Jewish Community AKR NJewishBOARD OF AKRON News January 2017 | 5777 Tevet/Shevat | Vol. 87, No. 1 | www.jewishakron.org Getting Stronger Annual Campaign Halfway to Goal! 52% Have you shown your strength for Jewish Akron yet? Make a pledge to the Jewish Community Board of Akron’s 2017 Annual Campaign — which supports Jewish programs and services for all ages in Akron. Donate securely online at www.jewishakron.org or by calling 330-835-0005. Campaign Impact Magician Drew Murray to Perform Aharai Helps Teens in at Jan. 21 Winter Bash Enjoy a glass of champagne and entertainment by professional magician Kiryat Ekron, Israel Drew Murray— while supporting The Lippman School and the Mandel Early Childhood Education Center at the same time. Murray has performed hilarious, Each year, we support Israel and Jews in need around the world. interactive and fun magic for The Cleveland Indians, The Cleveland Browns, With a portion of the funds raised from JCBA’s Annual Campaign, we help Jews and corporations like Progressive, L’OREAL and Macy’s. worldwide during times of peace or times of conflict. In 2016, we allocated Don’t miss Murray’s private performance at the Winter Bash patron event, starting $10,000 of campaign funds to the Aharai program in Israel. This was in 7 p.m., at the Schultz Campus for Jewish Life. Patron tickets are $75 and include a addition to the $12,000 raised for Aharai through a crowdfunding campaign strolling dinner, dessert and coffee bar, a wine wall and giving tree and chance and this past spring. silent auctions. General admission tickets are $40. Sponsorships are also available. Aharai nurtures leadership, social, and personal skills in at-risk teens. With Visit jewishakron.org/WinterBash or call 330-836-0419 for more information. continued on page 2 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Akron, OH Permit # 311 2 • January 2017 Jewish Community AKR N JewishBOARD OF AKRON News Taking on the Israel Boycotters HOWIE BEIGELMAN We made sure they knew — and we even amended In addition, a friendly amendment on the House floor OHIO JEWISH COMMUNITIES our bill language to reflect it even clearer —that no helped secure a doubling of the amount the state one’s first amendment rights were implicated. People treasurer and individual county treasurers may invest We know well that the demonization and de- are free to protest or boycott or rally or write. They are in certain foreign bonds, from one to two percent. legitimization of Israel and double standards toward it not free to act in a discriminatory manner and expect Because Israel Bonds are one type of bond that meet comprise a greater threat today than a generation ago. the state to pay for it. the criteria, this could mean potentially millions more in Israel Bonds purchases. With Governor Kasich’s signature on HB 476, Ohio And we made sure they knew how much is at stake if becomes the latest state to stand up against the there was an impact on Ohio and Israel’s trade. As the That amendment was co-authored by one of the discrimination based on national origin inherent in lead sponsor, Rep. Kirk Schuring said, it is over $200 two Jewish members of the Ohio House, Rep. Steve efforts to boycott, divest, or sanction Israel. It’s also a million a year. Slesnick, also of Canton, and a relatively new friend stand in support of free trade and academic freedom. to our community, Rep. Robert Sprague (R-Findlay). Beyond the moral issues of discrimination here, and Ohio Jewish Communities (OJC) and the federations beyond the issue of standing with Israel, that’s a lot of The amendment was something only possible due to statewide were key advocates on this issue. Let’s take a jobs and a lot of tax revenue. a trust level with both the State Treasurer’s office and moment to reflect on what worked and what we learned. with the legislative leadership in both chambers. The Value of Relationships Defining the Issue It looks easy, and it looks like it just happened. But We also saw firsthand how critical it is for our We were clear from day one, even with our greatest these twin policy victories for our community were communities to be engaged both locally and on months in strategizing and years in the making. supporters: this is about standing with Israel, it was Capitol Square. about free trade— even increased trade. But most of This is the work that Ohio Jewish Communities and all, it was about Ohio stating loud and clear: We do Because of the work of our local JCRCs, other local our dedicated staff and lay leaders do each day. not discriminate. Jewish agencies, and of our lay and professional leadership’s building relationships with our elected Ohio Jewish Communities is based in Columbus near the Educating Policymakers officials, they understood this issue. But they also had statehouse and also partners with JFNA’s Washington office on Our opposition was out in force. And they made sure to trusted relationships built over time to rely on in the federal advocacy. OJC is the statewide public affairs, government throw out red flags, like “free speech” and of “foreign face of organized opposition. advocacy, and community relations arm of our eight Jewish affairs.” But our coalition was there with testimony Schuring, from neighboring Canton, had visited several Federations, including the Jewish Community Board of Akron. from witnesses to provide the context. times this year with the local Jewish leadership. Here Supported by our Annual Campaign, the Jewish Community Relations Committee of JCBA is chaired by Dr. Marty Belsky. We made sure that the House and Senate knew the bill in Akron, Senator Frank LaRose, who also counts was in line with federal law and policy dating back to on deep relationships with local leaders, joined the the Ford and Carter administrations. legislation as a co-sponsor. continued from page one Aharai So far this year, participants have focused on team This May when the students of The Lippmann School building and challenging physical exercises, when they visit Israel, they will meet teens from Aharai in Kiryat branches across Israel, the program is in its second meet twice a week. They are preparing for a three-day for a collaborative activity. year in Kiryat Ekron, a working class town with field trip in the desert. “Aharai does amazing educational work with teenagers a large population of immigrants, especially from “They prepare themselves to be stronger— that come from the periphery,” says Goldenberg. Ethiopia. The Akron Jewish community has had a physically and, especially, mentally,” says shaliach long relationship with Kiryat Ekron, which is our sister Three JCBA funds significantly added to the Shay Goldenberg, who served as a southern region city in Israel. crowdfunding goal—The Jeanne S. Leventhal coordinator for Aharai. “They do so as a group, so Memorial Fund, The Sands/Rogovy Fund (in loving With the funds raised and donated from Akron, they work on teambuilding skills. They’re working on memory of Irving Sands), and the David and Cheryl Aharai in Kiryat Ekron was able to hire two additional leadership, improving their self confidence and self- Sokol Fund. counselors for two years, to serve many teens in need. motivation.” President: RICK SPECTOR The AJN is distributed at the Shaw JCC and mailed to members of Jewish Community CEO: DAVID K. KOCH the Jewish community and members of the Shaw JCC. An online BOARD OF AKRON version is also available at jewishakron.org. Deadlines for AJN are Editor & Advertising: LISA HOFMANN two weeks prior to the publication date. The newspaper will be 330.835.0013 • [email protected] delivered the first week of every month. Circulation/Address Changes: MARY DEAN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 750 White Pond Drive, 330.835.0002 • [email protected] Akron, OH 44320-1195 • Tel: 330.869.2424 • Fax: 330.867.8498 Upcoming Events January 2017 • 3 JAN. 5 JAN 17 JAN. 27 Travel with Shay - North Israel Be’Tay Avon Cafe - Patient Rights Community Shabbat 6:30PM - 8:00PM 11:30AM - 1:00PM 5:30PM - 8:00PM Schultz Campus Shaw JCC Anshe Sfard Explore the beautiful Galilee through Be Your Own Advocate for Quality Care, Including wine tasting and guest speaker. video and photos. in association with Menorah Park. With Interfaith Youth Shabbat Service JAN 11 blood pressure and balance checks. 7:30PM - 9:00PM The Kindgergarten Quandary Israeli Movie Night - Atomic Falafel Temple Israel 6:30PM - 8:00PM 6:00PM - 7:30PM Interfaith Shabbat Service with area Shaw JCC of Akron The Lippman School churches. All are welcome. “When Will My Child Be Ready For Join Shay for this Israeli movie. FREE. JAN. 31 Kindergarten?” discussion. FREE. JAN 21 JAN 12 Brain Health Talk Winter Bash 10:45AM - 12:30PM JLI Informational Session 7:00PM - 10:00PM Shaw JCC Schultz Campus 5:30PM - 7:30PM Learn the risks and threats to brain Schultz Campus for Jewish Life Event highlights include magician Drew health and techniques for improving For peopleakron-life_ece-lippman_Final.pdf interested in the Spring 1 12/7/2016 4:42:40 PMMurray, strolling dinner, dessert and brain health. FREE. session of JLI. coffee bar, wine wall, and more. 4 • January 2017 Jewish Community AKR N JewishBOARD OF AKRON News JUST SOME TEENS FROM AKRON Renowned Jazz Musicians Coming to Schultz Campus Jazz at the J is Sunday, March 19 Food, wine, and jazz. What more could Ray Charles, B.B. King and Diana you want for a Sunday afternoon? Ross. Smulyan also has at least ten recordings out under his own name.