Happy Hanukkah! Let the celebration begin at sundown December 6, 2015. The Jewish Journalof san antonio KISLEV – TEVET 5776 Published by The Jewish Federation of San Antonio DECEMBER 2015 PJ Library Goes to School unifies San Antonio How can we WINTER BREAK FUN! Jewish preschools collectively Missing summer friends bring light and fun? Sign-up for a San Antonio’s three Jewish early childhood winter camp! centers the Barshop Jewish Community Center’s into the world Block and Dreeben School for Young Children, PAGE 26-27 in 2016? Gan Gani Preschool of Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning, and Heintz Preschool at Agudas Join Federation's Achim gathered on November 11 for a collaborative, campaign to serve enriching day of learning for their faculty. those in need See PJ LIBRARY, page 12 near and far. (l to r) Celina Geideshman, Heintz Preschool director; Lauren Abraham, Details on PJ Library San Antonio Coordinator; Lisa Litman, National PJ Library pages 5 & 7 Goes To School director; Rivkie Block, Gan Gani director; and Alissa WHAT’S HAPPENING As a community, we Levey Baugh JCC Block and Dreeben School director. are stronger together. See what everyone’s been up to! PAGE 18-19 Updated Chanukah Torahs rescued following on the River schedule the Holocaust on display The Chanukah on the River minimize the amount of walking This Hanukkah Cruise on Sunday, Dec. 13 between venues and will shorten Congregation Rodfei will leave from the Arneson the duration of the program. Sholom will celebrate the River Theatre landing at 1 p.m. This will allow families to make miracle of the small cruse NOT at 3 p.m. as previously it home at a decent hour for of oil discovered in the announced. Chanukah their own menorah lighting and ruins of the Temple, with MAKE IT A Wonderland will begin at Chanukah celebrations” said three Torahs rescued from MITZVAH MONTH 1:30 p.m. at Maverick Plaza Rabbi Levi Teldon, Program the ruins of the Holocaust. Volunteer opportunties in La Villita and go until 3:30 Director at Chabad. They will be displayed at the abound this month. p.m. The Menorah Lighting For more information synagogue Thursday, Dec. For over 75 years, Looking to get ceremony and concert will begin and reservations please involved? 10 through Sunday, Dec. 13. thousands of Torahs at 3:30 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. contact Chabad or visit www. The Torahs will give light to PAGE 34 “This new schedule will chanukahontheriver.com. our community. See TORAHS, page 37 12500 N. W. NON PROFIT WHAT’S INSIDE Military ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE Highway, #200 CALENDAR 4 SENIOR NEWS 27 San Antonio, PAID CANDLE LIGHTING 5 PERSPECTIVE 30 TX 78231 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IN THE COMMUNITY 16 ARTS & CULTURE 31 Change PERMIT NO. 17 WHAT’S HAPPENING 20 HANUKKAH 32 - 36 Service Requested Home- Requested Delivery By YOUTH 25 US & WORLD 38 Dec. 5, 2015 Also read the Journal online at: www.jfsatx.org PAGE TWO Honoring Jewish Lifestyles and Traditions... at Arden Courts, it‘s important to us too. The Jewish Journal of san antonio PUBLISHED BY SUPPORTED BY The Jewish Federation of San Antonio Grants from the Helen Arronge 12500 N. W. Military Highway, #200 Fund, the Eilenberg Family San Antonio, TX 78231 Memorial Endowment Fund, the !RDEN#OURTSOF3AN!NTONIOISAWARM WELCOMING INTERFAITHCOMMUNITYFORALLRESIDENTSANDVISITORS4HE Charles Atkin Memorial Trust (210)302-6960 RELAXEDATMOSPHERELEADSTOMANYFRIENDSHIPSANDENCOURAGESREWARDINGNEWOUTLOOKSONEACHDAY Fund, the Freeman Education 7EINVITEYOUANDYOURLOVEDONETOJOINUSATANYOFOURPROGRAMSTODISCOVERHOW!RDEN#OURTSHONORSTHE www.jfsatx.org Fund and the Jewish Federation Jewish lifestyle. Annual Campaign. Call 210.408.9100 or e-mail [email protected] RONIT SHERWIN, CEO for more information. RICHARD PLANTO, Board Chair LESLIE KOMET AUSBURN, Editor/Director of Marketing & Communication TM ADVERTISING SALES PROOFREADERS (UEBNER2OADs3AN!NTONIO 48 Memory Care Community Sandy Leigh Idelle Abramson Eleanor Komet sSANANTONIO ARDEN COURTSCOM !SSISTED,IVING&ACILITY)$ Marsha Surad GRAPHIC DESIGNER Barbara Argo Lauren Sandoval Lenore Karp 8869_SanAntonio_5.5x3.625_3.indd 1 9/4/14 10:58:56 AM Just because you’re too far to hear the ambulance sirens, doesn’t is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America. mean you’re too far to help. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: The submission deadline for the JANUARY 2016 issue of the Jewish Journal is DECEMBER 11, 2015 at noon. All materials submitted after this date will be considered for the following issue. How to submit: Email submissions to [email protected] • Articles & Announcements - Email as word documents. Articles submitted for consideration are subject to editing. • Photos - Email high resolution images (300 dpi) in jpg attachments only. ADVERTISING: To place an advertisement or request ad rates, contact Sandy Leigh at (240) 498-8999 or [email protected]. Ad deadlines for JANUARY 2016 ISSUE: • Ad space reservations due no later than DECEMBER 11, 2015 noon; • Press ready ads due by DECEMBER 14, 2015. Please include a contact name and phone number with all submissions. The Jewish Journal is a free publication of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, and is published in print and online 11 times a year as a public service to the community. Donations to offset production and mailing costs are always welcome. JEWISH JOURNAL EDITORIAL POLICY When you support Magen David Adom, it’s like you’re sitting in the ambulance next to the driver, sharing in the mitzvah of saving lives. As Israelis face terror attacks and other The Jewish Journal of San Antonio is a monthly publication created and paid for by the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. The Journal's emergencies, MDA medics are counting on you to ensure they have the equipment and primary focus is creating awareness and engagement within the local training they need. Jewish community about activities, programs and issues with which As we celebrate Chanukah, please give the gift of life, and make your year-end the Jewish Federation is involved. tax-deductible donation today. As a service to the broader Jewish community, area synagogues and organizations are invited to submit content relevant to the Jewish community at large for publication consideration. AFMDA Midwest Region Items selected for publication are done so solely at the discretion of Cari Margulis Immerman, Director the Journal Editor and the Jewish Federation. Submissions may be 3175 Commercial Avenue, Suite 101, Northbrook, IL 60062 edited and/or re-written for content and length. Toll-Free 888.674.4871• [email protected] www.afmda.org We aim to fairly reflect the breadth and depth of activities and Jewish life taking place in the San Antonio Jewish community. 2 DECEMBER 2015 A publication of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio THE JEWISH JOURNAL ב“ה EXCLUSIVE PRE-GAME EVENT! l Spurs Coyote appearance l Menorah Lighting ’ l Exclusive ‘Chanukah @ the Spurs 2015 T-Shirt l Watch the Spurs’ pre-game shootaround l 5:30-6:30pm in the HEB Fanzone tickets from $35 @ www.spurschanukah.com (210) 764-0300, Enter promo code Spurs. For more information call Chabad @ Spurs’ rep Chanson Douglas @ (210) 444-5099, or visit www.ChabadSA.com/SpursNight. Presented by Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning in cooperation with our community synagogues & Jewish organizations. THE JEWISH JOURNAL A publication of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio DECEMBER 2015 3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: December 2015 YOUR FEDERATION DOLLARS AT WORK December 1 • Scholar in Residence: December 9 • Alamo-Brandeis B’nai • Author Lecture: The Land • JCC: Hands on Rabbi Tokayer, Chabad • L’Chayim Club for B’rith Business Meeting, of Israel –The Real Story, Chanukah, The Campus, Center (Dec 4-5) Seniors, Rodfei, 11:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 7 p.m. 3:30 p.m. • First Friday Shabbat & • Lots of Latkes Dinner & • Chabad Chanukah on • Yud tes Kislev Dinner, Temple Beth-El, Program, Agudas Achim, the River & Chanukah December 19 Community Dinner, 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. Wonderland, Arneson River • Family Shabbat, Temple Beth-El, 9 a.m. Chabad Center, 6 p.m. • Chabad Chanukah at the Theater, 1 p.m. • Informational Meeting for December 5 Pearl, 6 p.m. • JCC Dance Showcase, • Club Agudas Achim, Upcoming December 2016 • STARZ Presents 3 p.m. 7 p.m. Thoroughly Modern Millie, Trip to Israel, Temple Beth- December 10 • Jewish Family Services: • Young Couples Club of 7 p.m. El, 6:15p.m. • Jewish & Catholic Latke Event, The Campus, Agudas at Hacienda De Los • JFSA, “SUPER Hanukkah Luncheon, 4:30 p.m. Barrios, 7 p.m. December 6 11:30 a.m. SWEEPS” Phone-a-thon, • Nova Presents, • Erev Hanukkah December 21 7 p.m. • Hanukkah Party, Temple Cinderella Kids, • Hanukkah Party at • Winter J-Camp (Dec. 21- • Temple Beth-El Board Beth-El, 7 p.m. The Campus, 7 p.m. Rodfei, 6:30 p.m. 31 with no camp on Dec Meeting, 7 p.m. • Recovered Torahs on 25), 9:30 a.m. • Agudas Achim Hands on Display with Speaker December 15 December 2 Hanukkah, Vineyard-Whole Explanation, Rodfei • Congregation Agudas • Rodfei Winter Camp • JCC Board Meeting, The Foods, 12 p.m. Sholom, 7 p.m. Achim Sisterhood Games (Dec. 21 – 31) 9 a.m. Campus, 7:30 p.m. • Sisterhood Program, Day, 10 a.m. • GMJSS Board Meeting, • Rodfei Sholom Book Temple Beth-El, 12 p.m. December 12 The Campus, 7 p.m. Club, 7:30 p.m. • STARZ Presents • Nova Presents, Cinderella December 16 Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kids, 7 p.m. • Great Big San Antonio December 24 December 3 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. • Recovered Torahs on Challah Bake, Rodfei • PJ Pizza Pajama Party, • Agudas Achim Simcha Display, Speaker at Shabbat Sholom, All Day The Campus, 5:30 p.m. Social Club with Hazzan December 7 Services, Rodfei Sholom, • Family Movie Night & Lipton, 11:30 a.m.