NOVEMBER 2013 l HESHVAN•KISLEV 5774
A VERY TASTY THANKSGIVUKKAH Tori Avey helps you set the holiday table for this once in a lifetime event
Inside
GIFT GUIDE • CAMPS • THEATER
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CONTENTS
November 2013 Heshvan-Kislev 5774
66 48 58 36 72 4 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
COVER: The year’s historic Thanksgiving-Hanukkah overlap will (almost) never happen again. Make sure your table is set to accomodate all your holiday guests
Hanukkah: A famed Christmas toy meets its match with “Moshe, the Mensch on a Bench”
Hanukkah: Peruse our picks for the best gifts in our third annual gift guide
CAMPS: Donors struggle to defray the rising costs of Jewish camp, with help from the Foundation for Jewish Camp
THEATER: Aimee Greenberg takes audiences on a life-changing journey in “Light Falling Down”
IN THIS ISSUE: 32 CAMPS:
Camp Ramah
The Tikvah program gives kids with special needs a unique camping experience.
38 OP-ED:
Leetal Benzvi
40 BUSINESS:
62 HANUKKAH: From
Bombs to Baubles
How one company is transforming weapons into wearble art
Good Eats 66 Food
Danny Recht
44 FEATURE: What a Gal Alma Hadash Geiger celebrates 25 years as the head of Nierman Preschool
46 FEATURE:
Men’s Event
This year’s keynote speaker is Michael Oren
52 HANUKKAH:
Thanksgivukkah
Navigating the Thanksgiving-Hanukkah overlap
55 HANUKKAH:
Teaching Mitzvot
Incorporate learning into kids’ holiday celebrations
Around Town 10 Mailbag 12 Our Town 14 Event Recap 76 What’s Goin’ On 86 Calendar In Every Issue 8 Welcome 18 Parenting 20 Israeli Lifestyle 22 Dating 24 Guest Column 26 Spirituality 28 Israel 82 News 93 Desert Life Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 5
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www.sdjewishjournal.com November 2013 • Heshvan/Kislev 5774 PUBLISHER • Dr. Mark S. Moss CO-PUBLISHER • Mark Edelstein EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Alanna Berman ART DIRECTOR • Laurie Miller ASSISTANT EDITOR • Natalie Jacobs ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR • Eileen Sondak ADVERTISING DIRECTOR • Mark Edelstein CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tori Avey, Betsy Baranov, Linda Bennett, Tinamarie Bernard, David Ebenbach, Judith Fein (senior travel correspondent), Michael Fox, Jennifer Garstang, Rabbi Philip Graubart, Miki Lamm, Pat Launer, Curt Leviant, David Ogul, Karen Pearlman, Pamela Price, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS/ARTISTS Vincent Andrunas, Leigh Castelli, Pepe Fainberg, Steve Greenberg, Pat Krause, Laurie Miller, Paul Ross (senior travel photographer), Daniel Sakow, Angela Sissa, Daisy Varley ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Diane Benaroya (Senior Account Executive), Sam Epstein (Account Executive), Alan Moss (Palm Springs) SAN DIEGO JEWISH JOURNAL (858) 638-9818 • fax: (858) 638-9801 5665 Oberlin Drive, Suite 204 • San Diego, CA 92121 EDITORIAL: editor@sdjewishjournal.com ADVERTISING: sales@sdjewishjournal.com CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS: publisher@sdjewishjournal.com ART DEPARTMENT: art@sdjewishjournal.com LISTINGS & CALENDAR: calendar@sdjewishjournal.com COVER PHOTO BY BETHANY NAUERT
דוברי עברית
SDJJ is published monthly by San Diego Jewish Journal, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to SDJJ, 5665 Oberlin Drive, Suite 204, San Diego, CA 92121. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. The San Diego Jewish Journal is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. The San Diego Jewish Journal reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters to the editor, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. The Journal is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Journal become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such material. All contents ©2013 by San Diego Jewish Journal. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
www.caltaxadviser.com #SDJewishJournal 6 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
SanDiegoJewishJournal
WeLcOme by Alanna Berman Editor of the San Diego Jewish Journal editor@sdjewishjournal.com
What Does Our Future Look Like?
8 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
As a child of an intermarried couple ... I was raised to be a good person; not Jewish, Catholic, or otherwise. particularly religious to be Jewish. I am what many would call a “twice a year Jew,” and I’m okay with that. My fiancé leans more to the “no religion” side of American Jews than I do, and – again – I’m okay with that. Because more than any other religion, Judaism is connected to ancestry and culture in addition to religious acts alone. More than how to light the Shabbat candles, more than how to build a proper sukkah or how to make the perfect matzo balls, I want my children to know that they should give tzedakah when they can. I want them to follow the golden rule, perform tikkun olam and to know what it means to commit acts of gemulit chassidim because there are people who are less fortunate, and because it is the right thing to do. These are the reasons that I chose Judaism, and if my children know all that, they will be Jewish too. One question in the Pew survey asked respondents, “What does it mean to be Jewish?” According to 69 percent of American Jews, “leading a moral or ethical life” was the answer. Fifty-six percent said “being intellectually curious.” Only 28 percent said it was “being part of a Jewish community” and 19 percent said “observing Jewish law.” Forty-two percent said being Jewish means “having a good sense of humor” (ha-ha). According to these findings, there’s a lot that makes us Jewish, and it’s not always about being the most observant. And I’m okay with that. A
Other Findings from Pew: 6.8
million
the number of Jewish Americans
23%
of Jews live in the Western region of the U.S.
94%
classified as Jewish by Pew say they are “proud to be Jewish”
source: A PortrAit of Jewish AmericAns At Pewforum.org
L
ast month, the Pew Research Center released the first national demographic study of Jewish Americans in more than a decade. The findings show that an increasing number of Jews in the United States admit to having “no religion” (22 percent); many are marrying out (at a rate of 58 percent overall and 71 percent among the nonOrthodox), and not raising Jewish children (twothirds of those who say they have “no religion”). Like all studies, there are disagreements about the accuracy of some of the results, but the bottom line is that many are now wondering what this means for the face of American Jewry. As a child of an intermarried couple (my father would fall into the “no religion” category of Jews, while my mother would fall into the “Catholicish” category), I was raised to be a good person; not Jewish, Catholic, or otherwise. Yes, we celebrated December nights with a menorah and a Christmas tree in the same corner of the house, but religion was something my siblings and I were free to choose – or not choose – for ourselves. It’s why we are now Jewish, Christian, and agnostic, respectively. Later, in college at San Diego State University, I chose Judaism, as many of my peers did; thanks to the opportunities afforded to me at Hillel and on a Birthright trip the summer of my junior year. My commitment to Judaism was bolstered by a b’nai mitzvah course I took when I was 21 (which many longtime readers of this magazine will remember, as I wrote about my experience in the March 2011 issue). Now that I am engaged to a “nice Jewish boy,” conversations about raising Jewish children in a Jewish home are commonplace, as we share the attitude that there could be no other way for two Jewish young adults to have a household. On my end, the conversation has evolved around one simple notion: I don’t think one needs to be
SOURCE: A PORTRAIT Of JEWISH AMERICANS AT PEWfORUM.ORG
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>> mailbag
Let us know what you’re thinking.
OCTOBER 2013 l TISHREI•HESHVAN 5774
PRAISE FOR LEON PROCHNIK Dear Editor, Thank you for sharing Leon Prochnik’s story (October, 2013). The journey [he] took is memorable and inspirational. Book Fair
Sarah Weinstein San Diego
BOOK FAIR SETS SAIL
The 19th annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair is here! PLANNED GIVING A new study looks at the giving habits of American Jews – and what it means for our future
SENIORS
At 80 years old, Leon Prochnik finally tells his Holocaust tale
THEATER
Arthur Miller’s “Broken Glass” premiers at North Coast Rep
A NOTE ABOUT KASHRUT Dear Editor, May I refer you to the restaurant review in the September edition of the magazine in which were included the words “a rabbi blessed his restaurant.” Sadly, today fewer than ever people understand even the basic concepts of kashrut, never mind the intricacies, and somehow believe that a rabbi’s blessing is involved. I wonder why this sentence was included in an article by a magazine that includes “Jewish” in its title. In a world where there is much confusion on the subject, misinformation is even worse.
Dear Editor, Great story on Leon Prochnik (October, 2013)! I searched Indiegogo for the campaign and wasn’t able to find it using the search term noted in the story. The campaign is titled “Me, Hitler and the Chocolate Tub – A True Holocaust Story.” It is available at igg.me/at/chocolatetub.
Richard G. Moss College Area
ON PLANNED GIVING Dear Editor, Thanks so much for the in-depth article on Jumpstart and the Connected to Give report (October, 2013). It’s a really comprehensive piece. Josh Kamensky Hershey Cause Communications, Los Angeles 10 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
Justin Kadis JCC of Krakow
* CORRECTIONS * In the October issue of the SDJJ, in the Planned Giving story on Jumpstart’s Connected to Give report, the director of the study, Shawn Landres’s name was spelled incorrectly. The SDJJ regrets the error.
Send us your comments: editor@sdjewishjournal.com • 5665 Oberlin Dr., Ste 204 • San Diego, CA 92121
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 11
our
TOWN
Book Fair Underwriter Event...
On Sunday, Oct. 13, an exclusive event to honor the 19th annual Jewish Book Fair was held at the home of Linda Neiman with special guest, award-winning author Louisa Shafia,, who presented her book, “The New Persian Kitchen.” Guests dined on delicious food made by local cooking groups, chefs, and food enthusiasts. Some of the people enjoying the event were: Sari Esserman,, who made a scrumptuous garlicky eggplant and tomato spread; Einat Partin,, who made amaranth rice pudding with rose water; Rachel Herman,, who made bean, herb and noodle soup; and Debbie Gruen,, who made chickpea and almond flour icebox cookies and nutty chocolate bark with cardamom and coffee. Yum!
BY LINDA BENNETT AND BETSY BARANOV BETSY1945@COX.NET l PHOTOS COURTESY LFJCC
Birthdays...
Happy 85th birthdays to Alice Cohn and Bea Epsten! Happy 80th birthday to Sandy Schneider! Happy 91st birthday to Ellen Drexler!
Engagements...
Michael Epsten and Rebecca Zaid are engaged to be married! The groom-to-be’s happy parents are Jon and Mary Epsten. Happy grandmother is Nancy Geist. A beautiful brunch was held at the Sheraton Harbor Island recently to celebrate the engagement of Greg Gaylis and Jade Blumberg. An abundance of good food and drink on a spectacular sunny day with lots of good friends and family made this quite a time! Happy grandparents are Hymie and Rhoda Gaylis.
Bar Mitzvahs...
Mazel Tov to Sammy Handler on his recent bar mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El. Proud parents are Suzy and Barry Handler. On Nov. 5, Kyle Joseph Norris was called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple EmanuEl. Happy parents are Andrea Stein of San Diego and Michael Norris of Los Angeles.
Weddings...
Olivia and Irv Okavita are pleased to announce the marriage of their son Steven to Ashley Lazare, daughter of Rhona and Eric Lazare. The bride and groom are San Diego natives. They were married Sept. 1. 12 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
Top: Bryna Kranzler and Lynn Shauger. Clockwise from middle: Linda Globerson, Esther Siman and Alan Siman; Susan Levin, Louisa Shafia, Phyllis Epstein and Marcia Tatz Wollner; and Louisa Shafia and Linda Neiman.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 13
the SCENE BY EILEEN SONDAK l NSONDAK@GMAIL.COM PHOTOS BY VINCENT ANDRUNAS
Globe Gala The black-tie crowd saw red – red roses – at the Globe Gala recently. The party area at Copley Plaza was covered in magnificent red roses in dramatic black vases. The look was stunning. Some of the Globe supporters even picked up on the red-and-black color scheme in their own formal attire. After enjoying an array of appetizers on the plaza, guests moved into the theater for a performance by cast members of the new musical, “The Last Goodbye.” Live music kept many of the revelers on the dance floor until late in the enchanted evening. When the night was over, the Globe netted more than $1 million to support their artistic and educational activities. Among the 400 guests on hand for the gala were Beth and David Altman, Karen and Don Cohn, Karen Fox and Harvey Ruben, Ilana Friedman, Frank and Lee Goldberg, Leonard and Elaine Hirsch, Marty and Gail Levin, Sheila and Jeff Lipinsky, Hermeen Scharaga and Paul D’Amico, Ilene Swartz, Andrew and Erna Viterbi, Sheryl and Harvey White, Vicki and Carl Zeiger, and Barry and Hilit Edelstein.
Top: Meaghan Boeing and Allison Layman. Clockwise from top right: Alan and Barbara Marks, Hal Luftig, and Ruth and Stephen Hendel (all five are producers of “The Last Goodbye”); Jane Ottenstein and Todd Schultz; Gigi and Ed Kramer and Ken and Shirley Hinckley; Lynda Kerr and John and Sally Thornton; and Bertrand and Denise Hug, Lynda Kerr, and Rocio and Mike Flynn.
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Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 15
be SEEN BY MIKI LAMM l MIKISDJJ@GMAIL.COM PHOTOS BY ATRUAX PHOTOGRAPHY
Happy Hour Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Young Adult Division (YAD) began the year in style with a happy hour that drew more than 60 young adults from around the county. The Oct. 9 event was held at the hip, soda fountaininspired Polite Provisions and foodie neighbor, Soda and Swine in North Park. Throughout the evening, guests socialized with peers while sipping unconventional craft cocktails and nibbling on appetizers. “YAD does such an amazing job engaging young adults within the community and keeping them connected,” partygoer Chad Rothbart said. “I greatly enjoyed tonight’s happy hour and look forward to future events with friends.” The event is part of YAD’s continued efforts to deepen engagement in Jewish life and community within San Diego County. For more information, visit yadsandiego.org or email yad@jewishfederationsandiego.org.
Top: Rachel Saslove and Jasmin Tarica. Clockwise from top right: Liz Moody and Jenna Zetisk; Jewel Sud, Sara Zolott and Lee Wollach; Ramy Kaufler, Liz Moody and Chad Rothbart; and Nitsan Spinka and Ben Lavie.
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Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 17
parenting
musinGs FrOm mama by Sharon Rosen Leib srleib@roadrunner.com
Giving Thanks to Gabby
18 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
A video tribute to Giffords included a clip of her giving an empowering commencement speech at Scripps in 2009. Back then, she urged the graduates to “Be passionate. Be courageous. Be strong.” As she approached the podium this September, she walked with a pronounced limp due to partial paralysis of her right side, caused by the bullet wound to her brain. When she took the podium, she said in halting, but loud and clear diction, “It’s been a long, hard haul but I’m getting better. I’m working hard – lots of therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and yoga too. But my spirit is as strong as ever. I’m still fighting to make the world a better place.” She reiterated words from her 2009 commencement speech, “Be passionate, courageous.” Then she paused, struggling to finish what she wanted to say. She mustered her strength and concluded with, “Be your best, thank you very much.” Her 90-second speech moved me more than any other I’ve heard. The heart-wrenching contrast between the effortless, smooth locution of her 2009 full-length commencement address and the halting, labored diction of this 2013 acceptance speech could be considered tragic. But Giffords doesn’t want to be perceived as a victim. Early this year, she and her husband founded Americans for Responsible Solutions to address gun violence by taking, in Kelly’s words, “sensible, pragmatic steps like universal background checks.” He said, “Gabby is as fearless as she’s ever been – tough, brilliant and not afraid of a good challenge.” Oldest Daughter spoke a simple truth after listening to Giffords. She survived for a reason. Giffords implores us to be our best. She inspires with her resolve to heal and her determination to continue making the world a better place. As she said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence this January, “too many children are dying.” We all need to do better. A
DID YOU KNOW? PHOTO BY WILLIAM VASTA
“She survived for a reason,” Oldest Daughter said. I agreed, dabbing at the tears I tried to hide to avoid embarrassing her and Middle Daughter. However, although I did of course embarrass them, I wasn’t the only one shedding tears as former Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords received the Ellen Browning Scripps Medal at Scripps College in late September. As the proud parent of a Scripps College student, I was privileged to receive an invitation to the ceremony. Middle Daughter, a freshman at Scripps, was allowed to invite one friend. She chose her sister, a sophomore at neighboring Pitzer College. I’d been looking forward to attending this event with my two older girls for weeks. So when my husband had an emergency appendectomy at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla the night before, he said, “I want you to go! Don’t miss it because of me.” So in the spirit of Ellen Browning Scripps, the visionary who founded Scripps College in 1926 to develop in young women “the ability to live confidently, courageously and hopefully,” and also generously endowed the very hospital where my husband was recuperating, off I went. Giffords, a 43-year-old Tucson, Ariz., native, graduated from Scripps College in 1993. She went on to become the youngest woman elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2000, the first Jewish woman in Arizona history to be elected to the United States Congress in 2007, and served in the House of Representatives until 2012 when she resigned to attend to her health after being shot in the head by a mentally ill young man with an assault weapon at a “Congress On Your Corner” event in Tucson in January 2011. Giffords’ husband, U.S. Navy Captain and retired Space Shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, took the podium first to speak of his wife’s passion for her alma mater. “She’s always embraced the Scripps ethos of supporting and championing the women around her. Gabby has often said, ‘If there were more women in power, we would get a lot more done!’”
Giffords’ Jewish roots run deep. Her grandfather, the son of a Lithuanian rabbi, was born Akiva Hornstein, and changed his name, first to Gifford Hornstein and, later, to Gifford Giffords to shield himself and his family from antiSemitism.
Kislev•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 19
israeli lifestyle
LiVinG On THe FrOnT PaGe by Andrea Simantov
andreasimantov@gmail.com
Gratitude and Latkes
T
he playing field has been leveled to my satisfaction this month with the overlapping of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. For an American transplant to Jerusalem, it’s always difficult to justify serving a sumptuous New Englandstyle feast on a Thursday night when Shabbos falls directly afterward. In lieu of the Georgian calendar, I’d host a hybrid called “Thanksgiving Shabbos,” with the traditional kiddush over wine and challah followed by turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, acorn squash and apple crumble. But this year, we’re laying out a Thanksgiving spread on the same night as the rest of the Yankee-Doodle world! Turkey is considered a specialty item in the local supermarket and one must order it well in advance of the holiday. Weeks ago, my butcher, Assam, began pressuring me to make sure my family wouldn’t face disappointment. But something weird happened when I went to pick up my bird. Much to my shock and horror, I began sobbing. Well, not sobbing exactly. Weeping. Sort of. Because there she lay, encased in glass and I was suddenly taken back to a time when I could recall libraries, diners, classrooms, homes and haberdasheries all festooned in the colors of autumn, ears of dried Indian-corn hanging from entrance doorways and tables adorned with gourd and pinecone centerpieces. I am proud of the decision I made to live in the land of our forefathers – the ones who came before the Pilgrims – but there are times, still, that I long for someone to hold my hand and validate
20 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
my history and the red, white and blue ethics that defined the woman I would eventually become. Most relevant to me is that Thanksgiving was one of the few celebrations that resonated with camaraderie; it mattered little whether your ancestors arrived via the Mexican border, Ellis Island, on a Cuban fishing boat or aboard the Mayflower. All of us were included. It had always been my assignment to provide dessert for Thanksgiving supper at Grandma’s house. Baked apple patisseries with lattice-work crusts, pecan tarts and cranberry bread were favorites; pumpkin pie was a little outre for my yeshiva kids which meant that mom and I usually polished it off while cleaning up at the end of the evening. Twenty years after my last stateside Thanksgiving, I bemoan not having a fireplace. It is difficult to impart memories of roaring fires and sipping hot, spiked cider with cinnamon sticks. Wistfully, I can remember the veil of sleep descending as we struggled to remain awake enough to watch 16mm black-and-white family movies. My cousins and I would laugh until we wept, with someone inevitably screaming, “Stop the film! I need the bathroom!” The only pause in levity came when those who were forever-loved and long-dead appeared on screen, captured for eternity on fading celluloid. It makes me happy to know that this year, along with latkes, dreidel spinning and the lighting of the menorah, I’ll be able to share with my children and grandchildren stories of what it felt like to be a school girl in New York City more than 50 years ago. Sometimes I think it’s sad that there is nowhere I can put in an order for a Carvel Gobble-Gobble Cake but this is a disappointment I’ll just have to live with. A
New Holiday Tradition:
Wish family members “gobble tov” at the holiday table this year!
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 21
dating
PLAYING WITH MATCHES by Jennifer Garstrang jenscy@gmail.com
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, Must Buy ‘em a Present! Hanukkah comes early this year, bringing lights, latkes, and presents. DUN NAH NAAAAAAA! Oh no! You have to find the perfect gift for your special someone. Whether you are in a longterm committed relationship, or you are just experiencing the budding beginnings of romance, gift giving can be an extremely stressful challenge. As we approach the festival of lights, here are four tips that will help you survive this tradition without getting burnt out. 1. Get personal The best kinds of gifts are ones that you put some thought into. Whether you’ve been dating two weeks or 20 years, when it comes to finding the perfect gift, there is one place to start: with them. Think back through conversations you’ve had. What are their favorite shows, books, activities, hobbies? You may luck out and remember something they specifically asked for. You may luck out even further and they may not remember having asked for it, meaning you get to be a superhero! Remember, you don’t have to over think it. Just don’t make it an after thought. 2. Keep it appropriate to the relationship Whenever you’re considering a particular gift, be sure to also consider the context of your relationship. If you haven’t been dating very long, then a surprise romantic get-away for two to the Caribbean is not only way over the top, but it will almost certainly send the object of your affections running for the hills. A good rule for new couples is to keep it simple, and less than $25. A small token of your affection is all you really need. That also puts far less pressure on your date if he or she hasn’t gotten you something.
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3. Match their personality and sense of humor My dad often tells the story of the one (and only) time he tried getting my grandma a funny card for the holidays. She read it through, pursed her lips, gave a little huff and said, “Well, if that’s how you really feel.” Now, hopefully, your special someone will be a tad more understanding than my very prim and proper grandma (may she rest in peace), but when finding a gift, take time to consider the person’s sense of humor. Some people just want straight-up romance and heartfelt presents. Others find flowers and poetry irritating, but a whoopee cushion on the restaurant chair might go over great. I’m willing to guess, though, that most of us fall somewhere in between. We like the romance, but want it tempered by humor so it doesn’t get too disgustingly sweet. 4. Have fun with the search I’ll let you in on a secret: I actually love finding gifts for people. Why? Because rather than approaching gift hunting as a chore, or something to stress about, I think of it as a treasure hunt. (One that won’t fill my own apartment with a ton of stuff I don’t need!) It’s a fun way to communicate my affections for those around me, and show them how well I know them. So, as Hanukkah draws near, take a deep breath, set aside the stress, and get back to the real reason we give gifts: to have emotional leverage over the people we love. (cough cough, ehem!) I mean, to express our feelings for the people in our lives, and to bring them joy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Menurkey, a menorah in the shape of a turkey, is now available at menurkey.com. Its creator is 9-year-old Asher Weintraub of New York.
Kislev•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 23
guest column
GOD TaLK
by Rabbi Philip Graubart rabbi@cbe.org
Don’t shelter Yourself During the summer, many of us watched a viral video of an extravagant bar mitzvah party, in particular a scene where the bar mitzvah danced a burlesque with members of the Dallas Mavericks cheerleaders. Conservative estimates of the cost of the entire party ranged from several hundred thousand to $1 million, which brings up the general question of excessive bar/bat mitzvah parties. In my career in La Jolla, I’ve experienced surprisingly few outlandish celebrations, but many of us are aware of the people in Los Angeles who hired the Eagles to perform at their daughter’s party, and I’m personally acquainted with a man who hired Bob Dylan to play at his son’s celebration. (Why didn’t my father think of that?) My question: how do we feel about this, and why? If indeed this troubles us, why, precisely, is that so? One of my colleagues commented on the Dallas cheerleaders party by expressing his pity for the bar mitzvah kid. What more, he asked, does he have to look forward to in life? If he’s so extravagantly rewarded for the relatively minor achievement of turning 13, what will he expect when he graduates college, or gets accepted to graduate school? My own feeling is we don’t really know enough about the family. If they are charitable and otherwise generous in every other area of life, should we begrudge them for expressing joy in this way? I’m genuinely curious – and a bit puzzled. For me, the deeper issue has to do with the concept of shelter. I’m reminded that just as inadequate shelter constitutes a social crisis, there is also a problem when some people have too much shelter. We use the phrase “so and so lives a sheltered life,” to mean that person lacks empathy or, more frankly, is spoiled. The extravagance of the party may point to an overly sheltered life, a childhood too far removed from struggle, poverty, or hardship. Before I moved to San Diego, I’d never seen gated communities or gated entrances to homes (in that sense, I was sheltered). The ethical danger 24 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
of a gatehouse is that it places you very far away from all sorts of common human suffering. Gates protect us, but they also “shelter” us until we become perhaps too sheltered. The same can be said for living deep in the suburbs. I wouldn’t make a Jewish legal ruling against gated communities or the suburbs, but I would suggest that living in those places imposes an ethical burden. Two Jewish texts come to mind. One is the commandment in Deuteronomy lo hehitalem (“Do not ignore”). The original context is the mitzvah to return lost objects, but the rabbis interpret it also as an imperative not to ignore the poor. Interestingly, Rashi reads the phrase “Do not ignore” as meaning “Do not cover your eyes.” Covering our eyes is a kind of shelter, a shielding of our senses from an unpleasant, yet obligating sight. For Rashi, to cover our eyes is to become sheltered, or, really spoiled. Another text is the Talmudic discussion on building a gatehouse for the community (they had them back then, also). Jewish law clearly allows gated communities, but in the Talmud the prophet Elijah snubs a rabbi who lived in one. Rashi, again, has the most interesting interpretation. He says the problem in gated communities – Elijah’s objection – is that the folks who live there “can’t hear the cries of the poor.” For Rashi, again, it’s the problem of too much covering, too much shelter, this time for the ears. So the issue for me is not so much extravagant bar/bat mitzvah celebrations, as the general ethical education of Jewish children, which must include some contact with a world outside of privilege and comfort. “Live your life close to the pain” one of my teachers used to say – and this, I think, is precisely what he meant. Don’t shelter yourself. A
FYI:
The Mitzvah Makers, a program of JFS, connects bar/bat mitzvah children to meaningful service projects in preparation for their big day. Learn more at themitzvahmakers.com.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 25
spirituality
THe arTisT’s TOraH by David Ebenbach ebenbach@netzero.com
Why Do These Things always Happen to me? One of the things I like best about the ancestors we find in the Torah is that they’re easy to relate to. Their life stories get a little dramatic, sure, but their behavior and reactions often feel very familiar to me. Take Jacob, the forefather who gets born and grows to adulthood in this month’s parashiyot: at one of his lowest points, when everything seems to be falling apart – one of his sons is presumed dead, another held captive, the rest in danger, famine all around – he sinks into an understandable self-pity and says, more or less, “Why do these things always happen to me?” Part of what I relate to here is Jacob’s myopia; when you’re suffering, it’s hard to see past your experience. It’s easy to believe that the universe has singled you out for punishment. Yet Jacob’s story is a reminder to have some perspective. In reality, of course, it’s not all about Jacob – his sons are suffering right along with him, and the famine has spread across all the nations. Unfortunately, his self-absorption leaves him indecisive and helpless in the face of the very problems that plague him. The funny (and also familiar) thing is that his self-focus stops short of examining his causal role in the situation. Although Jacob’s not the center of the universe – he certainly didn’t cause a famine – it’s nonetheless true that what goes around comes around in this story; Jacob spent his youth tricking his brother Esau out of his birthright and their father’s blessing, and since then he’s been fooled a number of times himself. He was tricked by his father-in-law-to-be into marrying the wrong woman, and his own sons lied to him about their brother Joseph, saying he 26 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
was dead when in fact he’d been taken to Egypt. Now they’re all suffering because of a ruse being perpetrated by a representative of Pharaoh, a representative who is (unbeknownst to Jacob’s family) secretly Joseph himself. Jacob approached his life as a trickster and, like a hammer who finds only nails, he ends up encountering only tricks. If he were really curious about why these things keep happening, he might want to do a more thorough self-examination. As one would expect, taking responsibility leads to better results than self-pity. Not long after this moment, the brothers travel back to Egypt, bringing Benjamin with them (as Joseph, his identity still hidden, requested). Joseph continues his ruse, escalating to a threat to imprison Benjamin, and that’s when Judah steps forward. Judah has promised to get Benjamin home safe, and he accepts responsibility for putting him in danger in the first place, offering to take Benjamin’s place in the prison. At that, Joseph stops the charade, reveals himself – breaking the cycle of trickery – and the family is reunited. What I learn here is that the moment of suffering is a moment of alternatives. We can focus only on our own experience or we can look empathetically beyond ourselves; we can wallow in self-pity or we can search for what’s caused our problems, allowing the possibility that our own actions might have made a contribution. In this way, we take to heart the lessons of Jacob, whose hard road to self-discovery might be a lot like our own. A
This month’s Torah
portions
Nov. 2: Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9) Nov. 9: Vayetze (Genesis 28:10-32:2) Nov. 16: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:2-36:43) Nov. 23: Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23) Nov. 30: Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
UCSD Faculty Club La Jolla, California
Mazel Tov Your place for Bar & Bat Mitzvah celebrations, wonderful food and impeccable service in a private setting. For your tour, contact: Julia Engstrom jengstrom@ucsd.edu 858.534.0876 visit facclub.ucsd.edu
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 27
I
A GARDEN SHOP WITH AN ECO-THERAPEUTIC TWIST
israel
By Abigail Klein Leichman/ISRAEL21c
Botanica provides transitional employment for people with mental illness
Botanica is a garden shop that helps people with mental illness in Israel get jobs.
A
little shop called Botanica recently opened under a geodesic dome at Jerusalem’s new shopping/dining/cultural complex, The First Station. And if you walk in to buy a plant or register for an urban gardening workshop, you won’t be able to tell which of the employees is a client of Shaf Yativ, a nonprofit that innovates new ways to integrate people with mental illness into society. Botanica is a social business, explains Shaf Yativ co-founder Rabbi Guy Avihod, a 38-yearold father of five. Over the course of a year, he expects that 70 or 80 clients will gain valuable work experience in this eco-venture. “Botanica will be a place where they can work for six to nine months as part of the staff,” Avihod says. “It will be their opportunity to learn about themselves and learn social and work skills. Afterward, we can help them get into regular jobs.” About 10 Shaf Yativ clients work in the complex’s many cafés and shops, but Botanica is 28 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
the only one established especially for them. Chef Nir Tzuk, co-owner of the Culinary Bazaar farmers market at The First Station, employs some of these clients. After Avihod met him through his partnership with the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, Tzuk donated space for the social business and offered to host community activities. “He has a great heart,” Avihod says of Tzuk. “The Culinary Bazaar charges us only for utilities and gave us a wonderful place to be – where things live, not where things are hidden. This is a dream come true.” Unlike a sheltered workshop, a retail social business provides opportunities to interact with the public. A similar project to Botanica is Café Motek on the campus of northern Israel’s Tel Hai College, where local residents with psychiatric disabilities are among the paid staff and the clientele. Managed by young Jerusalemite Amos Zruk, Botanica is a transitional employment training
center as well as a hub for community integration using eco-therapeutic activities such as plantings and recycled art projects. Avihod plans to eventually develop an ecological center for community mental health. “Studies around the world have linked mental health and wellness to ‘green activities’ and connection to nature,” he explains. “Tomorrow we have a planting-recycling workshop for kids,” Avihod says. “We will take old egg crates, plant seeds in them and put the whole crate into the ground, where it breaks down and feeds the plant. My vision is for people to touch the environment and feel connected with the soil.” Botanica’s $150,000 first-year budget is not yet fully in place, but Avihod has faith that additional donors will steer it into safe waters. “So many times, social businesses fail because they can’t deal with the first waves that crash them down,” he says. “They need somebody to push them past the first line of waves, and that’s where seed money comes in.” Shaf Yativ is supported by Israel’s Ministry of Health and National Insurance Institute, which also refer clients. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation donated $200,000 for two years toward the organization’s supported employment program. “About half our funding comes from the government, and they are very enthusiastic about our work,” Avihod says. “Taking people out of institutions and fulltime care saves the government millions of shekels. We’ve had students with more than two months of hospitalizations per year and now they go without hospitalization entirely.” To learn more or to make a donation to the programs of Shaf Yativ, visit shafyativ.com. This story was reprinted with permission from ISRAEL21c, israel21c.org.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 29
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l SanDiegoJewishJournal.com 31
JEWISH
living and learning together
Ojai's Camp Ramah offers programs for special needs campers with unique opportunities for counselors-in-training BY NATALIE JACOBS A few months ago, the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) completed preliminary research on special needs programs at Jewish overnight camps. The research showed that slightly more than one-third of the camps surveyed offer special programs for campers with disabilities; and more than 50 percent noted that they were interested in developing such programs in the future. And, while many camps are only recently seeing an increased desire for such programing, Camp Ramah, a Conservative camp in Ojai, Calif., pioneered accommodations for special needs campers in 1993. That year, the camp launched its Tikvah program, which provides three types of programming for special needs campers. “We accept kids of all different types of abilities,” Elana Naftalin Kelman, Ramah’s Tikvah program coordinator and a former Ramah camper, says. “Anything from children on the autism spectrum to children with Down syndrome to children with cerebral palsy, we accept [all kids]. We have some kids who are quite high-functioning who really just need us to support them through specific times of the day, and we have some students who have one-on-one shadows.” General population campers can number up to 400 at any given time, but Tikvah programs offer a unique opportunity for smaller groups of special needs children to be involved in a key aspect of Jewish life in a way that isn’t typically accessible to them. “I think one of the things that makes us really unique in terms of how we deal with kids with special needs at Camp Ramah,” Kelman says, “is that we really offer so many opportunities for kids who have a variety of needs.” A division of Ramah, Camp Ohr Lanu falls
32 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
under the Tikvah program and is a place for children with special needs ages 4-14 to attend with their families “for a retreat of study, prayer, respite, support and fun.” Last year, Camp Ohr Lanu hosted 20 families. For individual campers, the largest part of the Tikvah program is Amitzim, the youth division, serving campers ages 10-17. Amitzim welcomed 60 campers across two four-week sessions last year. Ezra, a vocational program for campers ages 17-23, hosted 30 kids last year. Campers in each of these programs participate in all of the activities that other campers do, everything from the ropes course to swimming and dancing, with some modifications made on an individual basis if necessary. Kelman says it’s like a camp within a camp, where specialized support is available but mainstreaming is a high priority. Like many camps, Ramah encourages campers to get involved as counselors. Their Mador program is a nine-week leadership training program for incoming 12th graders to work both in the field as counselors and in classrooms during special sessions throughout camp. Last summer, two leaders-in-training worked with Tikvah’s Amitzim division for one month. Elianna DeQuesada and Marcia Jaffe were Tikvah’s first student counselors. The young women, both seniors at San Diego’s Canyon Crest Academy, had previous experience working with children with special needs through the Friendship Circle, a local nonprofit that pairs teens with special needs children for weekly play dates. “I mentioned that when I was applying [to the Mador program],” DeQuesada says of her
volunteer work with Friendship Circle, “but I didn’t think it was an option for first year [leadership program participants] to [work in the Tikvah program]. Around the time when they were starting to let people know that they were going to be counselors, they called me and [asked if I wanted to be part of the Tikvah program]. I freaked out, I immediately said yes, I was just so happy.” DeQuesada, who attended Camp Ramah for six years before becoming a counselor, says her counselors made such a difference in her life that she wanted to be able to do that for the campers who came after her. Adding the extra layer of being a counselor to children with special needs was something she embraced wholeheartedly, but it was definitely different than her work with Friendship Circle. “When I go see my buddies at Friendship Circle, we hang out for like an hour or two and play a game or go outside or something pretty casual. But [Tikvah] was a lot more involved. It was different at first and I quickly realized I couldn’t be like ‘oh, we’re just hanging out,’ I had to be a counselor.” Each counselor was responsible for one cabin of five girls and lived with the campers for one month. So while DeQuesada and Jaffe had experience spending time and doing fun activities with special needs children for short periods, camp presented another set of challenges. “Camp is your home for a whole month,” DeQuesada explains. “It’s a commitment to live there. That was hard for a lot of the campers so there was a lot of homesickness. But they coped with it really well. It was just the first few nights.” Because of their constant interaction, a level of intimacy is reached between counselors and
y cAMP rAMAH PHoTo courTeS
lebrate ce rs lo se un co er m m su s h' a Tikv pple cider. a ng li rk a sp h it w n io t ua d gra campers, so sensitivity is key. “Living together,” DeQuesada continues, “I think that is mainly what brought us closer. Knowing that you are living and doing your daily routine in the same environment brings you closer together with anyone.” Jaffe, who attended camp for seven years prior to participating in the Mador program, was similarly enthusiastic about being chosen to participate as a Tikvah counselor and the experience had a profound effect on her. “I learned a lot,” Jaffe explains. “I learned that I could never know enough. Taking care of children 24/7 who have challenges was a humbling experience. They taught me so much of human nature and how unique each person is.” “I learned more about myself than I ever have before,” DeQuesada concludes. Both young women are interested in returning to Camp Ramah as counselors in the Tikvah program and will soon begin exploring that possibility with the camp director.
Camp Service Corps A joint initiative between the National Ramah Commission and URJ The Union for Reform Judaism and the National Ramah Commission of the Jewish Theological Seminary recently launched a joint initiative to develop a year-round service corps program for camp staff alumni. Participants will apply their experience from camp to create camp-style programming for synagogue youth and ultimately to recruit more children to camp. The program will include the training and support of up to 80 young adult educators who will serve in part-time leadership roles at Conservative and Reform congregations throughout North America. “This is a wonderful opportunity to significantly advance this program, in partnership with URJ Camps,” Rabbi Mitchel Cohen, director of the National Ramah Commission, said. For more information on this program, visit urj.org.
Registration for Camp Ramah’s summer 2014 session is open now. For details, visit ramah.org.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 33
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HAPPY HANNUKAH! From the San Diego Jewish Journal sdjewishjournal.com
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 35
JEWISH
THE CO$T OF CAMP
Donors struggle to defray the rising costs of Jewish camp BY GIL SHEFLER, JTA
Spending the summer at Jewish overnight camp once was a spartan affair, often little more than a collection of ramshackle buildings scattered in the woods by a placid lake. Those were the days. “Today it’s all about the toys,” says Rabbi Allan Smith, the former head of the Reform movement’s camp network and a 46-year veteran of the summer camp business. “You have a gokart track, a climbing wall, a swing, a Burma bridge. “When I was a kid, 90 percent of the camps were by a lake. Today if you don’t have a pool you’re a loser. Kids don’t like lakes, they’re dirty.” Such amenities may make camps more appealing, but they don’t come cheap. Parents can expect to shell out anywhere from $800 per week per child at one of the less expensive nonprofit camps to $2,000 per week at some of the pricier options. For families already struggling to cover the costs of Jewish education during the school year, sending a child to camp might be one expense too many. In a bid to help defray the cost, the FJC has awarded more than 43,000 grants to increase attendance at nonprofit summer camps. The grants can be up to $1,000 per family. “We believe summers at Jewish camp are an important component in one’s Jewish identity,” Jeremy Fingerman, FJC's CEO, says. “Camp teaches a joyful Judaism and becomes an important building block for a Jewish future. We believe families challenged economically should not be penalized.” The high tuition at Jewish camps, which 36 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
directors at the camps agree is considerably costlier than at their Christian counterparts, is cause for concern among those who fear that a potent identity-building opportunity is slipping away from middle-income families. For Debra Hollander of Shaker Heights, Ohio, sending her children to Jewish camp is a top priority, despite the costs. “Our three kids go to secular education schools, so for us Jewish camping became even more important,” she says. A 2011 study commissioned by FJC lends credence to Hollander’s view of Jewish camps as important shapers of Jewish identity. According to the study, Jewish camp alumni are 30 percent more likely to donate to a Jewish charity; 37 percent more likely to light Shabbat candles; and 45 percent more likely to attend synagogue. “The analysis indicates that [camps] bring, first of all, an increased inclination to practice Jewish behaviors in their lives, from lighting Shabbat candles to using Jewish websites and appreciating the value of Jewish charity,” the study concludes. “Secondly, they bring an inclination to value and seek out the experience of Jewish community, whether in the immediate sense of joining other Jews in prayer or in the more abstract sense of identifying with fellow Jews in Israel.” The FJC, which has a mission to increase the number of Jewish campers, is working to identify ways for camps to slash costs. In recent years it has coordinated the sharing of resources, encouraged the development of alternative revenue sources and helped camp directors improve their managerial skills through a
The high tuition at Jewish camps, which directors at the camps agree is considerably costlier than at their Christian counterparts, is cause for concern among those who fear that a potent identity-building opportunity is slipping away from middle-income families.
program the organization likens to “an MBA in camping.” Ultimately, the foundation wants to see camps profitable enough to be self-sustaining. “Camps that are full are profitable and reinvest back in scholarships,” Fingerman says. “So there is a power in numbers, and we’re working hard to get them full.” Other organizations also have taken steps to make camp more affordable, particularly for less-affiliated families and first-time campers who might be less sold on the value of the camp experience. The Avi Chai and Zell foundations jointly made a $600,000 donation to Ramah to help the Conservative movement’s camp network attract first-timers. “We’re calling it the Ramah Open Door
Sy jT A urTe oS co PHoT
Program, where we’re opening up to less Jewishaffiliated families," Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Ramah’s national director, says. Paul Reichenbach, the director of camp and Israel programs at the Union for Reform Judaism, says a significant number of children attending his movement’s summer programs also receive scholarships. While camp directors agree that the costs of Jewish overnight camps are high, they offer varying explanations as to the reasons. Some say it’s the relative abundance of staff – a ratio of one supervisor for every two campers, according to Cohen. Others point to the salaries of directors,
which average about $125,000 per year at nonprofit camps, according to public tax filings. Directors at Jewish for-profits can make even more. Perhaps the biggest factor driving costs, however, is the Jewish community’s relative affluence and the resulting expectations. “What [Jewish camps] provide may be higher with regard to facility, to program options, with regard to staff structure,” Reichenbach says. “And we are dealing with a community that has a certain expectation for quality.” Despite a growing recognition of the importance of making tuition affordable,
Reichenbach predicts costs will continue to appreciate at a rate of two to five percent each year. “We live in the real world,” he says. “In the last few years our practices have reflected the rise in the cost-of-living index, the cost of energy, of food, of transportation. Right now we are doing the best we can to stay even.” A Visit OneHappyCamper.org to find a Jewish camp and see if your child qualifies for a $1,000 grant.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 37
What I Learned When I Decided to Adopt an Israeli Family BY LEETAL BENZVI
W
hen I was first asked if I would be interested and willing to adopt a family from Sderot through the Adopt a Family Foundation, I wasn’t sure if I was the right fit. I felt that my life as a mother of three children, was demanding enough. How would I have the time to devote to another family? But something changed the moment I read about the family I would be helping – victims of terror in Israel. My heart was immediately filled with complete sorrow and pain. Ella Abukasis, a 17-year old, was walking home with her young brother, 9-year-old Tamir, after a social activity in the neighborhood. Suddenly, the code red siren sounded. With no shelter nearby, Ella protected her brother by sheilding him from a rocket that took her life. Pieces of the rocket pierced Tamir’s skull and landed in his brain. Doctors couldn’t remove the shards, but Tamir survived. Today, he is 18 years old, recently married, and beginning his mandatory service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Through AAFF and Carine Chitayat, the organization’s founder, recently I was able to meet Tamir and his family and it was an amazing experience. On our way to Sderot, I was expecting the worst. I have heard of missiles hitting the town, along with horror stories of children running to get to bomb shelters in time. I knew the life they lived was very different than my perfect Carmel Valley life, but yet, it seemed quite normal as I was driving through the streets. I noticed many bomb shelters scattered around the town, and I also noticed large brick walls with spaces in between. Later, I learned this was also a place to hide during missile attacks. My heart was beating and my mind was racing as I thought about how Tamir’s family and I would react to one another. I wasn’t sure if I should greet them with a hug, a kiss, or just a simple smile. I didn’t know if they were very religious or not at all observant. To be safe, and out of respect, I wore a long skirt – the same one I wore 38 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
to the Kotel the night before – and a shawl to cover my shoulders. Between my mother, my children, and me, questions were asked the whole way there. “Ima, what if a rocket hits us now? Where will we go? Will we have enough time to make it to the shelter?” my 8-year-old son, Yarden, asked. I put on a mask of calmness and assured him we were safe, although, I too, had the same thoughts just minutes before. As we approached the house, I thought for a moment about how different my reality is as a mother back in San Diego. We were greeted by Jonathan Abukasis, a warm, kind man. In the year leading up to the trip, we had spoken a few times, mainly to wish him a Chag Sameach and mazel tov on simchas. But in this moment, he smiled at me with such depth that I already felt like I had known him forever. His wife, Sima, embraced me with a warm, motherly hug that quickly welcomed me into their home, where Tamir was waiting. “Please eat something,” Sima said, and took out the desserts – hand crafted colorful Moroccan pastries. She insisted I try some, although they looked too beautiful to touch. As we spoke of life in Israel, my son, Yanai asked, “Why haven’t you left Sderot?” In a quiet moment, Sima looked down and simply said, “If everyone left because of the missiles, then nobody would live here and then they would win. This is our land and we must not run away.” Later, Jonathan and Tamir took us to the corner where the missile hit Tamir and killed Ella. The cracks in the cement ground still exist. A bench, built by Ella’s art teacher, was already broken and looked dull. I longed to fix the bench so that the Abukasis family could visit their daughter’s memory. After Ella’s death, Ariel Sharon (then Israel’s prime minister) visited the Abukasis family and asked if there was anything he could do. A recreation center dedicated to Ella’s memory now provides free programming and activites to the community, thanks to Sharon. A terebinth tree – Ella’s
>> op-ed
The author, bottom left, with the Abukasis family in Sderot. tree – stands at the center’s entrance. Inside, pictures of Ella are everywhere: as a child, as a student, with friends, and with family. Her smile was contagious and her presence was simply calming and delightful. Back at the Abukasis home, Jonathan took me around the house and asked if I would like to see Ella’s room. There was dust was everywhere. The sheets were the same, the clothes were in the exact position Ella left them before she left her house. “Nothing has changed, we left this room exactly as it was eight years ago,” Jonathan said. I opened Ella’s journal and stared at the doodles she drew and the quotes she wrote, and suddenly felt a chill all over my body. I realized the similarities between Ella and me. Her family allowed me to enter their home and life and we created a connection thanks to AAFF. We said our goodbyes the next day and I told the Abukasis family that I hoped one day they would be able to come visit me in San Diego. Later that night, Yanai, my 10-year-old son said to me, “Ima, I felt like I knew her so well. She seemed like such a nice person.” A Adopt a Family Foundation’s 4th annual boutique event will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 at the West Highlands Pacific Clubhouse, 5950 Blazing Star Lane. All vendors at the event will donate 20 percent of the day’s proceeds to programs of AAFF. To learn more about the Adopt a Family Foundation, visit adoptafamilyfoundation.org.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 39
B business
RetiRement planning i0i Danny Recht breaks down the beginning stages of retirement planning By Natalie Jacobs
T
he past few years have seen major changes in global financial markets and redefined what it means to be a member of the American workforce. Since pensions are a dwindling phenomenon and workers are bouncing from employer to employer, it’s increasingly important to take personal control of retirement planning very early in your work life. “People should start thinking about retirement when they graduate from college and get their first job,” Danny Recht, financial advisor at DMR Financial Partners in downtown San Diego, explains. And it’s not just about keeping a certain amount of money stored away. “Most people think of [retirement planning] as ‘I need to have x-amount of dollars in the bank,’” he says. “The way I look at it, and what I try to tell people is, you have to look at it as having 40 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
x-amount of dollars coming in per month until you reach retirement.” Recht works with everyone from young adults who havent started thinking about retirement or saving to people who have been saving for upwards of 40 years but want to re-evaluate their investment options. By establishing goals at the outset, Recht helps clients to gather what he calls a “full architectural rendering” of the current state of their finances and savings plans. He then assesses risk tolerance and the historical performance of investment options, and finally proposes a plan of action customized to each individual client’s goals, life situations and income level. To compile that plan, Recht works with any investment company in the marketplace. “We work with managed money, anyone from
American Funds to Goldman Sachs, from big mutual funds to special managed portfolios that are run by multi-billion-dollar hedge funds.” With so many permutations available, things can get complicated quickly, especially since investment options and life situations are constantly changing. But that’s when someone like Recht really comes in handy. “I think it is important to diversify and make sure you understand what makes the markets go up or down, and it’s important to have a financial advisor that walks you through those stages in the market cycle.” He emphasizes the importance of working with a financial advisor whom you trust, and one who views your retirement plan as a continuous process. Recht has been providing financial services, specializing in retirement planning and life insurance, for six years. He started with Smith Barney while completing a business degree at the University of Arizona. After graduating, he returned to his hometown of San Diego. A large part of his life, outside of monitoring financial markets, is maintaining his connection to Jewish organizations and community programs in town. To this end, he is part of the Emerging Leaders program at JFS, for socially-minded young Jewish professionals; a member of ADL’s exclusive Glass Leadership Institute; a Big Pal with JFS; and a member of the Young Diplomat Club with AIPAC, designed to engage pro-Israel leaders in their 20s and 30s. “Growing up in San Diego,” he says, “I have been involved in the Jewish community my whole life. I want to make sure the community here continues to thrive.” A ______________________
danny recht DMR Financial Partners 701 B Street, Suite 1500 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 557-8261 dmrfinancialpartners.com
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Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 43
BY alanna Berman
feature PHoToS courTeSTy lfjcc
Alma Hadash Geiger takes a moment to play with her students.
what a gal! Alma Hadash Geiger celebrates 25 years as the matriarch for Nierman Preschool
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ost San Diegans already know about the JCC’s Nierman Preschool. They went there, or know someone who went there, or send their own children there now, and all these people know why children and parents alike call the preschool their “happy place.” Director of Early Childhood Education Alma Hadash Geiger is the key to it all. This year, she celebrates 25 years at Nierman. “When I started, we were in bungalows where the youth building is now,” Geiger remembers, “I think there were 68 children enrolled … The facilities weren’t wonderful but the program was, and now matching our wonderful program, we have this gorgeous facility.” Nierman’s campus, on the Glickman-Galinson Early Childhood Education Complex, now has 16 classrooms and an outdoor playground and amphitheater. More than 350 children aged 9 months to 4 years old attend the school each year, but the mission, Geiger says, remains the same as
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the day the doors first opened. “What we focus on has evolved in a very healthy way, but we are all still play-based,” she says. “All the studies show that children this age need to learn and play and play and play. [Everything] should be experiential … we are very academic, in the most developmentally appropriate way. We are getting children ready for kindergarten, socially, emotionally and cognitively, but not through academics, through play and experience.” Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Geiger says her move to San Diego was tough at first (“It wasn’t Brooklyn!”), but today she feels firmly rooted in the Jewish community and is proud to call the JCC her home. “I feel very fortunate to have worked at the JCC for as long as I have,” she says. “It’s my family; it’s my community. It’s where I work, it’s where I play. I love the cultural arts, I love the art gallery, I love the book fair, I love the film
festival and my best friends are people that vI work with. I feel fortunate and blessed to work in an environment like this where the school is the highest priority for the JCC.” Geiger considers herself “a Jewish educator, first and foremost.” She studied elementary education with an emphasis on early childhood in college, but got her start working in religious school settings. She was a religious school teacher and later a religious school principal, and an assistant principal at a Jewish day school before coming to the JCC. She brings a strong Jewish and Hebrew curriculum to the preschool. Every day, she greets preschoolers and their families on their way into the JCC. She has a personal relationship with each child, and makes it a point to learn about each individual and family. When she can, she joins in the classroom fun with students, or watches them on the playground from her office. She is every bit as involved as you want a preschool director to be,
feature
for 25 years, Geiger has been comforting preschoolers at Nierman.
and then some. “Alma is amazing,” parent Marcy Blumberg says. “She sets the tone for the whole preschool. Everyone feeds off her and she is always there with at smile. She is calm and collected, and no challenge is too difficult for her. She is extremely accommodating to all the kids and parents, and Nierman is what it is because of her.” Blumberg, herself an alumna of Nierman preschool (though she attended before Geiger came on as director) has two children currently enrolled. She serves as the preschool’s Judaic chair, and works with Geiger on programming for Jewish holidays. “I feel fortunate to be a part of her kind of curriculum,” Blumberg says of working with Geiger. “I watch how she works and I am learning so much from her. I am really amazed how she is not burnt out after 25 years. She continues to want to be there every day, and is ready to come up with fresh ideas and keep things going.” Part of Geiger’s commitment to the school is her constant push for something new. Last year, she launched a Spanish immersion program that was so successful, what she expected to be one class turned into three; and this year, the program
has a full wait list. “I do thrive on change, so every year I try to bring something new to the program, and expand it vertically and horizontally, to bring new things in, and enrich other things that we are doing,” Geiger says. Constant development is one reason why so many in the community ultimately send their children to Nierman. The other is Geiger. “She is the heart and soul of the school,” Jamie Stahl, a parent of three children at Nierman says. “I didn’t really give much thought to where I was going to send my kids to preschool; it was always a given that we would be at Nierman, mostly because of Alma,” Stahl says. “She is definitely a very strong presence [at Nierman] and I see how involved she is in all aspects of the school. Even what many would think would be small things that she could delegate to someone else, she really wants to put her fingerprint on.” Admittedly a bit of a perfectionist, Geiger says having a hand in everything is just how she likes to do things. The results are pretty amazing. “It’s a treasure to have kids and families who I have had in my preschool now continuing to come to the JCC as campers and counselors,” she
“When I started, we were in bungalows where the youth building is now,” Geiger remembers, “I think there were 68 children enrolled … The facilities weren’t wonderful but the program was, and now matching our wonderful program, we have this gorgeous facility.” says. “It’s community like you can’t imagine [here], and to see the kids that were 3 years old when they met you and they are now counselors at camp? You can’t help but think that you had something to do with that. That’s what early childhood is all about, great beginnings.” A To learn more about the JCC’s Nierman Preschool, visit lfjcc.org/preschool.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 45
Beth Am’s rabbi david Kornberg and Michael Kornberg at the 2012 Men’s event. The event is free for the second time this year.
PHoTo courTeSy jewiSH federATioN of SAN dieGo couNTy
FEATURESTORY
Federation Does it Again Federation hopes to bring more Jewish men into the fold with their second free Men’s Event BY david ogul The turnaround was stunning. After the Jewish Federation of San Diego County’s annual Men’s Event drew a record 1,100 people in 2006 to hear the keynote speaker, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, attendance at the fall fundraiser steadily declined in subsequent years to the point where less than 350 bothered to show up for the 2011 gala. Federation was facing a challenge common in much of the North American Jewish community: disaffection and disinterest. It was clear, Federation officials say, that the preeminent nonprofit supporting Jewish causes in San Diego County needed to reassess its approach, its mission and its goals. “We had to look at what we were doing,” Michael Sonduck, Federation’s president and CEO, says, “and we had to fundamentally change the face of the event.” With the financial backing of philanthropist Steven Mizel and his family’s foundation (a foundation that has donated to causes ranging from the Simon Wiesenthal 46 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
Center to a Jewish day school in Tulsa, Okla.) the Jewish Federation of San Diego County made an unprecedented move last year: the 2012 Men’s Event with keynote speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson (the NBA legend) would be free. No minimum donation was required. Dinner was on the house. It was more important, organizers concluded, to get people connected to and involved with Federation than it was to get them to pledge a contribution. “Fundraising is not the primary mission of this event,” Joseph Berman, Federation’s senior development manager, says. The new format, he adds, “is lowering the barriers to involvement in Jewish life. “The money will come when it comes, but right now, we just want to get people engaged.” Engagement is what they got. More than 850 men packed into a conference hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the 2012 gala. Half of those in attendance were younger than 50 years old. Almost half had never been
FEATURESTORY
to a Federation event in the past. Of those, roughly half contributed to the nonprofit for the first time at the conclusion of the event. Perhaps most surprisingly, even though the event was free, more money was raised in 2012 than the previous year. So, organizers did it again. This year’s Men’s Event is set for Nov. 20. For the second straight year, costs will be underwritten by the Mizel Family Foundation. The keynote speaker is Michael Oren, the recently-retired Israeli ambassador to the United States. Oren, who served during the so-called Arab Spring and during most of the Obama presidency, is an American-born, Israeli historian and best-selling author. His speech will discuss philanthropy, community and world affairs. The theme of the evening is “The Power of We,” and will emphasize collective impact and the good we can do as a community. Sonduck expects the Nov. 20 gala to break the 2006 attendance record. “It’s essential that we open it up,” he says, noting that the combined bill for minimum gifts and a ticket to attend in the past reached up to $250 or $300 – a cost that many younger and middle-income Jews found challenging to absorb. “We have to look at the Men’s Event as more than just a fundraiser,” Ira Feinswog, one of four co-chairs who helped organize last year’s dinner and who is doing the same this year, says. “We’re trying to build up the Jewish community. And Federation is building up the community by trying to foster a new culture of acceptance by reaching out regardless of your socioeconomic status.” In many ways, the challenges facing San Diego’s Federation and its Men’s Event are similar to the challenges facing Judaism in America. With more than half of American Jews marrying out of their faith and fewer children enrolled at Jewish day schools, many are wondering how the faith will survive. “We have to reinvent ourselves,” Feinswog says. “We have so much intermarriage, for example, so we have to be more open to interfaith couples and families. We have to get creative, and this is one way to create an opportunity for the younger guys to come in and feel like they are part of a larger family.” Sonduck agrees. “You have to acknowledge that being Jewish in North America is changing, and it has been changing for a very, very long time. That’s forcing our community to change, and our community is changing by becoming much more welcoming.” Norm Katz, an active member of Tifereth
Israel Synagogue in San Carlos, has been involved with various Federation efforts in the past and has attended several Men’s Events. He agrees with any approach that will get more people to attend. “The Men’s Event is the one event where Jewish men in San Diego, regardless of their denomination, can get together, sit at the same table, and talk about any number of issues,” Katz says. Not that fundraising isn’t important. Everyone at the Nov. 20 gathering will be encouraged, but not required, to donate to Federation and other Jewish causes. It’s an approach that worked last year, when Federation officials say more money was raised for the free Men’s Event than was raised in the prior year when attendees had to buy tickets. Federal tax forms show Federation grossed $387,862 from the 2011 gala, of which $350,000 went to charitable contributions. With facility, food, entertainment and other costs, however, the Men’s Event actually lost money that year. Tax returns that would cover the 2012 gathering are not available, but Feinswog says the nonprofit grossed about $500,000. Feinswog, however, emphasizes that “the metrics that we use on this are the number of men who come, the number of men who come and who haven’t been involved before, and the number of people who will come again next year and be involved with our efforts.” Getting people involved is made a little easier by requiring attendees to sign up online to receive their free ticket. A registration form includes jotting down one’s email and mailing address, along with a phone number. In fact, Federation’s new approach is similar to a strategy “Magic” Johnson talked about in his keynote speech at last year’s Men’s Event: “When your back is against the wall just come out strong with knowledge and have a game plan.” Sonduck says no promises have been made about picking up the costs for the 2014 Men’s Event. “We’re taking it one year at a time.” A More than 1,000 Jewish men from throughout San Diego County are expected to attend Jewish Federation of San Diego County’s annual Men’s Event, Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Register online at jewishinsandiego.org and click on the “events” tab, or call (858) 737-7153 for more information.
Jewish Men at the Crossroads New book looks at ways to engage Jewish men
The new approach to the Jewish Federation of San Diego County’s annual Men’s Event has literally taken a page right out of a new book compiled by rabbis and lay religious leaders. “Jewish Men at the Crossroads,” the latest project of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, is a collection of essays that address why men have become less visible in synagogues and the larger Jewish community. The book deftly details the delicate dance that many Jewish men face as they strive to maintain Jewish values while living in a modern society that becomes more blended by the day. “We find that men – particularly Jewish men – are truly at a crossroads,” Dr. Robert E. Braitman says in the book’s foreword. “As a result, we have gathered academic scholars, religious, and laymen together and challenged them to create a forum of Jewish thought.” “Jewish Men at the Crossroads,” ($12.95; Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, Inc.; Outskirts Press), is meant to spark discussion that will lead to change. Learn more at fjmc.org.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 47
Happy Thanksgivukkah Meet the Mensch on a Bench Famed Christmas elf toy meets its Jewish match BY MATT ROBiNSON/JNS.ORG
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PHoToS courTeSy MeNScH oN A BeNcH
W
hen his son asked for The Elf on the Shelf – the famed Christmas toy that is said to keep an eye on children and report back to Santa Claus regarding their behavior – entrepreneur Neal Hoffman says he felt an admitted pang of “elf envy” and saw the need to offer something more appropriate. “I said to myself that I wished there was a toy and book that was an alternative, that was rooted in Jewish traditions,” he recalls. Hoffman, at the time an employee of the Hasbro toy and game company, would go on to create a new toy to ensure that those celebrating Hanukkah wouldn’t experience the same “elf envy.” With roots tracing back to the 1970s, The Elf on the Shelf has sold nearly 2.5 million units. The elf has now met its Jewish match through Hoffman’s The Mensch on a Bench, a toy and book set based on the story of the character “Moshe the Mensch.” Available for the first time this Hanukkah, the set costs $36 (plus shipping and handling). Using the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter to raise money (in Jewish-appropriate denominations of $18) Hoffman brought his dream of a Jewish judge of childhood behavior to life. The book that comes with Moshe explains that this savvy tzaddik was in the Temple with the Maccabees when they defeated the Greeks in the second century BCE. As the age-old story goes, there was only sufficient oil for one night, but it lasted for eight. How? Moshe volunteered to sit on a bench all night and keep an eye on it. Thousands of years later, Moshe is still on a bench and still watching over Hanukkah, much like The Elf on the Shelf watches over Christmas. Hoffman, a Massachusetts native who now lives in Cincinnati, explains that as a father of two in an interfaith household, he was well familiar with The Elf on the Shelf from his nieces and nephews. When his son asked for one, he says
he initially laughed off his idea for a Hanukkahthemed alternative to the toy, but the idea kept coming back until he could resist it no longer. While Hoffman sees The Elf on the Shelf as a symbol of the commercialism of a holiday, he suggests that Moshe the Mensch is a keeper of the
eternal traditions of Judaism. “The Elf is more secular and not as religious, just pure fun,” he says. Moshe may not be an answer to the elf, but it is an alternative that is appropriate for Jewish children and allows them to create their own
Hanukkah tradition, Hoffman says. In an effort to explain Moshe to the masses, Hoffman hurried to come up with a believable backstory, and created the book to accompany the toy. “The book is inspired by the story of Hanukkah,” Hoffman says. “It tells about how the Maccabees came back to the Temple and were tired from the war and needed to sleep. With only one night of oil, they were worried it would go out overnight and leave them in the dark. One man volunteered to watch over the lights: Moshe the Mensch.” To give Moshe and his story more staying power and appeal, the book also includes activities for each night of Hanukkah. Hoffman hopes to bring the book not only to his local library, but also to the Jewish literacy nonprofit PJ Library, and he says sequels are possible. “I think we have a fun idea that Jewish families can rally around and use to make Hanukkah more fun,” Hoffman says. “Over the next couple years, Jewish families will decide if this is a great idea and something they want, or if the Mensch will become a rare collectors item.” To buy, visit themenschonabench.com.
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Happy Thanksgivukkah Thanks…givukkah? Historic Thanksgiving-Hanukkah overlap leads to math and merchandise BY JACOB KAMARAS, JNS.ORG
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ov. 28 marks Thanksgiving Day, as well as the first day of Hanukkah this year. It would be a natural reaction for an American Jew, when noticing that overlap during a casual reading of the calendar, to smile or even laugh. But Dana Gitell took things much further. A marketing professional living in Norwood, Mass., Gitell coined and trademarked the word “Thanksgivukkah,” launched a website as well as Facebook and Twitter pages for the joint holiday, and partnered with the Judaica retailer moderntribe.com on a line of t-shirts and greeting cards to mark the occasion – one that, according to one analysis of the Jewish and Gregorian calendars, won’t occur again for more than 75,000 years. Gitell, who had known “Thanksgivukkah” was coming for five years, says the more she thought about it, the more she came to appreciate the significance behind the overlap of two holidays which “both celebrate religious freedom” and have “similar themes.” “You can celebrate Judaism, you can celebrate America, and you celebrate the Jewish-American experience on the same day, because how would this be possible if we didn’t have a country as free and as welcoming as America?” Gitell says. Exactly how rare is Thanksgivukkah? Gitell did her due diligence through online research and taking a stab at the math herself, but says she ultimately leaft such matters “to the scientists.” Enter Jonathan Mizrahi, who has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Maryland and currently works for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. Mizrahi used the math software program Mathematica to chart the futures of the Jewish and Gregorian calendars, and the output “produced no results other than this year.”
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“I thought I made an error in the program, and I checked what I’d done, and everything seemed okay, and I pushed the year out further and further and further; and it still was telling me that it wasn’t ever going to happen,” Mizrahi says. According to an analysis posted online by Mizrahi, the Jewish calendar “is very slowly getting out of sync with the solar calendar, at a rate of four days per 1,000 years.” “This means that while presently Hanukkah can be as early as Nov. 28, over the years the calendar will drift forward, such that the earliest Hanukkah can be is Nov. 29,” Mizrahi writes. “The last time Hanukkah falls on Nov. 28 is 2146 (which happens to be a Monday). Therefore, 2013 is the only time Hanukkah will ever overlap with Thanksgiving.” “Of course, if the Jewish calendar is never modified in any way, then it will slowly move forward through the Gregorian calendar, until it loops all the way back to where it is now. So, Hanukkah will again fall on Thursday, Nov. 28, in the year 79811,” he adds. Gitell got enthusiastic feedback when she started posting juxtapositions and mashups of different cultural aspects from Thanksgiving and Hanukkah online. “So many people that I talked to, many who aren’t Jewish, think it’s exciting and funny,” she says. After creating the Thanksgivukkah Facebook page with her sister Deborah, Gitell worked with graphic illustrator Kim DeMarco to design t-shirts and greeting cards, and approached Modern Tribe about being the retailer. She says she got an email response from Modern Tribe within five minutes of sending the inquiry. “After talking with Dana, and seeing the modern designs and illustrations of Kim
“You can celebrate Judaism, you can celebrate America, and you celebrate the JewishAmerican experience on the same day, because how would this be possible if we didn’t have a country as free and as welcoming as America?” Gitell says.
DeMarco, I knew that a collaboration to create Thanksgivukkah items was a perfect match for our mission to create ways for modern Jews to express their faith and keep our traditions alive, meaningful and fun,” Jennie Rivlin Roberts, president of Modern Tribe, says. The Modern Tribe Thanksgivukkah merchandise employs the slogan “Light, Liberty, and Latkes.” Ten percent of its proceeds will benefit the nonprofit MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. “I felt like [Thanksgivukkah is] almost like a Woodstock-like event, we can tell our kids, ‘I was there, I lived through Thanksgivukkah. I remember that day, it will never happen again.’ So that gave me the idea for something akin to a concert t-shirt, expressing that you were there, you lived through it, as a memento,” Gitell says. Gitell says her childhood in Squirrel Hill, Pa., a neighborhood of Pittsburgh with a significant Jewish population, colored her passion for the Thanksgivukkah project.
“[Squirrel Hill] was a place where most kids were Jewish, and people who weren’t Jewish, they felt left out,” she says. “NonJews wanted to have their own bar mitzvah in middle school. That’s the kind of experience that probably could only happen in America.” While American Jews prepare for Thanksgivukkah, whether or not 2013 is the first-ever occurrence of the “holiday” is up for debate. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln enacted Thanksgiving to fall on the last Thursday in November. But Thanksgiving was changed to the fourth Thursday of November – not necessarily the last Thursday – in 1942 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a move intended to extend the holiday shopping season. Using the former date of America’s Thanksgiving, the last Thursday of November, Thanksgivukkah would have occurred in 1888, according to Mizrahi. Thanksgivukkah’s frequency can also depend on whether the first night or the first day of Hanukkah is used as an indicator. This year, the first candles of Hanukkah are lit the night of Nov. 27, while the first full day of the holiday is Nov. 28, corresponding with Thanksgiving. According to an analysis by Eli Lansey, who has a Ph.D. in physics from the City University of New York, and, like Mizrahi, used the Mathematica software program, the first night of Hanukkah will correspond with Thanksgiving in the years 2070 and 2165—much sooner than 79811, the next time after 2013 that Mizrahi says Thanksgiving would fall on the first day of Hanukkah. No matter what metric one uses, Thanksgivukkah has garnered a significant following – Mizrahi’s mathematical analysis garnered about 100,000 page views online, to his “utter amazement.” “When I first did this, I thought it was interesting, but I did not expect anywhere near the response I got,” Mizrahi says. A
A Very Schlemiel Thanks g’Hanukkah: All New E-Book What happens when one of the Schlemiel Brothers emigrates to America? You get the first Thanks g’Hanukkah, and the first everfried turkey! Abraham and Adam, the heroes of Mark Binder’s novel,“The Brothers Schlemiel” are back in this short story e-book, “A Very Schlemiel Thanks g’Hanukkah” The climax of the story is a conflagration at a greben factory in Chelmsford, Mass., where the brothers save the day, invent Thanks g’Hanukkah, and fry the first turkey. Mark Binder is the author of the “Life in Chelm” series, including “A Hanukkah Present” (finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature) and “The Brothers Schlemiel – An Unabridged Novel of Chelm.” Binder’s most recent project is “Cinderella Spinderella” the first multicultural illustrated e-book for families. “A Very Schlemiel Thanks g’Hanukkah” is available for $1, exclusively for Kindle at amazon.com. Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 53
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Happy Thanksgivukkah Teaching children the joy of mitzvot at holiday time New books make lessons even easier NEW YORK (JTA) – Hanukkah, when children look forward to getting gifts and gelt, is an ideal time to recall Judaism’s commitment to helping others and tikkun olam, repairing the world. “It’s a … It’s a … It’s a Mitzvah” (Jewish Lights) is a book that can help parents and their children find creative ideas for doing good deeds during the Festival of Lights and throughout the year. Focusing on younger audiences, the book brings Mitzvah Meerkat and his animal friends to life through a lively introduction of mitzvot. On its colorful pages, young children will see that thoughtfulness and kindness mark the beginning of a Jewish journey and a lifetime commitment to tikkun olam. Illustrator Laurel Molk presents pictures of adorable animal characters who perform simple good deeds and acts of loving kindness. In each playful vignette, children engage with Jewish wisdom, such as sharing food with the hungry, welcoming new friends and taking care of the world. “What a splendid way to introduce young children to the rich moral vocabulary of Judaism,” Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, the author of many children’s books, says. “[It] makes a powerful statement: you’re never too young to be fully engaged with Jewish ideals.” As Hanukkah is about miracles – the mystery of one day’s worth of oil burning for eight days and a remarkable victory of the small band of Maccabees against the greater enemy – our sense of wonder during Hanukkah can inspire acts of tikkun olam. Emphasizing giving rather than getting is a true reflection of the festival.
courTeSy diANe HeiMAN
BY JTA STAFF
diane Heiman, co-author of “it’s a … it’s a … it’s a Mitzvah,” with children at a jcc of Greater washington book event. Here are eight ways to incorporate mitzvot into a Hanukkah celebration: • Place the menorah in a window as a symbol of hope and affirmation. • Welcome friends and neighbors over to share latkes. • Collect gently worn clothing that your family has outgrown to give to the needy. • Forgo your own gifts and shop for a family in need. • Share kind words and Hanukkah greetings with cards or emails to family far away. • Plant a tree in Israel through the
• •
Jewish National Fund to support the environment. Celebrate Shabbat when it falls during Hanukkah. Pray for peace under the glow of the menorah. A
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 55
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Happy Thanksgivukkah
HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE BY NATALIE JACOBS
Ah, gift giving. It’s fun when there is no pressure, but filling eight days with thoughtful and unique gifts for loved ones can quickly become a daunting task. Here at the Jewish Journal, we’ve sifted through piles of products to showcase some of our favorites for all the personalities on your list this year, with many made right here in San Diego!
CRAFT AND CREATE ACTIVITY BOOKS $9.99 each Infuse arts and crafts time with a bit more creativity with these valuepacked craft sets from Melissa and Doug. Sets are available for fashion design, mixed metal jewelry, clay, foil art, and friendship bracelets. Sets include highly visual instructions and extra tips for kids aged pre-school to tweens. View and order at melissaanddoug.com.
If you still need ideas, we’ve included details on local and digital shops that carry a plethora of interesting products all year. Happy hunting!
BROOKERY $10-$15 Hand-painted by San Diego-native Mashell Ewing, these earrings are available in a multitude of vibrant colors and patterns, with two Hanukkah styles in stock this season. Stop by the Etsy shop and browse the collection for jewelry lovers of all ages at brookery.etsy.com.
GILDED LILY MATZAH BALL BOOKS $6.95 each/$34.75 for a 6-book set You might be hard-pressed to find someone fluent in Yiddish, but sometimes pulling out a phrase like schvitz or chutzpah just makes sense. Give kids the ability to kvetch with the best of them with this series from Matzah Ball Books. In each of the five stories, a character is named with a Yiddish word that describes a central attribute of his or her personality. Order online, no shlep required: matzahballbooks.com/order. 58 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
$50-$125 (necklaces) These vintage-inspired pieces by San Diego designer Crista Miller come in a variety of trendy yet timeless styles. Materials used include gemstones, glass and wood beads, vintage accents and precious metals; and all pieces are one of a kind. Browse the whole collection, including earrings and hair pieces at gildedlilygoods.com.
W here t o Sho p
e rf e c t g ift P la c e s to g e t th e p TAGE FROCK YOU VIN (6 ouvintage.com 19) 220-0630 • frocky
laCEY haEgEN NatURallY lUXURIOUS SKIN CaRE $30 (shower soufflé) This decadent body moisturizer melts into warm skin in the shower to hydrate the body’s largest organ with nourishing natural ingredients. Fragrances are vanilla-based with accent combinations available in mint, orange, lavender or coconut. Browse this San Diego makeup artist’s full bath and body collection at laceyhaegen.com.
tage haven and 4121 Park Boulevard • back. Stop by this vin me co a g kin ma be ll wi ted by decade to keep This season, 40s styles ndition fashions separa co ntn. mi of l ful ks them to start their ow browse through rac trends or to inspire est lat to the res on asu tre up w ers ne your fashion lov e, so there are always the racks all the tim . New arrivals land on Sunday, noon-6 p.m Wednesday through en op is re sto e Th . discover
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ue stocks the 421 University Aven s Hillcrest boutique Gift Emporium,” thi us here else. ulo yw ab an “B nd a fi t as no d Bille that you’ll surely ms ite s re ou ari hil Th of sacred here. is sto shelves with tons to bacon, nothing is ns ico a t p bu po , to list s t roe gif ers on your From super he for the stodgier memb o wh ate se pri tho pro ap for as be t ide might no iously unique will give you some ser few minutes in here ity. appreciate a little lev
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THE GROMMET SEE’S CaNDIES $7-$49.50 It’s always good to have a stock of chocolate gelt on hand during the holidays, but Sees Candies also has a whole spread of sweet treats with Hanukkah packaging, from peanut brittle to lollypops to a gift box with a little bit of everything. Shops are scattered around for convenient last-minute stops, or shop at sees.com.
ts while supporting thegrommet.com w and interesting gif ne nd fi to y ce pla ct ed products that the This is the perfe launches undiscover t me e om lin Gr on e e Th . Th s. entrepreneurs duct categorie s in a variety of pro s. on rie ati ov ego inn cat e 20 tru n r conside s” in more tha with individual “shop store looks like Etsy, re. he t los of time to get Give yourself plenty
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 59
hanukkah cardS
STAFF PICK
$3.75 each
Spread holiday cheer with these funny Hanukkah cards from Etsy shop owner Silly Reggie. These handmade cards smartly play up a variety of puns, with greetings like Dr. Dreidel, Happy Challah Day and i love You a latke. Order online at sillyreggie.etsy.com.
ChROMECaSt
ShMaltZ BREwINg
$39 Tired of video lovers complaining about watching online content from tiny screens? Give your super fans the ability to stream videos from the Internet to an HDTV with Google’s Chromecast. Much cheaper than a larger computer or a new television with Internet capabilities, Chromecast lets you access videos from your smart devices just by plugging the USB-sized adapter into your TV. Some tech knowledge required. Purchase from the Google Play store, Amazon or at Best Buy.
$35 New York’s Jew-ciest beer brewers, Shmaltz Brewing, are offering a He’Brew Holiday Gift Pack made up of seasonal favorites and new 2013 collaborations. The 8-pack includes two seasonal exclusives and six of the brewmaster’s favorites, with pun-y names like Funky Jewbelation and Death of a Contract Brewer. Guaranteed to at least get a laugh out of your beer lover. Available at BevMo, Cost Plus, Whole Foods, and Total Wine.
REJUICED MENORah $100 Hipsters and DIY-ers will appreciate this recycled take on the classic menorah. Handmade with a bike handlebar and chain ring, this is a one-of-a-kind piece by Etsy shop owner Johnnie Olivan. Order at rejuicedbikespdx.etsy.com.
gEltFIEND SwEatERS $38-$68 GeltFiend is back this year with new Hanukkah sweaters and old favorites from last year. This year’s additions are the Gimmelman, Spinmaster 2.0, Chanukitty and Catskills styles. Also new to the inventory this time around are bow ties and kids sweaters. Browse the entire collection and place your orders at end.com. geltfiend.com 60 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
PRalINE PatISSERIE $8 You may have seen Praline Patisserie with their mouthwatering spread of caramel sauces at farmers markets around town but they also sell their decadent creations online. Available in six varieties, these make perfect hostess gifts or additions to personally assembled gift baskets. To find out if they will be in your neighborhood soon, or to place an order, visit pralinepatisserie.com.
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 61
Happy Thanksgivukkah From Bombs to Baubles Hanukkah jewelry makes for “nuclear program” with unquestioned peaceful intent BY edmon j. rodman/jns.org
W
hile at the U.N. General Assembly and other public forums, Iran continues to tout what it calls the peaceful intentions of its nuclear program to a skeptical audience. But the peaceful intentions of another “nuclear program” – one that will come in handy for Jewish shoppers this Hanukkah – are unquestioned. Using the words of the prophets as inspiration, a company called From War into Peace is turning swords into ploughshares – actually, recycled material from nukes into Jewish jewelry – in California. The line of peace-oriented products that includes flower power earrings, peace symbol pendants, tree of life bracelets, and household accessories is made from recycled copper cabling that once carried the launch codes to Minuteman III nuclear missiles. The copper, taken from a disarmed and deactivated Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) site in Grand Forks, N.D., is cast by the company into an array of wearable and usable symbols from many religions, including Star of David earrings, hamsa pendants, and mezuzahs. In time for Hanukkah, a new menorah pendant design will soon be available. From War into Peace’s work is available in stores nationwide, in Canada, online, and at the Clinton Presidential Library, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and The Jewish Museum in New York. “The Jewish prophets are the absolute inspiration for what we do,” says the organization’s founder, Paul Ogren, a former Minnesota state senator who lived in Israel in the 1970s. The truncated bible verse, “Turn your swords into plowshares, and you shall know war no more,” from both Isaiah and Micah, is featured
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prominently on the website of the company, which was launched in 2010. “The cabling is a good source of copper,” says Ogren, who first found out about the metal from a friend who had the scrap contract from the federal government for the silo’s metal and plastic. Ogren says he bought 10,000 pounds of copper, but initially was not sure what he would do with it. “I’m always looking for a transformational element,” says Ogren, who recalled that hearing a niece singing a Hebrew song, “Lo Yisa Goy El Goy Cherev,” (“Nation shall not lift up sword against nation”), put him on the path to making jewelry. “Weapons that kill people can be used for constructive means,” Ogren, a peace activist during the Vietnam War, says. After discovering that copper needed to be alloyed to be cast successfully as jewelry, Ogren decided on a mixture that included manganese and silicon to create a “Peace Bronze,” which is cast into various shapes in Albuquerque, N.M., and Paso Robles, Calif. Various styles are given an iridescent finish in San Luis Obispo, Calif., or dipped in silver or gold in Albuquerque.
One of the mezuzah designs is cast with the words “Peace to all who enter here.” Other styles feature the word “peace” in three languages – Hebrew, English and Arabic – or an image of a dove. “There is a naïve quality to them, like American folk art,” says Nestor Diaz de Villegas, who owns one of the mezuzahs as well as a pendant. “That they are made of metal from nuclear weapons in really amazing,” adds Diaz de Villegas, who is a poet and a journalist. “We do museum grade castings, using the lost wax process” says Ogren, whose company also
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Best Wishes for a Happy Hannukah from Debi, Zvika Akin & the Entire Staff uses its Peace Bronze in casting the Gandhi Peace Prize as well as the Sean MacBride Peace Prize, awarded by the Geneva-based International Peace Bureau. Ogren says 24 percent of the company’s profits are dedicated to peace and social justice organizations, with current recipients including Veterans for Peace, Homeboy Industries, and Mothers for Peace. Seeing a benefit in injecting “humor and lightness” into the messages of his work, Ogren also creates beer bottle openers which say “Beers Not Bombs,” and wine bottle stoppers which say, “Make Wine Not War,” out of the Peace Bronze. Just how hot is Ogren’s nuke-related jewelry? The cabling was buried six feet underground, has been tested, and is not radioactive. “I get asked, ‘Will I glow in the dark if I wear your jewelry?’” Ogren says. “I would have to charge you more,” he says he often responds. A For more information, or to purchase, visit fromwartopeace.com.
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Happy Thanksgivukkah
Tori Avey is an awardwinning food writer, recipe developer, the creator of two cooking websites: The Shiksa in the Kitchen, theshiksa.com and The History Kitchen, thehistorykitchen.com –and convert to Judaism. She is the resident food historian for PBS Food and parade.com. Follow Tori on Facebook by searching “The Shiksa” and on Twitter @theshiksa.
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Thanksgivukkah
Feast
As you probably already know, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will coincide this year for the first time since 1888. The two holidays will not meet again until tens of thousands of years from now. For American Jews, this represents a unique opportunity to celebrate two fabulous food holidays at the same time. They both revolve around family gatherings and classic holiday foods. Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 67
deep Fried turkey
Most American families wouldn’t dream of celebrating Thanksgiving without a turkey. We usually roast or smoke ours, but with this year’s Thanksgivukkah celebration, deep frying seems a more fitting way to go (after all, fried foods are traditional for Hanukkah). A turkey can be fried in less than an hour, giving you more time to spend with guests. Just make sure you follow your manufacturer’s instructions and all safety precautions. You will need: 10-12 lb thawed turkey (do not exceed 12 lbs), brined or injected if you like, no stuffing Turkey fryer – a large metal tub with propane gas burner specially designed for frying turkeys Propane tank with fuel 35-lb. jug of peanut oil (double check with your guests for nut allergies; corn oil can be substitued if anyone is allergic) Oven mitts Non-electric probe thermometer Sheet tray Salt Cayenne pepper Frying a turkey can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your fryer’s instructions before you get started, and always have a fire extinguisher handy. Never set up your deep fryer indoors, under trees or near children or pets. Choose a flat outdoor surface free of debris; if the weather is rainy, make sure the area has shelter. The amount of oil you will need can be determined by placing the turkey into the empty deep fryer and covering it with oil. Stop when the turkey is fully submerged, then remove the turkey from the deep fryer. Begin heating your oil. Your deep fryer should come with a probe 68 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
thermometer that clips to the top of the fryer pot. If not, you will need to purchase one. Monitor the thermometer until the oil reaches 325 degrees. While the oil is heating, prepare your turkey for deep frying by first patting it dry with a clean towel or paper towels (liquid and hot oil don’t mix!). Sprinkle the skin generously with salt and cayenne pepper. Place the turkey legs down onto the poultry rack that comes with your fryer; secure and truss with twine, if desired. Once your oil has reached 325 degrees, turn off the flame and gas. Wearing oven mitts, very slowly lower the poultry rack into the hot oil using the metal lift hook. This process should take about 1 full minute. Don’t submerge the turkey too quickly, or the oil may sputter and boil over. Use caution to avoid getting burned. Once the turkey is fully submerged in the oil and the poultry rack is sitting on the bottom of the deep fryer, remove the lift hook. Re-light the deep fryer and let the oil temperature raise to 350 degrees. Do not leave the turkey unattended while deep frying. Fry for 3-5 minutes per pound of turkey. (I usually begin checking a 12-lb turkey at around 35 minutes.) When you’re ready to check the turkey, turn off the flame and gas. Have a sheet tray nearby. Wearing oven mitts, use the lift hook to remove the turkey from the hot oil. Place the turkey onto the sheet tray. Immediately test the temperature using a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Ideally, your turkey should be at 160 degrees when it first comes out of the fryer. As the turkey rests, the internal temperature should rise to a temperature that is safe for consumption (at least 165 degrees in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast). If your turkey does not reach 165 degrees, immediately return the turkey to the hot oil for additional cooking until it comes to temperature. Once your turkey has finished cooking, allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
Sweet potato LatkeS
These sweet potato latkes are lightly spiced with cinnamon and a hint of curry. They’re positively scrumptious! Sprinkle them with a touch of salt for a sweet and savory treat.
pumpkin chaLLah
Ingredients 2 ½ lbs sweet potatoes 1 cup panko-style breadcrumbs 1 tbsp potato starch 3 eggs, beaten 1 tsp salt, plus more for sprinkling ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp curry powder Grapeseed oil for frying Makes 18 latkes Kosher Key: Pareve Before you begin making the latkes, set up a wire cooling rack with a layer of paper towels beneath it to catch excess oil. Peel the potatoes, then grate them using a hand grater or food processor shredding attachment with fine holes. Place potato shreds in the center of a clean tea towel or multiple layers of cheesecloth. Wrap the shreds up in the cloth, twisting the cloth to secure the bundle, and squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid from the shreds. Pour shreds into a bowl. Use a fork to stir the panko breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, potato starch, 1 tsp salt, cinnamon and curry powder into the potato shreds. Take care to make sure the egg and seasonings are fully mixed throughout the potato shreds. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes. While the potato mixture rests, pour oil into skillet to a depth of ⅛ inch. Heat slowly over medium heat until the oil reaches 365 degrees. For each latke, measure out ¼ cup of the potato mixture and shape it into a tightly compacted disk. Place the disk carefully into the hot oil. Latkes can break apart at this point; they’re very delicate. If you can get them into the hot oil in one piece, chances are they will stick together – frying them is like the “glue” that holds them together. It takes a gentle touch, and it may take you some practice to get the feel for it. The oil should sizzle but not pop when the latke hits it; if the oil jumps wildly or smokes, it is too hot. If it only bubbles weakly, the oil is not hot enough. Use the first latke to test the oil temperature, and don’t fry a whole batch until the temperature is right. Fry in batches of 4-5 latkes at a time (no more than that, don’t crowd the pan) for 2-3 minutes per side until brown and crispy. Note: if your latkes aren’t holding together, stir more potato starch into the mixture, 2 teaspoons at a time, until the batter “holds.” You can also add another egg to the mixture and more panko, if needed. Remove the latkes from the pan using a metal spatula and place them on a wire cooling rack to drain. Sprinkle with additional salt, if desired. I recommend serving latkes fresh within 10 minutes of frying them, if your cooking schedule permits. If you need to make them ahead, fry them 4 hours or less before serving. After letting the latkes drain on the wire cooling rack, place them on an ungreased, unlined cookie sheet. Leave them at room temperature until ready to reheat. Place in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes (7 if using a convection oven) until heated through, just prior to serving.
This recipe is the result of a baking experiment where I added pumpkin puree and spices to my favorite challah. It’s since become one of my most popular recipes. It’s sweet but not overly so, and makes a unique and beautiful addition to the Thanksgivukkah table. Top it with melted butter and honey for extra deliciousness. And here’s the best part: it makes incredible french toast! Ingredients 2 packages active dry yeast 1 cup lukewarm water, divided 3 tbsp white sugar 1 egg (white and yolk) 6 egg yolks ¼ cup honey 2 tbsp canola oil, plus more for greasing bowl 2 tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon ¾ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp allspice ¼ tsp ginger Pinch of cloves ½ cup brown sugar 2 cups pumpkin puree (homemade or canned) 7-9 cups all-purpose baking flour 2 egg yolks + 1 tbsp water for egg wash Makes 2 large challot Kosher Key: Pareve Pour ½ cup of the lukewarm water (about 110 degrees) into a large mixing bowl. Add 2 packets of active dry yeast and 1 tbsp of sugar to the bowl, stir to dissolve. Wait 10 minutes. The yeast should have activated, meaning it will look expanded and foamy. If it doesn’t, your yeast may have Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 69
expired, which means your bread won’t rise. Once your yeast has activated, add remaining ½ cup lukewarm water to the bowl along with the rest of the sugar, 1 egg, 6 egg yolks, honey, canola oil, salt and spices. Use a whisk to thoroughly blend the ingredients together. Whisk in the brown sugar and pumpkin puree to form a thick liquid. Begin adding the flour to the bowl ½ cup at a time, stirring with a large spoon each time flour is added. When mixture becomes too thick to stir, use your hands to knead. Continue to add flour and knead the dough until it’s smooth, elastic, and not sticky. The amount of flour you will need to achieve this texture varies; only add flour until the dough feels pliable and “right.” Place a saucepan full of water on the stove to boil. Meanwhile, remove the dough from your mixing bowl and wash out the bowl. Grease the bowl with oil. Push the dough back into the bottom of the bowl, then flip it over so that both sides are slightly moistened by the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean, damp kitchen towel. Place the bowl of dough on the middle rack of your oven. Take the saucepan full of boiling water and place it below the rack where your dough sits. Close the oven, but do not turn it on. The pan of hot water will create a warm, moist environment for your dough to rise. Let the dough rise for 1 hour. Take the dough out of the bowl and punch it down several times to remove air pockets. Place it back inside the oven and let it rise for 1 more hour. Take the dough out of the oven. Very lightly, flour a smooth surface like a cutting board. Punch the dough down into the bowl a few times, then turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Knead for a few minutes, adding flour as needed to keep the dough from feeling sticky (it may not need any additional flour).
Now your dough is ready to braid. If you plan to separate and bless the challah, do it prior to braiding. Separate the dough into two equal portions; each portion of dough will be enough for a large loaf of challah. Braiding tutorials can be found on theshiksa.com. After you’ve braided your challah loaves, place them on two separate cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Prepare your egg wash by beating 2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp water until smooth. Use a pastry brush to brush a thin layer of egg wash onto the visible surface of your challah. Take out the saucepan of water and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Let the loaves rise 30 to 45 minutes longer. You’ll know the dough is ready to bake when you press your finger into the dough and the indentation stays, rather than bouncing back. The loaves will need to bake for about 40 minutes total, but to get the best result, the baking should be done in stages. First, set your timer to 20 minutes and put your challah in the oven. After 20 minutes, take the challah out of the oven. Turn the tray around, so the opposite side is facing front, and put the tray back into the oven. Turning the tray helps your challah brown evenly, since the back of the oven is usually hotter than the front. The challah will need to bake for about 20 minutes longer. For this last part of the baking process, keep an eye on your challah – it may be browning faster than it’s baking. Once the challah is browned to your liking, take the tray out and tent it with foil, then place it back in the oven. Remove the foil for the last 2 minutes of baking time. Take the challah out of the oven. You can test the bread for doneness by turning it over and tapping on the bottom of the loaf. If it makes a hollow sound, it’s done. Let challah cool on a baking sheet or a wire cooling rack before serving.
dessert's Covered! BY AlAnnA BermAn When Bob W i n t z founded his company 44 years ago, he set out to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction with his frozen and ready-to-bake food items. Today, the brand is sold at leading supermarkets across the country, including 44 locations in San Diego County. “[When we started out] what was missing were chilled or frozen bakery products, and for the ones that were on the market, there was not a single one that had a great cookie, pastry, pie or desert item,” Wintz recalls.
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Wholly Wholesome is a family business (Wintz’s son is the company’s CEO) with heart and purpose. “One thing that I cherish more than anything about my Jewishness is my sense of heritage, my sense of humor, and the 10 commandments, and I think that is the way that our whole family has decided to run our lives,” Wintz says. “The basic principle to do unto others what you would have them do unto you has a lot to do with that. We conduct our business the same way that we conduct our lives.” Using only whole ingredients free of chemical preservatives, additives and artificial flavors or colors, the company’s line of ready to bake pies, pie shells, crusts, cookies and cakes
are also certified kosher. “The kosher certification is like a food safety security blanket,” Wintz says. “So for us, it was very important, for all of our products to be certified as either OU dairy or pareve.” Perfect for your holiday table, Wholly Wholesome’s chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin or apple pies are easy to make: just pop them in the oven, and voilà! We made a few to share with the office, and they did not last long, so make a few for your dessert table, and watch your family devour a truly wholesome treat! To find out where you can get Wholly Wholesome treats in San Diego, visit whollywholesome.com.
kaLe, pear & cranberry SaLad
This salad makes healthy eating a pleasure, not an obligation. I like to massage raw kale before serving; the massage helps to make the kale more tender and eliminates the bitterness from the leaves. Topped with seasonal pears, dried cranberries and toasted pine nuts, this salad offers a nice healthy balance to the heavier foods we serve during the holiday season. Ingredients ⅓ cup raw pine nuts or unsalted raw sunflower seeds 1 bunch (about 10 oz.) kale 3 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 red bartlett pear diced into ½ inch cubes ⅓ cup dried sweetened cranberries ¼ tsp salt, or more to taste Serves 8 Kosher Key: Pareve Toast the pine nuts or seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Watch them carefully, they can easily go from brown to burned if you’re not careful. As soon as they’re toasted, remove them from the hot skillet to keep them from browning further. If your dried cranberries are very dry and not soft, you can soak them in hot water for 5 minutes to plump and revive them. Drain the cranberries and pat dry before assembling the salad. Cut the thick stalk ends off of the kale, then chop the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces. You should end up with around 8-10 cups of leaves. Place the kale leaves into a salad bowl and pour the olive oil over them. Massage the olive oil into the kale with clean fingers for 2-3 minutes until the kale is softened and slightly wilted. Add the lemon juice, diced pear, cranberries, and toasted pine nuts to the bowl and sprinkle the salt evenly across the top. Toss the salad until well mixed. Let the salad sit for at least 5 minutes at room temperature. Toss again, then serve. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed dish for up to 2 days.
thankSgiving cider Sangria
I love the warm flavor of spiced apple cider; it’s like autumn served up in a glass. When combined with pears, grapes and red wine it becomes truly special, and definitely worth serving alongside your Thanksgivukkah feast. Ingredients 4 ½ cups apple cider (non alcoholic) 2 tbsp sugar 6 whole cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 4 allspice berries 1 apple, cored and sliced thin 1 red bartlett pear, cored and sliced thin 12 oz. seedless grapes 1 bottle red wine - Shiraz and Syrah work well ½ cup Cointreau or triple sec ¼ cup brandy 1 ½ tsp vanilla Serves 8-10 Kosher Key: Pareve In a small saucepan, whisk together the apple cider and sugar over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice berries. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain the cider. Place the sliced fruit and grapes into the bottom of a sangria pitcher. Pour in the strained cider, red wine, Cointreau or triple sec, brandy, and vanilla. Stir. Chill the sangria for at least 3 hours, up to overnight. Stir again before serving. Pour sangria and a few pieces of fruit into each glass. A
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>> THEATEr
Bearing Witness And Grabbing Audiences by the Throat Theatermaker Aimee Greenberg takes a life-changing journey BY PAT LAUNER
S
ometimes, you’re moving along on your path, off the beaten track, forging your way through life’s hills, holes and brambles. And then, wham! Something happens that changes how you think and what direction you’re going to take. That was seven years ago for writer/performer/ director/producer Aimee Greenberg. She’d spent decades creating off-the-wall, avant-garde theater, film and mixed-media projects. She’d moved away from her Conservative Jewish upbringing
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on Long Island. And then, she met a Holocaust survivor. “She told me her story,” Greenberg says, “and it was my epiphany. It called to me. It became a calling.” That encounter came close on the heels of Greenberg’s visit to Terezin, the concentration camp the Germans called Theresienstadt. “I was traveling in Europe,” Greenberg recalls, “and I decided to take this day-trip to the camp, in the former Yugoslavia. I was completely
overwhelmed by the experience. This was the place where artists were sent, the so-called ‘showplace’ of the Nazis, the place where the Red Cross came to view the performance of the children’s opera, ‘Brundibar.’” A Brief Detour to Terezin Although Terezin was not an extermination camp, about 33,000 died there, mostly due to the horrific conditions: extreme population density, malnutrition and disease. In 1944, the
>> THEATEr
Photos courtesy Aimee GreenberG
Left: Aimee Greenberg discussing her work with Director christopher Williams. right: Avalon Greenberg call as ruth and Arnica skulstead brown as Alice in Light Falling Down.
Germans presented Theresienstadt to outsiders as a model Jewish settlement, with extensive arts opportunities and small rooms that housed twothree inmates (built specifically for the Red Cross visit). At the end of the war, there were more than 17,000 survivors of Theresienstadt, including more than 1,500 children (at one time, there had been 15,000 children there). The Journey Begins “In the main room,” Greenberg continues in her description of her life-changing visit, “there was a photo of every single person who’d been at the camp. There were writers and actors, directors, filmmakers, musicians. I saw myself in those faces. And it really hit me. If I had been alive in Europe then, I would’ve been there. I walked out of that place and literally threw up. For a couple of weeks, I wasn’t myself. I had trouble eating and sleeping. I felt like I had post-traumatic stress disorder. And the experience started surfacing, unconsciously, in one way or another, in my work. “When I returned to Orange County, where I was living at the time, following long stints in New York and L.A., I became aware of a neighborhood couple that had lived through the Holocaust by surviving underground. That was the beginning. I just kept meeting more survivors
after that. Some I contacted; some contacted me. They really wanted to tell their stories. I had about 12 stories from amazing women. For five years, I held onto them. The images, situations, actions and people were unforgettable. “And a seed was germinating within me,” Greenberg recalls. “I just let it marinate. And then I sat down to write a play, and the first draft came very quickly. Some situations, stories and dialogue I just couldn’t let go. Once in a while, I used a direct quote; though everyone had signed releases, I wanted to keep things anonymous, out of deference.” What Greenberg created from this pivotal experience was “Light Falling Down,” a play set against the backdrop of World War II in 1942 Poland, with a parallel story in present-day, suburban California. In the play, Alice, a young, married Polish woman, finds a teenage Jewish girl, Ruth, hiding under the ground in her garden. Alice is faced with the dilemma of turning her in to the Nazis, or keeping her hidden in the dark. As it turns out, Alice has a secret of her own. In the 21st century, we meet Tuvia, a Jewish mother, and her pre-teen daughter, Ava, and their mysterious Southern California neighbor, inspired by a Polish woman in Greenberg’s neighborhood.
After several local workshops, the play began its world premiere at the Oceanside Theatre Company last month (through Nov. 3). “We’re creating two different worlds,” Greenberg explains of the production, which uses both conventional and unconventional theater techniques, “the dark, stark world of wartime Poland and the present-day world, saturated with California light. As the story progresses, we learn how these worlds intersect. The characters mirror each other: one above ground, one below.” The title reflects Greenberg’s study of Kabbalah after her European trip. The mystical teachings focus a great deal on the concepts of light and dark, good and evil. “According to Kabbalah, everything has a meaning, a connection, a reason, an element of dark and light,” Greenberg explains. “During the Holocaust, light and goodness were, you might say, ‘falling down.’ In the play, one character is interested in searching for light; another is afraid of the dark. And time of day is important. At dusk or twilight, the light falls as day turns into night. It’s the in-between time, when nothing is as it seems.” The play explores “the nature of survival, identity, courage and unflinching faith in the face of evil. And also, forgiveness.” It’s been quite a journey for Greenberg, who
Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 73
>> THEATEr
A table reading for "Light Falling Down."
started writing poetry at age 10, went on to become a journalist, playwright, actor, director and solo performance artist who trained, over the years, with some of the most acclaimed, innovative and cutting-edge theatermakers and teachers of our time: Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, Sanford Meisner, Jerzy Grotowski. Her mentor was Wynn Handman, who told her, “Ballast yourself in reality, then take off.” “That means, learn the basics, the foundation,” says Greenberg, which to her means realism. “Then take off from there. I apply that as an actor, a writer, a director, a teacher [at Cal State San Marcos] – and to life. “So,” she explains, “I’ve come full circle, writing a more conventionally structured play, returning to language as a metaphor more than visual imagery. This is very different from much of my other work, and in HEIJERA, the theater company I founded in L.A.; where there was an emphasis on deconstructed, post-modern form and multi-media elements. My work was influenced by Asian theater, Samuel Beckett, Pina Bausch, Robert Wilson and other trailblazers in their fields.” The Power of Theater – and Survivor Stories “Theater, I believe, should be transformative,” Greenberg says. “It heals; it builds bridges of connection. Theater must be risky business, grabbing the audience by the seat of its pants, pulling their heartstrings, leading them to experience the action and the world of the play,
74 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
both viscerally and intellectually; moving them to change the world in large and small ways. Or else, why not just stay home and watch Netflix or YouTube? “I have to elicit extreme reactions from my work,” she continues. “One of my favorite responses was from a show I wrote, performed in and directed, called ‘No Codes.’ A man sent me a letter, weeks after seeing the piece and said, ‘I had such a violent reaction to this play, but I haven’t stopped dreaming about it. Thank you for waking me up.’” In her extensive body of work, written or performed around the world, for stage, TV and film, Greenberg always intends to provide a wakeup call. Her latest play, while more traditional in some senses (going back to the basics for “Ballast”), is not, she insists, a Holocaust play. But it carries a sense of urgency. “The survivors are dying and the oral tradition is dying with them. Our children are the last to bear witness. It’s critical to transform these stories into plays, literature, music and art, to keep them alive, to never forget. In its universal themes, the play embodies the spirit and struggle of survivors and their families.” Greenberg knows a bit about surviving, having won the battle with breast cancer. She sees some commonalities in the experience of having made it through a life-threatening experience. “I know something about what it’s like. You keep living, but you never completely forget.” Greenberg’s support network is her family, a
“We’re creating two different worlds,” Greenberg explains, “the dark, stark world of wartime Poland and the present-day world, saturated with California light. As the story progresses, we learn how these worlds intersect. The characters mirror each other: one above ground, one below.”
powerhouse group, to be sure, each something of a mover-and-shaker like Greenberg herself, and all involved with her theatrical endeavors. Her husband, Tom Call, is president of a specialized communications/fiberoptic company. He often contributes lights and technical assistance for her productions. This time, he’s “illuminating this production, with very unusual and high-tech methods.” Their daughter Lily, 15, a junior at The San Diego Jewish Academy, originated the role of Ruth in “Light Falling Down,” but now she’s passing the torch to her younger sister, Avalon, 12, a seventh grader at The Grauer School in Encinitas. Lily, a published writer (journalism, poetry, essays) and the chair of advocacy for Girls Give Back, a Jewish Family Service program of leadership, service learning and advocacy, is into politics and science these days. She’s snagged an internship at the University of San Diego’s Institute for Peace and Justice. Avalon keeps busy as an actor, ballet dancer, ice-skater, surfer, singer and published poet, who’s passionate about anti-bullying advocacy. Clearly, the inspiring family motto is: Carve your own path. Listen to other people’s stories. And keep shaking folks up. A “Light Falling Down” plays at The Brooks Theatre, 217 North Coast Highway in Oceanside through Nov. 3. Tickets ($14-$21) are available at oceansidetheatre.org.
WHAT’S
GOIN’ ON?
Holiday Hits by eileen sondak • nsondak@gmail.com
N
ovember is the month of Thanksgiving, and this year, we have Hanukkah to be thankful for, along with a cornucopia of entertainment options to please young and old. A touring production of “Evita” is headed to the Civic Theatre, the La Jolla Playhouse is preparing to unveil a re-imagined version of the Broadway musical “Sideshow,” and the Old Globe, Cygnet, and Welk are ready to deliver their holiday shows. And even though the San Diego Symphony is far from home early in the month, Symphony Hall has a few surprises for local audiences. In addition, dance buffs can look forward to the return of Malashock Dance and City Ballet. North Coast Repertory Theatre’s revival of Arthur
Miller’s award-winning drama, “Broken Glass” continues at the troupe’s Solana Beach home, through Nov. 10. The master dramatist wove a gripping tale of guilt, personal tragedy, and love in this vintage mystery (set in Brooklyn, circa 1938). Rosina Reynolds directed NCR’s popular artistic director David Ellenstein in this powerful piece, so don’t miss it. The Globe’s production of “The Last Goodbye” is saying its last goodbyes to audiences on the Main Stage. This musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is set to close Nov. 3. But take the youngsters to see their favorite Grinch starting on Nov. 16. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (with delightful music by Mel Marvin) will steal your heart again through Dec. 28. As
steve blanchard as the Grinch and Jason edward cook as young max in the 2012 production of "how the Grinch stole christmas!" the 16th annual production of the holiday musical runs nov. 16-Dec. 28 at the old Globe.
76 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
Photo byhenry Dirocco
The San Diego Repertory Theatre will feature “Venus in Fur” Nov. 9-Dec. 8. The play is sexy, exotic, and provocative and has been described as “90 minutes of good, kinky fun.”
Photo by rAymonD eLstAD
usual, there will be a tree lighting ceremony after the Sunday matinée performance on Nov. 17. The La Jolla Playhouse will end its run of “The Tallest Tree in the Forest,” written and performed by Daniel Beaty, on Nov. 3. Then get ready for a complete change of style and mood when “Side Show” (directed by Academy Award-winner Bill Condon) comes to town on Nov. 5. Based on a true story of conjoined twins, “Side Show” is a poignant story about the girls’ transformation from circus novelties to famous stage stars. This new take on the musical will remain at the Mandell Weiss Theatre through Dec. 15, and it promises to be quite a show. Broadway-San Diego added “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience” to its roster. The parody (featuring Garrison Keillor of “A Prairie Home Companion”) will take over the Civic Theatre Nov. 6-10, bringing Keillor’s quirky brand of comedy and music to the blythe barton and courtney meadows perform in malashock Dance's latest work, "malashock/ Potter story. The organization has another treat raw4" at the Lyceum theater nov. 14-16. in store for audiences at the Civic Theatre Nov. 12-17, when the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Moxie will kick off its season on Nov. 1 masterpiece “Evita” returns to San Diego. “Evita” Among the pieces on that program are Mozart’s paints a sardonic portrait of Eva Peron, a girl Flute Concerto No. 2 and Mendelssohn’s with “Skinless.” Artistic director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg will stage this show through Dec. 8 from the slums of Argentina, who rises to be the Symphony No. 3 (Scottish). Jon Kimura Parker returns Nov. 22-24, in Rolando. First Lady of the nation, and then succumbs to a with Maestro Jahja Ling on the podium for Poway Center for the Performing Arts will premature death. The San Diego Repertory Theatre will a concert that includes Elgar’s Serenade for feature Berkley Hart and Back to the Garden in feature “Venus in Fur” Nov. 9-Dec. 8. The play Strings, Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. “The Last Waltz” on Nov. 16, with the music of (directed by Sam Woodhouse) is sexy, exotic, 1, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15. You Bob Dylan and other favorites. The San Diego Opera is sponsoring free panel and provocative and has been described as “90 can hear Jon Kimura Parker play Poulenc minutes of good, kinky fun.” Mature audiences and Shostakovich on Nov. 19, as part of the discussions around the county this Fall. You can Symphony’s Chamber Music Series. That enjoy a discussion about Donizetti’s comic opera can enjoy this one at the Lyceum Space. The Lamb’s Players’ production of “Wit,” a performance will turn the spotlight on some of “The Elixir of Love” on Nov. 11 at the Pfizer Campus. Foodies can also take cooking classes at witty but heart-wrenching drama, will continue the members of the Symphony. Malashock Dance will bring its successful Great News, beginning on Nov. 15, with cuisine to tug at local heartstrings through Nov. 17. The Lamb’s own Deborah Gilmour Smyth makes the “Malashock/Raw4” series back for the fourth inspired by “The Elixir of Love.” This is the challenging role a thrilling and emotional tour year Nov. 14-16. The concert, featuring all second year of the Opera’s “Taste of the Opera” de force. “Wit’s” strong cast also includes Jim new cutting-edge choreography, will be held at series. San Diego Junior Theatre has a treat for the Chovik. The Lamb’s annual holiday production, the Lyceum Space. The provocative program is “The Festival of Christmas” will begin its aimed at mature audiences, so leave the 16 and little ones this month. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is charming young audiences at the month-long run in Coronado on Nov. 29. If younger crowd at home this time. City Ballet is back with a new season at the Casa del Prado, where it will remain happily you missed “The 39 Steps” during its successful st ensconced through Nov. 17. run in Coronado, you can get in step with the Spreckels Theatre. City will launch its 21 The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will unveil Hitchcock thriller (turned delightful comedy) season Nov. 8-10, with “Ballet on the Edge,” a three-piece concert that includes two works by “Mysteries of the Unseen World,” an exhibition at the downtown Horton Grand Hotel through Elizabeth Wistrich and a company premiere, that shows how cutting-edge technology has Dec. 1. Symphony Hall has an eclectic line-up this titled “Inter-Nocturne.” An on-stage reception given us an amazing look at the microscopic world, on Nov. 1. The Center is featuring “On month, starting on Nov. 1 with the arrival of follows the Saturday evening performance. th La Jolla Music Society continues its 45 season the Fly: Technology Takes off ” (an exploration of “Dia de Los Muertos,” a concert honoring on Nov. 3 with pianist Vadym Kholodenko aerodynamics). This show will continue through Mexico’s singers and composers. This colorful celebration will feature one of the most famous performing at TSRI Auditorium, followed on the end of the year. The Air and Space Museum is highlighting a Mariachi musicians in the world. “Mariza: The Nov. 8 by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s “Romantic Epicenter” at Sherwood “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” exhibition for the first Sounds of Fado and Flamenco” are coming this Auditorium. The Boston Pops rounds out the time in 80 years. This fascinating, one-of-a-kind th way on Nov. 9, followed on the 10 by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, with Sir James Galway. month with Keith Lockhart on the podium at show will remain in place until the end of this Symphony Hall Nov. 20. year. A Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 77
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A CHANUKAH ADVENTURE IN NORTH COUNTY
CHABAD CENTER OF UNIVERSITY CITY invited you to join us at the Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the UTC Shopping Center WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
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• Live Entertainment: Chanukah Music, Juggling, Magic, & Firestick! • Potato Mash March: Show your Jewish pride as we march through the mall! • Arts-n-crafts Chanukah Projects: The kids will have a blast! • Face-painting and Balloon Artistry! • Refreshments: Jelly Doughnuts, Latkes & so much more! • Prizes Galore! • Giant Menorah Lighting! • EVERYONE Invited! • No Charge! Sun., December 1 • 4-7pm Plaza
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Baruch ata Adonai, Elohenu melech ha-olam asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav, ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Hanukah.
IN HONOR OF Sandy’s Grandsons, Jackson Evan Bold, Andrew Michael Roseman, Jason Gabriel Roseman, & Elliot Harrison Roseman; Granddaughter, Sydney Ilyse Bold; Daughter & Son-in-Law, Rochelle & Bill Bold; Son & Daughter-in-Law, Loren & Dana Roseman.
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Local Boy Goes to Broadway San Diegan Noah Baird, 7, will be starring as Randy in the Broadway production of “A Christmas Story,” running this winter at Madison Square Garden in New York City. After three sets of auditions and call-backs that took place this summer, Baird will make his Broadway debut as the boy who can’t put his arms down. To accompany him on the journey, his family will be staying in New York until the new year. Tickets and information are at achristmasstorythemusical.com.
Photo CourtEsy JtA
A web-based fundraising platform from the founders of jdeal launched recently. Called jgives, it connects web-savvy Jewish consumers with philanthropies around the world. Building on the success of previous jdeal charity campaigns, this new fundraising tool combines the daily deal model with crowdfunding models made popular by Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Donations, set at $18, can be made to myriad nonprofits with the click of a button. To browse nonprofits or to make a donation, visit jgives.com.
Esther Brooks
From Teacher to Fashionista
JTA – A handful of years ago, former bilingual secretary and Baptist Sunday school teacher Esther Goldberger started to read about Judaism and “fell in love” with the faith. She studied the religion in Brazil and attended seminary in Jerusalem, and then decided to convert. After marrying, moving to Canada and studying fashion design, Goldberger has become the latest in a small cadre of designers who have sought to remake haute couture for Orthodox women, whose modesty requirements make much of mainstream fashion inaccessible. DellaSuza, Goldberger’s Montreal-based fashion line for religious women, features bright colors and vivid patterns while remaining within the confines of the Orthodox rules. “All my life, it’s always been the same,” she said. “When I started studying Judaism in Brazil, I heard, ‘no, that’s not for you.’ The same thing when I met my husband online, and when I decided to start a fashion line. But I never listen.” She is looking into possibilities of expanding the line for Muslim and Christian women as well. To shop, visit dellasuza.com.
Community Celebrates National Philanthropy Day In celebration of San Diego’s 41st annual National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego will come together Nov. 7, with hundreds of community members to honor fundraising professionals from around the county. At the event, 17-year-old Carlsbad resident Keri Jucha will receive an award for Outstanding Youth and Student Volunteer for her help in raising more than $35,000 for San Diego charitable causes. Jucha has been involved in fundraising projects since recovering from brain surgery when she was 10 years old. A memorial tribute will also be given for the late Murray Galinson, z’’l, who was very active in San Diego’s Jewish community. Learn more about National Philanthropy day at NPD2013.org.
82 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
n news
Ways to Work Program at JFS Wins Award
JCF Accepting Young Entrepeneurs Scholarship Apps
Jewish Family Service’s Ways to Work program was recently recognized as Most Outstanding New Program and given $11,000 in total grants at the Walmart Performance Awards Dinner. Through a network of loan offices across the country, the WtW program provides low-interest car loans and education to creditchallenged working families. JFS was recognized for achieving a portfolio quality of less than 22 percent for delinquency. Learn more about the program by visiting jfssd.org/waystowork.
Applications are now available for the Jeffrey D. Sollender Business and Philanthropic Youth Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program at the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego. Started by Elyse K. Sollender in memory of her late husband, Jeff, these scholarships are awarded to college-bound students who have created and maintained their own commercial or social enterprises throughout their high school career. The deadline to submit applications is Feb. 15, 2014. For more information on qualifications, visit jcfsandiego.org/scholarships.
SDSU and StandWithUs Partner for Scholarships
In September, San Diego State University became the first college to set up two funds in the name of StandWithUs. The scholarship funds, one for Jewish studies and the other for Israel study abroad, were established after an incident in an Arabic language class where the professor handed out a map incorrectly labeling Israel as Palestine. “We are especially appreciative and impressed by the university’s rapid response to concerns we expressed on behalf of students,” StandWithUs said in an electronic newsletter issued after the announcement. You can support either the “StandWithUs San Diego State Jewish Studies Scholarship” or the “StandWithUs San Diego State Israel Study Abroad Scholarship” by visiting campaign.sdsu.edu/giving/ and indicating the program you wish to support.
Jewish Genetic Disease Screening Starting in November, the Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, in partnership with pharmaceutical company Pfizer, launched “Screen for Nineteen,” a program to educate the Jewish public about genetic disease screenings. Working with a network of 3,000 rabbis around the country, Pfizer will educate communities about the diseases that target the Jewish community, particularly those that are found in Ashkenazi Jews. Through the nationwide initiative, the group will be providing the network of rabbis with information kits to help clergy members facilitate discussions about disease screenings. For more information on this program, visit pfizer.com. Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 83
N news
Ritz-Carlton to Open in Herzliya, Israel
EL AL, Israel’s national airline, invested more than $320 million to renew its fleet with the purchase of six narrow body aircraft, expected to be complete by early 2016. The Boeing 737-900ER aircraft will enable EL AL to increase frequencies to existing destinations. The planes have 16 Business Class seats and 156 slim, lightweight seats in the Economy Class with electrical outlets, USB connections and oversized baggage bins for carry-on luggage.
photo courtesy pJ Library
On Dec. 17, the Ritz-Cartlon Hotel Company will open a new location in Herzliya, Israel, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This 12-story property features 115 rooms with both junior and presidential suite options. There will also be 82 residential apartments consisting of suites, duplexes and penthouses. Amenities include a spa and fitness center, world-class restaurants and a rooftop bar and pool area. For details, visit ritzcarlton.com/herzliya.
EL AL Renews Fleet
L-r: Michael cohen, Larry Katz, Vivien Dean, rosalie eisen, alma hadash Geiger and Judy Nemzer.
PJ Library Subscription Program Extended Rosalie Eisen, PJ Library Community Development Director, recently attended an LFJCC board meeting to present a token check for $445,557 from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s matching funds for PJ Library subscriptions. The funds will allow the program to continue for another seven years. The program currently boasts more than 8,000 subscriptions, providing Jewish- and Hebrew-themed books to the homes of families with Jewish children ages six months to 5½ years old since its inception five years ago. For more information, or to sign up, visit pjlibrary.org.
Jewish Education Gets a Technology Boost Since it began in 2011, the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), a Los Angeles-based group providing technology and laboratories for science, technology, engineering and math curricula in Jewish schools, has expanded its programming to 18 California Jewish K-12 schools this fall. “Our hope is that with our established track record of success, CIJE’s additional investment will be matched by local funders and philanthropists,” Jason Cury, president of CIJE, said. The San Diego Jewish Academy is the only San Diego school to implement the program. The two-year curriculum is designed to expose students to a range of science and technical knowledge and encourage abstract thinking. The CIJE also provides teacher training, mentoring and science laboratory equipment and materials. Learn more at thecije.org. 84 www.SDJewishJournal.com l November 2013
CHA’s Community Parenting Lecture Series November 13th at 7:00 pm Raising a Child With Soul with Author Slovie Jungreis-Wolff Chabad Hebrew Academy Campus Learn about teaching children gratitude - in a world of plenty, teaching children compassion - in a selfish society, teaching joy - while so many walk around unhappy and giving our kids self esteem - not arrogance. Tickets are available at no cost until November 6th and $10 per person afterward. Tickets are limited and available at Eventbrite For information please contact Cindee Sutton at 858-566-1996 x 1203
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TAKE NOTE NOVEMBER 1-30 by natalie jacobs
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ith Hanukkah and Thanksgiving stacking up at the end of the month, there is no dearth of things to do for the next four weeks. Make time for these events, in between trips to the grocery store and evenings at the mall. You’ll be happy you did. First off, get your kids in the holiday mood at the JCC’s 30th annual Hanukkah Happening on Sunday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sponsored by Nierman Preschool and the JCC’s Youth and Camp Departments, this community-wide holiday extravaganza features great buys in a silent auction and prize drawings made throughout the day. Aside from gift ideas, the Happening offers tons of activities for kids of all ages, including inflatable jumping structures, games, crafts, prizes and food. For more information, go to lfjcc.org. Also just in time for the holiday season, the San Dieguito Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will host “Fashion Through the Ages,” an elegant high tea and vintage clothing show to benefit the BNC National Campaign, “Sustaining the Mind: Scientific Research and Scholarships.” Boutique vendors will be selling their beautiful handcrafted jewelry, clothing and accessories at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa on Nov. 20, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Presented by Ashley Gardner, executive director and coordinator of the Women’s Museum of California, tickets are $50-$60, with reservations required. Call Susie Kaplan at (858) 309-8348 to sign up. Then, take a break from Hanukkah, Thanksgiving and all the preparations required to make those a smash and spend a relaxing evening at the JCC. As part of the Jewish Film Festival, the documentary “Marvin Hamlisch: One Singular Sensation” will be showing at 7 p.m., Nov. 21 in the Garfield Theatre. The film explores Hamlisch’s career as the go-to composer for film and Broadway producers, a feat that was solidified by the time he was 31 (as he had won four Grammys, an Emmy, three Oscars, a Tony and a Pulitzer prize by that time). With exclusive access to Hamlisch’s rich personal archive and interviews with his A-list collaborators and friends, this documentary is a deeply personal portrait of an iconic artistic genius. Finally, finish out the month in full Hanukkah mode with the Hanukkah JAM (Jewish Art and Music) Festival on Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. back at the JCC’s Garfield Theatre. The festival will celebrate the traditions of Hanukkah through art and music, with local Jewish choirs, instrumental ensembles, cantors and selected soloists performing a diverse program. Attendees are encouraged to make their own menorahs and bring them to the festival for an artist-judged competition. Awards will be given for the best menorah in each division. Tickets are $20 with discounts available for seniors, children and groups of 10 or more. Purchase through the JCC box office at (858) 362-1348 or contact Ruth Weber at reely3@cox.net for more information.
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NOTEWORTHY Mark your calendar.
HANuKKAH HAPPENING Sunday, Nov. 17 11 a.m. Lawrence Family JCC Campus
fAsHION THROuGH THE AGEs Wednesday, Nov. 20 12:30 p.m. Sheraton Carlsbad Resort
mARvIN HAmlIscH: ONE sINGulAR sENsATION Thursday, Nov. 21 7 p.m. Garfield Theatre at the JCC HANuKKAH jAm Sunday, Nov. 24 3 p.m. Garfield Theatre at the JCC
SAN DIEGO JEWISH
sENIOR EvENTs NOVEMBER 1-30
Lawrence Family JCC 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla Contact Melanie Rubin for details or to R.S.V.P. (858) 362-1141. • The Hype on Skype Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1:30 p.m. Get great suggestions for things you can do with your grandchildren. $8 members; $10 nonmembers. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 6. •Jews in Comedy Thursday, Nov. 14, 1:30 p.m. Hear Rabbi Gary Katz talk about Jews in comedy from Fanny Bryce to Billy Crystal. $8 members; $10 nonmembers. R.S.V.P. by Oct. 14. Oceanside Senior Center 455 Country Club Lane, Oceanside Call Josephine at (760) 295-2564 •North County Jewish Seniors Club Third Thursday of each month, 12:30 p.m. Join us to hear speakers and/or entertainment at our monthly meetings. Light refreshments served. Visitors welcome. JFS University City Older Adult Center 9001 Towne Centre Drive, La Jolla Call Aviva Saad for details or to R.S.V.P. (858) 550-5998. • Chair Exercise and Dance with Aviva Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. Lunch available at noon with reservations. • Memory Screening Tuesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. Take advantage of free, confidential memory screenings as part of National Memory Screening Day. • Thanksgiving Celebration Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. Learn about the history of
Thanksgiving, exercise, eat a festive meal and enjoy the music of pianist Zina Aminova. On the Go excursions A program of Jewish Family Service, On the Go provides transportation to events throughout the county for homebound seniors. For information on any of these excursions, please call (858) 6377320. • Autry National Center, Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic Los Angeles Thursday, Nov. 20, bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $75 due by Nov. 13. • Hanukkah JAM at the JCC Sunday, Nov. 24, bus leaves at 1 p.m. Cost is $33 due by Nov. 20. “Side Show,” at La Jolla Playhouse Sunday, Dec. 15, bus leaves at 1 p.m. Cost is $72 due by Nov. 27. JFS No. County Inland Center 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway Call (858) 674-1123 for details or to R.S.V.P. • Good Mood Foods with Registered Dietician Janice Baker Monday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m. Lunch available at noon for $7. R.S.V.P. by 9 a.m. Nov. 4. • Travel Photography Through the Ages with Kevin Linde of the San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts Monday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m. Lunch available at noon for $7. R.S.V.P. by 9 a.m. Nov. 25. • Celebrate Thanksgiving with Paul Bunyan and Other Tall Tales with Mark Carlson Wednesday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. R.S.V.P. for lunch by Thursday, Nov. 21 by 2 p.m.
JOSLYN SENIOR CENTER:
210 PARK AVE./BROADWAY, ESCONDIDO
Call (760) 436-4005 Jewish War Veterans meetings Second Sunday of each month, 11 a.m. Preceded by a bagel/lox breakfast at 10:45 a.m. San Diego North County Post 385.
JFS Coastal Club at Temple Solel 3575 Manchester Ave., Cardiff by the Sea Call Melinda Wynar at (858) 6741123 for details. R.S.V.P. for lunch by Mondays at 12:30 p.m. • Wandering Jews: Jewish Immigration through Film with Professor Lawry Baron Tuesday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. Lunch available at noon for $7. R.S.V.P. by 10 a.m. Nov. 5. • Classical Selections with Pianist Anna Savvas Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. Lunch is available at noon for $7. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. • Memory Matters with Dr. Diane Darby Beech Tuesday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m. Celebrate Thanksgiving at noon with a full Thanksgiving meal complete with pumpkin pie and the music of guitarist/vocalist Robert Hardaway. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 21.
JFS College Avenue Center 4855 College Ave., San Diego Call (858) 637-3270 for details or to R.S.V.P. • Celebrate Veteran’s Day with Patriotic Songs Monday, Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m. Joan Kurland will provide entertainment. • Safari Express Monday, Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. Critters from the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park’s traveling program stop by for a visit. We won’t know which animals will be visiting until that morning, so come for the surprise. • Fall Art Show Thursday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m. Exhibition of unique art and crafts by Center artists. The show will feature works from the painting class and the knitting group. Music and dessert begins at 12:30 p.m. A
Want More Calendar? The full version of San Diego’s most complete Jewish events calendar is now online at sdjewishjournal.com.
Send submissions to calendar@sdjewishjournal.com. Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 87
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ELEASE
SAN DIEGO JEWISH COMMUNITY OBITUARIES Arrangements by Am Israel Mortuary
ALL SERVICES ALREADY HELD Efraim Okonsky – San Diego 3/15/1928-7/3/2013 Survivors: wife, Bruria Okonsky; and son, Daniel Okonsky Helen Press – San Diego 7/29/1924-7/8/2013 Survivors: husband, Bernard Press; sons, Mike, Alan and Barry Goldbarg; brothers, David Green and Jack Greenblatt; sisters, Leah Berenstein and Frieda Enshin; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren Benjamin Fleischer – Mexico City 8/9/1947-7/7/2013 Survivors: son, Shanny Fleischer; and sister, Hanna Fleischer
Chesed Home is now OPEN!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chesed Home is a six bed facility
Maureen Wallace – La Jolla 12/30/1940-7/9/2013 Survivors: husband, Michael Wallce; sons, Glenn, Kevin and Michael Abel and Paul BÓ H brother, and David Wallace; Leslie Rosenfeld; and five September 2013 grandchildren
Press Release
Boris Loyfer – San Diego
11/20/1919-7/11/2013 in Escondido, California that BÓ H Survivors: daughter, Dina serves adults with severe mental September 2013 Ocher; two grandchildren; and illness. It was founded by local two great-grandchildren parents who sought to create a nurturing residential environment based on Jewish traditions and values for Naum Berezovskiy – San Diego their adult children. Our staff - Nick, Malvina, Jennifer, Ali, Shelle, & Jacob
CHESED HOME is now OPEN! Press Release Ò HOME OF LOVING KINDNESSÓ
3/13/1929-7/12/2013 Survivors: wife, Anna Berezovskiy; daughter, Hanna Kogan; and son, Zacary Berezovskiy
Chesed Home offers individualized services that are delivered with the highest level of dignity and respect and emphasize skill building in preparation for living Our staff - Nick,Chesed Malvina, Jennifer, Ali, Shelle, more independently. Home staff& Jacob is carefully LOVING KINDNESSÓ Geraldine Koffman – San chosen based on their proven abilities to interact with and Diego provide structure to those in their care, and is led by a 8/10/1923-7/14/2013 program director with extensive experience in assessment Saves A!"#$#%&'()#&(*#+#%&,(& LifeÉ Survivors: sons, Mark and $,& -#$.%#+,$&/010$,&2 and treatment planning. Chesed home is a project of Bruce Steinbeck; and 11 e WorldÓ Village San Diego,at a non-profit organization grandchildren One resident, Hope when asked about his experience Chesed Home, had this to say: "Mom, it's healthy established in 2006. and it has heart. People there ask, 'How are you? Nelli Bogomolny – San Diego Would you like some coffee?' It is respectful, )#&(*#+#%&,(& LIVING WITH DIGNITY courteous and homeyÉ thanks to all" 10/26/1939-7/14/2013 $,& /010$,&2 Chesed Home is a six bed facility in Escondido, California thatBogomolny; Survivors: son, Eric
ED HOME now OPEN! Ò He Whois Saves A LifeÉ Saves The WorldÓ
We greatly appreciate the donation by: d about his experience at to say: "Mom, it's healthy there ask, 'How are you? coffee?' It is respectful, meyÉ thanks to all"
serves adults with severe mental illness. It was by local andfounded two grandchildren parents who sought to create a nurturing residential environment based on Jewish traditions and values for their adult children. Miriam Deckerwith – Carlsbad FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TOindividualized services that Chesed* Home offers are delivered 6/15/1927-7/15/2013 the highest level of dignity and respect and emphasize skill building WWW.CHSEDHOME.ORG Chesed Home is a six bed facility in Escondido, California in preparation for living morethat independently. Chesed Home staff is ate the donation by: servesdirector, adultsShelle, with severe illness. chosen It was founded bytheir localproven abilities to interact with and based on Our program can now mentalcarefully parents who sought to create a provide nurturingstructure residential to environment those in their care, and is led by a program transport our residents for outings, based Jewish traditions anddirector values for their adult children. 92 classes, www.SDJewishJournal.com 2013 libraryon visits, gym and muchl November with extensive experience in assessment and treatment more thanks to the Home generous donation by Chesed* offers individualized services that are delivered planning. Chesed home is a with project of Hope Village San Diego, a Seacrest Village level of its minibus. the highest of dignity and respect and emphasize skill building in 2006. *Hebrew for Ò loving kindnessÓ non-profit organization established in preparation for living more independently. Chesed Home staff is carefully chosen based on their• proven abilities to interact A beautiful, spacious facility with and or, Shelle, can now
LIVING WITH DIGNITY
Survivors: daughters, Barbara Weinberg and Margie Salzberg; and son, Alan Decker Isabelle Cook – Austin, TX 11/04/1918-7/17/2013 Survivors: daughter, Barbara Cook; son, Robert Cook; sister, Lillian Askinas; and two grandchildren Gideon Goren – San Diego 7/12/1933-7/18/2013 Survivors: wife, Shelley Goren; daughter, Nili Mathews; sons, Liam and Gil Goren; and four grandchildren Franklin Greene – Escondido 7/17/1920-7/19/2013 Survivors: sons, Glenn and Larry Greene Gustava Lieber – San Diego 7/15/1922-7/20/2013 Survivors: daughter, Yvonne Greenberg; and son, Jerry Lieber Paula Markus – La Jolla 7/11/1923-7/24/2013 Survivors: daughter, Batia Markus; son, Josef Marom; four grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild Jason Kassel – San Diego 4/8/1975-7/31/2013 Survivors: parents, Charles and Deborah Kassel David Neuschuler – La Mesa 5/23/2013-6/28/2013 Survivors: wife, Miriam Abrams; daughter, Marilyn Kirschen; son, Ira Abrams; and three grandchildren Leon Janis – Reseda, CA 5/19/1926-8/5/2013 Survivors: daughters, Madeline and Cheryl Janis; sons, Richard Janis; and four grandchildren Bernice Kahan – Encinitas 4/25/1928-8/5/2013 Survivors: daughter, Lisa Marmor; sons, David and Yehoshua Kahan; 10 grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren
desert life
Palm SPRIngS by Pamela Price
pamprice57@gmail.com
Israel Welcomes Raul Ruiz
U.S. Representative travels with American Israel Education Foundation Congressman raul ruiz represents California's 36th district.
W
hen U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz arrived in Jerusalem in August with a delegation of 37 House Democrats, a greater understanding of Israel resulted. The delegation was sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC, America’s pro-Israel lobby. Thanks to a grant from AIPAC, the Foundation funds educational seminars to Israel for members of Congress and “other political influentials.” This enabled Ruiz, the desert’s recently elected Congressman from the 36th District (representing the Coachella Valley) to get a broader view of issues confronting Israel today. Ruiz is no stranger to Israel when it comes to emergency care, his medical specialty. His relationship with Israeli physicians and rescue workers began in 2010 in Haiti, after the island’s devastating earthquake. Ruiz was the
medical director for the Jenkins/Penn Haitian Relief Organization, supervising seven physicians and 23 relief workers alongside Israeli colleagues. He later said that the trip to Haiti was a life changing event for him. The timing for Ruiz’s August tour to Israel was right, as it was when the Israeli and Palestinian Governments were restarting peace talks. According to his spokesperson, Whitney Mitchel, this visit was also an opportunity to talk to key Israeli business leaders about trade and investment opportunities in his 36th Congressional District. Ruiz’s candid impressions of Israel reflect his concern as a physician and a politician. “We asked why the Israelis don’t move on faced with unending attacks,” Ruiz said. “This is because of the of the nation’s ability to be resilient. My overall take-home of the trip is that Israel is a vibrant land with a secure people. Despite being surrounded by extremists who want to do harm, they persevere.” After the trip he said that veiwing the West Bank from inside the country was his moment of truth. “Despite the challenges, the Israelis thrive,” he said. While based in Jerusalem, the delegation’s focus on environmental issues looked at desalinization, the efficient use of water and renewable energy. Ruiz says it's easy to see the similarities between Tel Aviv and Palm Springs. Both share a flair for Modernism, with the former having been influenced by the Bauhaus architectural style. And while Palm Springs has attained global coverage for their Modernism Week events, taking place annually in February, Tel Aviv also honors Modernism with similar tours, lectures and publications. “Israel is secure with their love of their families and faith and that their future is theirs in the making,” Ruiz said upon his return. “As a ‘start up’ nation with a strong infrastructure rooted in education, the interconnectedness between the United States and Israel is evident. I think it fundamentally starts with the fact that both countries were born from an idea of creating a safe haven for people who want to build a better world based on peace and dignity where all can prosper. I went to Israel with an open mind and heart, taking my journal and making notes. I returned a better person with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Israel. I want to return as there are many projects deserving our attention. We can build those bridges and collaborate. We can learn from each other to find solutions.” A Heshvan•Kislev 5774 l www.SDJewishJournal.com 93
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