NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Akron, OH Permit # 311 AkroN JEwISh NEwS March 2014 • Adar II 5774 www.jewishakron.org A N volume 84 • number 3 updatE j ity Boa un rd o 9 1 4 – 2 0 1 4 m f 1 m A o k C r o h Re-Imagine n CAMPAIGN 2014 s , i I n w c e . Jewish Akron J 1 0 0 y e a r s Happy 100! Re-Imagine Jewish Akron launched to the community on Jan.19. Eighty participants representing all facets of our community gathered around 16 tables to provide answers to one question: “What are the possible implications of leveraging Akron’s Jewish institutions, professional relationships and business networks to make Akron a thriving 21st century Jewish community?” By the end of the six-hour day, 999 responses were recorded to this original question. The professionally facilitated Jan. 19 event is just one of the ways that the JCBA is taking the lead in helping shape a On Feb. 19, community members gathered to celebrate the centennial of a Jewish Federation in Akron. Participants mingled and Jewish future here in Akron looked at a timeline of images from the past 100 years, like Gloria Reich (above left). Centennial Committee Chair Mark Bober and that another generation can JCBA President Debra Shifrin cut the "birthday" cake for the evening (above right). enjoy. Subsequent steps in the See more photos on page 3 process are outlined after the jump. The premise of Re-imagine Shaw JCC Indoor Pool Committee out to 'Make a Splash!' Jewish Akron is that our success as a community is Make a splash! Is now the official name of the lay-led committee that linked to the success of each handles the renovation of the indoor pool - raising money, as well as individual congregation and coordinating the design and construction of the renovations - at the Shaw organization. For this reason JCC. Why “Make a Splash”? “First and foremost it’s figurative,” explains Lisa Looman, who works at JWT Action and a member of the committee. continues on page 7 continues on page 7 rEMEMbErINg MorrIE purIM plANS opEN houSE INSIDE Esteemed community leader Events and celebrations around the Lippman and Shaw JCC Preschool Morris Berzon dies. community hold Open Houses March 16 and 20 page 5 Page 14-16 Page 22 0 years of g j10 iving & building community 2014 CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN Celebrating 100 years Above: Gitty Kaplan, Janet Ennis and Henny Shepler on the steps of the AJC in 1946. Above right: The 1940-41 Akron Jewish Center basketball team Right: Workmen's Circle, circa 1951 Candle Lighting Times It is considered a great mitzvah and responsibility to honor the Sabbath by lighting candles 18 minutes before sunset on Friday evening and on designated times on holidays. This unique commandment, entrusted to the Jewish woman, is rich with meaning and purpose. Friday, March 7 5:57 p.m. I give, devise, and bequeath.. Friday, March 14 7:13 p.m. Friday, March 21 7:21 p.m. Create a legacy to benefit one or more of Friday, March 28 7:28 p.m. Akron’s Jewish institutions in your will. The AKRON JEWISH NEWS Editor & Advertising: LISA HOFMANN The AJN is distributed at the Shaw JCC and mailed to members of the Jewish was established in 1929 and is 330.835.0013 • [email protected] community and members of the Shaw JCC. An online version is also available at published 11 times per year by the jewishakron.org. Deadlines for AJN are two weeks prior to the publication date. The Circulation: MARY DEAN Jewish Community Board of Akron newspaper will be delivered the first week of every month. 330.835.0002 • [email protected] President: DEBRA SHIFRIN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 750 White Pond Drive, CEO: DAVID K. KOCH Akron, OH 44320-1195 • Tel: 330.869.2424 • Fax: 330.867.8498 j100 years of giving & building community 2014 CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN 100 Year Young! Above left: Teri Segal and Linda Brotsky have fun examining one of the historical photos on the timeline. Above: Billy Soule, Assistant to the Mayor for Community Relations, office reads a proclamation issued by Mayor Don Plusquellic. Below left: Centennial Chair Mark Bober, JCBA CEO David Koch, Rabbi Stephen Grundfast and Judy Grundfast toast the Happy 100! Centennial. Below: Max Rothal looks at the photographic timeline. 0 years of g j10 iving & building community 2014 CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN 1914 1928-29 2014 In Akron In 1928, the Akron Jewish Observer started publishing, which became titled Akron Center News. In 1946, it became The Akron Jewish News. In 1929, the Akron Jewish Center opened at 220 South Balch Street in Akron. The dedication week was Sept. 22-29. In the "souvenir dedication program," President Charles E. Schwartz writes: "For many years past we have felt the need of a building to accomodate Akron's Jewish children and adults, wherein they could find proper facilities to carry on their educational, recreational and social activities....The building that we visualized in our dreams is now a reality–"IT IS OURS"–let us take advantage of what it offers us and our children." ity Boa un rd o 9 1 4 – 2 0 1 4 m f 1 m A o k C r o h n CAMPAIGN 2014 s , i I n w c e . J 1 0 0 y e a r s In Israel The Eretz Israel Football Association was founded in August 1928 and applied for membership in the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). $439,311 It was accepted to FIFA on 6 June 1929 as the Eretz Israel Football Association. Help us reach our goal! It was the first of 14 sports organizations which absorbed hundreds of leading sportsmen who immigrated in the wake of anti-Semitism in Europe Make a donation to the 2014 Centennial Campaign. Donate online at www.jewishakron.org, mail a gift In 1929, the Palestine Zionist Executive was renamed, restructured and to Centennial Campaign, 750 White officially inaugurated as The Jewish Agency for Palestine by the 16th Zionist Congress, held in Zurich, Switzerland. The new body included a number of Pond Drive, Akron, OH 44320 or call Jewish non-Zionist individuals and organizations, who were interested in 330-869-2424. Jewish settlement in Palestine. About People MARCH 2014 § 5 In Memoriam: Morris Berzon Ryan and Lindsay Heksch Lifelong Akron resident Morris M. Berzon died on Jan. 30 at age 79, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. welcome baby girl Berzon is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Susan, in 2009. Survived Violet Madelyn Heksch born January 24, 2014 to Ryan and Lindsay (nee Weintraub) by his wife, Myrna, the light of his life; son, David and daughter-in-law Martha Heksch of Columbus. Grandparents are: Doug and Janis Weintraub of Bath and Berzon; adored grandchildren, Adam, Rachel and Matthew Berzon. Bobby and Tammy Heksch of Solon. Born in Akron in 1934, he graduated from Buchtel High School in 1951. He Maternal great-Grandparents are: Becky and Joe Zoldan of Canton; Harvey and attended The Ohio State University and graduated from Kent State in 1955. Dolores Ekus of Bath, and the late William Weintraub. “He was a strong guy—mentally and physically,” says lifelong friend Herb Paternal Great-Grandparentsare : Susie Heksch of Beachwood, the late Miklos Newman, who Berzon babysat when Newman was young. “He was a great Heksch, and the late Jack and Barbara Schultz. athlete,” particularly enjoying golf. “Morrie Berzon gave generously and from the heart to the Akron Jewish community,” notes Greta Foster, Endowment Director of the JCBA. “He was a sweet and loving man who will be greatly missed.” B'nai Mitzvah “He and Myrna made every charity a priority,” says Newman. “He always had something for everyone. He made Akron a better place to live. He JACOB BRAWLEY certainly made it for me that way.” Jacob Curtis Brawley will become a Bar Mitzvah on March In passing, Morrie wanted to thank his dear friend, Bernard Leff, for his 8 at Temple Israel. His parents are Thomas Brawley and devotion and companionship. The family also wishes to thank all of his loyal Abigail Edgell; he is the brother of Marc and Josh Brawley. caregivers, Charles Handel, Melanie (“Pinky”) Boone, Cynthia Randall, Grandparents are: Opal and the late Mark Brawley and Steve Vukich and Rowland Sanders. The family prefers donations of your Donald and Danielle Edgell. choice or to Michael J Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box Jacob attends Stanton Middle School, where his favorite 4777, NY, NY 10163, or National Parkinsons Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th subjects are social studies and math. He enjoys basketball, music and gaming. For Avenue, Miami, FLA 33136. his Tikkun Olam projects, he collected gently used books to send to American troops and their families abroad for Operation Paperback. Book by Akron author up for ADAM KALISH National Jewish Book Award Adam Kalish will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 am at Temple Israel. He is the son of David and Akron resident Joan Friedman has called for Reform Judaism to turn to Carolyn Kalish and the brother of Nate, Jacob and Seth recently published the book Guidance, the halakhah, not in order to adhere to Not Governance: Rabbi Solomon B. codified law, but to be guided in ritual Kalish. His grandparents are Esther Bober and the late Stan Freehof and Reform Responsa. The book and in all areas of life by its values and Bober, and Don and Ruth Kalish.