An Affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Vol. 38, No. 6
Iyar-Sivan-Tammuz 5776
June-July 2016
THROUGH FEDERATION YOU CAN DO GOOD EVERYWHERE. FROM ANYWHERE. Show Your Community Support Today! Think you can only be in one place at a time? Think again. Through Federation, at any hour of the day you can be virtually anywhere on the globe. Making a vital difference in Jewish lives at home, in Israel and in over 70 countries around the world. Wherever there is a Jewish community, Federation is at work. And so are you. Rebuilding. Supporting. Strengthening. Changing Jewish life for the better in countless ways. Our focus continues to be on enriching Jewish life, caring for the vulnerable, and building a Jewish community. And while every dollar and every donor always counts...your gift will be felt more than ever in the next few weeks as we approach our campaign goal. If you have not already made your gift to the 2016 Annual Campaign, we are asking you to do so today. Make your investment in the future of our Charlotte
Jewish community. We cannot get there without YOU. Pledge today at www.jewishcharlotte.org. Y
CAMPAIGN 2016: AT A GLANCE Goal: $3,700,000
1428 Donors
87.8%
Complete
$
Raised $3,255,154 as of 5-16-16
OUR COMMUNITY IS COUNTING ON YOU! Jason Spiegler, Julie Sheffer and Justin Steinschriber
Charlotte’s Business Community Supports the Levine JCC Capital Campaign
the fitness complex; including a new sport court in the Pavilion, a new floor in the David Silverman Fitness center and JForce room, and a renovated second floor dance studio. The generous donations from LJCC members, Shalom Park supporters, and community mem-
5007 Providence Road, Suite #112 Charlotte, NC 28226 Change Service Requested
Lessons from Honi and the Carob Tree are alive and well in the current LJCC capital campaign: JBuild. Just as this beautiful Talmudic tale teaches us to consider future generations…so does our commitment to provide and “plant” for future generations. The campaign is building a foundation for our community’s future and the results have been remarkable so far: $750,000 investment in Camp Mindy, more than $150,000 in improvements to
bers are having a staggering impact. Thanks to everyone that has participated in the campaign since its launch in 2014, our dreams of an updated facility for current and future JCC families are being realized. The campaign has also received significant support from our Charlotte business community and the LJCC is thrilled to announce the support of Bank of America at the Grand Benefactor level ($100,000 – $249,000) and the Wells Fargo Foundation at the Grand Patron level ($40,000 $59,000). As both of these gifts were received prior to the conclusion of 2015, they will be doubled through the generous match provided by the Levine Sklut families. Bank of America and the Wells Fargo Foundation, pillars in
our business community, share our deep commitment to the role that the Levine JCC serves in our community, they believe in our mission, and their philanthropic leadership is a sign of their commitment to see our impact on Charlotte strengthened. Rachel and Jenny, workout buddies: “If not for Roni Fishkin, Cam- the J…we would not have become life-long paign Chair and Past Pres- friends.” ident of the LJCC, was elated when Bank of America and design our aquatics complex. the Wells Fargo Foundation com- These exciting facility enhancemitted to the campaign, and she ments will begin this summer. noted, “My children grew up at These changes will enhance the LJCC … and many of their everyone’s experience and give friends today are still the ones new generations the opportunity they made in Hoopsters, micro to meet, to gather and to form lastsoccer, or just hanging out at the ing relationships. While we know pool. I want that same opportunity the physical changes are needed for the next generation. I feel on our 30-year-old campus – the strongly about this campaign be- campaign is much less about what cause just as past generations we are building than why we are created a place to shape my J building it. The current J members benefit story, … I want to ensure there are future stories to be told. every day from the visionary leadThese stories will be possible ership of a group of families due to the generosity of our decades ago. They dreamed of LJCC members, Shalom Park something special happening in supporters, and the support of Shalom Park and it is our obligaour Charlotte institutions like tion to continue that dream. We Bank of America and the Wells must make sure that young families continue to see the LJCC as Fargo Foundation.” Although close, the Cam- their home away from home, that paign goal has yet to be more than 350 special Olympians reached, and there is still time continue to be served through our for the entire community to Camp SOAR program, that more participate. The impact of your than 6,500 public school students Rachel,“If not for the J…my dad and I pledges will be evident as we continue to be educated about the update the locker rooms, ex- Holocaust through our Butterfly wouldn’t play basketball together.” pand our fitness areas, and re(Continued on page 2)
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 2
JEWISH FEDERATION NEWS
JCRC Speaker Series “Exodus” – The True Story of the American Volunteers Who Saved Holocaust Survivors. When “Illegal Immigration” Was Necessary In the weeks, months, and years following the end of World War II and the liberation of the concentration camps across Europe, nearly 250,000 people were relegated to Displaced Persons Camps. These survivors of the horrors of the Nazi regime had nowhere to go as their homes across Europe had been either destroyed or appropriated by their former neighbors. Waiting for a path to legal immigration to the chosen destinations, either the United States or British Mandate Palestine, was
difficult as the U.S. and Great Britain still had restrictive quotas. But to leave these people stateless and homeless was unacceptable. Through this frustration, Aliyah Bet was born. This clandestine operation was initiated by the Haganah that had already been established during World War II in Palestine. Through their secretive operations, they recruited more than 200 Americans, both Jews and non-Jews, to operate around 100 used ships that had been purchased after the war with donated
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The Charlotte Jewish News 5007 Providence Road, Suite 112 Charlotte, NC 28226 Phone (voice mail after office hours)
Office 704-944-6765 FAX 704-365-4507 email: charlottejewishnews@shalomcharlotte.org An Affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Amy Krakovitz - Editor Advertising Sales Reps: Jodi Valenstein, 704-609-0950 or Scott Moskowitz, 704-906-2474 Art Director, Erin Bronkar ebronkar@carolina.rr.com CJN Editorial Board Chair - Bob Davis Members: Bob Abel, Sara Abadi, David Delfiner, Ann Langman, Linda Levy, Elaine Millen The CJN does not assume responsibility for the quality or kasruth of any product or service advertised. Publishing of a paid political advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political party or position by this newspaper, the Federation or any employees.
Published monthly except July An affliate of:
Some of the Americans detained Cyprus. Greenfield is on the far right.
money. Among those brave volunteers was Murray Greenfield, a Bronx native and veteran of the Merchant Marine. On June 15 in the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts the JCRC Speaker Series will conclude as Greenfield tells his story of volunteering for “Aliyah Bet” on Hatikvah, one of the “rust buckets” purchased to smuggle Holocaust
survivors clandestinely into Mandatory Palestine. Greenfield will recount how, when caught by the British, he and his crew and the passengers were sent to Cyprus. And how ultimately, after all those many secret journeys, the most famous of which is the Exodus 27, more than 70,000 survivors were brought to the land that eventually became Israel. Now a citizen of Israel, Greenfield’s life was replete with excitement, even after the Greenfield (center) with Prime Minister successes of Aliyah Bet. He David Ben Gurion (right). aided in rounding up volunteers for the Yom Kippur War. He For more information, please was personal friends with David Ben Gurion. He chroni- contact Tal Stein, Director of Community Relations and Israel on cled his story of the Aliyah Bet Affairs, at 704-944-6751 or in his book, The Jews’ Secret War, a book endorsed by Leon tal.stein@jewishcharlotte.org. Uris, the novelist known for Exodus, the fictional account of the ship in the “secret fleet.” Please join us at 7 PM in The Lerner Center on June 15 for the fascinating story of Murray Greenfield’s life. The lecture will be followed by the book signing and reception with light refreshments in the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center. Y
“If Not for the J...” Campaign a Success (Continued from page 1)
Project, that Jewish children continue to bond over swim lessons, basketball games, or theater performances. Their dream is just as powerful today … to ensure there is a place where everyone can make and enjoy quality relationships with others, building friendships and memories of a lifetime. Every one of us has our own “If not for the J…” personal story. Would you have met the other moms strolling their babies through the halls? Would you have met your personal trainer and made healthier
lifestyle changes? Would your children have dressed up for the Purim carnival? Or gone to summer day camp? Would you have easily met new friends when you moved to town? This campaign not only gives us newer facilities, but it creates what happens in the new dance studio and at the new pools, when we meet one another and share these experiences. If you haven’t seen these improvements come check them out. After all, they are yours. You might also make a new friend. Y
CONTENTS Federation News ...............................pp. 1-4
Schools.....................................pp. 13, 16-18
Community News .............................pp. 5-7
Jewish Community Center .........pp. 14, 15
Youth Visions..........................................p. 8
Jewish Family Services........................p. 20
Synagogues/Cong. ..........................pp. 8-12
Mazel Tov......................................pp. 21-24
Women’s News .....................................p. 12
Dining Out ............................................p. 27
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library ..............p. 13
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 3
Community Hunger Seder Draws Attention to Senior Hunger in Charlotte Over 100 people participated in the first annual Hunger Seder on Sunday afternoon, April 17, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte (JCRC) and Jewish Family Services. The Seder, led by JCRC
Chair, Andrew Bernstein, allowed our community to gather together and call attention and discuss the prevalence of senior hunger in Charlotte. In addition to community members, we were proud to be joined by Representative Alma Adams of NC 12th Congressional
District, as well as local political officials including Charlotte Mecklenburg City Council Members Julie Eiselt and Vi Lyles; Commissioner Trevor Fuller, Chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners; and Maddilyn Genovese from the Charlotte Office of Senator Thom Tillis.
In addition we are pleased to welcome fellow non-profit organizations: American Association of
Retired People, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Charlotte Crop Hunger Walk, Community Culinary School of Charlotte, Loaves and Fishes, Mecklenburg County- Department of Social Services, Second Harvest, and Urban Ministry. Y
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Ann and Andr Andrew rew aare re yyour our KE KEYS YS tto o tthe he lo ca l local JJewish ewish C ommuniity. Community. Front row, left to right: Alyson Grossman Traw - JCRC, Tal Stein - JCRC, Julie Eiselt- Charlotte Mecklenburg City Council Member, Sue Worrel Federation; Sheryl Gerrard- JFS; back row: Andrew Bernstein- Chair of JCRC, Beth Cupp,-JFS, Vi Lyles - Charlotte Mecklenburg City Council Member, Moira Quinn Klein - JCRC, Trevor Fuller - Chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, Harry Sparks - President JFS, Stephanie Starr - JFS.
SServing ervin i g tthe he C Charlotte harlo l tte community co mmunity for for over over 30 yyears. ears. Representative Alma Adams participates as a reader in the first annual Hunger Seder.
A “Dr. Seuss” Tale of Super Sunday the Sequel Super Sunday The Sequel was an amazing day that brought out 67 volunteers from 21 local agencies to benefit the Jewish Federation’s 2016 Annual Campaign. We thank all of our beneficiary agencies for their help in providing volunteers for this important community wide effort. A successful Federation Annual Campaign enables every agency to provide for the needs of our entire Jewish community. Kudos to Charlotte Jewish Preschool and Levine JCC for providing the most volunteers this year for Super Sunday and Super Sunday The Sequel. Close behind were Moishe House in second place, and Jewish Family Services in third. Many thanks to Marcie Jacobs and Jeff Turk, Super Sunday CoChairs, whose creativity and years of experience make the day such a success. Volunteers and staff alike look forward to Marcie’s spirited Super Sunday “Raps,” which are written exclusively to motivate and train volunteers. For 2016 Super Sunday The Sequel, Marcie wrote the following:
And then we saw it A flash of white and of red Were we losing our minds? Should we go back to bed? We looked and we saw him, the same Cat from the bimah We looked and we saw him That Cat with the Kippah.
The Cat in the Kippah Returns! By Marcie Levine Jacobs
“Federation is a wonder An organization like no other They do good everywhere Helping one another!”
The phones were a’ gleaming Folks were ready to call We sat there in Lerner Taking over the Hall. We sat there with Jeff We sat there with Sue And we said to each other, “I’m really not sure just what to do.” We had people to ring Pledges to collect But we really weren’t sure Just how to connect. So all we could do was to Sit Sit Sit Sit And we didn’t like it Not one little bit!
And he said to us, “Why do you sit there and squirm? Super Sunday the Sequel is here, there is so much to learn! I know some good facts I will tell them to you Your parents will not mind at all if I do!” Then Sandra and I didn’t know what to say Super Sunday the Sequel just began This was no time to play. There were stacks of cards to be called There was so much to know Or - was this Cat in the Kippah Just a big schmo? “Have no fear,” said the Cat “I will tell you a story Of the amazing Jewish Federation In all of its glory!
“Who do we help you ask? How old must they be?” “Any Jew we can touch from 1 to 103!” “But what if they ask how far our impact reaches?” “Tell them,” said the Cat “From Charlotte all the way to Israel’s sandy beaches From the former Soviet Union and across Europe, too Federation makes sure to help every single Jew.
Ann Lang Langman gman 704-502-4328 704-502 2-4328
Andrew Rosen n 704-604-4756 704-604-475 56
aann.langman@allentate.com nn.langman@ @aallentate.com
aandrew.r ndrew..ros osen@allentate.com en@allentate.com
“I bet,” said the Cat, “You still have some questions. When folks ask how the money is spent You can offer these suggestions. We support local agencies like JFS and CJP, Moishe House, BBYO, and the Hebrew Cemetery. Our list of agencies numbers over 30 strong On this topic you could schmooze the whole day long! “Now that you’ve hooked them with the good their pledge can do It is time to move them up a dollar or two. Their goal for the day is 25 grand I know by the evening you’ll have that in hand! “Encourage new donors to start making their mark And don’t be discouraged if a few of them bark. Read your card carefully Know to whom you are speaking Listen and hear them, don’t just be a talker Make them feel important, like a big macher! Mention the match for new pledges and more A wonderful deal for you to implore. “Cell phones are great, we all know land lines are passé So don’t let those potentials get away Dial nine before calling Take a breath, smile wide The good that you’re doing will emit from inside. “Have a question that your informative placemat can’t address? Raise your hand, come on up we will help you progress! (Continued on page 4)
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center Director POSITION AVAILABLE The Director of the LSJLRC will advance the organization’s mission of facilitating access to Jewish educational, cultural, scholarly, and entertainment materials for the greater Charlotte community. This position is responsible for the leadership, direct management, and supervision of day-to-day operations of the organization, as well as strategically positioning the Library for the future. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Jewish educational resource for schools, educators, students, and community members throughout the greater Charlotte area • Library operations and programs, with a primary focus on Jewish educational content • Personnel management and supervision • Financial management and oversight • Fundraising • Community Relations within the Jewish and Secular communities Qualified candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree; a minimum of 2-4 years’ experience in Jewish education, literacy or related field; and extensive knowledge of Jewish values, culture, history, texts and traditions. Prior experience with organizational management, Library services, and/or Jewish communal service is a plus. Interested candidates should direct inquiries and resumes to info@jewishcharlotte.org
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 4
The Global Jewish Agenda with William Daroff On Thursday, April 14, the Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (JCRC),as part of our ongoing speaker series, hosted William Daroff, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Washington Office of The Jewish Federations of North America. As the chief lobbyist and principal spokesper-
son on public policy and international affairs for the 151 Jewish Federations and more than 300 independent communities represented by JFNA, Daroff ensures that the voice of Jewish Federations is a prominent force in the Nation’s Capital. He spent the evening presenting his view of what he calls the
“Global Jewish Agenda.” While these ideas included Israel, it was not exclusive to the situation in the Middle East. He began by approaching the subject of BDS: the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel. This movement is an attempt to force Israel to abandon the West Bank by
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cotting Israel less palatable. They called the removal of Israeli films a “blacklisting” of Israel, a key word in Hollywood that recalled the days of McCarthyism and HUAC. Almost instantly, Hollywood pressured Toronto to keep the Israeli films, and in fact, Daroff claims that Jane Fonda, originally a supporter of the BDS movement, changed her mind and dropped her connections to the group. Israel and Her Neighbors Daroff continued talking about how Israel’s “neighborhood” has changed. Once the state with no friends in her area, Israel now has a few former enemies befriending her. Albeit, these attempts at allying with Israel are still done “in the dark,” but influential states like Saudi Arabia, in fear of what Iran might do with its incoming billions of dollars, have approached Israel through diplomatic channels with the goal of joining forces against Iran. Daroff also spoke about antiSemitism in Europe, Russian aggression, and Israel’s care of Syrian refugees on her borders. The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s Jewish Community Relations and Israel Affairs Department brings speakers and events to Charlotte throughout the year. Watch your emails, The Charlotte Jewish News, and the Federation website, www.jewishcharlotte.org, for the next event. Many thanks to David Thrope, Amy DeLoach, and Zach Gerger for their assistance in planning the evening’s event. Y
(Continued from page 3)
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using economic and academic boycotts against its government, businesses, and universities. The ultimate stated goal of the movement is a peaceful two-state solution, however, many of its goals make it clear that their final objective would be the extinction of the Jewish state. BDS appears to be strongest on college campuses, where groups like Students for a Just Palestine often ask student councils to approve boycotts of Israel. In addition, supporters of Israel frequently are not afforded equal time to defend Israel, or are prevented from speaking at all at the “Israel Apartheid Week” events. In attempts to suppress the BDS movement, Daroff has participated in many focus groups with the proponents. They are, he says, not interested in the historical underpinnings of Israel’s existence or her rights to defend herself against terrorism. They are only interested in trying to “stop Palestinian suffering.” Because this is a legitimate concern (in addition to history and the right to a defense), Daroff says our job is to find the right way to respond to this. In an interesting anecdote, he made clear why and how language matters in this struggle. The Toronto Film Festival, one of the first and most prestigious film festivals in the world, was met with BDS supporters asking them to eliminate Israeli films from their schedule. The idea of a boycott lit up the liberal entertainment industry in Hollywood. But fortunately, Daroff and his office in Los Angeles found a way to make boy-
Super Sunday the Sequel
If you answered “Yes,” WE CAN HELP!
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David Thrope, Amy DeLoach, Tal Stein, William Daroff, guest speaker; Zach Gerger.
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Don’t forget,” said the Cat, “to enjoy a bagel or three It’s very important to keep up your energy. “Now,” said the Cat, “you are ready to start I’ve trained you with ease What you knew in your hearts My work here is done Seder preparation awaits. Have you ever seen how much matzah Horton can eat off a plate? And Maizie that bird isn’t just happy with brisket Only homemade gefilte will satisfy that pet!” Sandra and I sat there with a grin Super Sunday the Sequel now had such a wonderful spin We had calling to do
Important words to say Money to raise There was no time to play Marcie and Jeff turned towards us to ask Are you paying close attention To our spiel at last? And Sandra and I didn’t know what to say Should we tell them who was really in Lerner that day? Should we tell them about it? Now what should we do? Well, what will you do, when J Fed asks you? Y
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 5
Community News J Street and J Street U Attend National Assembly in Washington, DC By David DeGroot In mid-April, J Street and its student organizing arm J Street U gathered in Washington, DC for their National Assembly - a weekend that culminated in a gala featuring speeches by Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry. J Street U students met with senior officials from around the Jewish community, including: Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism; Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the AntiDefamation League; David Bernstein, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; and many others. They also met with rising Israeli political star MK Stav Shaffir of the Zionist Union party. Below is an excerpt of the remarks written by Jeremy BenAmi, President of J Street, reflecting on the importance of the Assembly. “J Street was founded eight years ago to promote pragmatic, pro-Israel policies rooted in Jewish and democratic values and at our National Assembly we proved that we’re succeeding. Our voice is getting through - and our nation’s leaders have taken notice.” On April 15, President Obama welcomed into the Oval Office board members of J Street U to discuss the issues we work on. (See boxed photo.) The fact that the President devoted time to get to know these future leaders of our community speaks volumes. It was a moment of deep pride and significance. On April 17, 250 J Street U leaders met with senior Jewish communal officials to discuss how we can work together for a two-state solution and against the dangerously deteriorating situation between Israelis and Palestinians. On April 18, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry addressed our national gala. Both thanked and praised J Street for defending and protecting the Iran nuclear deal and working for the two-state solution. Secretary Kerry said: “You, the people here who are part of J Street, refuse to betray the hope - HaTikvah - of a free nation living at peace with its neighbors, secure in the Jewish homeland, committed to the basic dignity of all of its citizens.” The Vice President said that “J Street’s existence proves there is no contradiction between being progressive and pro-Israel.” While affirming unwavering support for Israel’s security, both stressed that only the two-state solution can guarantee its future as a secure, Jewish democracy - a future being placed at risk by con-
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Charlotte native Tali de Groot (front row, far right) was part of the delegation of J Street U and J Street leaders that met with President Obama in the Oval Office. A graduate of the Charlotte Jewish Day School and the American Hebrew Academy, she serves this year as Vice President for the Southeast on the J Street U National Board. De Groot remarked, “It was a tremendous honor to be invited to meet with the President, and to discuss some of the key concerns at the heart of J Street’s work.” In attendance at the meeting were Mort Halperin, Chairman of the Board of J Street; Dan Kalik, Chief of Staff; Sarah Turbow, Director of J Street U; and the national board of J Street U: Amna Farooqi, Ellie Boswell, Tali deGroot, Zoe Goldblum, Elie Leaderman-Bray, Hannah Nayowith, and Lizzie Stein. Also joining the meeting were three former national presidents of J Street U who are now members of J Street staff: Logan Bayroff, Benjy Cannon, and Jacob Plitman.
tinuing settlement expansion. As the Vice President said: “We have an overwhelming obligation, notwithstanding our sometimes overwhelming frustration with the Israeli government, to push them as hard as we can toward what they know in their gut is the only ultimate solution, a two-state solution, while at the same time be an absolute guarantor of their security.” We know many of our leaders have thought this for decades. But rarely would they speak such thoughts aloud. J Street has helped make it possible for them to do so. This is a new politics - and a new era for pro-Israel Americans. Taken together, the events of that weekend add up to our watershed moment. But of course, we know that we still have much work to do. Israelis continue to suffer from appalling acts of terror. Palestinians are further than ever away from achieving a state of their own. The situation is sliding toward a one-state nightmare. At home, we must still contend with those who disparage diplomacy and believe any dissent from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies is out of bounds. The National Assembly showed that we’ve transformed the status quo in Washington. And if we keep giving political support and encouragement to our leaders, we know that one day we can help transform the status quo for Israelis and Palestinians too. The Passover holiday, which we celebrated a week after the Assembly, is all about freedom and
justice - as well as the hope and belief that we can overcome overwhelming odds. Over the past eight years, J Street placed these values at the forefront of our work to help Israel create a safer, better future.” For more information about J Street, visit jstreet.org or send email to Hanna Moss, Associate Regional Director for the South hannahm@jstreet.org. Y
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 6
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Spring Break brings to mind vacations to Florida, perhaps the mountains, or long days playing in the backyard. For the 4th and 5th grade girl scouts of Troop #1240 at the Levine JCC, their spring break included nearly 100 hours of service working towards the Girl Scout Bronze Award – the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. This service was performed at our Hebrew Cemetery – and will be an ongoing activity this summer and fall. The Bronze Award is unique in youth community service. In a typical volunteer or tikkun-olam project, an activity is performed, the youth are thanked, and then everyone goes about his or her business. The Bronze Award challenges the scouts and their beneficiary charity to come up with a project that is sustainable beyond the scout’s involvement. In 2013, Cemetery Director Sandra Goldman attended the Jewish Funeral Directors of America (JFDA) annual meeting and attended a workshop about digital archiving and the website “billiongraves.com.” It was there that our Association learned about this online resource to allow families to view and obtain a digital record of their loved one’s headstone image and location in a cemetery. Also in 2013, JCC Nurse Lorrie Klemons reached out to the Girl Scout Troop #1240 leader Deborah Leighton to see if the girls were interested in volunteering to be ushers at our Annual Memorial Service held annually at our Cemetery. (The 2016 date will be Sunday October 9.) This began a three-year association between the JCC Girl Scout troop, our community’s youngest leaders, and our Hebrew Cemetery Association, our community’s oldest Jewish institution. The Billion Graves website program enables pictures of the
Girl Scout Troop #1240
head and/or footstones to be uploaded to a site that is connected to ancestral search engines with the exact location geomapped. The scouts loved the idea of using technology to help individuals today and tomorrow connect with their ancestors. The girls, after taking pictures of the various stones, uploaded the pictures and then transcribed the information both on the headstone along with the location of the specific grave provided by the Hebrew Cemetery website. This has been a very exciting project for the girls. They fully understand the importance of their endeavors and how the results will assist future generations, both locally and worldwide. Girl Scout Troop #1240 is grateful to be in partnership with The Hebrew Cemetery and all of their staff and board members. Here are some thoughts from some of the 5th grade members of the troop: “So at first I thought cemeteries were icky and nobody should be there. But now I realize that you’re not icky and they just need some cleaning up. And I don’t think of it as an icky place, but a peaceful place.”-Leyla Ussery “The project is teaching me to persevere even when it is hard to geo-map. My favorite part is making it easier for people to find their family members.”-Stella Forbes “I really like knowing that I can help people see the graves of their relatives even if they can’t come here (to Charlotte). I like helping them with their family trees and
ancestry. It’s neat.”-Maeli Zhiss “It has been a great experience geo-mapping the cemetery and I appreciate what you have done to let us do it. What I think I have learned about this experience is that when you set your mind onto doing something that will help other people, you can do anything you wish to.”-Rebecca Leighton You can see the results of their work on billiongraves.com – search “Hebrew Cemetery, Charlotte.” Also you can view more photos of their activities on our Cemetery Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HebrewCemetery. When you pre-plan your funeral, you can save over 30% in plot and service fees. Payments are on a two-year term. Our Director, Sandra Goldman, can walk you through the process – and there’s never “hard-selling” involved. Membership is affordable at $72 annually – and funeral preplanning is available immediately upon becoming a member. Perhaps in 2016, your family is expecting a child or grandchild. Maybe you have just received an inheritance or are drafting a will. These are just some of the ways that you can participate in the Create Your Jewish Legacy program and create a lasting relationship between your family and the Hebrew Cemetery. Please consider adding the Hebrew Cemetery Association to your CJL bequests. For more information about membership or funeral preplanning, or legacy planning, please contact our director Sandra Goldman at director@hebrewcemetery.org or 704-576-1859.Y
NC B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism The Wildacres B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, will hold the 2016 annual retreat from August 15-18 in Little Switzerland, NC. Although the majority of participants come from the Southeastern states, participants come from states all over the country. The Institute is a three day set of nine lectures by outstanding scholars. Additional activities include patio discussions with the faculty, hiking and tennis in the afternoon, religious services before dinner, or just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The scholars-in-residence this year will be Rabbi Seth Frisch (noted speaker on political rights), Steve Whitfield (a professor at Brandeis University), and Rabbi Kurt Stone (a political science lec-
turer). On Tuesday and Wednesday there are four lectures a day. Subjects include: The Persistence of Jewish Liberalism; The Rise of ISIS; Israel, the Middle East, and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election; The Singularity of Jewish Humor; Operation Moses: the Covert Evacuation of Ethiopian Jews; The Not-so–Provincials: Bernard Baruch and Abe Fortas; the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement Against Israel; the Anti-Semitism
of Arab Countries; and An Afternoon with Sholem Aleichem. The retreat offers fully kosher meals, breathtaking mountain views, and twin bedded rooms with private bath. Lodging and all meals, along with all lectures and activities, are included in the registration fee. Attire is very casual. For more information, please contact either Joyce Klein at 919846-3636 or e-mail at JBFKL27@ gmail.com, or Bill Carr at e-mail bcarr@ipass.net. Y
Jewish War Veterans Monthly Meetings Contact: Richard Simmons at rrsimmon01@gmail.com or text 704-458-7619 - OR Bob Cooper at piedmontjew@comporium.net or 803-616-2227
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 7
Moishe House Events for June Moishe House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community among Jewish young adults in their twenties and early thirties. Moishe House looks to fill the void that often exists after graduating college and prior to settling down. The organization brings together groups of three to five Jewish adults who live together and plan local programs, both home-based and external, for other young Jewish adults. There are currently 76 Moishe Houses in 18 countries around the world. Moishe House Charlotte began in August 2013 and since then has hosted 130+ events ranging from service projects to social events to Jewish learning and more. We are always happy to see new and returning faces, so be sure to join us. We are pleased to share with you
our exciting events for this June: Event 1: BBQ Shabbat and Lip Sync Battle - Friday, June 3 at 7 PM at Moishe House Join MoHo for our first ever lip sync battle and BBQ Shabbat. We’ll be grilling hotdogs and burgers in the backyard, and will have a lip sync battle that’ll blow Jimmy Fallon’s out of the water. Sign up to participate as an individual or group in the competition using the following form. Prizes will be given to top finishers. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ 19qNCFO7LhqYFxLuhjtigQUFiuhut29s1VzmviLLRtKo/edit Event 2: Jewish Trivia Night Wednesday, June 8 at 7:15 PM at Moishe House Charlotte It’s time to show off your knowledge you gained in Hebrew school, and join us for Jewish Trivia Night. All questions will be
Event 3: Women’s Professional Football Game - Saturday, June 11 at 5 PM at Hopewell High School, Huntersville, NC 28078 Did you know Charlotte has its own women’s professional football team called the Carolina Queens? The league is full tackle. The first 10 Moishes that email mohocharlotte@gmail.com will have their ticket covered by
written by your MoHo crew, and fun prizes will be awarded to the highest scoring players. The game will start promptly at 7:30 PM, so make sure to arrive at MoHo around 7:15 PM to have plenty of of schmooze time. As always, fancy snacks and drinks will be provided.
MoHo. For more information, or to apply to play in the league, visit www.thecarolinaqueens.com. (Continued on page 9)
Legacy Story Frances and Ron Liss
DAVID’S LTD IDEAL DIAMOND SPECIALISTS SINCE 1977 l
THE VILLAGE AT SOUTH PARK Just Two Doors Down from Crate & Barrell (Frances and Ron Liss are among the 342 individuals and families in our community who have created 701 unique legacy gifts to support its future. Please take the time to read their story and thank them for their generosity. It is our hope that you will be inspired and encouraged to join them to help sustain our Jewish community by creating your own Jewish legacy.) By Ron Liss I grew up in Philadelphia as a child of the depression. My Dad was raised Orthodox, and although I knew we were Jewish, it didn’t play a significant part in my life. The stock market crashed the year after I was born. We didn’t have anything, but I didn’t know any better because neither did anyone else. In 1941, when I was 17, we moved to Charlotte and joined Temple Beth El. We weren’t one of the original members but were certainly in the second wave. As a result, I’ve known every rabbi who has ever been employed by the temple. It wasn’t until my engagement with Hillel at UNC Chapel Hill that I truly connected to my Jewish roots and found something I had been looking for my entire life. Frances was raised in Rock Hill, SC. Her family belonged to Temple Beth El, the conservative congregation in Rock Hill. Her father, who played a major role in her life, was also raised orthodox.
While Frances never received a formal religious education, she was confirmed by a circuit rabbi who served the congregation. There weren’t many Jewish families in town so the congregation closed soon after Frances left for college. Her parents joined Temple Israel while she later became a Temple Beth El member. Temple Beth El brought us together. We got to know each other through our mutual involvement with the synagogue and our commitment to Jewish life. I served as President of the congregation in ’71 and led the brotherhood and couples club. Frances worked in the religious school for over 50 years teaching multiple generations of Beth El families. Her commitment to educating children is truly amazing. We were married in 1998 followed by a religious ceremony the following year. We’ve attended Friday night services regularly since 1992 and have served on more committees than one can imagine. It was easy for us to create a legacy gift. We have nine children and 30 grandchildren, so Jewish tradition and education are very important. Why wouldn’t we give back to something that played such an important role in our lives? Temple Beth El has given us so much and being Jewish is who we are. Philanthropy and sharing whatever we can as a legacy gift is very important to us. Y
704-364-6543 www.davidsltd.com
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 8
Youth Visions Hebrew Highlights, June 2016 In the immortal words of Alice Cooper “School’s out for summer!” At Hebrew High, we’ve had a great ending to this great school year. Our thanks, as always, go to our faculty and staff, who give untiringly of themselves to educate and motivate the future leaders of our community. Without them, Wednesday would just be another night in Charlotte. The school celebrated a job well done on May 11 with a pizza dinner before class and an ice cream social after class. These parties were funded by our PTO. Please remember to check the
PTO line and send in your check when registering for Hebrew High. The student council thanked the teachers with a special tribute during the ice cream social. Special thanks to the members of our student council for all of their work for our closing program and throughout the year. They are an amazingly dedicated group of volunteers. We are gearing up for a phenomenal 5777 school year, with more innovative classes, more exciting opportunities, and more special Jewish experiences for our teens. Here are few of the new ini-
tiatives awaiting our students in the fall: * Moot Beit Din – Our school will form a team of aspiring lawyers, who will compete with teams from across the nation in this Jewish Moot Court competition – the finals will be held in Florida. * Better Together - An intergenerational program that will have our students meet regularly with a group of seniors, to share experiences and help both groups bridge the generation gap and build lasting friendships. * The Jewish Lens – A photography class and curriculum sponsored by Beit Hatfutsot (the
Museum of the Diaspora, in Israel). Students will mount an exhibit of their work and share it online with students from all over the Jewish world. In addition, our excellent Hebrew for Credit class continues to go strong. This year, we will give a second full year of High School credit to two students. Our class fulfills the language requirement for both CMS and Union County
schools. Seventeen 8th through 12th graders participated in the four levels of Hebrew offered this year. Have a great summer. Applications are now being taken for the 2016-2017 school year. We’ll see all of our 8th-12th graders next fall. Remember Hebrew High is the place to be on Wednesday nights.Y
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First Women’s Shabbat at Lake Norman On Friday night, April 8, a special event took place in the life of Temple Kol Tikvah. The entire Shabbat service was conducted by women congregants. Twenty four women of all ages led traditional Shabbat prayers in Hebrew, special English readings emphasizing the roles of Jewish women. Elyse Black, one of the younger members, delivered the D’var Torah, drawing from the weekly Parasha, Tazria, focusing on personal experiences and the importance of community in people’s lives. The service, which started with lighting and blessing the Shabbat candles, concluded with the singing of Adon Olam, welcoming comments by Rabbi Michael
Shields, the spiritual leader, and reciting “Woman of Valor” from the book of Psalms. A sumptuous Kiddish, prepared by the Sisterhood, was then enjoyed by all. Temple Kol Tikvah is a Reform congregation in Davidson, NC. Organized in 2008, it serves the growing Jewish community of the Lake Norman region, drawing participants from Cornelius, Huntersville, Mooresville, Concord, Denver, and others. Shabbat and holiday services are conducted regularly. In addition, the temple runs a gamut of spiritual, educational, and social events throughout the year. For more information, click templekoltikvah.org. Y
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 9
Shavuot Celebration on June 12 at Ohr HaTorah Will Feature Ten Commandments and Delicious Dairy Foods Shavuot is a biblical holiday which commemorates the giving of the Torah by God at Mount Sinai over 3300 years ago. The great event of Matan Torah at Sinai is considered the most momentous event in Jewish history as it is when the Israel became a nation. The very foundation of Judaism today is directly linked to this historic event which transformed the Jewish people forever. This year Shavuot falls on Sunday and Monday June 12 and 13. In essence it becomes a three day holiday beginning with the eve of Shavuot on Saturday June 11. There are many interesting rituals and customs that make this holiday impressive and meaningful. One custom that has been popularized over the years is the eating of dairy foods like cheesecake or cheese blintzes on Shavuot. The origin of this custom is that the Israelites first began to observe kosher dietary laws with the giving of the Torah and the most readily available foods to
them at the time were milk and cheese. As this holiday commemorates the giving of the Torah, it has become a custom to assemble as many people as possible at the synagogue for Shavuot morning services as to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments from a Torah scroll. According to the Midrash there were about two or three million people camped at Mount Sinai, who saw and heard as the Torah was given, this included small children as well. According to the Midrash the children were the stars of this divine multimedia event as they were the guarantors of the Torah. The idea is to continue to transmit the experience and teachings to the next generation. Today, we reenact this great historic event during the festival of Shavuot. We encourage all Jewish children to attend the synagogue for a great educational and fun experience. Ohr HaTorah will host a
Torahthon at Ohr HaTorah on June 11 As Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, we prepare for this historic event in a proper and exciting way. A long held Jewish tradition has been to stay awake the first night of Shavuot and study Torah to the early hours of the morning. One of the reasons for this custom according to Jewish Sages is that the people of Israel slept in on the morning of Shavuot. This was quite disappointing as they should have risen early with anticipation of receiving the greatest gift to mankind – the Torah. To remedy this blemish in an otherwise fantastic event at Sinai, we stay awake on the night of Shavuot and study Torah. Ohr Ha-
Torah will hold a Torahthon which is a Torah marathon starting on Saturday night June 11 at midnight with a variety of Torah study programs. This will include halachic dissertations on Talmudic issues as well as an inner look at the mystical side of the Torah. The Torahthon is open to anyone interested in participating and is a great way to prepare for the reading of the Ten Commandments. Refreshments will be served. Y
Moishe House Events for June (Continued from page 7)
Event 4: Mini Golf at Adventure Landing - Monday, June 20 at 7 PM. Want an above par Monday evening? A little birdie told us Adventure Landing is the place to be. We’ll be tee-ing up at 7 PM for a round of mini golf. We’ll cover the cost for the first 10 who RSVP to mohocharlotte@ gmail.com. Games are $7.50. Event 5: Party in the Park Wednesday, June 29 at 6 PM Who doesn’t love music? Jam out with Moishe House at Romare Bearden Park for Party in
the Park, a free live music series featuring local bands and artists. Party band, Summerdaze, will keep the party rocking all evening long with local favorites and top hits. It’s bound to be a rockin’ good time. To learn more about Moishe House Charlotte, visit us at www.moishehousecharlotte.org/h ouses/charlotte or check us out on facebook: www.facebook.com/ MoisheHouseCharlotte. To contact us, please e-mail mohocharlotte@gmail.com. Y
“One who desires the attention of others has not yet found himself.” -- Rav Shlomo Wolbe
Shavuot service open to the entire community on Sunday June 12, with a special program for children. The children’s program will begin at 11 AM. The service at Ohr HaTorah is open to all ages and will feature the reading of the Ten Commandments and delicious dairy foods for young and old. There is no charge for this event. For more information please visit our website: www.chabadnc.org. Or call our office at 704-366-3984.Y
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 10
Greensboro’s Rabbi Ross to Lead Torah Study Rabbi Michael Ross, director of lifelong learning at Beth David Synagogue in Greensboro, will lead Torah study on June 12, 10:30 AM at Strawberry Hill Clubhouse, 5101 Strawberry Hill Dr. The focus of Torah study is centered around themes from the Book of Ruth. In addition to study, the congregation will have a Yizkor service
and a dairy lunch in celebration of Shavout. Rabbi Ross is a Reconstructionist rabbi and a Jewish meditation instructor who has developed a number of meditation groups. He directed a private learning center, Hayom, dedicated to “presenttense Judaism” for five years. He also directed Conservative and Reconstructionist synagogue schools in Newark, DE, Allen-
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town, PA, and Malver, PA. He is a member of the founding cohort of “Rabbis Without Borders.” Rabbi Ross taught Gratz College courses to high school and middle school students in both Jewish Bible Studies Rabbi Michael Ross and Jewish Education and Rabbinic Texts for six years in We are a diverse group of famithe Gratz’ Jewish Community lies, singles, and Jewish and interHigh School program in Philadel- faith couples who participate in phia, PA. He is a published cur- projects that promote social jusriculum writer and works as an tice. We value and depend upon experienced editor to rabbis, finetuning their sermons and blog en- member participation and leadertries. He co-edited the recent ship for our religious services, children’s prayer-book, “Kol spiritual growth and governance. Havurat Tikvah is an affiliate of HaNo’ar: The Voice of Children.” He received his ordination the Jewish Reconstructionist from the Reconstructionist Rab- Communities, in Association with binical College. He obtained his the Reconstructionist Rabbinical bachelor’s degree in literature College. For more information on upfrom the University of Judaism and his master’s degree in Jewish coming services, programs, education from American Jewish membership or other queries, University, both of which are lo- call 980-225-5330, write to Havurat Tikvah, P.O. Box 12684, cated in California. Havurat Tikvah is a warm, sup- Charlotte, NC 28220, email memportive and nurturing Jewish Re- bership@havurattikvah.org or constructionist congregation with visit havurattikvah.org. Havurat Shabbat services and a full spec- Tikvah is also on Facebook at trum of holiday observances, as facebook.com/groups/havurattikwell as religious educational op- vah/.Y tions for both adults and children.
Annual Family Shavuot Celebration The Ballantyne Jewish Center invites you and your family to join us to hear the Ten Commandments read from the Torah and enjoy a delicious dairy meal in honor of the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot is the time when we commemorate God’s giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and a time to celebrate the true heroes of this holiday which are the children. Before God gave the Torah He demanded guarantors. The Jewish people made a number of suggestions all rejected by God until they declared, “Our children will be our guarantors that we will cherish and observe the Torah.” God immediately accepted them and agreed to give the Torah. Let us make sure to bring all our “guarantors” along on the first day of Shavuot to be present for the reading of the Ten Commandments. In addition, there will be a special program, fun activities and an ice cream party for them to enjoy. (Continued on next page)
Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 11
Developing a Relational Culture Rabbi Asher Knight Brings Experience in Large Congregations to Temple Beth El By Amy Krakovitz “It’s bittersweet,” says Rabbi Asher Knight about his leaving Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, where he has spent all nine years since his ordination as an associate rabbi. But by all accounts, he is ready to serve as senior rabbi at Temple Beth El in Charlotte. Temple Emanu-El is about twice the size of Temple Beth El and Knight spent much of his time there making “a large congregation feel small by developing a relational culture,” he says. “It’s about creating a ‘community of communities.’” Knight was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, where his parents were members of a Reform synagogue, but also began a layled “chavurah” called Kohelet. His weekends (“when I wasn’t skiing”) were spent at home for Shabbat dinner, at Kohelet for Shabbat morning services, and at the Reform religious school in Sundays. “We were really immersed in the Jewish world and the life of the Jewish community. It was a huge part of what made us whole.” He graduated the University of Denver in 2001 with a degree in International Relations with a focus on Mideast security and immediately entered Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and after spending his first year in Jerusalem, finished his studies at the Cincinnati campus in 2007. From there he went to Temple Emanu-El in Dallas and has been there since.
Rabbi Asher Knight
Knight’s legacy at Emanu-El has been highlighted by the ability to develop multi-generational relationships with the congregation, traveling with them to Israel, working with them on social justice initiatives, and so much more. He plans to take that experience with him here to add to the already highly skilled clergy, staff, and lay leadership of Temple Beth El. He explains that he wants to “learn the culture, the style” of Temple Beth El. His goal is “weaving myself into the tapestry of the congregation.” While one of his goals will be to increase the relational dynamic of the congregation and expanding Jewish living groups, he also says, “I’ve never shied away from making social justice a priority. I plan on working with congregants to determine the shared areas of concern. We can stand together with power to advocate for the change we want to make.”
As far as the unusual dynamic of Shalom Park, Knight says he is ready to collaborate with all the agencies. “We’re stronger together,” he claims. He also hopes to expand beyond the Park. “Lots of people are moving to Charlotte who may not have access to Shalom Park and we need to reach out to them.” One thing he is looking forward to is having his children at the Charlotte Jewish Preschool. Micah is four and Jonas is just eight months old, but the proximity of the school is attractive. Along with his children, Knight’s wife, Rabbi Ana Bonheim, will be joining him in Charlotte. While taking on the role of senior rabbi is going to be time consuming, Knight hopes he can continue to pursue his favorite activities. He loves cooking and enjoys amateur photography. And the whole family loves to travel. While there are lots of challenges ahead of him, Knight is excited to tackle them. His official tenure begins in July. Y
Shavuot Celebration at Ballantyne Jewish Center (Continued from previous page)
Sunday, June 12, 5-6:30 PM At the South Charlotte Banquet Center, 9009 Bryant Farms Rd. Open to the community free of charge. RSVP is appreciated - email info@JewishBallantyne.com or call 704-246-8881. In addition there will be a Minyan and Yizkor service the following morning.
Hebrew School Registration for the 2016-2017 School Year is now open Call: 704-246-8881 or email Leah@ JewishBallantyne.com or visit www.JewishBallantyne.com/HebrewSchool.
Monday, June 13 At the Ballantyne Jewish Center, 8632 Bryant Farms Rd. 10 AM - Service Begins 11:30 AM - Yizkor Followed by a Kiddush lunch. For more information visit us online www.JewishBallantyne.com.Y
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 12
Temple Kol Ami Annual Picnic You are invited to join Temple Kol Ami of Fort Mill, SC for our Annual Picnic on June 12 at the Nature Center in Anne Springs Close Greenway from 3-6 PM. This a family friendly event including a bounce house, balloon artist, face painting, and lots of good eats. All of this is free to the community. Not a member of Temple Kol Ami? Not a problem. Don’t be shy…come play with us and find out about our warm and Students hold their certificates from The Butterfly Project. welcoming congregation. It has been a busy year thus far for Temple Kol Ami. We received March 18-20 with Rabbi Bruce a 2016 Impact Fund Grant from Aft and it was quite a success. the Jewish Federation of Greater Everyone enjoyed Friday night Charlotte to support quarterly Shabbat service, Torah study, the Shabbatons in York County. We Taste of the Diaspora Havdalah hosted the first Shabbaton on and the Rabbi’s interaction with
our Religious School students. We look forward to another enriching Shabbaton with Rabbi Aft the weekend of August 26-28. Shabbaton activities are always free and open to the public. Check our website, www.templekolamisc. org, for more information later in the summer. Speaking of our Religious School, we just finished up another wonderful year of Jewish education. The school has grown to over 30 students (the largest in York County) and we are looking forward to quite a few B’nei Mitzvahs in the very near future. The students led two Shabbat services and did a wonderful job. We also added the Torah Tots program for pre-schoolers which was a great
manot when they decorated and stuffed bags full of snacks to donate to Safe Passages in Rock Hill during Purim. If you live in York County or South Charlotte and your child is ready for Religious School, check out Temple Kol Ami. There will be an open house in late August, stay tuned for more details. For more information about our awesome school and teachers, contact us at tka.religiousschool@gmail.com or check out our website www.templekolamisc.org. Y At the Butterfly Memorial in Shalom Park.
success for our littlest learners. Our oldest students participated in the Butterfly Project for Yom HaShoah, and everyone learned about the mitzvah of mishloach
Women’s News The 2016 Celebrate the TaTas Painting Experience Hadassah Charlotte’s Celebrate the TaTas Painting Experience will take place at Shalom Park’s Gorelick Hall, Tuesday, September 6 and Tuesday, September 13. Celebrate the TaTas is a unique breast cancer program that crosses the divide of age, economics, race and religion. It educates, celebrates, and empowers women through artistic expression to raise funds for breast cancer research. The Celebrate the TaTas Painting Experience is a sisterhood where female artists and photographers join together, to paint and photograph women and capture the uniqueness of each individual woman. We will have several hundred participants. Physicians and mobile mammography coaches will offer mammograms. Celebrate the TaTas Painting Experience will take place on Tuesday, September 6 from 12 noon-6 PM and Tuesday, September 13 from 9 AM - 4 PM at Shalom Park, Gorelick Hall. Women ages 21-121 are invited to have their TaTas painted by volunteer artists. The artists will paint original designs on human canvases and the art will be photographed by female photographers. The paintings on the bare torsos will be (Continued on page 16)
Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 13
Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center Reading Saves the Day
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Summer Reading Incentive Program Build Your Own Team of Heroes at the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library. To keep your children reading all summer long, the Levine– Sklut Judaic Library is once again hosting a Summer Reading Incentive Program. Every child — age 2 to 12 years old - who reads books (and/or are read to) will build a team of heroes and “save the day.” Gather as many super heroes on your team as you can by reading more and more books. To get started, come to the library and receive your own Super Hero game board. You will receive a super hero sticker for each book completed. After completing five books, your child may choose a prize from our treasure chest. Complete the game board by reading 12 books and earn an extra special prize. Additionally, one new book for the LevineSklut Judaic Library will be purchased in honor of every participant who completes their Super hero game board. Although the summer reading books do not
have to be Jewish, we encourage you and your family to explore the great selection of books that the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library provides. Summer reading programs advance literacy and knowledge. The benefits include: * Children who read four or more books over the summer can avoid the “summer slide” which typically occurs. * Children who read books over the summer may learn at least 1,000 new words.
* Reading promotes love of books and learning (and saves the day) Summer Story Time: Wednesdays at 1:15 PM from June 1-August 17. Open to all. No registration necessary (geared for children 2-6 years old). Come with Me to the Library: Playdate for babies and parent/caregiver, with age-appropriate songs, finger-plays, and stories every alternate week. Thursday mornings 9:30 AM. Free and open to all. No registration necessary. All summer (designed for children 9–18 months). Summer Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 AM–4 PM; Wednesday, 10 AM–9 PM; Sunday 9 AM–1 PM. Y
Your Right Hand Lady Peggie R. Rovman Errands, Shopping, Transportation Available Daily & Weekends References upon request
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School Mazel Tov to Our 2016 Graduates JPS wishes you well as you move onto the big, wide world. Liam Agajan, Meir Angyalfi, Mussi Angyalfi, Rivka Angyalfi, Porter Bamert, Luci Bloomfield, Malcolm Branson, Sholom Dovber Cohen, Sarah David, Danny Fermaglich, Evelyn Fisher, Clara Frank, Mendel Levin, Benjamin Osovski, Damien Rouchouze, Cody Schulken, Israel Stone, David Waizman, Sophia Woolman We’ve had a successful school year, with many laughs and growth and change. A big thank you to the JPS team for making each day a fun place to be, an interesting place to grow, and a wonderful place to work. Kate Badger, Elizabeth Boyce, Angel Chambers, Ellen Clark, Denora Edwards, Virginia Gentile, Cailey Kreitman, Jayme Kreitman, Galia Lapidot-Boaz, Jane Lee, Jessie Mazur, Katie O’Reilly, Jennifer Orsomarso, Lisa Rich-
AVAILABLE A VAIL A ABLE SUBSIDIE SUBSIDIES ES F FOR OR JEWISH EXPERIE EXPERIENCES ENCES Jewish Experience Jewish Experienc p e Fund: Fund: Promotes Promotes Jewish Jewish identity identity bu building ilding among our Jewish Jewish youth youth through t ough Jewish thr Jewish camping, community com mmunity building, leadership leadership de development, velopment, and in informal formal educa educational t tional opportunities. Need based d subsidies are are available available for for families families a meeting mee ting aatt leas leastt one (1) off the ffollowing ollowing crit criteria: eria:
man, Wanda VandeLinde, Beverly Wakefield, Chinita WoodyBrown, and our wonderful support team; Patty Torcellini, Nancy Delfiner, Judy Gay, Alison Lerner, Roberta Rodgers, Cheryl Rohed, Jackie Kuschner Wishing you all a happy and safe summer. Y
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For please Jewish Family Services, F or more more information, information, pl ease ccontact ontact Je wish F amily Serv vices, 7704.364.6594. 04.364.6594.
Mazal Tov to Mandy Difilippo, Assistant Director at Charlotte Jewish Day School Mandy graduated from Queens University of Charlotte and received her Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership, a K – 12 North Carolina Principal Licensure. Mandy began her career at CJDS in 2006 as a first grade teacher and taught for four years. She stepped into the Assistant Director position and assumed the role of Teacher and Student Supervision and Support. CJDS faculty and staff are very proud of her latest accomplishment, which Mandy is already using to benefit the school. Y
Household gross gross in income ncome not tto o eexceed xceed $75,000 $75,000 lastt 6 Change in household household circumstances circumstances within the las mon ths nec essitating t financial as sistance (ie: med ical months necessitating assistance medical cconcerns, oncerns, job loss, loss,, change in family family status, status, etc.) etc.) Multiple children children attending attending camps and/ and/or /or o Je Jewish wish pr p programs ograms Extenuating Ex tenuating chr chronic on nic ffamily amily cir circumstances cumstances
Gorelick Teens Gorelick Teens e to to Israel Israel Fund: Fund u : Subsidies are are available available tto o local Je Jewish wish teens teens ages 13 3 - 19 traveling traveling to to Israel Israel on a Federation F ederation appr approved oved pr program og gram Gloria & Harry y Lerner Lerner Family Fam mily y Fund: Fund: Subsidies are are available availaable to local Jewish Jewish young young adults adu ults be between tween the ages of 21 2121-30 30 traveling tr aveling to to Israel Israel on a Federation Fed deration appr approved oved pr program ogr gram a For F or more more information, information, please ccontact o tact T on Tal al a S Stein, tein, Dir Director ecctor o of Isr Israel srael A Affairs ffairs and Community Community R Relations, elations, 7704.944.6751 04.9 944.6751 | tal.s tal.stein@jewishcharlotte.org tein@ @jewishcharlot w hchar te.org
Special thanks thankks tto o Bill and Patty Patty Gor Gorelick elick and Harry Harr and Gloria LLerner ern ner ffor o or their ongoin ongoing ng support and generosity. generositty. THE STRENGTH T STRENG RENGTH H OF A PEOPLE. PEOPLE. P PLE THE TH HE POWER POWER W OF COMMUNITY. COM OMMUNITY.
Mandy and her daughter, Malina.
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 16
Judaica Classes at CJDS Have Lifelong Impact The greatest blessing and “nachas” for an educator is to hear about their students’ successes and progress. Hanna Hirschmann, a graduate of CJDS was invited to address the guests at Grandfriends’ Day at CJDS on May 6. Good morning, everyone. My name is Hanna Hirschmann. I graduated from Charlotte Jewish Day School in 2008. I am now a rising sophomore at East Carolina University as a public health major. When I look back at my time at CJDS, I think about every skill that I learned and every teacher that I had and they have all helped me to be a better prepared for the obstacles that I have faced so far and that I will continue to face as I move forward with my education and eventually my career. I have been taught everything from how to work a computer to how to solve a math problem. There is one thing, however, that really stands out when I think of CJDS. That is a class called Judaica. Judaica is a class that teaches students about Judaism and what it really means to be
Hanna Hirschmann
Jewish in today’s world. This is particularly important to me because knowing the core values of Judaism and truly understanding what it means to be Jewish has helped me to discover what I truly believe and who I really want to be. Judaism is not about the eight days of presents during Chanukah or the apples and honey on Rosh Hashana, it is about accepting, loving and reaching out to one another. These values have let me open my heart and my eyes and realize my passion of caring for children. Through this discovery, I have discovered a non-profit or-
ganization called Riley’s Army that helps children and their families who are going through pediatric cancer. This organization allows me to volunteer and create bonds with the children who are currently going through cancer or have survived it. This organization has given me a taste of what I will do as I move into the professional world. In summation, I would like to take a minute to thank Mariashi for allowing me the opportunity to speak here today and for her guidance throughout all my years as a student here, because without the values and core beliefs of Judaism that I have learned through Charlotte Jewish Day School, I never would have discovered my passion of making the world a better place. Thank you.Y
CJDS Graduates Continue Hebrew Language Studies By Donna deGroot In 1983, I moved to Israel and I fell in love. I fell in love with the country, with the Hebrew language, and with my husband, David, all in the same year. Eventually we made our home here in Charlotte and even later I was able to make my passion for Israel and Hebrew my profession. I have held teaching positions with Temple Emanuel in Gastonia as well as Temple Israel, The Charlotte Jewish Day School, and the Consolidated Hebrew High School – all in Charlotte. But last August, when I received a call from a Day School mom, Chantal Rubin, it was a first. She asked if I would create a Hebrew club for graduates of CJDS to help them remember their Hebrew. I know how busy kids get when they move on to other schools, so I must admit
that I was at first skeptical. Chantal rallied the graduates and here we are at the end of a very successful year of Hebrew club meetings. We practiced scenarios, watched movies in Hebrew, and learned about Israeli Rock ‘n Roll. Beyond all of this it was nice for me to see them maintaining their CJDS friendships. Here are some comments from the participants: “I loved how Morah Donna made us want to come to Hebrew club, and made it seem fun instead of us thinking of it like school.” Talia Levine, CJDS graduate 2015 “Hebrew club was an important part of my day. It taught me conversational Hebrew, the meaning of words, and how to have fun with Hebrew - never letting the class be boring.” -Isis Schlussel, CJDS graduate 2015 Y
Being Jewish When There Are No Jewish Holidays By Becca Weiner Here at the Charlotte Jewish Preschool we have a holiday and value driven Judaic curriculum. As various holidays are approaching, our activities and centers reflect the unique aspects of each holiday. On Rosh Hashanah, there are apple art projects on display, and on Pesach we have matzah art. For Purim our classes children make their own graggers to drown out the name of Haman, and on Tu BiShevat our students are planting parsley to watch it grow. The Jewish holidays provide us with a plethora of ideas and activities for our classroom. But, as summer approaches, we have no holidays to prepare for. So, how can we continue providing a quality Jewish education to our students? Here at the Charlotte Jewish Preschool it’s easy – it’s what we do, and it’s who we are. Our classrooms are vibrant, colorful, dynamic learning centers for the students. Each area of the room serves a different purpose: blocks, science, math, fine motor, reading, dramatic play, art, and the list goes on. And as you look at those centers closer, they contain more Judaic objects, and learning opportunities than you would expect. During planning, we often get asked the question what is Jewish about _____? This aides us in a healthy discussion about looking at everyday things through a Jewish lens. Our science centers are rich with Judaic objects. Miss Nadine, one of our 4s teachers, has been collecting etrogs after every Sukkot for the last six years. She keeps these etrogs in a basket in her science center for students to examine with magnifying glasses
to see how they look after various stages of time. You can also expect to see baggies with seeds in them. There are different types of seeds in each baggie. How can the seeds be Jewish?, you may ask. Our students learn all about seeds and the lifecycle of a plant/tree during the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat. Now when they look at those seeds they identify geshem (rain) and shemesh (sun) as the two things God sends to help those seeds grow. Math at the preschool level is exciting – we work on patterns, counting, shapes, and more. But at a Jewish preschool, we make math both exciting and Jewish. When you look at what students are patterning they are frequently Jewish objects. We have different colored Torahs, challahs, and dreidels that are always in the math center for students to create their patterns. And students learn that counting is Jewish even when we just do it in Hebrew. All of our classes, even as young as our ones, can count to ten in Hebrew. Our older classes are working on making it to twenty. Every morning students count the days on the calendar in both English and Hebrew. Jewish shapes are all over our classrooms – on the Israeli flag students can see one star and how it is made of two triangles. Math and Judaism are inextricably linked in our classrooms. Two of our centers are almost entirely student-led: blocks and art. That means that the teacher puts out materials and the students create whatever is in their imagination. This method gives our teachers insight into how students are processing information and creating meaning with the knowl-
The Hebrew Club.
Hadassah Painting Day (Continued from page 12)
edge they’ve learned in our classes. In my blocks center students typically begin building and once they have a foundation they decide what they are building. Recently in my classroom, students have used the blocks to build King Ahashverosh’s palace, a sukkah, a path from Egypt to Israel, various Hebrew letters, and pyramids in Egypt. If you look around my classroom you will see that it is decorated with those pictures and photos – the kids are observing and drawing information from what they see around them. Similarly, in the art center students are free to create whatever comes to mind. The art center is filled with materials including scraps of fabric, popsicle sticks, feathers, construction paper, and pompoms. My students have used these objects to make their own mini Torah, a Megillah, a Seder plate, baby Moses in the Nile River, and a shofar. When we give our students the opportunity to use their own creativity they often create Jewish symbols and objects because they each have a strong Jewish identity. Judaism permeates our classrooms. This summer, students will continue to play and participate in our centers to continue to construct their Jewish identities – even when there are no holidays to drive the curriculum.Y
created to disguise the breasts and the identities of the women will not be revealed in the photographs. Many of the volunteers are breast cancer survivors, family and friends, as well as members of Hadassah. Many thanks to our community sponsors Shalom Park Foundation, the Levine JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte for their sponsorship and support of this great cause. What to Expect Charlotte Radiology, and Mecklenburg Radiation will be offering mammograms for all attendees. Complimentary lunch/din-ner/ coffee will be served all day and wine in the afternoon. Massages, makeup, bra fitting, and other surprises, so come ready to enjoy. Welcome to this amazing sisterhood. Come ready to share and laugh and do it all while covered in paint and sparkles.
A very special surprise from South Charlotte Volkswagen stay tuned. Registration: To register for the Painting Experience, simply make your minimum $36 registration donation at www.hadassah.org/events/painting16. Celebrate the TaTas Big Reveal will be celebrated at the Ritz Carlton on Thursday, October 27. Sponsorships are now available contact Janice Bernstein or Roz Cooper. Please e-mail Hadassah18@gmail.com.
What’s going on? See on the community calendar! Go to jewishcharlotte.org/community-calendar
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 17
Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 18
Former N.C. Teacher of the Year Praises the Efforts of Shalom Park Freedom School Supporters of the Shalom Freedom School, whose Park Freedom School mission is to educate and (SPFS) turned out May 3 to empower children to suchear teacher James E. Ford ceed in school and life. At speak at its annual fundraisSPFS, eight Shalom Park ing event. agencies work together to Ford, 2014-15 N.C. help close the academic Teacher of the Year and proachievement gap by program director at the Public viding a six-week literacy, School Forum of North Carcharacter-building program olina, focused on the critical to 80 economically disadimportance of a high-qualvantaged children attending ity education for all children Sterling Elementary and – especially those at risk. Huntingtowne Farms Elementary, the two schools in “Education is the fuel that propels the American 2014-15 N.C. Teacher of the Year James E. Ford faith-based partnerships dream,” he said. Its power spoke May 3 at Shalom Park Freedom School's an- with Temple Beth El and and possibilities, will pay nual fundraiser about the importance of a high-qual- Temple Israel. “We need to dividends throughout one’s ity education for all children -- especially those at be a village,” Ford said. “And Freedom School is life and allow students to risk. that village.” become economically selfsufficient. But to do this, he Ford spoke of the need said, all children, regardless of so- child, whether we know it, has a for greater investment in educacioeconomic status, must have the story,” he said. These children, tion from the community and opportunity for a quality educa- “need not to be saved, but instead urged attendees to consider how tion. Social inequality is a prob- to be empowered.” different Charlotte might look in Ford praised the work of the 20 years if all would work toward lem in the foundation for raising children today. “You have to prepare the ground before you decide to plant anything in there,” Ford said. “The deck is really stacked against a lot of our students, even before they enter school.” In his profession, Ford has seen many children become discouraged because adults view them as not teachable, yet these kids are dealing with issues far beyond the four - James E. Ford walls of a classroom. “Every
“Every child has a story. . . These children need not be saved, but instead to be empowered.”
Freedom School Partners Executive Director Mary Nell McPherson and Shalom Park Freedom School Co-Chair Lisa Garfinkle.
providing equal educational opportunities. Right now, Charlotte ranks as one of the worst large cities in the United States for upward mobility. “Now, more than ever, is the time for transformative change,” Ford said. “Education is everything. It’s the antidote for structural inequalities, for racism, sexism, and partisan bickering.” We must strive for a time, he explained, where a person’s zip code and race do not determine their destiny. At the event, fundraiser cochairs Katrina Nichols and Camille Kanofsky announced that their families will match all donations made to SPFS through July 4 (up to $10,000). Nichols echoed Ford’s calls for programs like
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those at the Freedom School, which ignite children’s passion for reading and learning. Giving to the Freedom School is “a way to give children in Charlotte a chance to break out of the poverty cycle,” she said. This year’s SPFS will run June 16-July 27, and support is needed. To make a donation or to get involved, visit www.spfreedomschool.org. Y
LEVINE JCC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Building a Foundation for Our Community’s Future |
If not for the J... we wouldn’t have
FOUNDER $1,000,000+ Sandra & Leon Levine Julie & Howard Levine Lori & Eric Sklut
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experienced our first triathlon! LJCC KIDS’ TRIATHLETES
GRAND PATRON $40,000-59,999 Judy & Stan August Blumenthal Foundation Carolinas Healthcare Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation PATRON $25,000-39,999 Aleen E. & David M. Epstein -Hƫ UH\ (SVWHLQ Raizel & Brian Kahn Elise & Jaime Kosofsky Kim & Adam Levy
|
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 20
Jewish Family Services 2016 Friends Run Donations to Jewish Family Services in April 2016 Jewish Family Services received the following donations for Tribute Cards in April 2016. Thank you for allowing JFS to honor your friends and loved ones. IN MEMORY OF Florence Wasserman, sister of Ivan Cooper from Alan and Madeline Aron, Abe and Bette Bober, Allan and Marcelle Oxman Errol Cohen to Jennifer Golynsky from Jill Blumenthal, Allan and Marcelle Oxman Shirley Goodman to Brett Goodman, Philip Goodman, and Teri Moffet from Abe and Bette Bober, Paul and Lynn Edelstein, Jeri Gertzman, Alan and Ruth Goldberg, Cissy Gottlieb, Barry Bobrow and Karen Knoble, Gary and Donna Lerner, Gene and Amy Marx, Bill and Jeannette Renfrow, Bernard and Susan Sandler, Barbara Sklut, Eric, Lori, and Haley Sklut, Norman Steinberger and Gail Halverson Your son Craig to Jay Kirsch from Max and Susan Greeman Harry Laufer to Joan Laufer from Martin and Roslyn Husney Raquel Pascar Mesoznik, mother of Adrian Mesoznik from Gale Osborne, Allan and Marcelle Oxman, Jeffrey and Karen Turk Your father to Deborah Posner from Glen Frost Dolores Gurewitz, mother of Stacy Ritch from Jonathan and Jennifer Collman, Barry Bobrow and Karen Knoble Michael Schreibman to Sara Schreibman from Alan and Madeline Aron Karen Sheffer Bazer to Morey and Lynne Sheffer from Carol Gorelick, Barry Bobrow and Karen Knoble, Gary and Janie Levinson Buddy Simon from Carol
Gorelick, Max and Susan Greenman Benjamin Weinreb to Gary Weinreb from Amanda Abshire, Sharon Edwards, Max and Susan Greenman, Allen and Jessica Saxe, Eileen Sullivan MAZEL TOV ON Your Bat Mitzvah to Emily Ganme from David, Risa, and Jordyn Miller Your Bar Mitzvah Jacob Goldstein from Marc Rosenthal Your Bar Mitzvah to Jordyn Miller from Marc Rosenthal Your Bat Mitzvah to Janet Pesses from Todd and Donna Birnberg, Diane Rosenberg, Ben and Margie Liebstein Julieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engagement to George and Lois Schneider from Max and Susan Greenman Your Bat Mitzvah to Molly Simon from Max and Susan Greenman HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Elyssa Gorelick from Carol Gorelick Adrienne Gossett from Carol Gorelick Ed Newman from Carol Gorelick, Mary Wojnowitz HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO Sharon and Rick Sarner from Lynn and Myron Slutsky IN HONOR OF Marty and Elaine Schefflin from Ben and Margie Liebstein Kelly Wilson from Norman Steinberger and Gail Halverson WISHING A FULL AND SPEEDY RECOVERY TO Jordan Klemons from Alan and Madeline Aron Susan Meyer from Jonathan and Jennifer Collman, Barry Bobrow and Karen Knoble Ed Rusgo from Alan and Madeline Aron Y
Thank you to the following people who contributed their time to Jewish Family Services in April. Volunteers: Rick Abrams, Ben Aizenman, Chaim Burke, Jennifer Collman, Andrea Cronson, Sheryl Effren, Mel and Caren Frank, Robert Friedman, Gail Halverson, Bob Jacobson, Karen Knoble, Gary Lerner, Annie Lord, Matt Luftglass, Frada Mozenter, Allen Oxman, Barbara Rein, Bill Schwartz, Louis Sinkoe, Harry Sparks, Jeff and Stacy Strauch, Liz Wahls, Amalia Warshenbrot, Mary Wennen, Mike Weinberg, Jan Weiner, Dori Whitman, Lisa Wielunski, Nancy Wielunski, Allison Winshel Hadassah Cooks: Barbara Abrams, Phyllis Berlin, Ilene Cantor, Sharon Cavanaugh, Gladys Cherny, Aleen Epstein,
Gail Green, June Hirschmann, Sandy Hoagland, Fran Kaplan, Roy Kaplan, Judy Kaufmann, Steve Kaufmann, Penny Krieger, Shelley Liebman, Lois Mazer, Andy McCleary, Jered Mond, Phyllis Romaine, Joyce Stoll, Elissa Vining Food Pantry Donations: Temple Israel and Temple Beth El Congregants, CJP families, Karen Backer, Matt Luftglass and Meg Goldstein, Dan & Nancy Coblenz, Taback Family, Mary Wennen, Bill Schwartz, Eileen Carter, Roz Cooper, Kosher Mart customers Food Drives: CJDS 1st grade, CJP, The Porch group, BBYO teens Y
Ben, Stacy, and Sam Baum. Judy Kaller, left, and her daughter, Gayle Snyder, ran the 1-mile run.
Stretching and warming up at the 5K start.
Alan Baum and Sandro Nascimento
A running mom gets sideline support. Face painting was a fun activity.
The Temple Israel team.
Logan Jennes wins the 5K in 18:56.
Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 21
Mazel Tov & Congratulations Amalia Warshenbrot to Become the Next President of the AJL Charleston, SC – The Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) will hold its 51st annual conference June 19-22, in Charleston. The AJL conference is the exclusive professional development and networking event for Judaica librarians and educators from synagogues, day schools, community centers, museums, archives, and academic libraries. At the conference, Amalia Warshenbrot, former Director of the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center in Shalom Park will be installed as President of AJL. More than 150 librarians, archivists, scholars, authors, and publishers will meet at the Charleston Marriott to share their interest in Judaica librarianship and related topics. For three days, they will attend seminars, workshops, and exhibits dedicated to the educational, informational and networking needs of Judaica librarians worldwide. Local and international authors and scholars are among the presenters. Warshenbrot has been involved with the organization for over thirty years in many capacities. She served as the vice-president of the association for two years, president of the division of School, Community Center, and
Synagogues as well as the mentoring committee, Judaic cataloging, and many more. The Association is comprised of 650 individuals and institutions large and small around the world, including the US, Canada, South Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and Israel. AJL provides opportunities for education, training, mentoring, and networking within its broad network of constituents. Among AJL’s institutional members are The Library of Congress, The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The National Library of Israel, and Yad Vashem. Amalia’s main goal as president will be to rectify the mistaken perception that libraries are less relevant in the Information Age. Many resources remain offthe-grid, and many valuable online resources are not available for free. AJL gives librarians the tools to obtain access to expensive subscription databases and to nondigital collections for all to share, providing valuable resources for their communities. The Association of Jewish Libraries works to support Judaica librarians as they provide updated services and teach users new skills. About one in five Jews (22%) in the United States do not claim
Amalia Warshenbrot
any religion according to a study released by the Pew Research Center in 2013. With this shift comes a responsibility for communities to understand the
changes and the need to promote Jewish resources as a vital link to both the past and the future. Trained librarians have the tools to assist Jewish leaders in their educational efforts. With the global rise in anti-Semitism and the BDS movement against Israel, Jewish teens and adults need guidance in finding the right tools and information to counter the negative spin one finds so easily via a “Google” search. The association with Amalia’s leadership will combat the issue both in the general arena and within the Association of American Libraries (ALA). In Charlotte, Warshenbrot oversaw the merging of the Speizman Library with the Carolina Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) and its Historical Society archive, as well as the Charlotte Jewish Day
School collection to create the Levine Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center (JLRC). Her involvement with planning the JLRC and her years as director saw the Charlotte Jewish community media resources blossom into the beautiful facility that is now in Shalom Park. In her tenure, the library received accreditation on the highest level. Now retired, she says while she is out of the library, the library cannot be out of her mind. Y
“We are generally more convinced by the reasons we discover on our own than by those given to us by others.”
- Marcel Proust
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 22
UNC Hillel’s Annual Awards for Service
These UNC Hillel student leaders received awards for their service, dedication, and passion for the Jewish community. Each year, we honor students with one of three awards, Exemplary Leadership Award, Distinguished Service Award, and Outstanding Serve Award. Exemplary Leadership Award: Presented to those students who have shown extraordinary leadership skills and commitment to the Jewish Community at UNC Chapel Hill. Distinguished Service Award: Presented to those students who have created a thriving Jewish community on campus over a period of time. Outstanding Service Award: Presented to those students who have contributed to and volunteered for North Carolina Hillel over a period of time. From left to right: Max Malter (Distinguished Service), Meredith Blumberg (Exemplary Leadership), Alex Burte (Distinguished Service), Sara Planer (Outstanding), Michelle Brint (Exemplary Leadership), Natalie Yosipovitch (Outstanding Service), Brian Gaynor (Outstanding Service).
ZABS’ Place Selected to Join Jewish Community’s Leading Accelerator of Innovative Social Ventures ZABS Place - a North Carolina-based organization - is one of nine selected by UpStart Accelerator - the Jewish community’s leading engine behind the success of innovative, early-stage organizations. Selected from the Accelerator’s largest applicant pool ever (66 from across the world), ZABS Place will join a cohort of eight other organizations that are opening up new access points to Jewish life. Since 2006, the UpStart Accelerator has served as a launch pad for over thirty Jewish organizations, providing them with the training, network, and funding needed to transform vision and passion into game-changing Jewish social ventures. Current organizations and national alumni include BimBam (formerly Godcast), Moishe House, Jewish Kids Groups, Jewish Plays Project, and Urban Adamah. “The Jewish community is increasingly diverse and hungry for unique and personal ways to connect to Jewish life,” says Aaron Katler, CEO of UpStart. This Accelerator cohort is tapping into exactly this desire, by creating new points of connection to Jewish wisdom, community, and identity. We look forward to partnering with these bold innovators to take their work to the next level.”
Below is the full list of this year’s cohorts, who will join the thirty-five organizations and alum already in the UpStart Accelerator network: * 30 Years After (Los Angeles) - Promotes the participation of Iranian-American Jews in political, civic, and Jewish life. * At The Well (Bay Area) Supports young professional Jewish women to live spiritually connected to their bodies and to feel empowered to be fully themselves. * JCC Maccabi Sports Camp (Bay Area) - Hosts an overnight Jewish sports camp that combines sports and camp activities with core Jewish values.
* Libenu Foundation (Chicago) - Provides adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to live independent, meaningful lives as respected members of the Jewish community. * Makom (Chicago) - Helps millennials fill the emotional, spiritual, and social space that they wish to find from their Judaism but haven’t been able to find just yet. * Mishpucha (New York) - Offers culturally authentic, immersive experiences for Russianspeaking American Jews that foster community building, identity exploration, and Jewish educa(Continued on page 27)
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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 23
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 24
Kavod: Bringing Dignity to Survivors Through Photography By Amy Krakovitz Kavod … the Hebrew for dignity, for honor. It’s imbedded in the Ten Commandments with the mitzvah to honor our fathers and mothers. But how much dignity can someone have if he or she is living in poverty? Statistics show that 25% of US Holocaust survivors, and upwards of 30% worldwide, are living below the poverty line. When you include those who are just one major event from the edge of poverty, the numbers are staggering. John Pregulman, a native of Chattanooga, created Kavod, a non-profit to raise funds for survivors in Memphis, with the hopes of expanding the assistance across the US. “I started Kavod with the mission to raise money and provide emergency assistance for those who need it, so they can live their remaining years with dignity.” The project was born when a friend of his who was executive director of the Illinois Holocaust Museum asked Pregulman to take some pictures of some of the Holocaust survivors in the area. He says he just “fell in love” with the people and conceived the idea of photographing as many survivors as possible across the nation. Pregulman charges nothing for the photos and gives the subjects copies of their portraits. He simply uses the photos on his website
for Kavod, with the caveat that not all the people pictured are necessarily recipients of the assistance (recipients’ identities are 100% confidential). On April 24 and 25, Pregulman visited Charlotte and took photographs of some of the local Holocaust survivors. Susan CernyakSpata, Suly Chenkin, Henry Hirschmann, and Daisy ShapiroRieke were among the subjects who were exquisitely captured in Pregulman’s camera. For more information on Kavod, visit http://kavodensuringdignity.com/. Here are a few of the photos taken while Pregulman was in town. Y
Pregulman’s photos, clockwise, from left: Susan Cernyak-Spatz; Daisy Shapiro-Rieke; Henry Hirschmann; Suly Chenkin.
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 25
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 26
Charlotte Commemorates Yom Hazikaron and CelebratesYom Ha’atzmaut The Charlotte Jewish community came together on Thursday evening, May 12 to honor fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at our annual Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) commemoration ceremony. In addition to Hebrew High students who delivered special readings to memorialize those who sacrificed their lives for the state of Israel, students from the Charlotte Jewish Day School Choir performed a meaningful and touching song. In addition, we were honored to welcome Israeli actress & performer, Amit Farkash. Amit’s brother, Captain Tom Farkash, died in a helicopter crash during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. At the time of his death she performed the song “Millions of Stars” in his memory.
The song went on to achieve great fame on radio and became the song most closely identified with the war. Thank you to Rabbi Judy Schindler, Rabbi Tracy Klirs, Cantor Mary Thomas, Cantor Elias Roochsvarg, Rabbi Yisroel Levin as well as Susan Gundersheim and Patty Torcellini, who all helped to lead a poignant and meaningful service. Later that evening, the community joined together to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. The audience enjoyed delicious falafel and the festive music of HALEHAKA, former Israel Defense Forces Military Band. Peo-
ple of all ages were clapping their hands and stomping their feet to both classical and new songs from Israel. Y
Shalom Park Community Garden Grows By Jonathan Thull Big things are happening at Shalom Park and we are on a path to being leaders in the Judaic Environmental movement. Our main garden by the library has come a long way in just a year and we have already made several harvests which went directly to JFS. These donations allow their clients access to fresh produce, a resource that is most often out of reach for this population. Larger harvests, expected soon, will go to both JFS and Friendship Trays, the Charlotte area Meals On Wheels organization. The initial donations of produce were mainly harvested from our Tower Garden donated by Dan Coblenz. This hydroponic growing system will act as a mobile curriculum tool. Classes from across the campus will learn how to care for this system while growing produce to be harvested and donated. Another exciting addition to our garden is the solar powered fountain donated by Temple Beth El Religious School, in honor of Rabbi Judy. The addition of the fountain helps us on our way to meeting criteria to make Shalom Park a wildlife reserve.
We helped the Jewish Day School break ground in their butterfly garden. This garden houses what we hope will be the first of many birds houses and pollinating gardens across the park to truly
CJP harvests hydoponic garden
support wildlife on campus. Around this birdhouse is our rock garden which includes colorfully painted rocks to attract pollinators as well as rocks with garden Hebrew words on them. This is a project that has been going on for the past year and has engaged students and people from across the park: Shalom Green, Camp Mindy, Charlotte Jewish Day School, Jewish Community Center, Charlotte Jewish Preschool, Temple Beth El, Temple Israel,
NFTY, BBYO, Hebrew High, Oasis, Levine Sklut Judaic Library, Jewish Family Services, Charlotte Jewish News, Jewish Federation, Foundation of Shalom Park. There are many common threads that weave our communities together but these garden projects are based on the very foundations of Judaism and is meant to be a bridge between all Jewish Communities: - Fight Hunger (Tzedakahgiving) by partnering with Friendship Gardens/Friendship Trays and Jewish Family Services to feed the hungry. - Fight Obesity (Sh’Mirat Haguf - protecting one’s body) by teaching children and adults about healthy eating. - Promote Sustainability (Bal Tashchit - “Not ruining the earth”) by teaching about eating locally and seasonally and gardening organically - Strengthen Community (uniting through social justice) by bringing all segments of the Shalom Park Community together in the garden. Mitzvah Day was a big success. We accomplished a lot, including tidying up our beautiful community garden, breaking ground on
Lower garden build out day
the first campus pollinator garden and becoming part of the NC Butterfly Highway. This is important because our primary pollinators are becoming endangered and we have an opportunity to help save these living creatures. But this is only the beginning. Would you be interested in helping to create additional pollinator gardens? While we’ve begun work on one, it is
just the first of six that we’d like to see on campus, representing the six points on the Star of David. We want to care for our earth, strengthen our community and grow together. We invite you to join us in these efforts. For more information, please contact: Bobbie Mabe, Garden Coordinator at Bobbiemabe1717@ gmail.com. Y
The solar-powered fountain was donated by Temple Beth El Religious School in honor of Rabbi Judy Schindler.
The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2016 - Page 27
ZABS Place Selected by UpStart Accelerator (Continued from page 22)
tion. * Pushing the Envelope Farm (Chicago) - Provides opportunities for hands-on, farm-based exploration of Jewish agricultural traditions, ecological design, and social justice. * Yachad: The Jewish Educational Platform for Teens in Minneapolis - Engages, inspires, and educates teens to become future leaders who possess confidence, enthusiasm, and curiosity about Jewish life. * ZABS Place (Charlotte) - Provides training and work experiences to young adults with special needs to help reveal their unique potential, talents, and skills. “The UpStart Accelerator was a formative experience during the early stages of BimBam,” says Sarah Lefton, Founder and Director of BimBam
(formerly Godcast), an alum of the Accelerator. “We’re proud to welcome such an exciting cohort of organizations into the UpStart network, and we can’t wait to witness their growth over the coming years.” More information can be found at http://upstartlab.org/cohort-9/. About UpStart: UpStart partners with innovators to redesign the experience and expression of Jewish life. Over the last nine years, UpStart has accelerated the success of 35 early-stage organizations, unleashed the innovative capacity of dozens of established Jewish organizations, and trained hundreds of leaders in its unique blend of entrepreneurial tools and Jewish wisdom. www.upstartlab.org. Y
“Whether our work is art or science or the daily work of society, it is only the form in which we explore our experience which is different.” - Jacob Bronowski
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