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A Publication of Happy Chanukah

VOL.76 NO. 22 December 2, 2011 6 Kislev 5772 He’s watching and learning. How you walk to temple together, rain or shine. The way you speak gently to Aunt Ruth. And your gift for making the holidays feel miraculous. Best wishes for a happy Chanuka. Life is a Miracle.

2 December 2, 2011 The Observer Major Gifts donors thanked for generous gifts at initial 2012 Annual Campaign event

he Jewish Federation nities of Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia. launched its 2012 Annual The evening also highlighted the Campaign with an event vital programs and services that enhance hosted by Phyllis Alper. the Nashville community through part- Sandy Averbuch, nership with our local agencies, such as Campaign chair, and Ellen caring for the elderly, dedication to TLevitt, Major Gifts vice chair, thanked building our Jewish community, and sup- the 55 guests for their generous gifts and porting Jewish education. “The lives highlighted the many reasons why touched through our important work, Federation giving is an important part of locally, in and around the world their yearly philanthropy. make it my privilege to lead this effort,” Guests were inspired by next gener- Averbuch said. ation leaders Sara Hanai and Freya Barbara and Larry Speller, co-chairs Sacks, who traveled on Federation-fund- for Major Gifts, said, “We are so pleased Sandy Averbuch, Annual Campaign chair ed missions to Israel and Moldova to that the launch of the 2012 Campaign Photos: Barbara Schwarcz connect with Jews globally. has inspired increased gifts and we are Joshua Fogelson, director of strategic confident that this momentum will carry development for the American Jewish us forward.” c Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Joshua Fogelson and Phyllis Alper inspired the crowd with his first hand accounts of the vital work of the JDC, Federation’s overseas partner in helping Jews throughout the world. He recently returned from visits to the Jewish commu-

From left: Mark Freedman, Dan Heller and Gil and Steve Hirsch Sarah Hanai

From left: Joshua Fogelson, Ellen Levitt Gene Heller and Fred Zimmerman and Steve Riven

The Observer December 2, 2011 3 Best Jewish Nashville summons the best in each of us By Mark S. Freedman Jewish Federation institution in Nashville or with nation- social and business networking pro- took a long hard al Jewish organizations, are addressing grams, Shabbat dinner outreach gather- his is my first column in look at its funding each of the three priority areas identi- ings and by participation in social The Observer since model and decided fied by BJN and they are having impacts action projects. We are reaching more becoming the executive it could do better. on multiple levels. families than ever before through the director of the Jewish Neither the More Jewish clients are being highly successful PJ Library program Federation of Nashville Federation donors, served, more volunteers are engaged in and we are serving more seniors through and Middle Tennessee on the beneficiary assisting in the implementation of the the GJCC, the Jewish Family Service TOct. 1. That being the case, I want to agencies or the various programs and projects, a new and through our local congregations. offer special words of thanks to everyone annual campaign cadre of lay volunteers participates in the We have direct partnerships with for the extremely warm welcome that my Mark S. Freedman volunteers who ask grant process and program outcomes are Vanderbilt Hillel, and we are blessed to wife, Leslie Klein, and I have received for contributions were satisfied with sim- measureable and tangible, leading to have not one, but two Israel emissaries following our arrival here in Nashville. ply funding deficits and settling for greater accountability to the Federation’s in our community this year. We are extremely appreciative to across-the-board increases (or cuts) donors and prospective donors. We are confident that we are on the the many members of the Nashville depending upon whether the Campaign With all the progress that has been right track with Best Jewish Nashville. Jewish community who have reached out was up or down. made, we are still fine-tuning the BJN Its origins are firmly rooted in the past to us and made us feel that we are now Everyone sensed that a more cre- process. We hope and expect that the achievements and proud history of the living in the best Jewish community of ative approach was called for to energize inter-institutional partnerships that are Nashville Jewish community which all. We look forward to being an integral volunteers, empower agencies and being forged will lead to greater levels of understood that our collective success part of Jewish life in Nashville for many account to the Federation’s legion of gen- innovation and experimentation. We was only as strong as each individual years to come. erous donors. After an exhaustive study, know that there will be challenges along who played a part in making it happen. And in this first column (and I the BJN committee identified three areas the way and we are working hard to tem- Now more than ever, the Federation promise to resist writing in every issue of of future and unmet needs including per the unexpected with patience and stands ready to engage with every mem- the Observer because as the publisher of engaging the “Next Generation,” perseverance. ber of our community, for it is in each the paper I want to hear and read many increasing services to seniors and devel- The bottom line we see thus far Jewish soul that we will continue to find different Jewish voices on these pages) I oping quality programming to enhance represents far more than the dollars and the Best Jewish Nashville. would like to reflect on the Best Jewish Israel education and advocacy. the volunteer time invested in the BJN I want to close by wishing each of Nashville (BJN) project. On the center One year into BJN, it appears the process. We are seeing more interest in you a Happy Chanukah filled with light pages of this issue of the Observer you Federation has hit a home run. Israel-related programming and with and with joy. c will find a special feature that details the Fourteen separate programs operated trips and missions to Israel. We see accomplishments of Best Jewish either individually or in partnerships more young people from the “Next Mark S. Freedman is executive director Nashville as the initiative enters its sec- and collaborations with every Jewish Generation” joining our ranks through of the Jewish Federation of Nashville. ond year of operations. When I recall my initial visit to Nashville to interview for the position I Jeremy Ben-Ami, national president of now hold, I was so impressed with the extraordinary effort that went into creat- ing Best Jewish Nashville. It was a coura- J Street, will speak in Nashville on Dec. 12 geous and bold step taken by both the eremy Ben-Ami, the founder and is an urgent need leadership and a broad swath of the been profiled in The Atlantic, The president of J Street and a former for a pro-Israel Nashville Jewish community to effect Washington Post, and CQ Weekly. policy advisor to President Bill agenda that real change in a world of Jewish philan- He was one of “50 People of the Clinton, will discuss his new includes compro- thropy that is awash in change that has Decade” selected by Ha’Aretz, the book, A New Voice for Israel at mise and engage- had a profound impact on many Jewish influential Israeli daily newspaper, and Loews Vanderbilt Hotel on Mon., ment with the communities across the United States. The Post included him in its JDec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The event Palestinians. list of the “50 Most Influential Jews in Under the leadership of Stephen is free and open to the public. Ben-Ami has Riven and his BJN committee, the Jeremy Ben-Ami the World.” c In his book, Ben-Ami, whose grandparents were first-generation Zionists and founders of , argues c c c c Shirley Zeitlin chosen as winner of STAFF for why Israel needs an alternative Jewish voice in Washington to reform Stevie Award for Women in Business Publisher Mark S. Freedman American Mideast policy and bring Editor Judith A. Saks about a two-state solution to the Israeli- By Kathy Carlson dent and CEO of WomenOnBusiness. Advertising Manager Carrie Mills Palestinian stalemate. com and the president and CEO of Staff Writer Kathy Carlson Ben-Ami argues that current U.S. t was just a regular weekend KeySplash Creative Inc. Layout and Production Tim Gregory policies toward Israel do not hold up morning. Then, last month, Palos told Zeitlin against the current realities, and there Nashville Realtor and commu- she had won. There were winners in 78 nity member Shirley Zeitlin was categories, chosen from more than 1,300 Telephone 615/356-3242 brushing her teeth when the phone nominees from around the world. The Fax 615/352-0056 rang. When she picked up and got official announcement was made on Nov. E-mail [email protected] Ithe news, she says, “I was stunned.” 11. This was the eighth year the Stevie The founder and chief executive Awards for Women in Business have been DEADLINES officer of Nashville’s Zeitlin & Co. made. The name comes from the Greek ‘The Observer’ (ISSN 8750-5290) is EDITORIAL DEADLINES published bi-monthly except July for $25 Realtors learned she had won the name Stefanos, which means “crowned,” per year by the Jewish Federation of Lifetime Achievement Award at the the organization’s website explains. Nashville and Middle Tennessee, 801 Percy The Observer’s Eighth Annual Stevie Awards for Zeitlin & Co., Realtors has been in Warner Blvd., Nashville, TN 37205-4009. next two issues are: Women in Business. operation for more than 30 years and Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, TN. Earlier, when a business colleague specializes in transfers and relocations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to and account supervisor at Seigenthaler Zeitlin has served as president and board THE OBSERVER, 801 Percy Warner Blvd., Copy 12/9 for publication 12/16 Public Relations, Ben Palos, broached member of the Tennessee Association of Nashville, TN 37205 Copy 12/30 for publication 1/6 the idea of nominating her for the award, Realtors and the Nashville Board of she recalls thinking, “There’s no way I’m This newspaper is made possible by funds Realtors. She has also served as a mem- raised in the Jewish Federation Annual going to be in the running for an inter- ber of the board of the Federal Reserve Campaign. All material must be typed. national award in business.” Wrong! Bank of Nashville, where she served as First, she learned she was among five chairman in 1991. Zeitlin and her fami- The Observer is a member of the finalists who included an executive vice ly have long been active in Nashville’s American Jewish Press Association and the FOR ADVERTISING president of international banking at Jewish community. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Akbank in Istanbul, the president and Right now, she’s waiting to receive DEADLINES CEO of iFinance Canada Inc. in Toronto, the award itself and says, “I’ll enjoy hav- While The Observer makes every and two American executives: the presi- ing it in my office.” c possibly effort to accept only reputable contact Carrie Mills, advertisers of the highest quality, we cannot Advertising Manager guarantee the Kasruth of their products. 356-3242, ext. 299 Look for the Observer online at The Jewish Observer Founded in 1934 by c c c c JACQUES BACK www.jewishobservernashville.org 4 December 2, 2011 The Observer A statement by the President and Executive Director The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee

The Federation newspaper and Jewish community events: Where we stand

The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee is committed to ensuring that individuals and organizations that are a part of the local and broader Jewish community play an active and meaningful role in Jewish communal life. We welcome and encourage the civil expression of diverse viewpoints that are in keep- ing with the fundamental mission and goals of the Federation which serve to enhance and enrich Jewish life, promote a cohesive Jewish community and strength- en our support and connection to Israel and with Jewish people throughout the Rabbi Philip gives the invocation during a Clergy for Tolerance breakfast at Loews Diaspora. Vanderbilt Hotel. UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. As the publisher of The Observer, the Federation publishes a variety of opinions on issues of Jewish interest. Not all content that appears in The Observer, in par- Faith leaders meet on immigration; ticular letters to the editor or opinion pieces, constitutes an endorsement or support by the Board of Directors of the Federation or the Editorial Review Board of The Rabbi Flip Rice gives invocation Observer. In order to ensure fair and balanced content in The Observer, the Federation’s early 300 faith leaders strangers who sojourn with you shall be to Board of Directors has re-constituted an editorial review board whose purpose will be from across the state you as the natives among you, and you to maintain editorial balance in the publication and to serve the publisher and the gathered together on shall love them as yourself; for you were editor of The Observer in an advisory capacity. The editorial review board will oper- Dec. 1 in Nashville to strangers in the land of Egypt.” [19:33-34]. ate within guidelines and policies that have been established and approved by the consider the ethical and “This principle permeates Jewish tra- Board of the Federation. moral impact of pending dition and is echoed 35 times in the The Federation recognizes the autonomy of the decision and policy-making legislationN that would affect immigrant Torah.” authority of each of its local partner agencies and congregations generally and specif- communities statewide. Rice followed with a prayer said in ically with respect to the use of their facilities. In presenting events and speakers of The Nashville Board of Rabbis signed Hebrew, English and Spanish: Jewish interest the Federation will work cooperatively with local, national and inter- on as sponsors of the event. “May our God, the God of our ances- national Jewish organizations, and exercise its judgment to encourage the best inter- Clergy ranging from priests, pastors, tors before, the God who instructed ests of the Nashville Jewish community be served while allowing a full range of imams, rabbis and monks attended a Abraham to leave his native land and go Jewish viewpoints to be shared with the community. Co-sponsorship of an organization Clergy for Tolerance breakfast at Loews forth, protect and bless all the inhabitants event or speaker by the Federation or by the Federation’s Community Relations Committee Vanderbilt Hotel to hear keynote speaker, of our country. May You help the divinity does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of a particular organization’s or speaker’s William H. Willimon, Bishop of the North in each of us to recognize the divinity in all point of view. Alabama Conference of The United of us . . . Thus enabling us to tolerate, In an effort to encourage that the facilities of the Gordon Jewish Community Methodist Church. Willimon is one of four accept and love the differences in us all. . .” Center, which also serves as home to the Federation and is the community’s primary Christian leaders who joined a federal law- “Please don’t leave these moral and venue for Jewish community events, remain accessible to organizations and speakers to try and stop Alabama’s recent immi- ethical matters to your politicians,” who represent a wide range of Jewish points of view, the Federation has agreed to gration legislation, which is considered to Willimon urged, “Speak up as people of support the GJCC by serving on a special GJCC committee through which the be the most extreme in the nation. faith from your faith perspective and GJCC will determine which [Jewish] organizations and speakers will be permitted to Rabbi Flip Rice of Congregation show the world that you have something have access to its facilities. We are hopeful that by lending support to the GJCC in Micah gave the invocation. He said: to say on this issue.” this process, we contribute to assuring the Jewish community that a full range of “The Movement within Judaism in Dr. Robert Parham, executive direc- Jewish viewpoints and interests are represented. which I was ordained as a rabbi has, since tor of the Baptist Center for Ethics, also We hope that our community will join us in separating the issue of access to our its inception in 1873, spoken out repeat- encouraged his peers to act. “Now is the communal facilities from acceptance and/or endorsement of the views offered during edly in support of a generous, fair and time for us to build the moral capital in communal events. The Jewish people have a long tradition of encouraging and nur- non-discriminatory immigration policy. houses of faith for the coming tsunami of turing vibrant debate. We firmly believe that exposure to a broad range of perspec- The Jewish people were and continue to anti-immigration rhetoric and anti-immi- tives will assist each individual member of the community in making their own be immigrants to the United States. We gration laws. Now is the time for pro- appropriate and informed decisions. are especially aware that generous immi- active collaboration among good willed We reaffirm, with this statement, our commitment to an open, inclusive and tol- gration policies have benefited Jews flee- people of faith so that we can advance the erant Jewish community. We will make every effort to ensure that Jewish voices ing persecution and economic hardship, common good in the state of Tennessee.” within our community can be heard, and that the decisions we make about access to and we remember painfully the times Clergy for Tolerance is an interfaith our community facilities are well-considered, well-informed, underscored by the when these policies have been unfairly coalition that seeks to encourage dia- integrity of our basic principles, and are in keeping with the fundamental mission restrictive. logue on federal and state immigration and values of the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and our part- “Having struggled to adjust to a socie- policy from a faith perspective. By utiliz- ner agencies. ty that did not always welcome our arrival, ing state and national facts, examining we understand the problems faced by faith traditions, and providing opportuni- Martin Ted Mayden, President today’s immigrants and our faith demands ties to express compassion for immigrants Mark S. Freedman, Executive Director of us concern for the stranger in our midst. and refugees, the coalition strives to November 28, 2011 The Book of Leviticus commands, “When mobilize and educate people of faith to strangers sojourn with you in your land, support comprehensive immigration you shall not do them wrong. The reform on a federal level. c

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5402 Harding Road | at the split of Hwy 100 & Hwy 70 westmeadewines.com ©2011 17033 The Observer December 2, 2011 5 commentary & opinion Community would benefit from open dialogue on Middle East By Amy-Jill Levine find better and richer solutions to the nents of Greater Israel (i.e., the proposal mote hatred of all Arabs or Muslims, or problems they faced. They refrained that Israel absorb the West Bank and ethnic cleansing. n June of 2010, the Jewish from insisting on uniformity. They East Jerusalem) have been called “dis- But I am troubled that some voices Council for Public Affairs con- sought to preserve and thereby honor the turbed fanatics.” Where diatribe replaces that still hold to the dream of Israel as vened national Jewish community views of the minority as well as the dialogue, we all lose. both a democracy and as Jewish are leaders to draft a statement on majority. They did so through their My point is not that every voice unwelcome in Nashville. The CRC and civility, a statement now signed by understanding of the great teaching of deserves equal hearing. I would not wel- the Federation have invited speakers hundreds of leaders including Eilu v’elu divrei Elokim chayim, “both come voices, neither on the far left from the Israel Project, the Jewish IIrwin Venick (chair of Nashville’s these words and those are the words of (because they regard Israel as a colonial- Agency for Israel, and other advocacy Community Relations Committee) and the living God.” ist intruder on Palestinian land; because groups; this week, Sherith Israel and Avi Poster (the former chair). The state- Such discussions over the Middle they incorrectly call Israel an apartheid Congregation Micah will host Morton ment notes: East are lacking in Nashville. Instead of state) nor the far right (because they Klein of the Zionist Organization of Our Sages saw the fruit of arguments listening to various views, our communi- believe that a Jewish state can only be America. But unlike the State of Israel that were conducted l’shem shamayim, ty in general has hunkered down into established by the Mashiach and there- itself, Nashville’s Jewish institutions “for the sake of Heaven.” They fervently reinforcing positions rather than recon- fore support Ahmadinejad and his have closed their doors to anyone believed that great minds, engaged in sidering them. J Street advocates have allies) that promote Israel’s destruction. remotely critical of current Israeli poli- earnest search and questioning, could been called “self-hating Jews”; propo- Nor would I welcome voices that pro- cies, with the exception of The Temple’s invitation to Martin Bresler, chair of Americans for Peace Now and a member of the AJC Board of Governors. This is not a healthy position; indeed, it is not a Jewish one. On Dec. 12, Jeremy Ben-Ami, the The 2012 founder of J Street, will be in Nashville. J Street contacted Sherith Israel, West End Synagogue, The Temple, Congregation Micah and the GJCC: Not one venue, as Guide yet, will open its doors to him. As with Yael Dayan in May, again the official Jewish community appears to be promot- ing silence, not dialogue. Members of J Street have been to Jewish called enemies of Israel. Ridiculous. It would be absurd to call the members of J Street Nashville Israel’s enemies. And it would be similarly foolish to tag Ben- Ami with that label. Nashville I am not a member of J Street; there are other organizations that promote a two-state resolution and preserving Israel to hit the as Jewish and as a democracy that I find more compelling (e.g., the Israeli organ- ization Shalom Achshav and its U.S. counterpart, Americans for Peace Now). stands But with respect to questions about J Street, it seems wiser to hear what its founder has to say than to prejudge based on innuendo. January 2012 J Street, as far as I know, has never preached hatred; it has never done any- thing other than to promote what it sees to be a viable course for Israel’s survival. Be sure to be a part According to its mission statement, “J Street represents Americans, primarily of this annual issue. but not exclusively Jewish, who support Israel and its desire for security as the Jewish homeland, as well as the right of the Palestinians to a sovereign state of Deadline for ads is their own – two states living side-by-side in peace and security.” Support for a two- November 30, 2011 state solution is hardly radical; it has been the official position of the U.S. govern- ment since the first Bush administration. Surely we are not so inhospitable, and so convinced we are right that we do not need to listen to another voice — a Contact Carrie Mills, voice that we might even find ourselves supporting if only we knew what it actu- Advertising Manager ally says. Surely we are not so uncreative 615-354-1699 that we cannot, when Ben-Ami comes, pose to him the doubts some of us have e-mail about his organization and so learn, directly, what exactly he and his organi- [email protected] zation promote. c

fax 615-352-0056 Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, Professor of Jewish Studies, Divinity School and College of Arts and Science, Vanderbilt University. 6 December 2, 2011 The Observer Akiva sheds light on light during evening of adult education

kiva School presents gloomy by examining law and literature Jewish Studies Night: A of medieval Jews. Night of Adult Vanderbilt Professor of Astronomy Learning for the David A. Weintraub’s class is titled Community, on Thurs., “Shedding Light on Dark Matter.” For Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. Five most of human history, we thought that Aclasses in all, centering on the theme of light-producing objects (stars and galax- light, will be offered in two sessions, so ies) were the principal, dominant ones in each participant can attend two classes the knowable universe. We now know taught by community rabbis, scholars better. Matter that produces light makes and leaders. up at most five percent of all the stuff in In the first session, participants have the universe; “dark matter” makes up the a choice of three classes, listed in alpha- rest and finding out more about that dark betical order by teacher. stuff is a major preoccupation of Shaul Kelner, assistant professor of astronomers right now. The class dis- sociology and Jewish studies at cusses the luminous matter in the uni- The American Jewish Committee hosted some 30 lone American soldiers serving in the Vanderbilt University, will teach verse to help us understand the idea of far from their families, at its Jerusalem office for a Thanksgiving din- “Freedom Lights for Soviet Jews: dark matter. By the time we’re done, ner on Nov. 24. This year, the 10th time AJC has hosted the event, there was no longer an Chanukah During the Cold War.” From some of the most bizarre objects we know empty chair at the table marking the captivity of Gilad Shalit. (American Jewish Committee) the 1960s through 1980s, American Jews about – black holes (which are very mobilized in a worldwide campaign to dark) – may seem very ordinary. free their 3 million brothers and sisters In the second session, Weintraub trapped and persecuted in the USSR. At again will offer his class on dark matter. Chanukah, like other Jewish holidays, Also in the second session, Rabbi Flip American Jews held rallies and took Rice of Congregation Micah will teach a political action to redeem Soviet Jews. class titled “You Light up My Life,” in The class talks about what was it like to which participants will explore how the mark the Festival of Lights back in the light of Torah teaches us more about our- heyday of the Soviet Jewry movement. selves as parents than about our children. Those who lived through it are encour- And Inbar Shaked, Jewish Happy aged to bring their stories. Federation shlicha to the Nashville com- Chanukah Rabbi Phil Lieberman, assistant pro- munity, will teach a class titled “Eight fessor of Jewish studies and law at Sources of Light in Israel.” Vanderbilt, will teach a class titled For more information or to sign up “Light in the Dark Ages.” The class for the classes, call Akiva at 356-1880 or explores Jewish creativity in the contact Daniella Pressner, Akiva’s direc- medieval period, revisiting the notion tor of Judaic studies, at dpressner@aki- that Jewish life in the middle ages was vanashville.net. c HAPPY CHANUKAH Join the Tradition FOUR GENERATIONS • 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

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The Observer December 2, 2011 7 Ben & Jerry’s co-founder explains how to do well by doing good

By Suzanne Kurtz One oft-cited example of Ben & Jerry’s socially conscious business prac- WASHINGTON (JTA) — A scoop tices is its purchase of $8 million annual- of Ben & Jerry’s may taste like heaven, ly of chocolate brownies baked at the and for company cofounder Jerry Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, N.Y., a Greenfield, the business of making ice nonprofit that offers job training and cream has a spiritual side as well. hires workers who might have a difficult “There is a spiritual aspect to busi- time finding jobs elsewhere, such as ex- ness, just as there is to people,” convicts, former substance abusers and Greenfield told a crowd of 300 recently welfare recipients. at a networking event for the Jewish “We came up with this popular fla- Federation of Greater Washington. vor [for using the brownies] and the bak- The company known for ery is pretty happy with it, too!” said its colorful pint-size containers, funky Greenfield. flavors and creative marketing has In 1984, when the company needed implemented smart business practices to raise additional capital to grow the that have advanced its bottom line as business, they let their Vermont neigh- well as its do-good corporate culture. bors “get a scoop of the action” by hold- Raised on suburban New York’s ing an in-state public offering. Long Island, Greenfield, 60, and his “People of essentially any economic longtime friend and business partner Ben situation could participate,” said Cohen met in gym class in junior high Greenfield, and one in every 100 school after discovering a shared dislike Vermont families became shareholders of running track. They were chubby kids in the company. “As the business sup- who always enjoyed eating, Greenfield ported the community, the community said, and both attended Hebrew school supported the business.” and had their bar mitzvahs at the Reform Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield recently spoke at a Jewish Federation of Greater Washington event. (Jewish Federation of Greater Washington) In 1985, the company made a public Congregation of Merrick. stock offering and also established the Though a self-described “cultural Jew,” together from loans and savings, they attending the federation event also strive Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. It began Greenfield said that his religious education opened Ben & Jerry’s Home-made, Inc. for in their careers. donating 7.5 percent of pretax profits to helped sensitize him to discrimination, in a renovated gas station in Burlington, But their vision for an ice cream nonprofit organizations — the highest marginalization and the needs of “other Vt. Their single storefront venture company that would be both profitable percentage of any publicly traded compa- people in society and around the world.” would grow eventually into a $300 mil- and care about the needs of society has ny at the time, he said. In his mid-20s, after being rejected lion global ice cream empire owned by left a lasting impact on both employees “As you give, you receive,” from some 20 medical schools and not the Unilever Corp. and customers. Greenfield said. “As you help others, you content with working as a lab techni- Neither Greenfield nor Cohen is “Simply operating this way had so are helped in return." cian, Greenfield split a $5 Pennsylvania still active in the day-to-day running of many benefits for the company,” said He added, “And just because the State University correspondence course the company. Instead, Greenfield said, Greenfield, as he detailed some of the idea that the good that you do comes in ice cream-making with Cohen and his present role with Ben & Jerry’s holds values-driven business practices that also back to you is written in the Bible and embarked on a new business venture. “no responsibility and no authority,” jok- saw him and Cohen named U.S. Small not in some business textbook doesn’t In 1978, with $12,000 scraped ing that it should be a position that those Business Persons of the Year in 1988. mean that it is any less valid.” c

Happy Chanukah

8 December 2, 2011 The Observer In Detroit, Jewish resurgence led by young aims to transform city By Dan Klein At a bar in Royal Oak, a suburb near week rather than one. Events were 2007 following a stint in California's Detroit, Rabbi Leiby Burnham began a organized to celebrate all the holidays. high-tech sector. “They’re willing to DETROIT (JTA) — Blair Nosan weekly program in 2007 called Torah on The synagogue started offering Hebrew take jobs as a waiter if there’s some- grew up in the Detroit suburb of West Tap to talk about Judaism in a bar set- lessons and even conversion classes. And thing to do.” Bloomfield, attended the University of ting, with the drinks paid for by an now every Friday night it hosts a CommunityNext’s strategy is to sup- Michigan and then, like thousands of anonymous donor. Starting with seven Shabbat dinner. port both Jewish culture and Detroit’s other young Jews from the beleaguered people, the event now draws as many as “I liked Isaac Agree because it revitalization. state, moved away. 100 per week. stayed; it’s been here the whole time,” The program, which was funded in Though she grew up in a heavily The most striking example of the Nosan said. “That’s a poignant point of the first year by $60,000 from two Jewish area Nosan, 26, had felt discon- transformation of Jewish life in Detroit is entry for the community -- what’s anonymous donors and another $40,000 nected both from her Jewish identity at the Isaac Agree Downtown already here and been here, and figuring from Detroit’s Jewish federation, organiz- and the nearby city, which was undergo- Synagogue, the last remaining synagogue out new energy that’s being brought to es Jewish events and offers Jewish entre- ing its own debilitating population in the city. Detroit once was a major hub the table.” preneurs small business loans and free drain. Over the last decade, 25 percent of Jewish life, with 44 synagogues. But In the past few years, Isaac Agree office space. CommunityNext also sup- of Detroit’s residents have taken flight. after race riots in the 1960s and econom- has more than tripled its membership ports nonsectarian Detroit revitalization Some 5,000 young Jews left Michigan ic decline, most of the city's whites -- households, becoming the only conser- projects such as Come Play Detroit, between 2005 and 2010, according to a Jews included -- left for the northern vative synagogue in Michigan not to suf- which helps organize intramural sports 2010 survey by the Jewish Federation of suburbs, repeating a pattern taking place fer a decline, according to the 2010 fed- leagues. In its first year, Come Play Metropolitan Detroit. in cities across America. eration survey. Detroit created 27 leagues in nine sports But then Nosan came back. In 2008, the 90-year-old “There are definitely more Jews here involving 4,500 people. In 2009, she moved to Detroit to Conservative shul was in dire straits -- then there were a year ago,” said “We're building community, but the work in its burgeoning urban agriculture open only once a week, often unable to Goldenberg while having coffee in larger agenda is Detroit,” said Rachel scene, eventually starting her own pick- assemble a minyan and without a rabbi Avalon International Breads, a bakery Lachover, CommunityNext’s associate ling company, Suddenly Sauer. (the last one had died in 2003). The co-founded by Jackie Vicks, a 20-year director. “People are moving back. Nosan was startled to learn that she board was considering packing it in and resident of the city who joined the syna- People are talking about Detroit.” was part of a significant migration of selling the historic four-story building. gogue last year. “I live here. When things In August, the federation teamed up young Jews to the Motor City — a young “Some didn’t think we had a change, I know it.” with Come Play Detroit to set up Jewish renaissance that has been as unex- future,” said David Powell, who has Some of the new Jewish revitaliza- fundraising sports tournaments across pected as it has been successful. It's evi- attended Isaac Agree for decades. “We tion programs, including Torah on Tap the country, raising $100,000 for 25 rent dent not just in numbers but in a resur- continued to plod along until rein- and Detroit’s Moishe House, are receiv- subsidies to help people move to Detroit gence of Jewish activity and vitality in forcements came.” ing support from CommunityNext, a on the condition that they hold commu- the heart of Detroit, including among Starting a few years ago, those rein- program started by one Detroit returnee nity events once a month — the Moishe Jews who had never been Jewishly active. forcements began to come in the form of based on the idea that creating cultural House model. “I did not expect to find a Jewish young social activists and entrepreneurs activities and a strong cultural center is “I’ve enjoyed becoming part of the community at all,” Nosan told JTA, who were drawn to the city by its grow- as important as jobs to retaining and Detroit Jewish community,” said Allie echoing the sentiments of many of ing arts scene and revitalization pro- attracting young adults to Detroit. Gross, an L.A. native now living at Detroit’s new Jewish residents. “Most of grams that offered subsidized rent and “Young Jews are not going to move Moishe House. “It’s changing as a lot of the Jews were living in Detroit as par- unique employment opportunities for to suburbs, they’re going to move to young people move back in. There’s a ticipants in the Jewish community, but social justice work. Many of the Jews cities,” said Jordan Wolfe, the Detroit sense of urgency. People are excited with their Jewish identity in mind were among them came to the synagogue, in native who launched the program in about what Detroit’s offering. It’s very trying to fill in the blanks of this long the process changing it. They began run- 2010 after returning to the area in exciting.” c history we had had in the city but ning services, serving on the board and weren’t raised with.” organizing events of the sort that the old Over the last few years, a slew of shul had never seen: Israeli film screen- new programs from the institutional to ings, potluck dinners, Israeli folk danc- the grass roots and from suburb to city ing. Community activists also used it as a have blossomed in the Detroit area. gathering place. Detroit’s first Moishe House opened “The synagogue wasn’t meeting the in June in midtown, and its occupants — needs of the city, and it was struggling,” five from the suburbs of Detroit and one said Oren Goldenberg, a filmmaker and from Los Angeles — have been holding prominent activist in the community. “It five or six Jewish events a month. The needed to adapt.” most recent was a sauerkraut workshop Isaac Agree became more and more taught by Nosan that attracted 16 people. popular. Services were held three days a

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But does tion is part of what encourages Israeli ship, including from Maybelline USA Aviv Fashion Week proved what they’ve Tel Aviv have any chance of becoming a fashion creativity. and several Israeli companies, such as known for years: Israeli fashion is cre- major stop on the fashion circuit? “It’s not an easy life here, it pushes the women’s magazine HaIsha and ative, current and worthy of worldwide Lev says he’s already planning us to be very creative, makes us think retailer Renuar. attention — and, hopefully, sales. another Fashion Week for next April. differently and improvise,” Lev said. Still, it wasn’t easy. The city of Tel “I wanted to help my business and He’s intent on getting Israeli-American “We’re brave because of the situation Aviv- did not offer any financial help my country,” said organizer Ofir Elie Tahari as well as Ralph Lauren, we live in.” assistance, except for free space at Lev, deputy CEO of the Israel Textile Calvin Klein, Italian designer Miuccia A handful of well-known HaTachana, the recently refurbished and Fashion Association and a former Prada and fashion luxury house Dolce & already are established in the fashion Ottoman-era train station in Jaffa. Lev model. “I wanted to show that there is Gabbana on board. Everyone is just “two world, including Alber Elbaz from the likes to compare Israel to Denmark, a fashion and creativity in Israel.” phone calls away,” Lev says. Parisian house of and designer to similarly sized country that sponsors a 2 Lev drew on his extensive contacts The challenge is to get everyone to the stars Yigal Azrouel. million euro fashion week each year. abroad to bring together foreign fashion Israel, and the country’s reputation as a Well-known Israeli designer Ronen “The growth of the Israeli design writers and Italian star designer Roberto dangerous place — albeit undeserved — Chen, who exports his women’s collec- industry was 8 percent last year; that’s Cavalli in Tel Aviv for the three-day makes it an uphill fight. tion to the United States and Europe, something,” he says. “That’s a lot and I fashion fest. “We have to battle with a Wild was conspicuous in his absence from want to show it off.” While the Israeli fashion scene has West existence,” said designer Dorit Fashion Week. He said the timing was- Lisa Armstrong, a journalist for the been around for decades, starting with Frankfurt, who heads a well-established n’t good — he’s already working on British Telegraph, wrote about Israeli Lea Gottlieb and her Gottex swimwear Israeli label that exports overseas. next winter, and the shows focused on soap star and designer Dorit Bar Or, the empire, it has been many years since Frankfurt, who has manufactured her spring 2012 — and he acknowledged a designer of Pas Pour Toi. there was any kind of public fashion collection since 1983 at her own factory certain amount of ambivalence regard- “Israeli editors declared the local extravaganza. in Tel Aviv, showcased her spring collec- ing the concept. flavour of her collection a bit parochial,” In the 1970s, a fashion week was tion during Fashion Week. “Here in Israel, we don’t do shows in Armstrong wrote. “To outsiders, it was held twice a year at the Tel Aviv For Sasson Kedem, a creator of artsy, order to get orders — there’s just a link exotic: entirely black (despite the envi- Hilton, recalls designer Gideon architecturally styled pieces for women missing,” he said. “Department store able climate, they’re not exactly embrac- Oberson, who is also known for his who also served as a mentor on the one buyers aren’t going to come here to order ing The New Colour), with impeccably swimsuits, and buyers came from the season of “ Israel,” said our clothes because we don’t have a long executed gold embroidery, a lot drawn United States and Europe. But the Tel Aviv Fashion Week — referred to enough track record, we don’t have the from Arab designs — and gorgeous gold Israeli manufacturing industry then was here as TLV FW, in Fashion TV style — standards necessary. I just didn’t know if earrings in the shape of leaves that quite different, with at least a dozen was an opportunity to show the world it was worthwhile.” curved up the lobes.” fashion companies manufacturing that “we’re not just about bombs.” Designers had to spend some That’s the idea, says Kedem: Israel is entire collections for export. “We’re very clever,” Kedem said, $7,000 each on runway shows, and not , but Israeli designers excel at “Now we don’t have companies referring to his fellow design colleagues. some of the younger designers split “translating the land.” doing fashion, but we have solo design- “But we are different because of this the costs, with each sharing a half- “You see the Mediterranean in our ers, at least four or five talented ones place. We have passion, and we have to hour show with one or two others. clothing,” he said. “We do intimate emerging each year,” Oberson said. “I grab our opportunities because no one Lev estimated that the week cost clothing that offers the feel of our think this fashion week was created to can take our inspiration from us.” about $2 million, including costs for country.” c

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Here is a list of the Adult Division, Hillel’s graduate In 2010 we asked newly funded programs student programs, and Temple offered in 2010-2011 as a young adult programs. In DIRECT RESULT OF addition, he works with all the you what was needed YOUR FEEDBACK: congregations and agencies in identifying program and ENGAGING THE engagement opportunities. This to create the NEXT GENERATION program’s goal is to enhance OF LEADERSHIP and increase opportunities for Next Generation Satellite Jewish young adult engagement Suburb Shabbat Dinners and in Jewish life. Programs - The Temple/GJCC $24,250.00 This unique program’s goal is to Best provide a series of Friday night SERVING SENIORS dinners and educational programs in communities of new Jewish population growth: Hendersonville, East Nashville, Jewish Franklin, etc. The dinners will target next generation Jewish adults and families who are not currently receiving Jewish services in their areas and Nashville? connect them to the larger Jewish community. $11,000.00 Thank Goodness It’s Thursday - YOU gave us great feedback including: GJCC • offer opportunities to engage the next PJ Library - GJCC and GJCC Thank Goodness It’s Thursday generation of young adult leaders Preschool, Temple Playschool, is a weekly lunch and learn and Micah Children’s Academy program for senior adults at the • increase the programmatic offerings to The PJ Library is a program that GJCC. Participants are offered seniors sends Jewish-content books and a hot lunch, exercise, and Jewish • offer programs targeting Israel education music free of cost on a monthly educational and social programs. basis to children from age 6 This grant adds the hot and advocacy training months to 6 years. lunch/nutrition component to • encourage agencies and congregations The three preschools will work this program. $10,000.00 to work together to offer programs together to market the program to both affiliated and unaffiliated Directory for Jewish Seniors - • serve Jews in outlying geographic areas families in Nashville and Middle Jewish Family Service • enhance educational opportunities about Tennessee. JFS has compiled a comprehen- $13,000.00 sive, large-print directory of all what are the needs of Jews in Israel and services, programs, and activi- worldwide, and what Federation is doing Vanderbilt Hillel Senior-Class ties available to the Nashville to address those needs. Leadership and Community Senior Community. This directo- Engagement Initiative ry is available free of charge to This project will engage the you and your senior friends We have heard you and have been hard at work senior class in social, community and relatives. to implement your ideas and feedback. service, networking, and $3,400.00 educational activities in order Two committees; the Grants Committee to establish potential long-term Senior FYI - Jewish Family and the Local/Global Committee have dedicated connections for the seniors to Service time and energy to work with our agencies and the Nashville Jewish Community This day-long educational series for boomers and congregations to offer the programs and Hillel. $6,000.00 seniors, centered on timely YOU IDENTIFIED AS CRITICAL. topics of concern for the senior Next Generation Engagement - population. Topics included long Jewish Federation, Hillel, and term health care, powers of For more information contact The Temple attorney/wills/estate planning, Harriet Schiftan, Planning Director at A dedicated Young successful retirement planning, [email protected] Adult Engagement and other topics requested 615.654.1687 Associate now frequently from JFS. www.jewishnashville.org staffs JMingle, $2,400.00 Federation’s Young 12 December 2, 2011 The Observer Jewish Life ille New Initiatives Community

INCREASING Community Israel Education INCREASING ISRAEL EDUCATION Initiative - Nashville Jewish OUR COMMUNITY’S Israel AND ADVOCACY Educators’ Network (includes UNDERSTANDING OF Congregation MIcah, Sherith GLOBAL JEWISH NEEDS Israel, The Temple and West End Synagogue) The Educators proposed the of the world where Jews are hiring of a community-wide most in need. After their travels, Israel Educator to improve the we will expect participants to quality and frequency of syna- educate our community first gogue and community-wide hand about the the needs of Israel programming. The Israel Jews, the services provided by Educator will be responsible for our Federation-funded the Get Connected Teen Israel organizations and the remaining Increase your Israel IQ: From Trip kallot, one Israel-themed gaps in service. This year we Argument to Advocacy - program at each synagogue Young Emissary/Community sent 4 candidates to the Community Relations school, programs with P2K Shaliach Program – One of the JFNA’s National Young Committee partners in Hadera, and an most effective ways to Leadership Mission to Israel and A series of engaging and annual Israel Educators’ Retreat. strengthen ties to Israel, deepen 4 candidates in partnership with informative seminars for adults $10,000.00 relationships to Israel, and the Greensboro Federation to led by experts on a variety of increase Israel education locally Camp Delet in Betsy, Moldova. issues related to Israel and Israel Building Blocks Workshop - is to bring a talented young $24,000.00 Advocacy (including effective Congregation Micah and Akiva Israeli to spend a year serving as advocacy skills, contemporary School an educational emissary. Our Worldwide-Partners’ Speaker issues, land and people, critically In order to generate excitement Shlicha works with all age Series – In order to provide analyzing Israel in the media, about Jerusalem, Israel and groups and Jewish organizations educational opportunities for issues and current events in Jewish history, a team of profes- to offer Israel-themed cultural, the entire community, we invited Israel etc.). Also includes a sional educators and architects educational, and social leaders from our longtime series of facilitated Jewish helped children and their fami- programs geared toward partner agencies, The Jewish dialogues enabling several lies construct a 400-square-foot increasing Jewish awareness, Agency for Israel and the Joint groups of 6 - 8 participants to knowledge and pride. Distribution Committee to bring discuss Israel-related topics in a $15,500.00 (two-year funding current and up-to-the-minute civil and open manner. commitment) briefings regarding emerging $15,350.00 social needs and programs Young Adult Missions Trips – worldwide. This past year J-Connect - Congregation The goal of the young adult Dr. Misha Galperin, Vice Sherith Israel mission trips is to attract President of JAFI, spent two J-Connect is a cutting-edge promising young leaders who days speaking with leadership, weekly program where Jewish are active in our community as community members, rabbis, middle-school and high-school well as those who are new to us and young adults. students engage with master and send them as educational $4,500.00 teachers in Jerusalem in a model of the city of Jerusalem, ambassadors to Israel and areas virtual classroom (on a large the Warsaw Ghetto, and Masada screen TV) and discuss Jewish out of Legos. Four different text. Video and music from build sites involved as many as cyberspace are interwoven and 200 children and families. the students end up with a This workshop is preceded profound connection to Jewish and followed up with lessons text and the land of Israel. relating to Israel. Students gain a sense of life in $6,500.00 Israel, its challenges, its rewards and its realities. $4,000.00 Thank You! Your gift funds new initiatives PLUS provides additional support for Jewish needs in Nashville, Israel, and worldwide. The Observer December 2, 2011 13 14 December 2, 2011 The Observer The word on new Chanukah books for kids By Penny Schwartz “Is it Hanukkah? Is it Hanukkah?” Who was that guy Judah Maccabee delivers a deliciously mischievous Jacob’s big brother Nathan repeats the and what does he have to do with Chanukah spin on an old world legend BOSTON (JTA) — Judah question, and many others, again and Chanukah? Parents and educators seek- of the Golem of Prague, a kabbalistic Maccabee, meet the Golem of Prague. again, annoying Jacob. Jacob tries to ing an informative and engaging book creature with magical powers to help And Rebecca Rubin, Engineer Ari, and understand that his brother’s autism about the historic origins of the holiday the Jewish people. When Rabbi Judah Nathan and Jacob, two brothers who are causes him to think and act differently, will be attracted to David Adler’s signa- of Prague leaves his new housemaid part of a modern American Jewish family. but sometimes Jacob loses his patience. ture straightforward style. Adler, the Basha with a long list of chores for the They are among the characters who Jacob is embarrassed in front of new award-winning and popular author of holiday celebration, he cautions her take center stage in this year’s crop of neighbors when Nathan blows out the more than 200 books for children, not to leave the hardworking golem new children’s books for Chanukah, the Chanukah candles as if it were a birthday including “The Kids’ Catalog of alone in the house. The only way to eight-day Festival of Lights that begins celebration, but he defends Nathan Hanukkah,” is skillful at enlightening get the golem to stop working is to tell this year at sundown Dec. 20. The lively when a new friend makes fun of his readers unfamiliar with the two-millen- him, “Golem, enough!” Kimmel writes. mix includes the recent release of an e- brother. The family’s creative response nia-old story of the great military victo- Kids will delight in the inevitable book version of a popular chapter book brings everyone together in a fun-filled ry of the Maccabees over religious perse- hilarity when Basha takes off to visit and a dazzling work of design by a Chanukah celebration. The story tackles cution by their Greek rulers and the her friend and leaves the golem alone renowned paper artist. a serious issue without being heavy- miracle of the oil. Jill Weber’s illustra- making . The fried pan- Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah! handed. (A PJ Library selection) tions evoke ancient times with the gold- cakes pile up higher and higher, out Illustrated by Olga and Eleksey Ivanov. Chanukah Lights Michael J. Rosen, en glow of the Temple and dramatic bat- the windows, and take over the city Marshall Cavendish ($12.99); ages 1-4 Robert Sabuda. Candlewick Press tle scenes of mighty Greek warriors on streets. A festive ending gathers the A brightly illustrated book version ($34.99); ages 5 and up horses and elephants. The story ends whole city for a latkes-eating of the popular song features double-page This gift book, a stunning collabora- with a modern family celebrating Chanukah celebration. Jasinski’s mem- paintings of a family — and their smiling tion between award-winning writer and Chanukah. Back pages include Weber’s orable illustrations show the fantasti- pet dog — celebrating each of the eight poet Michael J. Rosen and master pop- recipe for latkes and instructions for cal golem painted more like a Gumby- nights of Chanukah. Sing along as they up artist Robert Sabuda, is one that kids playing dreidel. style robot than a frightening ghoul. light the menorah, dance the hora, eat might have to pry away from their par- Double-page spreads place readers in latkes and play dreidel. An endnote ents — or they can enjoy together. the action, from the cobblestone explains the origins of the Hebrew and Rosen in simple language traces the his- streets of Prague to the mountain-high Yiddish versions of the song, a mainstay tory of celebrating Chanukah and its towers of golden potato latkes. (A PJ of the holiday. Music and lyrics are pro- aspiration for freedom from ancient Library selection) vided. (A PJ Library selection) times to today, from the ancient Temple Candlelight for Rebecca Jacqueline Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah to the desert, across oceans, to shtetls Dembar Greene, illustrations by Robert Mishap Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated and the cities of immigrant families, to Hunt. American Girl (6.95 paperback/ e- by Shahar Kober. Kar-Ben ($7.95); ages an grove on a kibbutz in Israel. book available for Kindle and Nook read- 4-8 Sabuda’s mesmerizing paper creations ers) Ages 8 and up Board a Chanukah train ride set in emerge miraculously from the folded Set in 1914, Jacqueline Dembar Israel, the latest addition to the award- pages. The artwork is outstanding in Greene’s historical novel is the third in a winning series of “Engineer Ari” books both its detail and the simplicity of the series of six popular American Girl books that will especially delight train-loving images it evokes. The Golem’s Latkes Adapted by Eric featuring Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl kids. A stubborn camel provides the The Story of Hanukkah David A. A. Kimmel, illustrated by Aaron who lives with her family on New York obstacle as Engineer Ari heads home Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber. Holiday Jasinski Marshall. City’s Lower East side. Originally with a trainload of Chanukah treats and House ($14.95); ages 4-8 Master storyteller Eric Kimmel Continued on page 20 toys. A Bedouin farmer named Kalil comes to the rescue, and together they Happy Chanukah celebrate the first night of Chanukah. Lively cartoon-like illustrations animate the fun and hopeful story. An author’s note explains the building of the first railway line between Jaffa and Jerusalem. Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles Tami Lehman-Wilzig with Nicole Katzman; illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau. Kar-Ben ($7.95); ages 4-8

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By Mark Binder there every day.” presents for Chanukah. I just want to The family gathered around, and “But that is for others who are less know why!” from the bag, Shmeenie took out four ong ago there was no such fortunate than us. For food and shel- Chaya Levitsky nodded. “Does your scrolls of paper and tied with hair rib- thing as Chanukah presents. ter. Some people aren’t as lucky as we family love you?” bons. She solemnly handed them out. And then in Chelm, the vil- are to have so much. Besides, if I “Yes.” As one, the Schlemiel family slipped lage of fools... bought a gift for you, I would have to “And do you love them?” off the ribbons, unrolled the papers and “I want a Christmas buy gifts for your brothers, Abraham “Absolutely.” read: present,” said five-year-old and Adam.” “So, who needs to give gifts?” My gift to you LShmeenie Schlemiel. “So??” Shmeenie smiled brightly. Shmeenie looked at Mrs. Levitsky Is love from me “A what?” said her father, Jacob “Mama needs a new apron, too.” and patiently explained. “People don’t It doesn’t cost much Schlemiel, the carpenter. “We don’t have enough money!” need to give gifts. People want to give And it’s given for free “A Christmas present,” Shmeenie Jacob snapped. “No Chanukah presents! gifts.” It will never run out said firmly. “I was playing in the market End of conversation!” Jacob slammed his “Then you should give gifts,” Mrs. Or go away with a girl named Alexandra. You fist on the table. Levitsky said. That is my gift wouldn’t believe how many Christmas He didn’t have to look to know that “But I don’t have any money.” For you today. gifts she’s going to get! I don’t want that his daughter was crying. In fact, it was Shmeenie said, exasperated. You have never seen so many tears many, just one.” better that he didn’t, because if he saw “Ahh. So now you know how your of joy in one room. “Just one?” Jacob scratched his her tears he would promise her anything. family feels.” A moment later Abraham and beard. “Sweet one, Jewish people don’t And he couldn’t. Already there wasn’t “But...” For a moment the little girl Adam and Jacob and Rebecca ran from get Christmas presents.” enough. looked as if she was going to cry. Then the room. In another moment they were Shmeenie frowned, nodded, and Shmeenie sniffled, and then when she composed herself. “Do you want to back with little gifts of their own — said, “All right. I want a Chanukah she saw her father wasn’t going to know the truth? I don’t really want to small dolls made from scraps of cloth and present.” change his mind, she ran to her room, give gifts. I just want to get one. Just a lit- pieces of wood. Even Jacob gave “A Chanukah present?” Jacob was slamming the door behind her. tle doll.” Shmeenie a small seven-sided dollhouse stunned. Who ever heard of such a But Shmeenie Schlemiel was per- “I understand,” Mrs. Levitsky said. with real windows and doors that thing! “Chanukah is not a holiday for sistent. She pestered her mother and her “Do you know what they call a gift that opened. presents. Candles, latkes and dreidels are brothers. They all just laughed and said is an obligation?” The laughter from the Schlemiel enough. We Jews give gifts on Purim. no. Impossible! Shmeenie shook her head. house that evening filled the entire vil- Now on a birthday...” “What’s so wrong with Chanukah “Taxes.” Mrs. Levitsky laughed, lage of Chelm with joy. “I know,” Shmeenie nodded. “But I presents?” she wondered aloud one day as patted Shmeenie on the head, and “Chanukah presents, who would want a present before that. I want a she walked through the streets of Chelm. walked off. have thought?” Jacob Schlemiel said to Chanukah present.” “Gifts are wonderful things!” Frustrated, Shmeenie stomped her his wife just before bed. “Let’s just not “No,” Jacob shook his head. Then “Yes,” said a voice. “Gifts are won- feet in the snow for a good five minutes, make a habit of it....” c he softened. “Listen, if we were wealthy, derful things.” and then she had an idea... I might, but we are not. Where would Shmeenie looked up and saw Chaya Mark Binder Copyright 2011, the money for this gift come from? You Levitsky, the synagogue caretaker’s wife. * * * Regional Rights want to eat less food?” “That’s exactly what I’ve been try- This is the somewhat abridged version “What about the tzedakah box?” ing to tell my family,” Shmeenie said. On the first night of Chanukah, of the title story from A Hanukkah Shmeenie pointed. “You put money in “But they keep telling me nobody gives after the candles were lit, while the Present! by Mark Binder, an award-win- latkes were frying and Adam and ning author and spoken-word storyteller. Abraham were spinning their dreidels, “A Hanukkah Present!” was the finalist Shmeenie sneaked off to her room. for the National Jewish Book Award for Jacob and Rebecca exchanged nerv- Family Literature. It is available in soft- ous looks, but neither said a word. A few cover on iTunes, and now in an ebook edi- moments later, the little girl came back tion for the Kindle, Nook and iPad. with a small bag. Purchase online, or if you still need con- “Everyone, come here!” she said vincing, please try another story free at brightly. “I have presents for you.” http://lightpublications.com/hanukkah/

16 December 2, 2011 The Observer Community marks Chanukah with host of events t’s time to dust off the menorahs, Congregation Sherith Israel: practice spinning the dreidel and Annual Supper, Sun., Dec. 25, get ready to celebrate Chanukah beginning at 5:30 p.m. with lighting of the 5772. This year, Chanukah starts Limor Menorah. Dinner follows at 6 p.m. on the evening of Tues., Dec. 20, Be there for food, music and lots of fun. (or the 24th of Kislev) and con- For fees and information, call 292-6614. Itinues through Wed., Dec. 28. There are plenty of ways to mark the The Temple – Congregation eight days this year in addition to light- Ohabai Sholom: ing candles and frying up latkes at home. Get in the Choliday spirit with Next Nashville’s congregations and other Dor for a Latkes and Vodka holiday soiree Jewish organizations are preparing a host on Sat., Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. The event is of events, and we’re listing them below. hosted by Andy and Julie Baker and will be [Chabad of Nashville was firming up held at 1114 Sharpe Ave. in East Nashville. Chanukah plans at press time, so please RSVP by Dec. 7. Contacts for Next Dor are its website, www.chabad Rabbi Shana Mackler, Joel Abramson, or nashville.com, or the next issue of the Temple member Jeff Sonsino. Observer for more information. Also, The Temple Preschool celebrates please check with your congregation for Chanukah a day early, on Mon., Dec. 19, additional activities that may still be in the from 2:15-3:15 p.m. works and for any applicable fees.] A Chanukah dinner with lots of latkes is set for Fri., Dec. 16, following The Gordon Jewish Community Shabbat services at 6 p.m. The celebra- Center’s annual Hanukkah Festival tion also includes birthday blessings and takes place on Sun., Dec. 18, from 3-6 Sherith Israel chanukiah songs from the junior choir. For costs p.m. It kicks off with children’s perform- and to RSVP call 352-7620 no later than ances from 3-3:30 p.m. Enjoy Bernie’s Dec. 16, from 6-7:30 p.m., with Shabbat nival begins at 10:30 for families with Tues., Dec. 13. famous latkes hot off the griddle and all service following at 7:30. Micah will pro- infants through seventh graders. There Temple’s W.E.L.L. program the dinner trimmings from 3:30-6 p.m. vide the chicken, latkes and . will be Chanukah games, activities, crafts, (Women Engaged in Living and There’s a carnival with games, prizes and Bring a nondairy side dish that serves balloon art, air brush tattoos, a latke toss Learning) holds a Chanukah party bouncies, a vendor fair, a PJ Library read- eight to ten people. Share stories; sing and edible dreidels. There will be a latke potluck and gift exchange on Wed., Dec. ing and Early Childhood Learning songs with the rabbis, Lisa Silver, the lunch and sufganiyot (doughnuts) pre- 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Annie Center book fair. This year also features Micah Kids Choir; and celebrate the pared by Religious School grandparents. Soloman. Bring a wrapped gift ($15 something new, with a tween dance Festival of Lights. For fees and informa- It is free and open to the community. The limit), your Chanukiah and candles and party and game room. For tickets, fees tion, call 377-9799. event is sponsored by the West End a dairy/vegetarian dish to feed eight. and information, contact Claire Synagogue Religious School, the Jewish R.S.V.P. to Pam Harrison, 430-8325. Bernstein, [email protected]. West End Synagogue: Chanukah Federation of Nashville, WES Families A mini-Chanukah celebration is set Zimriah (Songfest) and Carnival, Sun., with Young Children, WES Mens Club for Fri., Dec. 23, with Jmingle’s Congregation Micah: Annual Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. All students are asked and a grandparents committee. For infor- Latkapalooza set for 6:30 p.m. on Sat., Chanukah Family Potluck Dinner, Fri., to report to school at 9:45 a.m. The car- mation, call 269-4592. Dec. 24. c

Toast young adults’ new website, NowGen Nashville, at pre-Chanukah party APPY HANUKAH ark the birth of a web- The website, www.nowgen- H C site for NowGen nashville.org, is designed to help com- Nashville, the Jewish munity members ages 22-40 stay in Young Adult Com- touch and updated on activities and GREAT VARIETY munity of Nashville, events. It has been in the works for Mat a launch party and Chanukah cele- the past few months. bration on Thurs., Dec. 15, at the There’s also a NowGen Nashville OF HOLIDAY GIFTS Gordon Jewish Community Center. Newsletter of updates for the young When the event starts at 6 p.m., adult community. Keep track of there will be people, food, music, potlucks, socials, community service giveaways (think commemorative and more by signing up with guitar picks, for one thing) and – free Federation Community Engagement latkes. Special thanks to our sponsor, Associate Joel Abramson at joel@jew- Reliant Bank. ishnashville.org. c

happy chanukah

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The Observer December 2, 2011 17 35. ______-dabra Chanukah 5772 37. Acronym preceding an alias © 2011, Bernard Mann / Legacy Crosswords 39. How Josephus would have written 551 (in Latin) ACROSS 40. CHANUKAH COMMEMO- 1. 19th century political cartoonist RATES ______OF THE 5. AFTER AN “L”, WITH THE CLEANSED AND SANCTIFIED SHREDDED POTATOES FRIED TEMPLE 10. A late Prophet 44. One of the Three Stooges 14. A nurse of the Orient 45. Priest of Israel, Samuel’s mentor 15. The air, in Arles 46. Hazak, in English 16. “____ on over at 6:00. We’ll be 47. The Tablets were enshrined in the home by then.” ___ __ the Tabernacle 17. Puerto ____ 50. Cow language 18. The Indian, for one 52. Danny _____, great Celtic guard 19. Feminine plural pronoun, second 53. The ___ is to the U.S. as the RUP person, in Hebrew Is to India (These are not the intl. mon- 20. TWO SONS OF MATITYAHU etary abbrs.) (MATTATHIAS), in Hebrew 55. Avraham ____, Israel’s Interim 23. Prefix for things Copenhagen-ish President for 20 days in 2000 24. Neshama, in Nice 57. WE LIGHT CANDLES ON ___ 25. Something like a cell, but with a ______OF CHANUKAH (3 dedicated line from the office words) 28. Sra., in English 64. Melee, urban or prison event 31. “He went on and on, with all kinds 65. Many highway departments have an of _____(ands).” “Adopt-_-____” program Crossword 66. Country of the fictional Leopold Bloom 67. “Oh, I really like you _ ___.” 68. Relation of one number to another 69. Horse steering aid 70. Hindu sacred literature 71. Great singer, once led The Police The Simchas 72. Signs indicating all seats taken DOWN 1. “There’s ____ a piece of bread left” & Celebrations Issue! (obsolete English) 2. Girlfriend, in Grenoble 3. A sugar subst. 4. “You darling” – starting with an Olde English word January 20, 2012 5. It’s sure hard to get _ ____ these days. 6. Dashboard indicator of RPM’s 7. City on the Dnieper 8. Significant periods of time 9. Portuguese for password 10. “That’s no mirage walking across the dune. That’s ______.” We will be highlighting lifecycle 11. ____-cross, form of off-road racing 12. Sign of good or not so good events including Weddings, 13. One-hundredth of a yen 21. Hora or debka Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, 22. Mommy, in Metulah Anniversaries and Births. 25. Ma_____ Gandhi 26. Revile We know that you will want to be 27. Sappho or Achilles 29. Keillor’s medium included in this issue. For advertisers 30. We warm up at après-___ who contract a 1/8 page ad or 32. Son or daughter, especially one who carries on parents’ cause larger we will be happy to contact 33. “_ ____have I loved you ,” in “Angel,” Aretha Franklin you for articles pertaining to 34. Sear your business. 36. Fruit drink 38. Electrical counterparts to D.C.’s 41. American ___, beetle/fungus-devas- tated street tree 42. Computer games maker Deadline for ads 43. Mechanisms that start actions 48. African-American singer, “Voice of is January 13, 2012 the Civil Rights Movement” 49. Enemy 51. Get 54. Prevaricators 56. Stop following, as a gumshoe? Contact: Carrie Mills, 57. Unit wall or floor surfacing for bath- room, kitchen Advertising Manager 58. You lift it to be able to check your engine oil, etc. 615-354-1699 59. Thankfulness, abbr. e-mail: [email protected] 60. “___ _00”, weekly report on the top pop music singles fax: 615-352-0056 61. Rabbi Marvin ____ of Simon Wiesenthal Center 62. Threesome 63. Lieberman, Boxer, et al, abbr. 64. ___ Kook, for example Solution on page 21 18 December 2, 2011 The Observer Happy Holidays and A Big Thank You To All Our Advertisers Who Support Us Throughout The Year! The Observer Publisher ...... Mark S. Freedman Editor ...... Judith A. Saks Advertising Manager ...... Carrie Mills Staff Writer ...... Kathy Carlson Graphic Design/Production ...... Tim Gregory

Act lV Music David Manas Homewood at Brookmont Nashville Marriott at Shirley Zeitlin Akiva Davishire Interior Hunt Memorial Vanderbilt Simon & Ripley's Alive Hospice Dennis Petty Hutton Hotel Nashville Opera Sperry’s All Seasons Dennis Scott Ibiza Fine Gifts Nashville Party Authority Sprintz Alpha Bakery Diane Neighbors Ilex Nashville Symphony State of Israeli Bonds Amy Mariaskin Dr. Jina Scherer Interiors by Zev Nashville Wine & Spirits Suriva Fischer Andrew Bissell Dr. Joel Gluck Israeli Consulate NCJW Sylvan Park Shell Antonio’s Dr. Steve Hecklin Jackie Karr Realty Noshville Team Nashville BBJ Linen Dr.Howard Rosenblum Jamie Rothberg NY Kosher Steaks Temple Arts Festival Beit Tefilah Electronic Express Jane Snyder Optique Temple Gift Shop Belle Meade Cigar Escape Day Spa JCC Packing Express Temple Play School Belle Meade Jewelry F. Scott's Jcc Preschool Paper Place Tenn Repretory Theatre Belmont Village Family Staffing Solutions JCRS Park Manor The Belcourt Beth Zeitlin Flemings Steak House Jessica Averbuch Party Animals The Center for Jewish Bill Smith Franklin Pargh Jewish Agency for Israel Party Time Nashville Awareness Blue Tone Music Fred Zimmerman Jewish Federation Patricia Straus The Cumberland Bobbie Limor Garden of Eden Jewish Foundation Phase One Consultants The Frist Bob's Electric Genesis Diamonds JFS Phillips Toy Mart The Ladies Shoppe Bone, McAllester, Norton, Get Connected John Rich Picture This Nashville The Temple PLLC Ghertner Maintence Kalamatas Pizza Perfect Tin Angel Brett S. Shapiro Gil Fox Karr Realty PJTN TN Holocaust Commission Brookdale Senior Living Goins Custom Design Katy’s Hallmark Porta Via TPAC Bud’s Liquors Gold Skin Care Krogers Premier Event Two Moon Gallery Camp Barney Goldie Shepard Levy's Prime 108 Union Station Casa Grins Loews Vanderbilt Princeton Review Vanderbilt Hillel Cindy Earl Hadassah Lorna Graff Publix Vic Lineweaver Circle Players Hair Prothesis Institute Marshall Donnelly Red's Liquor Village Bridal Congregation Micah Hampton Inn Green Hills Marshall Karr Rhonda Wernick Vito's Restaurante Congregation Sherith Israel Harding Academy Martin Sir Rich Adler WES Gift Shop Corzine & Co. Harpeth Hall Michael Sanderson Richter's Jewelry WES Sisterhood CPA Consulting Group Hart Hardware Mitchell Wiatrak, M.D. Robins Insurance West End Synagogue CRC Health Spring Monitor u .com Rodan & Fields West Meade Wine and Cumberland Gallery Hear Care Clinic Morsels Rodney Rosenblum Liquor Curry ingram Hearing Services Murphy Rd Animal Hospital Ronnie Stein Zander Custom Embroidery Heritage of Brentwood Nan Speller S. Callan Advertising Co. Zev Goering Cute and Comfy Shoes Hermitage Lighting Nashville Hilton Downtown Sam Averbuch Dave Roberts Hilton Downtown Nashville Jewish Film Senator Douglas Henry David Goldberg Holocaust Commission Festival Shingdig & Celebrations

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The Observer December 2, 2011 19 New Jersey teens make friends in Nashville, help repair flood-damaged homes By Kathy Carlson she said. The New Jersey teens have helped to restore the outside of the house n the back deck of a – projects like repairing the rainsoaked house near Opryland on deck, washed-out driveway and front steps a warm fall day, several that became useless after they sank into teens talk country music the mud. Those jobs took a back seat to with a young mother repairing the interior and getting the fam- holding her baby son. ily back into the house, she said. OThe teens sport kippot; she wears a sil- Her house wasn’t in a flood plain, so very cross on a chain necklace. there was no flood insurance, she said. The teens, all high school students FEMA grants helped, and she is thankful from New Jersey, have come to Nashville for volunteers who donated labor. with two rabbis to help repair homes Taking a break from the deck work, damaged in the May 2010 flood that the teens and Griffith found they both like brought more than a foot of rain and mil- Toby Keith and Brad Paisley, though there lions in damage across Middle Tennessee. was a difference of opinion on Taylor Swift. Ten of the group of 17 boys attend Katz has been directing the leadership Torah Academy of Bergen County; the missions since the program’s beginning. others attend four different public schools. “We have a responsibility to help All are active in New Jersey NCSY, the others in need — Jews and non-Jews Orthodox Union’s international youth alike — and to make this world better program. They were in Nashville from than the day before,” he said in a written Nov. 9-13 and worked with Southeast statement. “These students are not afraid Nashville Flood Recovery on homes in to get down-and-dirty to help strangers Antioch and the Pennington Bend area. or to share their joy of Torah in distant Michael Abelev takes a turn with power drill to repair a flood-damaged deck as Rabbi Josh The Jewish disaster relief group Jewish communities.” c Kahn in background and Jacob Smalkin (right) look on. Nechama put the NCSY group in touch with Southeast Nashville Flood Recovery, said Rabbi Ethan Katz of New Jersey associate regional NCSY director, The word on new Chanukah books for kids who led the group with Rabbi Josh Kahn of Torah Academy. Continued from page 15 armor. The conversation between The New Jersey group spent Shabbat published in book form in 2009, it is Jonathan and Judah Maccabee starts at Congregation Sherith Israel with newly available for electronic reading out like a comedy routine, each ques- Rabbi Daniel Levitt, walking to shul from devices. Rebecca is uneasy when her tioning who the other is, but over eight the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt while class is assigned an art project to make a days a warm relationship develops Commodores fans walked to Vanderbilt Christmas table decoration because her between the young adolescent and the Stadium for a football game. On Jewish family doesn’t celebrate ancient battle-weary warrior that sheds Saturday night the group played laser tag Christmas. Rebecca grapples with time- a contemporary light onto the long arc and took in downtown Nashville. It was less, universal questions about accept- of Jewish history and ritual. Educators a first trip to Nashville for most of them. ance and religious freedom that resonate may find this a unique play for perform- c “Nashville is beautiful,” Katz said. with readers from all backgrounds. ing or reading aloud. “The people are so nice.” Playing Dreidel with Judah Alex Mabe, a senior at Matawan Maccabee A play by Edward Einhorn. High School, worked with Jacob Theater 61 Press ($14.95); ages 12 and up Prescription Card now available Smalkin, Roger Blumin and Michael Edward Einhorn is the artistic Abelev to rebuild the deck on Jennifer director of a New York-based theater ant to save money How does it work? Simply present Griffith’s house. “Thank you so much,” company who served as the director of on all of your pre- the free card at the drugstore each time she told the teens, holding 10-month- the Festival of Jewish Theater. scription medica- you pick up your medication. There are old son Easton. Einhorn’s play is a fantasy that travels tions? Then pick no deductibles and no forms to fill out In May 2010, she and her son made it in time between a modern-day syna- up your free and this card is accepted at over 80 per- out of their house as water from the gogue and ancient Israel. As the young GJCC Discount cent of all pharmacies. The card does Cumberland River was reaching her Jonathan spins a dreidel, singing the WPrescription Card provided by the not take the place of your insurance card calves, she said. It took about four months familiar dreidel song, he is startled by GJCC Aquatics Department next time but is probably most beneficial for those to be able to move back into the house, the appearance of an old man dressed in you are at the Center. with minimal or no coverage. An added bonus: the card never expires. So you can keep saving over and over again. With each successful use of the card, the GJCC Aquatics Department will receive 75 cents toward fundrais- Business Card Directory ing efforts. For questions, contact Yvonne Hall, aquatics director, at yvonne@nashville- YOUR GUIDE TO FINE BUSINESSES jcc.org or call 615/356-7170. c AND SERVICES AROUND MUSIC CITY. 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20 December 2, 2011 The Observer her beloved husband, Berney B. including the YWCA Woman of ond only to the love of her family. Steiner; her parents, Elise and Jacob Achievement Award, and the Mary Memorial contributions may be made Levy, and her sisters, Jacklyn Catherine Strobel Award for to the Nashville Chapter of the Pergament and Jeanne Levy. She is sur- Community Volunteer of the Year. American Red Cross, Fifty Forward, lifecycles vived by her daughter, Lisa Small However, it was the host of lifelong Jewish Family Service or The Temple (Stephen) and her grandsons, Charles friends she made that she treasured, sec- Endowment Fund. Honors Small and Jonathan Small. Elise was born in New Orleans, La., and, as a new The Nashville Coalition for the bride in 1936, moved to Nashville Homeless honored where she lived until her death. An Reconfigured library at local volunteer avid golfer, intrepid traveler and gour- Ben Morton with met cook, she lived life fully. While she GJCC open for business the Phyllis M. never held a salaried position, she Frank Volunteer became a community leader and a pro- By Kathy Carlson the possibility of book readings for both Award at its regu- fessional volunteer for the many groups adults and children next year, she said. lar monthly meet- whose causes she believed in. She began arrie Mills is excited about Other ideas include a Facebook page, ing on Nov. 17 at her volunteer career with the American her latest assignment applying for grants, and creating a com- the Nashville Red Cross during World War II, first within Nashville’s Jewish mittee to distribute books no longer on Rescue Mission. rolling bandages and serving coffee and community. She wears a the shelves. The Phyllis M. Ben Morton and meals to the troops moving through Phyllis M. Frank lot of professional hats – Future meetings and activities will Frank Volunteer Union Station. Eventually she chaired singer, songwriter, artist, be announced. Mills encourages anyone Award is named after its first recipient, almost every committee at the Cadvertising manager for The Observer and who is interested in helping in the Phyllis M. Frank, who is an advocate to Nashville Chapter and was affection- the Gordon Jewish Community Center’s library to contact her at carrie@ end homelessness and the past chair of ately known by the staff as “Mrs. Red gallery curator, and now, she’s helping nashvillejcc.org. c the Nashville Coalition for the Cross.” Her other passions included revitalize the GJCC Library. Homeless. She is a founding board Fifty Forward (formerly known as “I was asked to restore the library,” Solution to crossword puzzle on page 18 member of Room in the Inn, Matthew Senior Citizens), where she served as she says. “People in the community were 25 and the Campus for Human president of the Board and the first missing it.” Mills used her background Development. chair of the Endowment Fund; the in the arts to help reconfigure the now- Nashville Section, National Council of shared library space to “restore the Jewish Women: president of the Board; integrity of the library space while shar- Professional notes The Temple: secretary and later, treas- ing it” for youth activities. urer of the Board, as well as Sisterhood Now, she wants people to know the Jane R. Snyder has announced the president and National Sisterhood library is back in business. formation of An Extra Pair of Hands to Board member; The United Way: chair There’s now a core group of library provide a wide variety of personal and of allocations; Nashville Women's Golf volunteers who are learning how to cir- family support services to the Nashville Association: Board chair; and Council culate books, process returned books and community. She will also be able to on Aging: president of the Board. Other catalogue new holdings. assist out-of-state families who may groups such as the Nashville Symphony, A computer has been moved into require a local, “hands-on” representa- Jewish Family Service, Children's the library area so books can be tive to make sure the needs of their Family Service and the Girl Scouts, processed, and the area is open during elder family members are being met in a asked her to head their fundraisers or the days for people to use, she said. safe and timely manner. serve on their boards. And these were The group is exploring future uses Look for the Observer online at lifelong commitments; in fact she and programs for the library, including www.jewishobservernashville.org Sympathy chaired the boards of both Senior Citizens and Council on Aging when . . . to the family of Elise Levy she was 85. Elise Steiner received Steiner, 94, who died peacefully at home numerous honors over the years for her Nov. 26. She was preceded in death by philanthropy and her leadership, Was there Moving? Need Help Packing? something special, Packing Express Custom Packing / Unpacking Services heartwarming, Free Estimates Great Referrals Ken & Annette Lewis -owners est. 1989 615-594-1960 funny about your simcha? ClassifiedClassified Ads Ads Please let us know about your bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, anniversary, etc., and we will share it MAKE LIFE EASIER with the community in

You know you need me. We just haven’t met yet. “AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS” Simchas and Companion, shopping, MD ADVERTISE TODAY Celebration Issue visits, patient & family e-mail Carrie Mills advocacy, home safety evalua- [email protected] January 20, 2012 tions, re-organize, de-clutter, estate, and special projects. Senior Discounts. Client Please limit your submission to 300 words references available. and send it to Whatever you need I’ve [email protected] probably done it before. Jane R. Snyder 615-557- with “special simchas” in the subject line. 6277 [email protected]

The Observer December 2, 2011 21 Henry Pipes’ Eagle Scout project brings outdoor track to GJCC enry Pipes, a local ther. A few days later, Bernie Pargh way, and kept Pipe’s original ½ mile wildlife that calls the GJCC campus neighborhood resident called and made arrangements to walk layout, and Baker’s commitment to home can be seen during a leisurely stroll and longtime member of the proposed trail with Pipes and his help by using a tractor for earth and or a quick jog. the GJCC, has been father. Pargh liked what he saw and the wood chip moving. This was part of Pipes’ Eagle Scout hard at work over the project was approved by the Board and The trail is more than 8.5 football project for Troop 42, the GJCC’s Boy past year. He has put in by the Jewish Federation. fields long and contains the equivalent Scout Troop. The Troop has been spon- Hmany hours towards a goal he set for Pipes worked out the final details of about two tractor trailer loads of wood sored by the GJCC for years and meets himself as an Eagle Scout and as a com- through the winter and planned to chips. The track begins by the Holocaust every Monday night at 7 p.m. in the Tot munity member. break ground on the project in the Memorial and continues down into the Spot Room. Only 3-5 percent of all The GJCC outdoor track was spring of 2010, but the flood, school and field; a beautiful walk where all of the scouts reach Eagle Rank. c recently completed by Pipes with the life delayed the project until the spring assistance of the GJCC Health & of 2011. Wellness Director Harry Baker and sev- In Feb 2011, his father received a eral school, scout and neighborhood vol- message from Baker that he was interest- unteers. Pipes has spent many hours out ed in building a one-mile trial around around the town on the Highway 70 side of the GJCC the GJCC, and was looking for a few campus moving earth, brush and mulch Scouts to get involved as an outlet for to lay down the half mile track. some merit badge opportunities. He Jewish music Mon., Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Day), In October 2009, 14-year-old informed him of his son’s pending proj- from 1 to 3 p.m. for a fun-filled after- Henry made a slideshow presentation of ect and later met to show him what was history noon. Join us for one game of bowling his Eagle project idea to the GJCC already in the works. plus laser tag, bumper cars, roller skating, Board to see if they were interested. (At Baker’s plan was much more ambi- The community is invited to join glow golf and much more. Call Teri the time, there was a simple foot-worn tious. It was for an approximately one- West End Synagogue’s Cantor Lane for a Sogol at 354-1662 by Jan. 5 to RSVP. path, with some hand dug ground level- mile, 3-4-foot wide machine-carved weekly exploration of Jewish music his- ing/trail building involved.) They liked path, completely mulched, circling the tory from Temple chants to klezmer, TigerSharks the idea, but wanted to discuss it fur- entire GJCC property. They met half from cantorial to choral, jazz, pop, rock and from shtetl to Broadway, on Tuesday Keep swimming mornings from 10-11:15 a.m. (No class on Nov. 13.) There will be audio exam- The new season of the GJCC ples, video clips and even a sing-along or TigerSharks Year Round Swim begins on two. Refreshments will be served. For Jan. 2 and and new members are welcome. information, call 269-4592. Practice is Monday through Thursday at two different time slots depending on the age of the swimmer. Swimmers age 5 to 8 Adoptive families swim from 4 – 4:45 p.m. and swimmers bowling party age 9 to 18 swim from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. To sign your child up, contact Yvonne Jewish adoptive families are invited Hall at [email protected] or Josh to be the guests of Jewish Family Service Hall at [email protected] or call them at the Hillwood Strike and Spare on at 615/356-7170. Buy

Henry Pipes works on the new GJCC outdoor track. Israel!

hroughout the United States Eden Cheese – Trader Joe’s and in many parts of the world, Dorot frozen and herbs – MARSHALL DONNELLY & COMBS Tthere is a concerted effort to Trader Joe’s FUNERAL HOME delegitimze the State of Israel. One of Telma products – Publix the tactics being used is a boycott of Moroccan Hair Oil treatment – 201 25th Ave., North Israeli products. This action has been Cosmetics Market seen in several locations in our country. Sweet Clementines (oranges) – Nashville, Tennessee 37203 In an effort to counter that boycott Costco and support Israel, many Jewish com- Cedars – Whole Foods 327-1111 munities and organizations have urged refrigerated section Capturing, Sharing and Preserving the Memories of Life. Americans to buy Israeli products. The Streit’s Quinoa and Israeli Community Relations Committee of – Harris Teeter the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Jaffa Oranges – Publix The Observer want to make it easier for Muscato wine by Golan Wineries – Nashvillians to find Israeli-made goods Bud’s Wine and Liquor, by publishing a list of the products and Green Hills where to find them, locally. Carries musical instruments made We need your help. If you know of in Israel – Gymboree Play & available products and the stores that Music, Cool Springs carry them, email that information to Yehuda Yahrzeit candles – Whole [email protected]. Food, cloth- Foods ing, jewelry, wine, etc., whatever you Yehuda – Kroger have found, please share it with our Yehuda and Aviv products – community. Whole Foods See the updated list, below and Cosmetics found at Target: send your additions to judy@jewish- Equate 3 Micro Remodeling nashville.org or call 354-1637. Cream Daily Regenerating Serum Israeli silver jewelry - Eye Lifting Serum area TJMaxx stores My Time Firming Cream Geffen Pickles – Belle Meade Naot shoes and sandals – Cute and Kroger Comfy Shoes, Green Hills Sabra and dips – area grocery stores and Costco

22 December 2, 2011 The Observer PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS ELECTRICIAN MUSICIANS AND DJs REAL ESTATE con’t Cathy Werthan, CPA, PFS BOB’S ELECTRIC CO. BLUE TONE MUSIC CPA Consulting Group, PLLC Fair Price - Quality Work Jewish Wedding Ceremonies Providing traditional tax and accounting Residential - Commercial The Nashville Blue Tones Party Band services in a non-traditional way Bob Acklin (aka Shira’s Dad), Journeyman DJ Services. 615-352-6358 1720 West End Ave., Suite 403 Ph. 615-584-8197 (m) 615-352-1914 (h) www.BlueToneMusicUSA.com www.ZeitlinRealtors.com (615) 322-1225 • www.cpacg.com Residential & Relocation Specialists HEATING AND COOLING OPHTHALMOLOGIST ADVERTISING JESSICA AVERBUCH 24 HOUR HEATING AND COOLING HOWARD ROSENBLUM, M.D. Broker, ABR, CRS, ePRO The Observer Carrie Mills Semi-Annual Cleaning $44.95 Eye Physician & Surgeon 383-0183 (bus.) • 294-9880 (cell) The best use of your advertising dollar. “Double Comfort Guarantee” Nashville Eye Center [email protected] 801 Percy Warner Blvd. 356-3242 x299 against same unit repairs until next St. Thomas Hospital • Ph. 386-9200 www.jessicaaverbuch.com required maintenance* APPLIANCES Jon Rich, Gen. Mgr. (615) 669-1AIR LORNA M. GRAFF www.24hrair.com ORTHODONTISTS Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR ELECTRONIC EXPRESS now A. JOEL GLUCK, D.D.S., M.S. 371-0185 (bus.) • 351-5343 (cell) carries a full line of home appliances as HOME IMPROVEMENT Specialist in Orthodontics Diplomate, [email protected] well as consumer electronics! We have American Board of Orthodontics www.lornagraff.com the brands you know and trust: GOINS CUSTOM DESIGN Green Hills NAN SPELLER Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Painting - Drywall - Wallpapter 2002 Richard Jones Road, Ste. A-200 Broker, GRI, ABR General Electric, Frigidaire, and LG. Interior Exterior Commercial Residential Nashville, TN 37215 • Ph. 269-5903 383-0183 (bus.)• 973-1117 (cell) Count on Electronic Express to help 615-485-3141 Teresa Goins-Brim [email protected] you make the best choice. Nobody beats Insured * Excellent Community References PROPERTY our prices. Free basic delivery and "Sometime the best man for the job MANAGEMENT pick-up of your old appliances with is a woman" this ad. Available at any of our 16 GHERTNER & COMPANY SECURITY SYSTEM stores. Visit us on the web at YOUR HOME HANDYMAN Homeowner Association and www.electronicexpress.com RICH ADLER Condominium Management Small Job Specialist, Carpentry, MONITORU.COM, INC. for a location near you. Full Service and Financial Management Security Systems / CCTV / PERS Electrical, Plumbing repairs and more. Property Management since 1968 “ Do” Lists welcome, References Low Voltage, Data and Sound Wiring HERMITAGE LIGHTING GALLERY 255-8531 Alan Sissel 646-4668 Lighting • Appliances available, Free estimates. www.ghertner.com Custom Kitchens and Baths 615-646-4900 or 615-972-3093 cell, We Light Up Your Life! [email protected] REAL ESTATE SPORTING GOODS 615-843-3300 TEAM NASHVILLE www.hermitagelighting.com INSURANCE FRANKLIN PARGH (ABR) Your Running/Walking Synergy Realty Swimming Headquarters ATTORNEY FRIDRICH, PINSON & ROTHBERG C. 615.351.7333 3205 West End Ave. Jamie Rothberg Nashville, TN 37203 MARTIN SIR, ATTORNEY 3825 Bedford Ave. Suite 203 (615) 383-0098 Ph 327-9105 Dir 277-1483 Family Law / Personal Injury [email protected] Fifth Third Center TRAINING & 424 Church Street, Ste. 1560 GIL FOX, LUTCF CERTIFICATION Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Individual & Business Insurance (615) 256-5661 Life, Disability, Medical, Estate PHASE ONE CONSULTANTS www.martinsirlaw.com Planning, Annuities, Charitable PATRICIA STRAUS, Broker, EPA RRP Lead Certification Giving, Long Term Care MBA, CRS, ABR For Contractors, Renovators, Remodelers HEARING AID/ 7003 Chadwick Drive, Suite 287 2009 SALES EXCELLENCE AWARD Contact @ 615-942-5110 Brentwood, TN 37027 • ph. 472-9161 TOP SALES PERSON RESIDENTIAL AUDIOLOGY SERVICES REAL ESTATE, THE CITY PAPER MANAGED BENEFITS, INC. Fridrich & Clark Realty VETERINARIANS AUDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES AND Rodney Rosenblum www.PatriciaStraus.com MURPHY ROAD ANIMAL HEARING AIDS TODAY CLU - REBC - RHU - CLTC 615.263.4800 (o) Ruth Alexander HOSPITAL, P.C. Dr. Jina Scherer, Doctor of Audiology 615.305.8465 (m) Compassionate Medical Care for Your Pet Specializes in hearing and Life Insurance, Health Insurance, [email protected] Disability and Long Term Care Insurance Professional Pet Grooming & Boarding hearing aid services. Puppy and Kitten Adoption Center For discount, mention this ad. 214 Overlook Circle, Suite 251 Brentwood, TN 37027 4408 Murphy Road 615-383-4241 99 White Bridge Road, Ste. 106 www.murphyroadvet.com 615-354-8011 Ph. 615-371-2467 • Fax 615-371-5390 www.hearingaidstoday.com ROBINS INSURANCE WEIGHT LOSS Bruce Robins, CPCU; BALLOON DECOR Tom Loventhal; Marsha Jaffa, CIC; NASHVILLE WEIGHT LOSS CENTER Van Robins Lose 3-7 pounds of FAT per week! PARTY ANIMALS Auto, Home, Life, Health, Mention this ad for 1 week free. Balloon Decor & Entertainment Business Insurance Suriva Fischer 615-499-4222 615-941-3177 30 Burton Hills, Suite 300 www.PartyAnimalsTN.com Ph. 665-9200 • www.robinsins.com CARE GIVER ZANDER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. Julian “Bud” Zander, Jr., CIC FAMILY STAFFING SOLUTIONS, INC Jeffrey J. Zander, CIC Stay Independent*At Home*In Charge® Michael Weinberger ‘Personal Care Assistance At Its Best” Pattie Bowling 2000 Richard Jones Road Auto, Home, Life, Health, Business, Nashville, TN 37215 Long Term Care 615-383-5656 212 Oceola, Nashville, TN 37209 119 McGrew Street, Suite A 356-1700 www.zanderins.com Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-680-2771 www.familystaffing.com

NEW & RENEWING ADS ARE SHADED

The Observer December 2, 2011 23 Celebrating

Items & Prices Good While Supplies Last thru Saturday, December 31, 2011 Chanukah 4560 Harding Road & 2131 Abbott Martin Road, Nashville, IN

Red Kroger Delicious $ 29 Idaho $ 99 Apples With Potatoes With Card1 lb 10 lb Bag 3 Card

Kedem Streit’s Sparkling $ 99 Chanukah ¢ Chocolate 2$ Juice With Candles With Coins for With Select Varieties, 25.4 oz 3 Card 44 ct 99Card Select Varieties, .5 oz Card 1

Manischewitz Potato $ 99 Golden $ 49 Lipton Soup $ 39 Pancake Mix With Blintzes With or Dip Mix With Select Varieties, 6 oz 2 Card Frozen, 13 oz 3 Card Select Varieties, 1.9-2.4 oz 2 Card

24 December 2, 2011 The Observer