David Moss designs Grace After Meals in comic book form p. 22 October 2017 Tishri/Cheshvan 5778 Vol. 22, No. 2
Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • Online at daytonjewishobserver.org
Israelis are worried about pluralism
Ohio BMV’s ‘GOY’ ride
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During a Women of the Wall service at the Western Wall, Jerusalem
Tending to the soul Jay Lawrence Goldman
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5790 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426 • PAGE 2
Consul general: ‘not very much’ leverage with Putin on Iran in Syria At a briefing hosted by Dayton’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Dani Dayan, Israel’s consul general in New York, said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “not very much” leverage with Russian President Vladimir Putin when it comes to reigning in Iran’s military activities in Syria. “But Prime Minister Netanyahu managed to form good personal relations with President Putin,” Dayan said at the Aug. 28 breakfast briefing at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education in Centerville. “We have good tactical relations with Russia,” Dayan said. “We know we don’t have leverages, but enough common sense in convincing the Russian Federation that it’s in their best interest not to be aligned with a theocratic tyrannic regime like Iran.” Dayan described Israel’s level of coordination with Russia as “certain.” “What happens in Syria right now is that you have — in a very small patch of airspace — Russian MiGs flying, attacking one side, and sometimes we fly on the other side. We do not intervene in the war, but if there’s strategic smuggling of arms from Syria to Lebanon, we attack.” Since Israeli F-16s and Russian MiGs fly in a small patch of airspace with conflicting goals, Dayan said a clash between them would be catastrophic for Israel. “I remember the day when Russia intervened in the Syrian War physically, with aircrafts. And Prime Minister Netanyahu took the decision that day to fly immediately to Moscow,” Dayan said. “I remember vividly the Israeli press said, ‘The guy is hysterical, Netanyahu.’ Why? He rushed to judgment. Today, everyone admits it was one of the best decisions he ever made.” Dayan said Israel deals with Russia almost daily on several other complicated issues. “Israel has more than one million Russian-speaking citizens,” he said. “And they have families in Russia and the former Soviet Union. We have, for instance, issues of pensions, retirement money that they left in Russia and things like that.” Israel’s most urgent challenge, Dayan emphasized, is the threat from Iran: both its pursuit of nuclear weapons and its efforts to keep a presence in Syria. “It is the attempt of Iran to create a Shiite extremist territorial strip that goes from Tehran, through Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, up to the Mediterranean, to
create an extremist, fanatical, anti-Israel, anti-American stronghold that has geographical continuity,” he said. Formerly the chairman of the Yesha Council — which represents Israel’s settlement movement — Argentinean native Dayan was appointed consul general in New York last year, after Brazil refused to accept him as its Israeli ambassador because of his leadership in Yesha. With the closure of Israel’s Philadelphia consulate in 2016, Ohio now falls under the New York consulate’s jurisdiction. Dayan was in Dayton to address a Peter Wine
Israel’s consul general based in New York, Dani Dayan, in Dayton, Aug. 28
Christians United for Israel rally and fund-raiser at the Schuster Center on Aug. 27. Regarding the Netanyahu Cabinet’s June 25 vote to suspend expansion of a non-Orthodox prayer area at the Western Wall, and to give Israel’s Chief Rabbinate exclusive oversight of Jewish conversions in Israel, Dayan said he is “less than proud” of Israel’s record on the issue of religious pluralism. “In Israel, we have a tremendous, lengthy political system that sometimes prevents us from taking the right decisions,” he said, comparing the process to the American issue of gun control. “You need a presence in Israel,” Dayan said of liberal Jews. “These are political decisions. And since Reform and Conservative don’t have a strong electorate in Israel, the American Jewish community has to be more involved in the lobbying and explaining.” On Aug. 31, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the government to either reinstate the Western Wall agreement with non-Orthodox groups or explain why the state shouldn’t be required to honor the deal. — Marshall Weiss
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
DAYTON
No one does fall better.
Ohio BMV’s ‘GOY’ ride Photos and Story By Marshall Weiss The Observer A bizarre byproduct of the surge in hate activity and hatebaiting in the United States is debate about the nature and usage of the word goy. When Steve Bannon got the boot from the White House on Aug. 18, the Huffington Post led off with the peculiar headline, Goy, Bye! A few hours later, when HuffPost changed the headline in the face of pressure, ADL National Director Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted the original was in “poor taste at best, very offensive at worst.” The weekend before, white supremacists rallying in Charlottesville were seen carrying signs that read, “Goyim know!” What’s more bizarre is that the Buckeye State has enshrined the term across the roads of our commonwealth. Nearly two years ago, I saw it for the first time. Sitting at a traffic light in a suburb south of Dayton, my jaw dropped when I read the letters on an in-state license plate: GOY. “Must be some non-Jew’s attempt at humor,” I thought. It had to be a vanity plate. A few days later, another GOY plate. And another. And another. Now, not a day goes without seeing at least two or three GOY plates around the Dayton area. My new hobby became GOY spotting. I tried to resist. But if I
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GOY spotting: a sampling of GOY license plates in the Dayton area
saw a GOY in traffic in front of me and we came to a red light, I’d take what appeared to be a selfie; it was actually a shot of the plate. I had to document this phenomenon. This got me in deep doo-doo with my teenage daughter. “What are you doing?” she asked. “I’m GOY spotting.” “What?!” We don’t use the word goy at home. My wife and I never really talked about why, but it didn’t seem like something we wanted to pass on to our kids. Well, maybe we use it once in a while, when we think the kids aren’t around.
We have had goyishness thrust upon us.
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I have no doubt our daughter picked up the word while voraciously watching reruns of The Nanny. Goy is the Hebrew word for nation. It pops up regularly in the Jewish Bible. Colloquially, and in Yiddish, it means someone who isn’t Jewish. It’s not always used with a negative connotation, but it can be. Growing up, we would sing the words of Isaiah in Hebrew school, “Lo yisa goy el goy cherev, nation shall not lift up sword against nation.” At home we might hear: mayonnaise on corned beef? Oy, is that goyish!” Whether or not we Jews — let alone non-Jews — should use the word goy is no longer Continued on next page
From the editor’s desk
Among the features you’ll find in this month’s Observer is an interview with psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz, author of The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius. The JCC’s Cultural Marshall Arts & Book Fair will bring Saltz Weiss to Dayton in October. Her work reminds me of a recent story I read in Hadassah magazine. In 2013, the Israel Defense Forces launched a program called Roim Rachok, Seeing Beyond, which has brought more than 90 young adults on the autism spectrum to serve in IDF aerial reconnaissance. They pore over aerial and satellite images looking for minute changes. Roim Rachok is a partnership with Ono Academic College near Tel Aviv. The recruits train for three months with the college, and then for three months at a base. These soldiers learn key work and life skills; their commanders have said working with soldiers on the autism spectrum has made them better commanders — and better human beings.
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DAYTON
Where the GOYS are
Learn Hebrew at Temple Beth Or! A class just for adults! Open to members and non-members Open to people of all faiths Begins October 15, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Eight Sunday sessions for Fall Taught by Rabbi Ari Ballaban Learn the Hebrew alphabet Learn basics of reading Hebrew Cost: $100 Register at www.templebethor.com or by calling 937-435-3400. Deadline: October 1
Continued from previous page the issue in Ohio. We have had goyishness thrust upon us. It was time to find out what was going on. I called Columbus. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Public Information Officer Lindsey Bohrer explained to me how the system works. “All stock plate combinations are randomly computer generated,” she wrote in an email. The current plate combination comprises three letters and four numbers. A staff committee reviews the available three-letter combinations, “in an attempt to identify inappropriate combinations.” Bohrer said the plate committee reviewed the three-letter GOY combination in 2012. “The GOY stock plates were randomly distributed to counties across the state and issued to customers between the months of July and September 2015,” she said. She added that Ohio issued 8,987 GOY stock plates. Somewhere, at an Ohio BMV counter, I imagine a Chasid being handed one. Or a gleeful Jewish guy who’d rather be seen as a gentile. But I don’t have to wonder what ‘They grabbed like for a Jew to mine from a pile it’s be handed a GOY of other goyishe license plate. Dr. Dorf, an license plates. It Samuel assistant professor was like looking of musicology at the University of Dayat stacks of ton, told me he’s the white bread and reluctant owner of one. mayonnaise!’ When the Ohio BMV handed it to him, Sam, originally from Boston, thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Did he ask for a different license plate? “They grabbed mine from a pile of other goyishe license plates,” he explained. “It was like looking at stacks of white bread and mayonnaise!” I haven’t heard Jews here talking about the GOY plates that much. I wonder why. In the Dayton region of almost a million people, maybe we have 4,000 Jews. Maybe. Our numbers are so small, why bring it up if no one else notices? What will the goyim think? Driving through the very whitest-bread city south of Dayton, seeing GOY after GOY plate, I looked to the heavens. “Why the reminder that we are so few? Is this a sign? What does this mean?” The next thing I saw was an athletic van from this city’s high school in front of me. There were only two letters on the van, followed by the four numbers. The letters read: OY.
Temple Beth Or 5275 Marshall Road Dayton, Ohio 45429 www.templebethor.com 937-435-3400
Today...and for Generations PAGE 4
Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Contributors Michele Alperin Rachel Haug Gilbert Marc Katz Candace R. Kwiatek Rabbi Tina Sobo Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Proofreaders Rachel Haug Gilbert, Pamela Schwartz Billing Jeri Kay Eldeen, JEldeen@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton David Pierce President Judy Abromowitz Immediate Past Pres. Bruce Feldman President Elect Todd Bettman Officer Dr. Heath Gilbert Officer Beverly Louis Officer Mary Rita Weissman Officer Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 22, No. 2. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by guest columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dayton Jewish Observer, The Dayton Jewish Observer Policy Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or the underwriters of any columns. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut. The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests. Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication. • To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community. • To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines. • To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation agencies, its annual campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs. • To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.
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An answer from above? An OY license plate. THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
DAYTON
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www.familybridges.com With the start of the school year, fourth- and fifth-graders at Hillel Academy Jewish day school began their assignments as reporters for Hillel Happenings, the school’s weekly e-newsletter. Front (L to R): Logan MacDonald, Kahlil Knick, Lily Ray. Back: YiYi Li Kudera, Eden Lubow, Ranon Ginsberg, Avi Gilbert, Chaya Simon, and teacher Becky Nienaber, editor of Hillel Happenings. This is the second year Hillel students have produced content for the e-newsletter. More than 80 women representing several faith communities across the Miami Valley came together at Temple Beth Or on Sept. 6 for a luncheon program hosted by the Women’s Interfaith Discussion. Now in its second year, the group includes Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women who bring other women together at various local religious venues. Its goals are to learn about each other, foster good relations, and strengthen community ties. The topic for the session at Temple Beth Or was The Messiah in Judaism. Here (L to R), Temple Beth Or Senior Rabbi Judy Chessin shows the congregation’s 300-year-old ‘Holocaust’ Torah scroll to Amy Jennison, Bushra Chaudhry, and Pam McCall. The scroll was rescued in 1942 from the town of Klatovy in the former Czechoslovakia. The next Women’s Interfaith Discussion program will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at Salem Heights, Sisters of the Precious Blood in Trotwood. For more information, email ladiesinterfaith@gmail.com.
Beth Abraham seeks nominees for Women of Valor Through Nov. 3, Beth Abraham Synagogue Sisterhood is accepting nominations for its annual Women of Valor Luncheon, to be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. The luncheon honors Jewish women across the Miami Valley who have made significant contributions to the Jewish and/or general community. To receive a Women of Valor nomination form, call the Beth Abraham Synagogue office at 293-9520.
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1st place Religion News Association award for Observer editor Dayton Jewish Observer Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss received Religion News Association’s 2017 Cassels Award for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Small Newspapers, on Sept. 9 in Nashville at RNA’s annual conference. Weiss received the award for his three-part series, Black/Jewish relations from the Dayton riots through desegregation, which appeared in the September, October, and November 2016 issues. RNA is the journalism association for religion writers in news media. The award marks the fifth first-place honor for Observer articles written in 2016, along with two from the American Jewish Press Association and two from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists. The Observer is published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
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By Andrew Tobin, JTA JERUSALEM — For non-Orthodox Diaspora Jews worried by the Israeli government’s unfriendly policies toward them this year, a new poll has some good news. The 2017 annual survey by Hiddush offers indications that the Israeli Jewish public is as supportive as ever of religious pluralism, if not more so. Few are happy with how the state handles religion, and a record number would like to disentangle Judaism and politics. “When you look across the years, there is a consistent high level, and on many issues a growing level, of support of freedom of religion and equality,” said Hiddush CEO Uri Regev. “As a result, the gap between the public and the political leaders is growing.” The Rafi Smith Institute in July conducted the survey for Hiddush, a group that promotes religious pluralism in Israel, based on a representative sample of 800 Jewish-Israeli adults. The margin of error is 3.5 percent. Hiddush has commissioned a version of the survey since 2009. Many of this year's findings are in line with those of previous years. Notably, 65 percent of Israeli Jews support giving Reform and Conservative Judaism equal official standing to Orthodox Judaism. Among secular Jews, who account for some 40 percent of Israeli Jewry, the number was 92 percent. Such a radical move would
39th Annual Ryterband Symposium — On Jewish Feminism Thursday, November 2, 2017, in E163 Student Union, Wright State University
Keynote Speaker, Professor Rachel Adler Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles 4:00 pm “Public Outcry: Women’s Laments and Social Activism, A Historical Perspective” 7:30pm “From Feminism to Gender: The Evolution of a Jewish Feminist” These lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact Prof. Mark Verman, 937-775-2461 PAGE 6
Hadas Parush/Flash90
Haredi Jews try to prevent American Conservative and Reform rabbis and Women of the Wall members from bringing Torah scrolls into the Western Wall compound during a protest march in Jerusalem’s Old City, Nov. 2, 2016
retreated from the deal in June, amount to dismantling the Chief Rabbinate, Israel’s haredi outraging many Diaspora Jews and inspiring petitions now beOrthodox rabbinical authority, ing considered by the Supreme which controls marriage and Court. But a June survey by other Jewish services in the Hiddush found that 63 percent country. Also, 84 percent of Jews agree of Israeli Jews oppose the government’s action. Israel should uphold the freeIn general, support among dom of religion and conscience Jewish Israelis for separation of promised in its Declaration of religion and state and pluralIndependence, 67 percent support state recognition of non-Or- istic policies is correlated with thodox marriage and 50 percent secularity and voting for more left-wing and less religious parwould personally prefer it. ties. Voters for haredi political At the same time, the survey parties overwhelmingly oppose reveals a significant spike in both. support for separation of reliDespite recently escalating gion and state. Fully 68 percent political rhetoric of Israelis Jews The survey and legislation embrace this aimed at weakprinciple, which indicates that the Regev said is state’s handling of ening the Supreme Court for interpreted as its alleged disreentailing a depo- issues of religion gard of Israel’s liticization of re- and state is one Jewish values, ligion rather than cause for its lack the survey found a more complete of public support. widespread American-style support for the division. Support principles underlying many of is up 5 percent from last year its recent rulings and, at least and 13 percent since 2010. relative to other government Zooming in on recent govinstitutions, for the court itself. ernment policies on religion The Supreme Court in Sepand state, the Hiddush survey found 73 percent of Israeli Jews tember broke the Chief Raboppose the new conversion law, binate’s monopoly over kosher certification and struck down which grants the Chief Rabbinlegislation from 2015 meant ate a monopoly over officially to delay efforts to increase the recognized Jewish conversions in Israel. As to the government- rate at which haredi yeshiva students are drafted into the backed nation-state bill, for military. the first time enshrining in law According to the survey, pubIsrael’s status as a Jewish state, lic support for opening the ko65 percent want it to explicitly protect religious freedom for all. sher market to competition with The survey did not ask about the state acting as a supervisor continued to rise, to 80 perthe agreement to create an egalitarian prayer section at the cent of Jewish Israelis. Among Western Wall — the government secular Jews, the number was 95 THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
THE WORLD change: Full freedom of religion and conscience and total equality, regardless of religious identity,” he said in a statement. Regev, who issued a statement signed by dozens leaders from across the religious spectrum of Judaism calling for sweeping reforms to Israel’s official religious establishment and its policies, suggested a shift in focus to those issues that most affect the daily life of Israelis. In a December survey, Hiddush found that the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly over Jewish marriage and divorce in Israel is by far the most important religion-and-state issue to Jews, while prayer at the Western Wall is by far the least important one. The same survey found that 60 percent of Israeli Jews support American Jewish involvement in the marriage issue. “There is dissymmetry between areas Israelis feel are important and the focus of many American Jews in the past few years,” Regev said. “But Israelis are frustrated with the status quo when it comes to marriage and so are more open to Diaspora intervention.” There are reasons to believe religion-and-state issues will not remain on the Israeli political back burner indefinitely. According to the Hiddush survey, Israeli Jews think the political conflict between haredi and secular Jews is among the most challenging in the country, at least as much as the one between the political right and left. Seething secular anger has erupted at the ballot box before, notably with the rise of Yair Lapid in 2012 and his father, Tommy, in 2003. “Politicians should be wary,” Regev said. “They don't know when the hurricane is going to hit. It hit before, it will hit again, and it may be this time around.”
Wishing you a new year of health, happiness & peace
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Chief Rabbinate telling more Israelis they aren’t Jews By Andrew Tobin, JTA JERUSALEM — Israel’s rabbinical courts have increased blacklisting citizens they deem not Jewish, internal data show. With higher frequency, the courts have placed Israelis, almost all of them immigrants with Jewish heritage, on lists that prevent them from marrying Jews. Last year, the number of Israelis blacklisted by the rabbinical courts was 454, compared to 134 in 2012. The courts argue they are preserving the coherence of the Jewish people. But critics say the rabbinical courts have stepped outside their legal jurisdiction and beyond what is required by even an Orthodox interpretation of Jewish law. “They have now made everybody fair game to have their Jewishness challenged,” said Rabbi Seth Farber, the director of ITIM, a nonprofit that guides Israelis through the country’s religious bureaucracy. Israelis on the lists cannot marry or access Jewish services through the Chief Rabbinate, Israel’s haredi-dominated rabbinical authority, which oversees the rabbinical courts. This means they are barred from marrying Jews in Israel. Israel does however recognize civil marriages performed abroad.
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percent, with 80 percent backing the introduction of non-Orthodox certification. As in previous years, 83 percent think yeshiva students should be required to do military or national service, though a third would settle for national service and 14 percent are OK with some exemptions. Asked for the first time this year which institution they most trust, a plurality of Israelis, 39 percent, chose the Supreme Court over the government, the Knesset, the Chief Rabbinate or the rabbinical courts. The least trusted institution is the government followed by the Chief Rabbinate. The survey indicates that the state's handling of issues of religion and state is one cause for its lack of public support. A large majority of Israeli Jews, 78 percent, are dissatisfied with the current government on such issues. Only a majority of voters of the Mizrahi haredi political party Shas are satisfied. According to Regev, there is growing frustration in Israel with political kowtowing to the haredi parties. After their opposition led to the suspension of the Western Wall deal, the parties in July pushed through a law allowing state-run mikvahs, or ritual baths, to bar non-Orthodox Jews from entry. In September, they brought to a sudden halt Shabbat repair work on train tracks across the country by threatening to bolt the government over the issue, wreaking havoc on the workday commutes of tens of thousands of Israelis. However, Regev predicted, the haredi community will continue to call the shots as religion-and-state issues remain low on the priority list of most Israelis. A Channel 10 poll ahead of the 2015 election found that for most Israelis, cost-of-living and social issues would be the main determinants of their vote, followed by security. Only 9 percent said they would vote primarily based on religionand-state issues. Hiddush Chairman Stanley Gold called on Diaspora Jews to step in. The annual Hiddush poll found that 55 percent of Israeli Jews support American Jewish involvement in religionand-state issues. “Jewish Diaspora leaders concerned for the future of the Jewish people and concerned with strengthening Israel as a Jewish and democratic state must partner with Israeli organizations working in this field to bring about the necessary
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 7
THE WORLD By Andrew Tobin, JTA SHOHAM, Israel — Ely Cohen topped off his all-white outfit with a few shpritzes of cologne. At sundown, the start of Yom Kippur, such “anointments” would no longer be kosher, and he wanted to be ready for the big night. He had just started dating a girl at his high school, and they had plans to meet up. “We agreed to find each other in the roundabout, where everyone goes after synagogue,” he said. The high school sweethearts — along with many of their peers — met up in the traffic circle. But Cohen, 18, and Yuval Sadaka, 17, snuck into the high school gym for a make-out session. That night, the evening of Yom Kippur, turned out to be a turning point in their relationship, both Cohen and Sadaka said. A year Israelis on Yom Kippur enjoying the Tel Aviv beach later they are inseparable. To most American Jews, the notion of kindling est day as an opportunity for romance. romance on the Day of Atonement is akin to mixing oil Like most of the country, Cohen’s hometown, and water — you can, but you probably shouldn’t. But Shoham, near Ben Gurion Airport, shuts down for across Israel, it’s tradition for communities to gather Yom Kippur, when Jews traditionally fast and repent on the streets after the Yom Kippur evening service, for their sins of the past year. Businesses shutter, the Kol Nidre. Israelis of all ages and stripes gather outstreets clear of cars, radio and television cease broaddoors, chatting, enjoying the quiet of a night on which casts. Even many secular Jews, who constitute the there is little or no traffic and, if they are young or majority in Shoham, as well as about 40 percent of all single, flirting. Israelis attend Kol Nidre services. It is a custom especially beloved among Israeli Afterward, people pour out of synagogue and into teens. Despite the holiday's somber character — and the empty streets. Keeping with tradition, many are the scriptural prohibition of sex during the 25 hours of wearing white from head to toe. Teenagers, mostly Yom Kippur — many look forward to Judaism’s holifrom the secular high school here but also from the
Danielle Shitrit/Flash 90
Religious Zionist one, tend to stay out late, walking or biking around town. As a bonus, sleeping late the next day makes the fast easier. In Shoham, the main meeting place is a traffic circle in the center of town. Hundreds of teenagers gather in a mass of white, with many sprawled out on pillows and blankets in the grass. Some play backgammon or board games. In public, hardly anyone violates the religious ban on eating or smoking; smartphones are left at home, or at least in a pocket. Public displays of affection are also generally avoided in keeping with the Talmudic prohibition against sexual relations. Yet, according to Cohen — who is secular but observes many Yom Kippur customs — the holiday is known to launch plenty of relationships. After all, everyone is dressed up and on their best behavior. No adults are around, and there is nowhere else to bePJ orLibrary anything better to do. It is easy to strike up conversation with new people “about how hungry you are,” he said, laughing. “Everybody is clean and dressed in white, and you’re supposed to have asked forgiveness for your sins,” Cohen added. “So there is this pure, magical feeling in the air.” Sadaka had a simpler explanation: “Girls like Yom Kippur because the boys act nice for once,” she said. And because romance is forbidden that day, it is more tempting than ever. “You want to do it because you can’t do it,” Sadaka
For secular Israeli teens, the eve of Yom Kippur is a night of forbidden love
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON
2017 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY BRUNCH Sunday, October 29, 10AM–NOON Boonshoft CJCE (525 Versailles Drive, 45459) Kosher dairy brunch. $36 per person. To RSVP by October 19, call Alisa Thomas at 610-1796 or visit www.jewishdayton.org to register online. If you have not yet made your gift to the 2017 Annual Campaign, you will have the opportunity to do so.
PAGE 8
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
THE WORLD said. “Not even the bad breath you get from fasting can ruin it.” Young love on Yom Kippur may not be a new development. In the Talmud, the first-century sage Rabbi Simeon Ben Gamliel recounted that in ancient times, the “daughters of Israel” would dance in the vineyard in white dresses on Yom Kippur, and the boys “who did not have a wife would turn to there to find one.” (Taanit 31a) Gamliel also indicated the same ritual happened on Tu b’Av, a harvest festival now celebrated as a kind of Israeli Valentine’s Day. Of both holidays, he said, “There were no days as happy for the Jews.” Ari Engelberg, an Israeli sociologist, said this description of Yom Kippur as a holiday of joy and courtship akin to Tu b’Av has long confounded rabbis since it flies in the face of contemporary understanding and observance. “In rabbinic Judaism, Yom Kippur has become a very serene, severe day of atonement on which everyone worries about their sins,” said Engelberg, who teaches sociology and Israel studies at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “Rabbi Gamliel lived just after the Jewish Temple was destroyed and is recalling another tradition, perhaps within his memory. This has been a puzzle for generations of rabbis.” Ely Cohen (L) with Yuval Sadaka Eyal Turgeman, a 43-year old who lives in Rishon Lezion, a city south of Tel Aviv, had a romantic encounter on Yom Kippur eve decades ago. The mechanical engineer looks back on it with mixed feelings today. Turgeman grew up in Jerusalem in an Orthodox Jewish household that strictly observed Yom Kippur. His parents, Moroccan immigrants, taped the light switches, pre-cut the toilet paper (tearing and cutting are forbidden on Jewish holy days) and slept in separate beds to avoid even incidental contact. His father — like many strictly observant and almost all haredi Jews — spent most of the holiday in study or prayer. But Turgeman and his friends, both Orthodox and secular, wandered the streets until the wee hours of the morning just like teens do today. “Also back then it was a big opportunity to meet girls because it's a big social thing at the center of town,” he said. In his last year of high school, Turgeman spent Yom Kippur at his girlfriend's house. Unbeknownst to his parents, they slept in the same bed. “We started to touch each other, and one thing led to another,” he said. “We were up all night. Because it was not allowed, it was better than usual.” In the morning, Turgeman had regrets. Soon thereafter, he and his girlfriend, his first love, broke up. Turgeman said he often blamed their Yom Kippur transgression. “All the time it was in my head that it happened because of this, because I felt I did something that God saw me and punished us,” he said. Although he is now secular, Turgeman said he still “feels a little bad” about that night and would not repeat it. “What happened, happened,” he said. “But today I wouldn't do that. It’s one day a year when you’re supposed to control yourself.”
From Door to Door:
INTRODUCTION to
Israeli government to amend adoption law to give same-sex couples equal rights
JUDAISM 2017-2018
Tomer Neuberg/Flash90
» Interested in Jewish history and ritual? » Involved in an interfaith relationship? » Seeking Conversion? » Want to learn more about your Jewish neighbors, friends, or family members?
Hundreds protesting in support of the right of LGBTQ couples to adopt children, outside the Ministry of Absorption in Tel Aviv, July 20
JERUSALEM — The Israeli government said it would amend adoption law in the country to give same-sex couples equal rights. On Sept. 17, the state made the announcement during a hearing at the Supreme Court in response to a petition regarding adoption by same-sex and common-law couples filed by the Association of Israeli Gay Fathers, with the Israel Religious Action Center of the Reform movement, against the Social Affairs Ministry and the attorney general. The state said it would introduce the new legislation by June 2018. The agreement comes less than a month after the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs reversed its opposition to allowing same-sex couples to adopt in the country. The government had initially told the court that given the “reality of Israeli society,” same-sex parents put an “additional burden” on their adopted children. The agreement to introduce the new legislation led to the court dismissing the lawsuit, though the court reminded the two sides that if the legislation is not forthcoming, the petitioners could return to The state court. said it would “The court recognized the merits of the petition introduce the presented to them and new legislation decided to encourage a by June 2018. fundamental change in Israel’s adoption policy. From now on same sex families, who deserve the right to adopt like any other family, will have that right,” said Riki Shapira Rosenberg, lead attorney for the Israel Religious Action Center, in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor the legislative processes following the petition to ensure that the Government follows through on its commitment and soon.” Although adoption by same-sex couples has been legal in Israel since 2008, in practice it has been nearly impossible. Because opposite-sex couples have been given priority, only three same-sex couples have adopted in Israel out of 550 applicants. More than 1,000 opposite-sex couples have adopted in the past nine years. Are you reading this? So is the entire Jewish community. Contact Patty Caruso at plhc69@gmail.com to advertise in The Observer.
Mondays, 7–8:30PM October 16–March 12 (16 sessions)
$75 for books and materials per unit (couples or singles) Organized and taught by the rabbis of The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton, this course offers an in-depth look at Judaism from Conservative, Orthodox/Traditional, and Reform perspectives. Guest speakers also offer their insights and broaden exposure to the Jewish community. More information and registration at jewishdayton.org/introtojudaism or contact: Rabbi Judy Chessin at (937) 435-3400 or synagogueforum@gmail.com Jodi Phares at (937) 610-5513 or jphares@jfgd.net Presented by the Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton; Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel; with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 9
OPINION
Who by water? By Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin Ever since Irma announced she was going to pay Florida a visit, I’ve been experiencing what it must have been like to be on the ark — minus the animals. And minus the theology that would suggest that this is all Divine punishment for the sins of Floridians — whatever those might be. This is a wretched way to live. The most wretched thing has been that sense of not knowing, the great tsunami of ignorance — over where, exactly, the storm would hit; over what the effects would be; when the electricity will return, along with all things electric that we take for granted. Like air conditioning and internet. This stings us, we middleand upper-middle-class people. Because we like being in control. So I’ve been hanging with the cantor during the storm. It’s been like an extended Shabbat — and totally halachic, come to think of it — complete with no electricity and no driving. We’ve done our share of singing together. We got
around to talking about High Holy Day services, which are coming sooner than anyone would care to imagine. I’m thinking about the liturgy, especially the prayer about judgment, Unetaneh Tokef: “Who by water … ?” We control freaks live in the cloud of chaos, similar to that primordial chaos that preceded creation. That’s what the Unetaneh Tokef speaks about. We are not in control of many things. Who knows what’s going to happen? The only things that we can control are the ways that we respond to the world: through inward turning (teshuvah — repentance); through upward turning (tefilah — prayer), and outward turning (tzedakah — giving of oneself). I don’t know much about how those first two elements have been working. But, as for the third: There’s the story of the man who got the last generator at a store, and a woman got to it seconds after he did. She started to cry. She needed the generator because of her daughter’s medical needs.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In 1933, some German Jews voted for Adolf Hitler because he “promised to make Germany great again,” to “bring back jobs,” and to rid Germany of “foreign influences in its culture.” Surely, these assimilated, well-off and comfortable German Jews said to each other Hitler’s antisemitic rants will go away once he’s elected and he is only referring to the “other, foreign, non-German Jews.” By 1934, Germany no longer had the freedom of speech, assembly or press, unions were violently dissolved, religious youth groups were forced into Hitler Youth, and every aspect of German life was controlled by the state. Jews were forced out of the civil service, symphonies, medical professions and all other businesses. Their businesses had been bought out for 10 cents to the Reichsmark. By 1938, the smart Jews had left and by 1944, most were dead or in concentration camps. Now I don’t suggest any of the above could happen, but then, it could. Trump has unleashed the very worst in our society, who know they have protection from the White House. He rails against the Congress, the press and the courts. He stirs up the elements in our society who are susceptible to his dark messages and pardons a well-known race baiter in the form of Joe Arpaio. On Yom Kippur, we say Yizkor for our own personal losses but also for the 6 million-plus and others who died in the Shoah. They died because they were not vigilant, didn’t take Hitler’s rants seriously, and refused to see how he was destroying Germany. This virus spread all over Europe, infecting good people and bringing out the worst in others. Trump’s administration is still full of these folks — Bannon and Gorka are gone, but others remain to push dark influences on this autocratic, despotic minded president. We need to be vigilant and take right-wing rants seriously and be sure our children are aware. In these Days of Awe, it is also time to renew our longtime vow of "Never Again!” — Cheri Crothers, Springfield PAGE 10
And what did the guy do? He let her take the generator. We like to say that miracles are those things that contradict the laws of natural science — like waters parting (um, Moses, about my neighborhood. You still got that staff?) But sometimes miracles occur that contradict the laws of social science. The generator guy could have said: Tough luck, lady. Every man and woman for him or herself. Because that’s, in fact, the way the world works. People act that way. People also decide to take advantage of crises and raise the price of gas, water and food. It’s called capitalism, but it’s a particularly carcinogenic form of capitalism. Those who did this should be ashamed. Those who stared down the temptation should be proud. I ventured forth this morning. There are downed trees everywhere, many of which have taken out electrical wires. It’s a mass of devastation. I drove to my neighborhood, which abuts the intracoastal waterway. I could only get so far; our street is now an official branch of that waterway. A woman whom I did not know took me in her SUV to see how my house was doing. “Now, we’re friends,” she said. “Stop in some time, have a beer, and meet my husband.” Noah had no one to hang out with after the flood. That’s because he was the only righteous man in his generation. He and his immediate family were the only survivors. It must have been lonely. No wonder he turned to drink. Survivors’ guilt. I’m praying that people on Florida’s Gulf Coast will be as lucky — that they will see the wellsprings of decency that exist in the world. “Who by water?…” Yeah, it’s going to be hard to sing that on the Days of Awe. But, if the liturgy touches that sore piece within us, then it’s real. Jeffrey Salkin is the senior rabbi of Temple Solel in Hollywood, Fla. Distributed by Religion News Service
So, what do you think? Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to: The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive Dayton, OH 45459 MWeiss@jfgd.net
Israel in a Jewish future without faith By Jonathan S. Tobin For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political opponents, his government’s woes aren’t just an opportunity to score political points at his expense. They also provide easy-to-understand explanations for the question that nags at the margins of every debate about American Jewish attitudes toward Israel. Every negative development or unpopular decision associated with the prime minister is used to rationalize and sometimes even justify the growing chasm between American Jews and Israelis. But a new study about America Jewish identity gives the lie to this argument. The main reason for changing Jewish attitudes about Israel is rooted in faith, not Israeli politics. The list of reasons why Jews have problems with Israel is long: There’s the usual carping about settlement building and the stalled peace process, the lack of religious pluralism and the abandonment of a plan to expand an area for egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall, Netanyahu’s eagerness to stay on President Donald Trump’s good side, accusations of corruption, and now his son Yair’s distasteful use of antisemitic memes on social media to attack his father’s foes. All point to reasons why Americans, especially younger Jews, see Israel and Zionism as a burden on the conscience of Jewish liberals. That ignores the context of a conflict that continues largely because the Palestinians have refused to make peace. But while arguments about Netanyahu’s shortcomings are hindrances to Jewish solidarity, they’re not the real problem. A new study from the Public Religion Research Institute provides sobering data about Jewish affiliation. Four years after the Pew Research Center published its Portrait of Jewish Americans that detailed the toll assimilation and intermarriage have taken on Jewish identity in this country, the PRRI survey reveals that these trends have only accelerated. Overall, only 54 percent of Jews claim to be affiliated with one of the religious movements. Reform is the answer for 28 percent, 14 percent say Conservative, 10 percent are Orthodox
and two percent Reconstructionist. More than one third, 37 percent, say they are “just Jewish.” Three percent claim to be “something else,” and six percent refuse to answer or say they don’t know. But if you look only at Jews under 30, the numbers break down this way: Reform, 20 percent; Conservative, 8 percent; Orthodox,15 percent; Reconstructionist, 3 percent and just Jewish, 44 percent. The key point is the “just Jewish” tag doesn’t so much connote independence of synagogues as it does a sense of Jewish identity devoid of religion or any substance more than a vestigial memory of the past. A whopping 33 percent do not regard themselves as being Jewish by religion. That number expands to 47 percent for those under 30. These numbers reflect not merely the collapse in synagogue attendance among the non-Orthodox, but also a declining sense of Jewish peoplehood. The idea that a growing demographic in which Jewish traditions, law and faith is absent can sustain support for Israel is risible. While it can be argued that a secular Jewish identity can be sustained in a country that speaks Hebrew, lives by the Jewish calendar and whose history is bound up in a past rooted in faith as well as ethnic identity, it’s a different story in the United States. Cultural Jews or those without religion here are far less likely to feel the tug of emotion that ties Jewish communities together no matter what political issues divide them. That the Orthodox are more likely to be supportive of Israel and to view it as a litmus test when voting, makes this all the more obvious. The issues that drive American Jews away from Israel are much bigger than attitudes about the peace process or pluralism. Think what you will of Netanyahu, but the collapse of faith and peoplehood among U.S. Jews has far more to do with declining support for Israel among the non-Orthodox than with his faults. If American Jews are becoming a people without faith, then Israel is bound to be the loser no matter what its government does. Jonathan S. Tobin is opinion editor of JNS.org.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
THE WORLD
Now Israel has its own version of the ‘alt-right’ Many have highlighted past By Andrew Tobin, JTA vid Duke and those behind the JERUSALEM — For many U.S. neo-Nazi website The Daily examples of Israelis using Nazi imagery to condemn trends Jews, Nazis are public enemy Stormer, purported to embrace No. 1, and using Nazi imagNetanyahu as one of their own. on the right, sometimes to the ery to make a political point is “Welcome to the club, Yair — delight of Duke and other white supremacists. strictly verboten. absolutely amazing, wow, just Asked for comment in a But some young, right-wing wow,” Duke tweeted Sept. 10, Israelis aren’t buying it. along with media reports about Facebook message, an administrator of the group replied, “We Inspired by the so-called Netanyahu’s post. don’t cooperate with journal“alt-right” abroad, their online However, members of the ists. Especially not the fake community makes liberal use of community centered around The cartoon Yair Netanyahu uploaded to Facebook, Sept. 9 antisemitic and Nazi imagery to the Tight Memes Facebook page news.” Continued on next page mock and malign what it sees responded very differently. as the real threat: Israeli and Dan Gefen, 36, a libertarian Jewish leftists. economist and longtime mem“We’re fighting back in a new ber of the community, said the way,” said Guy Levy, 40, the cartoon is meant as a criticism manager of an advertising office of anti-Zionist meddling in in Beersheba and a member Israeli democracy, including by of the community. “Our mesJews like Soros, who has fundsages aren’t politically correct, ed left-leaning Jewish groups but that’s what like J Street Their online makes them and civil rights funny, and sting- community makes groups in Israel. • Landscape & ing.” The antisemitic hardscape designs liberal use of Many Israelis themes are simheard about this antisemitic and ply a sendup of • Lawn care & mowing community for Nazi imagery to political correct• Retaining walls & pavers the first time on ness, he said. mock and malign Sept. 9 when “If you’re in • Sod, seeding & aeration what it sees as the the culture, you Yair Netanyahu, the prime real threat: Israeli don’t see it as • Full season maintenance minister’s son, antisemitic,” he • Irrigation credited its main and Jewish leftists. said. “The genFacebook page eral idea is every • Outdoor lighting as the source of an antisemitic small thing a right-winger does, Whether you know exactly what you want themed cartoon he shared. they’re calling you a Nazi or The page, called Tight Memes a fascist. 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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 11
THE WORLD
Israel’s version of ‘alt-right’ like memes, many adapted from content Continued from previous page popularized on 4chan, an “alt-right” Yair Netanyahu, who took down the gathering place. Pepe makes frequent cartoon Sept. 10 but did not apologize, appearances, sometimes in Nazi unihas shared several of the posts along form. Other times he appears as a Likud with his own comments, including on member or religious Zionist. one, “The left is so sensitive that it’s “Alt-right” pejoratives like “cuck” something.” are mixed with Hebrew neologisms, Gefen said the Tight Memes comlike “kakihomoshit,” the nonsensical munity borrows “culturally and even curse word used in the full title of the ideologically sometimes” from the “alt-right.” Like that group, it is loosely Tight Memes page. Kaki is Hebrew slang for feces, while organized online, Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images “homoshit” is a nationalistic and combination of delights in defytwo well-known ing social norms it English slurs. feels are imposed Levy, the by left-wing elites. advertising office But unlike some manager, who in the “alt-right,” also runs a blog he said, his comfact-checking the munity is not Israeli media, antisemitic, for discovered Tight obvious reasons, Memes about a or racist. month ago. He While it operand said he was ates on a variety tired of seeing of Facebook pages leftists bully Isthat come and go, rael’s right wing, Gefen said, the including the NeTight Memes page is the community’s Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with tanyahu family. his son Yair “‘We’re fascists, central meeting we’re racists, we place. The page’s cover photo features both hate peace.’ These are the ways they’re trying to brand us. So we embrace it,” he Pepe the Frog, a cartoon figure that the ADL deemed a hate symbol after it was said. “It’s even worse I’m sure for Yair. His family is being persecuted. I don’t co-opted by the “alt-right,” and Benjamin Netanyahu wearing sunglasses. The know if he’s reacting in the best way, but this is the reaction.” profile picture is a rendering of NetanThe Netanyahus face a raft of invesyahu drinking from a jug labeled “the tigations. The prime minister has been tears of leftists.” questioned in a pair of fraud investigaSome 3,000 people followed Tight tions relating to alleged illicit ties to exMemes prior to Netanyahu’s post, and that number has now reached more than ecutives in media, international business and Hollywood. His associates are being 4,000. probed relating to a possible conflict of Most of the posts are relatively standard right-wing political attacks on interest involving the $2 billion purchase Netanyahu’s critics delivered with troll- Continued on Page 24
Coming to a neighborhood near you! October 4- 10, 2017 Plan a weeklong sukkah hop around town or choose your favorite night to party in the hut. Decorate the sukkah, enjoy crafts, and share a potluck dinner. For exact locations and reservation information, contact Temple Israel. Temple Israel • www.tidayton.org • 937.496.0050 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH 45405 A Reform Synagogue open to all who are interested in Judaism. Childcare provided during Friday services and Sunday school. PAGE 12
Buying and Selling Video Games and Electronics
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
INTRODUCING
Juliet Glaser, Campaign Director Jewish Federation of GREATER DAYTON › Door to Door: Introduction to Judaism Mondays, beginning October 16 @ 7–8:30PM Rotating locations See ad on page 9 for more information.
› Raising Thankful and Thoughtful Children Tuesday, October 24 @ 5:30–7:30PM Boonshoft CJCE
› YAD: History Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Wednesday, October 25 @ 6:15PM
Woodland Historic Cemetery Tour (118 Woodland Ave, Dayton) Join young Jewish adults (ages 21-35) as we walk through historic Woodland Cemetery with a tour guide and lanterns where we will receive a touch of history and mystery including inventors, bank robbers, counterfeiting and murder. Following the event we will have dinner at Zombie Dogz (cost on your own). RSVP to Cheryl at ccarne@jfgd. net.
Tell us a little about yourself: My family moved to Dayton about 2.5 years ago. I have three children. My youngest loves preschool here at the JCC, and my older two attend elementary school in Oakwood. My husband Danny is an aeronautical engineer at Hartzell Propellers. I think he is the only aeronautical engineer in Dayton who doesn’t work at the base! We have two dogs, and in my (sparse) free time, I love experimenting in the kitchen and enjoy all things outdoors.
How did you get involved with Federation? I have been a Jewish communal professional for 17 years, starting with the Jewish Federation in Denver, where I ran Campaign Events. Denver's campaign at the time was $13,000,000, which certainly kept me busy. The experience was invaluable, and I'm thrilled to bring the skillset I gained in Denver here to Dayton. I've also worked for other Jewish agencies (Hazon, The Jewish Experience, PJ Library), and have seen the wonderful work that Federation dollars help support. When the opportunity to work on campaign arose, I was honored to accept it.
What do you love most about Jewish Dayton? What inspires you about Campaign? We found the Dayton community to be warm and welcoming! My family loves participating in all the programs offered by the synagogues, JCC and Federation. Dayton has a great energy, it’s a wonderful time to be part of the Jewish community and I am looking forward to being a part of the next chapter in Jewish Dayton. What new initiatives are you working on for Federation's Campaign? There are exciting things planned for our 2018 Campaign; we will be expanding our men’s and women’s giving societies, as well as focusing on new donors. Dayton has an incredible tradition of giving; we will be reaching out to new donors in order to continue this legacy of philanthropy, and to set the bar even higher to help grow Jewish Dayton.
&
MADRID
Tuesday, October 24 @ 5:30–7:30PM
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP (unless noted):
937-610-1555 www.jewishdayton.org
Children will enjoy a PJ Library story and activity while parents engage in a discussion with Dr. Gregory Ramey, pediatric psychologist at Dayton Children's Hospital. Dinner is provided at 5:30PM, Dr. Ramey will speak at 6PM.
How can people get involved? Call me! Email me! I love meeting our donors and community members. If you want to talk about how to get involved, let's meet for coffee!
Juliet can be reached at jglaser@jfgd.net or 937-401-1558
PARIS
Raising Thankful and Thoughtful Children Boonshoft CJCE
Why is the Annual Campaign important to Jewish Dayton? Federation is a place where everyone can give, and everyone can receive. I met my husband through Federation, I celebrated the birth of my children with friends I met through Federation, including friends in Israel met on missions, and when I was going through treatment for cancer, it was my Federation family that helped my family through one of the most difficult times in our lives. The depth of caring within the Jewish community amazes me and inspires me. For me, the Annual Campaign is how we take care of each other, and our community.
BARCELONA
The 2018 Jewish Heritage Mission planning is underway! Don't miss out on Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona: places full of Jewish history and culture! April 23–May 3, 2018. Please contact Jodi Phares at 937-610-5513 or jphares@jfgd.net for more information.
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2017
The JCC and PJ Library celebrated the Jewish New Year at the Dixie Twin Drive-In with
Jewish Community Center of GREATER DAYTON › Shulchan Yarok CSA Last Pick Up
Thursday, October 19, 4–5:30PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Keep eating your vegetables!
› CABF Opening Night: "Einstein!" A One-Man Show Thursday, October 19, 7PM @ Oakwood High School (1200 Far Hills Ave., 45419)
$18 in advance, $25 at the door. 18 and under: no charge.
› Children's Theatre Auditions Monday & Tuesday, October 23 & 24, 4:30–7:30PM @ Sugar Camp (400 Sugar Camp Cir)
› The Power of Different with author Dr. Gail Saltz
Wednesday, October 25, 7PM @ Wright Memorial Public Library (1776 Far Hills Ave., 45419) Sponsored by Wright Memorial Public Library. No charge.
› Einstein & The Rabbi with author Rabbi Naomi Levy Monday, October 30, 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE $5 in advance/ $8 at the door
SEE AD ON PAGE 26 FOR ENTIRE LIST OF CABF EVENTS
HEALTH & WELLNESS › Aerobic Conditioning Tues/Thurs @ 9–9:50AM
The JCC proudly announces the 2018 Children’s Theatre musical, TARZAN! We welcome all 2nd through 12th graders to audition, regardless of experience. The JCC’s Children’s Theatre program is a wonderful way for children who are new to theatre to experience their first show in a fun and supportive environment. It’s also an opportunity for seasoned actors to try more challenging roles. The entire experience from auditions to performances can be transformative for children as participants are constantly required to challenge themselves. We are very excited to introduce this season’s theatre staff! We welcome back some veterans of the JCC Theatre program. Richard Lee Waldeck was involved with the JCC Children’s Theatre from 19982003 and will be directing this year’s TARZAN. Richard has directed nearly two dozen children’s and community shows, and has many years’ experience with lighting design and performance. Jamie Pavlofsky and Tamar Fishbein both got their start in theatre at the JCC (with Richard!) They will serve as Assistant Director and Choreographer respectively. And we enthusiastically welcome Brennan Paulin as the Music Director. Please contact me at mhattenbach@jfgd.net or 937-401-1555 if you have any questions about your child participating in the JCC Children’s Theatre this season. We look forward to seeing you at auditions!
apples and honey and a screening of The BFG. PHOTO CREDIT: PETER WINE
MERYL HATTENBACH JCC PROGRAM MANAGER
Monday & Tuesday, October 23 & 24 4:30–7:30PM by appointment @ Sugar Camp (400 Sugar Camp Cir) Come prepared to sing a one minute segment of a Broadway song. Dress in comfortable clothes. Wear dance shoes if you have them.
Fall session continues throughout October. $25 per session for all classes. Through Sinclair Lifelong Learning.
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP (unless noted):
937-610-1555 www.jewishdayton.org
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2017
Faces of JCC Early Childhood's 2017 Ice Cream Social
JCC earl child
Help Fill Homes for
During the month of October, the JCC, JFS, and the Jewish community are coming together to support Homefull. Homefull is a local nonprofit that serves the home-insecure population in Dayton by providing a continuum of care and services for those who are at risk of homelessness, currently homeless, or previously homeless. More information about Homefull and its programs and services can be found at its website: www.homefull.org. This year, Sukkot falls in October. During Sukkot, we remember when we, the Jewish people, had only temporary shelter as we wandered through the desert from Egypt to Israel. This is an appropriate time to think of those in our communities who are homeless and who struggle to find even temporary shelter. Each night in Dayton and Montgomery County, approximately 1,000 people are considered homeless with 82% of that population being individuals and the other 18% being families with children. What are we doing as a community to support Homefull and the home-insecure? When homeless people are placed in a home, they have very few possessions and often lack those supplies they will need to make are fresh start. Therefore, we are collecting specific supplies that Homefull will use to fill starter kits: » Paper Products: paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, napkins, garbage bags » Cleaning Products: dish soap, multi-purpose cleaners, sponges and rags
ABOVE: On
Thursday, September 14, the Active Adults enjoyed each other’s company over a tasty dinner. We are looking forward to the Skirball Museum Tour in October! BELOW: On Monday, September 11, and Thursday, September 14, JFS held programs at One Lincoln Park and Friendship Village, respectively, to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and to usher in the new year. Thank you to Cantor Andrea Raizen who supported the program at One Lincoln Park and to Chazzan Jenna Greenberg and Noah Gruenberg who supported the program at Friendship Village. The beautiful songs, the blowing of the shofar, the sweets, and camaraderie were the perfect way to start the new year! PHOTO CREDITS: TARA FEINER
» Laundry Supplies: laundry soap, dryer sheets, fabric softner Homefull barrels will be located at Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Chabad of Greater Dayton, Temple Beth Or, Temple Israel, and the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Jewish Education during the month of October.
Debra Saidel loved her Rosh Hashanah bag! Thank you Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Chabad of Greater Dayton,
Jewish Family Services Jewish Foundation ofof GREATER DAYTON GREATER DAYTON › Active Adults Skirball Museum Tour Tuesday, October 10 11:30AM–3PM 11:30AM @ Dewey’s Pizza (265 Hosea Ave., Cincinnati, 45220) 1PM @ Skirball Museum Tour (3101 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, 45220) See ad on page 22 with information about this event. RSVP by October 3.
› Medicare Open Enrollment
October 15 – December 7, 2017 See ad on page 23 for Medicare Check Up days.
› Need Assistance Finding a Food Pantry Near You? Call the United Way Information & Referral Line, 225-3000 or Dial 2-1-1. › Are you caring for a loved one who is not in the Greater Dayton area? While the Network for Jewish Human Service Agencies is working to update its website, it may be difficult to access the Senior Resource Connect portal. Please do not hesitate to contact JFS to find services and supports provided by Jewish agencies nationwide. › Don’t know what to donate in the Food Barrels? How about non-perishable, nonexpired meat and protein sources? CANNED MEATS, CANNED FISH, NUTS AND SEEDS, AND RICE AND BEANS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Temple Beth Or and Temple Israel for partnering with JFS to support holiday outreach to our seniors. PHOTO CREDIT: AMY BOYLE
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP (unless noted):
937-610-1555 www.jewishdayton.org
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2017
Harold Grinspoon Foundation selects the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton as a LIFE & LEGACY™ program partner
›Mamaloshen
A little bit of Yiddish to share with friends, courtesy of the JFS Yiddish Club, in memory of Lynda A. Cohen.
Broyt \ BROYT \ Noun Bread, loaf; livelihood. Expression with Broyt: › Fremd broyt rayst in haldz. Bitter is the bread of charity (lit., Bread from another tears the throat). › Der oremans yeytzer hore iz a skorinke broyt. A poor man's temptation is a loaf of bread. › Az me hot nisht keyn broyt, iz erger vi der toyt. When one has no bread, it is worse than death.
› Educate, train, motivate and empower Jewish organizations to engage their loyal stakeholders in conversations to establish legacy gifts
The Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton was recently selected to participate in the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY program as one of only 52 Jewish communities from across North America. “The Harold Grinspoon Foundation is very excited to be partnering with the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton to establish a culture of legacy giving in Dayton," said Arlene D. Schiff, National Director of the LIFE & LEGACY program. “ The time is right. This legacy program will make the most of the generational transfer of wealth, change the language and landscape of giving and provide generous and forward thinking members of the Dayton Jewish community with the opportunity to express their passion, purpose and commitment to their most valued Jewish organizations.” LIFE & LEGACY is a 4-year program that assists communities, through partnerships with Jewish Federations and Foundations, to promote after-lifetime giving to benefit local Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service organizations and other Jewish entities. LIFE & LEGACY’s goals are to:
› Increase community awareness of the power of bequests, other legacy vehicles and endowments › Integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Dayton Jewish community The program will grant area temples, synagogues, and Jewish organizations with matching funds of approximately $5,000 or more per year to provide participating local organizations the opportunity to receive unrestricted incentive grants based on meeting legacy commitment benchmarks.
generations to enjoy this community as much as I do for years to come. Through this partnership, we have the opportunity to secure legacy commitments to cultivate our organizations and programs. The chance to provide these gifts for the future is invaluable." LIFE & LEGACY is the newest initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation who is investing $30 million dollars over a ten year period to engage communities in legacy building efforts that will secure the future of vibrant Jewish communities. For more information contact Janese R. Sweeny at jsweeny@jfgd.net or 937-401-1542.
Janese R. Sweeny, Foundation Director, said "We are thrilled to partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for the LIFE & LEGACY program. I love the Dayton Jewish community and am honored to be part of it. I want my children and future
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION
For more information about PJ Library or PJ Our Way or to get a child enrolled in either of these great programs, please contact Juliet Glaser at jglaser@jfgd.net or 401-1541.
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IN HONOR OF › 35th wedding anniversary of Melissa and Tim Sweeny Brian Sweeny and Stacey Castillo Lauren Sweeny Dan, Janese, Leyton, Parker and Lily Sweeny › Engagement of Jason Feldman Renee and Dr. Frank Handel › New home of Marci and Joel Vandersluis Shirley Frankowitz › 75th birthday of Sue Zulanch Ellie and Bob Bernstein Debby and Dr. Robert Goldenberg Barbara and Bill Weprin Barbara and Jim Weprin › Bar Mitzvah of Max Fetter, grandson of Maureen and Dr. Marc Sternberg Susie and Eddie Katz
CAROL J. PAVLOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND IN HONOR OF › New home of Wendi and Erv Pavlofsky Myrna Miller JCC
FILM FESTIVAL IN HONOR OF › Gayle Moscowitz receiving the JCC Volunteer of the Year Award Beth Adelman BARBARA FLAGEL PLAYGROUND FUND IN HONOR OF › Bar Mitzvah of Micha Gruenberg Nora and Bob Newsock IN MEMORY OF › Barbara Flagel Cynthia and Larry Burick Marcia Burick Ronnie and Marc Loundy
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2017
CHILD PLACEMENT FUND IN HONOR OF › Moshe Simon’s Upshernish Cathy Gardner CAROLE RABINOWITZ YOUTH JEWISH EXPERIENCE FUND IN HONOR OF › In recognition of kindness shown by David Fuchsman › In recognition of kindness shown by Marcia, Henry and Susan Rabinowitz Bernard Rabinowitz FOUNDATION
SAMMY’S RAINBOW BRIDGE FUND IN MEMORY OF › “Molly” Sweeny Jean, Todd, Michael and Jeremy Bettman
JFS
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES IN HONOR OF › Special birthday of Bobbie Kantor Renee and Dr. Frank Handel › Speedy recovery of Art Shone › Special anniversary of Joan and Martin Holzinger › Special anniversary of Susie and Jeff Mikutis › Special anniversary of Marilyn and Larry Klaben › Birthday of Jim Weprin › Birthday of Steve Levitt Susan and Jonas Gruenberg › Elaine Bettman receiving the Past Presidents Award Beth Adelman › Speedy recovery of Cheryl Carne Lynn Foster Esther and DeNeal Feldman IN MEMORY OF › Chuck Kardon Jean Lieberman Susan and Jonas Gruenberg
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Classes
Beth Abraham Learn To Read Hebrew: Seven Sundays, beginning Oct. 29 w. Chaya Vidal. Free. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. Register to 293-9520. Introduction to Judaism: organized by Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton. 16 Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 16-March 12. $75 includes books, materials & registration for single or couple. Call Rabbi Judy Chessin, 4353400, for details. Temple Beth Or Classes: Sun., Oct. 1, 15, 22 & 29, 1 p.m., Advanced Hebrew w. Rabbi Chessin. Sun., Oct. 15, 22 & 29, 1 p.m., Beginning Hebrew w. Rabbi Ballaban. Wed., Oct. 11, 1 p.m., Chai Mitzvah. Sun., Oct. 15, 11 a.m.: Tanach w. Rabbi Chessin. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. Temple Israel Classes: Sundays, noon, Oct. 8-Nov. 19, How Are The Jewish People Holy? Wednesdays, noon, Talmud Study. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m., Torah Study. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Fitness
Sinclair Lifelong Learning Aerobic Conditioning: Tues. & Thurs., 9-9:50 a.m. Through Dec. 7. $25 for all sessions. 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555.
Discussions
Beth Abraham Sunday Brunch Speaker Series: Sundays, 10 a.m. Oct. 15, Larry Burick, Should Hate Speech Be Barred? Oct. 22, at Temple Israel (see below). Oct. 29, Tara Feiner, The Ashkenazi Jewish Community’s Elevated Risk for Breast & Ovarian Cancer. $5. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. to 293-9520. Temple Israel Ryterband Brunch Series: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. $7. Oct. 15, Rabbi Emeritus David Sofian, Israel Right Now. Oct. 22, Dr. Richard Sarason, HUC-JIR, How The Kaddish Became A Mourner’s Prayer. Oct. 29, Dr. Mark Verman, WSU, Jewish & Islamic Principles. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Family
PJ Library, Raising Thankful & Thoughtful Children: Dinner & discussion w. Dr. Gregory Ramey, pediatric psychologist, Dayton Children’s. Activity for children during program. Tues., Oct. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. Free. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555.
Children/Teens
JCC Children’s Theatre Auditions for Tarzan: Mon., Oct. 23 & Tues., Oct. 24, 4:307:30 p.m. 400 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. Grades 2-12. Contact Meryl Hattenbach, 610-1555.
Young Adults
YAD Lantern Tour of Woodland Cemetery: Wed., Oct. 25, 6:158:15 p.m. 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton. Followed by dinner at Zombie Dogz, 1200 Brown St., Dayton. For more info., call Cheryl Carne, 610-1778.
Adults
JCC Book Club: Fri., Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear. At Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. R.S.V.P. to Linda Beaman, 8985147.
Women
Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520.
Temple Israel Pizza in the Hut & Sukkah Decorating: Wed., Oct. 4, 6 p.m. Free, reservations required. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 4960050.
Chabad Simchat Torah: Thurs., Oct. 12, 7 p.m. Dinner, service & kids’ program. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 643-0770.
Temple Beth Or Night in the Sukkah: Includes dinner. Fri., Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400.
Temple Anshe Emeth Simchat Torah Service: Fri., Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. For more info., call Eileen Litchfield, 937-547-0092.
Chabad Shakes & Science Show in the Sukkah: Sun., Oct. 8, 5 p.m. Dairy dinner, milkshakes & smoothies, science show w. Mister C. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. to 643-0770.
JCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest
Einstein!: one-man show w. Jack Fry. Thurs., Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Oakwood H.S. Auditorium, 1200 Far Hills Ave. $18 in advance, $25 at door, free ages 18 and under. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org.
Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy Brunch: Sun., Oct. 29, 10 a.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. $36. R.S.V.P. to Karen Steiger, 6101555.
Beth Abraham Sisterhood Sunset in the Sukkah: Tues., Oct. 10, 6 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, dessert. $10 non-sisterhood members. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 2939520.
Seniors
Chabad Men’s Night Out in the Sukkah: Tues., Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. Steak, Scotch, cigars. $59. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. to Rabbi Naomi Levy: Mon., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 643-0770. Versailles Dr., Centerville. $5 in advance, $8 at door. R.S.V.P. to Temple Israel Simchat Torah: Wed., Oct. 11, 6 p.m. dinner, 7:15 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org. p.m. service. Temple provides Community Events chicken & challah, bring a side Jewish War Veterans Post 587 dish. $5. R.S.V.P. by Oct. 9. 130 Fall Brunch: Sun., Oct. 1, 10:30 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. a.m. Dayton Woman’s Club, 225 N. Ludlow St., Dayton. Speaker, Steve Beth Abraham Simchat Torah: Markman. $12. R.S.V.P. to Steve Thurs., Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m. House Markman, 886-9566. band, ice cream bar. 305 Sugar
JFS Active Adults Skirball Museum Tour: Tues., Oct. 10, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet at Dewey’s Pizza, 265 Hosea Ave., Cincinnati, then to Skirball, 3101 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati at 1 p.m. for Jewish baseball exhibit. R.S.V.P by Oct. 3 to 610-1555.
Sukkot/Simchat Torah Temple Israel Sukkahs in the City: Six dinners in six sukkahs. Call the temple for details, 4960050.
Psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz: Wed., Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. Free.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
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KVELLING CORNER On Sept. 7, Gert and Bob Kahn celebrated 70 years of marriage. They were surrounded by 100 friends, family, and wellwishers at a special Oneg
Rachel Haug Gilbert Shabbat at Temple Israel that Friday night. When asked the secret to a long marriage, Bob answered, “Gert's cooking.”
Also celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary are Claire and Oscar Soifer. Attorney David Pierce was named to Best Lawyers 2018: Litigation-Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year for Dayton. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based on peer review. Only one attorney for a specific practice area and geographic region with the highest overall peer feedback is recognized as the Lawyer of the Year. David practices at Coolidge Wall Co.
Fall
Friends of the Court will be the theme when Beth Abraham Synagogue honors Bonnie Beaman Rice and Walter H. Rice for their many years of dedicated service to the congregation, at Beth Abraham’s donor luncheon on Sunday, Dec. 3 at noon. Chava Vidal, youth and family program director at Congregation Etz Chaim in Cincinnati, won a United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Solomon Schechter Award in the Torah and T’fillah category for her Tisha B'Av Many Languages program.
More than 185 programs were submitted, and Chava’s was one of 12 to be recognized.
two second-place awards. Their parents are Renana and Assaf Harel.
Joel Guggenheimer wrote the winning cartoon caption for the March/April issue of Moment Magazine.
Soprano Chelsea Friedlander returns to Dayton as a soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic’s performance of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy at the Schuster Center, Oct. 13 and 14. Chelsea was an artist-in-residence with Dayton Opera last season.
This summer, brother and sister Be’eri and Ta’eer Harel each won two first-place ribbons in their respective age groups in the 43rd annual Indianapolis Charity Horse Show. They also competed in the Pink Ribbon Classic Charity Horse Show in July where Ta’eer won two firstplace awards and Be’eri won
Send your Kvelling items to: kvellingcorner@gmail.com or to Rachel Haug Gilbert The Dayton Jewish Observer 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville, OH 45459
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Eric and Sheri Poch announce with great pride and joy that their daughter Alayna Beth will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Nov. 4 at Temple Israel. Alayna was an honor roll student at Northmoor Elementary. She is a seventh-grader at Northmont Middle School and participates in cheerleading and choir. She has also participated in competitive cheer for four years, gymnastics for six years, and enjoys spending time horseback riding. For her mitzvah project, Alayna is collecting donations for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Alayna is the younger sister of Jordan Poch, great-granddaughter of the late Davie and Lucile Levine of Colchester, Conn., the late Jack and Freida Leet of Dayton, the late David and Bessie Froug of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the late Leon and Elsie Poch of Jamaica, N.Y., granddaughter of Honore Poch and the late Col. Richard Poch of West Chester, Pa., Phyllis Froug of Dayton, and Ronald Froug and the late Gloria Kobrin of Mission Viejo, Calif.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
RELIGION
CONGREGATIONS Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Monday through Friday 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional Rabbi In Residence Adam Rosenthal Saturdays 9:30 a.m., Sundays 8 a.m., Sunday through Friday, 7 p.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 274-2149. BethJacobCong.org Temple Anshe Emeth Reform Rabbinic Intern Taylor Poslosky Fri., Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Call Eileen Litchfield, 937-5470092, elitchfield@woh.rr.com. Correspondence address: 3808 Beanblossom Rd., Greenville, OH 45331. ansheemeth.org Temple Beth Or Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Educator/Rabbi Ari Ballaban Fridays 7 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. templebethor.com Temple Beth Sholom Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz See Web site for schedule. 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. thetemplebethsholom.com Temple Israel Reform Senior Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo First Friday each month 6 p.m. All other Fridays, 6:30 p.m. Saturdays 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Rabbi Cary Kozberg Fridays 6 p.m. 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays 9 a.m. adults, 10 a.m children. Sundays 9 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 643-0770. www.chabaddayton.com Yellow Springs Havurah Independent Services 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10-noon. Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Cheryl Levine, 937-767-9293.
Finding balance
Jewish feminism symposium Nov. 2
By Rabbi Tina Sobo ally lies down, i.e. evening, and Temple Israel does not refer to position, since Amid the energy of the High we also say, “When you sit in Holy Days, I have found myself your house and when you walk considering and practicing the on your way (from the same set concept of balance over the past of verses/prayer).” few weeks in many ways. One time, Rabbi Ishmael Meanwhile, in our weekly and Rabbi Eleazar were eatTalmud class at ing dinner together Temple Israel, we when it came time continue to muse to say the evening every time the text Shema. Rabbi Eleareads, “A dilemma zar was standing. was raised” or, “that He followed House idea was rejected.” of Shammai and Of course there’s therefore laid down a dilemma or a chalto say the Shema. lenge: it’s Talmud Rabbi Ishmael, who and if the rabbis of followed the House the Talmud have not of Hillel, was already considered every laying down. He Rabbi Tina Sobo possible aspect of an could have remained issue, they are not going to be in that position, but stood up to done talking about it. say the Shema. This brings to mind two texts Rabbi Eleazar was upset and from the Talmud, which when asked him why he switched taken together, are among my positions. Rabbi Ishmael favorites. I include them in responded that his friend was slightly paraphrased, non-literfollowing Shammai and he folal translation form: lows Hillel. Rabbi Eleazar, then said, “But you were already reclining! Hillel permits you to say the Shema in the position in Text 1: From the Babylonian which you find yourself!” Rabbi Talmud, Tractate Berachot Ishmael responded, “This is (Blessings), Page 30a: true, but if our students saw us Rabbi Hisda believed that both reclining to say the Shema, one had to stand still to recite then the law might be fixed in the prayer for traveling. Rabbi one way forever (lest they think Sheshet (who happened to be the law is only followed accordblind) believed that you could ing to Shammai).” either stand still or recite it Now while in good Talmud while moving. One day the two fashion, you can argue the difrabbis were traveling together ferences in each story that lead on a journey. Rabbi Hisda, aceach rabbinic figure to his decicording to his beliefs, stopped sion, here is what I find most his horse, and got down to pray interesting: The Talmud gives the blessing for travelling. Rab- two cases that are both set up bi Sheshet heard that the footas Rabbi 1 and Rabbi 2 disagree steps of his friend’s horse had on this piece of halachah (Jewish stopped, and asked his guide law), one does it his way, the what Rabbi Hisda was doing. other could go along and still He was told that his friend had be within his beliefs, or make a stopped to pray. Rabbi Sheshet point of the fact that their pracsaid, “Place me beside him tice varies. In one case, the rabbi that I may also pray.” And he chooses to join his colleague; in added, “If you can be good, do the other, the rabbi chooses to not be called bad.” make his position known. Text 2: From the Babylonian The truth is, we need both of Talmud, Tractate Berachot, these anecdotes as models. We Page 11a: live in a diverse community, Background: There is a Jewish and secular. There are debate among the students of times, like at our wonderful Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shamcommunity Selichot service, mai. Hillel says one can say when it is best to find where the Shema (and V’ahavta) in our beliefs and practices overany position. Shammai says lap and join together. There are one must say it reclining, times when it is more appropribecause it is written, “When ate to emphasize the differences you lie down.” (In the book of in practice that make each of us Deuteronomy and as part of a Jew, a person, in our own way. the V’ahavta). Whereas Hillel The key is knowing which maintains that this verse refers model to follow in a given situto the time when one generation.
Dr. Rachel Adler, professor of Jewish religious thought, modern Jewish thought, and feminist studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, will present two lectures on Jewish feminism for the 39th Annual Ryterband Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Wright State University. At 4 p.m., Adler will deliver the lecture, Public Outcry: Women’s Laments and Social Activism, A Historical Perspective. Her 7:30 p.m. lecture will be From Feminism to Gender: The Dr. Rachel Adler Evolution of a Jewish Feminist. Adler was one of the first religious scholars to interpret Jewish texts with feminist perspectives; her 1971 essay, The Jew Who Wasn’t There, is considered the first work of Jewish feminist theology, according to HUC-JIR. The Ryterband Symposium is co-sponsored by the University of Dayton, Wright State University, and United Theological Seminary. The lectures are free and open to the public; both will be held in Room E163 in the Student Union. For more information, contact Wright State University Zusman Prof. of Judaic Studies Dr. Mark Verman at 775-2461.
Perspectives
Erev Sukkot Oct. 4: 6:56 p.m. First Eve Sukkot Oct. 5: 7:52 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 6: 6:53 p.m. Erev Shemini Atzeret Oct. 11: 6:45 p.m. Erev Simchat Torah Oct. 12: 7:42 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 13, 6:42 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 20, 6:32 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 27, 6:22 p.m.
Torah Portions Oct. 14 Bereshit (Gen. 1:1-6:8) Oct. 21 Noach (Gen. 6:9-11:32) Oct. 28 Lech Lecha (Gen. 12:1-17:27)
Sukkot
Festival of Booths Oct. 5-11/ 15-21 Tishri Named after the huts the Jews lived in while wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Marked by building sukkot to eat meals in during the festival, and in the synagogue by processions with the lulav (palm branches with myrtle and willow) and etrog (citron fruit).
Shemini Atzeret
The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton will present its 16-session course, From Door to Door: Introduction to Judaism, on Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 16. The annual class opens Dayton’s synagogues to anyone interested in Jewish learning, dialogue, and exploration. From Door to Door offers an in-depth look at Judaism from Conservative, Orthodox, Traditional, and Reform perspectives. Course instructors are rabbis from Dayton’s synagogues; class sessions rotate among the congregations. The registration fee is $75 for a single or couple and includes books and materials. For more information or to enroll, contact Rabbi Judy Chessin at 435-3400.
Tishri/Cheshvan Candle Lightings
Introduction to Judaism course
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
October
Eighth Day of Assembly Oct. 12/22 Tishri Either the final day of Sukkot, or a distinct holiday immediately following Sukkot, depending on interpretation. Historically, it allowed an extra day in Jerusalem for Jewish pilgrims on their journey to the Temple. Tefillat Geshem (the prayer for rain), Hallel (Psalms of thanksgiving and joy), and Yizkor (memorial prayers) are recited.
Simchat Torah
Rejoicing of the Torah Oct. 13/23 Tishri Annual cycle of reading the Torah is concluded and a new cycle begun. Celebrated in the synagogue with singing, dancing and Torah processionals.
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RELIGION
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Figuring out what Shemini Atzeret is By Carla Naumburg, JTA I know something about most Jewish holidays. I can tell you that Chanukah is about miracles, Passover is about slavery and freedom, and Shavuot is about cheesecake. (I have no idea why, but when it comes to matters of cheesecake, it is not mine to question.) The one holiday that has baffled me for years is Shemini Atzeret. I can’t remember the first time I became aware of it, and to be honest, I didn’t care much about it until last year when my older daughter started attending Jewish day school. I understood why we needed two days off for Rosh Hashanah and to get out of school early on the day before Yom Kippur. I was even willing to accept the two days off at the beginning and the end of Sukkot and Passover. But Shemini Atzeret? What exactly is this holiday, and why does it merit yet another day off from school, another day in which I have to scramble for child care in hopes of getting a little work done while feeling guilty for not spending the day with my girls? I started asking around, and I heard a variety of fairly uninspiring responses, most of them about Shemini Atzeret being the eighth day of the seven-day holiday of Sukkot. I didn’t buy it. Judaism is all about narratives and meaning and symbolism. I just couldn’t believe that we would have a holiday that was nothing more than an extra day. A little online research gave me some more information about the holiday, all of which was helpful but not entirely clear. Shemini Atzeret is clearly connected to Sukkot (shemini means “eighth” in Hebrew), but according to the Talmud, it is also its own independent holiday. In the Diaspora, a second day is added to all Jewish holidays except Yom Kippur, so Shemini Atzeret coincides with the eighth day of Sukkot everywhere except Israel. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah fall on the same day. In the Diaspora, Simchat Torah is celebrated on the day after Shemini Atzeret. You follow? I also learned there are a few ways in which Shemini Atzeret
is different from Sukkot, several of which are related to the ancient Temple service and no longer relevant. The other ones have to do with subtle differences in the liturgy, such as saying the Shehecheyanu, reciting the prayer for rain for the first time in the season, and saying the Yizkor prayers. Other than that, there are no specific rituals or objects mentioned besides avoiding work. And that’s where it gets interesting. Most Jewish holidays have a fairly clear reason for their existence (commemoration of a historical event, redemption, etc.) and a fairly clear set of activities we’re supposed to engage in to honor the holiday (eat matzah, light the menorah, etc.). Shemini Atzeret doesn’t have any of these. What it does have is a word — atzeret —which many people define as “assembly,” although as Rabbi Paul Steinberg notes, “The inherent problem is that no one really knows exactly what atzeret means.” It is possible it comes from the Hebrew atzar, which has been variously translated as to stop, to pause, to hold back or to keep in. The Midrash basically says that Shemini Atzeret is like God’s afterparty with the Jewish people. We’ve just been through the World Series of Jewish holidays, and we were seriously busy. We were eating too much, not eating at all, praying our tushies off, building our sukkahs and then welcoming everyone in town to come dine with us. There are so many messages, so many ideas, so many lessons and learnings that happen through all of this — about gratitude and blessings and the errors of our ways and the joys of redemption and the transitory nature of life and the importance of welcoming neighbors, all the while celebrating the crazy, chaotic, unpredictable beauty of this world we live in. Needless to say, it’s a lot. Shemini Atzeret is the vacation to recover from the holiday. (If you’ve ever gone on a trip with kids, you know exactly what I’m talking about.)
But in this case, we’re not doing laundry and shopping for groceries. We’re just taking it all in. The story is that after we just spent seven days rejoicing in the beauty of nature during Sukkot (after all, what’s more welcoming than building a little house with no door on it?), now God wants one more day with us, the Jewish people, to just be together. To just chill and take it all in, to stop, pause, hold back and keep in. According to my friend Rabbi Ariel Burger, this is a day Pexels
It is just an extra day after all — just the kind of extra day that most of us need. of just being, an opportunity to process everything that has happened, to integrate what we have struggled with and learned. I don’t know about you, but that makes my little social work heart soar. It turns out it is just an extra day after all — just the kind of extra day that most of us need. I’m not sure how, or even if, we’ll honor Shemini Atzeret this year in my house. It’s true that my girls don’t have school, but I’d already planned to take them to visit their great-grandmothers in New York. But I can tell you this: Shemini Atzeret has gone from two words that meant nothing to me to a day that will forever remind me that sometimes I do need to stop doing and just be for awhile. Maybe our family will enjoy one last meal in the sukkah under the changing leaves of fall. That I can definitely do. And in case you were wondering, you can still eat in your sukkah, but please don’t shake your lulav and etrog, and don’t say the Sukkot blessings. Shemini Atzeret might get jealous. Carla Naumburg is a clinical social worker and writer. She is the author of Parenting in the Present Moment: How to Stay Focused on What Really Matters.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
By Shannon Sarna, The Nosher By the time Sukkot arrives, we are three weeks into nonstop Jewish holiday mode. Some people might be tired of cooking, and I don’t blame them one bit. But Sukkot is probably my favorite holiday of the season to cook for. I love sitting outdoors in the brisk autumn air, enjoying harvest-inspired dishes with friends and family. Even so, I understand how slaving away in the kitchen can get tiresome — especially when there are so many dishes to wash. That’s when it's time to employ cooking shortcuts. Tricks like store-bought puff pastry, frozen veggies, and one-pot dishes will save you time on Sukkot without sacrificing flavor. Spiced Squash and Lamb Bourekas Bourekas are an easy appetizer to throw together using store-bought puff pastry. If you don’t like ground lamb, substitute ground beef. You can also make a vegetarian version by using tofu or feta cheese with the squash. 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry, left to thaw at room temperature for around 30 minutes 1/2 lb. ground lamb 2 cups cooked puréed or mashed butternut squash (can also use sweet potato or frozen butternut squash) 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 small onion 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1/4 tsp. cinnamon Pinch red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp. salt 1 egg beaten for glaze Sesame seeds, nigella seeds or poppy seeds (optional) Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent. Add spices to pan and cook until toasted, around one minute. Add ground lamb and cook until no longer pink, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon as you cook. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Combine butternut squash and lamb mixture in a medium bowl. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out each sheet of puff pastry. Cut each sheet into nine even squares. Using a rolling pin, roll out each square slightly.
salt. Place chicken back into pan. Cover pot and reduce heat to low. Cook 25 minutes, then add frozen veggies to pot. Cook another five to seven minutes, until rice is cooked and all liquid has evaporated. Fluff rice and serve. Yields four to six servings.
Sukkot shortcuts Scoop one heaping tablespoon of the lamb/squash mixture into the corner of each square. Fold puff pastry over filling, forming a triangle. Using the tines of a fork, crimp the edges. Repeat with second sheet of puff pastry. Brush each boureka with beaten egg. Top with sesame seeds, nigella seeds or poppy seeds, if desired. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until golden on top. Yields 10 to 12 servings.
1-2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced 1 large onion 2 celery ribs, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups white or brown rice 21/2 cups vegetable or chicken stock 2 cups water 8-10 oz. mixed frozen vegetables
For the streusel: 1/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine or unsalted butter, melted 11/3 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
Combine paprika, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub spice mixture onto the skin and underside of each chicken thigh. One Pot Chicken and Rice with Sweet Heat olive oil over medium-high Potatoes heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Sear This one-pot wonder can be made chicken, skin side down, for five minone to two days ahead of time and utes, until chicken has browned slightly. reheated for guests. If you don’t like Remove chicken from pan. sweet potato, you can substitute carrots, Add another tablespoon of olive butternut squash or even pumpkin. oil. Sauté sweet potato two For more spice, add spicy minutes, stirring conpaprika or red pepper flakes. tinuously. Add onion Because the chicken and and celery and cook veggies are all cooked in another five minthe same pot, the rice is utes, stirring and super flavorful and will scraping brown feed a crowd. bits off bottom of pan. Add garlic and 6-8 chicken thighs, skin cook another two left on minutes. 1 Tbsp. paprika Add rice to pan and 1 tsp. dried oregano stir with veggies and 1 tsp. dried thyme oil to coat. Add stock and 1/4 tsp. salt water and bring to a boil. One Pot Chicken & Rice with Vegetables Add a quarter teaspoon 1/4 tsp. pepper
Tarzan
@ 400 Sugar Camp Circle, 45409 (across from Beth Abraham Synagogue)
For the fruit: 4 medium apples, peeled and diced 3 pears, peeled and diced 1/3 cup dried cherries (can also substitute dried cranberries or raisins) 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. flour 1 tsp. cinnamon Pinch salt
Lamb and squash bourekas
AUDITIONS 4:30–7:30PM MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
Apples and Pear Streusel Crumble This crumble is delicious all year, but it’s especially tasty when apples and pears are in season. By adding dried cherries, you get a pop of color and bright tartness. The addictive crumble topping is perfect whether you make it pareve or dairy.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-by-8-inch square pan. Place apples and pears in a large bowl. Add cherries, lemon juice, sugar and flour. Mix well and set aside. In another medium bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla. Stir in the melted butter and then flour. Mix until resembles coarse crumbs that stick together slightly. Pour fruit mixture into prepared pan. Crumble streusel topping over the fruit in an even layer. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until topping is golden brown. Can be made one or two days ahead of time. Serve warm if desired. Yields six to eight servings.
des a r g 2–12
Sing your heart out at this year’s auditions for Tarzan. Children grades 2–12 are asked to prepare a one-minute segment of a Broadway song. Wear comfortable clothes and dance shoes if you have them. Show dates: February 10 & 11, 2018
Contact Meryl Hattenbach at 937-401-1550 or mhattenbach@jfgd.net to schedule an audition and for more information regarding theatre program fees.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 21
Arts&Culture
David also studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Along the way, he found his niche in the art world. While he has created many stunning pieces of Judaica, David has never stopped to rank them as to his favorites or most meaningful. “No favorites,” he said in an e-mail. “I By Marc Katz, Special To The Observer don’t have a favorite child (he has four, and He started a trend with illuminated, several grandchildren), either.” custom-designed ketubot (Jewish marriage In his notes that accompany the bencher, contracts), published an exquisite Passover David explained that he has been guilty of Haggadah, and created a masterfully carved rushing through the meal-ending prayers shtender (prayer stand) to be used for Shaband, “I’m often anxious to get up from the bat, holidays, and every day. table and back to my activities…This is all a Now, Jerusalem-based David Moss has pity, for there is so much beauty and meancreated a bencher — a booklet with the Grace ing in this very graceful Grace after Meals. I After Meals — camouflaged as a comic book felt it deserved better.” that can be used for adults as well as chilHe and his staff produced the colordren. Its easy-to-understand translations and ful bencher, with English translations and commentary help the user better connect question-and-answer lines that explain the with this daily prayer. meanings of every passage of the grace. He calls it The OMG! Bencher. Included in the comic book are the Sheva “I taught from these comic books Brachot, the Seven Blessfor the first time at Camp Ramah in ings said during the wedCalifornia,” native Daytonian David ding ceremony, with the said by e-mail from his Jerusalem Grace After Meals after home and studio. “The responses the wedding, and after the were phenomenal. One class of couple’s dinners over the 11-year-old girls literally begged and next seven days. pleaded for me to come back and The OMG! Bencher teach them more. I’ve never had that joins an impressive list reaction in a class before. They were of artistic accomplishjust so delighted to finally understand ments by David, who has the meaning of the words of this established a “minyan prayer that they have been rattling subscription plan” that he off by memory for years. This was exoriginally thought would actly the reason I created this work.” involve 10 subscribers who David took a circuitous route to would pay in advance at a Orthodox Judaism and Jerusalem deep discount for three to from his roots as a Reform Jew in four of his works a year. Dayton. He learned much from his The “minyan” is several inventive father, Jack Moss. times bigger than he exArtist David Moss at his His sister, Meredith Moss Levinpected, which gives David studio in Jerusalem son, said David was always interested the funding to produce in Judaism; he gave tours of Temple Israel on even more art. Among subscribers are the Salem Avenue to non-Jewish groups. It was libraries of Yale University, Hebrew Union when he attended St. John’s College in Santa College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and the Fe, N.M. that he began to follow a more tradi- University of California, Berkley. tional path to how he lives, and where. At age 71, David is hardly finished learnAt St. John’s, David also learned from ing or producing artworks. Rabbi Abraham Shinedling, who visited “My current projects-to-do list has 254 from the Los Alamos Jewish Center. He was items on it, large and small,” David said. “a wonderful teacher,” David said, “and I This includes a teacher’s institute for the arts, began to study Hebrew with him. Yet there architectural projects, and a Garden of Jewish was no one in Santa Fe in those days from Exploration, “where visitors can confront, whom I felt I could learn the ancient ways of explore and interact with our most basic Jewmy people. That was a quest I had to do very ish values through experiential, creative and much on my own. And I began that quest.” aesthetic encounters.”
David Moss offers Grace After Meals illuminated in comic book form David Moss/Bet Alpha Editions
A page from The OMG! Bencher by David Moss. A contemporary paraphrasing of the text appears on each page
Active Adults Skirball Museum Tour
Tuesday, October 10 @ 11:30AM–3PM Dewey’s Pizza (265 Hosea Ave., Cincinnati, 45220), Skirball Museum (3101 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, 45220) Meet at Dewey’s Pizza for lunch, then head over to the Skirball Museum at 1PM for a tour of the museum along with the Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American special exhibit. Tour is free, cost of lunch is on your own. Tour should conclude around 3 PM. RSVP by October 3 at 937-610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org PAGE 22
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
God wrestling Turning to Spirituality Series
A Hebrew school student’s mother, an avowed atheist, once approached me to ask if I would teach her son about God. How amazing, I thought, that a non-believing parent still understood the importance of her child exploring ideas about God. On the other hand, how sad that she didn’t feel she had the resources to tackle it herself. We talk with our children
Candace R. Kwiatek about nearly everything from sex to death to politics. Why is it so hard to talk about God? Maybe it’s because we ourselves don’t know what we think about God or what “God” even means. We may wonder if our personal views about God are authentically Jewish or just too radical to share. Perhaps we’re stuck with unsatisfying God-images from our youth. Maybe we don’t believe in God at all. How will we be able to answer the inevitable questions? How can we talk sincerely about God when we’re God-wrestling ourselves? From the time of the Patriarchs until today, Jews have wrestled with the notion of God. In fact, our very name, Israel, means “wrestle with God.” But wrestling with God is a very personal experience, which even God acknowledges upon greeting Moses at the burning bush. “I am the God of
your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob,” God says, rather than “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” as if their experiences of God were one and the same. Rabbi Paul Kipnes notes that according to Jewish tradition there are at least 70 names for God that embrace a whole spectrum of God concepts. His first response to a congregant professing not to believe in God was, “What kind of God don’t you believe in?” There’s the Creator God of Genesis and the personal God of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. In Hebrew, God synonyms include Source of Life, Rock of Israel, Compassionate One, The Place, Maker of Peace, Without End, Existence. Turning to philosophers, Rabbi Michal Loving describes Philo’s God as pure Mind and Intelligence, the Soul of the Universe. Maimonides’ God is the Unmoved Mover, the Cause behind nature and science, while Spinoza’s God is nature. The rabbis of the Talmud say the all-good, all-powerful God interacts with the world, while Milton Steinberg says God is not all-powerful and doesn’t intervene. “Nobody agrees,” Loving explains. “The best part is, all of these conceptions are Jewish.” Rabbi Karyn Kedar concludes that, “Apparently, our ancestors understood that the vastness of God can be under-
stood only if we use words that include as much of human experience as possible.” God concepts aren’t simply the product of adults’ intellectual gymnastics or mindless indoctrination either. According to an extensive multi-disciplinary, multicultural project of more than 40 separate studies led by Oxford’s Dr. Jerome Barrett, the human mind from infancy onward has a natural predisposition to religious beliefs of various sorts, including belief in gods and an afterlife. These studies may help explain why so many parents are caught off guard by their young children’s theological questions and sophisticated notions of God. The importance of God-wrestling throughout our lives can’t be underestimated, notes Rabbi David Wolpe. “What we believe about God greatly affects how we view ourselves, other people, and our world.” Here are six suggestions for fostering constructive Godwrestling at any age. 1. Jewish Spiritual Parenting authors Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Michelle November recommend that parents hold back on adult-sized doubts in order to give children room to ex-
‘What kind of God don’t you believe in?’
Literature to share The Hebrew Alphabet: Book of Rhymes for English Speaking Kids by Yael Rosenberg. In this first book in his A Taste of Hebrew for Kids series, Rosenberg introduces each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet through a kid-friendly image, the Hebrew word, the English transliteration, and a simple rhyme. This series, which includes counting, colors, and more, is perfect as an early childhood introduction to the Hebrew language. King Solomon’s Table: A Culinary Exploration of Jewish Cooking from Around the World by Joan Nathan. Nathan’s book is like a private tour around the world through personal stories, historical notes, and a wide array of mouth-watering culinary treats. Recipes use easily acquired ingredients and include clear directions and photos. A feast for the intellect as well as for the body.
plore, learn, and grow on their own terms. Their advice could apply equally to ourselves to benefit our own spiritual growth. 2. Use your smartphone to snap a single picture each day of something wondrous, miraculous, or awesome. Such images are transformative, opening us to a sense of possibility, and inspiring us to recognize the transcendent. “There are only two ways to live your life,” Gustave Doré, Jacob Wrestling with the Einstein is quoted Angel, 1855 as saying. “One is as did you ask any good questhough nothing is a tions today?” From that, he miracle. The other is as though learned that the key to life was everything is.” asking good questions, not 3. Educate yourself. What always knowing “the correct kind of God don’t you believe response.” in? What other notions of God 6. Finally, the Talmud teachdoes Judaism embrace? Start by exploring the accompanying es that each person should teach his tongue to say, “I don’t resources. know.” Don’t be afraid to say, 4. We are the People of the “I don’t know,” but then add, Book, so read or tell stories “Let’s find out.” and talk about them. Bible. God-wrestling is a life-long Midrashim. Folk tales. Stories journey with no clear landinspire readers and listeners marks. Author Wendy Rusto contemplate big ideas about sell concludes, “If we’re not purpose and meaning. prepared to explore ideas of 5. Ask questions. Invite God…with our curious chilquestions. The Nobel Prizewinning physicist I.I. Rabi once dren, someone else will do it for us.” And if we don’t do it told an interviewer that his for ourselves, no one will do it mother would ask him when for us. he came from school, “Isaac,
ANNUAL MEDICARE ENROLLMENT PERIOD October 15–December 7, 2017
Medicare and OSHIIP, the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, are offering four free Medicare Check Up days in Montgomery County to help with plan review and selection. Medicare counselors from the Ohio Department of Insurance will be on hand to sit down with you individually and help review your needs and decide on a plan. This is a free service offered by Medicare and OSHIIP, the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program.
NORTH
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 9AM–3PM Vandalia Senior Center 21 Tionda Dr. (off Dixie Dr. in Vandalia) CALL 898-1232 for an appt.
NORTH
NORTH
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 9AM–3PM Earl Heck Center
201 N. Main St., Englewood CALL 836-5929 for an appt.
SOUTH
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 9AM–2PM SIENNA WOODS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 9AM–3PM BOONSHOFT CJCE
6125 N. Main St., Dayton (NAAS Wellness Center) CALL 853-5212 for an appt.
525 Versailles Dr., Centerville CALL 610-1555 for an appt.
Bring a list of current prescription drugs. Need additional Medicare information or help with plan selection? Contact Connie Blum, OSHIIP’s County Coordinator, at 2744717 or scblum@earthlink.net.
Jew
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 23
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OBITUARIES Jacob “Jack” Bomstein, a Holocaust survivor born in Poland, passed away at the age of 90 on Sept. 3. Mr. Bomstein is survived by his loving wife, Bernice. He was the devoted father of Moritz, Jeff and Rick; grandfather of Scott Crist, Jessica and husband Jason Trieb, Jason Bomstein and Amber Bomstein; greatgrandfather of Benjamin and Stella Trieb and Simone Crist. Mr. Bomstein was married to Bernice for 63 years and was a member of Beth Jacob Synagogue for more than 60 years. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton.
GLICKLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE
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Jonathan David Ezekiel, born in 1952, formerly of Derwood Md., died Sept. 8 of a heart attack in Yellow Springs. He is survived by mother, Bernice Ezekiel Brant of Dayton; son, Edward of Atlanta; sister, Judith of Yellow Springs; niece and nephew Clara and Eizo Lang-Ezekiel; and a large network of loving cousins. He was preceded in death by father, Herbert; and brother, Michael. Mr. Ezekiel graduated from Colonel White High School and Yale University, and did graduate work at George Washington University. He applied his brilliant and rigorous mind to everything he did. He worked as a researcher and an editor in the publishing industry for years, including work on the criminalization of the mentally ill. He was an avid walker and a prolific poet. Lorraine Kobel passed away Sept. 2. She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Feldman (Bruce) and Fran Tannenbaum (Jordan); grandchildren, Amy Knopf (Gary), Michael Tannenbaum, Rebecca Miller (Cody), Jason Feldman, David Tannenbaum; and greatgrandchildren Ava and Blake Knopf. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Marvin Kobel. Mrs. Kobel was born in New Haven, Conn. and met and married Marvin in New York City. They lived for more than 40 years in
Washington, D.C., where she greatly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the nation's capital. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her greatest joy was her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Interment was at Beth Jacob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Israel’s version of ‘alt-right’
Continued from Page 12 of German submarines. Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelbilt announced Sept. 8 that he intends to indict the prime minister’s wife, Sara, for fraud over her alleged use of public funds for household Harry Schrager, age 74, passed expenses. away Aug. 23. Mr. Schrager Yair Netanyahu posted the was proceeded in death by cartoon — which included his parents, Oscar and Sylvia likenesses of a former houseSchrager. Mr. Schrager was keeper at the heart of the case retired from WHIO Channel 7 against his mother and another as an engineer and loved his job man leading weekly protests and co-workers. He is survived demanding indictments of his by many cousins, his beloved family — hours after Mandeldog, Hershey, and his “little bilt’s announcement. brother” Michael Cohen. Mr. It was not the first time Yair Schrager was a voice actor for has lashed out at leftists on many years and was an active Facebook in recent weeks. member in the community In August, following U.S. with volunteer work and was President Donald Trump’s previously a Big Brother with controversial response to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Mr. deadly violence at a far-right Schrager was a veteran of the march in Charlottesville, U.S. Army and was stationed Virginia, Yair Netanyahu sugin Germany during Vietnam. gested that American left-wing Interment was at Riverview groups are more dangerous Cemetery. Donations may be than neo-Nazis. Days earlier, he made in his name to Friends of questioned a left-wing NGO’s Deeds Point Dog Park at Fifth sources of funding and the supThird Bank locations, Dayton posedly illicit behavior of the Children’s, or SICSA. sons of former prime ministers. Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly takes social media advice from Yair, has hardly been less restrained, calling the investigations of his family a “witch hunt” by “leftists” and the “fake news.” He has sought to characterize the probes, apparently with some success, as an attack on all right-wing Israelis. “They don’t want to just take me down,” he said in Tel Aviv Mr. Joseph Litvin Beverly Louis in August in one of a pair of ralPerry Lubens lies he has recently held. “They Dr. David & Joan Marcus want to take us all down.” Carole & Donald Marger Netanyahu has yet to comSuzi & Jeff Mikutis Ron & Sue Nelson ment on the latest controversy Myrna Nelson surrounding his son. When Sis & Phil Office reporters asked Netanyahu Helene Perez directly about the issue at the Richard & Roberta Prigozen weekly Cabinet meeting SunJohn & Sharyn Reger Russ Remick day, he replied, “Thank you, but Cherie Rosenstein this isn’t a press conference.” Jan Rudd-Goenner That, too, became a meme on Felice & Michael Shane Tight Memes. In a video clip, a Susan L. Smith Dr. Marc & Maureen Sternberg pair of animated sunglasses and Col. Jeffrey Thau, USAF, (Ret.) & a cigar appear on Netanyahu’s Rina Thau face. The text reads, “I didn’t Dr. & Mrs. Joel Tobiansky choose the thug life. It chose David Verson me.” Julie & Adam Waldman & Family
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Rabbi Naomi Levy: tending the soul By Judy Bolton-Fasman JewishBoston.com In her new book, Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul, Rabbi Naomi Levy teaches that the soul operates in our world on three levels — nefesh, ruach, and nishama. While each of these three words is a Hebrew synonym for “soul,” Levy describes nefesh as the first level of spirituality. It’s the place we journey from to see the soul more expansively, to see our lives with more openness. Ruach, she says, starts to teach us about our connections to the world, connections that include love and intimacy. Nishama, the third level of the soul, is like heat: one can feel it, but not see it. “It’s the part of us that is capable of prophetic vision,” Levy says. “It is what Albert Einstein was discussing (in his letter to Rabbi Robert Marcus) when he referred to the unity of all things and the delusion of separateness. Einstein was saying that there is nothing but God. Everything I touch and see is only God.” Levy will discuss Einstein and the Rabbi on Oct. 30 as part of the JCC’s Cultural Arts & Book Fest. The idea of writing about Einstein came to Levy after she read a snippet of a letter he had written to Marcus, an army chaplain among the first Americans to liberate Buchenwald. After the war, Marcus escorted survivor children to an orphanage in France and a The JCC’s Cultural Arts & Book Fest presents author Rabbi Naomi Levy at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30 at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. $5 in advance, $8 at the door. R.S.V.P. to 6101555 or at jewishdayton.org.
Returning to God is the kibbutz in Israel. Initially, Levy centerpiece of Levy’s rabbinate. didn’t know that Marcus was She leads a congregation in the a grieving father who reached Los Angeles area called Nashuout to Einstein for succor. va, which in Hebrew means, She began to ponder why he “We shall return.” wrote to Einstein. Her previous books present “In Marcus’ mind, Einstein disenfranchised Jews with a was the man who most understood the workJay Lawrence Goldman more accessible Judaism. ings of God’s uni“I’ve always verse,” she opines. been drawn to “Einstein was the Jewish outsiders,” man who transshe says. “Nashuformed the way va came about as we understand a desire to crethe universe, time, ate something to space and matter. draw Jews back to I couldn’t believe Judaism, to create Einstein had writsomething spiriten something so tual, soulful and deeply spiritual. musical. Some of Here is a man who the prayers we spent his life Rabbi Naomi Levy say, many of them trying to prove written by me, the unified field were inspired by traditional theory — that everything is liturgy.” connected.” Levy’s faith was tested again This sent Levy on a scavena few years ago when she reger hunt for Marcus’ original ceived a cancer diagnosis. letter to Einstein. She had gone to the doctor Levy says she always wanted to be a rabbi. “It was part of my with what she thought would be the simple removal of a DNA.” small basal carcinoma on her Her faith, however, was nose. The cancer turned out deeply challenged at the age of to be pervasive, and Levy had 15 when her father was murto have major reconstructive dered in a mugging in Brooksurgery. lyn. She struggled to pray. With that trauma came a dis“Many days, I couldn’t recite orienting role reversal in which certain prayers because they she desperately needed the seemed like lies.” prayers she had recited over so In college she decided the many other people as a rabbi. way she understood God was “As I used my own prayers, incorrect, that God’s job deI realized that me from the past scription is not to prevent evil was here to comfort the me in in the world. the present,” she said. “I re“We only start asking quesmember saying the verse from tions like ‘God, where were Hallel, ‘I called to God from my you?’ after we experience narrowness, and God answered a trauma,” Levy says. “We from a vast expanse.’ I recited should ask that question every it over and over until I had day. If we do, instead of being reached a place of grace.” angry with God, we can see Levy hopes to shed light on God through new eyes.” the connections between sciHer faith deepened and ence and religion, theory and strengthened. “Instead of hatspirituality. After all, it was ing, I started listening,” she Einstein who declared, “Science says. “As soon as I did that, without religion is lame; reliI returned to my childhood gion without science is blind.” dreams of being a rabbi.”
One-man play about Einstein
Along with Rabbi Naomi Levy, another Los Angeles presenter will contribute to the JCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest’s celebration of Albert Einstein’s genius. Actor and educator Jack Fry will perform his one-person show Einstein! at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19 at Oakwood High School Auditorium, 1200 Far Hills Ave. Einstein! is set in 1914 Berlin, with the scientist staring down professional and personal crises while working through his Theory of Relativity. Fry has also taught full time in the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1990. Tickets are $18 in advance, $25 at the door, free for ages 18 and under. According to the JCC, the show is appropriate for ages 10 and up. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org. — Marshall Weiss
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EINSTEIN! A ONE-MAN SHOW
OCT 19
OCT 25
7PM @ Oakwood High School Auditorium (1200 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood) Einstein! explores the young scientist’s earlier years in Berlin as he struggles to prove this theory of relativity. Actor Jack Fry is an award winning playwright, solo artist, and teacher.
NOV 8
The Power of Different with author DR. GAIL SALTZ
NOV (1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood) An inspiring examination of the connection between 15 great talent and conditions thought to be “disabilities.” 7PM @ Wright Memorial Public Library
A frequent contributor in the media, Dr. Saltz is the nation’s go-to expert on a variety of psychological and mental health issues. NO CHARGE.
Sponsor: Wright Memorial Public Library
OCT 30
Einstein & The Rabbi with author RABBI NAOMI LEVY 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE When Rabbi Naomi Levy came across this poignant letter by Einstein it shook her to her core. Levy wondered what had elicited such spiritual wisdom from a man of science? Newsweek has named Rabbi Naomi Levy as one of the top 50 rabbis in America.
NOV 16
NOV 1 RSVP an
d paymen required t by Tuesday, 24. Strictl October meal is a y kosher v upon adv ailable anc request. ed
NOV 2
6:30PM @ Coco’s Bistro (250 Warren St., Dayton) A devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending. Recently named by TheSkimm as a SkimmReads pick, and hailed as an “elegant novel” by the New York Post. $30 includes choice of fish, dairy or vegetarian dinner plus gratuity (drinks/dessert additional)
The Light We Lost Q & A with author JILL SANTOPOLO 10AM @ Centerville Library (111 W. Spring Valley Rd., Centerville)
No Charge. Please register in advance at www.wclibrary.info Sponsors: Washington-Centerville Public Library and Friends of WCPL
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The Hard Road of Dreams with local Holocaust survivor ROBERT KAHN 7PM @ Stivers School for the Arts (1313 East 5th Street, Dayton) Born under the influence of Nazi Germany, Dayton native Robert Kahn’s emotional journey plunges the reader through shifting shades of darkness and his eventual escape. After Robert discusses his memoir, the Stivers orchestra will perform. NO CHARGE.
High Noon with author GLENN FRANKEL 7:15PM @ The Neon (130 East 5th Street, Dayton) Nosh with us before watching High Noon. After the film Glenn Frankel enlightens us with how Foreman’s concept of High Noon evolved from idea to first draft to final script, becoming a parable about the Red Scare. $9.
Extreme Measures with author DR. JESSICA NUTIK ZITTER 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE In Extreme Measures, Dr. Zitter spotlights our collective pandemic of ignoring death—doctors and patients alike—and how it inflicts tremendous and unnecessary suffering upon our loved ones for whom the end is near. $5 in advance | $8 at the door
Sponsor: Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton
$5 in advance | $8 at the door
The Light We Lost with author JILL SANTOPOLO
HOTEL SPONSOR
DEC 5
A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Gut Health with author DR. DAVID NOVICK 7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Writing in a clear, conversational, and, yes, easily digestible style, Dr. Novick reviews the common G.I. disorders, from irritable bowel syndrome to colon cancer, and from hepatitis C to hemorrhoids.
$5 in advance | $8 at the door
DEC 7
My Jewish Year with author ABIGAIL POGREBIN 6:30PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Journalist Abigail Pogrebin made it her mission to research, observe, and write about every Jewish holiday on the calendar—without skipping one festival or fast. My Jewish Year chronicles what she learned and how it changed her.
$5 in advance | $8 at the door
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
The gifts of ‘different wiring’ they are so bored by the repetition, and By Michele Alperin are not attuned to tiny detail, to the Special To The Observer Symptom clusters in individuals who ability to understand pattern and systematize at that high level,” Saltz says. struggle with mental health issues or The idea for this book first grew out learning differences can also be a source of her experiences with people in her of strength — or even genius — psychipractice who “do have a mental health atrist Dr. Gail Saltz details in her new diagnosis but in many ways have exbook, The Power of hibited and played to the strengths they Different: The Link have, and have between Disorbeen successful.” der and Genius. She noticed the Saltz will dissame thing in two cuss The Power series she hosts of Different at Oakwood’s Wright at the 92nd Street Memorial Library on Oct. 25 for the Y, one interviewJCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest. ing celebrities, the In the book, Saltz — a clinical other exploring associate professor of psychiatry at historical icons. the New York Presbyterian Hospital “Almost every Weill-Cornell Medical College and iconic figure also a psychoanalyst with the New York struggled either Psychoanalytic Institute — focuses with a mental on symptoms rather than diagnostic Dr. Gail Saltz health issue or labels that stigmatize difference. learning disability and repetitively had A diagnosis, she says, “can be really traumatic because you have a whole set specific strengths connected to their illness or disability,” she explains in a of beliefs that go along with it.” These blog on the book’s development. preconceived notions, Saltz says, keep To research for The Power of Differpeople ashamed and discourage them ent, Saltz interviewed successful adults from seeking services. Labels are also and high school students to learn about “devoid of the full picture of what it “their symptoms, their trajectory, what means to have different wiring.” they might identify as a strength, what Achieving a more realistic and comthe experience has been like, and their plete picture of a mental health issue general thought processes.” She also or learning disability, she says, requires spoke to neuroscientists and clinicians an exploration of the strengths that at the forefront of research. can grow out of the same neurological Saltz graduated from Lehigh Univerdifferences that cause symptoms like sity with a degree in biology and psydistractibility, anxiety, melancholy, or chology in 1984, and from University of divergent thinking. Virginia School of Medicine in 1988. But In the chapter on distractibility, after her residency in internal medicine which is central to an attention deficit at Cornell-Weill, she changed course. disorder diagnosis, Saltz describes how “I found that for me, it was people’s it can be a source of creativity. minds that interested me the most,” she “An exciting amount of research,” says, “and ultimately it was she writes, “now sugthe way people think and how gests that uncontrolled that affects their overall wellwavering of attention being.” (and the lapses into Saltz started speaking at freethinking that occur public venues when her hospisimultaneously) is also tal asked her to answer media the key to the exceptioncalls. al originality and creativ“I really felt like it was a way ity exhibited by many of to reach much bigger numbers those with ADD.” of people with really important People with autism mental health information that spectrum disorder, Saltz they otherwise wouldn’t get.” says, have difficulty with Her research and the neurosocial relating but often science she’s explored confirm are skilled in classifyher observation that an uning objects, recognizing repeating patterns, identifying the rules usual number of geniuses have a mental health diagnosis. that govern a system, paying greater “It made it much clearer to me that attention to detail, and comfort in evolutionarily, all these things have repetition. These strengths can make an hung on. If they were only to the detriASD individual stand out in areas like ment, that would be far less likely.” computer science and mathematics. Educators, Saltz says, need to change “People that have great social skills course. may not be able to digest and excel in “Rather than telling all students what areas like computer science because their strengths should be and having them jump through the same hoops, The JCC’s Cultural Arts & Book Fest we need to take in this information and presents author Dr. Gail Saltz at 7 help children who are struggling, to p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Wright spend a good amount of time uncoverMemorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills ing what their strength is and working Ave., Oakwood. The program is free. on that.”
Beth Abraham, Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, is enthusiastically egalitarian and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. For a complete schedule of our events and times, go to bethabrahamdayton.org. Beth Abraham is Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
We are an enthusiastically egalitarian synagogue.
Simchat Torah Celebration We also have an energetic Keruv program that reaches out to intermarried couples and families in our synagogue and in the Dayton Jewish community.
For a complete schedule of our events, go to bethabrahamdayton.org.
Thursday, October 12, 6:30 p.m. Singing & dancing with our Torah scrolls to the music of our Beth Abraham Band.
Torah Trivia! Delicious, make-your-own ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR to follow!
Sisterhood’s
Sunset in the Sukkah Tuesday, October 10, 6 p.m. An evening of socializing, camaraderie & Sisterhood. Hors d’oeuvres & dessert. $10 non-Sisterhood members. R.S.V.P.
Sunday Brunch Speaker Series 10 a.m. • $7 • R.S.V.P. to 293-9520 October 15: Larry Burick, Should Hate Speech Be Barred? A Jewish Perspective. October 22 at Temple Israel: Dr. Richard Sarason, HUC-JIR, How Kaddish Became A Mourner’s Prayer. October 29: Tara Feiner, The Ashkenazi Jewish Community’s Elevated Risk for Breast & Ovarian Cancer.
Learn To Read Hebrew Seven Sundays, 10-11 a.m. beginning Oct. 29 with instructor Chaya Vidal. No charge. Pre-registration required. Call 293-9520.
Service Schedule: Mon.-Fri., 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Kabbalat Shabbat, Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Youth Service, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush lunch following.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2017
PAGE 27
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