Fleischmann’s yeast & Meals American Jewry p. 24 David Moss designs Grace After in comic book form p. 22
THE DAYTON Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
February 2022 Shevat/Adar I 5782 Vol. 26, No. 6
OBSERVER
The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • daytonjewishobserver.org Rijksmuseum
15th-century woodcut made in Nuremberg of the Jews crucifying William of Norwich
Learning from Colleyville, Texas
7
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Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville, Texas
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Vast archives of Yiddish life reunited online
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Staged play readings confront medieval Jew hatred
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DAYTON
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Beth Abraham Synagogue Cantor Andrea Raizen (R) led congregants on a brisk nature walk at Hills & Dales MetroPark to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees and the beginning of spring in Israel Chabad
Temple Beth Or discussion on antisemitism Temple Beth Or’s Adult Education Committee will present a virtual discussion on antisemitism at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22. The guest speaker for the program will be Jeff Silverstein, a second-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Prior to rabbinical school, Silverstein worked for Cincinnati Hillel as its director of engagement and programming. He has also worked for the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta, overseeing its young professionals programming and state and national legislative advocacy. Silverstein will share his experiences and suggestions about fighting antisemitism and will facilitate a discussion of participants’ experiences and perspectives. Register for this free program at templebethor. com/discussion-anti-semitism.
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Nine-year-old Amaya Askew strikes a fruitful pose at Chabad’s CKids Fruit at the Shuk Tu B’Shevat celebration
Chabad Mega Challah Bake
Chabad Women’s Circle will present its Community-Wide Mega Challah Bake at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Chabad, 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. The program is open to girls and women ages 12 and up and includes a musical interlude and desserts. Participants will take home two braided challahs ready for baking. The cost is $18 in advance, $25 at the door. R.S.V.P. at chabaddayton.com/CWC. Arts & Culture.......................25 Calendar.............................12 Family Education.................23
Obituaries.......................27 O p i n i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1 Religion..........................17
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
DAYTON
Staged play readings confront medieval Jew hatred Jews in medieval England. Her By Marshall Weiss third book, The Medieval PostThe Observer colonial Jew, is scheduled to be Through a grant from the Association for Jewish Studies, published later this year. She says her aim with the University of Dayton English staged readings is to introduce Prof. Miriamne Krummel will audiences to excellent plays, present staged readings of two “two fantastic playwrights, and 20th-century plays that dig deep into virulent medieval Jew the power of the arts to express historical moments.” hatred in England and Spain. Beth Abraham Synagogue Blood Libel will be the venue for the readJewish British playwright ing of Sir Arnold Wesker’s Blood Arnold Wesker wrote Blood Libel Libel on Feb. 6; Hyam Macin 1991 as a commission for the coby’s The Disputation will be opening of the Norwich Playpresented on March 10 at the house in England. Downtown Dayton Blood libel refers to Metro Library. insidious accusations Krummel is directagainst Jews that they ing Blood Libel; David ritually murder ChrisA. Crespy — profestian children — somesor of playwriting, times mocking the acting, and dramatic crucifixion of Jesus literature at the Uni— and use the blood versity of Missouri as an ingredient in — will direct The matzah for Passover. Disputation. Crespy is Blood libels across the brother of Rabbi Europe and in the Melissa Crespy, Beth UD English Prof. Middle East have led Abraham’s interim Miriamne Krummel to vicious persecurabbi through this directs Blood Libel tion of Jews over the summer. centuries; they continue even A member of AJS, Krummel is the author of two books about today. In 2019, JTA reported that a Jews in the medieval era and co-editor of an anthology about professor at King Saud UniThe University of Dayton and the Association for Jewish Studies will present two staged play readings: Blood Libel by Arnold Wesker, Sunday, Feb. 6, 1:30 p.m. at Beth Abraham Synagogue, 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. The Disputation by Hyam Maccoby, Thursday, March 10, 3 p.m. at the Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton. 937-463-2665. Both programs are free and open to the community. Masks are required.
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Painting of William of Norwich circa 1500 at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Eye, Suffolk
versity in Saudi Arabia told an Egyptian public broadcaster that some Jews use blood to make matzahs for Passover. A year later, JTA reported on an updated version of the blood libel in the United States: QAnon conspiracy theorists put forth false smears that “Democrats across the country are running a secret cabal to abduct and abuse children, harvest their blood, and defeat Donald Trump,” and that wealthy Jews George Soros and the Rothschild family are involved in “a cabal of Democratic pedophiles.” The first-known blood libel, documented in Norwich, England in 1144, is the subject of Wesker’s play. A Christian boy, William, is found murdered in the woods of Norwich. Blame is pinned on the Jews. Although the charges are dropped, 20 years later, a monk whips up fervor to have the boy declared a martyr of the church. Continued on Page Four
From the editor’s desk
If You See Something, Say Something.
BMB
c O Menachem
From the audio of the worship service that continued livestreaming at the beginning of the Jan. 15 hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, it became apparent that the gunman bought into the centuriesMarshall old antisemitic trope that the Jews pull Weiss the strings that control governments. He insisted and succeeded in talking by phone with a rabbi in New York he thought could secure the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a convicted terrorist being held in a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas on an 86-year-prison term for attempting to kill U.S. soldiers and officials in Afghanistan. The hostage-taker’s leverage? The lives of the Jews in the synagogue nearest to Siddiqui, who has a record of spewing hate against Jews herself. “Most non-Jews don’t realize that Jews cannot worship free from fear,” Amy Asin, the vice president and director of Strengthening Congregations at the Union for Reform Judaism, told JTA. “If this helps people understand that I’ll take it as a benefit.”
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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DAYTON
THE DAYTON
Medieval Jew hatred ‘Judaism teaches us that the highest obligation of the living is to take care of our deceased.’
— Linda & Steve Horenstein
F
or Linda and Steve Horenstein, their first personal experience with the Beth Abraham Synagogue cemetery was after the devastating loss of their 8-year-old son Joel in 1986. Since then, it has become a place of solace and reflection for them. Although there was a family plot in the greater Boston area, almost 20 years later, Steve brought both his parents to Dayton to have them buried in the Beth Abraham cemetery, fulfilling their wishes to be buried alongside their beloved grandson. Both Linda and Steve find comfort in the magnificently maintained cemetery; but understand the financial burden of perpetual care. So, they contributed to the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton campaign to ensure that all necessary funding and resources will be available to keep the cemetery a serene and tranquil place for all future families seeking the same consolation.
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton is an endowment organization created to maintain our three Jewish cemeteries in perpetuity. Please join us as we strive to maintain the sanctity, care, and integrity of these sacred burial grounds.
Preserving our Past Ensuring Our Future
semble will also perform prior to The Disputation and University of Dayton Continued from Page Three History Lecturer Miguel Gomez will Prior to the staged reading, early discuss the intricacies of the 1263 Barmusic ensemble Wind in the Woods celona Disputation. The staged readwill perform instrumental works ing will also conclude with a Q&A. from the medieval period. University Along with Beth Abraham Synaof Dayton Associate Prof. gogue and the Dayton of History Bobbi SutherMetro Library, the Jewland will give a brief talk ish Federation of Greater about the play, with a Q&A Dayton is also a co-sponsor to follow the production. of the University of Dayton Members of the Jewish AJS Series. community performing in Both staged readings are Blood Libel are Rabbi Mefree and open to the public. lissa Crespy, Krummel, and Krummel says she apthis writer. plied for the AJS grant for the readings because of her The Disputation “particular affection for David A. Crespy will Hyam Maccoby, a Jew- direct The Disputation reading re-imaginings of ish British scholar and the medieval past.” playwright, wrote his play The DisShe remembers her elation when putation as an outgrowth of his 1984 she first read Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe scholarly publication, Judaism on Trial: as a 20-year-old undergraduate at the Jewish Christian Disputations in the University of Connecticut. Middle Ages. In 1986, The Disputation “I quickly fell in love with this was broadcast on Britain’s Channel 4 novel and the character, Rebecca,” she starring Christopher Lee. says. “I watched the Elizabeth Taylor The term disputation refers to film and was further delighted. I was theological debates that rabbis in me- most excited because I discovered dieval Europe were forced to engage stories about Jews in the Middle in with members of the Christian Ages and because I met the figure clergy. of a strong Jewish Rabbis were woman in the mediThe term compelled to debate eval past.” against the validity of disputation refers Over time, KrumChristianity. Conse- to theological mel became familiar quences to losing the with the plays Blood debates that rabbis Libel and The Disfixed disputations included death or in medieval Europe putation. When she banishment for the told her husband, were forced to Jewish participant, Matt Adkins — asviolence against the engage in with sociate professor of Jewish community, European history members of the censoring passages at Columbus State from the Talmud Christian clergy. Community College or burnings of the — about The DisTalmud. putation, he started Maccoby’s play dramatizes the having students in his history classes Disputation of Barcelona, July 20 to act out the play. 24, 1263 in which Rabbi Moshe Ben “I did the same once,” she says. Nachman was forced by King James I “My students really enjoyed the proof Aragon to debate Dominican Friar cess of acting out a play.” Pablo Christiani (who had converted Krummel hopes the plays will from Judaism to Christianity) on the bring audiences “to be more edusubject of whether or not Jesus was cated and more knowledgeable about the Messiah. Judaism, Jewishness, and the past in Wind in the Woods early music en- human history.”
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OBSERVER daytonjewishobserver.org Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Contributors Rabbi Elchonon Chaikin Candace R. Kwiatek Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Proofreader Rachel Haug Gilbert Billing Sheila Myers, SMyers@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Dr. Heath Gilbert President Bruce Feldman Immediate Past Pres. Mary Rita Weissman Pres. Elect/VP, Personnel/Foundation Chair Beverly Louis Secretary Neil Friedman Treasurer Dan Sweeny VP, Resource Development Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 26, No. 6. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut. The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests. Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication. • To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community. • To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines. • To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation agencies, its annual campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs. • To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.
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Davidson apologizes for likening vaccine mandates to Naziera measures By Ron Kampeas, JTA WASHINGTON — Ohio Congressman Warren Davidson (R 8th District) has apologized for likening vaccine mandates to Nazi-era measures after a conversation with the state’s Jewish umbrella body. “Bad things happen when governments dehumanize people,” Davidson said in an apology he posted on Twitter Jan. 13. “Sometimes there is a next step — to systematically segregate them. Unfortunately, any reference to how the Nazis actually did that prevents a focus on anything other than the Holocaust. I appreciate my Jewish friends who have explained their perspectives and feel horrible that I have offended anyone. My sincere apologies.” In his original posting, Davidson had attached a photo of a Nazi-era health status card and quoted a tweet by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser mandating proof of vaccination for city residents going outdoors, starting Jan. 15. “This has been done before,” Davidson said Jan. 12. He added the hashtag “#DoNotComply.” In the same tweet thread, Davidson referred to a recent oped that argued that mocking people who die of coronavirus because they were unvaccinated is a healthy social phenomenon. “Dehumanizing and segregation are underway,” he said. He did not present any proof that any government official has made the same argument. Davidson had come under fire from Jewish groups and Jewish U.S. Rep. Warren Democrats for his Davidson initial tweet thread. Davidson’s apology came after a conversation with Howie Beigelman, the executive director of Ohio Jewish Communities, the umbrella body for the state’s various Jewish organizations. “We spoke about how comparisons to Nazis, Nazism, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust degrade public discourse and cheapen the memory of the survivors, the victims, the liberators, and others who resisted,” Beigelman told JTA. “We agreed that passionate but civil debate about public policy can happen. Also, we did invite him to visit the Cincinnati Holocaust and Humanity Center, which is hopefully now in planning.” Davidson didn’t delete his earlier tweets, which prompted a follow-up question from the American Jewish Committee, which had called him out for the comparison. “Warren Davidson, if you are truly sorry for your shameful attempt to exploit the Holocaust for political gain, then why have you not deleted your hurtful tweets?” the group said Jan. 13 on Twitter.
In probe of ethics process, Reform rabbis group finds late professor ducked abuse complaints By Asaf Shalev, JTA Sometime while Rabbi Michael Cook was teaching Reform rabbinical students in 2000, two rabbis who had studied under him lodged formal complaints with their shared professional association alleging that he had been abusive. But before the rabbinic association, the Central Conference of American Rabbis or CCAR, took any action, Cook resigned. The move cut him off from the Reform movement’s job hiring process — but also allowed him to evade an investigation that could have resulted in a public expulsion. No longer a member of the CCAR, Cook continued serving as a professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, working with rabbinical students in his charge. It was not until his death last March that he was publicly accused of misconduct, which helped trigger a reckoning over the handling of sexual abuse allegations within the Reform movement. The revelation that the CCAR had received allegations against Cook is contained in a report, released Dec. 22, that emerged from that reckoning. It is the result of one of three investigations into different branches of the Reform movement that took place simultaneously in recent months. CCAR leaders say that many of the lapses identified in the report have been addressed in recent years, and they point to the case of Cook as an example. ”One of the loopholes in our system historically is that somebody like Michael Cook would resign and then keep on working at HUC without any blemish on his record,” Rabbi Hara Person, the CCAR’s chief executive, told JTA. “Today those complaints would be handled differently,” Person added. For example, someone who quits the association in the midst of an ethics review now can still be officially expelled and publicly listed as such, she noted. Likewise, the rules now allow the CCAR to publicly specify when an ethical viola-$100. Couvert $25. Sponsor tion involves a minor. This event is included in your Now, the rabbinical association is CWC membership. facing a new challenge: Far more ethics complaints come in than the system, a volunteer-run committee that investigates allegations, is equipped to handle. “The increased number and complexity of cases has been really overwhelming for the ethics committee,” Person said. “It’s kind of not fair what we’re asking them to do. The original system could not have imagined what we are seeing today.” As the Reform movement’s rabbinical association, the CCAR is charged with upholding ethical standards among its Continued on Page Six
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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Continued from Page Five roughly 2,200 members — virtually all ordained rabbis and seminary professors in the movement. The association operates similar to how the bar association does for lawyers. Lay leaders and congregants rely on the CCAR to investigate allegations and publicize ethical violations. But the association has little to gain from calling public attention to misbehavior by its members. And some of its members believe that filing complaints can backfire when it comes time to enter “placement,” the Reform movement’s annual job hiring process. “(T)here is still an old boys network and no matter how good the ethics process may be, I believe — and women understand — that there are placement ramifications if you bring an ethics complaint against a senior rabbi,” said one unnamed person quoted in the report. “All those rabbis talk to each other and then it becomes a difficult and unsettling thing.” Because Alcalaw, the law firm hired by CCAR to conduct the investigation, was tasked with examining the association’s ethics process rather than investigating allegations, the report is thin on names and revelations of misconduct. Instead, much of the new report is devoted to explaining how the system evolved and how it works today, while pointing out some of the factors leading to confusion and distrust among those the system is supposed to protect. “The report shows that our system is not broken, but also that it does need
repair and improvement,” the CCAR’s leaders said in a statement. Its focus on the ethics process, not on specific allegations, differentiates the latest investigation from a related but independent one that concluded in November when the Reform movement’s seminary publicized allegations against six of its leaders, including two past seminary presidents. That report found that the culture at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion enabled behaviors of harassment and abuse by men to go on for decades. CCAR officials say they plan to act on what they learned from the new report, which offers new details about several high-profile cases in addition to Cook’s. Among those who are most closely watching the Reform movement’s efforts to address patterns of sexism and misconduct within its ranks is Rabbi Mary Zamore, executive director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network. She said the report’s findings can help improve the ethics process. “Rabbis have a sacred responsibility to the Jewish community and should be held to the highest ethical standards,” Zamore said. “This report reveals that there is much work to be done. We look forward to the CCAR enacting the many recommendations in this report.” The Reform movement is also awaiting the results of a third investigation, which will be released by the Union for Reform Judaism, an organization representing roughly 850 synagogues and their congregations.
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Join us for a dramatic reading of
Blood Libel A play by Sir Arnold Wesker
No accusation against the Jews has been uglier than the Blood Libel. Wesker brings us face-to-face with the first one — Norwich, England, 1144.
Sunday, Feb. 6 • Beth Abraham Synagogue 1:30 p.m.: Medieval music with Wind in the Woods Early Music Ensemble. 2 p.m.: The play begins. Free and open to the community • Masks required This performance is made possible by the University of Dayton, the Association for Jewish Studies & Beth Abraham Synagogue.
305 Sugar Camp Circle Dayton, Ohio 45409 937•293•9520 www.bethabrahamdayton.org THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
THE WORLD
Colleyville rabbi who escaped synagogue hostage situation: ‘It’s safe to go to shul’ Emil Lippe/Getty Images
Cytron-Walker said he also wants Jews to himself as a former congregant By Andrew Lapin, JTA know that despite what happened to him, he who criticized the rabbi on social Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, the man at the center would stress to Jews everywhere that “it’s safe media for, he claimed, forbidof the Colleyville, Texas, synagogue hostage crisis on ding congregants to carry guns Jan. 15, says he is looking for another job, but wants the to go to shul” — and that synagogues should continue to make themselves sanctuaries for all. inside the building and for callworld’s focus to remain on his congregation’s trauma Cytron-Walker’s 12-hour ordeal with an ing Israel “an apartheid state.” and healing process rather than his career. antisemitic gunman on Saturday, Jan. 15, which Both claims, Cytron-Walker said, “My congregation, Congregation Beth Israel, and were untrue. Colleyville have just undergone a traumatic experience. ended with him throwing a chair at the hostagetaker to allow himself and two congregants to Though Beth Israel requests I’ve just undergone a traumatic experience,” he told escape safely, drew international attention to his that visitors to its synagogue not JTA. “And that’s where the focus needs to be.” congregation, as well as to himself. The rabbi carry firearms openly, he said, Cytron-Walker was responding to an article pubsaid that it’s been “incredibly overwhelming to concealed carry — hiding a firelished Jan. 19 in the Forward reporting that the rabbi see the level of support that arm on one’s person in a public had resigned from his congregation The hostage crisis we have received from our setting with the proper license — last fall, possibly amid discord about local community, our national is permitted. whether he should remain. has caused many community and the global “And I would have hoped that The synagogue is advertising for a Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker community. I can’t tell you talks to reporters outside one of the people in the synanew rabbi on the Reform movement’s Jews the world White’s Chapel United gogue that morning, one of the jobs board, its search committee met over to once again how much it means to me and of Methodist Church, Southlake, the congregation.” members from the synagogue, twice in January and Cytron-Walker At the same time, he added, Texas, Jan. 17 had had a gun on them to have made an oblique joke about the situa- have heightened Beth Israel is still struggling to figure ended things a little bit earlier,” he said. Texas is an tion from the stage of a healing service concerns for how to heal. open-carry state, but “we don’t feel that open carry held Jan. 17. synagogue security out“We’re really trying to figure out should be a part of a synagogue service,” the rabbi “I am looking for another opporwhat we need to do,” he said. “We’ve said. tunity after dedicating over 15 years got repairs to make to the congregation.” He’s also And, Cytron-Walker said, he does not believe Israel of my life to a congregation,” Cytron-Walker told JTA, encouraging his congregants to seek out therapy if they is an apartheid state. “When I teach about Israel, I teach adding that he is leaving with many positive feelings need it. about how Israel is complicated. I’m a huge supporter about the only pulpit he has held since graduating The newfound scrutiny on the congregation has of Israel,” he said, noting that the synagogue’s edufrom rabbinical school. “I love the congregation. I love come with some discord, including a man identifying Continued on Page Eight the people. I love the community.”
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PAGE 7
THE WORLD
Colleyville rabbi
Continued from Page Seven cation program works with the Ofek Learning Hub to have Israeli teachers leading online learning for youth programs, and that “we sing Hatikvah (the Israeli national anthem) at the end of every religious school.” The hostage crisis has caused many Jews the world over to once again have heightened concerns for synagogue security, as congregation leadership weighs how to balance personal safety with the Jewish commandment to “welcome the stranger.” “It’s such a random occurrence, and the percentages are so low” of an antisemitic incident occurring at services, he said. “I have literally led thousands and thousands of services at Congregation Beth Israel, and this was the first time we had such a traumatic incident,” Cytron-Walker said. At the same time, the rabbi acknowledged, “We have to be hospitable and we have to be secure. And we have to find ways to strike that balance.” Smaller congregations such as Beth Israel, he noted, don’t have the means to hire security officers for every service, particularly when, as in Saturday’s Shabbat morning service, they attract so few people. Only four people were in the building the morning of Shabbat on Jan. 15 when the attack began. Cytron-Walker instead encouraged synagogue leaders and congregants alike to undergo security training akin to drills he had run with the Anti-Defamation League and Secure Community Network in recent months — exercises that he has credited with saving his life. Doing that training, Cytron-Walker said, helped him assess the risks of the hostage situation even as he was able to attend to what he initially thought was an innocuous visitor. “While I was providing hospitality,
I was also analyzing the situation,” he said, while acknowledging that he had been thrown off initially because the assailant’s behavior at first didn’t match the training. “This guy didn’t exhibit the nervousness, the looking in all different directions. He looked me in the eye...I didn’t see any of the things that indicated falseness in that initial encounter.” What congregations cannot do, the rabbi emphasized, is cease welcoming the stranger. “I’ve welcomed people into the congregation that don’t look like your stereotypical visitor to a Jewish synagogue, over and over and over again,” he said. “And people are looking to pray. People are looking for community. And they’re asking the question, ‘Do I belong?’ And we need to stress to them, and the whole community has to be able to stress to them, that yes — you belong.” One of the most visible ways the congregation has worked to heal itself was with a special service the evening of Jan. 17, at which Cytron-Walker stood on next to synagogue leaders and preached directly to his congregation, as well as the broader community — a show of unity, healing and love, regardless of any internal strife. Cytron-Walker said the service “was really valuable for me, to be able to stand and see so many — not just my congregation, but also so many other people in the community that I care about, that I love.” Asked whether the events of Jan. 15 have changed the dynamics of the congregation at all, the rabbi said, “That sense of unity, it usually lasts for a little while. But let’s be realistic, right?” He added, “We need to be able to know that ‘kol arevim zeh bazeh,’ that each of us are responsible for one another. And if we can live that value, beyond any other disagreements that we may be experiencing, then, I mean, that’s the space that we need to live in. That’s the value that we need to live.”
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl details call with Texas gunman in sermon By Philissa Cramer, JTA The New York City rabbi who spoke twice to the man who held Jews hostage in their Texas synagogue Jan. 15 detailed the experience in a sermon Friday night, Jan. 21. Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue also outlined her anxiety as an American Jew and exhorted her congregants to heed a prayer that the Reform movement has made part of its liturgy on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day mourning the destruction of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and other traumatic events in Jewish history: “Blessed are you, Lord, who makes us captives of hope.” Buchdahl had previously acknowledged being contacted by the gunman, whom he reportedly found by searching for influential rabbis. But in her sermon, she recounted the voicemail from Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, delivered in what she said was an “unfaltering voice,” that alerted her to her involvement. “We have an actual gunman who is claiming to have bombs and he wants to talk to you,” Buchdahl quoted. “If you can call me back at this number that would be greatly appreciated. This is not a joke.” On her second call with the hostagetaker, she recalled, “He said, ‘I’m running out of patience, and you are running out of time.’ I had already talked to the authorities. I knew there was nothing else I could do but wait and pray.” The prayer she offered, she said, was Hashkiveinu, an evening prayer that envisions God as a protector.
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Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Manhattan's Central Synagogue speaking about her experience being contacted by the gunman who took Jews hostage at a synagogue in Texas a week earlier
Buchdahl began her sermon by expressing gratitude — to God, to CytronWalker and the other three hostages who emerged safely from Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville the previous Shabbat, and to the security officials and Jewish organizations “who work to keep our communities safe in ways we don’t always see or acknowledge.” But she said she had not been certain what more to say, in part because she knew that her congregants at Central Synagogue, where she has been senior rabbi since 2014, would “want and need words of comfort and hope from your rabbi” and she did not yet have those words for them. Instead, she said, her own feelings are
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PAGE 8
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
THE WORLD “ominous” and entwined with both the dangers that spend to prevent it from happening again.” Jews face today and the discourse about antisemitism She ended her sermon by looking to the week’s Tothat was invigorated by the Jan. 15 attack. rah portion, Yitro, in which Moses’s non-Jewish father“If you are a Jew in America and you are not feeling in-law tells Moses that he is not leading the Israelites unsettled,” Buchdahl said, “then you are not paying to freedom alone. attention.” “This message is truly for all of us. None of us can She went on: do this alone,” she said. She later added that seeing so “I’m unsettled because the world only has the most many congregants attend services — something that simplistic understanding of antisemitism. If someone Biden administration antisemitism envoy nominee says they hate Jews, or they want to kill Jews, we call Deborah Lipstadt encouraged Jews to do as an act of it antisemitism. But even educated people, the direccourage — was heartening. tor of the FBI, do not recognize its far more insidious “I could not do this without all of you showing guise as the trope that Jews are all powerful and conup tonight, whether in this sanctuary or online. You trol everything. We saw how dangerous that age-old are showing up not just for Central, but for Judaism. conspiracy theory can be. You’re showing up for fearlessness in the face of fear. “I’m unsettled because I saw firsthand that you None of us can do this alone, even as cannot negotiate with a terrorist. And this pandemic has tested us and forced ‘If you are a more and more people in our country us to feel more alone than we ever and around the globe are captivated by Jew in America thought we would have to be. But our terrifying hateful ideologies, which they tradition keeps pushing us back into and you are not value more than their own lives. community and tells us not only that we “I’m unsettled because Rabbi Cytron- feeling unsettled, need to do this with each other.” Walker’s kindness and humanity were then you are not Among those who were at Central used against him. He opened his doors on Friday night was New York City paying attention.’ Mayor Eric Adams, who spoke earlier in to this man and gave him a cup of tea. This rabbi welcomes the stranger and the service, before leaving for Harlem, this is his reward? We have to protect where two police officers had been shot, one fatally. ourselves. We cannot be naive. But I also know that if “I want you to know I get it,” Adams said. “I get we only build fortresses around our sanctuaries, and it that we are feeling a level of anxiety not only from around our hearts, then he wins. Covid but from the sirens we hear often. I get it that “I’m unsettled because I heard the terrifying voice you’re looking at the increase in antisemitism and of radical extremism filtered through the mind of a you’re worried about your children. I get it that we deranged person who was able to get a gun and then are concerned about the economic stability of our city. hold four people and an entire Jewish community hosBut I also get it that we have a rabbi here who showed tage for 11 hours. I think of the ripple effects that this a level of calmness and true belief in her faith as the man set off and the countless resources that we will hostage situation unfolded.”
After Texas, Jewish security network launches Be Aware community training program
Secure Community Network — the safety and security organization of North American Jewish communities — has launched a new training program to help protect community members from violence in the aftermath of the Jan. 15 Colleyville, Texas hostage crisis. “As we saw in Texas, we cannot pick the time and date of the next incident that will impact our community, but we can choose to prepare,” said CEO Michael Masters. “A critical component of preparing is training.” On Jan. 15, a British gunman held four members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, a suburb of Fort Worth, hostage for nearly 11 hours. The congregants, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, ultimately escaped unharmed. The 44-year-old attacker was shot and killed by law enforcement. SCN’s new interactive training program, Be Aware, is meant to provide participants with an improved ability to recognize suspicious behavior and criminal activity, guidance on how to report it, and strategies to protect themselves and others from violence. The training can be taken in person or online, and should help people be better able to recognize and react to dangerous situations in their everyday lives. Masters said it was designed by security professionals who specifically work within the Jewish community in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement. Last year, SCN trained 17,000 community members. The new program is expected to increase that number. For more information about Be Aware, go to securecommunitynetworks.org. — JNS.org
Change, Identity, & the Path to Acceptance Change is the only constant in this timely and thought-provoking drama, which tells the story of a small-town family’s journey to acceptance. After deciding to allow their 8-year-old Morgan, who was assigned male at birth, to identify as female, Luke and Jess relocate to New York to give everyone a fresh start. But when an accident threatens to expose the truth about Morgan, Luke is faced with choices that could change everything. Don’t miss this poignant, powerful play as it makes its Dayton premiere.
Feb. 17 – Mar. 6, 2022 by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder
// directed by Kevin Moore
Performed LIVE at the Loft Theatre in Downtown Dayton
Order Tickets Now! HumanRaceTheatre.org // (937) 228-3630
THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY // LOFT THEATRE // 126 N. Main Street | Suite 300 | Dayton, Ohio 45402-1766
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
PAGE 9
THE WORLD
Top U.S. security officials: Colleyville was a ‘terrorist attack on Jewish community’ RYTERBAND SERIES Jewish sayings, ideas, and stories in the CONTINUES Talmud. Visit tidayton.org for all of the details
We look forward to learning with these fabulous speakers! February 6 Dr. Fred Krome
February 27 Dr. Surender Neravetla
Kabbalah Comes to America: Gershom Scholem and the Origins of English Language Scholarship on Jewish Mysticism
Swap the Salt and Stop Living a Life with Disabilities and Premature Death
Dr. Krome is a Professor of History at the University of Cincinnati-Clermont
Dr. Neravetla is Cardiac Surgery Chair at Kettering Health Dayton
The Dorothee and Louis Ryterband Lecture Series continues this month with a great line-up of speakers from the community. A light breakfast of bagels, schmear, coffee, and tea, begins at 9:45AM and the speakers start their presentations at 10:15AM. Cost is $7 per person for the nosh and talk.
Temple Israel • www.tidayton.org • 937.496.0050 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH 45405 A Reform Synagogue open to all who are interested in Judaism
PAGE 10
By Ron Kampeas, JTA these terrorists, to change our ways of WASHINGTON — Top United States life. We know that we will continue to security officials told Jewish Americans exercise those freedoms. And you can on a call that the attack Jan. 15 in Colbe reassured that we’ll continue to do leyville, Texas, was a “terrorist attack everything we can to enable Americans on the Jewish community” and that to practice their faith safely, to be able authorities are continuing to investigate to be with their congregations in peace, how the British Islamist who held a and to prevent those who wish to do us rabbi and three congregants hostage got harm from being able to do so.” into the country. Weissman said he would attend synaThe Jan. 21 webinar, organized by the gogue that weekend. “And you know White House, drew at least 5,000 viewwhere I’m going to be this weekend. I’m ers, Chanan Weissman, the White House going to be in shul,” he said. “I’m going Jewish liaison, said. It was designed in to continue to live my life fully as a Jewpart to reassure Jews that they could ish American and as an American Jew.” attend Shabbat services. Among those Sanborn said preparing for such speaking was the Temple Beth Israel attacks was critical, noting that Cytronrabbi held hostage during the 11-hour Walker had credited security training crisis, Charlie Cytron-Walker. from local police, the Andy Jacobsohn/AFP It also was clearly aimed at via Getty Images Anti-Defamation League, rolling back the impression the FBI and Secure Comconveyed in the immediate afmunity Network, which termath of the attack by an FBI consults with Jewish official that authorities were groups, for getting him not treating this as an antisethrough the crisis. mitic attack. “Prepare, engage “While there is still a lot of and train,” she said. unknown details, we are com“Saturday’s hostages mitted to thoroughly invesdemonstrated incredCongregation Beth Israel, ible bravery amid events tigating Saturday’s attack,” Colleyville, Texas said Jill Sanborn, the executive that most civilians never assistant director of the national security ever imagined encountering. But Rabbi branch of the FBI. “Let me be clear: The Charlie’s recent statements crediting the FBI is and has been treating Saturday’s security training he and his congregaevents as an act of terrorism targeting tion received underscore the critical the Jewish community.” importance of continuing the work we Sanborn said the FBI was looking are doing together to ensure we are best through phone and other electronic positioned to counter the threat that we media to track why the hostage-taker face, and that you not only feel safe, but specifically chose the synagogue. “This are safe in your synagogues.” was not a random occurrence,” she said. She said it was harder to predict such “It was intentional and it was symbolic. attacks. “In recent years, we have seen a And we are not going to tolerate this transition mostly to lone actors or small antisemitism.” cells who radicalized online (and) use Liz Sherwood-Randall, the assistant easily accessible weapons to operate to President Joe Biden for homeland attacks on targets, just as we saw last security, said the investigation was conweekend,” she said. “Many of these tinuing and would seek answers to how individuals are inspired by personal the attacker, a British Muslim, entered and individualized blend of beliefs and the country even though he had been grievances. And we’re finding that more subject to scrutiny by British authorities. and more the ideologies that are moti“Here on the national security team, vating these violent extremists are less we continue to pursue what happened,” coherent, less linear, and harder to pin she said. “How did this hostage-taker down.” get into the United States? What are his Cytron-Walker appealed for less toxconnections to others, and especially icity in political discourse, an allusion to anyone else who might still pose a threat debates over the sources of antisemitism that includes working closely with our and synagogue security that have roiled British allies with whom we have a long the national Jewish community since the history of extensive counterterrorism attacks. “If we can do a better job to recooperation.” member that as I would put it that we’re Sherwood-Randall said the attack all created in God’s image...if we could should not inhibit Shabbat worship. all do a little bit more to maybe tone “I have to acknowledge that whatever down the rhetoric and politics and all of we’re doing, people are experiencing the talk shows that exist, to remember anxiety and fear and especially as you that we can debate ideas. We don’t have approach Shabbat again, and go into the to agree. We also don’t have to attack synagogue,” she said. one another personally in order to get “We know we will not allow them, our point across.”
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
LETTER
OPINION
The Jews of Easy Company hooked...He had been a clothing salesBy Jim Nathanson man and knew nothing of the out-ofEd Shames died Dec. 3. He was 99 doors. He was ungainly, uncoordinated, years old, the last surviving officer in no way athletic. Every man in the of Easy Company, the World War II combat unit (E Company, 2nd Battalion, company was in better physical condition. His mannerisms were ‘funny,’ he 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Divi‘talked different.’ He exuded arrogance. sion) made famous by Stephen AmBehind his back, men cursed him, ‘f… brose’s 1992 book Band of Brothers and ing Jew’ being the most common epithe 2001 HBO miniseries of the same thet.” name. He was criticized most for his harsh Shames jumped behind enemy lines training methods. But what goes unwith the 101st on D-Day, receiving the noticed by Ambrose is that Sobel truly regiment’s first battlefield commission led the men throughout their training. a week later. His company commander If they went on a brutal hike without also recommended him for the army’s Distinguished Service Cross for bravery sleep, Sobel led them. If they were forced to run with full packs up and under fire. down the infamous Mt. Currahee loHe fought in all of the 101st major cated near their primary training base, engagements, including a second comSobel led them. Only well after the war bat jump during the ill-fated Market did some of the men acknowledge that Garden campaign where he served as a Sobel had made Easy Company. They frontline intelligence officer, making at least one foray behind enemy lines in ci- were the tough, well-trained outfit they were largely because of Capt. Herbert vilian clothing, before taking command Sobel. of Easy Company’s 3rd Platoon in The fact that they hated him is no October 1944. Shames volunteered for surprise; he was uncomOperation Pegasus, a darPaul Morigi/Getty Images promisingly tough on ing mission that rescued them and, yes, probably 138 allied soldiers trapped more than a bit of a jerk. behind enemy lines, and Soldiers almost always was part of the defense hate their drill instructors. of Bastogne during the That they were antisebitter monthlong Battle mitic in their attacks on of the Bulge. Shames was him is also not surprising; with Easy Company when after all, most were rural it took Hitler’s fabled or small-town gentiles. mountain retreat, Eagle’s Sobel could well have Nest, and he was one of been the first Jew most the first members of the of them had ever known. 101st to enter Dachau One can forgive the men shortly after it was liberEd Shames, the last surviving of Easy Company for how ated. At war’s end, his they reacted to Sobel. combat record earned him officer and oldest surviving member of Easy Company What one needs to ask is a bronze star. Based on his performance as an intel- why Ambrose, in writing Easy’s story, didn’t make those connections. ligence officer and a combat leader, he After all, Sobel had earned his parawas recruited by one of our nation’s troop wings just as they had. While he intelligence services, where he worked lost command of Easy Company, he did for the next 30 years. jump with the 101st in the early mornEd Shames was Jewish — a practicing Jew. According to his obituary in the ing hours of June 6 and fought in many of the same battles as did Easy CompaNorfolk Virginian-Pilot, “He served cognac he had liberated from Eagle’s Nest ny, earning, like Shames, a bronze star in the process. After the war he entered at his son’s Bar Mitzvah. The bottle was the reserves, was called up during the labeled ‘for the Führer’s use only!’” Korean conflict, and retired with the However, one would never realize rank of lieutenant colonel. Shames was Jewish by reading AmAmbrose even casts a horrible tragbrose’s book. He is referenced a number of times but his religious affiliation goes edy in Sobel’s life in the worst possible light. In 1970, he tried to kill himself unnoted. with a pistol shot to his head. Ambrose This omission becomes significant writes he “bungled” his own suicide. only because of the way Ambrose treats The bullet entered his temple, severed other Easy Company Jews. both optic nerves and exited through The villain of the story, the most the opposite side of his head. Somehow, hated officer in Easy Company, was a he survived. An unsuccessful attempt, Jew, Capt. Herbert Sobel, the man who led Easy Company throughout its state- yes, but a “bungled” attempt — well, that leaves a whole different impresside training. sion. Here is how Ambrose describes him: The only other Jew noted by Am“(He was) fairly tall, slim in build... brose was a private named Joseph His eyes were slits, his nose large and
So, what do you think?
Liebgott. A good soldier, he was said to be one of the funniest guys in Easy, except when it came to financial matters. Sound familiar? And, as reported by Ambrose, Liebgott was one of the very few Jews in Easy Company — no mention of Ed Shames. Actually, unknown to Ambrose, Liebgott wasn’t even Jewish. He was a Catholic though his mother may have been Jewish. Ambrose may have also erred in his description of Sobel’s physical abilities. He writes that Sobel could barely complete 30 pushups with “arms trembling,” yet his son reports that his dad regularly did 50 or more pushups every evening with little or no effort. Ambrose also claims, as quoted above, that Sobel was in no way athletic, yet his son points out he was on his high school’s swim team where he did quite well . While Ambrose’s writing is blind to its antisemitic elements, I think there is a broader issue at play here. In many ways, how Ambrose and the men of Easy Company thought of Sobel simply fits the stereotype of the weak Jew that so many, Jews included, cling to even today. He was “unathletic,” “physically weak,” and “uncoordinated,” In a phrase, not fit to be a combat officer. Ed Shames, fitting less the stereotype, his Jewishness goes unnoticed. Over the last few years, I’ve given talks at Beth Abraham Synagogue that focused on Jewish physicality. The first, Mobsters and Athletes, discussed an unbelievable outburst of Jewish physicality on both sides of the law during the first half of the 20th century, especially in the years between the two world wars. The emergence, if you will, of tough Jews. The second talk tried to explain why Jewish physicality comes as such a surprise to both Jew and non-Jew alike. I traced it back to the earliest years of rabbinic Judaism and the reaction of the rabbis to the horrific losses suffered in the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132-136 C.E. Fearing that further armed resistance to outside rule could lead to the destruction of the Jewish people, they set out quite deliberately to “defang” what it meant to be Jewish — a process accelerated by the emergence of rabid antisemitism in Europe and the Arab world in the centuries that followed. The consequence of early rabbinic intention and antisemitism was a Judaism that was inward looking and rejected much of the secular world and a Jewish culture that valued learning over physicality. This view is succinctly summed up in the advice Rabbi Yitchak Rasofsky of Chicago gave his son, Beryl Rasofsky in the early 1920s: Jews do not resort to violence, he said, “let the (goyim) be the fighters…we are the scholars.” Beryl Rasofsky, by the way, didn’t listen to his father’s advice. Also known Continued on Page 17
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
Nonviolent resistance
In Texas, hostages were taken inside a synagogue. The following Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I studied literature in college and currently I study law, perhaps because I have never believed in coincidences. Only important details. The Rev. Martin Luther King’s children Bernice King and Martin Luther King III have called to halt the formal celebration of their father’s namesake holiday until voting rights legislation is passed. We are living in a pivotal moment. When I say we, I do mean we literally, unlike the preamble’s opening, “We the People.” The men spilling that ink were also drinking warm beer in the high heat of summer and trying to start a nation. Many of them also owned slaves. Rev. King’s message of nonviolent resistance was clear when he wrote from a Birmingham jail cell in 1963. This letter to the clergymen of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference discussed unsolved bombings of Alabama churches with Black congregants and the methodology and spiritual significance of nonviolent protest. King’s fellow clergymen in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference criticized his decision to conduct nonviolent protests in Birmingham — a risk that landed him in jail. Rev. King replied, “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.” The brutality Rev. King protested in Birmingham happened in the streets, it happened in court houses, in voting booths, and in shops displaying signs designed to humiliate and intimidate. He combatted this vitriol with self purification, resilience, and careful identification of systemic oppression and its widespread impact on his community. He wrote, “there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth.” Rev. King was a Baptist minister and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His message of nonviolence and justice knows no creed. As Jews, we are renegades and wanderers through the desert. Some call this juxtaposition cognitive dissonance. Others call it faith. Our story of Exodus and oppression is not singular. Our joy, together, is an act of nonviolent resistance. I know where the corners of my field are. The fruit there belongs to the wanderer and the stranger. — Claire Gaglione, Cincinnati
Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.
PAGE 11
CALENDAR Note:
Because of the Covid pandemic, in-person programs listed here may be cancelled or switched to virtual programs after press time. For the latest information, check with the organizations via their websites, Facebook pages, and by calling them directly.
Pasha
Classes
Beth Jacob Virtual Classes: Sundays, 2 p.m.: Conversions w. Rabbi Agar. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.: Weekly Parsha w. Rabbi Agar. Thursdays, 7 p.m.: Jewish Law w. Rabbi Agar. Email Tammy at bethjacob1@ aol.com.
Grill
Temple Beth Or Virtual Adult Education: Wed., Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.: An Exploration of the
Jewish Short Story. Register at templebethor.com/anexploration-of-the-jewish-shortstory. Tues., Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: A Discussion on Antisemitism. Register at templebethor.com/ discussion-anti-semitism. Temple Israel Virtual Classes: Tuesdays, noon: Talmud Study. Saturdays, 9:15 a.m.: Torah Study. Register at 937496-0050.
Discussions
Temple Israel Ryterband Lecture Series: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. Feb. 6: History Prof. Fred Krome, UC-Clermont, Gershom Scholem and the Origins of English Language Scholarship on Jewish
Mysticism. Feb. 27: Kettering Health Cardiac Surgery Chair Dr. Surender Neravetla, Swap the Salt and Stop Living a Life with Disabilities and Premature Death. $7 includes light breakfast. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050.
Women
Chabad Women’s Circle Community-Wide Mega Challah Bake: Thurs., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. Ages 12 and up. With musical interlude, coffee, tea, desserts. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. $18 in advance, $25 at door. R.S.V.P. at chabaddayton.com/CWC.
Children & Youths
JCC Maccabi Games Informational Meeting: Thurs., Feb. 10, 6 p.m. Contact Meryl Hattenbach, mhattenbach@ jfgd.net or 937-401-1550. Junior Youth Group Skiing/ Boarding @ Perfect North Slopes: Mon., Feb. 21, 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Drop-off & pickup at Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. $80 includes transportation, equipment rental, all-day pass. Food & drink on own. R.S.V.P. at jewishdayton.org/events or with Meryl Hattenbach, mhattenbach@jfgd.net by Feb. 14.
Catering & Online Delivery Available
Greene Town Center
72 Plum Street Beavercreek, Ohio 937-429 9000 www.pashagrill.com
JCC Winter Camp Shalom School Day Out: Mon., Feb. 21, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. At Temple Beth Or, 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. Register at jewishdayton.org/events.
PJ Library & Camp Shalom Minecraft Trip To Israel: Mon., Feb. 21, 1 p.m. $10. Minecraft license & own device required. R.S.V.P. at jewishdayton.org/ events.
Family
Temple Israel Prayer & Play: Sat., Feb. 19, 4 p.m. At home of Rabbi Sobo. Call Temple Israel for info., 937-496-0050.
Community
JCC Youth Theatre’s Wizard of Oz: Sat., Feb 5, 8 p.m. & Sun., Feb. 6, 2 & 6 p.m. Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton. Tickets at jewishdayton.org or call 937-610-1555. Staged Reading of Blood Libel: Sun., Feb. 6, 1:30 p.m. Beth Abraham Synagogue, 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. Free. Presented by Univ. of Dayton, the Association for Jewish Studies, Beth Abraham & Jewish Federation. 937-2939520. Beth Jacob Congregation Make Your Own Grogger: Sun., Feb. 13, 11 a.m. Refreshments. Free. 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. R.S.V.P. by Feb. 7 to 937-274-2149. JCRC Upstander Training: Sun., Feb. 20, 1 p.m. in Cincinnati. Sun., Feb. 27, 1 p.m. in Dayton. For info., call Helen Jones, 937-4011543. Register for either training session by Feb. 15 at jewishdayton.org/events.
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Steve & Shara Taylor Current Angels Jeffrey Abrahams Ken Baker, K.W. Baker & Assoc. Skip & Ann Becker Elaine Bettman Freida Blum Sylvia Blum Roger Chudde Betty Crouse Howard & Sue Ducker Esther & DeNeal Feldman Lynn Foster Steven & Penney Fraim Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Gilbert Lynn & David Goldenberg Kim & Shelley Goldenberg Dr. Robert & Mrs. Debby Goldenberg Rochelle & Michael Goldstein Judi & George Grampp Dr. Arthur & Mrs. Joan Greenfield Susan & Jonas Gruenberg Harold & Melissa Guadalupe
Henry Guggenheimer Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Harlan Ralph E. & Sylvia S. Heyman Linda & Steve Horenstein Rachel Jacobs Michael Jaffe David & Susan Joffe Dennis Kahn & Linda Ohlmann Kahn Marc Katz & Julie Liss-Katz Allan & Linda Katz Susan & Stanley Katz Don & Harriet Klass Cantor & Mrs. Jerome Kopmar Laurie & Eddie Leventhal Todd & Gabriele Leventhal Ellie Lewis Judy Lipton Sis & Joseph Litvin Beverly A. Louis David & Joan Marcus Donald & Carole Marger Marvin & Susan Mason Brenda & Scott Meadow Suzi & Jeff Mikutis
Richard & Marcia Moyer Bobbie & Jack Myers Dr. Ronald & Susan Nelson In honor of Natalie M. Davis RN NICU Neonatal, Cedar-Sinai Hospital, L.A., granddaughter of Martin Nizny Phil Office Sharyn Reger Susan & Nathaniel Ritter Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Rubin Jan Rudd Goenner Sumner & Pamela Saeks Diane Lieberman Slovin Maggie Stein Marc & Maureen Sternberg Col. Jeffrey Thau, USAF, (Ret.) & Rina Thau Bob & Suzanne Thum Judith & Fred Weber Donald & Caryl Weckstein Michael & Karen Weprin Ronald Bernard & Judy Woll
Thank you.
To make your Voluntary Subscription, go to daytonjewishobserver.org PAGE 12
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
February JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES
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UPCOMING EVENTS Connect with us! Check out our events. For more information, check out our calendar at jewishdayton.org.
Saturday, February 5 @ 8PM — JCC Youth Theatre Wizard of Oz Performance
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Sunday, February 6 @ 2PM — JCC Youth Theatre Wizard of Oz Performance
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Sunday, February 6 @ 6PM — JCC Youth Theatre Wizard of Oz Performance Thursday, February 10 @ 6PM — Maccabi Informational Parlor Meeting Sunday, February 20 @ 1PM — UPSTANDER Training Cincinnati
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Monday, February 21 @ 7:45AM — JYG Skiing and Snow Boarding at Perfect North Slopes Monday, February 21 — Camp Shalom School Day Out Sunday, February 27 @ 1PM — UPSTANDER Training Dayton
PRE SI DE NTS
D I N N ER 2022
S AV E t h e D AT E S U N D AY, M AY 1 5 6PM @ THE DAYTON ARCADE (35 W 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402)
INNOVATION GRANTS Contact Tara Feiner at tfeiner@jfgd.net or 937.401.1546 to request an application packet. Completed applications should be emailed to Tara Feiner by noon on March 31st. The application packet includes: • Innovation Grant application (Adobe PDF) signed by the organization(s) senior officer • Innovation Grant Budget application (Microsoft Excel) • First time applicants must supply a copy of the organization’s IRS tax exempt ruling (501 (c)(3)) for all groups involved if there is a collaboration. Prior Innovation Grant awardees do not need to resubmit their tax exempt status. For more information visit jewishdayton.org
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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February JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION
UNITED JEWISH CAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF › Sis Office Barbara and Jim Weprin Debby and Bob Goldenberg Sue and Don Zulanch Susie and Ed Katz › Joe Bettman Melinda and Bill Donor › Arlene Skolnick Mary and Gary Youra
Heuman Scholarship and the Interest-Free Student Loans Applications available now! Completed applications due March 31, 2022
PJ LIBRARY IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Marcia and Ed Kress IN HONOR OF › The birth of Cheryl and Rick Carne’s grandson, Jack Marcia and Ed Kress › The birth of Marla and Steve Harlan’s twin granddaughters, Aubrey and Poppy Marcia and Ed Kress
Are you a member of the Dayton Jewish community who plans on attending a two or four-year college, technical program, or graduate school in the academic year 2022-2023? If so, you may be eligible to apply for a college scholarship and/ or interest-free student loan through the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.
LINDA RUCHMAN MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Judy and Marshall Ruchman › Sis Office Judy and Marshall Ruchman IN HONOR OF › The 61st anniversary of Diane and Jim Duberstein Judy and Marshall Ruchman
It is easy to apply for both incredible opportunities at the same time on a single, unified application.
PAST PRESIDENTS FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Sylvia and Ralph Heyman
To request the application and to learn more about the Heuman Scholarship, please contact Alisa Thomas, Executive Assistant, at 937-610-1796 or athomas@jfgd.net.
JEWISH COUNCIL ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN MEMORY OF › Bruce Holroyd Marcy Paul
If you have questions specific to interest-free student loans, please contact Tara Feiner, Senior Director of Jewish Family Services, at 937-610-1555 or tfeiner@jfgd.net.
RESILIENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF › Dan Weckstein Robin and Justin Shepard Mary Bellinger
POSTPONED 2022
DAYTON JEWISH CHORALE IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Robin and Tim Moore HOLOCAUST PROGRAMMING FUND IN MEMORY OF › Gert Kahn Jane and Gary Hochstein Josh Kaplow Kendel St. John and Michael Kelly Susan and Philip Weiss Donna and Marshall Weiss Sally and Mark Bram ROBERT L. AND RITA Z. CLINE BIKUR HAVERIM ENDOWMENT IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Meredith A. Cline
We are so excited to host the Leadership Institute and we look forward to a time when we can all be together, in-person safely. We have decided in order to provide the best learning experience, we are postponing this program in the interest of health and safety. Be on the look out for more information in the future!
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JOE BETTMAN MEMORIAL TZADIK AWARD IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Jane and Gary Hochstein Barbara and Jim Weprin Susan and Stanley Katz Mary and Gary Youra
Ellen and Alvin Stein Marcia and Dick Moyer Paula Gessiness Henny Lubow Debby and Bob Goldenberg Sue and Don Zulanch Harriet and Don Klass Wendy Lipp and family Joan and Peter Bettman Marcy Paul Rachel and Heath Gilbert Susie and Ed Katz Marlene and Terry Pinsky Lynn Goldman Levin Renee and Matt Rosensweet and Judi Rosensweet Mel Caplan Nancy and Richard Cohen Julie and Adam Waldman
JCC
JANE HOCHSTEIN JCC PROGRAMMING FUND IN HONOR OF › The birth of Cheryl and Rick Carne’s grandson Irv and Gayle Moscowitz › The birth of Marla and Steve Harlan’s twin granddaughters Irv and Gayle Moscowitz › Wendy Lipps’s new granddaughter Irv and Gayle Moscowitz JCC CULTURAL ARTS FUND IN MEMORY OF › Roger Himmell Jane and Gary Hochstein JOAN AND PETER WELLS AND REBECCA LINVILLE FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND IN MEMORY OF › Gert Kahn Joan and Peter Wells IN HONOR OF › The special birthday of Ted Weinrich Joan and Peter Wells JFS
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES IN MEMORY OF › Marc Katz's mother, Carolyn Katz Melinda and Bill Donor JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF › The birth of Charles Wescott Saks Patricia Saks FOUNDATION
JEREMY BETTMAN B’NAI TZEDEK YOUTH PHILANTHROPY FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Sondra Kulback › Arlene Skolnick Jean and Todd Bettman ADDISON CARUSO B’NAI TZEDEK YOUTH PHILANTHROPY FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joe Bettman Patty and Michael Caruso and family
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
February JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES
Join 2,000 Jewish teens from across the globe for an Olympic-style sports experience in San Diego. Be part of the magic! SPORTS SPECIALTIES
For Jewish Athletes ages 13-16
(as of July 31st, 2022) 202 2)
Baseball Basketball Dance Esports Flag Football Girl’s Volleyball
Golf Ice Hockey Soccer Swimming Table Tennis Tennis
Be an UPSTANDER Through the lens of antisemitism, this UPSTANDER training focuses on the manifestation of hate. The training includes the tools to explore 24 inherent character strengths to help each participant stand-up against hate in their community. Questions? Contact Helen Jones: 937-401-1543. Be an UPSTANDER with JCRC What? Dismantling antisemitism and hate Who? An individual who stands up for themself and others to live in a safe society. How? Use your character strengths to EDUCATE-ADVOCATE-ACT. Why? The Silver Rule: “Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.” You must attend ONE training session either February 20 (in Cincinnati) or February 27 (in Dayton) Registration deadline: February 15. Visit jewishdayton.org/events to register.
PJ Library & Camp Shalom
Minecraft Trip to Israel
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MACCABI GAMES SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA JULY 31 - AUGUST 5
February 21, 1 - 3 PM Join us for an exciting virtual trip to Israel... in Minecraft! Participants will explore the land of Israel and learn about historic sites with a scavenger hunt and other games. Cost $10 per person. RSVP at JewishDayton.org.
For more information please contact Meryl Hattenbach at 937-401-1550 or mhattenbach@jfgd.net
Participants must own a Minecraft license and have their own device (computer, Chromebook, tablet or smartphone.)
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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February JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES
Engaging Jewish Youth (6th - 8th grade)
Monday, February 21 @ 7:45AM-5PM Skiing/Boarding at Perfect North Slopes drop off and pickup at the Boonshoft CJCE (525 Versailles Dr., Centerville, 45459) $80 per person includes transportation, equipment rental and all-day lift pass. Food and drinks are additional. Space is limited. RSVP online at jewishdayton.org or by contacting Meryl Hattenbach at mhattenbach@jfgd.net by Monday, February 14
A Women’s Seder L'DOR V'DOR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 8PM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2PM & 6PM @ Dayton Playhouse (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton 45414) TICKETS IN ADVANCE: $18 first three rows | $12 adults | $6 children 4–11 free for children 3 and under AT THE DOOR: $25 first three rows | $18 adults | $10 children 4–11 free for children 3 and under
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SAVE THE DATE
Advanced purchase is recommended. Seating for walk-ins is limited. Designated seating only.
Thursday, March 24 6:30 – 8PM via Zoom
Tickets available at jewishdayton.org or by calling (937) 610-1555.
Masks are required for ages 4 and older.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
The Jews of Easy Company
Continued from Page 11 by the name Barney Ross, he became one of the best fighters of his era, holding three different world titles during the 1930s — Light Weight, Light Welterweight, and Welterweight — and going 74-4 and 3 in 81 bouts, winning 22 by knockouts. The prevalence of the stereotype not only leads to tough Jews going unnoted but often leads to those noted being recast to fit the stereotype. The great ballplayer Hank Greenberg, one of the best hitters of all time, was often criticized for his awkwardness, especially as a first baseman, the position he played for nine of his 13 seasons in the major leagues. He isn’t the first outstanding hitter to be less than stellar as a fielder, but the frequent references to his lack of physical coordination went, I think, beyond what was justified. His “fielding percentage,” for example, the most common baseball statistic for measuring defensive skills, shows he was actually quite competent at first base. Except for his rookie season in 1933 and the 1936 season, he finished among the top five of all American League first basemen, even having the best fielding percentage at that position in 1939. Meyer Lansky, the bestknown Jewish gangster, is often thought of as the mob’s brains or accountant. Rarely is he described as the tough SOB that he was. The Italian mobster Lucky Luciano recounted that he and Lansky first met as teenagers when Luciano and some other punks surrounded the much younger Lansky as he was walking alone. Luciano threatened Lansky: “If you wanna keep alive, Jew boy, you gotta pay us (protection).” Lansky just looked the muchbigger Luciano in the eye and said, “go f… yourself,” his fists clenched ready to fight. They became fast friends and, together would control the mob for most of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Ed Shames was one tough Jew. It’s a shame Ambrose did not acknowledge it. And, for that matter, acknowledge that in many ways, so was Herbert Sobel. Jim Nathanson, a local, state, and national political and public affairs consultant, has given numerous talks on political and historical topics at Dayton’s Beth Abraham Synagogue.
RELIGION
CONGREGATIONS
To create a home for God By Rabbi Elchonon Chaikin Chabad of Greater Dayton The end of December featured charitable giving in record numbers. Crowd-funding campaigns, end-of-the-year appeals, building campaigns and the like filled our email inboxes, our brick-and-mortar mailboxes, our phone voice mail calls, our text messages, and social media pages. Wherever we turned, we were inundated by another organization capitalizing on the atmosphere of giving. In fact, Jewish individuals outdid all
Perspectives other religious denominations in donating to charity. Ever wonder who was the first fund raiser and who came up with the crowdfunding model? I’m sure you can guess that it was a Jew. But not just any Jew. It was Moshe Rabbeinu, Moses our teacher, in the desert. God had instructed him to build the Tabernacle, in which God’s presence would reside in the midst of the Jewish people. Moshe needed materials for construction and he turned to his flock to provide. Moshe was a master because he may have been the only Jewish fund raiser to succeed to the point of excess, and he had to stop the community from giving further! The primary materials needed for the Tabernacle’s construction were gold, silver, and copper. Commentators point out that these materials are symbolic of different giving experiences.
Gold, the most precious of people. materials, represents those The silver standard reprewho donate when they are sents one who struggles to healthy, happy, and well. They cope with the challenges of give from the goodness of their life and world, one who is heart. enticed by the enlightenment Silver, precious but not as of secularism and the flash of valuable, signifies those who materialism but prevails and give only when they are ill. overcomes this struggle. Perhaps their charFinally, there is ity serves to recthe copper stantify something, be it dard — spiritually spiritual or physical, dead, you may say or to gain merit for of them. Disconthem to be healed. nected. Uninspired. Copper, the coarsAt least outwardly. est of these three But those Jews metals, represents are important too. the giving of charity They too were in memory of one represented in the who has already building of and in died. the service in the The building of Tabernacle. the Tabernacle is They too can Rabbi Elchonon Chaikin microcosmically exfind themselves perienced in every individual. a place in it. All it takes is The Tabernacle was a transcommitment to devote of their formation of physical material talents and abilities to serve into a receptacle for God’s Hashem. presence. To quote the words of the The mission of man, brought famous rhyme, “No matter to light by the Jew, is to transwhere you may roam, you can form all that is physical of always come back home.” themselves Home is a safe haven, and the world but it’s also the place where around them everyone has a part. Everyone to holiness and contributes in some way to Godliness. their home. And that is exactly Just as there what makes it home. was a gold, Everyone has a role: father, silver, and copmother, son, daughter, sister per standard and brother, each contributes of of giving to the their abilities to create a warm, physical Tabloving home. ernacle, those And when they don’t, everysame standards appear in the one feels it. The Jewish people construction of one’s personal are a family working to create a Tabernacle. home for God. The gold standard repreKnow that no matter how sents Jews who serve God disconnected you may feel or wholeheartedly. They’re whole even may be, there is always in their service to God and in something you can contribute all matters pertaining to Torah and something you have to study and mitzvah (commandoffer. ment) observance. They are All it takes is committing tzadikim — righteous, perfect some of you to serve God.
There is always something you can contribute and something you have to offer.
February
Shevat/Adar I Shabbat Candle Lightings February 4, 5:42 p.m. February 11, 5:50 p.m. February 18, 5:59 p.m. February 25, 6:06 p.m.
Torah Portions February 5: Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19) February 12: Tetzaveh (Ex. 27:20-30:10) February 19: Ki Tissa (Ex. 30:11-34:35) February 26: Vayakhel (Ex. 35:1-38:20; Ex. 30:11-16)
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
A Jewish leap year On the Jewish calendar, months follow the cycle of the moon. However, there are approximately 12.4 lunar months in a solar year. The solution is a 19-year Jewish calendar cycle with a second month of Adar — Adar II — added in the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 19th years.
Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Interim Rabbi Melissa Crespy Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional Rabbi Leibel Agar Sundays & Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 937-274-2149. BethJacobCong. org Temple Anshe Emeth Reform 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Rabbinic Intern Caitlin Brazner Sat., Feb. 19, 10 a.m. in person and via Zoom. Contact Steve Shuchat, 937-7262116, AnsheEmeth@gmail.com. ansheemeth.org Temple Beth Or Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator Ben Azriel 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400. templebethor.com Temple Beth Sholom Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. templebethsholom.net Temple Israel Reform Senior Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz. Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo Fridays, 6:30 p.m. in person & streaming. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Rabbi Cary Kozberg 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 937-399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon, Teen & Young Adult Prog. Dir. Rabbi Elchonon Chaikin. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com Yellow Springs Havurah Independent Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Len Kramer, 937-5724840 or len2654@gmail.com.
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JennyGG Photography
Creative Covid union
Ben and Julie Schreiber were married Oct. 10, 2021, in Kirkland, Wash. under a chupah that incorporated blessings from friends and guests
By Alix Wall, JTA Julie Plaut Warwick and Ben Schreiber faced the same dilemma as many other couples planning a wedding during the pandemic: How to create a feeling of togetherness when guests may not feel safe attending? “We wanted to be surrounded by our family and friends and have their blessings, as we had no idea who would actually come,” said Plaut Warwick of Issaquah, Wash. The “Jewish creatives” they tasked to help them had ideas. And collaboratively,
they figured out a way for the couple to be surrounded by the blessings of those important to them, whether they were there physically or not. Invited guests were instructed to write down their blessings for the couple. A wedding co-officiant then collected the blessings and hung them from the poles of the chupah, the traditional Jewish wedding canopy, while the themes from those blessings were then inscribed on the border of the couple’s ketubah, or marriage contract. They were also
chanted by all the guests during their ceremony. The couple had some idea of what was in store for them — but they didn’t know everything. “The news about the ketubah and a song coordinated with our chupah blessings trickled down to us slowly,” said Schreiber. “By the time we saw and heard the song, we knew it was happening, but it was like a step-by-step leak.” Plaut Warwick, 56, is a laughter yoga instructor, mental health professional, and Jewish educator. Divorced since 2006 and the mother of two adult children, she thought she would never again marry.
Schreiber, 52, is a senior software engineer at the biotech company Adaptive Biotechnologies, as well as a widower; his wife died of cancer in 2019. They first met through the Reform Congregation Kol Ami in Kirkland, Wash., where Plaut Warwick was a longtime member and Schreiber was a newcomer. It was only months after they friended each other on Facebook that she commented on something he shared. They began online chatting the day after Thanksgiving, 2020. Their chats continued over several days. Schreiber suggested a visit (he was living at his beach house three hours away from her during the pandemic). But Plaut Warwick was about to visit her elderly parents for a month in Florida, and didn’t want to take any chances. Yet she soon changed her mind. “The second he walked in and we embraced, I knew I was going to marry him,” she said. Schreiber felt similarly, adding that his late wife had given him her blessing to find love again. “I fully acknowledged that I’m in a broken state, but I knew I needed companionship, and the pandemic left me with a vacuum of not being with anybody that was good to help me re-center,” he said. He didn’t leave until he drove her to the airport a few days later. After quarantining for two weeks in Florida, Plaut Warwick stayed with her parents. Noticing she was always on the phone, her father began asking how late she was up the night before.
“I felt like I was 17 again,” she said. Judaism and Jewish ritual both play a large role in their lives. The first time the two showed up to Zoom services together was like a comingout party, they said. Now, they sometimes lead services together. As for their collaborative wedding, it started with Plaut Warwick’s decision to commission Rhode Island-based artist Nancy Katz, principal artist of Nancy Katz/Wilmark Studios — which specializes in stained-glass windows for synagogues — to make the couple’s chupah. Plaut Warwick knew Katz, co-officiant Marge Eiseman, and ketubah artist Jennifer Judelsohn from connections in the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE and its successor organization NewCAJE). Their connections allowed them to collaborate on the wedding in unexpected ways. Plaut Warwick had a tallit (prayer shawl) made by Katz, who is mostly known for her painting on silk. But Katz had to give that up in recent years due to arthritis in her thumb. She found she can still paint on canvas, and used a lightweight one so it would drape properly. Her design is bold and bright. “The chupah was about celebration and joy and connection, but it also acknowledges this crazy time we’re living in,” Katz said. “They talked about their love of water and the sea, so the design has that fluid
‘A lot of it was meant to be tongue-incheek because Covid has just robbed people of their joy.’
JennyGG Photography
The Dayton Art Institute is the area’s premier destination for weddings and receptions. Booking now for 2022 & 2023!
Call 937-512-0152 or visit daytonartinstitute.org/weddings Image courtesy of The Carrs & Co \\ Photography House
Ben and Julie Schreiber’s ketubah was hand-painted with designs inspired by themes from their guests’ blessings
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
feel to it; the design just sort of came.” For the guests, Katz sent out kits she had assembled herself for writing down and decorating their blessings. She led a Zoom workshop for those who wanted guidance in decorating them. The couple joined the Zoom session to greet everyone, and then left. Then, inspiration struck Judelsohn: “While we were creating the blessings with Nancy, I saw the blessings around the ketubah,” she said. “In my original design, it was going to be a floral or leaf pattern.” Instead, Judelsohn decided to incorporate themes from the chupah blessings into the design of the ketubah. “I started by pulling out the words that were used the most,” said Judelsohn, which is how words like “joy” and “laughter” ended up along the ketubah’s borders. Meanwhile, since Eiseman, who is a song leader and Jewish educator, was to co-officiate the wedding with Kol Ami’s Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg, she began thinking what her unique contribution could be. The end result, in which Kinberg and the wedding guests sang their blessings collectively, was “less a song than a ‘sound bath’ using the words everyone had offered,” she said. “This was not just me singing to them, but we engaged everyone in the singing.” The wedding took place Oct. 10 at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Wash. in front of approximately 100 guests, all of whom had been tested for Covid. “A lot of it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek because Covid has just robbed people of their joy,” said Plaut Warwick, explaining why the wedding party consisted of two 50-something women, dubbed “flowerchicks,” who threw petals from felt jack-o-lanterns and groomsmen called “Ring Security Dudes” who carried lockboxes for the rings.
2313 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood 937-293-1196 www.oakwoodflorist.com family owned and operated military discount
JennyGG Photography
The chupah at the wedding of Ben and Julie Schreiber was affixed with blessings submitted by their guests
As for the chupah and ketubah? They are now both displayed next to each other in their home. ”They just make me smile every time I walk by them,”
said Plaut Warwick, who has since taken the name Schreiber. “They are both so colorful and meaningful. When we buy a house, we need one with large walls.”
As a celebrated architectural gem since the turn of the century, the Dayton Arcade Events brought to you by Culture Works has been meticulously restored and is ready to host your wedding or special event.
Shannon Lindenauer, Events Director 937-222-2787 ext. 105 t Events@CultureWorks.org @DaytonArcadeEvents
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EVENTS T H AT M AK E H I S T ORY
Weddings & Events From intimate ceremonies to large receptions, Dayton History’s venues offer an extraordinary combination of natural beauty and unique locations that will make your wedding or special event truly memorable!
Please contact Event Services at 937-293-2841 ext. 415 or events@daytonhistory.org Carillon Historical Park • daytonhistory.org • 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, OH
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
PAGE 19
Same-sex rabbinical wedding a first for Conservative movement Kelly Prizel Photography
School of Rabbinic Studies at the By Alix Wall, JTA American Jewish University in You could call it bashert: 15 Los Angeles in 2016. years after a landmark deciGoldMarche, who married sion in Judaism’s Conservative them, said she saw it coming that movement that paved the way night at the campfire before they for gay and lesbian students to did. While Rosen thought she enter its rabbinical schools and had made it clear she was queer, for rabbis to perform same-sex Walker says she hadn’t; Walker weddings, it would seem like spent much of the retreat wondestiny that two Conservative dering if they were connecting as rabbis would wed. friends or something more. Of course, it happened at Walker came out her senior Camp Ramah. year of college, while Rosen did a Rabbi Ariella Rosen and Rabbi year after ordination. Rosen was Becca Walker tied the knot at the living in Philadelphia then, and Conservative movement’s camp Walker in East Lansing, Mich. In in Palmer, Mass. in October with August 2018, Rosen went to visit yet another queer woman rabbi, Walker; she was the first woman Megan GoldMarche, officiating. Rosen ever dated. Rosen’s father, Rabbi Jim Rosen, Rabbis Becca Walker (L) and Ariella Rosen became the first same-sex rabbinical couple to be married in the Their relationship began longalso played a role. Conservative movement distance, with them either visit“It feels like we shouldn’t be groundbreaking,” Walker said. And yet bis work in a variety of settings — and partners in a workshop. On a hike, they ing each other or meeting elsewhere. In July 2019, Walker moved to Toronto. she and Rosen made history as the first- while many have married, including to ended up only speaking to each other. Meanwhile, Rosen had left Philadelphia ever same-sex marriage between two others who work in the Jewish world, Then, they stayed up late talking at a for New York, planning to join Walker Conservative rabbis, according to Rabbi none so far have paired off as Rosen and campfire, long after everyone else went in the summer of 2020; that was, until Ashira Konigsburg, the chief operating Walker did. to sleep. the pandemic hit. Instead, they moved officer of the movement’s Rabbinical AsUntil recently, Walker, Both women grew in with Rosen’s family in West Hartford, sembly, who said the organization was 33, was the assistant up in New England Conn. not aware of any others. rabbi at Toronto’s Beth and knew of each other “We made a major transition, from The Conservative movement adopted David congregation; while undergraduates in long distance to never not being togethlegal rulings in 2006 designed to make Rosen, 35, is senior Jewthe joint Jewish studies er,” Walker said. “But seeing the ease of gay and lesbian Jews “feel accepted and ish educator at Hillel program between List us doing life together, even with everywelcomed” in its synagogues and comOntario. College and Columbia thing so hard around us, we felt that we munities. The next year, its two U.S. rabThey met at a RabUniversity. can do this.” binical schools admitted their first gay binical Assembly retreat Rosen was ordained They enjoy learning Torah together or students. And in 2012, the movement in May 2018 for earlyby the Jewish Theologiteaching a class together…sometimes. issued guidelines for the first time for career women rabbis at the Isabella cal Seminary of America in New York “We don’t ‘rabbi’ each other,” Rosen same-sex weddings, although many rab- Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in in 2015 (she is one of four people in her bis had been performing them already. Connecticut. immediate family to have attended JTS). said. “Since we’re both rabbis, it’s really important to be able to turn off that Now, openly gay Conservative rabThey first clicked as conversational Walker was ordained by the Ziegler
Some blessings were changed to say ‘bride and bride,’ and each woman broke a glass.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
In July 2020, they both moved to Toronto. On Oct. 24, they had their Jewish wedding in the spot where Rosen attended Shabbat services as a Ramah camper. It was an egalitarian ceremony in which some blessings were changed to say “bride and bride,” and each woman broke a glass. There were around 100 guests, including — they estimate — 19 rabbis, one cantor, and one rabbinical student. They changed the traditional ring exchange language to what the Conservative movement calls a brit ahuvot, or covenant of love. “It was a privilege that we carry, that Rabbis Becca Walker and Ariella Rosen were wed at Camp others before us had already done the Ramah in Palmer, Mass. important work of creating a framepiece.” work that felt meaningful for us, and viable for They knew they wanted a proper wedding who we are,” said Rosen. when it was safe to gather. But they also learned While most if not all of the guests were that Rosen could join Walker in vaccinated, the ceremony, Canada only if they were legally reception, and dancing were married. all held outside, and apple So in May 2020, their friend cobbler was served in lieu of Julie Finkelstein, senior director cake. The brides both wore of program strategy and innovaDr. Martens combat boots tion at the Foundation for Jewish with their wedding dresses. Camp, performed a civil ceremoSpeaking of the optics of a ny on a Brooklyn rooftop (Rosen queer woman rabbi officiatwas still a New York resident). ing at the wedding of two of They deliberately chose not to her queer women colleagues, have a rabbi officiate, and, though Walker said, “I’m happy to they were legally married at that point, they have more people see this, as it makes people refer to that ceremony as their “engagement.” feel there’s a place for them, too.” Kelly Prizel Photography
They had their Jewish wedding in the spot where Rosen attended Shabbat services as a Ramah camper.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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Alice and Dr. Burt Saidel are the arts patrons selected to receive Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio this year. They’ll be among the nine Ohioans honored for their contributions to the arts at a ceremony on May 11.
Bark Mitzvah Boy Former Daytonian Alyson Footer has been named executive editor of national content at MLB.com. The 1989 graduate of Northmont High School, who makes her home in Houston, has worked in the major leagues since the Houston Astros hired her to handle public relations in 1997. Since then, she’s been a beat reporter for Astros.com through MLB.com, senior director of the Astros social media, and a national correspondent with MLB.com. Addison J. Caruso, son of Patty and Michael Caruso, grandson of Donna Holt and the late Yale J. Holt, received his JD from Duke University Law School in May and completed a distinguished fellowship with the Ohio Environmental Council in
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television producer and public relations consultant, Mimsy is the author of two books, Reinventing Retirement and Too Much Togetherness: Surviving Retirement as a Couple. Journalism runs in her family. Mimsy’s late mother, Anne Hammerman, was the longtime editor of the Dayton Jewish Chronicle. Mimsy’s late brother, Edward Hammerman, blogged for Chicago Now. Not Born Yesterday is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon and other platforms. Mathew Klickstein provided research assistance for the new audiobook, So You Need To Decide, by Los Angeles comedian Beth Lapides. It’s a series of conversations with comedians, writers, and “cultural icons” on themes of family, work, love, moving, and spirituality. Mathew says it’s about “difficult decisions we all make in our lives.” Beth narrates the audiobook, which features interviews with Margaret Cho, Isaac Mizrahi, Bob Odenkirk, Phoebe Bridgers, Baron Vaughn, Aparna Nancherla, Merrill Markoe, and Josh Gondelman.
Miriam “Mimsy” Hammerman Goodman has launched the podcast Not Born Yesterday from her home in San Francisco, with her lifelong friend Lynn Winter Gross. A former Dayton resident, Mimsy told J. The Jewish News of Northern California the podcast is for “anybody thinking about aging and what it might mean...the stereotyping and discrimination against people on the basis of age has negative consequences on all of us, but we are determined to inform, educate, Miriam ‘Mimsy’ and celebrate this Hammerman art of life.” A radio/ Goodman
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JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
Calling to us The Power of Stories The Summit. Just a thousand feet shy of Mt. Everest’s peak, Israel’s most accomplished mountain climber, Nadav Ben Yehuda, came across what appeared to be a dead body. Recognizing it as the inexperienced and unprepared Turkish climber he’d met earlier, Nadav investigated and found
Candace R. Kwiatek the man barely alive. Despite the significant risk, Nadav’s decision was instantaneous. He abandoned his pursuit of becoming the youngest Israeli to scale Mt. Everest and tackled the life-threatening task of lowering the unconscious Turk down the mountain. Although during the descent Nadav was severely injured, both he and the Turk survived. The Detour. Finding their regular route to the park closed off by a detour sign, the rebbetzin (rabbi’s wife) and her driver were forced to turn onto a parallel street where they heard a woman screaming in Russian. Through the windows, they saw her weeping at the curb while workers loaded furniture and household items onto a marshal’s truck. At the rebbetzin’s request, the driver stopped to investigate. Learn-
ing the woman was in arrears on her rent and being evicted, the rebbetzin asked the driver to privately find out from the marshal how much was owed and if a personal check would be acceptable. The requisite payment in hand, the marshal instructed his workers to return everything into the house while the rebbetzin and her driver quickly left. Many would argue that these encounters were merely the products of chance, random events with no deterministic cause occurring in the universe alongside the evolving states of nature. Others would deem them fortunate accidents, the improbable results of the intersection between independent chains of events: two unrelated mountain climbers cross paths at a critical moment; a detour sign brings two women together over an eviction. Fatalists would explain these events as predestined, guided by the forces of inexplicable, immutable, unavoidable fate. Judaism, however, sees such events as expressions of Divine Providence (hashgacha pratit), the human dimension of God’s deliberate engagement with Creation. In the words of the psalmist, “The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all mankind. From His dwelling place He oversees (hishgiach) all the inhabitants of the earth — He who fashions the hearts of
Some share the view of the them all, Who discerns all their Baal Shem Tov, who taught that doings (Ps. 33:13-15).” every event in the universe, Divine Providence is God’s governance over human affairs every experience in a person's life, and every aspect of these and the destiny of humanity occurrences is specifically by mobilizing all things in the guided and determined by the universe to fulfill His will. Divine will of God. An enduring record of both Others see God as deeply individual and national Divine involved in our world and Providence, the Bible clearly teaches that God does act in the our lives alongside a certain amount of randomness and world. God singles out Abraham for chance in the universe. A third perspective underthe first covenant, rescues the stands Divine Providence as altar-bound Isaac with a ram, God’s specific attention to the and grants Jacob prosperity paths of each person, orchesdespite Laban’s trickery. trating events in God a way to guide guides Joseph Divine Providence through is God’s governance destiny. At the same betrayal, over human affairs time, each slavery, imposition allows prisonment, and the destiny for the exercise and his rise of free will, a to leadership. of humanity by God arranges mobilizing all things fundamental principle of for David in the universe to Judaism, as to be at the expressed in the battlefront fulfill His will. Talmud: “All is just in time to in the hands of hear Goliath’s God except the fear of God.” challenge. The Campsite. Sori Block God uses a beauty contest, loved the strenuous hike up the the king’s insomnia, and Hascenic hill that loomed over her man’s inflated ego to guide Mordechai and Esther into foil- Australian campsite. Soon after starting out one ing Haman’s genocidal plans. morning, however, she was Beyond the general biblical startled by the appearance of view, Rabbi Joseph Telushan unfamiliar large dog that kin explains, “there is no one began jumping up and licking unequivocal Jewish teaching her, refusing to leave. on the nature of Divine ProviAlone and with no cell dence.”
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service, Sori was concerned at first, but then decided to continue up the hill while the dog pressed close to her side. Becoming aware of her surroundings once more, she caught sight of a herd of galloping horses heading directly toward her. Running would be futile and there was no place to hide. Suddenly the dog began to bark, running circles around Sori. Naturally fearful of dogs, the horses veered as they approached, missing Sori by a meter. Although shaken, she eventually reached the top of the hill where the dog’s distraught owner was delighted to be reunited with her pet. Learning that it had followed Sori from the bottom of the hill, the owner responded, “That’s impossible. He never goes down to the campsite.” All too often we see the hand of Divine Providence in our lives only in hindsight. But what if we took a proactive approach? What if we looked at the unexpected happenings in our lives, both good and bad, and stopped to ask ourselves not “Why has this happened?” but “How is God asking us to use this moment, these circumstances, to do something that He needs to be done?” As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said, “Life is God’s call to us.”
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Rising to greatness, with beginnings in Cincinnati. By Joel Haber, The Nosher Many home cooks this past year, in an Instagram-inspired spirit, upped their challah-baking game with new braiding patterns, interesting flavors, and vibrant colors. Yet it was a more standard ingredient that unwittingly connected many to their roots. If you used Fleischmann’s yeast for your challah, you leavened your dough with the essence of American Jewry. The Fleischmann family’s story echoes the experience of many other immigrant Jews. They built on their experience from Europe, using it to fully integrate into American society. Innovative business practices brought them success. And they used their power to benefit their community. Hungarian brothers Charles and Max Fleischmann were part of the mid19th-century wave of Central European Jews arriving in America. They settled in Cincinnati where they became yeast manufacturers in 1868. Charles had learned the process in Prague and Vienna, eventually overseeing production on a noble’s estate. The origin tale of Charles bringing a single vial of pure yeast to America is likely a fabrication, but he probably did see America’s poor-quality baked goods as a business opportunity. Soon, the Fleischmanns were mass producing pressed cakes of yeast. Many claim theirs was the first commercially produced version of this product. But while Charles did hold some production patents in America, the main steps were invented decades earlier in Vienna. His genius lay not in inventing a new product but in its clever distribution and marketing techniques. The compressed yeast could only survive a few days, so reaching customers quickly became essential. Cincinnati was a hub of transportation routes, and Fleischmann’s also built a network of production and distribution centers to
reach most of the country. Delivery improved in the 1880s with the invention of refrigerated railcars. With supply taken care of, however, demand for the unfamiliar product lagged. Fleischmann’s had to familiarize America with compressed yeast. Unfettered by preconceptions on “proper” business practices, Fleischmann’s Yeast found out-of-the-box solutions. Their first major marketing coup was at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, where they featured a Vienna Model Bakery to demonstrate their product. The international fair attracted 10 million visitors, many of whom stopped to sample the delicious bread. Soon, compressed yeast became the preeminent solution for home bakers. Another early marketing effort featured a promotional cookbook giveaway. Fleischmann’s followed others in using this fairly new medium, continuing well into the 20th century. The company also offered wrapper premiums — customers could trade in yeast package labels for free kitchen utensils. But Fleischmann’s most significant contribution to consumer marketing was in what we now call branding. From the start, Charles Fleischmann guarded the company’s name and image, zealously warning his customers against cheap imitators. Fleischmann’s branding was so successful that by the late 1920s they Continued on Page 27 The New York Historical Society/Getty Images
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Fleischmanns, Catskill Mountains, Delaware County, July 1925
PAGE 24
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
Arts&Culture
From the reverent to the raunchy, YIVO’s vast archives of Yiddish life are reunited online Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York. Photo: Getty Images/Thos Robinson By Andrew Silow-Carroll Stefanie, can you describe how New York Jewish Week researchers will experience the The Holocaust all but destroyed archive? And what’s gained and a centuries-old Jewish civilization, what’s lost if you’re working in while the war carved up nations a digital-only format and don’t and left the Continent divided have the documents to hold in between the allied West and the your hands? Soviet-dominated East. The casuStefanie Halpern: Part of what alties of this upheaval included a we try to do with our digitization monumental collection of scholarmethod is replicate the experience ship and artifacts telling the story as much as possible of sitting in of Yiddish culture. the reading room. Of course, you Before World War II, the YIVO can’t replace the physicality of Institute for Jewish Research, touching a document, flipping founded in Vilna (now Vilnius), it over, feeling the brittle pages, Lithuania, collected millions smelling the leather. But we try to of documents and hundreds of shoot the documents so that you thousands of rare books. The see all of the edges. You see the Nazis, not satisfied with their war bends, you see the tears. We don’t on Jewish bodies, also plundered sanitize the materials. As you’re their past, stealing documents scrolling through the materifor a planned museum of the als, we try to replicate what you vanquished Jewish race in Frankwould actually see in the reading furt and condemning the rest to room. destruction. And so, this opens up research But much of the Frankfurt to a whole slew of people who material survived. After the war, it just never had access to these was returned to YIVO and ended Astronomy manuscript, 1751, by Issachar Ber Carmoly, also known as Behr Lehmann documents before. It allows up at its new headquarters in New Archives, about the diverse collection, the efforts that younger researchers or non-academic researchers to York, thanks to the “Monuments Men,” the U.S. army made the reunion possible and the ways a new genera- feel comfortable accessing them. We see a lot of family unit sent to recover artwork and scholarship stolen tion of scholars and regular folks can use the archives historians who are using these materials and wouldn’t by the Nazis. Meanwhile, Jews who were tasked with to expand their understanding and appreciation of a necessarily be in the reading room, and I think that’s sorting the collections under Nazi orders in the Vilna vast and endlessly surprising Jewish past. really great. Ghetto — the famed “Paper Brigade” — managed to hide a trove of materials. That tranche would again be New York Jewish Week: Jonathan and Stefanie, give Can you give me an example of how people are using threatened when the Soviets took over Lithuania, and me a sense of the significance of this project and how the archive? only survived thanks to a Lithuanian librarian who it’s a game changer. Halpern: The music collections are just top of my managed to hide the material in a church basement. Jonathan Brent: YIVO has never done anything like mind right now, because they’re the ones we’ve most Like a family divided by the war, the collections this in its history — a $7 million project over seven recently gotten online and the ones that have been offound homes in two countries — Lithuania and the years involving 11 archivists. It is an international proj- tentimes least accessible. I’ve had a scholar from Israel U.S. And like a child in a divorce, the Lithuanian trove ect that has social, historical, and also political meanemail me every month for almost the past year, asking was subject to a lengthy custody battle between YIVO ing. It is a step forward into the future for YIVO, even if handwritten manuscripts of operettas are available. and the Lithuanian government. The dispute was reA collection that we’re putting up this week is solved amicably in 2014, with a solution made possible as it is a step backward into the past and the recovery of all of these extraordinary materials. Group 1.2, the YIVO Ethnographic Commission reonly by modern technology: the digitization of all the It has demonstrated the viability of international cords. The materials that zamlers (amateur collectors) millions of materials, uniting them online if not under cultural projects on the subject acquired included folklore materials, songs, and chilthe same roof. Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania and the dren’s games. All of those materials are often written January marked the compleYIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York. of pre-war Jewish culture, and Photo: Getty Images/Thos Robinson what can be accomplished with on tiny scraps of paper that are extremely difficult to tion of the historic project, the the right spirit and the right read. Online you can blow them up as big as you want. Edward Blank YIVO Vilna focus and the right talent and the I know a lot of people are really excited to get their Online Collections, named for right leadership. hands on these materials, some of which actually have its lead donor. Professional and It is a project that establishes never been made available to researchers. amateur researchers are able to YIVO as a leading institution in We have the youth autobiographies that were colaccess the entirety of the YIVO various different ways, in terms lected by YIVO in the 1930s. We have several hundred archive of 4 million documents, of archival science, preservation, of them, but sometimes a few pages are missing and which are in Yiddish as well as accessibility, and the putting of archivists here and in Lithuania were able to connect dozens of other languages. The a massive amount of material and actually find the missing pages. Many scholars materials reflect the religious online — making it available, use the autobiographies because they are such a great and cultural diversity of Yidconstructing the proper website, snapshot of different types of Jewish life across Poland. dishland, from theatre posters Pinkas (Communal Record Book) of the Hevra The raunchy stories, the pornographic materials in and youthful memoirs to illumi- Lomde Shas (Learners of the Talmud Society) in using all of the proper software, engaging all the proper specialthis collection, were hidden from view for a very long nated synagogue ledgers and Lazdijai, a town in southwestern Lithuania, 1836 ists to make these materials time. These materials were collected by YIVO. They rare music scores. available online around the world. But it’s also a step were part of life. It’s that kind of stuff that’s going to The result, says Jonathan Brent, executive direcforward for us in terms of building the infrastructure create new scholarship and change the scholarship tor and CEO of YIVO, is a “reawakening of YIVO’s of the organization. that’s out there. historic mission, an important (and successful) experiYIVO has also become an archival training institument in international cultural activity, and an irreversible marker of YIVO’s future as a leading global Jewish tion under Stefanie’s leadership, whereby we are train- I have to ask: Who was creating raunchy ing a new generation of specialists who can conserve, pornographic Yiddish materials in the 1930s? institution.” process, and digitize this tremendous wealth of Jewish Halpern: The context for these is a little fuzzy, but In a Zoom call, the New York Jewish Week spoke materials. Continued on Page 26 to Brent and Stefanie Halpern, director of the YIVO
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
PAGE 25
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YIVO archives
much as you want and know that you have as accurate a representation of these Continued from Page 25 materials as you can get. we think they were stories that zamlers We have the papers of Zemach collected. They went out and they asked Shabad. He was a public figure and a people, you know, what stories do you private physician in Vilnius, and we have know about Jewish heroes? What stories thousands of his medical records that do you know about talking bears? What have never been used by researchers. I’m dirty stories do you know? excited for a medical historian to glean Brent: Binyamin Harshav (the late whatever information they can from Israeli poet and translator) told the records over the course of 30 years. story of going out into the marketplace, Brent: Remember that the culture was at the instruction of Max Weinreich (a destroyed first by the Nazis, then by the co-founder of YIVO and editor of the Soviets. You cannot separate that history Modern Yiddish-English English-Yiddish from these materials. But this project is a Dictionary) in order to collect obscenities celebration of what has been preserved used by women in the marketplace. And through the efforts of generations of Jews he would do so by irritating them to the who take care of their history, to underpoint at which they would curse him out. stand themselves, to pass that knowledge Another example of the use of this is on to the next generation. I cannot tell that we are now working in Vilnius with you the pleasure that it gives me to know the Tartle Gallery on an exhibition of that young people are studying these material that has been digitized by YIVO materials. That knowledge of ourselves for display in May or June. It will be the is not something that’s 2,000 years old or first major exhibition of prewar Jew1,000 years old or 500 years old. It lives in ish materials in Vilnius since the Jewish all of us. And somehow we are connected Museum there was shut down by the to that past. And so this helps give us Soviets in 1947 or ’48. So these materials more self knowledge, and that’s what our are not only igniting scholarship over institution wishes to celebrate. here, but they will ignite a renaissance of knowledge of the Jewish world for Lithu- The history of trying to unite the two anians and for the remnant of the Jewish libraries was very sensitive and was community there. caught up in a legal and diplomatic dispute over ownership with Lithuania, Why is that important? which believes the materials are part Brent: You have to be very careful of its national heritage. I understand about making assertions about another you have a strong relationship with the country and society. Of course, I remem- Lithuanian government, but is there ber very well, when the Polin Museum some disappointment that these great opened in Warsaw, everybody said collections are not going to be together “This is a game changer. It’s going to in the same physical space? change Polish attitudes toward Jews.” Brent: There’s disappointment for But look where we are today. But I do various people who would like to see it know that our project is making it posso united. I myself am not disappointed sible for young Lithuanians to discover in the sense that I never expected it to be. their own past, whether they’re Jewish I accepted the status quo. I accepted the or not Jewish. Jewish culture is part of historical fact that had not been altered Lithuanian culture; it was an inextricable after 20 years of litigation. But yes, there part of what Lithuania became. What it are many people around the world who will lead to, I don’t know, but I do know would like to see all of these materials that the YIVO project has been part of safe and sound at the YIVO Institute in this awakening, and through our project New York City. But that’s not something people of goodwill, people with demothat we concerned ourselves with. That cratic instincts and desire for openness, was not our job. are finding a way of further reinforcing their attitudes. It is impossible to separate the centuries of Jewish life in Eastern Europe from Are there under-explored parts of the the communities’ destruction in the collection you’re hoping a scholar will Holocaust. Do you see YIVO’s efforts at last be able to access? as a memorial project, or one of Halpern: We have about, I don’t know, preservation? Does a sense of mourning 5,000 or 6,000 posters that have been shadow your work, or are you able to digitized as part of the project, includsee beyond the losses? ing over 2,000 Yiddish theatre posters Brent: Yes, there is a pall of mournfulthat were collected by YIVO during the ness over all of this and a sense of loss, interwar period, not just from Eastern but the power of this project, in terms of Europe but from around the world. Post- preservation and bringing forward the ers are extremely difficult to take care of past into the present day, is something and show to researchers, so a lot of these that I don’t think we even know how to have never been seen. Theatre posters, calculate. It will lead to all kinds of new election posters, posters advertising energies. I didn’t get into this business lectures on health-related things, political because of the destruction of this civilithings, even hypnotism. zation. My interest has always been on Museums are always interested in bor- the living culture, on all of the strange rowing posters, but many of them were and interesting things that happened in in six or eight different pieces. Our conEastern Europe and how those came to servators were able to piece everything America. My goal is to show the living together, so you see that digitization is culture, to change the narrative, to shift not just an act of access, but preservation. it from just the Holocaust and to actually You can look at those digital images as bring these vibrant lives into the fore.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
Fleischmann’s Continued from Page 24 controlled over 93 percent of their market. Fleischmann’s also expanded its product line. In the 2012 book Jews and Booze, Marni Davis highlights the disproportional representation of immigrant Jews within American alcohol businesses in the late 19th century. Within just a few years of starting the company, Fleischmann’s added distilled spirits to its offerings, using the grain alcohol that was a major byproduct of yeast production. Adding juniper berries and other botanicals, they produced America’s first distilled gin, with other hard liquors soon to follow. While this ties the family into the American Jewish experience, their greatest related legacy is also their least recognized. The late 1800s saw prominent antisemitic discrimination aimed at wealthy American Jews. More than once, the Fleischmanns were denied entry at fancy hotels and resorts. Charles Fleischmann used his amassed fortune to beat the antisemites at their own game. Purchasing 60 acres in Griffin’s Corner, N.Y., he created a resort village specifically for Jews. Eventually incorporated as Fleischmanns, N.Y., the town grew to include mansions, summer homes and hotels, many with kosher food to accommodate Orthodox customers. Fleischmanns was no budgetlevel bungalow colony, either. Features included heated swimming pools, a golf course, a deer park, a stocked trout pond, and an artificial lake from which they could harvest ice in the winter. This famous resort town launched a classic 20th-century Jewish phenomenon: vacationing in the Catskill Mountains, the so-called Borscht Belt that is indelibly linked with American Jewish popular culture. Without Charles Fleischmann’s pre-immigration experiences in Europe, he might not have started his company, and with deeper roots in the country, he might never have broken new ground to reach success. His family story prominently reflects that of broader American Jewry. Although Fleischmann’s is no longer a family-owned company, there may be no more appropriate ingredient to put in your challah than Fleischmann’s yeast. And for an extra dose of Jewish pride, have a Fleischmann’s gin and tonic after kneading the dough.
OBITUARIES Howard Zane Beyer passed away on Jan. 19 in Union, N.J. at the age of 78. Howard was born in Canton to Elizabeth and Abraham Beyer. He married Rena Zwelling on July 24, 1967. Howard was the owner of Ohio Lamp and Fixture, which served the Dayton community for nearly 80 years. He was also a lifetime associate of Hadassah. He was a kind, caring and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Howard will be missed by his children, Marnina, Alysha, Liba Tahly and Nadeev; grandchildren, Daveed, Tikvah, Ndashi, Kasuba, Hava, Zohara and Ezra. He will always be remembered and loved. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Jacob or Hadassah. Dorothy Levitt Engelhardt passed away Jan. 18 at age 93. She is survived by her loving children, Debbie and Simon Igielnik, Lynn Engelhardt and Beth and Louis Guttman; her beloved grandchildren, Ben and his wife Jessica, Ruth and her husband Ben, Jon, Julien and her husband Adam, Aaron, Ellyn and Isaac; and great-grandchildren, Aliza, Shuli, Sarah, Yael and Nani; and her loving sister, Ann Brenner. Also beloved nieces and nephews — some she wasn’t even related to. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Simon; her parents, Recha and Boris Levitt; and her two brothers she adored, Albert and Ted Levitt. The family would appreciate a gift in our Bubbie’s memory to Beth Abraham Synagogue, Hospice of Dayton or any charity that promotes kindness and justice. Evelyn Ostreicher lost her battle with multiple sclerosis when she died peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 4 at 91 years old. Evelyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernest; her parents, Herman and Fannie Wolf; her brother, Jack Wolf; her sister-inlaw, Shari Krauss; and her brothersin-law, Eugene Krauss and Moshe Meryl. Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Helen Halcomb, Isabelle Bernal (Robert), Sharon Ostreicher; grandson, Aidan Bernal; and sisterin-law Gita Meryl and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. Evelyn Wolf Ostreicher was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on Feb. 19, 1930. She was raised in Lorain, Ohio where she met her husband, Ernest. They moved to Dayton with their three daughters for a business opportunity. Evelyn Ostreicher embraced life in Dayton, joining Beth Jacob Synagogue and getting involved in numerous charity works and organizations. She was Sisterhood president from 1968 to 1970, a tireless volunteer for her synagogue, and a member of the committee celebrating the 100th anniversary of Beth Jacob in 1987. Evelyn would spend her Saturday afternoons with residents of
the Jewish nursing home (Covenant House) and was such a fixture that she became known as the “Cookie Lady” and an activity that many residents looked forward to for her friendship and entertainment. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her late 30s, Evelyn did not let her illness stop her from continuing to help others. Evelyn was presented the Top Ten Volunteer Award from United Way in 1981 and the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1994. In addition, Evelyn received awards from the Ohio Senate and accommodation from President Reagan of the United States. After selling the family business, Drug Mart, Evelyn and Ernest moved to Sun City Summerlin in Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, she renewed her love of mah jongg, was an active participant in her new synagogue, and continued to be an active volunteer. She received another award as Volunteer of the Year in 2009 from her new synagogue, Young Israel Aish, Las Vegas. In July 2011, Ernest and Evelyn moved to Walnut Creek, Calif. where they stayed until the death of Ernest in October 2013. Shortly afterwards, Evelyn moved to Reutlinger Jewish Community in Danville, Calif., where she spent the last eight years of her life. Undaunted by her physical limitations, Evelyn continued to volunteer on several boards and committees at Reutlinger, to play mah jongg, and attend Shabbat services at the Reutlinger chapel. Evelyn became an artist under the tutelage of Resident Artist Betty Rothaus, creating many beautiful watercolors. If interested, Evelyn Ostreicher's artwork can be seen at ArtwithElders, artwithelders.org. Evelyn Ostreicher lived her life to the fullest, never letting her MS diagnosis prevent her from living a meaningful, joyous life. She will be dearly missed by her family and the many friends she made in Ohio, Nevada, and California. Donations can be made to Beth Jacob Synagogue, MS Society, or a charity of your choice.
Dennis K. Rich passed away Jan. 11 after a lengthy illness. He was born on June 28, 1939 in Dayton to the late Leonard and Evelyn Rich. He graduated from Fairview High School in 1957 and attended the 50th reunion in 2007. Denny attended The Ohio State University but left early to join his family’s business, The Rich Company. He became a manager and co-owner of Rich’s Pawn Shop from 1959 to 1981. Denny’s first marriage was to Sue Bashore Rich, now of McKinney, Texas. Denny spent most of his leisure time at Meadowbrook Country Club, where his family were members for many years. He played golf and enjoyed lounging and schmoozing at the pool. Denny loved the sun and had the best suntan in Dayton! His family were members of Temple Israel and Beth Jacob. Denny was involved with several Jewish organizations at that time. The Rich family were snowbirds in Boca Raton for many years before moving there permanently in 1981. Denny was fortunate to retire from full time work at that time. He continued to dabble in real estate and property development. He continued to search for the perfect tan. He was blessed to find love again later in life and remarried in 2005 to Linda McGowan, with whom he continued to enjoy a life of leisure, traveling, dining out, or just having friends over to visit. Denny knew no stranger. He loved people and could talk up a storm with anyone he met. He enjoyed watching the stock market and always knew the price of gold. Denny was preceded in death by his second wife, Linda McGowan Rich. He is survived by and will be sorely missed by his son, Jeffrey Rich; daughter and son-in-law Wendy and Dr. Philip Korenman; grandchildren Justin Ford, Samuel Korenman, and Emily Korenman, and Jacob Rich and wife Ashley; and great-grandchildren Isaac Rich and Esther Rich. Denny is also survived by numerous cousins and lifelong friends in California, Ohio,
Texas, and south Florida who will miss him dearly. Interment was at Eternal Light Cemetery in Boynton Beach, Fla. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Hospital or any local Jewish Family Service of choice. After a grand weeklong celebration of his 100th birthday, Sam Unger passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 20. He is survived by his loving children, Cindy Unger of Casper, Wyo. and Ellis Unger of Bethesda, Md., daughterin-law Clare Unger of Bethesda, and five loving grandchildren. His wife, Edith, predeceased him. After serving in World War II, Sam followed many entrepreneurial dreams, and was eventually successful in the office supplies business in Dayton. After retiring in 1986, he and Edith were fortunate enough to travel the world extensively, and ultimately settled in Pompano Beach, Fla. Sam’s life revolved around finding new challenges. He was both brilliant and generous. Playing the piano was his passion. He also loved golf, bridge, painting, and writing but, most of all, he loved people. Fiercely independent, he endeared himself to many with his sharp wit and heart of gold. There are many who miss his barrage of jokes in their email every morning. He contributed much to all of us. If there is anything beyond this life, he is undoubtedly cracking jokes, singing, dancing, and playing the piano for all eternity. He was interred at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery in Pittsburgh alongside his beloved wife, Edith. To honor him, please donate to the charity of your choice.
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GLICKLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE Larry S. Glickler, Director Dayton’s ONLY Jewish Funeral Director 1849 Salem Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45406-4927 (937) 278-4287 lgfuneralhome@gmail.com
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2022
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CRM & Sales Support Manager Andy Evans with his wife Rachel (Dumtschin) and son, Jacob. Members of Temple Israel.
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