quilting, art projects and card games, and   weekly Bridge Club, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday.   Saturday 3 Sukkot Potluck: BIC YAD. 6 p.m.  Mitzvah and Munch: EMU Hillel. 7 p.m. at the   Torah Study: TBE. With Rabbi Levy at 8:50 a.m., Village Commons. For information, contact followed by Minyan at 9:30 a.m. and Sanctu- [email protected].   ary Service at 10 a.m. Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute.  Sukkot Services: BIC. Shaharit service at 9:30 “Finding You in the Book of Genesis.” Six-   Temple a.m. Mincha and Seudat Shlishit at 6:45 p.m. session course examines classic stories from Ma’ariv service at 8 p.m. Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter-    Sukkot Services: AAOM. Morning services at nal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at Beth Emeth 9:30 a.m. and evening services at 6:45 p.m. at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC.  U-M Hillel. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): Sukkot Services: Chabad. Morning services at 9:45 All ages and levels welcome including U-M a.m. Afternoon and evening services at 7 p.m. and non-U-M participants. 1:30 p.m. at Be- Women’s Retreat: TBE. With Cantor Annie Rose, anster’s Café, ground floor of U-M Michigan Cantor Linda Hirschorn, and others. 1­–8 p.m. League. For information, call 936-2367. Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Spirituality Book Club: TBE. Discussion of the Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- book How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before Newberg M.D. and Mark Waldman, led by sundown. Every Saturday. Cantor Annie Rose 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 27 I Calendar

Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. Torah Study: TBE. “How to Succeed Moses: Is Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Joshua Up for the Job?” led by Rabbi Levy. standing it is no simple matter. Study the 8:30–10 p.m. text in the original, together with the classical Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Wednesday 7 Saturday 10 Coffee Corner and Pancake Breakfast: TBE Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring dairy lunch. Drinks Brotherhood. 8:30 a.m.–Noon. and dessert provided. Noon. Torah Study: TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 Tot Sukkot Dinner: BIC. 5:30 p.m. a.m., followed by Morning Minyan at 9:30 Opening Event: ORT. Hear latest ORT news a.m. and Sanctuary Service at 10 a.m. from Patti Aaron, meet old and new friends Shemini Atzeret: BIC. Morning services at 9 and participate in Sangria-making contest. a.m. Mincha Service at 6:45 p.m. Refreshments provided. 7 p.m. at the home of Shemini Atzeret: AAOM. 9:30 a.m. at U-M Hillel. Judy Cohen at 2855 Heatherway. RSVP to Ei- leen Thacker at 302-1810 or email tethacker@ Shemini Atzeret: Chabad. Morning services at yahoo.com. 7 p.m. 9:45 a.m. Memorial services at 11:30 a.m. Af- ternoon and evening services at 6:45 p.m. Board Meeting: TBE. 7:30–9 p.m. Kehillat Shabbat: BIC. For 1st through 5th grad- ers. 11 a.m. Thursday 8 Yiskor Service and Dessert: TBE. Sukkot Yiskor Service and dessert. 1–2 p.m. Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- Simchat Torah: AAOM. 6:30 p.m. at U-M Hillel. ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Simchat Torah: BIC. Ma’ariv service and Haka- SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise fot Torah Processional. 7:30 p.m. with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; Simchat Torah: Chabad. All night dancing. 7:30 p.m. Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- events and guest presentations (see description mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney sundown. Every Saturday. Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study at 971-0990 for name of current book. group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Colloquia: Frankel Institute. Rachel Neis of the Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every University of Michigan will present, “Proper Saturday. Looking: Rabbinic Viewing Practices in Late Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar. Antiquity” at the Frankel Center, 202 South Thayer Avenue in Room 2022. Noon. Sunday 11 Presentation: JCC Seniors. A registered nurse will take and record blood pressures and ad- Simchat Torah: BIC. Shaharit and Hallal. 8:30 dress questions at 12:30 p.m., followed at 1 a.m. Following pancake breakfast at 9:30 a.m. p.m. by a presentation by Eastern Michigan is Torah Reading, Hakafot, and rest of service University professor Michael Hommel on at 10:30 a.m. “The Red Scare of the 40’s and 50’s.” New Member Welcome: TBE. Bike Outing and Social Action Sukkot Dinner: BIC. In the Suk- Brunch to welcome new members. 9 a.m. kah at 5:30 p.m. International Shul of Pancakes: BIC. Breakfast at Sukkot Picnic and Discussion: TBE. Short adult 9:30 a.m. learning session on Judaism, Sukkot, and the Simchat Torah: AAOM. 9:30 a.m. at U-M Hillel. Environment, led by Rabbi Delson. To RSVP, Simchat Torah: Chabad. Morning services with To- phone 665-4744. 6–9 p.m. rah dancing followed by annual deli lunch, 9:45 Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- a.m. Afternoon and evening services, 6:45 p.m. bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn- Jewish legal system by following the intrigu- ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of ing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is life. 8 p.m. Every Sunday. a composite of practical law, logical argumen- tation and moral teachings. Study of the origi- nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Monday 12 Every Thursday. English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Friday 9 Mondays–Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays– Thursdays at Jewish Family Services, 2245 Hashanah Rabbah: Chabad. Morning services. South State Street. For more information, Participants will receive their own bunch of contact JFS at 769-0209 or email andre@jfsan- willows for the services. 7:30 a.m. narbor.org. Ongoing. Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Speaker: Frankel Center. Katharina von Kellen- Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at bach of St. Mary’s College will present, “The 761-2765 for information. Rhetoric of Anti-Judaism/AntiSemitism in Tot Shabbat and Dinner: TBE. Followed by Feminist Writing” at the Frankel Center, 202 songs and popsicles. 5:30–7 p.m. South Thayer Avenue in Room 2022. 4 p.m. Sukkot Hors D’oeuvres: BIC. In the Sukkah Ruach with Ricky: EMU Hillel. 7:30 p.m. at the at 6 p.m. Student Center Starbucks. For information, Shemini Atzeret: AAOM. 6:45 p.m. at U-M Hillel. contact [email protected]. Shemini Atzeret: Chabad. Afternoon and eve- Mishnah Torah Text Study: BIC. Class with ning services and special event Dancing with Rabbi Dobrusin on “Maimonides on the Laws the Torah. 6:45 p.m. of Shabbat.” 8 p.m. Shemini Atzeret Services: BIC. Ma’ariv service Board Meeting: TBE Sisterhood. 7:30–9:30 p.m. at 7 p.m. Simchat Torah: TBE. Service and Consecration Tuesday 13 of First Grade students. 7–8:15 p.m. Desserts in the Sukkah: BIC. 8 p.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m.; $4/session or

28 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Mussar Class: TBE. Led by Judy Freedman. 7:30 p.m. the health care system with your aging loved text in the original, together with the classical Lunch, noon; Games and activities including Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- one. Bagels will be provided; participants commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card games, bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the bring a dish to pass. Co-sponsored by the JCC, and weekly Bridge Club, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Jewish legal system by following the intrigu- AARH, TBE, BIC and the JCS. 11 a.m.–12:30 Wednesday 21 Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute. ing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is p.m. at the JCC. RSVP to Abbie at 769-0209 or “Finding You in the Book of Genesis.” Six- a composite of practical law, logical argumen- email [email protected]. Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring a dairy lunch. session course examines classic stories from tation and moral teachings. Study of the origi- Hike: Jewish Hikers. Joint walk with the Ann Drinks and dessert provided. Noon. Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter- nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Arbor Crop Walk. 1–3 p.m. Begins at Zion New Member Dinner: BIC. Dinner and orien- nal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at Every Thursday. Lutheran Church. tation with special Tikkun Olam project for Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. Bagels and FYSH: EMU Hillel. 1 p.m. at Hillel parents and children. 6 p.m. Speaker: Frankel Center. Katharina von Kellen- Friday 16 for “First Year Students of Hillel.” Meditation Group: TBE. Each week focuses on bach of St. Mary’s College will present, “The Young Families Program: BIC. Led by Jew- teachings from the Torah and other Jewish Politics of Christian Discourses of Forgive- Mussar Class: TBE. Led by Judy Freedman. ish Educators Council Scholar-in-Residence sources. Peer-led group for people with medi- ness: Prison Chaplains Counsel Nazi Perpe- 11:30 a.m. Gabe Goldman at the Arboretum on Geddes tation experience. 7:30–8:30 p.m. trators 1945-1980,” at the Frankel Center, 202 Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Road. 4 p.m. Judaism 101: BIC. Session about “The Jewish South Thayer Avenue in Room 2022. Noon. Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at Sunday Minyan Time Change: BIC. Time moves Calendar.” 8 p.m. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): 761-2765 for information. to 5 p.m. until the spring. All ages and levels welcome including U-M Tot Shabbat and Dinner: TBE. Dinner, songs Basic Judaism Class: TBE. For those who are and non-U-M participants. 1:30 p.m. at Be- and popsicles. 5:30–7 p.m. hoping to learn more about Judaism, whether Thursday 22 anster’s Café, ground floor of U-M Michigan Adult Shabbat Dinner: TBE. 6–7:15 p.m. born Jewish, studying toward conversion, League. For information, call 936-2367. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Kabbalat Shabbat and Consecration: BIC. Shab- or just wanting to know more about Jewish Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7:30–8:30 p.m. neighbors. For information, contact Rabbi with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; bat service and Consecration of Kindergaten–1st Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Speaker: TBE. Orly Halpern speaks on “Hamas, Grade students, followed by Cookie Oneg. 6 p.m. Lisa Delson at 665-4744 or email ldelson@ Iran, the Arab World, and Existential Threats.” templebethemeth.org. 7:45–9 p.m. ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; Nature Walk: TBE. With Dr. Gabe Goldman. $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; 7:30–9:30 p.m. Presentation: BIC. Benjamin Pollock, assistant 6:45–7:30 p.m. Special events and guest presentations, 1 p.m.; Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. professor of Religious Studies at Michigan Literary Group with Sidney Warschausky at Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Friends and Family Shabbat: EMU Hillel. 7 p.m. State University, presents “Soul and World: 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner at 971-0990 for standing it is no simple matter. Study the at the Student Center Ballroom B. For infor- Rethinking Franz Rosenzweig’s Conversa- name of current book. text in the original, together with the classical mation, contact [email protected]. tions.” 7:45 p.m. Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philoso- commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Shabbat Service: TBE. With Dr. Gabe Goldman Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn- phy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. and Kol Halev. 7:30–9 p.m. ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. life. 8 p.m. Every Sunday. Presentation: JCC Seniors. Jewish Family Ser- Wednesday 14 vices Geriatric Social Worker Allison Pollock, MSW, will be available for discussion, ques- Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring a dairy lunch. Saturday 17 Monday 19 tions and assistance at 12:30 p.m. Followed by Drinks and dessert provided. Noon. presentation on American Indian Art by Bob- Afternoon Delights: JCC Seniors. Afternoon Torah Study: TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 English as a Second Language Daily Classes: JFS. bie Levine at 1 p.m. concert at the JCC with the Ann Arbor Sym- a.m., followed by Morning Minyan at 9:30 Ongoing class from 9 a.m.–noon on Mondays– Symposium: Frankel Center. Two-day Sympo- phony’s Arie and Friends. $8/single concert; a.m. and Sanctuary Service at 10 a.m. Fridays and 1–3 p.m. on Mondays–Thursdays at sium on Central European Jewish Studies. $35/five concert series. For information, Baby Shabbat: BIC. Celebrating births in the Jewish Family Services, 2245 South State Street. Themes of assimilation, popular culture, and contact Merrill Poliner at 769-0209 or email past year. 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact JFS at 769-0209 Jewish self-hatred will be examined. Panelists [email protected]. 1 p.m. Nature Walk and Picnic: Jewish Educator or email [email protected]. Ongoing. include Steven Aschheim, Scott Spector, Leora Speaker: Frankel Center. Keren McGinity, Man- Council of Ann Arbor. Join Gabe Goldman, Women’s Torah Study: TBE. With Cantor Annie Auslander, Måry Gluck, Paul Reitter, Michael dell L. Berman Postdoctoral Fellow, will pres- director of Experiential and Environmental Rose. 7–8:30 p.m. Steinberg and Liliane Weissberg. For informa- ent, “Of Mice and Mensches: An American Education at Brandeis Barden Institute as he Mishnah Torah Text Study Class: BIC. “Mai- tion, email [email protected]. History of Intermarriage and Fatherhood,” at leads pre-schoolers and parents on a nature monides on the Laws of Shabbat,” with Rabbi Speaker: Frankel Center. Steve Ascheim of He- the Frankel Center, 202 South Thayer Avenue walk through Nichols Arboretum. Bring food Dobrusin. 8 p.m. brew University presents, “Icons Beyond the in Room 2022. 7 p.m. for a picnic following hike. Meet at Arbore- Border: The Weimar Jewish Intellectuals at the tum gates on Geddes Road. For information, Beginning of the 21st Century.” U-M Michigan Thursday 15 contact Noreen Deyoung at 971-0990 or email Tuesday 20 League, Henderson Room. 7:30 p.m. [email protected]. 4 p.m. Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Chabad. Sharp- Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Teen Hike: Jewish Educator Council of Ann Ar- SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise en your wits and knowledge of the Jewish legal Philosophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at bor. Join Gabe Goldman, director of Experien- with Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or system by following the intriguing discussions the JCC. tial and Environmental Education at Brandeis $10/3 sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet in the Talmud. The Talmud is a composite of th Lunch, noon; Games and activities includ- SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise Barden Institute as he leads a night hike, for 9 – practical law, logical argumentation and moral th ing Mahjong, quilting, art projects and card with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; 12 graders, following a Havdalah service. Bring teachings. Study of the original Talmud trac- games, weekly Bridge Club, 1 p.m. Every Tues- Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- money for a late night snack following the hike tate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Every Thursday. day. ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 at Pizza House on Church Street. Meet at Arbo- Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special retum gates on Geddes Road. For information, Movie Tuesday: TBE. Rabbi Delson leads discussion events and guest presentations (see description contact Terri Ginsburg at 665-4744 or email of film Religulous, starring Bill Maher. 1–3 p.m. Friday 23 below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney [email protected] 8–11 p.m. Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute. Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner Sunday 18 “Finding You in the Book of Genesis.” Six- Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at at 971-0990 for name of current book. Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for session course examines classic stories from 761-2765 for information. Colloquia: Frankel Institute. Oren Gutfeld Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter- of the University of Michigan will present, prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah nal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at Tot Shabbat, Dinner and Services: TBE. Tot “From Pagans to Christians: Jewish Material reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. Shabbat and dinner followed by songs and Culture at Horbat Beit Loya, Israel,” at the Chabad House. Every Sunday. Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): popsicles at 5:30 p.m. Traditional Service at 7:30 p.m. Frankel Center, 202 South Thayer Avenue in Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Series: BIC. 9:30 a.m. All ages and levels welcome including U-M and non-U-M participants. 1:30 p.m. at Be- Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. Room 2022. Noon. First Café: BIC Women’s League. For all parents anster’s Café, ground floor of U-M Michigan Presentation: JCC Seniors. Jewish Family Ser- (men and women) to relax, socialize, network, League. For information, call 936-2367. vices Geriatric Social Worker Allison Pollock, go online, feel at home, and build Jewish iden- Saturday 24 MSW, will be available for discussion, ques- tity. 9:30 a.m. Seasons of Mussar Group: BIC. 7 p.m. tions and assistance at 12:30 p.m. Followed Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Performance: Frankel Center. Musical Perfor- Torah Study: TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 a.m. by Dr. Liz Fried presenting, “Bereishite and the basic text of Chassidism and open your mance of “The Painted Bird” by Daniel Kahn followed by morning minyan at 9:30 a.m. Noah” at 1 p.m. with Pavel Lion at The Ark, 316 South Main eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Street. 8 p.m. Film Discussion Group: JCC. Join Russell Chabad House. Every Sunday. Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- Collins, Executive Director of the Michigan Caregiver Conversations: JFS. Monthly drop-in Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Class led by Rabbi Gl- mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before Theater, along with fellow movie mavens to educational and support group for adult chil- ogower covering various topics treated over a pe- sundown. Every Saturday. view and discuss a movie. Movies are viewed riod of one to several weeks. Material is presented dren in a variety of caregiver roles for aging Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study independently at local cinemas. $60/JCC in English and Hebrew. 8 p.m. at U-M Hillel. parents. This month’s topic, with brunch, is group code of law for Shabbat, and study of members for year-long membership with 10 “Managing Your Loved One’s Medical Care.” Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. sessions; $75/non-members. For informa- Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every Over brunch, learn organizational and com- Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Saturday. tion, contact Leslie Bash at 971-0990 or email munication strategies for use in navigating standing it is no simple matter. Study the [email protected]. 7 p.m. Shabbat services: See listing at end of calendar Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 29 I Calendar

Current Events with Heather Dombey, a Jew- Weekly Shabbat services Young Leaders, from page 7 Sunday 25 ish perspective on this week’s news, 11 a.m.; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, noon; Special Shabbat Services: AAOM. Morning service, 9:30 events and guest presentations (see description net is much more than Retreat, and Cabinet Reading Hebrew through the Prayer Book–for a.m. Evening service, 35 minutes before sun- below), 1 p.m.; Literary Group with Sidney Women: Chabad. An in-depth study into the set. Call 662-5805 for information. Mincha/ members can take advantage of a multitude of Warschausky at 2:15 p.m. Call Merrill Poliner prayer book, an overview of the weekly Torah Ma’ariv with Seudah Shlisheet and Dvar Torah programming offered and developed by mem- at 971-0990 for name of current book. reading, with Jewish philosophy. 9:30 a.m. at every week. Torah topics and a bite to eat. Dis- bers of Cabinet. This includes special Cabinet Chabad House. Every Sunday. Program: JCC Seniors. “Playing Around with cussions led by Rabbi Rod Glogower and other “tracks” in the General Assembly (the annual Recorders.” Learn about the history of record- local scholars. Home hospitality available for Library Book Club: BIC. Facilitated by Nika meeting of all the Federations in North Ameri- ers and recorder music. 1 p.m. Shabbat meals. U-M Hillel. Bareket. 10 a.m. ca), international study missions to learn about Mussar Class: TBE. With Judy Freedman. 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Services: BIC. 9:30 a.m.; 6 p.m. Mincha. Tanya–Jewish Mysticism: Chabad. Delve into Jewish communities around the world (this Morning childcare from 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m. the basic text of Chassidism and open your Performance: Frankel Center. Musical perfor- coming year there is a mission to Morocco), as eyes to the beauty of Judaism. 10:30 a.m. at mance of “The Sweetest” by Pavel Lion with Shabbat Services: AA Reconstructionist well as community service projects carried out Chabad House. Every Sunday. Yana Ovrutskaya at the Kerrytown Concert Havurah. Discussion-based format with top- by Cabinet members in their respective com- House, 415 North Fourth Avenue. 8 p.m. ics changing monthly. For info, email info@ Lullaby of Broadway: JCC. Afternoon of songs munities. Related to my role as the executive aarecon.org or call 913-9705 or visit www. from American theater featuring the Detroit Speaker: JCC. Rabbi Arik Ascherman of Jerusa- director of the Michigan Israel Business Bridge, aarecon.org. Opera Theater. Refreshments at 1 p.m. fol- lem, executive director of Rabbis for Human I am working with a Cabinet group to explore lowed by performance from 1:30–2:30 p.m. Rights (RHR), will speak about current devel- Shabbat Services: Chabad. Morning services at the possibility of organizing a business mission Sponsored by the Fishman-DiPietro Endow- opments in Israel and will present an update 9:45 a.m. Afternoon services 45 minutes be- to Israel for interested Cabinet members. ment. $5/ticket. For information, contact on new RHR projects. Cosponsored by AARH, fore sundown. For me, the people, friendships, and net- Merrill Poliner at 769-0209 or email merrill@ BIC, JCC and TBE. For information, contact Shabbat Services: Pardes Hannah. Gener- working that I experienced at Retreat has been Martha Kransdorf at [email protected]. jfsannarbor.org. ally meets the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each second to none. This is a very high caliber 8 p.m. at the JCC. Hillel vs Hillel Football: EMU Hillel. 1–2:30 p.m. month. Call 663-4039 for more information. group of people who not only are successful in Talmud Study Group–Jewish Civil Law: Cha- 10 a.m. Led by Rabbi Elliot Ginsburg. at Hillel and Frog Island Park. their professional lives, but also give a lot back bad. Sharpen your wits and knowledge of the Basic Judaism Class: TBE. 7:45–9 p.m. Shabbat Services: TBE. Torah Study at 8:50 a.m. to their community. As corny as the phrase Jewish legal system by following the intrigu- Chapel Service at 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service Jewish Concepts–for Women: Chabad. Learn- might sound, the people in this group “get it”— ing discussions in the Talmud. The Talmud is at 10 a.m. Call the office at 665-4744 or con- ing the deeper meanings to the Jewish way of a composite of practical law, logical argumen- sult website at www.templebethemeth.org for the Jewish people must take care of their com- life. 8 p.m. Every Sunday. tation and moral teachings. Study of the origi- service details. munities locally, in Israel, and elsewhere in the world. That is something that resonates very nal Talmud tractate Taanit chapter 2. 8 p.m. Home Hospitality for Shabbat and Holiday Monday, 26 Every Thursday. Meals: AAOM. Call 662-5805 in advance. strongly with my own personal and collective Jewish identity. Home Hospitality and Meals: Chabad. Every Back here at home, our Ann Arbor Cabinet Mishnah Torah Text Study Class: BIC. “Mai- Friday 30 Shabbat and yom tov (Jewish holiday). Call monides on the Laws of Shabbat,” with Rabbi 995-3276 in advance. group is taking steps to implement some of the key takeaways and experiences from Retreat Dobrusin. 8 p.m. Mussar Class: TBE. With Judy Freedman. 11:30 a.m. in our local community. For example, we are Weekly Yiddish Reading Group: JCC Seniors. Phone numbers and addresses of exploring ways to utilize the StrengthsFinder Tuesday 27 Meets at the JCC. 1:30 p.m. Call Ray Juni at organizations frequently listed in methodology to strengthen the Ann Arbor 761-2765 for information. Federation and its partner agencies. We are SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise with Tot Shabbat and Dinner: TBE. Followed by the calendar: looking at opportunities to collaborate fur- Maria Farquhar, 11 a.m., $4/session or $10/3 songs and popsicles. 5:30–7 p.m. sessions; $3 Homemade Dairy Buffet Lunch, Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan (AAOM) ther with the Detroit and Grand Rapids Jew- noon; Games and activities including Mah- Shabbat Service and Talk: TBE. Talk by Gerry 1429 Hill Street 994-5822 ish communities, particularly with our Young Kaye, director of Olin Sang Ruby Union Insti- jong, quilting, art projects and card games, and Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Adult Divisions. And finally, we are trying to tute Summer Camp (OSRUI) in Oconomo- weekly Bridge Club, 1 p.m. Every Tuesday. Havurah (AARH) woc, Wisconsin. 7:30–9 p.m. utilize our national Cabinet network to learn Biblical Reflections: Jewish Learning Institute. P.O. Box 7451, Ann Arbor 913-9705 how other Jewish Federations are addressing Friday evening services: See listing at end of calendar. “Finding You in the Book of Genesis.” Six- Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) the economic crises in their respective com- session course examines classic stories from 2000 Washtenaw Ave. 665-9897 munities, so as to better serve our constituents Genesis in a modern light, focusing on eter- Saturday 31 Chabad House in Ann Arbor. nal relevance to everyday life. 9:30–11 a.m. at 715 Hill Street 995-3276 All in all, I can’t say enough good about the Chabad House and 7:30–9 p.m. at the JCC. Torah Study: TBE. Led by Rabbi Levy at 8:50 Cabinet experience. This article provided only Yidish Tish (Yiddish Conversational Group): a.m., followed by Morning Minyan at 9:30 EMU Hillel a.m. and Sanctuary Service at 10 a.m. 965 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti 482-0456 a broad overview of what the organization is All ages and levels welcome including U-M about and how we can benefit from it. But I can and non-U-M participants. 1:30 p.m. at Be- Mystical Insights to the Torah–for Women: Jewish Community Center say that our Ann Arbor Cabinet group is try- anster’s Café, ground floor of U-M Michigan Chabad. Learn more about the mystical di- of Greater Ann Arbor (JCC) League. For information, call 936-2367. mensions of the Torah: Chabad. 1 hour before 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 971-0990 ing to recruit other people in the community to join us. If you’d like to learn more, contact Men’s Torah Study: TBE. 7:30–8:30 p.m. sundown. Every Saturday. Jewish Cultural Society (JCS) Ron Perry at [email protected] or Laws of Shabbat–Jewish Ethics: Chabad. Study 2935 Birch Hollow Drive 975-9872 Topics in Jewish Law: AAOM. Class led by Rabbi Federation staff member Jeffrey Lazor at jeffla- Glogower covering various topics treated over group code of law for Shabbat, and study of Jewish Family Services (JFS) [email protected]. n a period of one to several weeks. Material is Jewish Ethics, 1/2 hour before sundown. Every 2245 South State Street 769-0209 presented in English and Hebrew. 8 p.m. at Saturday. Jewish Federation U-M Hillel. Weekly Friday night Shabbat services of Greater Ann Arbor Kibbutz. from page 20 Weekly Torah Portion—for Women: Chabad. 2939 Birch Hollow Drive 677-0100 Reading the Bible may be easy, but under- Shabbat Service: AAOM. Services held at U-M Hil- Pardes Hannah standing it is no simple matter. Study the Furthermore, the continued contribution lel. Call 994-9258 in advance to confirm time. 2010 Washtenaw Ave. 761-5324 text in the original, together with the classical of the kibbutz movement to the Israeli military Shabbat Service: BIC. 6 p.m. commentaries. 8:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Temple Beth Emeth (TBE) should not be underestimated. In my family, Shabbat Service: TBE. Tot Shabbat at 5:30 p.m. fol- 2309 Packard Road 665-4744 virtually all the men served as officers in elite lowed by Shira at 6 p.m.; Shira: Traditional Ser- U-M Hillel combat units – Air Force, Navy and special Wednesday 28 vice at 7:30 p.m. For information, call 665-4744. 1429 Hill Street 769-0500 forces. This is not unusual. In recent military Shabbat Service: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist operations, kibbutz combatants were among Lunch and Learn: BIC. Bring a dairy lunch. Havurah. 6:15 PM at the JCC the last Friday those with the highest casualty rates—a sign Drinks and desserts provided. Noon. each month. Musical Shabbat service followed that kibbutzim still contribute in high propor- Performance: Frankel Center. Musical perfor- by vegetarian potluck. Tot Shabbat with op- tions to Israel’s combat forces. mance of “Cabaret Tsuzamen Aleyn” by Pavel tional kid’s pizza dinner at 6:00 PM. All are It is not at all clear where the kibbutz will welcome to attend. For information, call 913- Shabbat Candlelighting Lion with Yana Ovrutskaya. U-M Duderstadt be in 2020 or what form it will take. But those Center, 2281 Bonisteel Boulevard. 7 p.m. 9705, email [email protected] or visit www. October 2 5:52 p.m. aarecon.org. who predict its inevitable demise may be sur- Thursday 29 October 9 5:40 p.m. prised. n Shabbat Service: Chabad. Begins at candle- Prayer, Weekly Torah Reading and Jewish Philos- lighting time. Home hospitality available for October 16 5:28 p.m. (Martin Sherman is a professor in security stud- ophy–for Women: Chabad. 9 a.m. at the JCC. Shabbat meals and Jewish holidays. Call 995- ies at Tel Aviv University and a visiting professor 3276 in advance. October 23 5:18 p.m. SPICE of LIFE: JCC Seniors. Energy Exercise this year at the University of Southern California with Maria Farquhar, 10 a.m., $4 or 3/$10; October 30 5:08 p.m. and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.)

30 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 I Vitals

Mazal tov

Sacha Moravy-Penchansky on his bar mitzvah, June 13. Ivy Gleason on her bat mitzvah, June 13. Jacob Priebe on his bar mitzvah, June 27. Benjamin Moizio on his bar mitzvah, August 1. Ethan Chupp on his bar mitzvah, August 29. Alex Sugarman on his bar mitzvah, October 3. Noah Steinberg on his bar mitzvah, October 3. Quincy Field on his bar mitzvah, October 10. Sabra Satz-Kojis on her bat mitzvah, October 10. Scott Silverman on his bar mitzvah, October 17. Abe Estenson on his bar mitzvah, October 17. Eilanna Shwayder on her bat mitzvah, October 31. Sara Norich on her bat mitzvah, October 31. Lianna Bernstein on her bat mitzvah. Sarajane Winkelman and Terry Silver on the marriage of their son, David Silver, to Angela Aquino. Paul and Sari Shifrin on the marriages of their daughter, Kayla Shifrin to John Zaldonis and their son, Jonah Shifrin, to Ariel Schwartz. Gil Seinfeld and Debra Chopp on the birth of their son. Condolences Jim Saalberg on the death of his sister, Barbara Sulzer, August 8. Sue Pear on the death of her father, Clyde Oler, August 11. Kathy Okun on the death of her father, Seymour Okun, August 27. Hylan Moises on the death of his mother, Ann Moises, August 26. Robert Silver on the death of his wife, Rose Silver, September 2. Yossi Holoshitz on the death of his mother, Batia Holoshitz. Batya Shakevich on the death of her husband, David.

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Correction Camp Young Judaea Midwest’s new phone number is (847) 675-6790; registration is now open for the 2010 season.

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Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009 31 The Great American Songbook Ravi Shankar and Bill Charlap Trio Anoushka Shankar Bill Charlap piano Thu, Oct 15 | 8 PM Peter Washington bass Rodney Green drums HILL AUDITORIUM MEDIA PARTNER ANN ARBOR’S 107ONE. Fri, Oct 2 | 7 PM & 9:30 PM LYDIA MENDELSSOHN THEATRE 10

THE 7 PM PERFORMANCE IS SPONSORED BY MICHAEL ALLEMANG AND National Theatre Live | JANIS BOBRIN. All’s Well That Ends Well FUNDED IN PART BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS AS PART By William Shakespeare OF AMERICAN MASTERPIECES: THREE CENTURIES OF ARTISTIC GENIUS. MEDIA PARTNERS WEMU 89.1 FM AND METRO TIMES. Sun, Oct 11 | 5 PM MICHIGAN THEATER Punch Brothers A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UMS AND THE THE MICHIGAN THEATER. Featuring Chris Thile Wed, Oct 7 | 8 PM Love’s Labor’s Lost POWER CENTER Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre MEDIA PARTNERS WEMU 89.1 FM AND ANN ARBOR’S 107ONE. of London Dominic Dromgoole artistic director Alisa Weilerstein cello Tue, Oct 20 | 8 PM | [SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR STUDENTS] piano Wed, Oct 21 8 PM Inon Barnatan Thu-Sat, Oct 22-24 | 8 PM Thu, Oct 8 | 8 PM Sun, Oct 25 | 2 PM HILL AUDITORIUM POWER CENTER INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES SPONSORED BY PROGRAM ums09 Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 2 in g minor, GILBERT OMENN AND MARTHA DARLING Op. 5, No. 2 (1796) JANE AND EDWARD SCHULAK PARTICIPANTS IN THE 2002 “SHAKESPEARE’S Britten Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 65 (1961) BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION” TRIP TO ENGLAND Stravinsky Suite Italienne (1932) FUNDED IN PART BY THE WALLACE ENDOWMENT FUND. Rachmanino Cello Sonata in g minor, Op. 19 (1901) MEDIA PARTNERS BETWEEN THE LINES, MICHIGAN RADIO 91.7 FM, MEDIA PARTNER WGTE 91.3 FM. AND ANN ARBOR’S 107ONE.

Two Diff erent Programs! Desire of Heavenly Harmonies October Events October The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Stile Antico Suzanne Farrell artistic director Tue, Oct 27 | 8 PM Season131st Fri-Sat, Oct 9-10 | 8 PM ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH Sat, Oct 10 | 1 PM [FAMILY PERFORMANCE] MEDIA PARTNER WRCJ 90.9 FM. POWER CENTER THE 09/10 FAMILY SERIES IS SPONSORED BY Belcea Quartet SPONSORED BY THE LENORE M. DELANGHE TRUST. | PM FUNDED IN PART BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS AS PART Fri, Oct 30 8 OF AMERICAN MASTERPIECES: THREE CENTURIES OF ARTISTIC GENIUS. RACKHAM AUDITORIUM MEDIA PARTNERS MICHIGAN RADIO 91.7 FM, METRO TIMES, AND BETWEEN THE LINES. PROGRAM Haydn String Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No. 2 (1772) Shostakovich String Quartet No. 14 in F-sharp Major, Op. 142 (1973) Schubert Quartettsatz in c minor, D. 703 (1820) Britten String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94 (1975)

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Ad #6 — Washtenaw Jewish News First Proof of Ad Due: Thu, Sep 3 Final Ad Due to WJN: Wed, Sep 9 Size: 9 13 /16 x 12.75 Color: B&W Ad Runs: October

32 Washtenaw Jewish News A October 2009