Jewish Community Federation | No One Builds Community Like Federation the OF RICHMOND in this issue RVolume 61 | Issue 11eflectorCheshvan/Kislev 5774 | November 2013 FEDERATION Community Learns How JDC ‘Repairs the World’ Wherever Jews are in Need n October 9, approximately 200 community members learned Oabout the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and how it assists Jews in need around the world. The 17th Annual Grand Event, sponsored by the JCFR, welcomed guest speaker Will Recant, assistant executive vice president of JDC, who provided a heartwarming picture on Super Sunday how the agency supports Jews from Argentina to the former Soviet Union. In 1963, JDC began helping a small group of Cuban Jews revitalize the nearly PAGE 3 non-existent Jewish community and antiquated Synagogue. Members of the community felt their future was bleak and told Recant, “There will not be another AGENCIES generation of Jews on the island of Cuba.” When Recant visited Cuba in 2008 he was in a completely renovated Synagogue with more than 400 Jews attending Shabbat services (a full house). Over 20 years, the Joint sent visiting Rabbis to Cuba and provided resources to rebuild the (From left) Grand Event speaker Will Recant and Mark Sisisky, co-chair of the annual event. Grand Event More on page 9 Community Chanukah Gregg Davidson Celebration and Book Joins JFS as CEO Kids’ Place Growing Fair Finale Set for Nov. 17 FS welcomed Gregg PAGE 6 JDavidson as its new CEO Department are partnering on Oct. 1. Davidson succeeds to present this exciting event Larry Jackson, who retired after SYNAGOGUES following the huge success of last 11 years of leading the agency. year’s celebration. “I am very excited to be Join members and guests for part of an organization that crafts, donuts, story time, pictures makes such a positive impact with your favorite fuzzy characters on those in need in the Jewish and a concert with Mama Doni and Richmond communities,” from 4-5 p.m. Bring the kiddos to said Davidson. dance, play and celebrate. “My family has experienced The celebration marks the final the quality of JFS care Gregg Davidson Eric and Doni Zasloff Thomas (aka day of book fair and gift shop, firsthand, with HomeCare Teens View World Mama Doni) which runs Nov. 7-17, during services after my mother’s back leadership capacities through PAGE 12 which the Center will host more surgery. I have great respect for the evolution of Wheat authors than ever – some of whom First Securities to Wachovia ark your calendars for the clients, staff, and volunteers are Richmond natives – Slash Securities, now Wells Fargo MSunday, Nov. 17 from 3-5 at JFS, and look forward to S Coleman and Jeff Rabhan. continuing and strengthening Advisors. As a managing T p.m., and join the Weinstein JCC FEDERATION 2 A generous sponsorship from director, he led various N for its Community Chanukah the agency’s long tradition of Sandy Sisisky, in addition to groups within administration, TE AGENCIES 5 Celebration. This also will be the service.” partnerships with the 5400 Men’s operations, and technology SYNAGOGUES 11 the final day of The Fife-Davis Davidson is an experienced Club, Jewish Women’s Club, support. He focused on service CON Family Annual Jewish Book Fair and highly effective leader in COMMUNITY 13 Richmond Chapter of Hadassah delivery, quality improvements, of and Gift Shop. both the corporate and non- FOUNDATION 14 and Network JCFR continue to strategic planning, The Weinstein JCC Patrons profit sectors. For more than enable the Weinstein JCC Patrons organizational integration, and of the Arts and Early Childhood 20 years, he served in senior TABLE Chanukah More on page 10 JFS More on page 10 Federation happenings COMMUNITY CALENDAR• • Through Dec. 31 • Nov. 10 | 2 p.m. ‘Women of Ravensbruck’ Kristallnacht Memorial Service Virginia Holocaust Museum Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery Wishing you and your family a Joyous hanukkah • Nov. 3 | 10 a.m. • Nov. 17 | 3 p.m. Or Ami Chanukah Bazaar Community Chanukah Celebration Congregation Or Ami Weinstein JCC • Nov. 7-17 • Nov. 21 | 5:30 p.m. Weinstein JCC Jewish Book Fair L’Dor V’Dor Woman of Valor Weinstein JCC Honoring Dorothy Wizer DeFazios/PickUps Plus Visit jewishrichmond.org for a complete calendar of Jewish community events. Network JCFR Set for November etwork JCFR plans the following Looking ahead to December The officers, Board of direcTors and sTaff Nprograms in November. YAD Campaign Event, Dec. 4., 6 p.m. of The JeWish communiTy federaTion of richmond Latkes & Vodka, Thursday Nov. 14, 5:45 Home-Hosted Shabbat Dinner, p.m. Weinstein JCC. Come enjoy eating, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. drinking and schmoozing and hear Jeff Rabhan, For details and to RSVP, call Melanie TribeFest 2014 is Coming, Richmond native, Douglas Phillips, Federation Young Leadership Freeman graduate and director at (804) 545-8623 or email Will You Be There? music industry executive [email protected]. share his experiences about ant to take part in a gathering of his successful career in the Wmore than 1,500 Jewish young music business. He’s the THE professionals from across the U.S. and author of “Cool Jobs in Reflector Jeff Rabhan North America? Looking to go to New the Music Business.” The Orleans? Interested in socializing, Network JCFR is co-sponsoring this Annual networking, learning and celebrating Jewish Book Fair event with the Weinstein JCC. How good & pleasant it is Purim all at the same time? $8 for Network JCFR participants and Patron for brethren to dwell in unity. Sponsored by the Jewish Federations of of the Arts members/$10 non-members. North America, Tribefest 2014 is the event The Reflector is published monthly by the Thanksgivukkah-Themed Shabbat Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. for you. On March 16-18, join Network Dinner, Friday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m. RSVP on Copy must be received two and a half weeks JCFR for this exciting event with many Facebook for address. prior to the date of publication. The Reflector passionate and inspiring speakers. At last year’s TribeFest (top row/from left are reserves the right to edit or refuse any copy or There will be breakout sessions, panel Aaron Brenner, Zach Brenner, Whitney Frost, Torah on Tap, Monday, Nov. 25, 6 p.m., advertisement submitted. Views expressed by guest writers and reader’s letters do not M’Lissa Levit and Matthew Miller. (Bottom) Shi- Mekong Restaurant, 6004 W. Broad St. discussions and ample time for networking necessarily reflect the opinion of the Jewish and discovering connections through the ra Futterman and Danielle Aaronson. Community Federation of Richmond. famous game of “Jewish Geography.” Typical topics include religion, limited subsidies of $450 to cover the cost Call for information about advertising in The social media, professional development, of registration. Reflector at 545-8655. Acceptance of advertis- ing does not endorse or guarantee kashruth. fundraising and much more. Subsidy applications are due to Melanie Phillips, Young Leadership director, by Through the Sam E. and Virginia V. Nathan Shor, President Binswanger Young Leadership Award Nov. 11. To reserve your spot now and Samuel H. Asher, Chief Executive Officer Fund of the Richmond Jewish Foundation, more details, call Phillips at (804) 545-8623 Matt Langsam, Assistant Executive Director the Federation is pleased to be able to offer or email [email protected]. Raymond (Skip) Kozakewicz, Editor Sara Rosenbaum, Director of Operations The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond Enterprise Circle December 19, 7:30 a.m. (From left) Ethan Litvin, Katie Atwood and Kat Weinstein JCC Sinclair enjoy chocolate fondue at the Oct. 15 Guest Speaker Steve Markel Network JCFR Happy Hour at The Melting Pot Restaurant. A group of young Jewish profes- Vice Chairman, Markel Corporation Jewish Community Federation sionals also tasted cheese fondue with drink OF RICHMOND For information, contact Matt Langsam at 545-8652 or specials as well as networking activities. For 5403 Monument Avenue • Richmond, VA 23226 [email protected]. details on other programs for young Jewish (804) 545-8620 professionals, contact Melanie Phillips at (804) Email: [email protected] 545-8623 or [email protected]. 2 | the Reflector | November 2013 . Chesvan/Kislev 5774 www.JewishRichmond.org focus on JDC, the 9-1-1 Help Line For Those in Need federation relief and renewal of Jewish communities world- week of Oct. 21, we heard more about the humanitarian aid JDC is providing to Syrian wide and develops non-sectarian programs. Operation Solomon rescued twice the refugees in Jordan. With the escalating During the evening, he passionately described number of Jews than in Operation Moses the work of JDC over a period of some 100 years. violence in Syria, millions of desperate and Joshua, in a mere fraction of the “We were there to help in Argentina, Cuba, women, children, and families are fleeing for the Former Soviet Union and many other places time. Today, there are more than 120,000 their lives. The Jewish Coalition for Syrian Refugees in By Samuel Asher where there was a need,” Will told community Ethiopian Jews in Israel. In fact, the last Jordan, of which JDC is a leading member, has Chief Executive Officer, JCFR members. 450 left Gondar for final flights to Israel already provided more than $400,000 in aid to He spoke about the rescue of Ethiopian in August. our partners on the ground providing critical n October 9, the JCFR hosted the 17th Jews during Operation Solomon, which ended assistance to the most vulnerable children and Annual Grand Event at the Virginia almost as quickly as it began. Timing was crucial, O women. Jordanian nonprofits are providing Historical Society. Mark and Susan Sisisky he noted, since any delay by Israel could have Operation Solomon rescued twice the food and staples that come from JDC and other chaired their fourth Grand Event – it was a allowed the rebels to hold the Jews as bargaining number of Jews than in Operation Moses Israeli non-profits to refugees quietly.