A Publication of the Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga Volume 21 Number 4 December 2007 Chai Nite 2008 is onTHE January 26. SH FAR A Publication of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga Volume 28 Number 3 November 2014 Look for an insert in this issue! Rabbi Brad Hirschfield CommunityCelebrate Menorah Israeli Culture! Scholar-in-Residence Comedian BenjiLighting Lovitt and Dinner Bar Kocva Israeli Art Expo This month at the Jewish Cultural Center Community members are welcome to attend brings many exciting opportunities to cel- any or all of these events for no cost. ebrate a variety of aspects of Israeli culture. We hope you’ll join us for all of them! Transportation available with advance notice. Wed. December 5, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 1, comedian Benji RSVPs REQUIRED JewishLovitt Cultural will be bringing his Center original brand of [email protected]; 493-0270, ext. 10. Israeli humor to Chattanooga. Roman Glass Featuring the Chattanooga“By deconstructing Girlsthe details Choir! of Israeli cul- ture and the immigrant experience in Israel, Schedule of Events Bring your own menorahBenji’s and energy we’ll and light enthusiasm the second will make candle of Chanukahyou laugh as out a community.loud as he sheds light on El Al Jew Crew Event – From The Maccabees to security, Jewish holidays, and exactly what Oil on Canvas Enjoy a delicious kosher dinner and time with Bronze Fiddler Christmakuh: Who Are We? makes American and Israeli Jews different Titanium Sunday, December 2 from eachfriends. other.” (Source: Activities Benjilovitt.com) and gift bags for the kids! Benji spent a year in Israel on “Young Judaea Year Course,” then 12:15 p.m. Mizpah Congregation On tap from Sunday, Nov. 2 through Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the Bar Kocva Israeli graduated from Pleasethe University RSVP of Texas to Caroleat Austin. McNabbHe worked for five years in the high-tech sector before making the jump to the Jewish professional world, Art Expo, now in its 15th year. Over 45 Israeli artists will be represented, Community-Wide Event – You Don’t Have to at the Israeli 493-0270, Consulate in ext.10 Atlanta andor [email protected]. Hadassah’s Young Judaea and working in a variety of media including painting, jewelry, ceramics, glass, metal, and wood. Don’t miss this opportunity to view and purchase exquisite, Be Wrong For Me to Be Right: Finding Israel programs, after which he was inspired to move to Israel. He has living there sinceBefore 2006. December 5: $7/adult $4/kids 6-12 one-of-a-kind pieces carefully selected from galleries and stores internation- Faith Without Fanaticism LovittOn December has performed 5: in clubs $10/adults across North America $7/kids and Israel6-12 and for ally. Admission is free; hours are 10a.m.-8p.m. all three days. Sunday, December 2 Taglit-Birthright Israel,Kids Masa five Israel and Journey, younger the Jewish free Federations’ General 6:00 p.m., Jewish Cultural Center Assembly, Hillel, Israel Bonds and more. Admission is free for campaign do- Celebrate Israeli Culture Days with Noa Hadad nors; all others $18. [email protected]/MC accepted or call 493-0270. From Sunday, Nov. 2 through Tuesday, Nov. 4, Federation shlicha Noa Hadad Women’s Event – Why I Am A Feminist: A will host a variety of programs designed to get you in touch with your Israeli From Benji Lovitt’s “64 Things I Love About Israel”: Traditional Jewish Approach Thousands Convene at Nashville’s side. Come to one or all! [email protected] or 493-0270. Monday, December 3 ---I love how Israelis can be completely indifferent to politics but will still 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2: join Hadad for “Hebrew Coffee.” argue about their favorite hummus place until they blow an artery. Noon, Mizpah Congregation Opryland for United Jewish This is your chance to talk about your experience and ---I love the “mmm-bye” farewell greeting used by certain Israelis when hang- knowledge of Israel and to practice your Hebrew. Along ingCommunities up the phone. It’s a cross between General “l’hitraot” and aAssembly Hanson song. with hot fresh homemade Israeli coffee, we’ll have tea and st Leadership Event - Jewish Leadership in the 21 Cen- ---I love that after striking up a conversation with a complete stranger at the cookies. Note: this is for Hebrew speakers only. tury: Challenges and Opportunities Ben-Gurion baggage claim, not only did he offer me a ride home but we also discovered that we shared over 60 mutual Facebook friends. Seriously, how are Monday, December 3 4 p.m. (also Sunday ): Noa will seque into the “Is- there any Jews who still don’t know each other? raeli Treats” portion of the program. Kids ages 3-12 6:30 p.m., B’nai Zion Synagogue are invited to learn Israeli games including Pass the (Read more: Sixty-four things I love about Israel | Benji Lovitt | The Blogs Package, Telephone, and Find the Toffee. They will Young Leadership – From Addis Ababa to | The Times of Israel http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/sixty-four-things-i-love- also learn Israeli songs and build a house from Israeli about-israel/#ixzz3GoPAjm33) Chattanooga: Why We Do What We Do candies! Free but [email protected]. Tuesday, December 4 And at 6p.m., don’t miss Cafe Dilemma. Enjoy 8:00 a.m., Beth Sholom Congregation Aleph Bet Children’s Center discussing or want to learn more about Israeli politics? We’ll talk about Israel’s stand on Pales- Fall Program tinian rights. Is Israel doing enough? Also Zero Thursday, November 20 Tax or Zero Sum, the fight over the budget, and IN THIS ISSUE See back page the question of a return to the 1967 borders. Federation News............... Pages 2-3 Newcomers ...................... Page 18 On Monday, Nov. 3 at 6p.m., come back to the JCC and enjoy More than 50 Chattanooga community members General Assembly News .. Pages 4-5 Community Voices ............. Page 19 P.O. Box 8947 a variety of traditional Israeli foods including our almost headed to Nashville for the GA. Seated: David Israel, Campaign News ............... Pages 6-7 Mazel Tovs/Condolences .. Page 19 Chattanooga, TN 37414 famous red cabbage salad, baba ganoush, tabouli salad, des- Bev Coulter, Susan DiStefano, Finette Winer, and Federation Programs......... Pages 8-9 Nurse’s Notes ................... Page 20 Change Service Requested serts, and beverages. $10. [email protected]. David Winer. Standing: Rosalee Bogo, Elaine Winer, Social Services .................. Pages 9-10 Congregation News ............ Pages 2-25 Stuart Bush, Dana Waxler, Rosalyn Vogel, Bonnie Aleph Bet .......................... Page 11 Hadassah News ................. Page 26 THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE Stoloff, Henry Stoloff, Sheila Nunley, Michael Dzik, On Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6p.m. there will be a fabulous Strong Voices .................... Pages 12-13 Bulletin Board .................... Page 27 THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY Andy Hodes, and Sanford Winer. program of Israeli music. Congregational School ...... Page 14 Community Calendar ......... Page 28 Chanukah 5768 ................. Pages 15-17 www.jewishchattanooga.comMore GA photos, pages 4-5 Jewish Community Federation Nonprofit Org. It’s Pie Time! See page 3 for U.S. Postage of Greater Chattanooga PAID ordering information. Yum. P.O. Box 8947 Permit No. 63 Chattanooga, TN 37414 Chattanooga, TN Change Service Requested NOTES FROM LEADERSHIP Strengthening Connections All year I’ve spoken about how we are one, and the GA is the epitome of this phrase, bringing together thousands of committed Jews from North America by Warren Dropkin with a common bond, mission and dedication to the work that we do – in our Federation Board Chair own communities and for our fellow Jews around the world. We are one or- [email protected] ganization, unified and strong, working together to create a better world. We believe that every Jew is responsible for others. We believe in tikkun olam and we believe in building connections and bridges with our Jewish broth- ers and sisters. Coming home from the GA, I know that I will feel an even This month brings one of the highlights of the year for me – the Jewish Federa- stronger connection to We are One. tion’s annual meeting called the General Assembly (GA). The GA highlights what is happening in our Jewish world, not just locally or even nationally but internationally. We hear from the highest level speakers as well as our many partners with “boots on the ground” throughout our Jewish world. November This year’s speakers include: 9-11 I will be in Washington DC. This will be my 4th GA and each one has been special. I enjoy net- working and meeting people from other communities who are just like me – equally supportive of the work of Federation, people who face similar chal- lenges in their Jewish worlds, and sharing in our many successes as a Jew- ish people. As I’ve said on many occasions, Chattanooga has a phenomenal reputation within the Jewish Federation and I love it when people approach me and see “Chattanooga” on my name tag! I feel incredibly proud and humble when I hear about how highly Chattanooga is thought of. But living, breathing and working in our great Chattanooga is a special feeling only a Chattanoogan knows. I hear the Federation GA model is changing this year. It will keep its informational platform but be more exciting and action-oriented, taking a lead from AIPAC and the reform movement’s biennial. We will celebrate our achievements. We will discuss, tackle and take action on challenging issues that face our community. We will show our support for Israel and Jews around the world. We will challenge each other to do more and to do better.