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INFERTILITY PASSOVER Jewish groups say it's Try some matzah time to talk about it bourekas this year

MARCH 12, 2021 | ADAR 28, 5781 | VOLUME 73, NUMBER 13 $1.50 March marks a Jewish community prepares for year of praying, another virtual Passover NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER learning and aron Morrill created a special Passover Haggadah Alast year once it became clear there would be no playing differently normal, in-person celebration. He thought of it as a SHANNON LEVITT | MANAGING EDITOR AND NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER fun opportunity — something special for a difficult time. And he intended to use it only once. But at the abbi Aviva Funke misses the sound of other people end of this month, he and his family will dust it off Rhumming and singing along to her music. for one more Passover on Zoom. “When we can’t sing together, it feels not only “When I was writing it I would have bet money that isolating, but it feels like something is missing from my we would not be using it, at least in this pandemic, soul,” said Funke, a community rabbi and principal of ever again,” said Morrill. the Bureau of Jewish Education's Hebrew High. He has celebrated Passover in Phoenix with his Funke regrets the way the pandemic has altered grandparents just about every year of his life. He was Jewish life, pointing out that people are unable to hold 19 the last time they shared a seder, and he knew one another while singing “Oseh Shalom” or sit shiva then he wouldn’t spend all his future holidays with together in person. “The fact that we have not been them — he just never expected 2020’s abrupt halt. able to physically be together has rippled through the Now 21 and a student majoring in Jewish thought fabric of our people,” she said. and data science in New York, it just feels “weird” And yet, after dealing with the fallout from COVID- not to be together, he said 19 for a year, many in the Jewish community have come Jane Wabnik, Morrill’s grandmother, said his to terms with new and virtual ways to be together. Some Haggadah was the “biggest gift” that came out of leaders see real value in these methods and plan to keep 2020’s forced distance. using them even once COVID restrictions are lifted. Last year, she hosted two guests in person and held But it’s a mixed bag. Many people appreciate that a mini-seder over Zoom with her daughter, son-in- technology has made the pandemic more bearable, but law and two grandchildren. Despite the distance, they it still has felt like a lost year for others. were still able to have some fun at the seder, and this Funke pointed out that while virtual programming in year’s second edition of synagogues, schools and camps might be here to stay, Aaron Morrill holds “A Haggadah for Passover during a Pandemic” on Passover in a pandemic SEE VIRTUAL, PAGE 3 Thursday, March 4, 2021. PHOTO BY AARON MORRILL COVID has been nothing if not a wake-up call for the community. Across the board, there’s a sense of longing for the time before, she said. Now’s the time “to really Masked up and vaccinated assess how valuable our traditions and our customs are now that we haven’t been able to have them.” Seniors sat outside and in cars for a Smile on Seniors Purim celebration. Rabbi Yisroel Matusof read the Megillah while ‘Friendships blossom over Zoom’ vaccinated, masked and socially-distanced seniors enjoyed Precautions against the spread of COVID have kept the beautiful Purim weather. To see more community photos, people physically apart and away from religious services go to p. 22. and gatherings. A year ago, PHOTO BY RABBI LEVI LEVERTOV as people were preparing for SEE ANNIVERSARY, PAGE 2

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Passover, they weren’t quite sure how they would be able to pray or celebrate together — and they struggled to cope. “In a way, COVID lowered all of our defenses,” said Rabbi Julie Kozlow of Temple B’rith Shalom in Prescott. “We just needed each other.” As Passover approaches once again, people are starting to look forward to the day they are vaccinated and can be safely together for services and holidays. And yet, numerous area synagogues and religious leaders have decided the virtual 2021 Phoenix programming they had to incorporate to survive the pandemic will likely have Author Judy Lufer presents one of her books nd discusses her creer pth during  Smile on Seniors Jewish News long-lasting benefits. Zoom progrm. PHOTO BY RABBI LEVI LEVERTOV Kozlow said initially the transition to Zoom was “technologically traumatic,” being able to provide that option for Torah study. Print Dates but now it’s become her “best friend.” It people who want it, Ross said. On the Funke also developed and participates allows her to connect with more people other hand, Ross and Jacobson said in a number of virtual Jewish offerings, January 8 August 6* and open up new programming for her more people are now engaged and and while technology allows innovation congregation. She intends to keep using attend services. in the kinds of classes she can offer, she January 22 August 20 is getting a real sense of Zoom fatigue. the platform even when it’s safe to return Families that might not have been able “I think many of us have prayed for the February 5 August 27 to the synagogue. to commit to three hours on a Saturday day we will just be face to face having real When Congregation Or Tzion closed morning, for example, can now attend February 19 September 3 conversations,” Funke said. People live its doors a year ago, “we immediately with relatively little effort and feel part on screens all week and they may not March 5 September 10 had to come to grips” with how to cope, of things even if they can’t stay for the want to live on a screen on the weekend, said Mitch Ross, chair of the synagogue’s entire service. Extended family is now also March 12 September 24 she added. COVID-19 committee. Or Tzion also able to attend bar and bat mitzvahs more Temple Solel and Congregation Or March 19 October 1 pivoted quickly to Zoom and has been easily, without needing to travel. Tzion are contemplating hybrid models using it for interactive weekly services, At Temple Solel, engagement specialist March 26 October 15** for the future. “I think it will be a bigger holiday gatherings, trivia nights and “all Jacquelyn Null also said families with conversation of which programs work April 2 November 5 kinds of online programs that were never young children tune into virtual better streaming, and which ones are available before,” he said. “And people programming that they might not have April 16 November 19 more geared to in-person,” Null said. can really participate in ways that they in person. That also applies to people who Rabbi Levi Levertov, director of Smile May 7 December 3 didn’t have access to previously.” have trouble making it out of the house. on Seniors Arizona, also acted quickly Frank Jacobson, president of Or Virtual services aren’t for everybody, May 21 December 17 last year to use technology for his Tzion’s board of directors, said he is though. Howard Rosen and his wife programming. He knew seniors would June 4 seeing regulars and new faces participating used to attend Friday evening services need engagement, especially those who online, even from out of state. “There’s a in person about once a month at Solel, July 9 *Best of Magazine are widowed or don’t have family nearby. where they are members. But he doesn’t wide connection now that we just didn’t He started offering virtual programs just **Annual Directory do the virtual services, as he doesn’t get have before,” he said. a week after last year’s Purim celebration, One of the downsides to not the same “feeling of Shabbat” from them, WWW.JEWISHAZ.COM having in-person programming is not he said. Still, both attend virtual weekly SEE ANNIVERSARY, PAGE 4

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©2021 Phoenix Jewish News, LLC, an asset of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix. Awards: Arizona Newspaper Association, Arizona Press Club, National Federation of Press Women, Arizona Press Women, American Jewish Press Association. Member: American Jewish Press Association, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, National Newspapers Association. Jewish News (ISSN 1070-5848) is published less than weekly, by Phoenix Jewish News, LLC, dba Jewish News. A subscription is $48 per year, payable in advance to Jewish News, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road., Suite 206, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, telephone 602-870-9470. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Arizona. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Jewish News, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road., Suite 206, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. VOL.73, NO. 13 | MARCH 12, 2021

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Alan Zeichick dons five finger puppets representing five of the 10 plagues for some Passover fun. PHOTO BY ALAN ZEICHICK (480) 585-6060 VIRTUAL “As I watched what was going on with full-time as a prosecutor for the Maricopa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the pandemic, I figured we would not County Attorney’s Office. But, the 24210 N. 68th Street, Phoenix have one this year,” she said. pandemic is still raging and an in-person (o Pinnacle Peak Rd) will look much like the first. Wabnik plans Wabnik usually looks forward to seder isn’t in the cards. to cook her two usual main dishes: orange hosting a seder for at least 14 friends and Rather than be sad and dwell on the mtsinaicemetery.com roasted chicken and a brisket. family members. She is happy to use her things outside of her control, she is going Others are also feeling more prepared grandson’s Haggadah again, which was to make the best of it and tune into a this time around. designed to capture the essence of what seder online offered by JewBelong, an Alan Zeichick and his wife are his family would normally do but with a organization designed to help people empty nesters, and they usually do one shorter seder. connect to their Judaism. She learned synagogue community seder and one of JewBelong’s virtual Passover seder, seder at a friend’s house. Last year was the dubbed “Burning Man-ischewitz,” first time they cooked a Passover meal in "'NEXT YEAR on Instagram. almost 10 years. IN JERUSALEM' “Every Pesach, we say, ‘Next year in “Instead of just saying, ‘What time do Jerusalem,’” she said. “‘Next year in you want us to be there and can we bring WOULD BE Jerusalem’ would be fabulous, but at this anything?’ We actually had to think it point, I would be happy with, ‘next year through,’’ he laughed. FABULOUS, BUT in person.’” This year he and his wife are planning AT THIS POINT, I Robin Meyerson, co-director of to cook chicken soup, roasted chicken and Project Inspire Arizona and chair of mashed potatoes and host a family friend WOULD BE HAPPY the Shabbos Project Arizona, said it @ Arizona’s Only Jewish for some “talking and eating and drinking can be difficult to find inspiration for Funeral Home and talking.” Pretty much like last year. WITH, 'NEXT YEAR Passover as the pandemic continues to Passover is a very serious holiday with IN PERSON.'" wreak havoc and keep family members @ Arizona’s Only Member of a very serious message, he said, “but it’s apart. She recommends spending time the Jewish Funeral Directors also a very silly holiday with a very joyous, learning about and preparing for Passover of America celebratory message.” And the seder is “as Tanisha Henson is also more prepared before the holiday begins as a way to silly as can be.” to fly solo for Passover this year. create inspiration. @ Arizona’s Only Jewish Owned He likes to bring out his 10 finger Last year, she skipped celebrating “It’s actually a Torah obligation — even & Operated Funeral Home puppets for each of the plagues. “You Passover altogether. Henson, who if you are by yourself — to tell yourself can’t do a seder without silly finger moved to Arizona last August, was in the story of the miracles,” she said. If @ Arizona’s Only Funeral Home puppets for the plagues,” he said. Pennsylvania when the pandemic struck, nothing else, the pandemic almost makes Endorsed by the Entire Wabnik also enjoys some silliness at juggling attending Widener University the plagues more relatable, she said. Rabbinical Council her seder. Commonwealth Law School, studying Morrill’s Haggadah concludes, “We’ve always had a lot of fun,” she for the first-ever online bar exam and “Passover remains a time to meaningfully said. “Somehow we all become children working a job without pay. reflect on the state of our current lives as again — we love the songs and we love “But when the first night came, it did Jews, and the state of the world that we the lessons, but we also talk very seriously hit me that I was missing something that live in, religiously and otherwise. I hope about people who are currently enslaved is actually really important,” she said. that this Haggadah can serve this purpose or who do not have the freedoms that we “Sometimes sacrifices must be made and for however long it is needed.” have, or what it is to be free and how we I figured it would be my last time to He created it to serve as a sort of bridge maintain our freedoms,” she said. sacrifice because 2021 would be better.” between the time before COVID and Though she’s disappointed not to host So far, this year is better for her. She whatever comes next, which he hopes is a large in-person seder, she isn’t surprised. passed the bar and is now working not too far off. JN

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ANNIVERSARY who couldn’t stay home. They were CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 looking for answers to tough questions: Who will monitor our kids while we’re when it became clear people couldn’t at work? Will the instruction be good gather safely. enough? How will we know when it’s “This provided a very important safe enough to send them back? social outlet,” he said. “We have truly Garcia decided to take a break from seen friendships blossom over Zoom.” work to devote her attention to her SoS virtual programming includes trivia kids’ schooling, an option many others nights, comedy acts, educational lectures didn’t have. and more. She kept her children home throughout “We try to keep a very diverse set of the fall and early winter and wondered programs,” he said. On average, 30 to what would happen when someone 40 people tune in to watch. inevitably got sick. She described her Even though Kozlow has become a fan children as “germ magnets” and worried of Zoom, she recognizes the loneliness about the virus’ spread in a school setting. of the last year. “We’re not meant to be But by February, even though none of alone, and we’ve all been alone way too her safety concerns had dissipated, she much,” she said. “The day we get to be was ready to put her kids back in school. together, we’re not going to take it for “It’s been terrible,” she said. “Their granted. We’re going to squeeze every grades, their social and emotional lives ounce of joy that we can when we’re — everything was suffering.” in person.” Her daughter, who is in the gifted ‘Just trying to get through to summer’ program, didn’t do well with online Last July, when parents and teachers classes, and now she has a lot of catching Kids re getting redy to spend nother summer t Shemesh Cmp. PHOTO BY KIM SUBRIN didn’t know whether schools would up to do. Her son in fourth grade is open their doors to in-person learning, also “definitely behind,” and missed out be chattier while working together, and education standards. Amanda Garcia considered herself lucky. on fractions. they would require a bit of scolding. “But “The essence of Pardes is that we’re She was able to stay home with her kids, The kids have never gone to summer now you could hear a pin drop, they’re not stagnant,” he said. “All of our things who attend Sand Piper Elementary in the school, but this year they will. “I’ll jump so quiet,” Fathe said. have moved forward just as it would have Paradise Valley Unified School District. on it,” Garcia said. For the rest of the year, she’ll teach without COVID.” She considered keeping her kids at Still, she doesn’t regret keeping them students in class and online, which is Anna Lock, Pardes’ academic home the safest decision — both for her at home while cases were high. Now that a “double-edged sword,” she said. As principal, highlighted the “tremendous kids and the teachers. teachers are vaccinated she feels better happy as she is to see students in person, commitment” of Pardes’ teachers She watched the rising stress levels of about her kids going back. She sees it as it is difficult to teach both ways and takes who made students’ learning possible parents on the Sandpiper Facebook group a matter of fairness for the teachers. an extraordinary amount of preparation. “regardless of where they were,” she And she still worries about the virus’ Next year, she said, her school district said. Despite COVID’s obstacles, they spread in the classroom. On the second won’t require teachers to do in-person stayed focused on their academic and day back in school there was a COVID and online instruction simultaneously. professional development goals. case in her daughter’s class. She’s just hoping things will feel more She hasn’t let herself think about next ‘We’ve learned a lot’ PESACH normal by August. Jewish summer camps were also upended fall. “I’m just trying to get through to Fathe is more pessimistic when it comes summer,” she said. “It’s been a tough by COVID and the need to keep campers at Beth El to younger students. She suspected the and staff safe. Some camps didn’t open year — for everybody. But I’m hopeful. missed socialization would be harder for It just can’t get any worse.” at all in 2020. Shemesh Camp at Martin elementary students, and she was very Pear Jewish Community Center did, TAANIT BECHOROT Julia Fathe, a public high school happy that her five-year-old was able to teacher and parent of two young albeit in a more circumspect way. VIRTUAL SIYUM start kindergarten at Pardes Jewish Day “Turn a bummer into a fun summer” children, understands. School in person last fall. Now that half her students have was the official motto of Shemesh last Thursday, March 25 “My concerns as a teacher are summer. Kim Subrin, chief officer of returned to the classroom, there are completely and utterly different from 7:45 am constant quarantines as multiple COVID camping and family services of MPJCC, my concerns as a parent,” Fathe said. said that phrase really summed up the cases get reported. “I had 18 kids in my “Kindergarten is a completely different VIRTUAL EREV PESACH classroom, then the basketball team had feeling among the staff. After making big animal. I’m a high school math teacher. modifications, Shemesh opened in order to quarantine and six kids had to go I can’t help a kindergartner. I just can’t.” Saturday, March 27 back to remote,” she said. “It’s going “to offer our campers a little bit of normal She suspects that if she had tried to keep again,” she said. 6:00 pm–7:00 pm to continue like that. It just requires so her daughter home it would have led much flexibility on everyone’s part and Looking back now, she feels that to a lost year for her academically and last summer was all about fearing the Haggadah Study & Discussion it’s exhausting.” emotionally. “Some friends have told me Looking back over the year, she feels unknown. “There’s no fear anymore,” 7:00 pm–7:25 pm it’s been lost, but my kid was in person she said. “We know now and we plan for that for most of her older students, the and has had a great year,” she said. last several months of online learning has it. We know how to work with COVID. Passover Songs Pardes opened with both in-person and gone pretty well — especially for the self- Because we didn’t know everything 7:25 pm–8:00 pm online instruction last September. As of starters. But some students are struggling last summer, we were extreme. Now now, the plan is to return to all in-person we know how to keep the building and because they don’t know how to ask for instruction in the fall. Masking and social Community Seder campers safe and let them move through help online, she admitted. Those kids “are distancing will continue to play a role. 8:00 pm–8:30 pm falling through the cracks.” the building.” According to Peter Gordon, head of Shemesh was one of the first camps in followed by Passover songs, That is one reason she’s glad to be school, “predicated on how the world is dessert & wine back in person. It’s also good “to see the country to open. “We didn’t have going, we will respond to what’s in the anybody else to lean on,” Subrin said. people’s faces — or eyeballs” in order to best interest of our students and families.” build a better rapport. “It feels like I’m When they started requiring all campers Sign up at The Pardes community has been just getting to know my kids now,” she older than kindergartners to wear masks, www.bethelphoenix.com/ committed to living by safety guidelines Subrin wasn’t sure how it would go. But passover-2021 said. Her students feel the strangeness, and procedures, said Gordon, and too. Ordinarily, by February they would it’s been able to maintain its high SEE ANNIVERSARY, PAGE 23

4 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM HEADLINES

LOCAL Judaism and climate change conference hosted by ASU highlights activism, veganism

NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER

abbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is activism during the Judaism, Science community to confront the Rfighting climate change one vegan and Medicine Group’s annual conference climate crisis. meal at a time. hosted by Arizona State University Rosenn wants to spur Veganism transforms an individual and via Zoom on Feb. 28, 2021. legislative action to the whole family unit, because it makes In 2014, a Public Religion Research address climate change. people more thoughtful about what Institute survey found 78% of American Leading up to the 2020 they are eating and why, according to Jews consider climate change either election, Dayenu and 43 Yanklowitz. It also heightens awareness “a crisis” or “a major problem” — the other Jewish organizations of the impact people are having on highest proportion of any religious group mobilized 800 Jews across the environment. in America. the country and together “I’m very grateful for those working But that sentiment doesn’t necessarily reached out to more than on political revolutions, but I want to be translate to action. 750,000 American Jewish Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, a vegan for more than a decade, eats on the side of a spiritual revolution that “There was amazing work happening, voters concerned about a banana on Friday, March 5, 2021. starts person by person, home by home,” there continues to be great work climate change, calling PHOTO COURTESY OF RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ he said. happening and we need more — for on them to elect leaders From changing an individual’s diet the Jewish community to fully show who have the “chutzpah” to take Republicans in favor compared to 68% to garnering community support for up in all of our people and power and “bold action.” of Jewish Independents and 81% of legislative changes, Jewish leaders play a critical role in the larger national The PPRI survey also found nearly Jewish Democrats. across the country gathered virtually to climate movement, and in turn, the 70% of American Jews are supportive of Mirele Goldsmith, co-chair of the discuss the best ways to take on climate global climate movement,” said Rabbi tougher laws and regulations to protect Jewish Earth Alliance, is working to change. Yanklowitz was one of five Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of the environment, even if it raises prices change laws by participating in climate activists who addressed the relationship Dayenu. She launched the organization or costs jobs. However, that differs by between Judaism and environmental last April to mobilize the American Jewish political affiliation, with 26% of Jewish SEE CLIMATE, PAGE 23

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LOCAL

Members of Fruitful’s board of directors together in March 2020. From left to right: Elana Storch, Debbie Aimee Baron speaks during the virtual Jewish fertility support summit on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. Yunker Kail, Chani Levertov, Michelle Adler and Lauren Hendeles. PHOTO BY COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPH SCREENSHOT Jewish infertility summit offers resources,

seeksNICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER to reduce stigma

hani Levertov always appreciates stigma,” Baron said. “We are finally at this The person who needs support should of the Georgia-based Jewish Fertility Cgetting a pregnancy announcement point where we’re ready as a community get to define what that support looks like, Foundation, which provides financial, from a friend or family member. “There’s to address this and finally support our said Malkie Klaristenfeld, director and emotional and educational resources for absolutely room in my heart to be joyous loved ones.” founder of New York-based Knafayim, people struggling with infertility. While for them, as well as feeling sad feelings for Ideas for supporting family and friends which supports families facing pregnancy going through her own struggle with my struggle,” she said. “There’s always who are experiencing infertility, the loss and perinatal loss. infertility, she often wanted to be included room for both.” of a pregnancy or the loss of a child were “What we think might be the right and invited to celebrate the milestones of In 2013, Levertov experienced widely discussed at the summit. approach might be very, very different her friends with babies. “I also wanted secondary infertility. After a second them to understand that, at various points child, she and her husband were having a throughout the journey, it was OK to difficult time conceiving again. She didn’t opt out.” know where to turn for support. Friends When it comes to participating in and family didn’t know how to help or "WE ARE FINALLY TALKING family gatherings and religious occasions, what to say. Levertov advised offering people a choice “Chances are, everybody knows ABOUT SOMETHING THAT whether to come. “This is so different somebody going through [infertility] for everybody,” she said. “Finding a because the statistics are one in eight HAS BEEN JUST SWEPT balance and sharing your joys while your couples, which is quite high. It’s time for friend is struggling may seem difficult. us to come together as a community and UNDER THE COVERS AND However, with the right sensitivities, the really support our loved ones,” she said. conversation can go such a long way.” Levertov, co-director of Chabad of SHROUDED IN SECRECY, Elana Storch, a board member of Arizona’s Smile on Seniors, launched Fruitful, watched the summit with her Fruitful in November 2018. The SHAME AND STIGMA." husband from their home in Phoenix. organization holds monthly support She had a late-term miscarriage in 1991. groups, as well as educational and social “We had each other and a book,” she events for people who are struggling with said. Seeing the amount of resources primary and secondary infertility. Fruitful People should reflect on their intentions than what your friend actually thinks is available today, especially within the was one of 12 Jewish organizations that before broaching the subject with a loved comforting and supportive,” Klaristenfeld Jewish community, moved her and her participated in a virtual Jewish fertility one who might be struggling, said Rabbi said. One of the kindest things people can husband to tears. support summit on Feb. 22. Idit Solomon, founder of California- do for their loved ones is to remember Levertov said the summit’s national The event was spearheaded by Aimee based Hasidah, which builds awareness, and acknowledge anniversaries of due reach felt like the stigma around infertility Baron, founder and executive director connects people to support resources and dates. Remembering is a way to honor is finally being broken. “Hopefully, we can of I Was Supposed to Have a Baby. The provides financial assistance for IVF. the child and proclaim that life was all come out with a better understanding event aimed to bring the issue of infertility “Am I prepared to listen and support important, she said. and be more sensitive and know how out of the shadows, raise awareness about them? Because that’s the only reason to While people may be reticent to to support those navigating infertility,” Jewish organizations that offer resources ask. It’s the only reason to be involved,” share birth announcements or baby news she said. and provide people with the tools to she said. Listening without judgment or with family and friends dealing with Baron said she plans to have the better support their friends and relatives giving advice is one way to be supportive. loss, many participants warned against 12 organizations gather again on an who may be struggling. More than 1,800 Offering to help someone research excluding them. annual basis. JN people participated. options is another. “Most importantly, “You would be surprised with how “We are finally talking about something you can remind them that they’re not many people actually want to help you, To watch a recording of the summit, visit youtube. that has been just swept under the covers alone, that you love them, and you’ll be but honestly just don’t know how,” com/watch?v=jIYbdAyqNqk&%3Bfeature= and shrouded in secrecy, shame and there,” Solomon said. said Elana Frank, CEO and founder youtu.be

6 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM HEADLINES

LOCAL Phoenix activist values her work with Syrian refugees JENNIFER BAUM

hen Stacy Augustine met a man before you leave forever. What three insurance and myriad Wwho had lost both legs during things would you take?” they will soon other situations. Syria’s civil war, she knew she could help. be asking one another with the holiday Since the pandemic Using a friend’s truck and ramp, she fast approaching. began, Augustine has delivered her deceased father’s scooter to Judaism encourages involvement with seen less of the family, the man, giving him back his dignity and the world’s problems and directs Jews to but there were periods independence. “He dreamed of getting to help refugees, she said. From the ethical when she visited five the mosque on his own,” she said. “Now, teachings of Pirkei Avot to the Torah’s days a week. “The he was actually able to do that.” commandments to love and welcome children call me Augustine began volunteering with the stranger, she feels morally obligated grandma,” she said. Refugee Connection Phoenix and Let’s to help immigrants. She believes the Read, Neighbor in spring 2017. Together “I love that justice and charity are most important thing these informal, volunteer ad hoc groups combined in the single Hebrew word people can offer is have approximately 1,200 members on tzedakah,” she said. sincere welcome Facebook. One of RCP’s functions is In 2017, Let’s Read, Neighbor and friendship. to match things with people who need connected Augustine with a Syrian family “It’s human beings them. Someone might say, “I have a with five boys who had arrived before the who inflicted harm, dining set,” and a member will respond, ban on Syrian refugees was realized. She and it’s human beings “I have a family of seven who needs it.” and Hanan, the wife and mother, had who can give back,” Most matches are more prosaic than Turkish coffee and cookies while Hanan she said. Augustine’s example. communicated she was trapped at home The family knows The number of refugees resettled in and needed to learn English. Augustine is Jewish Phoenix changes annually. In 2008, the When they first met, Hanan’s husband but have no real city hosted 3,392, while in 2018, the was working a minimum-wage job that he understanding of what number was 1,054. Arizona has generally held for three years before being laid off that means. They’re been a welcoming place for refugees. due to COVID-19. In some countries, observant Muslims Most famously, Phoenix was the location refugees begin working only after they’ve and know little about of the Arizona Lost Boys Center, which had ample opportunity to learn the other religions, except found homes for many young boys local language. “Our system handicaps for a vague idea of what displaced by the civil war in Sudan. them, trapping them in menial jobs,” Christianity is and who Three years ago, all immigration from Augustine said. Jesus was, according Syria was halted, including for refugees Hanan was delightful, eager to learn to Augustine. Stacy Augustine kneels next to Aboudi, a Syrian refugee she assists in Phoenix. PHOTO COURTESY OF STACY AUGUSTINE who’d had multiple background checks, English, make American friends and “Hanan declared, ‘I were already cleared for placement and understand American culture, said love all people.’ Despite everything her to anti-Semitic tropes and ideas, were coming for medical treatment. Augustine. All this despite the trauma family has been through, this remains true,” and is hopeful that knowing her will “This was not a matter of safety, but of and pain she experienced fleeing to said Augustine. forestall prejudices. playing to prejudices,” Augustine said. Turkey from Aleppo after her apartment Within her various volunteer groups, Augustine is an admirer of Rabbi With a recent shift in immigration policy, and business were bombed. Augustine has witnessed anti-Catholic Shmuly Yanklowitz and Arizona Jews for Augustine expects to be assisting new Hanan had terrible tooth decay, bigotry, anti-Muslim bigotry and Justice’s work with asylees. She would like Syrian refugees in Phoenix soon. and the state doesn’t provide dental anti-Mormon bigotry, and said her to see the rest of Greater Phoenix’s Jewish And being Jewish plays a role in care for adults. Neither do minimum work has revealed some of her own community get involved, especially since her work. “The refugee story is our wage jobs. Through RCP, Augustine false assumptions. “I’ve experienced more refugees will likely start arriving in story, which helps most Jews relate connected a dental hygiene student anti-Semitic micro-aggressions, but the fall. to the plight of others forced from in need of volunteer hours with Hanan. not from refugees,” Augustine said. Regardless, she will continue her their homes,” Augustine said. Every In addition, Augustine completed “It’s always misguided and misinformed.” own work. “Helping refugees has been Passover, her family imagines themselves paperwork for benefits, apartments, She’s aware that the families she’s one of the great honors of my life,” required to flee. “You have one hour school enrollment, green cards, involved with will eventually be exposed she said. JN

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 7 HEADLINES

LOCAL You should know ... Laura Bercovich

SHANNON LEVITT | MANAGING EDITOR

aura Bercovich was interning for “Let’s see if I can make this into my full LMartin Pear Jewish Community time job.” Center in Scottsdale, when she realized Before COVID, you were doing Modern what she wanted to do with her life. While Mitzvah and working remotely for writing press releases and doing other Minted — before remote work was public relations work, she was asked to the norm? design a flyer for an event. It turned out I was kind of sick of the commute to to be the “most fun” part of the job, she downtown Phoenix. I was still in touch said. “This is really what I want to do.” with my creative director from Minted, The first step in realizing her dream was and it was a long shot, but I reached out graduate school in San Francisco. That and asked, “Any chance you ever need led to a job with Lucasfilm designing remote workers?” And thankfully, they “Star Wars” patterns for lunchboxes and said yes and I started working remotely. T-shirts — a cool job that didn’t pay Then last April, they laid off half the much. Next was Old Navy where she company because of COVID. I knew I worked on designs for clothing stickers, was toast. Not only was I this remote gift cards and social media. worker they’d made a special exception But it was while at Minted, an online for, but I was also on the wedding team. market for a community of independent The wedding business was just devastated artists, that she decided to start Modern by COVID. Everything just kind of got Mitzvah, an online Judaica store. She put on hold. designs and sells a plethora of items like I’d been considering going off on my certificates for b’nai mitzvah, certificates own for a while anyway, so this was just for baby namings and greeting cards — the extra push I needed to go out on my her biggest sellers. Her cards’ whimsical own, and I started working on Modern Jewish greetings, such as “You had me Mitzvah full time. at Shalom” and “Challah if you knead me,” stand out to people searching for Is it difficult finding an audience for something fun yet specific. Jewish cards and designs? The idea for the business came to There aren’t that many Jewish-specific her when she was expecting a baby businesses that cater to a younger and attending the Bureau of Jewish audience. There’s a ton of beautiful Education’s Jewish Baby University. Judaica out there, but a lot of it is, maybe

Someone mentioned making a baby a little bit more traditional and with very Laura Bercovich holds up one of her designs for Modern Mitzvah PHOTO BY CRYSTAL CLEAR CREATIVE ketubah. When she learned it was a baby- unique designs. Or it’s handcrafted in naming certificate she knew she could Israel. Mine is more modern and a little design her own. Classmates sought out bit more simplistic and whimsical with was 11, I wanted to convert. I always felt artwork and start thinking about how to her help with their versions, and soon a silly greetings on the cards, and people Jewish. And I did convert, right before make it my style. business idea was born. are kind of delighted by how playful and I got married. I’ve always wanted to see my designs how different my products are. Bercovich talked to Jewish News about Do you think you’ll branch out to in some of the bigger retail stores. But in Also, some of them are really meaningful designing for a Jewish audience, her other areas or stay more focused on the past couple years. I’m really starting pieces for special celebrations like a bar conversion to Judaism and how her art Jewish designs? to see the value in smaller businesses. mitzvah. It’s special with that religious came full circle. I have so many different business ideas, Supporting these smaller local businesses aspect to it. Sometimes these designs How did Jewish Baby University inspire and I’m still trying to figure out what I is great for the economy and your local really mean a lot to their customers and a business? want to do and where I want to invest neighborhood. I don’t know that the big it’s very sentimental. In one class someone mentioned a baby my time. I am an artist for Minted, one retail idea is really my ambition anymore. It’s really nice to be a part of that back ketubah, which is essentially a baby- of those independent artists, and I just Right now my focus is to produce new and forth with the customer to customize naming certificate. At the bris you can started licensing some of my designs artwork and create things for all the Jewish it to whatever their event is. I’ve even have your friends and family leave their to Postable.com. I’ve been looking holidays. I’m working on some stuff for had someone reach out after they lost a fingerprints on a design that the parents into other places to license my artwork Passover. My focus right now is just kind baby, and they wanted to make the baby and rabbi signs. Then you frame it and too. But I don’t see myself having the of serving the audience and growing certificate to commemorate the child that have it as a keepsake and piece of art in bandwidth to open a whole other website that audience. they lost. your home. I had never heard of this with cards and artwork in addition Do you ever think back to that internship before, but I really wanted one. And I Do you have to put time into researching to Modern Mitzvah. at the JCC? decided to make my own. My friends in Judaism for your design ideas? I’m really inspired by Jewish art because I never would have known that all this the class started asking if I would make I’ve always found religion really there are these really elaborate intricate would come full circle. I realized that I them one too. interesting. I minored in religious studies designs, and a lot of them come from wanted to do graphic design at the Jewish While I was on maternity leave, I because I like reading about it. And I have Israel where maybe there’s a 75-year- Community Center here in Scottsdale. thought maybe I’ll just open a little Etsy taken a good amount of Jewish classes old guy and he’s hand-cutting these Now that I’m doing graphic design shop and throw these up online and see because I am a convert. incredible designs or something. There for Jewish products, it’s kind of crazy. if anybody wants them. And then, to my My stepdad is Jewish, and my mom is is all this beautiful work out there, and That’s really where I got my start and surprise, people started buying them. So not. But my mom’s not religious, and it a lot of times I see designs in the world now I have come back to the Jewish it was really just this little side shop that was as if I grew up in a Jewish household. and I think about how I would change community and have my daughter at I didn’t devote too much time to. But Judaism was the main religion that was it or try to make it better, how I might The J — it’s just crazy. It’s like I’m right once I lost my job last April I thought, part of my life growing up. Ever since I modernize it. A lot of times I see Jewish back where I started. JN

8 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM HEADLINES

LOCAL After Coyotes, Ahron Cohen looks to the future of fitness NICOLE RAZ | STAFF WRITER

t took Ahron Cohen a few months to on sporting events, has created an results in February, boasting Ifigure out his next move after leaving opportune environment for innovation a sales growth of 128% and the Arizona Coyotes as its president and in the industry, he said. 1.67 million subscribers to its CEO last May. All he knew was that he Cohen sees “new ways to connect streaming fitness classes. “wanted to do interesting things with with fans beyond the standard viewing After the last year, Cohen said interesting people,” he said. experience.” Instead of sports fans just the pandemic has opened up some Becoming a venture partner at watching a game on TV, he imagines new paths in the fitness world. ADvantage Sports Tech Fund, a fund different channels offering fans different “I can’t even begin to list all focused on growing sports-focused viewing experiences. In-game sports of the negatives associated with technology companies, fit the bill. betting or the ability to view play this horrible pandemic. But, you ADvantage is a joint venture between from different camera angles, such as know, I tend to be a glass half- OurCrowd, billed as Israel’s most active from the perspective of the referee, are full type of person,” Cohen said. venture investor, and LeAD, a startup innovative options. He likes that the pandemic has accelerator initiated by the grandchildren “Fans always want to see a peek behind pushed forward technological of Adidas’ founder Adi Dassler. that curtain,” he said. “They want to trends, making people re-imagine PHOTO COURTESY OF AHRON COHEN As a partner, Cohen hopes “to provide feel like they’re in the locker room, what they thought they knew meaningful operational support to a on the sidelines or in the huddle with about sports and fitness. portfolio companies that do business growing portfolio of highly innovative their favorite team. And through social Jeremy Pressman, founding partner with many of the largest leagues and technology companies, side-by-side with media, and through new technology, and of ADvantage, said Cohen’s perspective media operators across the world,” he some of the industry’s leading investors,” through enhanced camera angles and 4K from being a team operator adds value said, via email. he said, via email. television, I think we’re further giving to the fund. While with the Coyotes, Cohen, winner of the 2019 ADL Cohen also plans to take what he fans that opportunity to feel like they’re Cohen helped make record increases in Arizona’s Torch of Liberty Award, was learned from running a professional fully integrated into that team.” TV ratings, merchandise, ticket sales and also drawn to the fund’s ties to Israel. hockey team and use it to help shape the In terms of fitness investments, Cohen corporate sponsorships for the franchise. He is also keeping his eye out for future of sports and fitness. The 2018 said he’s searching for the next at-home Pressman thinks he can bring that same local startups. repeal of the Professional and Amateur fitness company. Peloton, best known skill to ADvantage. “It’d be wonderful if there was an Sports Protection Act, which allowed for its stationary bikes that cost between “Adding a seasoned operator of opportunity to invest in a company right states to legalize sports betting, combined $1,895 and $2,345, is his model. The Ahron’s caliber to the team is highly here in Phoenix and play a role in helping with the pandemic’s devastating impact company announced its second quarter complementary to both us and our this community grow,” he said. JN PASSOVER 2021 • MARCH 27-APRIL 4

RESERVE Advertise your business in our largest YOUR AD issues of the year. Show your support TODAY! of the Jewish community by wishing them a Happy Passover! Publication Dates March 19 • March 26

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JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 9 OPINION Editorials A step toward religious The International freedom in Israel Criminal Court ast week, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled Nonetheless, according to Feldman, o one favors genocide, war crimes, in, participate as a state in, or delegate L8-1 that non-Orthodox conversions the ruling was a signal “that the country’s Ncrimes against humanity or wanton jurisdiction to the ICC.” must be recognized for purposes of legal elites are tired of deferring to the de aggression. Despite that near universal Israel needs to decide how it will citizenship under Israel’s Law of Return. facto Orthodox monopoly over defining revulsion, few want the International respond to an international investigation The decision was a welcome step toward Judaism in Israel,” and a forceful nod by Criminal Court to investigate citizens of it doesn’t recognize. It could cooperate making the Jewish state a land of religious the justices “in support of intra-Jewish their country for these unspeakable acts. to a limited extent; it could serve notice freedom for Jews. egalitarianism.” That’s why the United States and Israel that it intends to conduct its own Unfortunately, the realities of Israeli The ruling was largely celebrated are among the states that don’t belong investigation so that there’s no need for politics could lead to the ruling being in the Diaspora, where the issue of to the ICC. the ICC to intervene; or it could simply overturned by the Knesset. The court religious pluralism is a big deal. In Israel, The Palestinians, however, who are ignore the investigation. Although Israel’s decision — which came as a surprise to however, the issue has less currency. recognized by the ICC as the State of Justice Ministry has said it is prepared most — related to cases that had been So it was primarily the religious and Palestine, are members. And it was a to fully defend any citizen liable to be on hold for 15 years, as the court waited political leaders in the country’s haredi request from the State of Palestine that investigated, no formal decision on for the government to address the issue community that reacted most strongly — spurred ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda approach has been made. through legislation. Finally recognizing and their criticism was stinging. to announce last week that after a five-year And that makes sense, since things the futility of waiting, the court ruled. Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau examination, the ICC determined it has might change in a few months when said those who undergo Reform or Bensouda completes her term and will Conservative conversions “are not Jews.” be succeeded by British jurist Karim THE RULING WAS ISRAEL NEEDS TO LARGELY CELEBRATED And according to Chief Sephardic Rabbi Khan, who may reconsider the wisdom of Yitzak Yosef: “What the Reform and DECIDE HOW IT the undertaking. IN THE DIASPORA, Conservatives call ‘conversion’ is nothing WILL RESPOND TO As for the announced investigation, it but a forgery of Judaism.” Interior will focus on Israel and Hamas, which WHERE THE ISSUE OF AN INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS PLURALISM Minister Aryeh Deri, of the haredi Shas fought a 50-day war in 2014. The start party, pledged to overturn the decision INVESTIGATION IT date of the investigation is June 13, IS A BIG DEAL. through legislation, since it constitutes DOESN'T RECOGNIZE. 2014 — the date specified by the State “a mortal blow to the Jewish character of of Palestine. That’s significant, since But even though the ruling is significant the state” and the “complete demolition the day before the start date Hamas for Law of Return purposes, it did of the status quo [on religious affairs jurisdiction to investigate “the situation in terrorists kidnapped and murdered three nothing to loosen the haredi Rabbinate’s in Israel] that has been upheld for over Palestine, and that the territorial scope of Israeli teenagers in the Gush Etzion area stranglehold on personal status issues in 70 years.” this jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the of the West Bank. It would seem that the Jewish state. The “status quo” to which Deri West Bank, including East Jerusalem.” anyone wishing to conduct a meaningful Israel’s Law of Return, which confers a referred dates back to a time when Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu investigation into the “situation in fast track to citizenship, defines a Jew as character, population and politics were immediately denounced the decision Palestine” should certainly want to “one who was born to a Jewish mother much different than they are today. Much as “anti-Semitism.” U.S. Secretary include that cold-blooded and heart- or converted, while not being a member has changed since 1948. Non-Orthodox of State Tony Blinken’s response was wrenching incident. of another religion.” The court held streams of Judaism account for the vast more analytical. He said: “The United In the end, the actions of the that conversion in Israel under Reform majority of the world’s Jewish population, States firmly opposes and is deeply International Criminal Court are or Conservative auspices met that test. and their influence is growing in the disappointed by this decision. The ICC not likely to make much difference. As noted by Harvard law professor majority secular Jewish state. That is an has no jurisdiction over this matter. Israel But the distraction of the exercise is Noah Feldman in Bloomberg Opinion, issue Israel will have to address as it works is not a party to the ICC and has not another reminder that Israel’s ongoing, “The question before the court was to sustain its foundational commitment to consented to the Court’s jurisdiction, and unresolved issues with its Palestinian not whether Conservative or Reform being both Jewish and democratic. we have serious concerns about the ICC’s population have consequences. For conversions were religiously valid, but In the meantime, a move toward attempts to exercise its jurisdiction over those of us who have long held Israel whether they counted socioculturally religious freedom and religious tolerance Israeli personnel.” Blinken also observed: in esteem, it is heartbreaking to see the as ‘Jewish.’” The court concluded that is a good thing. Last week’s Supreme “The Palestinians do not qualify as a Jewish state accused like some petty for those purposes, non-Orthodox Court ruling is a step in the right direction. sovereign state and therefore, are not dictatorship or warlord in an international conversions counted. It is something to be celebrated. JN qualified to obtain membership as a state criminal court. JN To The Editor Greater Phoenix needs true Jewish attended a Parlor meeting for the school Jewish student would attend this school. schools were negotiating to form one community high school and learned that it is an extension of a JN also reported last fall on a proposed school here in Scottsdale. Unfortunately, The Jewish Community of Greater Modern Orthodox school located in Los coed community high school called The that didn’t happen. I would implore those Phoenix is the only large city that does Angeles. Students here would learn online Oasis School, which will be open to all involved to come together to create one not have a full service Jewish community and be required to go to Los Angeles at students, regardless of observance. It viable school here for all students. We high school. Last week’s Jewish News least eight times a year. With due respect will attract students from schools such need it, and we must unite for the benefit featured a story about a new high school to the organizers of this school, it does as Pardes Jewish Day School and the of our children. called Shalhevet Scottsdale in “Jewish not fulfill the needs of our community. Phoenix Hebrew Academy. high school plans to open in 2021.” I It’s doubtful a non-Orthodox or secular I understand supporters of both of these Alan C. Jablin, Scottsdale

A NOTE ON OPINION We are a diverse community. The views expressed in the signed opinion columns and letters to the editor published in the Jewish News are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Media or the staff of the Jewish News. Letters must respond to content published by the Jewish News and should be a maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters and op-ed submissions should be sent to [email protected].

10 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM OPINION Commentary In my ark …

JODIE GOLDBERG

any of us have not subsided. We are confined to our this moment, it might be easy to say This time in the ark has been exhausting, Mread the story “arks,” restricted from many activities yes; yearning for a hug from a loved one unfamiliar and foreign at times because it of Noah and the we enjoyed. Many people have and still and witnessing a live concert among has forced us into a deeper relationship Flood. In Genesis are suffering immense pain and loss. thousands of other people might be some with ourselves. Before this experience, Chapter 8, we read This experience has changed us. of the experiences we crave. I wonder if I would have been the first person to that there was a In my ark, I have learned that I no these moments will feel the same once tell you that I know myself, my quirks, flood, Noah built an longer view settings in which human we leave our respective arks. Will the only and, most importantly, the qualities I ark, Noah took the interactions occur in a binary manner, in way to show appreciation for a musical strive to embody. My time in the ark has animals two by two alongside his family which in-person experiences are “good” artist be to physically show up for them in tested my patience, and at times even my into the ark and then there was a flood and online experiences are “bad.” Rather, a crowded arena? Will we still need a hug sanity, but has also revealed qualities I that decimated the city. While this series I think about which platforms provide from someone to know how much we are now deem essential to the person I want of events unfolds, seldom do we pay close us “opportunities” and which ones loved by them? If the answer is “no” to to become. attention to how the story ends. offer “challenges.” such questions, then maybe it’s more than Instead of eyeing perfection, I strive We make the assumption that Noah In my ark, I have learned to adopt a our preferences that have changed — it’s to be more nimble; instead of silencing was looking for land to get off the ark, family-centered approach — no longer our values. emotions, I find time and space to but is that assumption correct? At the prioritizing lavish parties or Broadway Noah is not ready to disembark even acknowledge and explore them. I am end of the story, we read in Genesis 8:15 shows. I put my family’s health and needs when he sees that the land is dry and learning to deploy empathy, center that God tells Noah to “Come out of the first. In my ark, I have found time to plants are growing. These symbols of gratitude and institute rest as part of my ark, together with your wife, your sons think not just about what show to watch renewal give us hope for a future that feels daily routine. These qualities we have and your sons’ wives.” Why does God next, but to ponder life’s big questions: bright, and yet, Noah remains tethered learned are the same ones that we will to his newfound place of comfort. When have to tell Noah to get out of the ark? Who am I? How can I make a difference need to walk off the ark. Why doesn’t he just leave? You would in this world? In my ark, I have given we are experiencing our own symbols of As we look towards the future, think after 40 days and 40 nights with the familiar words a new meaning. I define renewal that could come in the form of may we not wait for God to call us same people, food, nightly rituals, that for “traveling” as a walk to the bakery, a vaccine or herd immunity (and, some outside, but find the strength to leave Noah, it would have been enough. “adventure” as talking with an old could argue, plain old sunshine), will on our own with courage, dignity and When this pandemic is all said and friend I haven’t spoken to in years, and we be bold enough to enter a changed renewed spirit. done, are we going to willingly “get off “community” as a chevruta (Jewish study world? I wonder if the anxiety of leaving JN the ark” and re-enter the world that we partner) learning session over Zoom. will overwhelm us, or the death and Jodie Goldberg is a teen-engagement consultant once knew? In the past year, our lives When it is finally time to leave and destruction we witnessed will discourage at The Jewish Education Project. This article first were upended, and for many, this has re-enter society, will we be ready? At us from re-entering society. appeared on JNS.org. Religious pluralism won’t be achieved in the courts

JONATHAN S. TOBIN

eactions to to Judaism via Reform and Conservative on lifecycle events. So for the purposes of of Jewish religious pluralism, including Rthis week’s rabbis inside of Israel can be considered getting married, these converts will still the ongoing debate about the Western Israeli Supreme Jewish and eligible for Israeli citizenship be considered non-Jewish. And the rabbis Wall or the status of Reform and Court ruling under the country’s “Law of Return.” who supervised the conversions will still Conservative rabbis? about recognizing That means Israel’s Interior Ministry will not be formally recognized by the state The answer has more to do with Israeli the validity of recognize such persons as Jewish for the as having any authority over religious politics and the ongoing battle over how conversions to purpose of citizenship. But that will affect questions. And when you consider that much power the Supreme Court should Judaism by non- the lives of only a few dozen people a for the purpose of citizenship, Reform have relative to that of the Knesset than Orthodox denominations are all out of it does about pluralism. proportion to its actual significance in If the haredim and their political parties terms of the number of those affected THE TRUTH IS THAT THE SUBSTANCE were up in arms over the ruling, it was by the decision. Representatives of both not because it took away any of the vast Reform and Conservative Judaism, as OF THE RULING DOESN'T REPRESENT power that they retain over the lives of well as other liberal groups, hail it as a MUCH PROGRESS TOWARDS GENUINE Israeli citizens — the vast majority of breakthrough towards greater respect for RELIGIOUS PLURALISM ANY MORE THAN IT whom, whether religious or not, deeply Jewish religious pluralism in the Jewish resent the rabbinate. But coming only state. Meanwhile, the ultra-Orthodox REPRESENTS MUCH OF A THREAT TO THE weeks before another Israeli election, political parties in Israel are denouncing it INSTITUTIONAL POWER OF THE ORTHODOX the court’s decision to act after sitting as a “mortal blow to the Jewish character RABBINATE, LET ALONE TO JUDAISM. on the petitions for years was a shot of the state.” fired over the bow of the Knesset. The The truth is that the substance of the legislature has proven unable or unwilling ruling doesn’t represent much progress to pass legislation that might resolve or towards genuine religious pluralism year since the non-Orthodox movements and Conservative conversions conducted clarify any of the complex issues that the any more than it represents much of a continue to have relatively few adherents abroad were already recognized, the courts are asked to rule on with respect to threat to the institutional power of the inside Israel, and the number of those change is even less earth-shattering than the limits of rabbinical power and Jewish Orthodox rabbinate, let alone to Judaism. who seek conversion under their auspices it seems. identity in a country where that means The decision was extremely narrow in is smaller still. So why the fuss over something that so much. its scope, being strictly limited to the Unaffected by the ruling is the haredi- changes very little and resolves none of question of whether those who convert controlled state rabbinate’s stranglehold the ongoing sore points about Israel’s lack SEE TOBIN, PAGE 12

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 11 RELIGIOUS LIFE

TORAH STUDY SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING MAR. 12 - 6:16 P.M. To the ones ‘endowed with divine spirit’ MAR. 19 - 6:21 P.M. PARSHAH From Rashi’s commentary we community. At a time where we face our VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI learn that Bezalel was truly gifted: own catastrophic events, as we witness the EXODUS 35:1-40:38 a “triple threat” of talent, creativity suffering of others both up close and from SHABBAT ENDS RABBI STEPHEN KAHN and experience. It would likely be afar, and at a time when social distancing MAR. 13 - 7:12 P.M. impossible today to find one person who has become social isolation for so many, ollowing the could list all three of these “skill sets,” we crave the leadership and direction MAR. 20 - 7:17 P.M. Fcatastrophic on a resume. Yet, for anyone who has of individuals who have the skills, events of Ki Tisa, participated in any construction project, ability and knowledge to carry us to the last week’s parshah, whether it be for a sacred space or not, “other side.” we begin this week with the final we seek individuals who have the skills, In the absence of such leaders, we Find area congregations at jewishaz.com, where you can also find our 2021 Community Directory. construction of the portable Mishkan in abilities and knowledge to create places have learned how effortlessly and quickly the wilderness. and spaces which reflect our own ideas we fall into the spiritual abyss of both And Moses said to the Israelites: and vision. time and space; a dark place where the wilderness, the harsh lesson of the tragedy See, Adonai has singled out by name Thus, I would posit it was Bezalel’s skill, influences of evil, fear mongering and of the Golden Calf was (and is) that we Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the ability and knowledge that enabled our conspiracy theories prevail. The question need each other. We need each other’s tribe of Judah. God has endowed him ancestors to find salvation from the sin of remains now as it did then, who can skills, abilities and knowledge to create a with a divine spirit of skill, ability and the Golden Calf and experience the Divine save us? community — not in the abstract — of knowledge in every kind of craft. Presence. Like our own synagogues today, Given the chronology of this portion value, reason and meaning. We need each (Exodus 35:30-31) the paradigmatic Mishkan represented and the juxtaposition of this week’s other to be reminded that the salvific The commentators were interested in a renewed partnership between the narrative to last week’s, we may arrive at force of goodness, mercy and “walking the descriptors given to Bezalel. What Israelites and God. Under the direction an important insight. Namely, miracles humbly with God” is within each one does the Torah mean when it teaches us of Bezalel (and Oholiav) and with the and the theophany at Mt. Sinai were of us. that he was endowed with “skill, ability “free will” offerings of every Israelite, not sufficient in truly delivering our We need each other as reminders of and knowledge?” the Mishkan itself was both necessary ancestors from slavery to freedom. From God’s everlasting presence; that within Our tradition’s great commentator and sufficient in enabling God to “dwell” this we may learn that human beings do us is both the individual and collective Rashi (1040-1105) explains that with them. not necessarily need divine intervention creativity, wisdom and skill to build spaces “skill” is the trait of an individual who Among the many difficult lessons of to survive times of suffering. Rather, we and places where God is indeed dwelling learns from others, “ability” comes as these turbulent times, we have learned need each other as exemplars to create among us. JN the product of one’s own insight and that our leaders, both elected and spaces and places of connection with experience and “knowledge” is the otherwise, play a critical role in shaping the Divine. Rabbi Stephen Kahn is the senior rabbi at manifestation of divine inspiration. the spiritual and mental psyche of a In truth, like our ancestors in the Congregation Beth Israel.

TOBIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

It’s also a reminder that in the absence a function of politics. In a country that self-consciously defines actually undermined democratic rule. of a written constitution that would define Since Netanyahu continues to count itself as a “Jewish state,” pluralism is mixed Thus, even if you think the court is right a clear separation of powers between on the support of the haredi parties, as up with controversies about what exactly to act where it can to boost pluralism, the legislative and judicial branches of well as the nationalist Modern Orthodox that means. Israelis struggle to balance it’s also possible to decry the lawless government, the high court still thinks parties, he won’t be sticking his neck out the need to ensure equal treatment for nature of those interventions. It’s also there are few limits on its power. In on behalf of the non-Orthodox. The only all citizens with the imperative to also possible to support pluralism while being practice, that has meant that it has reserved way there will be any progress towards protect the Jewish nature of the state. concerned about the influence of those the right to dive into a wide range of issues pluralism will be if the next government And that is where the Supreme Court who are critical of all expressions of and make rulings that either override the can be formed without the participation and its periodic interventions on behalf Jewish identity enshrined in Israeli law, will of the voters or to essentially make of UTJ and Shas. of pluralism come in. such as those relating to the anthem, the laws themselves, rather than merely Even if that happens, the point most The reason why a majority of the holidays and the historic rights of Jews to interpreting or enforcing them. Diaspora Jews who care about this Knesset voted in 2018 to pass a basic or the land. Though Israel’s leaders like Prime issue often fail to realize is that while constitutional law that explicitly stated If true religious pluralism for the Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sometimes most Israelis would be happy to be rid that Israel is the “nation-state of the different streams of Judaism is to come pay lip service to the way the lack of of the rabbinate, support for treating Jewish people” is that an activist Supreme to Israel — and that is a cause both just religious pluralism inside Israel alienates Reform and Conservative Judaism as Court often intervened on issues far afield and necessary to promote unity between most American Jews, they have little equals is not a priority. While both from its legal responsibilities that tipped Israel and the Diaspora — it cannot be incentive to do anything about it. movements have much to offer Israelis, the balance between democracy and imposed solely by the courts or by the The disrespect shown by the rabbinate Orthodoxy still is regarded as having a Jewish identity in ways that undermined pleas of Diaspora communities. In order and by the two haredi political parties — legitimacy the liberal movements lack, the latter. Acting in a manner that for that day to come, it must, instead, be the Ashkenazi-run United Torah Judaism despite the fact that this infuriates many demonstrated the judges’ belief in their a product of the democratic will of the and the Mizrahi Jews’ Shas — towards American Jews. untrammeled and unaccountable power, Israeli people. It is Israel’s voters who the denominations that are supported by While Americans may regard the state the Supreme Court has generated a must, by one means or another, eventually most American Jews is disgraceful. But recognition of Orthodox Judaism as powerful backlash from right-wing parties strip the haredi rabbis of their power while the Reform and Conservative movements inherently wrong, the notion of a wall of that not unreasonably believe the judiciary still retaining Judaism’s special place in the lack the political muscle to compete separation between Judaism and the state has wrongly undermined the power of laws of a nation that must and will remain with the Orthodox. And in a country is one that is bound up with other issues of the Knesset, as well as the whole point a Jewish state. JN where rabbis are paid by the state, the much greater importance to Israelis than of Zionism. question of “who is a rabbi” — and not what most of them regard as the minor In the name of protecting democracy, Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS, where just “who is a Jew” — will remain issue of pluralism. as some on the left put it, the court has this article first appeared.

12 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM SPECIAL SECTION

PASSOVER

A few favorite items included in the Passover Food Drive packages Dinner are displayed. SATURDAY, MARCH 27TH PHOTO COURTESY OF ABBIE S. FINK

Curbside service available at all locations. 11:00 A.M. TO CLOSE $29.99 $14.95 Per Adult Per Child

BJE and JFCS among those All Dinners Include: offering Passover support STARTER ENTREE VEGETABLE

ABBIE S. FINK programs throughout the year, said Kathy SOUP POTATO DESSERT Rood, manager of Jewish Programs at JFCS. he Jewish holidays are ripe with tradition “We are thrilled to work with BJE and

Tand Passover is no different. Families others in the Jewish community on this AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS have long-standing rituals that have been annual Passover tradition,” said Rood. “It passed down through generations, evoking is a mitzvah for us to ensure those that need memories of seder tables, searching for the assistance can have a traditional Passover meal, afikomen, reciting four questions and a with all the basics covered.” PHOENIXPhoenix Scottsdale Chandler Tempe Glendale delicious meal. Seniors have been particularly impacted by 602.710.2910 480.860.0475 480.398.3008 480-860-0475 623.344.3104 There are several mitzvot associated with COVID-19 since it may be difficult for some CHOMPIES.COM/PASSOVER-MENU Passover. At the seder there is the retelling to get to the grocery store to purchase their of the story of the Exodus, eating matzah favorite Passover items. CHOMPIES.COM/PASSOVER-MENU and bitter herbs, drinking four cups of wine “We’ve made sure the seniors who and reclining. participate in the JFCS Center for Senior And thanks to the Bureau of Jewish Enrichment programs are aware that they Education, there is another mitzvah — one can request a food package,” said Jennifer that has been a Passover tradition in Greater Brauner, director of Center for Senior Phoenix for more than 30 years. Enrichment. “It is another great way to The annual Passover Food Drive keep our Jewish seniors engaged in the We wish you a is a collaboration between the BJE and holiday traditions.” community organizations such as Jewish Members of the Jewish community who Happy and Healthy Family & Children’s Service, Ezras Cholim would like a Passover food package have until and Jewish Free Loan. March 18 to request it. The drive started originally to provide Passover Cash contributions will be used to purchase a community service opportunity for perishable items and grocery store gift cards. Hebrew High students and other youth Volunteers create the food packages groups, according to Myra Shindler, BJE’s We pray your Seder, whether and arrange for them to be delivered. Lisa executive director. Blumstein, JFCS’ volunteer coordinator, virtual or real, brings “There has always been a need in says this is a fun way to give back to the Phoenix area to provide this kind happiness to all attending the community. of support to Jewish families during the “On Sunday, March 21, our volunteers will holidays,” said Shindler. “What started gather at the Martin Pear Jewish Community as a volunteer project for students some Center to sort and prepare all the food 30 years ago has evolved into what The Residents and Staff look forward packages for delivery,” she said. “We’ll follow it is today.” to being together with you next year Kosher-for-Passover food supplies, such all social distancing protocols to ensure a safe as matzah, gefilte fish, wine and grape juice, volunteer experience.” matzah ball and soup mix, candy, cookies and “We are so grateful to the community for cake mixes, as well as other items, are provided assisting us with this project. Valley synagogues, to any family that requests them. All products youth groups, Jewish day schools as well as local Due to the current must be in a sealed container and designated grocery stores all make it possible to continue Covid 19 situation to do the Passover Food Drive each year,” K “kosher for Passover.” ivel said Shindler. JN Kivel will sadly not Each year, approximately 220 families have a community C receive these Passover basics as well as a ampus grocery gift card and a kosher chicken to Abbie S. Fink is vice president/general manager Seder this year of HMA Public Relations. of complete their seder meal. Care As this is the second Passover season to To request a package, contact Kathy Rood, at Donations warmly be impacted by COVID-19, organizers this 602-762-7319 or via email at [email protected]; 3040 North 36th Street year are expecting upwards of 250 families to to donate, visit jfcsaz.org or bjephoenix.formstack; appreciated Phoenix, Arizona 85018 non-perishable items can be dropped off at JFCS request a food package. at 2017 N. 7th St. in Phoenix from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 602-314-4002 Many of the families that receive Passover weekdays until March 16; if you are interested in food supplies are participants in JFCS volunteering, email [email protected].

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 13 SPECIAL SECTION

PASSOVER Time to start thinking about ways to spice up your Passover snacks

JENNIFER STARRETT

e’re not quite there yet, but in a couple of weeks can find in Israel, they are a perfect kosher-for-Passover a large batch of the potato base, and then add cheese and Wwe’ll be preparing our homes and tables for snack or meal that can be made to anyone’s taste and veggies. Sometimes I use meat as the filling. Variety makes Passover. It isn’t too early to think of fun and creative flavor preference. everyone happy. ways to give your holiday snacks a boost. And since Passover meals can tend to get a bit boring, These are best when served fresh, like most fried Markets in Israel are filled with the delicious smell I hope this internationally-inspired dish helps break up food, but if you want to make them ahead of time, I’ve of fresh bourekas, and this popular baked pastry can the monotony of your Passover meal planning. Feel free had success freezing the fried matzah bourekas and be stuffed with practically anything from potato and to get creative with the fillings and flavors, because the reheating them in the oven. It gives you a little flexibility. cheese to meat and vegetables. While my matzah matzah outside is a perfect base for any flavor profile. My So take a chance, experiment and get ready to make a bourekas might not be quite as flaky as the ones you family and I all have different favorites, so I tend to make few bourekas!

MATZAH BOUREKAS

1½-2 pounds of potatoes 8 sheets of matzah 4 eggs, beaten 1 cup of matzo meal Oil for frying Salt and pepper to taste

Additional filling options: 1 cup of green olives, chopped 1 cup of mushrooms and 1 shallot, chopped and sautéed in olive oil and cooled ½–1 cup mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of tomato sauce (about 1 tablespoon per boureka) ½–1 cup feta or goat cheese 1 cup of ground beef or turkey, browned with spices of your choosing and cooled

Wash and peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then lower the temperature to continue cooking. Cook the potatoes until they can be easily mashed (about 20-30 minutes depending on size). Drain water and place cooked potatoes in a food processor or back into the pot and use an immersion blender or hand masher to mash the potatoes into a smooth and even consistency. Set aside to cool. While the potatoes are cooking, you can prepare the additional ingredients that you’d like to add to the bourekas. Be sure all ingredients are cool before you add them together. Once the potatoes and any additional ingredients are prepared, combine them together in a bowl to form your boureka filling. Take the sheets of matzah and wet each piece with water so they are pliable. I find it easiest to wrap the sheets of matzah in a wet kitchen towel and set aside for a few minutes. Once the sheets of matzah are wet, cut each sheet in half and place ¼ cup of filling in each half sheet of matzah. Roll the matzah over the filling to contain and set aside until all pieces of matzah are stuffed. Heat a large pan or skillet with about ½ inch of oil. Take your rolled matzah and dip into the eggs and then into the matzah meal to lightly coat the outside. Place the covered rolled matzah into the hot oil and cook evenly for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until browned and crispy. Once crispy, place the fried bourekas on a plate that is lined with a paper towel to cool and drain any access oil. Enjoy fresh or reheat in the oven before serving. JN

Jennifer Starrett is an events and marketing consultant. Visit jewphx.com, PHOTO BY JENNIFER STARRETT for more of her recipes and blogs.

14 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM SPECIAL SECTION

PASSOVER We’ve come a long way since last Passover

LINDA MOREL computer. While we could see them from a filets? Try a baby spinach salad bursting with distance, we could hardly hear them. Because colorful fruit. Consider bypassing brisket hile vaccines are becoming more my grandchildren were attending school in favor of roasted Cornish hens seasoned Wwidespread, the Centers for Disease virtually, they navigated us through Zoom. with herbs. Control and Prevention still advise against With all its challenges, last year Zoom Select a Zoom-friendly, make-ahead gathering in crowded spaces, such as dining made celebrating Passover possible. It menu, so hosts don’t disappear from the rooms filled to capacity with family and also brought together loved ones who camera while cooking in the kitchen. Zoom friends, so we are facing our second Passover live so far away, they’d never attended our allows you to share visuals of the delicacies on Zoom. seders before. you’re serving with family who can’t A year ago, most of us didn’t know Now that most of us have become be there in person. Present food in attractive how to mute or turn on the video feature. proficient with Zoom, order will return to tableware. For snap, garnish dishes We certainly couldn’t display Haggadah our seders. Because we’ve adapted to virtual with parsley. commentary for everyone at our virtual Passover celebrations, I suggest revamping A lifesaver during the COVID crisis, Zoom table to see. our approach to reflect our modern, has expanded our horizons. Yet most of us At my seder, which stretched from tech-savvy state. long for the past. Traditionally, seders end Connecticut to California, sadly one set of Vibrant foods show well on camera. with the refrain, “Next year in Jerusalem.” grandparents couldn’t figure out how to Instead of gefilte fish, why not start with But let’s add, “Next year gathered in one connect. A family of five sat too far from their a dazzling ceviche made from red snapper dining room — just like it used to be.”

HERB-ROASTED CORNISH HENS WITH VEGETABLES | MEAT Serves 8

This bright and lively entrée is the essence of spring.

4 Cornish hens, 1½ pounds each Olive oil for coating pan, plus 2 tablespoons to drizzle on vegetables, plus 1-2 tablespoons for the Cornish hens 1½ pounds fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise 10 carrots, peeled and cut into thin carrot sticks Kosher salt to taste ½ teaspoon each: dried rosemary, thyme and basil Paprika for dusting 1 medium-sized onion, peeled and cut into 4 chunks

Equipment: roasting pan and rack, preferably nonstick; and poultry shears

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Coat the roasting pan and ALISAFAROV / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS rack with olive oil. Rinse the hens under cold water, including inside their cavities. CEVICHE | PAREVE Turn the hens upside down, and let water run out of their cavities Serves 8 into the sink. Drain them on paper towels. Reserve. Place the potatoes and carrots in a plastic bag. Drizzle in 2 The high acidity in fresh lime juice actually cooks fish during tablespoons of olive oil. Seal the bag and shake until every piece is the marinating process. coated with oil. Scatter the pieces around the edges of the roasting pan. Some pieces may go under the rack. Sprinkle the vegetables 1½ pounds red snapper filets. Ask the fish store to with salt. remove the skin and bones. Place the herbs in a bowl and crush them into small pieces and mix 8 ounces fresh lime juice, about 4-6 limes together. Rub a little olive oil on the hens to coat. Arrange the hens 6 tablespoons each, chopped: red onion, on the rack with the underside facing up. Sprinkle the underside with yellow pepper and parsley half of the herb mixture and salt. Dust with the paprika. Press the 3 tablespoons. minced ginger seasonings into the skins of the hens. Turn the hens over and repeat 4 garlic cloves, squeezed through a garlic press with the remaining herbs, salt and paprika. Sprinkle the onion chunks 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half with salt and place them in the cavities of the hens. 1 avocado, diced Roast for an hour, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the Salt and pepper to taste thickest part of the breast reads 165 degrees F. Serve immediately. Sugar to taste, only if needed The recipe can be made to this point two days ahead. To eat the meal later, cool it to room temperature and refrigerate. With a sharp knife, slice the red snapper into thin pieces and place Return it to room temperature 2½ hours before serving. Thirty them in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add the remaining ingredients minutes before serving, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. — except sugar. Gently toss. Marinate from 30 minutes to two Place the hens and vegetables in separate ovenproof pans. Heat hours, tossing several times. The snapper will become opaque. If the hens and vegetables for 20 minutes, or until slowly sizzling. Cut the ceviche tastes too tart, add a little sugar and a few drops of the hens in half with poultry shears and serve them on a platter. water. Serve in small bowls. JN Discard the onion. Move the vegetables to an attractive bowl. Linda Morel is the food columnist for Jewish Exponent, a Jewish News-affiliated Serve immediately. publication.

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 15 SPECIAL SECTION

CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE CTeen adds new Phoenix chapter

SHANNON LEVITT | MANAGING EDITOR

sabell Kondkhorov, 16, Iloved her CTeen chapter in Newton, Massachusetts. She even decided to stay as a member once she had moved across the country to Phoenix. Now a sophomore at Pinnacle High SUMMER 2021 School, Kondkhorov is part of We can’t wait to be back in our Summer home! Register now! three chapters: Newton, Gilbert and the newly-formed Phoenix Camp Daisy and Harry Stein is Arizona’s only residential Jewish summer camp! chapter she helped to start. CTeen, the Chabad Teen Isabell Kondkhorov and friends at CTeen’s Shabbaton in Network, is a global organization New York, March 2020 PHOTO COURTESY OF ISABELL KONDKHOROV with more than 600 chapters in 37 countries across the world. Its goal is last international Shabbaton in New York to connect Jewish students and inspire where thousands of teens descend on the Jewish learning, said Rabbi Tzvi Rimler, city to study, pray and enjoy a few days tion beth ga is re ra g e director of the Chandler chapter. together. She had three days of fun and n l o ’s c The new chapter in Phoenix will fill a came away with many new friendships big need, he said. There are at least six that she still maintains. different public high schools within 10 “It’s eye-opening to see how many Jews miles of him, “with a number of Jews in you can be friends with and are your age each one and nothing being done in a and just as curious as you are,” she said. Jewish sense to make them feel part of “It’s such an amazing program,” she the community,” he said. said about the Shabbaton. “If you go, For more information, contact: [email protected] The chapter's first event on March 18 you’re going to make so many friends. or call 480-951-0323 • www.campstein.org will feature good food and ice breakers The people will be part of your family.” “to help the teens get to know each other She still texts and calls the friends and set a great vibe,” he said, via email. All she made from California, France and that will be followed by a “grand minute- Israel. “They’re always blowing up A Jewish high school serving our diverse to-win-it tournament” with a grand raffle my phone!” and games. The trip also afforded her the chance to greater Phoenix community Rimler is now directing both the get to know kids in Gilbert because she Chandler and Phoenix chapters, but soon ended up on the same flight home with someone new will take over in Chandler. them. That cross-country flight got her “Hopefully that person will be coming in involved with Gilbert’s chapter. soon to take over the transition,” he said. For Kondkhorov, CTeen is both Typically, CTeen looks for cities that something social and an opportunity to can use a chapter “to invigorate the learn about Judaism. She likes texting masses,” Rimler said. The organization “Shabbat Shalom” to friends she’s met lets Jewish teens know they can do as well as praying with other Jewish teens something “Jewishly” with their lives and and lighting candles. Even with COVID APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 1, 2021 for their communities, he said. restrictions, she said the programming for incoming 9th and 10th grade classes Right now, Rimler is getting to know is worthwhile. the Phoenix students. He sees a lot of “They’re awesome and on top of their enthusiasm and excitement among them stuff on Zoom,” she said. “Kids in group Rooted in an ideology molded and inspired by world-scholar already, and said they're learning what it chats are always active.” Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, o’bm: Let my People Know. Ahavat Israel. means to be Jewish. CTeen events also Rimler said the new chapter’s goal is Divine Presence in a Place of Happiness. Most Important is Deed. give students from different schools an to be totally up and running by the time opportunity to discover just how many kids are back from spring break. The first Jewish teens live nearby. event falls on Kondkhorov’s birthday, and “When they come to our events, it’s she will likely share the idea of a food club cool for them to see Jewish kids they with cake. “Everyone loves food,” Rimler wouldn’t know otherwise because they said. Sharing food, both preparing and don’t go to the same school,” he said. eating it, is an easy way for teens to get He worries that a lot of kids don’t even comfortable with one another. know who the Jewish students are in their And that’s CTeen's primary goal: getting own schools. kids to know one another. After that, “CTeen gives these teens a home and Rimler and other leaders will encourage gives them support,” he said. teens to come to more programs and Kondkhorov agrees. She initially joined meet kids in different schools in order to the Newton chapter because her older deepen their connections to Judaism and sister had taken part. But soon she was the community. For more information, visit all in. Now she’s excited to be in on the Kondkhorov is ready. She’s already ground floor of Phoenix’s chapter. telling every Jewish teen she meets to www.nishmatadin.org Before COVID, she attended CTeen’s come and join the fun. JN

16 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM SPECIAL SECTION

CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE Jewish sleepaway camps must build bunks to facilitate social distancing

HELEN CHERNIKOFF isolation zone that protects everyone inside to adjust to fit the from the virus. “There’s good confidence current environment. ith about three months to go until that camp will happen,” Fingerman said. “We Capacity restrictions will Wsummer, most Jewish overnight camps don’t know at what cost.” necessitate more bunks are planning to open for the season. They Headcount: The camps have less clarity on and replacements for other also, however, cherished hopes well into the their numbers now than they usually do at crowded indoor spaces, pandemic that they would be able to do the this point in the year. While the regulations like art centers. On top of same last year. governing camps will vary state-by-state, that, the camps will need Grand reopening: This year will be Fingerman and his colleagues anticipate quarantine units in case different, said Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of mandated “capacity reductions” — similar to of infection. Creating that the Foundation for Jewish Camp, which those at restaurants and gyms. The pandemic extra space will also help helps non-profit camps with training and economy has also made it harder for many solve one of last summer’s ISTOCK.COM/GETTYIMAGESPLUS/MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES operations support. Here’s how, he explained: families to afford camp, which can cost up major concerns: the possibility that camp villages for older campers and yurts. “A yurt Though lockdowns began in mid-March of to $10,000 for a full summer — a luxury for outbreaks could overwhelm small, rural is not all that expensive,” Fingerman said. last year, many camps had only weeks to make many even in a normal year. As a result, camps hospital systems. Lots of PPE: Most camp construction is a decision on whether or not to welcome might have far fewer kids than usual. The bigger tent: Teams of health experts, no-frills and relatively cheap. In addition, FJC, campers that summer. Some camps, like Pent-Up Demand: On the other hand, architects and contractors are already along with the Jewish Federations of North Camp Modin in Maine, actually did open. Fingerman noted, the demand may increase. exploring individual camps and poring over America, will try to help camps coordinate Others opened and were forced to close. The Children who didn’t get to attend camp last maps, figuring out how to make space for lots discounts for bulk orders of supplies, including Jewish camping community is learning from summer will be all the more eager to go this of extra beds, Fingerman said. FJC is trying tents, masks and other personal protective last year’s examples about what to do — and time. The added allure of a summer spent to amplify those efforts by asking the camps equipment. If camps can actually grow their what to avoid. in nature may also be attractive to families to share their ideas — the deadline is Friday. capacity, Fingerman explained, they can grow Natural bubble: This year, camps can whose children have never been to camp but The umbrella group will then offer funds to their profit margin on each camper, and start anticipate safety concerns in advance, and who have been stuck indoors for over a year. help implement and share the most useful the process of healing financially. “In normal exploit the inherent advantages that come “If there ever was a time for camp, it’s now. suggestions at camps around the country. To times, camps are a good business,” Fingerman with running programs that largely take place Kids need it. Parents need it,” Fingerman said. support its efforts, FJC received funding from added. “But they reinvest in themselves.” JN outdoors. In some ways, camps are very safe Adding to the number of domestic campers the Jewish Community Response and Impact places to be in a pandemic, Fingerman said. are the American kids who usually go to Fund, the $91 million pool of grants and loans Helen Chernikoff is The Daily Phil’s reporter. She Much of camp happens outside, or in massive, has worked in Jewish media for a decade, and Canadian camps, but who will stay in the U.S. created by foundations and federations in came to eJP from the Forward, where she was an airy tents. It will be easy for camps to imitate if Canada continues its closed-border policy. response to the pandemic. Early possibilities award-winning senior news editor. This article first the NBA, turning themselves into a kind of Structural changes: Camps will have include renting property from neighbors, tent appeared in ejewishphilanthropy.com.

SUMMER 20Twenty-FUN at Scripps College Safe, Fun, & Meaningful

Registration & Information wbtcamps.org

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 17 SPECIAL SECTION

CAMP & SCHOOL GUIDE Camp directors strive for safe and COVID-free summer experiences

ADAM REINHERZ | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

t's still March, but camp directors camp, during summer 2020 — and will create a COVID-free Iand other Jewish professionals are do so again this year, she explained. environment, the camp thinking about June's archery, kayaks Rachael Speck, director of J&R Day is reducing enrollment and rope climbing. With summer camp Camp, has been directing families to by nearly 50 kids. slated to begin in approximately three the JCC’s website for updates regarding Removing one boys’ months, staff are feverishly preparing summer 2021. Information regarding bunk and one girls’ for the challenge of operating during meals, before- and after-care, sanitization bunk is part of a larger a pandemic. and staffing is provided. camp commitment, Aaron Cantor, director of Emma The JCC has not determined yet whether explained Lisa David, Kaufmann Camp in West Virginia, has it will be able to offer bus transportation Harlam’s director. routinely spoken with partners from the to the day camp in Monroeville as it In addition to asking Campers at Chabad's Camp Gan Izzy day camp in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PHOTO COURTESY OF RABBI YISROEL ALTEIN Jewish Community Center Association of did prior to summer 2020, as it “is an campers to self-isolate North America, and has “relied heavily on inherently difficult task” to ensure full prior to camp, there will be COVID to have a playdate,” she said. CDC reports,” he said. coronavirus safety compliance on buses, testing upon arrival, ongoing testing and Anderson has been preparing for Cantor, like other overnight camp officials said. Families will be updated in podding, said David: “The hope is that months to make overnight camp possible directors, is also relying on the American time to allow alternative transportation after some period of time, we might be for the 200 kids who plan on attending Camp Association’s Field Guide and plans to be made if necessary. able to open those pods a bit to a more this summer. communicating with professionals who Camp Gan Izzy, a Chabad camp in typical camp experience.” “For me as a camp director, I have been safely opened and operated last summer. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is in a similar Even so, at least at the start, there looking at this like a marathon, not a In June 2020, the JCC announced boat, explained its director, Rabbi will be additional changes to daily camp sprint,” she said. “We’ve been taking our that per “West Virginia’s Guidance for Sruly Altein. life. Dining hall operations, trips out of time and going through this process and Organized Camps,” and its prohibition “If we can do transportation we’ll do it, camp, general housekeeping and cleaning looking at every aspect of things, which of groups of more than 25 people, as well but it depends on the guidelines,” he said. practices are all being revisited. we will until the start of camp. We’re as recommendations issued by other local Last summer, Gan Izzy opened, but Whereas in past years, visitors have learning things every single day, and for and national authorities, EKC would not decided to adopt shorter days due to “too been able to come up to camp for limited me, someone who loves to plan, we’ve operate during summer 2020. many limitations,” said Altein. periods each session, that option has been learned that you can plan only so much Although COVID-19 cases are This summer, Gan Izzy plans on changed for summer 2021. in this pandemic — but I also believe that currently higher now than they were returning to a full-day schedule. “Anytime anyone is arriving in camp, we can open camp successfully and safely eight months ago, there’s a real difference “We have enough timing to adjust to that’s a risk because it almost hits the this summer.” between summer 2021 and last year, whatever is necessary,” said Altein. “If reset button with anyone they’ve come Families who are considering summer explained Cantor. there are limitations on field trips then in contact with,” said David. camp should reach out and ask questions, “We’ve had time to prepare, and learn we’ll bring in more programming.” “Camp is needed now more than said Anderson: “Please call. We may not and relearn about how we have to interact Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh also ever,” she stressed. “Over this past have the answers right now, but we want in groups of people,” said Cantor. A abbreviated its camp schedule last summer year, there has been a lot of loss and people to know it’s an option to go to playbook for the summer, with protocols — the six-week day camp was halved. disconnection. The opportunity to Jewish summer camp this year.” and procedures, has been developed and Rabbi Sam Weinberg, Hillel Academy’s come to camp, be outside, unplug and With everything that has transpired should hopefully be available within the principal, said camp would certainly be develop social and communicative skills, during the past 12 months, she said, next two weeks, he added. offered again, but wouldn’t commit to challenge themselves and have fun is “being able to come to camp, and “The health and safety of our families how many weeks the program will run. particularly meaningful.” swim, and run around and be free — is our first priority,” said Fara Marcus, “This year will depend on the COVID Robin Anderson, director of Camp don’t we all wish we could have that JCC’s division director of development situation,” he said. Young Judaea Midwest in Waupaca, right now?” JN and strategic marketing. Camp Harlam, a Union of Reform Wisconsin, agreed. “I think every kid That mindset dictated last summer’s Judaism overnight camp in Kunkletown, needs to be at camp this summer and Adam Reinherz is a staff writer for Pittsburgh decisions regarding camp — the JCC Pennsylvania, offers two three-and- be a kid, and not worry about going Jewish Chronicle, a Jewish News-affiliated safely opened and operated J&R, its day a-half week sessions. In an effort to to Zoom school or not being able publication.

Interest-Free Loans for Summer Camp and Education

18 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

BOOK REVIEW Reviews: Fashion’s flaws, getting a get Beauty hurts in editor’s essays

SOPHIE PANZER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Everybody (Else) Is Perfect: How in white supremacist beauty standards. The title of the book comes from another I Survived Hypocrisy, Beauty, “I understood that as a white Jewish toxic phenomenon Korn identifies: how Clicks, and Likes” lesbian, the parts of my identity that might often women are willing to declare other Gabrielle Korn marginalize me were largely invisible; I was women beautiful while privately tormenting Atria Books benefiting from the system while being themselves over perceived flaws. Even tokenized by it,” she writes. as brands push “woke” lifestyles and hen Gabrielle Korn was a Jewish Toxicity in the fashion and media people become increasingly willing to teenager growing up on Long W industries is often played for laughs in support body diversity and empowerment Island, fashion fell into two categories. pop culture — think “The Devil Wears for others, many remain incapable of Korn and her peers could be either Prada” or even “Zoolander” — but embracing themselves. Jewish American Princesses, clad in velour Korn articulates the deeply personal sweatsuits and Tiffany jewelry, or emo kids Korn is bracingly honest about her and disturbing toll of a workplace that in black hoodies and Converse sneakers. struggles to find meaningful work and She fell somewhere in the middle and put glorifies impossible beauty standards. She healthy relationships in her industry’s vortex together outfits consisting of bat mitzvah battles anorexia for years amid peers who of image obsession and personal branding. jewelry layered over band T-shirts or dresses compliment her dangerous weight loss (she Even more intriguing are her abilities as with combat boots. weighs around 100 pounds at her lightest a cultural commentator; in one essay, she In her essay collection “Everybody (Else) and sickest), promote unhealthy fad diets successfully ties the restrictive skinny jeans Is Perfect: How I Survived Hypocrisy, and issue passive-aggressive judgments if trend of the early ’00s to the politics of the Beauty, Clicks, and Likes,” the former she dares to eat a bagel. Bush administration. editor-in-chief of Nylon chronicles her Korn is also the grandchild of Holocaust Reading the book during an journey to the upper echelons of fashion survivors and writes about how she first unprecedented health and economic crisis and beauty media. She also details her learned about the atrocity from her parents’ makes it difficult to sympathize with her explanations of her grandmother’s hurtful fight to use her role to make the industry stories of six-figure salary negotiations and “Everybody (Else) Is Perfect: How I Survived more inclusive to people of different races, behavior, like telling Korn she was ugly to attending fashion week, but her grueling Hypocrisy, Beauty, Clicks, and Likes,” genders, sexual orientations and body sizes. “ward off the evil eye.” A link between quest for inclusivity and self-acceptance in by Gabrielle Korn COURTESY OF ATRIA BOOKS Korn balances accounts of the trauma and outward appearances is an industry built on exclusion forms the misogyny and homophobia she encounters established early in her childhood, and basis of a book that is both compelling as an out lesbian in a largely straight the pattern reproduces viciously in the memoir and haunting exposé. JN workforce with her awareness of the fashion world, where constant insecurity privilege that allows her to obtain is weaponized against workers and eating Sophie Panzer is a staff writer for Jewish positions of influence in a system rooted disorders are common. Exponent, a Jewish News-affiliated publication.

Married woman seeks get at knifepoint

JESSE BERNSTEIN | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“The Slaughterman’s Daughter” assumed town fool Zizek Breshov in her characters, as well as with the secret agent Yaniv Iczkovits, translated by journey to find Mende’s husband and force of the Russian Empire who’s meant to be Orr Scharf him to sign a get. The road from Motal somewhat menacing, can be a drag. Schocken to Minsk, it turns out, is longer than the Fanny, the vilde chaya of the village and miles the pair sets out to cover; the chaos the one-time apprentice to her shochet he year is 5654 in the Pale of Settlement that ensues will ask them to trek across their father, wields her knife across the Pale, (1894 to you Gregorians out there). T entire lives, as misunderstandings and a few slitting and threatening her way to Minsk Mende Speismann’s holy fool of a sticky rumors soon involve the secret police, while she tries to figure out how to reconcile husband has run off some time ago, leaving hostile locals, the czar’s army and a terrible her lives as a mother, wife, Jew and woman. her an impoverished agunah dependent Iczkovits’ story is often funny, if a bit on the generosity of her sister Fanny’s cantor named Shleiml. old-hat in its sense of humor, which makes comparatively wealthy husband. Iczkovits, a celebrated Israeli writer with the conclusions he appears to arrive at In a fit of indulgence, Mende turns the several novels to his name, sets out to regarding religion, conformity and the handful of rubles she’s scraped together for tell a rollicking, madcap tale, and mostly calamities to come to these Jews of the Pale survival into a disastrously expensive day at succeeds. He populates his story with a feel oddly harsh. He demonstrates real love the market, ending her spree only with a mix of original characters and stock Jews, for the characters of “The Slaughterman’s plunge into the Yaselda River. She survives, with a nattering mother-in-law here and a Daughter,” though the space given to some but Fanny, the strange, wolfishly intense cantor straight out of Chelm there. When overestimates the extent to which readers younger sister, knows that Mende was born Iczkovits stays with the perspectives of might feel the same. And in a 515-page to be a wife and mother, and that she’ll his most compelling characters — Fanny, novel, Iczkovits may have done well to take never be happy in the world she returns to Mende, a painter named Ignat Shepkin after Fanny, and carve with a little more unless some things are made right. and Zizek (forced to leave his Jewish name and past behind after he’s conscripted into precision. JN Unhappy with her loving but mostly “The Slaughterman’s Daughter,” by Yaniv silent husband, and determined to give the czar’s army) — the book is a pleasure. Jesse Bernstein is a staff writer for Jewish Iczkovits, translated by Orr Scharf Mende a better life, Fanny enlists the But the time spent with some of the stock Exponent, a Jewish News-affiliated publication. COURTESY OF SCHOCKEN

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 19 CALENDAR Featured Event SUNDAY, MARCH 21 The Jewish Perspective on Immigration: 3 p.m. Review the history of immigration from biblical documentation. Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley will discuss how the Israelites formed a nation during the Exodus from Egypt and share biblical laws relating to the equitable and compassionate treatment of strangers. Los Angeles-based Joe Goldman, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society’s community engagement director for the western region, will share the history of HIAS from its founding 139 years ago. Cost: Free. Contact the JCSVV at Watching Sunrise at Mt. Sinai jcsvv.org/contact to get a link to the virtual program. PHOTO BY: PET_R LICENSED UNDER CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 VIA FLICKR

Events secularism, the rise of the Christian right and we make that might parallel the sacrifices in learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your the growing strength of Orthodox Jews. Cost. ancient times. For more information and to attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov online. Passover Grain Collection: March 22-26. $18. For more information and to register, visit obtain the virtual meeting link, visit jcsvv.org/ Cost: Free. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/ Cleansing your home of leavened bread? Donate bjephoenix.org. contact. YJPclass. For more information, visit your bread to Arizona Jews for Justice, and we chabadaz.com. will gift it to our unsheltered neighbors. Drop off Remembering the Exodus after George Floyd, Exploring Broadway: 2-3:15 p.m. As our culture grains at 4645 E. Marilyn Rd. o”h: 2-3 p.m. The commandment to remember has changed over the years, so too have 39 Ways to Repair the World: In celebration the Exodus serves as both a theological and Broadway musicals shifted to reflect our altering of Rabbi Shmuly’s 39th birthday, he is teaching Pick up a Haggadah: Need a Passover ethical principle which has accompanied the tastes, interests, priorities, lives. Join popular the 39 melachot over the year (1 per week for Haggadah? Robin Meyerson, co-director of Jewish people throughout our history. Learn the San Francisco Bay Area instructor James Sokol 39 weeks). Each session will be between 15-20 Project Inspire Arizona and chair of the Shabbos role the story of the Exodus plays for American to explore some of the Broadway musicals that minutes long on Tuesdays. Cost: Suggested Project Arizona, has collected donated Haggadot Jews and how it informs both our ethical broke new ground and shaped the evolution $18 donation. For more information, visit for anybody who needs one. They are in a box responsibilities today and how we engage in of this popular and indigenous art form. Video valleybeitmidrash.org. outside of her house available to be picked the study of textual traditions composed by performance clips bring the magic & excitement TUESDAYS, JAN. 12 - MAY 25 up. Cost: Free. Email Meyerson at robin@ those under oppression. Cost. $18. For more of musical theater into our discussion. Cost: $15 projectinspireaz.com for her address. Introduction to Judaism: 7-9 p.m. Learn the information and to register, visit bjephoenix.org. per device. Contact James at jsokol@marinjcc. basics of Judaism with Rabbi Nitzan Stein org with questions. For more information and to Live Music at The J: Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m. Career Fair for Veterans: 12-4 p.m. Kokin. For more information or to register, visit Come outside the J for an afternoon concert RecruitMilitary and DAV will host the Western register, visit mpjcc.org. bethelphoenix.com/adult-education. featuring music and samplings from the String Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans, SATURDAY, MARCH 20 WEDNESDAYS Quartet canon. We will be socially-distanced open to all transitioning members of the Game & Chill night: 7-9 p.m. Hebrew High invites Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. An online class while sitting outside and wearing masks. Space is military, veterans, military spouses and eighth graders to virtually meet other Jewish taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves limited so register now. Cost: $30 for members, dependents. RecruitMilitary’s virtual events teens from across the valley including current into texts and references culled from our $45 for guests. Location: 12701 N. Scottsdale are technologically enhanced to provide Hebrew High students and learn about Hebrew traditions to address a relevant topic and draw Road. For more information, visit personal interaction among job candidates and High opportunities for high schoolers. The event uplifting life lessons from it. For more information apm.activecommunities.com/valleyofthesunjcc. employers in large group, small group and one- will start with Havdalah and include games and or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com. on-one formats. For more information and to the chance to win some prizes. Cost: Free. RSVP Virtual Meetings, Lectures register, visit recruitmilitary.careereco.com/Fair/ at bjephoenix.org. The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. An online & Classes UpcomingFairs#1. Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen TUESDAY, MARCH 23 Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel FRIDAY, March 12 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 FRIDA KAHLO: 11 a.m. As part of the Jane Steinsaltz, focusing on the many foundational Holocaust Survivors Speaker Series: 10 a.m. Begged and Borrowed: 1 p.m. The Celtic music Przelica Presentation Series, learn via Zoom and transformational concepts of Kaballah The Arizona Jewish Historical Society is holding duo will perform live online for a St. Patty’s Day about Frida Kahlo, who is considered one of the and Jewish Mysticism and applying them to its next online seminar in this series with Leon Celebration, complete with Celtic harp, flute, great artists of the 20th century. Cost: Free. For everyday life. For more information or to join, Kleiner. Learn about a notoriously cruel anti- whistles and Irish bouzouki. Cost: Free. For more more information, visit [email protected]. visit cbtvirtualworld.com. Semite who risked his own life to save a young information, visit [email protected]. TUESDAY, MARCH 30 JACS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Virtual support group for Jewish boy and his siblings. Cost: Free. Morning minyan: 8:30 a.m. The Jewish Lady in Gold: 11 a.m.-noon. Thanks to the 2015 RSVP to [email protected]. Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley movie “Woman in Gold,” the portrait of Viennese family on the first and third Wednesdays of the SUNDAY, March 14 is offering a virtual morning minyan. For more socialite Adele Bloch-Bauer painted by Gustav month. Cost: Free. For more information, email Coffee and Conversation: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. information and to obtain the link, visit jcsvv.org/ Klimt in 1907, has become famous. Learn the [email protected] or call 602-692-1004. American Friends of Magen David Adom is contact. stories the painting tells via Zoom. Cost: Free. For hosting professor Eilat Shinar for a presentation more information, visit [email protected]. Torah Studies: Noon. Take a weekly journey Meditation: 4 p.m. The Jewish Community of to the soul of Torah online with Rabbi Yossi about the lifesaving mission of Magen David Sedona and the Verde Valley is offering a virtual MONDAYS Adom in Israel and an update on the Marcus Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit meditation session. For more information and to Partners in Torah: 7:30 p.m. Join a growing chabadaz,com National Blood Services Center. Cost: Free. obtain the link, visit jcsvv.org/contact. group of inspired learners with Project Contact Sam Mentz at [email protected] or Inspire. Cost: Free. Tune in at: us04web.zoom. Lunch & Learn: 12:15 PM. Grab some food and Mystical and psychological perspectives on 323-655-4566 ext. 407 with any questions. us/j/3940479736#success, password is 613. learn online with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: the seder: 9-10 a.m. Explore the centrality For more information, email Robin Meyerson at Free. Tune in on Zoom by emailing info@ MONDAY, March 15 of speech and storytelling to the seder. Cost. Beauty, Mystery and Significance: 1-2:30 p.m. [email protected]. ChabadTucson.com. For more information, $18. For more information and to register, visit visit ChabadTucson.com Dr. Jennifer J. Wiseman, the director of the AAAS valleybeitmidrash.org. Ethics of Our Fathers: 7 p.m. Learn with Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion and an Rabbi Zalman Levertov online. Tune in at: bit. Words & Whiskey: 8:30 p.m. Join a free weekly, Songs and stories, Argentinian Ardor: 2-3 p.m. astrophysicist at NASA, will give a presentation ly/2Y0wdgv. Cost: Free. For more information, virtual learning session for men. To RSVP, email The Tango, the dance and its music, is one of as part of a national program called “Scientists visit chabadaz.com. [email protected] or call/text 310-709-3901. in Synagogues.” Cost: $18. For more information Argentina’s most prized possessions. Join Gilda 1-3 p.m. On the second and and to register, visit valleybeitmidrash.org. Solve for a live performance. Cost: Free until Quotable Quotes by our Sages: 7 p.m. Learn Knit a Mitzvah: March 10; $12.50 until March 8; $15 until 1:35 p.m. with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov online. Tune in at: fourth Wednesdays of the month, check in with TUESDAY, March 16 March 17. Tickets are per device. Contact James JewishParadiseValley.com/class. Cost: Free. For fellow knitters who are making items to donate Yiddish Club: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Share the at [email protected] with any questions. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. as part of this Brandeis National Committee warmth and humor of Yiddish online with Rabbi more information and to register, visit mpjcc.org. Phoenix chapter study group. For more Laibel Blotner. Cost: Free. For more information, Learning to Trust in God: 7:30 p.m. Learn information, contact Ronee Siegel at THURSDAY, MARCH 18 visit jfcsaz.org. with Rabbi Yossi Friedman online. Tune in at: [email protected]. Tea for Three: 11 a.m. A Betty Ford monologue ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more Women in Comedy, A Subversive History: 2 p.m. online featuring Kandyce Hughes will kick off a information, visit chabadaz.com. WEDNESDAYS, FEB. 3 - APRIL 7 The Center for Senior Enrichment, under the new monthly series featuring actors from the The Lights of Rav Kook: 11 a.m. Learn the auspices of Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Herberger Theater. For more information, visit Torah & Tea: 7:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi foundational roots of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak is offering a new look at gender in comedy. jfcsaz.org. Yossie Shemtov online. Cost: Free. For more HaCohen Kook’s teachings and the soaring winds Women in Comedy: A Subversive History information, visit Facebook.com/ChabadTucson. of his vision. Cost: $18. For more information, Torah Study: 4 p.m. Rabbi Alicia Magal of the will be presented via Zoom. For more visit valleybeitmidrash.org. Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde TUESDAYS information, visit jfcsaz.org. : 6:30-8:30 Valley will lead a Torah study on the opening Keep Calm and Play Mahjong THURSDAYS p.m. Play mahjong from home with myjongg. The Way We Were: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The portion of Leviticus, Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1- 5:26) Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Learn about the Bureau of Jewish Education offers an adult telling of the laws concerning sacrifices offered net. Cost: Free. To join a table, email Nicole at women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov education class that takes a look at American in the Tabernacle. Discussion will focus on how [email protected]. online. Cost: Free. Tune in at: ourjewishcenter. Jews in the 1970s and the 1980s, particularly people express a range of emotions such as guilt Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. A class com/virtual. For more information, the women’s liberation movement, growing and gratitude today, and what kinds of offerings exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, visit chabadaz.com.

20 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM CALENDAR

Talmud - Maakos: 11 a.m. Learn with Rabbi information and to obtain the Zoom link, Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Tune in at: visit jcsvv.org/contact. JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Say kiddush information, visit chabadaz.com. with Rabbi Mendy levertov online. Cost: Free. 11:00 a.m. Explore The Science of Everything: Tune in here: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For REACH HIGHLY EDUCATED, AFFLUENT READERS IN THE VALLEY the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the more information, visit chabadaz.com. Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Cost: Free. Tune in at: Shabbat at Beth El: 11-11:45 a.m. Celebrate zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, Shabbat with songs, blessings and inspirational visit chabadaz.com. Target over 42,500 Jewish readers teachings. Rabbi Stein Kokin from Beth El Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Congregation will lead us the first Friday of with a mix of print and digital. Tzvi Rimler online, Cost: Free. Tune in at: every month. Special guests will be welcoming https://cteen.clickmeeting.com/east-valley. Shabbat during the remainder of the month. Print | Digital | For more information, visit chabadaz.com. For more information or to join, THURSDAYS, JAN. 14 - MARCH 25 visit bethelphoenix.com. Israel and the Middle East Through the Lens Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:45 a.m. Join the JFCS Upcoming Special Sections of Ever-Changing Events in the US, Israel and Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment each Friday the Middle East: 12:30 -2 p.m. A Bureau of for a soothing and inspiring program to welcome Jewish Phoenix course taught by Meir Jolovitz. Shabbat. Each week a different guest host will An examination of the implications of the lead the program with song and celebration. election and current events. Cost: $130. For more Cost: Free. For more information, information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org. visit jfcsaz.org/cse. FRIDAYS, MARCH 12-MAY 14 EVERY THIRD FRIDAY, JAN. 15-DEC. 31 Passover Wise Aging: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Third Friday Shabbat: 7- 8 p.m. The Desert March 19, 26 Phoenix course designed specifically to meet the Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a social, emotional and spiritual needs of Jewish virtual abbreviated Shabbat service followed by seekers entering second adulthood. Explore a program. Contact Andrea at 480-664-8847 for Show your support of the tools and resources to age wisely through more information. the lens of Jewish wisdom. Learn positive ways the Jewish community to navigate a meaningful transition to your Seniors by wishing them a next chapter on life’s journey. $130. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org. MONDAYS Happy Passover! Dance Fusion with Michele Dionisio: SATURDAYS 11 a.m.-noon. Presented by JFCS Center for Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more Hosted by Hospice of the Valley. Join via Zoom. information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. For more information and event link, visit vosjcc.org/j-at-home-adults. Featured Presentation: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors Mondays and Wednesdays to learn from SUNDAYS a variety of presenters about topical issues, like Soul Study: 7:15 a.m. An online class exploring Q&As with medical professionals, entertainers the secrets of the Tanya and Jewish mysticism, and lectures. Cost: Free. For full details visit taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche. Cost: Free. Home Design sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov Anxiety in the Modern World: 6 p.m. Learn the at [email protected]. & Real Estate secrets of the Torah for living stress-free in the TUESDAYS current environment in a virtual class with Rabbi March 19 Brain Games with Friends: 2-3 p.m. Challenge Boruch, with Chabad of Oro Valley. Cost: Free. your brains while having fun. Experts believe Tune in using this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. that active learning helps maintain brain health Whether you’re in the For more information, visit chabadaz.com. by preventing loss of cognitive skills such as business of repair and Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Learn about the of the memory, reasoning and judgment. For more Chassidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. information or to register, visit renovati on or buying Cost: Free. Tune in using this link: ChabadAZ. vosjcc.org/j-at-home-adults. and selling homes, com/LiveClass. For more information, visit 11 a.m. Join Smile on chabadaz.com. Movie Discussion Group: Jewish News readers Seniors on the third Tuesday of every month need your services. Passover Q&A: 7:30 p.m. Have a question hosted by Issy Lifshitz. Cost: Free. For full details related to Passover? Ask it here with Rabbi and the movie of the month visit sosaz.org/ Mendy Levertov. Cost: Free. Tune in using this virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more [email protected]. information, visit chabadaz.com. WEDNESDAYS Jewish War Veterans Post 210: 10 a.m. Any Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. A guided class Senior Lifestyle active duty service member or veteran is in yoga without having to get down on the floor. welcome to join monthly meetings, now Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. April 2 virtual, every third Sunday, Cost: Free. For Cost: Free. For more information, more information, email Michael Chambers at visit jfcsaz.org/cse. From home health aides [email protected]. THURSDAYS to fi nancial planners, Shabbat In the Kitchen with Benita: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the fourth Thursday of every independent living FRIDAY, MARCH 12 month for some delicious cooking or baking fun! faciliti es to nursing homes, In-person Shabbat Service: 6:15 p.m. Beginning Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual March 12, Friday evening Shabbat services will be or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at [email protected]. this is the perfect venue held in Congregation Beth Israel’s Rosenzweig to showcase how your Courtyard and will be limited to 30 people, FRIDAYS excluding clergy and staff. Members and guests Adult Chair Ballet Class: Noon-12:45 p.m. business can help older must be at least 10 years old. Participants must Join Jennifer Cafarella and Elaine Seretis from Jewish residents navigate pre-register by Thursday at 5 p.m. Priority will be Ballet Theatre of Phoenix as they teach a ballet given to members first and then guests. If there class that will help improve strength, flexibility, these challenging ti mes. are more requests than available seats a lottery movement and balance. No prior dance system will be used. To make your reservation, experience required. Presented by the JFCS contact Gail Gilmartin at 480-951-0323 or at Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. JEWISHAZ.COM [email protected]. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. FRIDAYS Musical Friday: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Alicia on the first Friday of every month for a musical Contact your sales consultant to schedule Magal will lead a service livstreamed for presentation. Cost: Free. For full details visit members of the Jewish Community of Sedona sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at your advertising at [email protected] and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more [email protected]. JN

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 21 COMMUNITY

Car pirate Purim costumes galore A young pirate is chauffeured through Temple Beth Sholom of Purim brought out a crowd and a plethora of costumes at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley PHOTO BY MICHELE MILLMAN the East Valley’s Purim celebration PHOTO BY MICHELE MILLMAN

Clowning for Purim Enjoying a clown's life for a day at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley’s Purim celebration. PHOTO BY MICHELE MILLMAN

Bernie or bust Purim was the perfect opportunity to dress up as the popular Bernie meme. PHOTO BY RABBI JORDAN BRUMER

This COMMUNITY page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each Mishloach manot Volunteers gathered to assemble hundreds of mishloach manot bags for Purim. Pictured from left: Jody week to [email protected] by 10 a.m. Monday. Bartel, Kim Kotzin, Judy Reichman and Antonia Schnaid PHOTO BY RABBI LEVI LEVERTOV

22 MARCH 12, 2021 JEWISH NEWS JEWISHAZ.COM Jeri Smith passed away on February 23, 2021, leaving behind her larger-than-life personality and passion for seeking out the newest and best — always on a quest for the next best thing, while never forgetting those she loved. Born on Sept. 22, 1952, in Phoenix, she enjoyed watching iconic mid-century Phoenix buildings being created as she grew up. The most notable of these buildings was her father’s, Norman Smith, Tower Liquor, a first-of-its- kind drive-thru liquor store in Phoenix, which embraced the unique Phoenix mid-century design esthetic. Jeri attended Central High School in Phoenix, graduating in 1970, and the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she met her beloved husband, Bruce Smith. Jeri transferred to Arizona State University, where she graduated in 1974. Jeri and Bruce married that year and moved to New York City, where they started Bruce Smith, Ltd. as equal partners — a diamond dealer and wholesaler doing business throughout the world. Headquartered in Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, they specialized in loose stones and colored diamonds called “fancies.” Jeri will always be remembered as a maven (an expert and connoisseur) of culture, dining, art, theater and personal advice, whose running Juli Fthe works on lesson plns for in-person nd online instruction. PHOTO BY KARILEE JEANTET commentaries on these interests, as well as issues of the day, were always imbued with New York-style sophistication and satire. Old friends from ANNIVERSARY be focused on content with a professional Phoenix would ask Jeri for the best new places to go in Phoenix, and Jeri CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 staff who have learned how to work amid always knew even though she hadn’t lived there in over 45 years. COVID conditions, she said. The it worked. The kids had been watching Jeri and Bruce enjoyed a wonderful 47-year marriage, one that Bruce their mask-wearing counselors since camp specialists she’s hired are teachers who believes was bashert, Yiddish for God bringing two people together as began, and — as with adults — mask- are used to dealing with COVID while destiny. Jeri and Bruce enjoyed the best of New York’s culture, travels wearing became their new normal. offering in-person instruction. around the world, lifelong friends, and growing up and being together “I was beyond pleasantly surprised how “We learned we don’t need all of the for five decades. Since losing Jeri, Bruce observed, “Jeri was loving and adaptable all these kids were to wearing frills like field trips,” she said. “Campers kind, strong and sensitive, and made my life incredible both as my wife and the masks,” Subrin said. and staff love the old school opportunities life partner, and as my business partner. My love for her and her love and understanding for me are eternal.” She soon learned that remaining calm of playing, socializing and getting to and being open with her staff was vital to know one another.” Jeri was predeceased by her parents Norman and Fern Satin of Phoenix running a camp during COVID. Hiding Shemesh campers will play and socialize and is survived by her husband Bruce Smith. A private service was held in her memory in Scottsdale. anything is anathema to success. In the in two-week sessions this summer instead midst of the counselors testing positive of the single week of earlier models. The and the campers getting used to masks, it extra time allows kids to build stronger was critical to remember how much trust Barbara L Serbin passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on 3/1/2021. She relationships with one another and the community put in Shemesh, she said. was 90. She is survived by her son Gary, her daughters Ellen and A year later, she is taking all that she connect more with their counselors, Deborah, her daughter in law, Lisa, and her son in law, Eric Swanson; her grandchildren; Daniel, Rebecca, Michael, Jacob, Joshua, Matthew, learned and preparing to have a summer Subrin suggested. “COVID made us think outside the and Noah; and her great grandchildren, Yaakov and Nosson Tzvi. She minus the “bummer.” is also survived by many in laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins. She While last summer they were primarily box and be more creative,” she said. “And was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Arnold L. Serbin, and her focused on safety precautions, now they’ll that’s something that won’t go away.” JN parents Abraham and Pearl (Berlin) Ainbinder. After graduating from Midwood High School, she wanted to get as far away from Brooklyn, NY, where she grew up, as she could and she knew a woman who attended the University of Arizona, so she came to Tucson. One of the first people she met was a guy setting up for a concert. The Arnold CLIMATE to diet. “This starts with each morally CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Serbin Band was playing out on the steps of the library. She and Arnold Serbin married in responsible food bite we take.” 1954 and were married for 58 years. After graduation, she later attended the University Yanklowitz has been vegan for more marches and contacting elected officials to of Iowa where she got a Masters Degree. After teaching in Berwyn, IL, she and Arnold than a decade. and their three children settled in Phoenix in 1963. She was an active member of the advocate for pro-climate policy changes. “My work here is very unpopular,” he community, being active in Jewish Family & Children’s Service, the Beth El Sisterhood, “We really need action on all three levels said. “I have found that few things are etc... Graveside services will be held at Beth El Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren St in Phoenix — the individual level, the community more threatening to people than going on 3/2/2021. Contributions can be made to Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave, level and the systemic level,” she said, Phoenix, AZ 85021 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014 after the food they love.” but community is the “key” and change No matter the vehicle somebody starts with an individual. chooses to use, immediate action is “People change because of the people Phoenix-based Daniel Stein Kokin, a products, and beef in particular. around them. It’s all about changing necessary, all the panelists agreed. There Jewish studies scholar, was one of 173 “I see the research that really points social norms. And I think that’s where the is no larger-than-life hero coming to save people who tuned into the conference. to the production of beef as really the Jewish community can really make such humanity, Yanklowitz said. He watched the panel on activism and leading contributor to greenhouse gases a huge difference,” she said. “If we can Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Rubenstien of came away with the conclusion that both in the food production system,” he said. change the norms in our communities, Temple Beth Israel in Eugene, Oregon, changes at an individual and societal level Less than a week after the conference, we can change the way people behave and noted it’s already too late to save are necessary to address climate change. ASU’s Center For Jewish Studies hosted the way they get involved.” everything. “Some things are already “Shmuly is definitely right that you can Stein Kokin to perform his original Yanklowitz said legislative change is lost,” she said, including some cultures pass all the legislation in the world, but prayer for the monsoon and discuss the crucial, but it also leaves society in a very and species. “And yet we have to love and if you haven’t really changed people’s intersection of Jewish thought, liturgy, “tenuous” and “flimsy” situation because save what can yet be saved.” attitudes, then you give rise to potential localism and environmentalism. policy changes can be reversed. Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, rabbi difficulties down the road,” he said. “On “Writing this prayer was an opportunity “We need a spiritual evolution to save at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist the other hand, there’s no question that for me to grapple with the concerns I have the planet,” he said. He emphasized Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, the overall structures of society have a about the current drought in Arizona, individual behavioral changes can be said climate action now will still have huge impact.” and to create a kind of public communal better sustained and more reliable in a “small but measurable difference for Stein Kokin credits Yanklowitz for his consciousness about that situation,” the long term. Again he brought it back those in the future.” own reduced consumption of animal he said. JN

JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISH NEWS MARCH 12, 2021 23 SUBMIT YOUR READERS’ CHOICE NOMINATIONS FOR THE BEST OF JEWISH PHOENIX!

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