Shir Notes The Official Newsletter of Congregation Shir Ami Volume 11, Number 9, November 2013 Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Rabbi’s Column Events of the Month As I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving/Hanukkah this year, I realize that technology has helped reduce stress in

my life. Immensely! And for this I am truly thankful! Shabbat services at Temple Ramat Zion Consider: When I used to write papers and reports, I would

Saturday, November 2, 10:30 am have to retype each draft. Move a paragraph from here to there, retype the Birthday Shabbat report. Three would be the max. Today, I can endlessly correct my paper. I Saturday, November 9, 10:30 am can cut and paste any number of times. And the final product might have Saturday, November 16, 10:30 am gone through 50 drafts. Saturday, November 23, 10:30 am Anniversary Shabbat Digital photography has changed my life. Both still and moving. Instead of Saturday, November 30, 10:30 am portioning out my shot taking to save on film and developing, I can take as ------many shots and as much footage as I want, costing me nothing, and edit in Around the Rabbi’s Tisch my computer. Thursdays, Nov. 7, 14, & 21; 7:30 pm at the Vorspans’ If I wanted to watch a TV show, I could only do so on the day and time it was shown. No recording it for later. And to change the channel on the TV, or Our 5774 season of Rabbi’s popular adjust the sound, I had to get up from my comfortable chair, walk to the TV, weekly discussion around his dining and physically make the adjustments. Today...well, you know! room table continues. Join us for an opportunity to learn Jewish wisdom GPS makes it easy to find my way. Voice mail and answering machines mean and discuss current topics of Jewish I don’t have to repeatedly call someone until they get home. interest. Call Rabbi at (818) 888- 9817 or see flyer for more details. E-mailing has taken the place of the arduous task of writing a letter, finding a ------stamp, and mailing it. And it would take several days for them to get it. And if I Shaina Vorspan were sending it to New York, I had to write “Air Mail” on the envelope! and Aaron I don’t have to visit my dermatologist as much. When I find something Brenner - wedding suspicious, I e-mail her a photograph. I don’t have to take a prescription to planned Thrifty’s. I go onto the hospital web site and with a couple of key strokes send for May in my request. They mail me my medicine.

The list is endless. And in 10 years there will be further advancements in technology to make what we do today seem backward and labor-intensive. So, while celebrating Thanksgiving, have an appreciative thought for our life of ease.

And when we light our Hanukkah candles, let us be thankful for this ritualistic act that requires no technology. Just a sense of history. And a sense of awe for the miracle that the light represents.

The miracle that we, the descendants of Mattetyahu and Judah, are still here to so enjoy life! Happy Thanksgiving Payee on Checks to Shir Ami Rabbi David Vorspan Our Treasurer, Clara Rosenbluth, was Visit our website: informed by our bank that all checks must www.shirami.com be payable to Congregation Shir Ami, NOT CSA as some were previously abbreviated. page 2 November 2013 Chanukah Dinner – Coming Early and Soon President’s Report by Sherry Dollins, Chairperson

Shalom, As disconcerting as it may be,

Happy Thanksgivukah! Yes, this year Chanukah begins in Novem- the first day of Chanukah (but not the ber this year. Please join us first night) falls on Thanksgiving Day. On the one at the annual Shir Ami Chan- hand, it makes for interesting recipes, such as turkey ukah Dinner to celebrate brined in Manischewitz wine. On the other hand, it together on Monday, Decem- nd means a lot of food, if you want to get it all in on one ber 2 at 6:30 PM in the night! So, what would be a more fitting way to Ramat Zion Social Hall. We’ll celebrate Thanksgivukah than sharing our abundance enjoy a delicious catered with others? Thanskgivukah is the perfect time to dinner of chicken, latkes, applesauce, roasted redouble our efforts to bring food for SOVA so that vegetables, fruit, beverage and dessert (including others can have a Happy Thanksgivukah. That’s the brownies and jelly donuts). Bring your Chanukiah and way we celebrate Thanksgivukah at Congregation candles for the community holiday candle lighting and Shir Ami. join us as we sing and celebrate this joyous holiday together. A highlight of the evening will be Rabbi In addition to Thanksgivukah, November marks Vorspan’s presentation of a special illustrated story. Mitzvah Day. We will be filling backpacks with school supplies in support of School on Wheels for children Please see the enclosed flyer for details and to R.S.V.P. in shelters. There will be many other projects in which We must receive your reservation, with payment th to participate and all are welcome, encouraged, and enclosed, by Wednesday, November 27 . yes, even nudged to join us. I hope that you will share this special program with my

family and me. As always, everyone is welcome to attend our weekly Shabbat services. If you haven’t yet seen our beauti- ful parochet created by Bonnie Vorpsan, you are Ann and Whitey Kutcher denying yourself one of the true pleasures of being a by Ellen Fremed member of Shir Ami. And when we say “services” we mean service: In by 10:30 am, out by 12:00 noon (or To old friends of Ann and Whitey: so). But what we can pack into that hour and a half is enough to ready you for the week ahead. Ann Kutcher fell and broke her hip. She is in the Jewish Home at 18855 Victory Blvd, in Reseda, One word of caution: When you have your Eisenberg Village, room 16 B. Her phone number is Thanksgivukah dinner, please remember to save a (818) 758-4032. Calls or visits would be appreciated. little room because as soon as the Thanksgiving weekend concludes, the next day (Monday, Whitey Kutcher is recuperating from pneumonia. He December 2) we will be having our Chanukkah dinner. was just transferred to a Board and Care at 7943 You may rest assured that it won’t be turkey! Make Woodlake Ave., between Saticoy & Roscoe. Visitors sure you get your reservations in. would be appreciated.

As for activities that feed the soul and the mind, rather than the body, Rabbi Vorspan continues Around the Congregation Shir Ami Tribute Cards Rabbi’s Tisch (and on the Rebbitzen’s chairs) every Thursday evening. Thanks to Phyllis Schroeder for sending your cards celebrating Again, Happy Thanksgivukah! simchas and conveying your get-

As always, if you have any questions or want to well and condolence messages.

provide your input, please feel free to email me at She is creative with indivualized, [email protected]. artistic cards that include a message

Thank you. and color graphics. Call her at (818) 718-7466. Jordan Pistol, President Minimum donation of $5 per card is appreciated.

page 3 November 2013 Birthdays & Anniversaries DONATIONS Congregation Shir Ami wishes to Birthdays

acknowledge the following donations: $ Sheilah Hart...... 11/1 Yahrzeits Shirley Esko...... 11/9 Susan Lipman...... 11/9 Esther Karalnick for Morris Stone Dan Simansky...... 11/17 Fran and Sam Kobulnick for Louis Suckman Sam Kobulnick...... 11/18 Ben Bloom for Hyman Bloom Armand Wazana...... 11/22 Jerry Gort for Joan Gort Isadore Perlmutter...... 11/25 Sam and Gerry Hochberg for Chaim Hochberg and Lou Loomis...... 11/29 Gert Salle Lynn Cherney for Miriam Forman Anniversaries Fiona Taylor for Shegva Mendoza Sondra and Robert Licht...... 11/10 50th Birthdays Peg and Jerry Kovar...... 11/14 31st Gerry and Sam Hochberg...... 11/24 56th Clara Rosenbluth Betty and Harvey Cohen...... 11/25 68th Ozzie Strassner . Gerry Hochberg Ann Potell Fran Kobulnick Mailbox Eitan Sela Dear Shir Ami friends, Anniversaries I want to thank everyone for all Carol and Irwin Koransky the cards and phone calls I received on behalf Ed and Laurie Orens of the passing of my sister Audrey Halem. Phyllis and Stan Schroeder She was a wonderful sister and I will always

miss her. Mailbox Sincerely, To our Shir Ami Family, Shirley Esko

On behalf of our entire family, Lou and I would like to express our appreciation for all of the emotional support and kindness on the passing of my Congregational News mother, Ann Goldfarb. Get well wishes rafuah schleimah to: Thank you for honoring her memory by sending Sam Kobulnick complications from tributes, and thank you, Rabbi Vorspan, for the knee surgery beautiful service you conducted. Lee Stark awaiting defibrillator surgery Love, Esther Karalnick recovering from facial surgery Paula and Lou Loomis May they be blessed with a complete recovery in

body and spirit.

Ralphs Rewards Program must re-enroll for the next year on or after Re-registration Required September 1. Follow the directions on page 11. If by Maralyn Soifer you haven’t already enrolled, there are directions for

Registering for the Ralphs Community you, also.

Contribution Program is an easy way to support Shir Ami receives a quarterly check based on our our congregation. Everyone currently registered purchases. Thank you for participating. page 4 November 2013

Social Action Committee Kazel for taking over Operation Gratitude, the collection of gently- November is always a very special month for Con- used or new books for our deployed gregation Shir Ami. We start off with Mitzvah Day military. This is a year-round project. We have arranged where our congregation, family, and friends and TRZ for some lovely surprises at Mitzvah Day too! come together to do many community Mitzvah I know many of you enjoyed hearing the speaker from projects. Special thanks to Rabbi Vorspan for Guide Dogs and seeing the two puppies that TRZ always leading Congregation Shr Ami in our sponsored. It was also great last year seeing all the community Mitzvah projects. Special thanks to Leon sandwiches being made for the Interfaith Pantry, Nachenberg and Mike Easley, co-chairs of Mitzvah another project sponsored by TRZ. Special thanks to Day, who truly are the best Mitzvah Day organizers those of you who donate blood at Heschel on Mitzvah around! Also to the entire Social Action Committee Day too. Many thanks to Rabbi Sela and Carol Maller, for all their hard work so that our Mitzvah Day Social Action Chair at Temple Ramat Zion for their help experiences are so much fun for all attending. I in coordinating our joint Mitzvah Day. personally want to thank those of you who shopped and shopped until we finally met our quota of the This year Congregation Shir Ami honors the memories of items we needed. And a special thanks to those who Ann Goldfarb, Audrey Halem, Larry Weinstein, Norm donated all the supplies. We are all very apprecia- Bressick, and Edward Segal. We want their families to tive. Thanks to Ellie Zatz, whose up-to-the-minute know that we have many beautiful memories of all the spreadsheets kept track of our purchases. And to Mitzvah Days we shared together. our family members who gave up part of their homes that are filed with Mitzvah day items. We need your help now in collecting Target $10 gift cards for the women Since we write our articles prior to actual Mitzvah and children in the domestic violence Day, I am writing this article based on the results of shelters we help sponsor for Hanukkah. Hanukkah the last 8 -10 years of our doing Mitzvah starts on Thanksgiving this year, we really are trying very Days together. The facts are that we will hard to reach our goal of getting 200 Target $10 gift be filling 200 backpacks for School-on- cards donated as soon as possible. I hope you will be as Wheels Project. They will be filled with thoughtful and generous as you have been in previous top quality school supplies which have years. Please mail them directly to Fran Kobulnick at been purchased with your generous 5139 White Oak Ave. #13, Encino, CA 91316 or bring donations, plus toothbrushes and tooth- them to Mitzvah Day and give them to Fran or Rae paste donated by congregant’s dentists who believe Wazana. The shelters have expanded to include more in helping our worthy cause. We have repeatedly women and children, and we really want them to know been told by representatives from School on that we care. Wheels, that our backpacks are by far the best equipped with all the necessary school supplies. Congregation Shir Ami will be going to West Valley This enables the needy children in foster care, Healthcare Center on Friday, December 13 to bring in domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, the Shabbat and have a [late] Latke Hanukkah hospitals, and those living in cars, to do school work celebration. We will have a sing-along and personal one- and make them feel worthy in their desperate on-one visits with the residents. We will be lighting situations. Many who have filled these backpacks Sabbath candles and Hanukkah candles. We welcome have told us that doing Mitzvah Day projects our congregants and friends to participate in this mitzvah. together, made them feel very proud. We will have We will be meeting there to begin exactly at 1:00 pm. a great guest speaker from School on Wheels. Call Fran at (818) 345-2405 if you have any questions.

We will also collect lots of non-perishable food, new We will again be having our annual Linen toiletries, and new or gently used children’s books in Shabbat with TRZ for the domestic vio- SOVA bins. Thanks, in advance, for your lence shelters we help sponsor in January thoughtfulness and generosity. Special . More information will follow shortly. Please thanks to Rae Wazana for bringing an remember to bring your SOVA food donations to all our exhibition of the newest Jewish World services and events. Watch Project and setting up a table for us to work on another creative project. Also thanks to Charlene Shalom, Fran Kobulnick, Social Action Vice President

page 5 November 2013

A New Neighborhood warm aromas of corned beef and cold barrel pickles by Owen Delman escaped to the street. On the wall behind the counter were shelves stacked with challah (square and round), In my early teens, my parents moved rolls of all types and sizes and rye bread (with or without from one section of Chicago to another. seeds). But, we were there for the ends of rye and hard More importantly, it was from one type salami, those unwanted remainders of the slicing of neighborhood to another. Where we had been the machine or knife. The owner would give us a rye end for only Jewish family we knew of in the area -- my older free, a pickle out of the barrel for a nickel and the salami brother was a Jewish singularity in his high school -- end for a dime. More heaven! we were now in a predominantly Jewish section of the city. My high school, Sullivan, was only half jokingly Two more blocks, just past the new Conservative temple, called “Solomon” and was cavernously empty during was the bakery, where glass cases protected trays of the High Holy Days. cookies, tarts, jelly rolls, rugula, almond buns, and more. The sweet smells of the bakery were forcibly announced This new area had many new sights, sounds and to the neighborhood through its twin exhaust fans over smells to experience and explore. It was like being the ovens. Decorated cakes commanded a case of their dropped into a foreign country, though it seemed own -- a riotous display of blue skies, puffy white clouds, vaguely familiar and comfortable. Where before there gaily dressed clowns, fanciful designs, Jewish stars and had been none, now temples of many stripes seemed such, all serving as backdrops for beautifully scripted everywhere -- Orthodox store fronts, newish birthday and Bar Mitzvah congratulatory messages in Conservative buildings, newer Reform, and even a both Hebrew and English. I always went for my favorite -- Reconstructionist congregation. a chocolate iced sponge delight, too small to be called a cake and too large and soft to be called a cookie. They Being a teenager of mind and appetite, the first thing I were round on the bottom and flat on their iced tops -- I noticed were the different foods purveyed everywhere called them flattops -- and one was just the right size to I looked. What had been special treats brought in eat during the final portion of our journey home. from some faraway place now was commonly available, so common that on the walk down These ethnic offerings were just the beginning of my California Avenue from our bus stop to our homes, it introduction to the neighborhood. In addition, there was became a regular ritual for me and my friends to visit the presence of numerous temples, fairly regular our three favorite establishments. sightings of men and women dressed in what I learned was an orthodox manner and even a new everyday First was Louie’s, a small foreign language, especially with my friends. white, worn, wooden hot dog stand on a corner from Conversations now had a different flavor, sprinkled with which emanated aromas of Yiddish phrases (some definitely not to be repeated at spicy dogs and French fries. home) and references to Jewish and Israeli culture. A If those smells were visible, friend and I memorized the lyrics and sang Israeli folk say a soft red, they would have lain over the songs along with Theodore Bikel records after school. street like a fog. Louie’s served Hebrew National hot dogs in soft, warm poppyseed buns dressed Chicago Overall, there was a sense of Jewish community style -- yellow mustard, unbelievably bright green throughout the area. It took a year or so after we moved pickle relish, sweet onions, tomatoes and celery salt. in, but this awareness and comfort all started with the Biting into the tight skin of these “snap dogs” was to wonderful foods along California Avenue. experience a glimpse of heaven. Years later, married with two children, I visited the Next was a smallish neighborhood deli, about a block neighborhood. The bakery and deli were gone, their away, just past the reform temple, which provided us small stores replaced with block long commercial malls. with enough time to enjoy our Louie without hurrying. Only Louie’s remained, or rather its modern version. The There were two or three booths, four or five small small wooden hut had morphed into a much larger brick linoleum topped tables, a short lunch counter and two structure whose electric sign would have dwarfed the old display cases, one meat and the other cheese. Over building. However, it was still called Louie’s and was still the cases hung a decorative display of fat bologna on the corner, standing like a culinary Jewish Statue of and thinner salami -- both hard and soft -- which Liberty guarding the entrance to my first Jewish gently swayed whenever the door opened and the neighborhood. page 6 November 2013 Biography of the Month: Moe Berg and going to Columbia Law School. In 1927 by Stan Schroeder he switched to playing catcher when the regular catchers were all injured. The following year, after By the time you read this the World getting into better playing shape, he became the Series between the Red Sox and the starting catcher. Berg passed the New York state bar Cardinals will probably be over. I am exam in 1929 and received his law degree in 1930. writing this introduction the day before it starts. But the World Series and the Meanwhile his baseball career was mediocre, at best. recent rash of emails about Moe He played alternately for the Cleveland Indians and Berg’s exploits as a spy during World War II the Washington Senators, mostly as a backup catcher. inspired me to update this bio I originally published in Dave Harris, a Senators' outfielder, when told that May 2011. As a baseball player he doesn’t rate with Berg spoke seven languages, remarked, "Yeah, I Jewish icons Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax. know, and he can't hit in any of them." But as a Jewish hero, he ranks with the best. In October 1932, Berg went with two other players to Morris "Moe" Berg was born March 2, 1902 in New Japan to teach baseball seminars at Japanese York City. His father Bernard, a pharmacist, his universities. Following the assignment, he went on to mother Rose [nee Tashker], a homemaker, and his tour Manchuria, Shanghai, Peking, Indochina, Siam, older brother and sister lived in Harlem. In 1906, India, Egypt, and Berlin. After another tour of Japan Bernard Berg bought a pharmacy in West Newark. In with an American All Star team in 1934 he signed with 1910 the Berg family moved again, to the Roseville the Boston Red Sox, playing sparingly until 1939. That section of Newark. Roseville offered Bernard Berg year he appeared as a contestant on the radio quiz everything he wanted in a neighborhood—good show Information Please where he put on a dazzling schools, middle-class residents, and very few Jews. performance.

Berg began playing baseball at the age of seven for During World War II Berg worked for the Office of the Roseville Methodist Episcopal Church baseball Inter-American Affairs, and then the Office of Strategic team under the less ethnic pseudonym Runt Wolfe. Services (OSS, later to become the CIA). He was In 1918, at the age of 16, Berg graduated from assigned to the Secret Intelligence branch of the OSS Barringer High School. During his senior season, the and given a place at the OSS Balkans desk. In this Newark Star-Eagle selected him as the best third role, he parachuted into Yugoslavia to evaluate the baseman of city's prep and public high schools. various resistance groups operating against the Nazis to determine which was the strongest. After graduating from Barringer, Berg enrolled in New York University. He spent two semesters there and Berg also penetrated German-held Norway, met with played baseball and basketball. The next year he members of the underground and located a secret transferred to Princeton University, and never again heavy water plant—part of the Nazis’ effort to build an mentioned that he attended NYU for a year, present- atomic bomb. His information guided the Royal Air ing himself exclusively as a Princeton man. Berg Force in a bombing raid to destroy the plant. received a B.A., magna cum laude in modern There still remained the question of how far had the languages. He had studied seven languages: Latin, Nazis progressed in the race to build the first Atomic Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and San- bomb. He was sent to Switzerland to hear leading skrit. His Jewish heritage and modest finances com- German physicist Werner Heisenberg, a Nobel bined to keep him on the fringes of Princeton society. Laureate, lecture and determine if they were close to

In 1923 after graduating from Princeton, Berg signed building an A-bomb. Moe managed to slip past the SS to play for the Brooklyn Robins of the National guards at the auditorium, posing as a Swiss graduate League. They were anxious to get a Jewish ballplayer student. He determined that the Germans were to appeal to the large Jewish community in New York. nowhere near their goal, so he complimented Heisen- Berg had a poor season and decided to go to Paris to berg on his speech and walked him back to his hotel. study after the season. He settled in the Latin Quarter Moe Berg died on May 29, 1972, at age 70, from in an apartment that overlooked the Sorbonne, where injuries sustained in a fall at home. A nurse at the he enrolled in 32 different classes. The following year Newark, New Jersey hospital where he died recalled he was demoted to the minor league, and considered his final words as, "How did the Mets do today?" His giving up baseball. remains were cremated and his sister, Ethel, spread Instead he signed with the Chicago White Sox of the them over Mount Scopus in Israel. American League and divided his time between page 7 November 2013

Visit to New Community Jewish High School Jewish World Watch “I Witness” Award by Stan Schroeder by Rae Wazana

On Wednesday, October 9, Barbara Grubman, Art The annual Jewish World Watch “I Witness” Altshiller, and I took advantage of Rabbi Vorspan’s Award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, open offer to visit the new campus of “New Jew” Novemebr 17, at 1:00 pm at Temple Isaiah where he is Rabbi-in-Residence. The complete located at 10345 W. Pico Blvd.in Los Angeles. The remodel of the former JCC at Milken (once the first honoree is Mukesh Kapila, former UN Resident and home of “New Jew”) is state-of-the-art and arranged Humanitarian Coordinator for the for maximum interaction between teachers, staff, Sudan. While stationed in the and students. We saw classrooms, labs, the general Sudan from March 2003 to April purpose auditorium, and the gymnasium where the 2004, he was outspoken in his Jaguars play their home games. condemnation of human rights abuses being committed in the Art, who is a physics and math teacher, was most western region of Darfur. His impressed with the science labs. Barbara, who activism began after a Darfuri woman came to his office “never met an art supply she didn’t love,” loved the to tell him how she, her daughter, and 200 other women art room, and met Benny Ferdman, Director of the had been gang-raped and mostly murdered by Art Department. He was about to teach an art class government soldiers and paramilitaries. The Government and Barbara became the model for a charcoal face of Sudan dismissed his charges as a “heap of lies”, drawing lesson. She loved every sitting-still-moment though they succeeded in bringing Darfur to the world’s and felt so very fortunate that she indeed was at the attention. right place at the right time. Kapila is currently Professor of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the University of Manchester in England. He has received numerous awards for his work in medicine, public health, and humanitarian affairs.

The Pressman Academy Middle School at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles will also be honored as the recipient of this year’s Survivors’ Legacy Award. Students will put their skills on display, leading guests through an educational exhibit.

Admission is free, but RSVP is required. Call me at (818) 881-5549 for further information. We may be able to arrange carpooling. We must show our support and not stand idly by as genocides continue. ------I can only complement Dr. Bruce Powell, founding Head-of-School, and the entire faculty and staff for an outstanding achievement in creating this exciting Jewish high school for our future gen- erations. Rabbi Vorspan said this was only the first phase and there are plans for addi- tional facilities, including a kosher cafeteria. You can call him at (818) 888-9817 to arrange your own guided tour. Pictures from Sukkot party at Vorspans’ September 23

page 8 November 2013 Jewish Jocks Operation Gratitude and MOT by David Nachenberg by Charlene Kazel Many of you Jewish sports fans may wonder what We’re starting the New Year’s California's Jewish Jocks have been doing in their book drive off with a bang. respective sports and which Jewish sports stars are Since September I’ve turned in 83 books to Operation currently playing for teams in California. Gratitude and 15 to MOT. Earlier this year Esther Perez turned in 326 books, making our total for the - Boston Red Sox catcher year 424. was born in Burbank and grew up in Woodland Hills (El Camino High). He had a .299 Thanks to Bonnie Vorspan and Judy Eisikowitz for batting average in 25 games during the regular the boxes of yarmulkes they donated. season and Boston has a good chance of going all the way in the post-season. NY Mets' third baseman If you have a public library near you, many of them Josh Satin was as smooth as silk, batting .279 with 3 have boxes of free books. Just ask at the main desk home runs in 75 games. Satin hails from Hidden Hills and they will be happy to help you. Please be sure (Harvard-Westlake). Until he was suspended, the books are in good condition. California native (Jewish father) had a You can bring your books to our services or call me at .298 batting average with 9 home runs for the (818) 701-7679 and I will be happy to pick them up. Milwaukee Brewers. Toronto Blue Jays' outfielder Kevin Pillar from West Hills (Chaminade High) had a .206 batting average and 3 home runs in 36 games in 2013. ' pitcher had Mailbox a 9-5 won-lost record with a 4.06 earned-run-average Dear Fran [Kobulnick], and 72 strike outs until he was sidelined with an arm injury. Oakland A's first baseman Nate Freiman had Thank you very much for your a .274 batting average with 4 home runs in 80 games congregation’s generous donation this past season. to Alzheimer’s Association. We are truly grateful to all of you for helping us to NFL--Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Erik Lorig (Jewish further critically needed research. Alzheimer’s father) is a 6'4", 250 lb. fullback who grew up in disease truly takes a toll on our families, and the California and played his college ball at Stanford. In 4 need has never been greater to find viable games this season, he has two receptions for a total treatments. Without the support of our volun- of 21 yards. Kansas City Chiefs' guard Geoff teers and donors, this could not be possible. Schwartz and his brother, Cleveland Browns' tackle Mitchell Schwartz, are from LA. This is the first time Thank you again for your support. in 90 years that there are a pair of Jewish brothers Sincerely, playing professional football. At a solid 6'6" and 340 Melissa Goldman, Director of Development lbs., Geoff is the largest of the 7 Jewish NFL players who are active this season. Editor’s note: This note was received following our June 2 Walk Around Lake Balboa in support Basketball - David Blu (changed from Bluthenthal), of Alzheimer’s research. is a 6'7" forward who grew up in LA and played college hoops for USC. He is an African-American, American/Israeli and played much of his career for David Blu of Maccabi Tel Aviv, the perennial powerhouse in Maccabi Tel Israel's top league. He is back with Maccabi after Aviv. The having announced his retirement and being out of Hebrew on basketball for the past season. his uniform says Electra, May they, and all the other Jewish Jocks bring us the team’s pride as they continue their winning ways. sponsor. Editor’s Note: David is Leon Nachenbeg’s cousin in Israel who writes freelance articles on Jewish athletes. Article is published with author’s permission.

page 9 November 2013

WALK OF AGES XIV - December 8 Catholic-Jewish Women’s Conference by Fiona Taylor by Gladys Sturman

I had intended to let everyone know that For many years Catholic and Jewish I would once again be walking at the women have been meeting to discuss Jewish Homes for the Aging's annual our differences, similarities, different 5K Run/Walk to be held on Sunday morning, December 1 understandings, contrasts. These in Reseda, beginning and ending at the Eisenberg Village sessions are interesting, informative Campus on Victory Blvd. However ... since I made travel and thought provoking. More than just lectures, the plans a few months ago based on the assumption that the annual Conference offers opportunities for questions Walk would be on that date, they changed it and it will and discussion. now be held on Sunday, December 8 - presumably, they figured out that December 1 is right after Thanksgiving The Conference will be held Monday, November 11, and also falls in the middle of Chanukah. in the new Catholic Caruso Center at USC located

at 844 W. 32nd St., Los Angeles,.CA 90007. This This is the 14th year this event has been held and I have beautiful building, filled with art by Catholic and enjoyed participating every year. Unfortunately, this year I will have to do a "virtual" walk as I will be in Strasbourg on Jewish artists is worth a trip for its own sake.

December 8! Also, I have just been diagnosed with a The provocative title of the Conference is Song of Baker's cyst on my right knee: this has nothing to do with Songs: The Sacredness of Sexuality. The keynote cookies, cakes or challah but is named for the doctor who discovered it. It's not anything major as far as I under- speakers will be Rabbi Gail Labovitz, PhD, stand (there is some pain behind the knee and it is Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature at swollen with fluid build-up), but I have been told not to do American Jewish University, and Lisa Fullam, DVM, any exercise that would put stress on it. So, even if I had ThD, Associate Professor of Moral Theology at been here, I probably could not have walked. Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. There will also be a presentation by Dr. Ruth Weisberg, In any case, I am still focused on raising funds for The artist, Professor of Fine Arts and former Dean at the Jewish Homes because this has become my annual University of Southern California. project and I'm not going to let adverse circumstances stand in the way of that! I'm sure we all know someone The Conference includes a continental breakfast who has a connection to the Homes and are aware of the and lunch. After lunch will be facilitated group great work they do. I'm still hoping to reach my goal of dialogues to explore the Song of Songs’ meaning to $500 in donations as I do each year. I have contacted us today. We will discuss the issues raised by the Denise Horowitz at the LAJHA advising that I signed up speakers and have an opportunity for question and but will not be able to walk. answer and sharing experiences.

If you would like to sponsor me, you have three options The cost is $40 per person. See the flyer with this this year. I have signed up with their on-line system so, for Shir Notes for more information, registration form, anyone who prefers to donate that way, you can log in through your computer at and directions. www.walkofages.kintera.org/fionataylor: you should find yourself on my personal page, where you can donate A Day at the Autry: directly by credit card. However, no less acceptable would Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic be a check by "snail-mail", made out to "LAJHA", and by Maralyn Soifer mailed to me at my home address (before December 1, please) 3208 Casino Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. The Associuation of Jewish Educators is proud to Thirdly, you can also mail a check directly to LAJHA at present a special day at the Autry National Center 7150 Tampa Avenue, Reseda, CA 91335 - please with a docent led tour of the acclaimed exhibit remember to put my name in the comment line "Sponsor Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic and a panel Fiona Taylor" so that I get credit on my webpage. discussion of Jewish Women in Politics on Sunday, November 17 starting at 10:00 am. The On behalf of the residents of the Jewish Home, I would cost is $25 per person, including lunch. Please like to thank you for your past and continued support. see the flyer with this Shir Notes for more informa- tion and a registration form. page 10 November 2013

TREE OF LIFE Congregation Shir Ami Memorial Board

This beautiful Tree of Life, with leaves If you would like to honor the memory of your priced at $100 and rocks at $250 (one loved ones by dedicating plaques on our new remaining), makes a perfect way to Memorial Board, please call Clara Rosenbluth celebrate family occasions and support at (818) 348-1498 so she may mail you an Congregation Shir Ami. order form. The cost of each plaque is $36.

The Tree is on a rosewood background Each plaque may contain up to three lines of and consists of gold-colored leaves and engraving: English name, Hebrew name, and rocks. It is displayed at all Congregation the years of birth and death. Both of our Shir Ami services and events. Memorial Boards are displayed at all our

For more information or to place an order, services. call Sherry Dollins at (818) 886-7590. page 11 November 2013

Shop at Ralphs - Earn Money for Shir Ami You can do a search for Congregation Shir Ami by Maralyn Soifer by putting in the number 92785. Our congrega- tion will pop up and click on the button next to Here is an easy way to earn the name. Click on the button that saves the money for our Temple. We changes. are now officially a Ralphs’ community agency. All 5. You should also check the bottom of your you have to do is follow these simple instructions to receipt when you shop. It should say “At your help earn money for Congregation Shir Ami. request, Ralph’s is donating to

1. If you don’t have a Ralph’s rewards card already, CONGREGATION SHIR AMI”. go to the store or go to website www.ralphs.com 6. If all else fails, call me in the evening at (818) and select Order a Ralphs reward card. 704-0306. I’ll be happy to walk you through it. 7. Start Shopping! 2. Once you have your card, go to the website: www.ralphs.com and select Create an account Make sure that the clerk swipes your card each 3. If you have an account, your email address is your time you shop. Verify that your receipt shows a account ID. If you forgot your password, select contribution to Congregation Shir Ami at the Forgot your password? and you will receive an bottom. email with instructions to reset it. Follow the instructions to enter your email address and Important Note: All participants must confirm create a new password. their selection annually starting in September. 4. If you already have a Ralph’s reward card and an On or after September 1, sign into your account account, you will see Account Summary when you and reconfirm Community Rewards selection. login. You can change to our Temple by clicking on Edit within Community Rewards.

91365 CA Hills, Woodland

6353 Box P.O.

Ami Shir Congregation

Thursdays November 7, 14, and 21 7:30 - 8:30 pm “Around the Rabbi’s Tisch” at the Vorspans’

This popular Shir Ami educational series continues its 5774 season. Come join us for our weekly discussion of Rabbi Vorspan’s selected topics of Jewish interest. We discuss Jewish texts and current events as they relate to Jewish values and our lives as Jews. This is a unique opportunity to learn and share in an informal format around the Vorspans’ dining room table.

The Vorspans’ home is located at 22320 Philiprimm St. in Woodland Hills. You may call Rabbi Vorspan at (818) 888-9817 for more information.

Congregation Shir Ami Mitzvah Day Sunday, November 3 at 9:00 AM sharp Temple Ramat Zion Social Hall

Our Social Action Committee will once again organize our congregation to fill school backpacks for the School on Wheels program. Every week, hundreds of School on Wheels’ volunteer tutors give hope, educational assistance and support to the thousands of homeless children living in Southern California.

School on Wheels provides one-on-one tutoring for homeless kids who live in shelters, motels, group foster homes and on the streets. In addition to weekly tutoring and mentoring, every student receives a backpack, school supplies, and uniforms; students get assistance enrolling in school and with locating and filing school records; and each student receives a toll-free phone number for around-the-clock School on Wheels’ support.

They do all this with no government funding. They survive through the donations of people like you who believe as we do that every child has potential and every volunteer makes a difference.

Other Mitzvah projects will be available to those who must sit down. Please bring non-breakable/non-perishable food for the SOVA food drive. For further information call Mike Easley at (818) 625-4281 or Leon Nachenberg at (818) 885-6736 .

------Name: ______Mail this tear-off to sign Phone No. ______up for Mitzvah Day 2013 Number of backpacks @ $12 each: ______Other donation: $18 $36 $54 $72 $108 $216 I will attend: YES NO Number of people attending: ______Checks must be payable to Congregation Shir Ami (put Mitzvah Day in the memo) and mailed to P.O. Box 6353 Community Service School Woodland Hills, CA 91365 credit for students

Congregation Shir Ami

Annual Chanukah Dinner Monday, December 2nd 6:30 pm In the Ramat Zion Social Hall Enjoy delectable CHICKEN, Luscious LATKES and APPLE SAUCE ROASTED VEGETABLES FRUIT BROWNIES and JELLY DOUGHNUTS Come and share in a wonderful evening that will include great food (catered by Hovav Catering), songs and an illustrated story by our own Rabbi Vorspan.

Bring your Chanukiah and candles for the community candle lighting ------Chanukah Dinner Must R.S.V.P., with your enclosed check, by Wednesday, November 27th to Congregation Shir Ami PO Box 6357, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 Adult(s) @ $21.00 ______Sponsor(s) @ $25.00 _____ TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______

NAME ______

PHONE NUMBER ______

Association of Jewish Educators is pleased to present:

“A Day at the Autry National Center” November 17, 2013 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Your day will include a docent led tour of the exhibit “Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic” And access to all other exhibits in the museum, a kosher lunch, admission to a panel discussion of: “Jewish Women in Politics” Door prizes and more…

AJE Members: $25/person Non Members: $30/person Reservations are required. R.S.V.P. by 11/11/13 ------o Yes I want to attend “A Day at the Autry National Center”. Fill out this form and mail to the address below. Reservations must include full payment.

Name: ______Phone: ______

Email: ______# of people ______

o No, I cannot attend, but here is my contribution to the AJE scholarship fund.

Mail to: Maralyn Soifer, 7241 Hyannis Drive, West Hills, 91307. Reservation must be received by 11/11/13. For further information, call 818 903-6640 See directions on reverse side. (next page online)