The Dayton Jewish Observer, February 2018

3 congregations to combine cemetery intoform one entity David Moss hope designs Grace After Meals operations in comic book p. 22 p. 3 February 2018 Shevat/Adar 5778 Vol. 22, No. 6

Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton

The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • Online at daytonjewishobserver.org United States Food Administration lithograph poster by Charles Edward Chambers, 1917

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‘undesirable’ Sinai to offer scholarships to Hillel Academy

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Sinai Scholars program introduces scholarships to Hillel Academy Transitions away from Miami Valley School scholarships

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Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Hillel Academy Jewish day school study the Book of Joshua

By Marshall Weiss, The Observer For the 2018-19 school year, the Sinai Scholars program will offer scholarships of $6,500 each to three new students at Hillel Academy, as well as three current students at the Jewish day school.

The Sinai Scholars program, a nonprofit initiative of Lee and Patti Schear, will continue to fund each of these scholarships for Hillel students through sixth grade, with a commitment from parents to keep their children at Hillel Academy through sixth grade, the highest grade at the school. Hillel will require families of Sinai scholarship recipients to maintain membership at a local synagogue or to participate at Chabad.

The Schears have also committed to offer scholarships for three new students at Hillel for the 2019-20 school year that will follow them through sixth grade; depending on the program’s success, the Schears may continue the Hillel scholarships for additional years.

Full tuition at Hillel Academy for the 2018-19 school year will be approximately $8,000 according to the school’s president, Andrew Schwartz.

“Financial need will not be a consideration unless there are more than three new students per year,” Schwartz explained.

“Hillel is grateful for the support of the Schear family and the Sinai Scholars program,” Schwartz added, “and is very excited about their new commitment to support Hillel as a strong and vibrant Jewish day school that provides outstanding secular education and gives children a strong Jewish identity.”

Currently, 29 students are enrolled at Hillel, from kindergarten through fifth grade. Hillel is located at Sugar Camp in

Oakwood.

The introduction of Sinai scholarships at Hillel marks the Schears’ transition away from providing scholarships to Jewish students in the high school and middle school programs at the Miami Valley School, a private, non-sectarian school in Washington Township.

Since 2010, the Sinai Scholars program has provided scholarships to 52 students at the Miami Valley School, funding for the Judaics electives in the middle and high schools, and has sponsored a Sunday program for any Jewish middle and high school students in the Dayton area, which continues at the high school level.

“The last of those kids at Miami Valley are freshman this year and we’re seeing them through until they graduate with the scholarships,” Lee Schear said.

“The Miami Valley program was always supposed to involve Hillel, so that Hillel could handle the first six grades and those kids would go on to MVS. And we thought it would encourage kids to not only go to Hillel, which it needed, but to stay at Hillel. The fourth, fifth, and sixth grades dwindle fast at Hillel because these kids have to find some place to go.”

Schear said that ending the Sinai program with MVS was not his choice.

“With a new board chair at MVS, their board determined that our existing Sinai Scholars program no longer fit their future vision of Miami Valley School,” Schear said. “That forced me to forego my own vision of continuing Sinai Scholars there as well as our new idea of integrating Hillel into the MVS program.

It was a loss for the kids, of course, but Miami Valley just wasn’t supportive.”

Continued on Page Four

IN THIS ISSUE

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

DAYTON

3 congregations hope to combine cemetery operations into one entity

Buying and Selling Video Games and Electronics

Marshall Weiss

By Marshall Weiss The Observer Following a year of due diligence, the boards of Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, and Temple Israel agreed in principle in December to move forward with a project that would combine their cemeteries into a single non-profit entity, separate from the congregations’ operating budgets.

Before any formal conDr. Robert Goldenberg, co-chair of the Dayton Jewish Cemeteries Steering solidation will take place, Committee (standing) leads a presentation for synagogue leaders in August. an endowment to operate Bruce Feldman (R) is also co-chair of the steering committee. the entity in perpetuity would need to be fully funded, the minimum funding required future. We can bring in profesaccording to the congregations’ in the cemetery endowment to sional management, take the agreement. cemetery expense and remove it move forward with the project.

“The endowment will be from the congregational budget, “Each of the three cemetersuch and the operation will remove the operational probies runs a deficit each year,” be such that all three cemeterGoldenberg said, “and it’s about lems and emotional problems, ies will be totally taken care and address the moral imperathe same, about $50,000 a year. of in perpetuity in a Jewish What would make this work so tives.” way,” said Dr. Robert GoldenThe steering committee reeasily is that each of the three berg, who initially chaired the ceived seed funding to explore cemeteries is similar in size, in project’s steering committee the project from the Levin Famnumber of gravesites used and and now co-chairs it with Bruce not used, and in the costs of ily Foundation and the Jewish Feldman.

Federation of Greater Dayton. the burials the congregations “It’s the right time and the With a consultant from Cincharge.” right thing to do for our Jewish The idea to combine the cem- cinnati’s Spring Grove Cemcommunity families and their etery, the committee studied the eteries came from Bart Weprin loved ones,” Feldman said. “By when he was Temple Israel’s Jewish Cemeteries of Greater putting the cemeteries together Cincinnati as a model; the nonpresident. as a community asset, we’ll save “What you have is a decaying profit organization formed in money on the overall cemetery 2008 and operates 24 of 27 Jewinfrastructure in the cemeteries operations and ensure perpetual and changing demographics,” ish cemeteries in the Cincinnati care. It’s important to note that Weprin said. “We found out the area in eight locations. each synagogue will maintain Goldenberg said Dayton’s average age of members in these control over its halachic (Jewish steering committee will now three synagogues is 70 years legal) requirements.” work with retired Cincinnati old. We have an obligation to Goldenberg said the comlawyer Ed Marks on the project. our families that are buried in mittee hasn’t yet determined our cemeteries to do this for the Continued on Page Four The Adventures of

Bark Mitzvah Boy

So Yiddishe Llama & Old Kveller, what’s your take on the immigration debate?

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From the editor’s desk Between Jan. 10 and 15, the Pew Research Center asked 1,503 adult Americans via phone, “In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, who do you sympathize with more?”

The results were posted just as we Marshall were going to press: 79 percent of Weiss Republicans sympathize more with Israel, as do 27 percent of Democrats. Of those who sympathize more with Palestinians, the numbers are 6 percent of Republicans and 25 percent of Democrats. Of as much interest to me is the wording of the question. It nearly implies that if you’re pro-Israel, you’re anti-Palestinian. These are not the same. As one who believes Israel has the right to exist and has the right to protect the safety and security of its citizens, I also hope for the day when Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza no longer languish under the oppression and corruption of their leaders who have continually incited and enacted terror and hate, and who have for decades refused to seal a two-state solution with Israel.

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Continued from Page Three “He set up the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati,” Goldenberg said.

“Since I heard about our neighbors in Cincinnati pooling their talents and resources to combine the management of the Cincinnati Jewish cemeteries, I have been inspired by that concept,” said Dr. Adam Waldman, who represents Beth Jacob Congregation on the steering committee.

According to Beth Jacob Vice President Lisa Harlan, the congregation is months away from establishing its cemetery as an entity separate from Beth Jacob, a process it began years before the community-wide steering committee’s efforts.

“Our board believes it is in our best interest for us to be in this conversation (as part of the communitywide steering committee) in the interest of longterm perpetual care,” Harlan said.

Temple Israel’s Riverview Cemetery and Beth Abraham Cemetery are adjacent, on West Schantz Avenue south of Dayton; Beth Jacob Cemetery is located at 4001 Old Troy Pike in Dayton.

For now, Goldenberg said members of the steering committee are funding its monthly legal expenses themselves. “We’re working together in agreement.”

Members of the steering committee along with Feldman, Goldenberg, Weprin, and Waldman are Joel Frydman and Don Weckstein. Feldman represents Beth Abraham, Weprin represents Temple Israel, Frydman represents the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton, and Weckstein represents Temple Beth Or. Temple Beth Or, Dayton’s fourth and newest Jewish congregation, has its own section of more than 100 plots at David’s Cemetery in Kettering.

“Cemeteries don’t last unless you put money, time, and effort into them,” Weprin said. ”We can’t forget the people who are in those graves. And if we wake up 10 years from now and don’t do anything, we’ll have problems.”

Sinai Scholars

Continued from Page Two In a statement to The Observer, Miami Valley School President Douglas Jenks said: “It would be difficult to overstate the contributions of time, talent, and treasure that Patti and Lee Schear have made to the Miami Valley School. We are extraordinarily grateful to count them among our most committed and generous donors and volunteers.

These sentiments of gratitude are not mine alone as they have also been spoken repeatedly by the board and staff of MVS. “One need only speak to a Sinai Scholar or view our new entrance and library to appreciate just some of the impact the Schears have had on MVS. MVS and the entire MVS community have been significantly enriched by each and every Sinai Scholar and the Sinai Scholar Program. We welcome the continuation of that creative and amazing innovation.”

Schear said he hopes the new program will encourage parents to send their children to Hillel who may have thought tuition was out of their range.

“Those are the kids we want at Hillel and we want to keep them there through the sixth grade, so that the numbers can build over time,” he said. “If the kids in third grade now stay through sixth, so we can keep on filling four or five kids a year, the school would blossom again in terms of attendance and tuition.”

For information about Hillel’s Sinai Scholarship program and to schedule a tour, call Kathy Mecoli at 277-8977.

Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Contributors Rachel Haug Gilbert Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Candace R. Kwiatek 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. 6. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459.

Views expressed by 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.

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• To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community.

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

DAYTON

DISTURBING THE PEACE follows former Israeli and Palestinian enemy combatants who join together to say: ENOUGH.

SCREENING & DISCUSSION

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7:00 p.m. Screening 8:30 p.m. Discussion with the filmmakers

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WrigHt memorial library - 1776 far HillS, oakWooD SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Confirmation students with Temple Beth Or and Temple Israel participated in the L’Taken Social Justice Seminar of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C. in January. The students learned about public policy issues of importance to the Reform movement and advocated for those issues on Capitol Hill. Shown here (L to R): Charlie Blumer, Rabbi Judy Chessin, Madeline Gruenberg, Charlotte Nieberding, Natalie Taylor, Victor De La Cruz, Abigail Zied, Rachel Crafton, Sara Zendlovitz, Benjamin Guadalupe, Aaron Guggenheimer, Ava Kuperman, Jordan Poch, Deena Green, Sammy Caruso, Emma Lindsay, Jude Cohen,Taran Smith, and Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz.

Two Jewish studies scholars present at UD in February Jewish studies scholars from Dr. Elliot Wolfson, chair of Vanderbilt Divinity School and Jewish studies at UC Santa University of California, Santa Barbara, will deliver the lecture, Barbara will present talks at Jouissance and the Suffering the University of Dayton this of God: Evil and Theopoetic month.

Desire in Boehme, Schelling, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, profesand the Kabalah, at 3:45 p.m. on sor of New Testament and Jew- Saturday, Feb. 24 at Marianist ish studies at Hall.

Vanderbilt, Wolfson’s lecture is the keywill present note for a two-day conference the talk, Jesus at the University of Dayton the Jewish exploring the topic of what Storyteller: philosophers Hearing Paramean when bles Anew, they talk Dr. Amy-Jill Levine at 6:30 p.m. about God. on Thursday, Feb. 15 in Sears Wolfson’s areas Recital Hall at the Jesse Philips of specialty Humanities Center. are Jewish Levine also serves as an affiliated professor with the Dr. Elliot Wolfson mysticism and philosophy, Centre for the Study of Jewishand gender construction and Christian Relations in Camthe history of religion. bridge, England. She has writHe is the recipient of the ten several books about Chris1995 and 2006 National Jewish tian origins, Jewish/Christian Book Awards for Excellence in relations, and biblical views of Scholarship. gender and sexuality.

Both programs are free and With Dr. Marc Z. Brettler, Levine is co-editor of the Jewish open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Dustin Annotated New Testament. Her most recent book is Short Stories N. Atlas, University of Dayton religious studies assistant proby Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables fessor, at datlas2@udayton.edu. of a Controversial Rabbi.

1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Conflict transformation workshop with the filmmakers Register at wrightlibrary.org/peace

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By Ben Sales, JTA passed, that number fell to around 10,000. The NEW YORK — Jews were “undesirable.” headline on that article was blunt: America shuts They were “of low physical and mental stanher doors to immigration. dards.” They were “filthy.” They were “often The nativist rhetoric of a century ago found dangerous in their habits.” They were “unnew expression in the reported words of PresiAmerican.” dent Donald Trump at a recent So read a report submitted ‘There are people meeting of lawmakers, where to the House Committee on attendees said he questioned from all sorts of Immigration in 1924, written why the United States should by the director of the United countries who commit allow people from “shithole Stated Consular Service and crimes, but when we countries,” including those in approved by the secretary of Africa, to immigrate. He sugascribe those sins state. gested the U.S. should admit That year, Congress passed to the whole group, more people from places like a bill that drastically slashed that’s the essence of Norway. immigration from Eastern and Trump tweeted a vague Southern Europe, responding racism.’ denial of the statement, but to xenophobic feelings across it’s been asserted by multiple the country. people at the meeting, includThe bill didn't mention Jews, but they were ing Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. affected. In 1921, according to JTA at the time, While congressmen in the 1920s may not have 120,000 Jews came to America. After the law was used Trump's language, they were also opposed

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to letting in people from cessful, a little too pushy, so-called undesirable getting on that American countries — like Italians, track too fast. They were Slavs and Jews from Eastviewed as competitors.” ern Europe.

Sarna and Diner both Chinese immigrants said that similar fears were banned altogether. animated the nativisms of Senator David Reed, for the 1920s and today. whom the 1924 law was In both cases, they named, also wanted to let said, these derogatory in more immigrants from comments were based in “Nordic” countries. a fear of the other from a An amendment to foreign culture, who will the 1924 law that aimed disrupt white American to restrict immigration society. even further was “aimed “There was a fear that chiefly at the Jews who, these immigrants would (a senator) asserted, have change the country, been emigrating to Amerwhich in fact they did, ica in disproportionately making it less Protestant, large numbers.” less Central European Disproportionate Jewand Nordic and so on,” ish immigration from Sarna said. “Today it’s the Russia, the senator told same. Lo and behold, the JTA, was “unfair to the president wants more impredominating populamigration from Norway, tion of those countries.” The Jewish Immigrant, a publication of the Hebrew so in that sense, from a The senator denied historical perspective, Immigrant Aid Society, 1909 being antisemitic. His nothing's changed.” amendment failed. Reforms in particularly kindly,” he said.

Salty language aside, some the 1950s and 1960s did away “They looked at America as a have suggested that the with the quotas. refuge from those places — the president’s comments can be This prejudice had been land of the free and the brave understood as a blunt way around for decades before the where they had great opportuof talking about a recurrent 1924 law. A report from 1891 nities and achieved wonderful debate in American society: prepared by Sen. Henry Cabot things.”

Does the United States accept Lodge lumped Jews, Italians, But it bears noting that Jews immigrants as part of its duty Poles and others into “races were just a small portion of to extend freedom and opportumost alien to the body of the the immigrants who faced this nity to those struggling around American people.” bigotry after World War I, said the world, or should its first “In the eyes of politicians in Hasia Diner, director of the consideration be what’s best for the 1920s, undesirGoldstein-Goren the United States?

Brandeis University able immigrants Center for AmeriOther countries — including included Jews, can Jewish HisAustralia, Canada, Great Britain Italians and Slavs,” tory at New York and New Zealand — use a said Jonathan University. points system to favor immiSarna, a professor Southern Italians, grants with more education and of Jewish history at who were considexperience, for example.

Brandeis Univerered boors imposSarna rejected the idea that sity. “In the eyes of sible to educate, Trump was simply expressing nativist politicians had it far worse, she a preference for highly skilled today, undesirsaid. immigrants, saying that if that’s able immigrants “The view was what he meant, he would have are Haitians and they could not fit said that.

Africans, Latin into the American “There are people from all Americans. Once it Dr. Jonathan Sarna orientation toward sorts of countries who commit was us who were progress and doing crimes, but when we ascribe that way.” better, and would be forever those sins to the whole group, Jews at the time, Sarna said, manual laborers stuck at the that's the essence of racism,” would be quick to admit they very bottom,” Diner said of atti- Sarna said. “The problem here came from difficult conditions tudes toward Southern Italians. is that instead of using objective that they were happy to escape.

She said Jews, by contrast, criteria, we're utilizing racial Emma Lazarus’ poem on the were viewed as “a little too suc- and geographic criteria.”

Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus, called some immigrants “wretched refuse.”

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THE WORLD

A Jewish journalist is confronting Trump’s immigration advisers with their own immigrant histories

By Ben Sales, JTA NEW YORK — During a combative news conference in early August, White House adviser Stephen Miller told reporters that the United States should prioritize immigrants who speak English.

“Does the applicant speak English?” Miller asked, describing a bill to reduce the overall number of immigrants and reform immigration requirements. “Can they support themselves and their families financially? Do they have a skill that will add to the U.S. economy?”

But if English proficiency had been an immigration requirement a century ago, Miller’s own great-grandmother may not have been allowed into the country.

That’s what journalist Jennifer Mendelsohn discovered that same day while working on a new project she calls Resistance Genealogy.

Using public records and ge-

ing hard data to support the nealogical websites like Ancesidea that America is a nation of try.com, Mendelsohn wants to immigrants. show immigration hard-liners She’s found out about Fox their own immigrant family News host Tucker Carlson’s trees. great-great-grandfather, con“When you do genealogy, servative pundit Tomi Lahren’s you’re constantly confronted great-great-grandfather, and with the reality of our immiU.S. Rep. Steve King’s grandgrant past,” Mendelsohn said.

Alex Wong/Getty Images mother, who arrived “It appears from in the United States some of the attitudes from Germany at and stances that age 4. (“We can’t people are taking restore our civilizapublicly that they’re tion with somebody forgetting that.” else’s babies,” the In Miller’s case, Iowa Republican Mendelsohn tracked tweeted last March.) down his greatOn Jan. 9, Dan grandmother in the Scavino, the White 1910 census. The House director of entry noted that four Stephen Miller, White social media, called years after arriving House senior adviser for policy for an end to “chain in the United States, migration,” which refers to she spoke only Yiddish, not immigrants bringing their English. relatives to live in the United Mendelsohn has performed States. similar searches for the imBut Mendelsohn discovered migrant forbears of a handful that the practice had brought of President Donald Trump’s Scavino’s great-grandfather, advisers and supporters, seek-

Gildo, to the country.

“So Dan. Let’s say Victor Scavino arrives from Canelli, Italy, in 1904, then brother Hector in 1905, brother Gildo in 1912, sister Esther in 1913, & sister Clotilde and their father Giuseppe in 1916, and they live together in NY,” Mendelsohn tweeted, listing his family members. “Do you think that would count as chain migration?”

In recent days, with Congress and the White House locked in a bitter battle over a federal funding bill and the children of undocumented immigrants, Mendelsohn published her research in Politico, was interviewed on MSNBC and was cited in Breitbart News.

Miller did not respond to a JTA request for comment. But he says the reforms he’s advocating would preserve blue-collar jobs for American workers while making sure the people who arrive on America’s shores will contribute to the country.

“We want to have an immi-

Jennifer Mendelsohn is an amateur genealogist who has been researching President Trump’s advisers and supporters

gration system that takes care of the people who are coming here and the people who are already living here by having standards, by having a real clear requirement that you should be able to support yourself financially, by making sure that employers can pay a living wage,” he said at the August news conference.

Mendelsohn, a freelance journalist from Baltimore, has Continued on Page 20

Feed your soul. Bond with your sisters.

Welcome women from diverse cultures.

A Women’s Freedom Seder

F I N D I N G YO U R R O OT S : A PAT H TO F R E E D O M

Thursday, March 15 6–9PM @ Boonshoft CJCE $30 per person. Limited seating.

RSVP online at jewishdayton.org or by phone to Karen at 610-1555 by March 9.

If you’d like to make a tribute in memory or in honor of someone you will miss at your Seder, you may do so by contributing $18.

The JCC Women’s Seder committee will partner with Jewish Family Services and Montgomery County Children’s Services to collect the following all new items: diapers, sleepers, baby blankets, pacifiers, baby toys.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 9

OPINION

6 ways to address sexual harassment in the Jewish community

By Lisa Eisen #MeToo. #GamAni. The stories are numerous and painful. They span decades and reach every corner of the Jewish community. Enough is enough. The time is now for us to finally and fully address sexual harassment in Jewish institutional life.

When it comes to sexual harassment, Jewish teachings are unequivocal: We are obligated to put an end to the behavior for the sake of the victim, the perpetrator and the community as a whole.

Despite our moral code, however, sexual misconduct in the Jewish community too often goes unaddressed.

As Hollywood, media and government offices grapple with their ethical challenges, it is clear we need a reckoning of our own.

When the Good People Fund surveyed Jewish professionals in 2017, it found that sexual

harassment is perceived by respondents to be tolerated in Jewish organizations.

Female CEOs, fund raisers, and rabbis frequently report problems in their interactions with donors and lay leaders.

Female employees report feeling some level of harassment is inevitable, and most believe — and some have left the field as a result — that their organizations are ineffective at preventing or addressing it.

Indeed, the recent Leading Edge study found that only two-thirds of employees of Jewish organizations report that they are aware of their organization’s sexual harassment policies, and only about one-third know what to do or where to go if they experience harassment.

The time is now to end this reality. The time is now to move from talk to action. The time is now for us to commit to acting individually and col-

OPINION Racist ideas resonate

Well, the guy in the Oval Office has once again demonstrated his deep, racist feelings toward people of color in the “shithole” countries.

We all knew who and what he was when he got himself elected. He was a loud, crude predator, an unread, narcissist, self-absorbed, brash, unethical real estate guy. We know he hates anyone who isn’t white (Jews also fall into this category despite his having Cohn, Mnuchin and Kushner around). It was not that long ago when people in Congress who felt and acted like Trump put into place the most stringent immigration laws, in the 1920s, to limit immigration of Jews and other Eastern European nationals. Many of those laws are still on the books.

It hasn’t been that long in our own past, when Jews were referred to in a fashion similar to the above statement and much, much worse. Does anyone even think that these racist ideas of his don’t resonate with the folks who voted for him?

They like what he says and how he says it, and that is where the problem lies.

Our congressmen — Turner, Davidson, Chabot and Jordan — are notoriously silent. Sen. Portman is silent. Bad things happen when “good” people stay silent. It makes one wonder just whose priorities they have in mind: their self-preservation in office or the good of the country? Blinded by an entire government controlled by Republicans, they can’t see past that control and will go along with whatever Trump says and, to an extent, what he does.

As Jews, we have an obligation to remember our own past and how our families and co-religionists were treated overseas and even here in the United States. It will be 80 years since that cold night of Nov. 9-10, 1938, Kristallnacht, that began the destruction of our people. Never Again — to us or anyone.

— Cheri Crothers, Springfield

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 PAGE 10

lectively to build safer, more respectful and equitable places to work.

We must come together across political, denominational and gender lines to address the power dynamics and structural inequalities that allow harassment and abuse to take root. We must raise the bar of fairness and equality in our workplaces, institutions and the spaces in between.

To succeed, we need to advance cultural and practical change. We at the Schusterman Foundation are joining with other foundations and organizations to explore how we can help create systemic change in Jewish communal life on both fronts.

Here are five crucial areas in which we can and must act: Ensure accountability To eliminate harassment in our community, all of us — funders, nonprofit professionals and lay leaders — must hold ourselves and our organizations accountable.

I envision a pledge, akin to the Child Safety Pledge, committing us to uphold safety and respect in and around the Jewish workplace as an important step forward.

A common pledge — backed by tangible resources and collective action — could ensure that organizations walk their talk and actively pursue today’s best practices for preventing and responding to sexual harassment.

Exhibit leadership Committed, engaged organizational and philanthropic leaders are critical to changing the status quo. Thanks to the outstanding work of Commissioners Chai Feldblum and Victoria Lipnic, who led the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace, we know that “the cornerstone of a successful harassment prevention strategy is the consistent and demonstrated commitment of senior leaders to create and maintain a culture in which harassment is not tolerated.”

Those in leadership positions must start by refraining from and putting an end to adverse behavior.

Jewish leaders need to show they will not stand for or accept sexual harassment and take

proactive steps to promote a safe, respectful Jewish organizational culture.

Funders, too, must commit to this work — not just for the organizations we support, but also to help equalize the relationship between donors and Jewish professionals, and to strengthen our own internal cultures.

Refresh policies and procedures In the wake of #MeToo, every Jewish organization must have in place the modern infrastructure of a safe workplace, including transparent policies, consistent training and protected reporting methods.

The EEOC recommendations are clear on this front as well.

Healthy work environments need “strong and comprehensive harassment policies; trusted and accessible complaint procedures; and regular, interactive training tailored to the audience and the organization.”

In addition to updating our own policies and procedures, those who serve as funders can request anti-harassment and discrimination policies in our grant applications, share sample templates and best practices with grantees, and refer them to expert resources.

Train staff and boards Annual, ideally in-person training of staff and boards are vital and can be customized to the fields and organizations they serve. They can transcend the harasser-victim dichotomy and focus on more effective methods, such as empowering bystanders and helping employees understand how they can advocate for one another.

For models, we can look to the Respect in the Workplace training currently offered by the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York or to those Keshet provides on tolerance and inclusion.

Facilitate reporting Every employee in the Jewish sector should know and trust their organization’s reporting structure. One of the most common refrains is that employees do not know who to turn to if they experience or witness harassment.

This is equally true at foundations and all other kinds of nonprofits.

It is incumbent upon us as Jews that our reporting structures allow for fair consideration and due process for both the accuser and the accused.

To that end, it is worth considering external reporting structures like those suggested

by Yehuda Kurtzer and Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, who have called for the creation of a neutral platform for those seeking redress without fear of retribution. We may also consider the use of ombudsmen or new tools like AllVoices, an appbased reporting service under development.

Equal opportunity Beyond these five areas, the most important way to create sustainable change in our community is to ensure that women are treated equitably and have opportunities to advance to top leadership roles.

Starting today, we must help elevate women’s voices in Jewish life. We must advocate for pay equity for comparable roles. We must include more women on CEO search committees and candidate interview lists. We must mentor and sponsor women in advancing in their careers. We must, as Advancing Women Professionals has taught us, make the choice not to serve on or support panels, committees and initiatives where women are not represented.

When we raise up women, we raise up everyone — especially those of diverse, underrepresented backgrounds.

Indeed, we can make an inclusive, safe and respectful environment a key element of great Jewish workplaces. In doing so, we will create spaces free from harassment, gender disparagement and bias; make our offices models of what a modern workplace should be; and usher in a new era of leadership that better reflects and supports the people and communities we serve.

Let’s make 2018 the year we live up to the steadfast ethics of our people and put an end to sexual harassment in the Jewish community once and for all. Let’s join together to create a culture in which nobody ever again has to say #MeToo or #GamAni. Lisa Eisen is the vice president of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

THE WORLD

Dozens of Jewish activists arrested at protest urging Congress to protect ‘Dreamers’ WASHINGTON — Police in the U.S. Capitol arrested some 100 Jewish activists, many of them clergy, who protested in a Senate office building in support of a bill that would protect illegal immigrants who arrived as children.

Several dozen of the activists from the Reform movement, the Anti-Defamation League, Bend the Arc, T’ruah and other Jewish groups sat in concentric circles Jan. 17 in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building until they were removed by police. They sang protest songs in Hebrew and English.

The demonstrators demanded the passage of a bill that would protect the so-called “Dreamers.” President Donald Trump removed executive orders put in place by his predecessor, Barack Obama, to protect Dreamers from deportation.

Trump said he is ready to endorse a measure that restores the protections as long as it includes new restrictions on legal immigration. Democrats are ready to countenance some restrictions, including money for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, but are resisting others — for instance, an end to “chain migration,” which allows new immigrants to sponsor immediate family for immigration.

EnjoyFeeling Better!

Democratic-Republican split on Israel is widest in 40 years, poll finds

The gap between how Republicans and Democrats view Israel is widening, a Pew Research Center poll found. The poll posted Jan. 23 showed 79 percent of Republicans sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians whereas 27 percent of Democrats sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians. Pew said this was the widest divide since 1978. The poll showed that 42 percent of Independents sympathize with Israel more than Palestinians. The drop among Democrats was especially sharp in recent years; in April 2016, 43 percent of Democrats said they were likelier to sympathize with Israel.

The rise among Republicans has also been sharp since 2001: In that year, 50 percent of Republicans said they sympathize more with Israel.

Jewish protesters link arms in a Senate office building asking for protections for This year’s poll showed 6 percent of undocumented immigrants who arrived as children, Jan. 17 Republicans sympathize with Palestinman Schultz, both Florida Democrats.

Senators who back the Dreamers ians more and 25 percent of Democrats Deutch posted photos of the protesters who stopped by the protest included sympathize with the Palestinians more. on his Twitter feed.

Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who posted film Overall, 46 percent of Americans sym“For all of the activists today, this is a of the protesters on his Facebook page; pathize more with Israel, about the same matter of principle and a matter of core Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the second-ranked since 1978. The telephone poll reached Jewish identity and core American iden- 1,503 adults between Jan. 10 and 15. The Democrat, who is leading negotiations tity,” Barbara Weinstein, the associate with Republicans and the White House margins of error were 2.9 percentage director of the Religious Action Center, on the issue; and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. points overall, 5.7 points for RepubliAlso greeting the protesters were Jewish said in an interview. “We shall not be cans, 5.1 points for Democrats and 5 moved.”

— JTA points for Independents.

Reps. Ted Deutch and Debbie Wasser— JTA Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

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PAGE 11

KVELLING CORNER

Linda Weprin

Joni Watson was named Western Ohio Education Association Teacher of the Year in November. Joni, an art teacher for Dayton Public Schools, was also reappointed to the National Education Association’s Committee on Women’s Issues by the NEA president.

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Rachel Westerkamp, daughter of John and Lori Westerkamp, was a Featured Titan at Illinois Wesleyan University for her soccer team success as a midfielder. Previously, she was named Newcomer of the Year.

Assisting you every step of the way!

Simon Jacobs, son of Dr. Martha Moody Jacobs and Dr. Martin Jacobs, published his first novel, Palaces, available in paperback and at Amazon.

Caitlyn Becker’s Centerville Science Olympiad team won first place at the Wright Flyer competition. Teams constructed airplanes, and the Centerville team’s flew the longest. She is the daughter of Annette Nathan, stepdaughter of Dr. Marc Gilbert, and daughter of Skip Becker.

At the Battle of Champions competition in Toledo, Lily Ray achieved first place in level four gymnastics.

And at the Circle of Stars meet in Indianapolis, she won first place in level four again, with an all around score of 37.825. The Hillel Academy fourth-grader is Lily Ray the daughter of Dr. Keren Ray and Dr. Patrick Ray.

Sam Kahn graduated from Beavercreek Citizens Police Academy, which familiarizes Beavercreek residents and/or business owners with the policies and procedures of the police department.

Sam’s parents are Gina and Neil Kahn.

Rabbi Jack Riemer, who served as rabbi of Beth Abraham Synagogue from 1964 to 1978, Robin Melet’s poem, We All has written two new books: Bleed Red Blood, was published in Best Poets of 2016 by Eber and Finding God In Unexpected Wein Publishing and is available Places: Wisdom For Everyone From The Jewish Tradition, and at Amazon. This was Robin’s The Day I Met Father Isaac In The ninth published poem.

Parking Lot Of The Supermarket And Other Encounters With Sis Litvin was installed as president of the Dayton Chapter Biblical Tales And Teachings.

The first is a collection of his of Hadassah at its installation favorite holiday sermons, the ceremony in January. second is a collection of his favorite sermons on the Torah Xenia Community Schools nominated Scott Halasz for the portions. Some of the sermons Ohio School Boards Association are from his time in Dayton.

Media Honor Roll for providing Both are available at Amazon. fair and accurate coverage of public schools. This is Scott’s Send your Kvelling items to: third time on the honor roll. kvellingcorner@gmail.com or to Rachel Haug Gilbert In November, Dr. David Roer The Dayton Jewish Observer was reelected to the Centerville 525 Versailles Dr., City Schools Board of Education.

Centerville, OH 45459 He serves as board president.

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W W W. G B V I L L A G E . C O M 1010 Taywood Road | Englewood, OH | 937.836.4011

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

Highlights JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

On Wednesday, December 20, at JCC L’Chaim 2017: Schtick Happens, early childhood Early Childhood Care & Education we shared humor, laughter, and ice cream, too! What made us laugh? Jokes on the brings in special guests, like a table, improv exercises by the JCC’s own Karen philharmonic quartet, who teach and show Jaffe, and skits by the Young at Heart Players.

the children all about the intstruments.

PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Wine

PHOTO CREDIT: Danna Kaplan PRESCHOOL TEACHER NEEDED

Early Childhood Care & Education is currently seeking a full-time Preschool teacher for our two year old classroom. The position is 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule. Please contact Audrey MacKenzie at 937-853-0373 or amackenzie@jfgd.net to apply or for more information.

The Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton Presents

“As my ancestors planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.” ~ Ta’anit 23a If you have questions about the LIFE & LEGACY program, contact Janese R. Sweeny at jsweeny@jfgd.net or 937-401-1542.

Winter Camp Shalom teamed up with PJ Library and Jewish Family Services on MLK Day. Campers learned how to stand up to bullying and social injustice so they can be everyday heroes!

Above, campers traced each other to make visual representations of themselves as those heroes.

PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Wine

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 13

February events JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

FEBRUARY

THURSDAY 1

EVENTS &

FRIDAY 2

SATURDAY 3

PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY 7 JF & JFS Getting Your Affairs in Order 2PM @ Dayton Metro Library Main Branch (215 E 3rd St, 45402) L. John Hartmann explains various financial, legal and logistical components to help you develop a purposeful, coordinated and cohesive plan to address your future financial needs. Light noshes will be served. RSVP by January 31.

MONDAY 12

TUESDAY 13

WEDNESDAY 14

SUNDAY 18

THU 8

FRI 9

MONDAY 19 JCC Winter Camp Shalom 7:30AM - 6PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Join us on your day off from school for lots of summer fun in February! Staff from Camp Livingston will join us for “A Day at Camp.” $38 per child.

MONDAY 26 JFS Purim Program 3:30PM @ One Lincoln Park, Oakwood Room (590 Isaac Prugh Way, 45429) Please join JFS in celebrating Purim with music from Courtney Cummings and noshes. RSVP by February 19.

SATURDAY 17

FRIDAY 16

TUESDAY 20 JCC Healthy Jewish Kitchen with author Paula Shoyer 6:30PM @ Beth Jacob (7020 N Main St., 45415) $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Partnering with Beth Jacob Synagogue. Kosher under supervision of Beth Jacob. RSVP by February 15.

THURSDAY 22 ACTIVE ADULTS Dine Around 11:30AM @ First Watch (4105 W Town and Country Rd, 45429) Cost on your own. RSVP by February 15.

TUESDAY 27 JFS Purim Program 2PM @ Friendship Village, Convocation Room (5790 Denlinger Rd, 45426) Please join JFS in celebrating Purim with music from Cantor Andrea Raizen and noshes. RSVP by February 19.

F 23

SATURDAY 24 YAD Laugh with YAD 7:15PM @ Wiley's Comedy Club (101 Pine St., 45402) (AGES 21–35) A night of friends and laughter. Tickets sponsored by Shumsky.

WEDNESDAY 28

SEE YOU IN MARCH!

Events with no price listed are free.

CLASSES

RSVPs due at least 1 week before event.

Krav Maga

Improv

Mahj Lessons

Tuesdays @ 6:30–7:30PM

Tuesdays @ 6:30–7:30PM

Tuesdays @ 6–7:30PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP (unless noted): 937-610-1555 www.jewishdayton.org PAGE 14

$50/4 week session beginning February 6. Become safer and more confident by learning real world survival tactics. Register directly with instructor Tim Tharp at www.israelisurvivaltraining.com/ survival-classes.html

TUES 6

SATURDAY 10 @ 8PM JCC CHILDREN'S THEATRE SUNDAY 11 @ 3PM Tarzan the Stage Musical @ Boonshoft CJCE In advance: $10 per adult. $5 for children 4–11. Children 3 and under free.

At the door: $12 per adult. $7 for children 4–11. Children 3 and under free.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 PJ LIBRARY & CHABAD Kids' Mega Challah Bake 5:30PM @ Boonshoft CJCE Children ages 5-12 along with their parents, grandparents, and younger siblings are invited to make chocolate babka and a delicious challah to bake at home for Shabbat. $10/child. RSVP by February 8.

WEDNESDAY 21 JF Estate Planning Basics CLE NOON @ Dayton Metro Library, Main Branch (215 E. 3rd St., 45402) Local attorney Kristina Rainer walks us through Estate Planning Basics.

Attorneys will receive one hour of Continuing Legal Education course credit. Open to anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge.

MON 5

SUNDAY 4 JFS Lynda A. Cohen Yiddish Club 1:30PM @ Oakwood Starbucks (2424 Far Hills Ave., 45419) Topic: Yiddish American Poetry. Snow date: February 18.

$75/8 week session began January 9*. Learn to say “Yes AND...” with instructor Karen Jaffe. 6 people minimum, 16 years and up. * No class February 20

$25/4 week session beginning February 27. Mah jongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation with a bit of chance. Instructor Cathy Gardner. 4 people minimum.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

TUES 6

Announcements JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF › Joe Hollander Susan and Stanley Katz CAROL J. PAVLOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF › M.J. Freeman Marlene Miller TALA ARNOVITZ FUND IN MEMORY OF › Arlene Furst Beverly Saeks › M.J. Freeman › Jerry Jacobson, Father of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kadetz Beverly Saeks and Family DOROTHY B. MOYER YOUNG LEADERSHIP FUND IN YAHRZEIT MEMORY OF › Elmer L. Moyer › Sheila D. Moyer The Richard Moyer Family ROBERT AND MOLLIE FITTERMAN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND IN MEMORY OF › Robert and Mollie Fitterman Susan and Alan Witte JEREMY BETTMAN B’NAI TZEDEK FUND FOUNDATION

IN MEMORY OF › Sonna Tuck Elaine and Joe Bettman

SAMMY’S RAINBOW BRIDGE FUND IN MEMORY OF › “Barney Dunn” Jean and Todd Bettman JFS

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES IN HONOR OF › Birthday of Diane Duberstein Susan and Jonas Gruenberg IN MEMORY OF › Sandy Fogel Beverly and Jeffrey Kantor › Sonna Tuck › Jerry Jacobson › Joe Hollander Susan and Jonas Gruenberg › Helen Jacobson › Sandy Fogel › Joe Hollander › Fran Timmons Judy and Mel Lipton JCC

JOAN & PETER WELLS AND REBECCA LINVILLE FAMILY, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH FUND IN HONOR OF › 50th wedding anniversary of Lynn and David Goldenberg Joan and Peter Wells IN MEMORY OF › M.J. Freeman › Joe Hollander › Ted Schwartz Joan and Peter Wells

Would you like to honor or memorialize someone in your life, all while making a meaningful impact on the Jewish community? Consider making a donation to a Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton Fund. Tribute and memorial donations can be made for a variety of reasons, including: › Honoring someone’s memory › Celebrating a birthday or anniversary › Celebrating life cycle events, such as births, b’nai mitzvot, & weddings › Recognizing achievements such as awards, promotions, honors, etc.

Making a donation is as simple as a phone call.

Contact us at 937-610-1555 for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS & STUDENT LOANS Applications are available for the following scholarships: › RESIDENTIAL CAMP SCHOLARSHIP › TRAVEL TO ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP › COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

Student loans are available to Jewish Dayton area residents, undergraduate and graduate students, courtesy of the Lillian E. Finn Memorial Student Loan Fund and the Cantor Student Loan Fund. The loans are distributed based on academic achievement, financial need, and funds available.

QUESTIONS

About student loans?

Contact Shay Shenefelt at 937-401-1551 or sshenefelt@jfgd.net

About scholarships?

Contact Alisa Thomas at 937-610-1796 or athomas@jfgd.net

If you would like to request an application for either scholarships or student loans, please contact Alisa Thomas athomas@jfgd.net or at 937-610-1796.

Completed applications and supporting documentation for both scholarships and student loans must be received by March 30. Awards will be announced on April 30.

Estate Planning Basics CLE Wednesday, February 21 @ NOON Dayton Metro Library, Main Branch (215 E. 3rd St., 45402) Join us as local attorney Kristina Rainer walks us through Estate Planning Basics. Attorneys will receive one hour of Continuing Legal Education course credit.

This event is free and open to anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge.

Since joining Roberson Law in 2007, Kristina has been showing a commitment to legal excellence while serving the needs of her clients in the areas of estate planning, trust, and probate law and estate litigation. Kristina also assists clients with business formations and incorporations and served as an adjunct professor for Sinclair Community College.

RSVP at jewishdayton.org or 937-610-1555.

JCC Early Childhood PTO

I N N OVAT I O N GRANTS

Order through the month of February. Pick up May 9 and 10 at the Boonshoft CJCE. Contact Shawna at sbalog@jfgd.net or 937-853-0376 JCC early for more information. childhood

Application available now.

Deadline is May 4.

Contact Jodi Phares at jphares@jfgd.net or 937-610-5513 for more information.

Flower & Herb Sale

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 15

Upcoming events JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

The Healthy Jewish Kitchen with author Paula Shoyer February 20 @ 6:30–8PM

at Beth Jacob Synagogue Join us for tastes from Paula Shoyer’s amazing new cookbook, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen, as she discusses her take on Jewish cooking.

Partnering with Beth Jacob Synagogue. Kosher under supervision of Beth Jacob.

$12 in advance; $15 at the door RSVP at jewishdayton.org or 937-610-1555.

KIDS

Thursday, February 15

MEGA

5:30–7PM @ Boonshoft CJCE

Bake

Children ages 5-12 along with their parents, grandparents, and younger siblings are invited to make chocolate babka and a delicious challah to bake at home for Shabbat. Enjoy a PJ Library story during rising time!

Kosher meat dinner. $10/child. RSVP by February 8 at jewishdayton.org or 937-610-1555.

If you or your child has special needs, please let us know and we would be happy to make accomodations.

Now w ith more babka!

RSVP at jewishdayton.org or at 610-1555.

Active Adults

dine around Thursday, February 22

11:30AM @ First Watch

(4105 W. Town & Country Rd., 45429)

Cost is on your own.

RSVP by February 15.

PAGE 16

Celebrate Purim with a musical program and noshes!

Event is free.

Monday, February 26, 3:30PM @ One Lincoln Park, Oakwood Room (590 Isaac Prugh Way, 45429) RSVP by February 19.

Tuesday, February 27, 2PM @ Friendship Village, Convocation Room (5790 Denlinger Road, 45426) RSVP by February 19.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Classes

Temple Israel Ongoing Classes: Sun., Feb. 4, 11, 25, noon: Jewish Literacy.

Tues., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 5:30 p.m.: Musar. Wednesdays, noon: Talmud.

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.: Torah Study. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.

Temple Israel Hebrew Classes: Beginner Hebrew, 10 Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 through April 25.

130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. Intermediate Hebrew, 10 Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. Feb. 6 through April 24 at Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. $85 nonmembers, $80 members. 496-0050.

Discussions

Beth Abraham Sunday Brunch Speaker Series: 10 a.m. $7. Feb. 4: Dr. Jack Bernstein, Mosquito Airlines. Feb. 18: Joel Shapiro, The Passover Seder.

305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 2939520.

Temple Israel Ryterband Brunch Series: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. $7. Feb. 4: Rabbi Julie Schwartz, HUC-JIR, The Art of Bikur Cholim, Visiting the Sick. Feb. 11: Rabbi Mark Washofsky, HUC-JIR, Would You Kill the Fat Man? Jewish Law Meets the Trolley Dilemma. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.

Getting Your Affairs in Order: with L. John Hartmann. Wed., Feb. 7, 2 p.m.

Dayton Metro Main Library, 215 E. Third St. Sponsored by JFS & Jewish Foundation. Free. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555.

Screening & Discussion of Documentary Disturbing The Peace: Thurs., Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Ctr., University of Dayton.

Sponsored by Wright Memorial Public Library. Free.

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine,Vanderbilt Univ., Jesus the Jewish Storyteller, Hearing Parables Anew: Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Ctr., University of Dayton.

Dr. Elliot Wolfson, UC Santa Barbara, Jouissance and the Suffering of God, Evil and Theopoetic Desire in Boheme, Schelling, and the Kabalah: Sat., Feb. 24, 3:45 p.m. Marianist Hall, University of Dayton.

Young Adults

YAD at Wiley’s Comedy Joint: Sat., Feb. 24, 7:15 p.m. 101 Pine St., Dayton.

Free. R.S.V.P. to Cheryl Carne at ccarne@jfgd.net.

Challah Bake: Thurs., Feb. 15, 5:307:30 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. For children ages 5 and up and families. $10 per child. Kosher meat dinner served.

R.S.V.P. by Feb. 8 to 610-1555.

Seniors

JFS Active Adults Dine Around: Thurs., Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. First Watch, 4105 W. Town & Country Rd., Kettering.

Pay your own way. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555.

Purim

Purim at Beth Abraham: Wed., Feb. 28. Megillah at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. ($20 adults, $10 children 3-12). Shpiel to follow. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.

R.S.V.P. by Feb. 21 to 293-9520.

Purim at Temple Israel: Wed., Feb. 28.

Megillah reading at 6 p.m. Spaghetti dinner & Purim carnival at 6:30 p.m. $6 adult, $4 ages 4-12. 130 Riverside Dr. R.S.V.P. to 496-0050.

Chabad Emoji Purim: Thurs., March 1, 5:30-8 p.m. Dinner, entertainment, children’s activities. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. at chabaddayton.com or 643-0770 ext. 1.

Community Events

Temple Beth Or Soup Cook-Off: Sat., Feb. 3, 6 p.m. Free to cooks who bring soup for 12-15 in crock-pot. Non-cooks, $10 per person or $20 per family. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. R.S.V.P. to 4353400.

Seventh Annual Temple Israel Chili Cook Off: Fri., Feb. 9. Shabbat Service at 6 p.m. followed by cook-off and dinner.

Free if bring pot of chili (no pork). $5 adults, $3 ages 4-12. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. R.S.V.P. to 496-0050.

JCC Children’s Theatre Presents Tarzan: Sat., Feb. 10, 8 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 11, 3 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. In advance: $10 adults, $5 ages 4-11, 3 and under free. At the door: $12 adults, $7 ages 4-11, 3 and under free. Tickets available at jewishdayton.org or 610-1555.

Women

Family

Temple Israel Torah on Tap: Wed., Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m. The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St. First round on Temple Israel.

Chabad & PJ Library Kids’ Mega

corned beef festival march 10 6 to 9 pm $25 per person for a full and filling evening

Main Dish by our own

Beth Jacob Congregation RabbiIn-Residence Weekend: Fri., Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Services followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. ($18 in advance).

Sat., Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m. services followed

by Kiddush. 7020 N. Main St., Wash. Twp. 274-2149.

Paula Shoyer, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen: Tues., Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. Beth Jacob Congregation, 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. Co-sponsored by JCC. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 or jewishdayton.org.

Temple Beth Or Women’s Casual Gathering: Wed., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Doubledays at Cross Pointe. Pay your own way. R.S.V.P. to 435-3400.

Temple Beth Or presents its first

Beer Pairing Cooking Demos Entertainment Cash Bar Call the office to make your reservations.

937-435-3400 ages 21 and up Temple Beth Or 5275 Marshall Road Dayton, Ohio 45429 www.templebethor.com 937-435-3400

Today...and for Generations

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 17

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LIFECYCLES Goldberg-Klaben With great joy, Marilyn and Larry Klaben announce the engagement of their son Jeremy to Miriam Goldberg.

Miriam is the youngest daughter of Robin and Neil Goldberg of Syracuse, N.Y. and the granddaughter of Joan Schapiro and Norma Goldberg of Florida. Welcoming Miriam to our family are Jeremy's grandmother, Jean Lieberman of Cincinnati and Bernice Klaben of Dayton, and Jeremy's older brother Max and his wife Jenny and their new baby, Mia Arielle of New York, and Jeremy's older sister Sara and her husband Amit Avrahami of Tel Aviv. Jeremy is the owner of Chicago restaurant Brightwok Kitchen and Miriam is a sixth-grade teacher at the Rowe Charter School in Chicago. They originally met when they attended University of Michigan together. An August 2018 wedding is being planned.

Ethan Arthur Watson Ethan Arthur Watson, son of Meryl Hattenbach and Richard Watson, will be called to the Torah on Feb. 17 as a Bar Mitzvah at Beth Abraham Synagogue. Ethan is a seventhgrade student at Oakwood Junior High School. Ethan has been learning guitar and golf and also skis, plays basketball, and is an avid reader. He also enjoys playing creative computer games. Ethan is the grandson of Edward and Shelley Hattenbach of Cincinnati, and Jimmie Watson and the late Betty Watson of Memphis. Ethan is the greatgrandson of Hannah Hattenbach, who recently celebrated her 97th birthday. Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah project is supporting pit bull and dog rescue organizations, Villalobos in New Orleans and Miami Valley Pit Crew in Dayton.

Nizny-Gutman Martin H. Nizny announces that his daughter, Sonia Joy Nizny, will wed Moshe Gutman, Ph.D. in March in Austin. Sonia is a former model in New York, New York Marathon runner, and a lyric coloratura opera singer.

Send lifecycles to: The Dayton Jewish Observer 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville, OH 45459 Email: MWeiss@jfgd.net There is a $10 charge to run a photo; please make checks payable to The Dayton Jewish Observer.

• Immersive learning in Pre-K through 12th • 100% of seniors attend the nation’s top colleges • World languages beginning in early childhood • Outdoor education classrooms and greenhouse

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PAGE 18

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

RELIGION

Israeli defense minister bans army’s chief rabbi from military ceremonies Yaakov Lederman/Flash90

You, the tree, and the Torah

By Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Chabad of Greater Dayton I remember walking into the classroom at Brandeis shortly after I had decided that I had a much more urgent desire to study Judaism than my major, psychology. I came from a place where we identified unequivocally as Jews but were sparse with observance. Wrestling with texts in Hebrew was something I didn’t know and hadn’t seen, but in a university setting, it didn’t seem too daunting.

Perspectives Chief Sephardic Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef

JERUSALEM — A meeting between Israel’s Sephardic chief rabbi and the Israeli army’s chief rabbi was canceled after the defense minister banned the chief rabbi from military ceremonies.

On Jan. 20, Avigdor Liberman banned Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and two other rabbis from the military events after they criticized the Israel Defense Forces mixed-gender units.

The meeting scheduled for Jan. 22 was canceled a day earlier.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, chief rabbi of Safed and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, said in an interview with Army Radio a week before that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should fire IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot over his decision to allow female soldiers in combat units.

Rabbi Shlomo Aviner wrote on the Orthodox news website Kipa in response to a query that it was forbidden to join mixedgender units, and said it was better to refuse to serve than enter a mixed-gender unit.

Aviner is the rabbi of the Beit El settlement and head of the Ateret Cohamin Yeshiva.

Liberman said rabbis who are state employees “must represent the state” and therefore would not be allowed at official events until they withdraw their comments, The Times of Israel reported.

“They are state employees who, among other things, receive a salary from taxpayers,” he also said.

Eliyahu’s office reportedly threatened to file a lawsuit against Liberman unless he rescinds the order.

— JTA

CONGREGATIONS

The professor was Dr. Alexander Altmann, a man of immense erudition and learning.

He had received his ordination from the main Orthodox seminary in Germany and had gone on to receive his Ph.D. summa cum laude from the University of Berlin.

He had fled Germany when one still could, and had established a reputation as an expert in medieval Jewish philosophy (who dealt with sources in the original Arabic as well as Hebrew), the Kabalah, and Moses Mendelssohn.

I knew none of this about him then, but he captured me instantly by the way he sat down, every move deliberate, put on a yarmulke, and began reading.

The course was on the Book of Psalms. He opened to the beginning of the Hebrew text that contained both the Psalms and classic rabbinic commentaries, and he began to read.

I knew precious little Hebrew at that point. I could follow his reading and I could understand the words because I had an English translation.

What got me was the deep pleasure that was palpable in his voice as he read. “Ashrei

February Shevat/Adar Purim

The Feast of Lots March 1/14 Adar (Begins evening of Feb. 28) Commemorates the rescue of the Jews in ancient Persia. The reading of the Book of Esther, costumes, grogers (noisemakers), and eating hamantashen are part of this festival.

from its place. It doesn’t seem ha’ish,” he read, drawing out to show feelings. Why should the final sh sound for a good we aspire to that? two seconds, lingering in its Yet our picture of paradise spell. “Ashrei ha’ish” — happy — even the very word paradise is the person who, shunning itself — has trees at the center the scoffers and the scorners, of it. Even the ultimate speech, desires Torah of God, and in the Torah itself, is called a tree, His Torah meditates day and and synagogues around the night. world quote Proverbs when There was a lot of work that returning the Torah to the ark, followed. Learning a language saying or singing well enough to un“Etz chaim hi lamachderstand its poetry azikim ba — It is a was not a quick and tree life to those who easy process for hold fast to it.” me. But after that The Torah and moment in that first the one whose class, it was all just desire is in Torah part of following are both then united my deepest desire. in the image of the Of course, it led tree. Think of that, to meditation and thought upon its ev- Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin please. Certainly, the Torah contains deep ery aspect, day and abstract thought, sober and night. Who would want less far-seeing legislation, history, than that? poetry, moral vision, mystical Psalm 1 continues by comdepths, and much, much more. paring someone whose desire But for me, it was the simple is in God’s Torah to “a tree beauty of a tree that encomplanted by streams of water, passed the image of what went which yields its fruit in season, on in the first of a long line of whose foliage never fades, and classes and programs of study whatever it produces thrives.” and continues alive and thrivThat simile spoke to me ing till today. then. I loved the outdoors, and Make sure the Torah in your had spent many happy hours life is planted outdoors. While and sometimes days in the the cold winds still blow, look woods, whether in the Sierras out your window as you take or in New England. It was a a few minutes of your day to powerful antidote to the crazistudy your heritage, and see ness that sometimes seemed to that tree. swirl all about. How much did When the weather gets I desire to make my life full of warm, go out every now and the simple beauty, life and sanagain and take your Jewish ity of a fruitful tree. book and study in its shade Deuteronomy asks the quesand feel within the text and tion: “For is a tree of the field a within you the rightness of person?” But the Hebrew can what you and the tree and the also be read as a positive stateTorah are all doing together. ment, dressed in a rhetorical As you savor the fruit you eat question: “For is a person not a on Tu B’Shevat, Jan. 31, may tree of the field?” you savor at the same time the Looking at the hierarchy of blessings that you in Jewish being, isn’t looking at a tree life, you too may be fruitful looking downward? A tree and thrive. doesn’t talk. It doesn’t move

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 Sat., Feb. 24, 10 a.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 Shabbat Candle Lightings February 2 5:40 p.m.

February 9 5:48 p.m.

February 16 5:56 p.m.

February 23 6:04 p.m.

Torah Portions February 3, Yitro (Ex. 18:1-20:23) February 10, Mishpatim (Ex. 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16) February 17, Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19) February 24, Tetzaveh (Ex. 27:20-30:10, Deut. 25:17-19)

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

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.

PAGE 19

OBITUARIES Arthur “Arky” Carne, age 94 of Dayton, passed away Jan. 17 at Hospice of Dayton. He was a resident of Friendship Village, a graduate of Roosevelt High School and Antioch College. He managed several department and grocery stores in the Dayton area and owned Free Pike Party Supply. He retired from the Montgomery County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and volunteered at Miami Valley Hospital in his retirement. He served in the Army Air Forces in World War II, flying 35 missions over Germany. He was a member of Temple Israel and Beth Abraham Synagogue.

Mr. Carne was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Elizabeth Carne, and brother, Hyman “Mitzi” Carne.

He is survived by Marlene, his wife of 66 years; sons Steven (Judith) of Dayton, Richard (Cheryl) of Dayton, Edward (Anita) of Long Grove, Ill., and Daniel of New York; granddaughters Meagan Schwartz (Adam), Christina O’Connell-Carne, Abra Adrabi (Jon), Natalie Holger (Gregory), Eve Carne, Sarah Carne, Rebecca Carne; great-granddaughters, Maya and Dora Adrabi, and many friends. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Beth Abraham Synagogue or Hospice of Dayton.

Beatrice DuBro, age 89 of Dayton, passed away Dec. 24.

Mrs. DuBro was the co-partner of DuBro & Son poultry and eggs. She was preceded in

death by her husband, David DuBro, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her son, Michael (Ronna) DuBro; three grandchildren, Mandy (Ben) Kwait of Cleveland, Megan (James) Dester of Irvine, Calif., and Jason DuBro of Boca Raton; two sisters-in-law, Minnette Weiss and Jacqueline Miner; many loved nieces and nephews. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association, 22001 Fairmount Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44118.

David A. Katz, age 56 of Dayton, passed away Jan. 6. Mr. Katz graduated from Northmont High School and received an associate’s degree from Sinclair Community College. He was a lifelong resident of Dayton and enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, work associates, and family pets.

Mr. Katz was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Tina Rosenthal and Lewis and Anna Katz. He is survived by his parents, Larry L. and Natalie J. Rosenthal Katz; sister, Michele R. Katz ( John P.) McCarty; nephew, Jonah S. Werbelow; uncle Gary (Terri) Rosenthal; cousins, Christina Rosenthal (Rodney) Ball and Brett Rosenthal; and his lifelong friend Richard Donenfeld. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel or Midwest Academy, 1420 Chase Ct., Carmel, Ind. 46032. The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during their time of sorrow.

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H. Dusty Rhodes, D.O. age 66 of Oakwood, passed away Jan. 1. Dr. Rhodes was a graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was a sports medicine and family practice physician for more than 25 years. He also served as a faculty member for many years at The Berry Family Health Center at Miami Valley Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Terri; children, Taylor, Micah, Annie and Mira; two sisters, Alicia (Rabbi David) Nelson, Selena (Dr. Malcolm) Katz; brother Dr. Clayton (Janice) Rhodes; aunts, Adrienne Haine (Herb) Schoenes and Augusta Szego; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to National Park Federation, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20005 or the charity of your choice.

Sondra S. Ross, 78, of Liberty Township, died Dec. 28 at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. She was born in Dayton on April 15, 1939 to parents Harry and Roslyn (Antman) Schear. Mrs. Ross graduated from Fairview High School then attended University of Michigan and Boston University and received her master’s degree from NYU. She taught English at Walnut Hills High School and Miami University. She also co-founded the Montessori Nursery School in Middletown.

She was a past president of Temple Beth Sholom in Middletown. Mrs. Ross was an avid supporter of performing arts including as a patron of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for more than 50 years, and a supporter of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. She was

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also a political activist. Mrs. Ross was a loving wife, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, and friend who will be greatly missed by her husband of 52 years, Fred L. Ross; sons, David (Inga) Ross of Monterey, Calif., Adam (Heather) Ross of West Chester, and Matthew (Sue) Ross of Gurnee, Ill.; sisters, Brenda Rinzler of Dayton and Rica (Stuart) Hodesh of Cincinnati; sister-in-law Reggie Finkleman of Cincinnati; and grandchildren, Nicole, Alex, Samuel, Jacob, Hailey and Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Allan Rinzler. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Please make memorial donations to the Israeli version of the Red Cross: American Friends of Magen David Adom, P.O. Box 96402, Washington, D.C. 200777929 or online at afmda.org.

Suzanne K. Rubin, age 79 of Dayton, passed away peacefully on Jan. 16. She was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Milton Segal, and is survived by her husband of 57 years, Phil Rubin, and her two children, David Rubin of Chicago, and Elaine (Mark) Spaulding of Dallas, and three grandchildren, Zach and Allie Spaulding, and Sarah Rubin.

She was a graduate of Fairview High School and attended Northwestern and Ohio State Universities, and was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority. The Rubins raised their family in Springfield, Ohio for 20 years where she was an active member of Temple Sholom. They moved to Dayton in 1981. Mrs. Rubin became interested in the elderly and for more than 12 years visited and counseled independent residents in two nursing facilities. She enjoyed attending musical, dance and theatrical events. She was active in Temple Israel and would often attend various study groups. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Israel or Hospice of Dayton.

Immigrant histories

Continued from Page Nine been an amateur genealogist for years, mostly focusing on her own family, friends and adoptees seeking their biological parents.

She calls her own family’s genealogy a “classic Eastern European Jewish immigrant story,” and disputes the idea that people need to have skills in order to be welcomed into the United States. Only one of her grandparents was born in America, and the others came as unskilled immigrants.

Her brother, Daniel Mendelsohn, wrote about their extended family in his 2006 memoir, The Lost: The Search for Six of Six Million.

Now, she says, two of those immigrants’ great-grandchildren have doctorates.

“I grew up exquisitely aware that we were proud and patriotic Americans, but we came from other places,” she said. “We came here seeking more opportunity and we were allowed to have that opportunity. I feel it’s my obligation to remind other people that that’s what happens when you let the kind of immigrants people are looking down on now into this country.”

To trace the family trees, Mendelsohn first finds the names of public figures’ immediate families, then takes those names to search databases for obituaries of grandparents, great-grandparents and other relatives.

She then uses paid services to track down birth, death and marriage certificates, and also searches public census data from 1940 and earlier. Censuses before that year contain personal data on nearly every person in the country.

“If you know your grandparents were Ida and Hyman Cohen and they lived in Milwaukee, it will pop up (and) it will show you their addresses, their ages, their places of birth,” she said.

Mendelsohn hasn’t heard back from any of the officials she’s researched, and doesn’t expect to. But she’s still tracing their lineages. On Jan. 21, she posted a revelation from one of the genealogical sites she uses.

“Stephen Miller is your fourth cousin thrice removed’s husband’s great nephew’s wife’s second cousin twice removed,” it read.

“Oh sh*t,” she tweeted.

“Does this mean I have to invite him for Passover?”

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION

Power Talking

them.”

The medieval philosopher Nachmanides suggests that its content is designed to improve human character and inspire more God-like behavior.

However, “In classical Commentator Dennis Prager Hebrew Jewish spirituality,” concurs, noting that tefillah is a Greenstein explains, “there is vehicle for awakening and exonly one world that is simultaneously material and spiritual.” pressing gratitude, the primary foundation of happiness and The Lubavitcher Rebbe goodness. explains that instead of sup“Like water smoothes jagplication, the Hebrew verb for ged stone, regular immersion in prayer l’hitpalel means to exprayer gradually wears away amine oneself, one’s role in the universe, and one’s relationship the jagged edges of our character,” writes Lord Rabbi Jonato God. than Sacks. “Slowly, we come Prayer “is an expression to think less of the “I,” more of of the desire to be the passive the “We”; less of what we lack recipient of a grant bestowed than of what we have; less of from above,” the Rebbe conwhat we need from the world, tinues. Tefillah is an expression more of what of the soul’s the world needs upward yearning We have to from us. Prayer while simultanediscard the is less about ously a mechanism for refining celestial servant getting what we want than about and elevating and barter learning what to the physical self want…Prayer to become more paradigms and the holy. adopt a different changes world because it “Help us find perspective on changes us.” the courage to If tefillah has make our lives a prayer. the potential for blessing,” Debso many uncombie Friedman’s setting of the monly positive results, why Misheberach (Healing) prayer beseeches: simultaneously a re- aren’t more Jews regularly engaged in it? What are the barquest for God to be our partner riers? It’s a question that brings and an inspiration for us to act.

So how does tefillah actually us back to the Greeks whose bifurcated worldview we’ve work? For some, like Tevye the dairyman, it’s simply conversa- adopted. tion with God. For others, it’s the language of meditation, a song for the spirit, or conversation in community.

Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman describes tefillah as “a delivery system that imparts Judaism’s canon of great concepts and moves us to live our lives by

Turning to Spirituality Series

In the business world, according to communication guru George Walther, Power Talking is the use of common words when speaking to create uncommonly positive outcomes.

Prayer might be regarded as Power Talking. “Blessed are You, O Lord,” the familiar opening of countless prayers intones as if it’s a magic formula compelling God to be

Candace R. Kwiatek a celestial butler or healer or shining knight. In the same vein, Rabbi David Wolpe points out, “A good deal of prayer is indistinguishable from barter.

Dear God, we pray, heal my mother, and I will be good.”

Prayer is Power Talking. But for it to produce uncommonly positive outcomes, we have to discard the celestial servant and barter paradigms and adopt a different perspective on prayer.

Language is part of the problem. The roots of prayer are found in Greek thought about spirituality, which divides the world into two opposing realms: spiritual and material, writes Rabbi Micah Greenstein.

Greek and Latin prayer vocabulary reflect notions of supplication, pleading, sacrifice, and surrender: leaving the material world behind in order to connect with God.

Literature to share Matzo: 35 Recipes for Passover and All Year Long by Michele Streit Heilbrun and David Kirschner. Whether you’re in the “matzah for Passover only” or the “year-round matzah” camp, you’ll love this book. Ordinary grocery ingredients and clear recipe directions make traditional fare like matzah balls and oven-fried chicken, and modern cuisine, including matzah nachos with pickled jalapeños and tiramisu, a pleasure to create. Peppered throughout the book are black-andwhite images of the familiar Passover brand Streit’s in its early years as well as informative explanations of some key elements of the Seder and Passover cooking traditions.

Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal. Released just after the author’s passing, this collaborative effort with her daughter is a series of tiny love letters that encourage creativity and friendships, offer encouragement and advice, and celebrate being a unique individual. The lively but simple illustrations are captivating, sparking conversation on each page. A winning picture book for preschoolers, Dear Girl is also a delight for adults — and the messages apply to boys, too.

Detail from King David at Prayer, Rembrandt, 1652

“What use is prayer?” congregants ask Rabbi Mike Comins, expecting tangible results. After all, Judaism’s emphasis on a fixed liturgy in a fixed location at a fixed time in a prescribed community has securely rooted it in the material world.

According to Greek tradition, it should therefore reflect material values: practical and productive. But, Comins notes, “People don’t think prayer is answered.”

When it doesn’t work as expected, it’s discarded in favor of other worldly activities with more tangible benefits.

Personal and mystical, spirituality is a whole different matter. “I’m spiritual, but not religious,” many moderns assert. “I don’t need structured

prayer. I prefer to pray on my own time, in my own words, when I’m moved to do so.”

In the tradition of Greek thought, spirituality is heavencentered and completely separate from the material world.

Appearing first in Genesis is the contrasting Jewish worldview, that the material world and the spiritual world are a single unity.

The human (worldly) is made in the image of God (spiritual) and becomes a living soul (spiritual). It’s a knowledge gap that helps to explain why we don’t understand or engage in prayer very often.

Here’s my prescription.

Teach the Jewish worldview.

Teach tefillah by demonstrating how it acknowledges and cultivates our spiritual and our physical selves.

Teach why there is fixed prayer and how to find one’s personal voice in it. Teach why and how to create spontaneous prayer, encourage it, and find meaningful places to give voice to it.

Jewish prayer is Power Talking. It’s a conversation with God. It’s a conversation within yourself. It’s a conversation in community.

And, as Rabbi Wolpe points out, it does work: “If we rise from our prayer as better human beings than the ones who sat down, our prayers have been answered.”

Getting Your Affairs in Order Wednesday, February 7, 2PM Dayton Metro Library Main Branch (215 E. Third St. 45402) L. John Hartmann, author of Getting Your Affairs in Order: An Owner’s Manual, joins us to explain various financial, legal and logistical components in order to help you develop a purposeful, coordinated and cohesive plan to address your future financial needs.

Light noshes. No cost.

Jewish Family Services OF GREATER DAYTON

&

Jewish Foundation OF GREATER DAYTON

RSVP at jewishdayton.org or 937-610-1555.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 21

Arts&Culture

Disturbing the Peace examines how enemies can forgive, move forward Abramorama

By Tom Tugend, Los Angeles Jewish Journal Disturbing the Peace might as justifiably be called Disturbing the Fighting. The 2016 documentary follows a group called Combatants for Peace, consisting mainly of former Israeli soldiers and their former Palestinian enemies, now jointly searching for a path toward ending their long conflict.

Fairly typical of the group’s membership are cofounders Chen Alon and Suliman al-Khatib. The latter joined Fatah at 13 and one year later was arrested for attacking two Israelis and sentenced to 10 years in an Israeli prison.

Alon served four years in the Israeli army, followed by 10 years as an operations officer in the reserves. Subsequently, he signed a petition by Israeli soldiers and officers refusing to serve in the A scene from the documentary Disturbing the Peace West Bank. He now works as a theatre director Such mutual confidences also yielded clues to the and lecturer at Tel Aviv University. individual process of transformation. One PalestinThe founders and first adherents of the nascent peace group met in 2005, spent a year building mutual ian, for instance, said that while imprisoned, he saw Schindler’s List and started feeling some compassion trust, using as one tool a technique pioneered by the for the Jews and later tried to understand what motiSouth African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which former enemies owned up to their transgres- vated the Israelis.

Apkon said the peace group counts close to 300 sions. active members, equally divided between Israelis and “I helped destroy a Palestinian village,” acknowlPalestinians and organized in eight regional chapters edges a former Israeli soldier in the film. “I killed two in such towns as Tel Aviv and Tulkarem, Jerusalem Israelis,” says his Palestinian counterpart. and Hebron.

In 2006, the small group felt strong enough to go He and co-producer Marcina Hale will screen public, according to Stephen Apkon, the film’s coDisturbing the Peace in Dayton on Feb. 8 and will lead a director with fellow American Andrew Young, who conflict resolution workshop on Feb. 11, both spondoubled as cinematographer. sored by Oakwood’s Wright Memorial Public Library.

Although the Combatants for Peace’s demonstraWright Memorial Public Library will screen the tions and memorial services for the victims on both documentary Disturbing The Peace at 7 p.m. on sides draw several thousand people, according to ApThursday, Feb. 8 in Sears Recital Hall at the Jesse Philips kon, the group is not nearly as large and well-known Humanities Center on the University of Dayton Campus. as the Peace Now movement in Israel and its allies in Producer/Co-director Stephen Apkon and Co-producer the Diaspora.

Marcina Hale will lead a Q&A after the film.

However, Apkon argues, the Combatants group Apkon and Hale will facilitate a workshop about conflict draws its credibility through the men and women resolution from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11 at who once put their lives on the line in fighting one Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., another and have now joined forces, braving the freOakwood. To register for the free event, call 294-7171. quent contempt and hostility of their compatriots on

PAGE 22

both sides. Considerable segments of the Israeli population and government view the group as far left and an apologist for enemies of the Jewish state.

Apkon, founder of the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, N.Y., invested four years — and considerable emotion — in directing and producing Disturbing the Peace.

The film’s title derives partially from a scene toward the end, in which chanting Israeli and Palestinian demonstrators with colorful banners, puppets, and a marching band break through a symbolic wall separating them.

Members of a platoon of Israeli soldiers, watching the goings-on warily, are then invited to take off their uniforms and join the demonstration.

Eventually, though, the soldiers arrest the two leaders, one from each ethnic group, charging them with “disturbing the peace.”

Apkon interprets this charge as, in fact, “disturbing the status quo,” and cites such other “disturbers” as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Interspersing narrations, interviews and newsreel footage with occasional reenactments, the film shows reconciliation between former enemies, but also conflict within the same family.

When Jamel Qassas, whose brother was killed by Israeli soldiers during the First Intifada, tells his wife, Fatima, that he wants to take their children to a peace demonstration, she objects heatedly. “The Israelis took our house,” she argues, “but let us use the bathroom.”

Ultimately, the key to reconciliation between enemies, not only in the Middle East but across the globe, is to realize the cliché of “standing in another man’s shoes,” Apkon believes.

He cites an old news story about the struggle between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, during which a school was bombed and destroyed.

One of the few things left in the rubble was a poster that read, “If you were born where they were born, and you were taught what they were taught, you’d believe what they believe.”

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

Nosh

Paula Shoyer’s new cookbook focuses on healthy eating JCC & Beth Jacob to host celebrated kosher pastry chef Feb. 20

Pumpkin Hamantashen

By Marshall Weiss The Observer Noted kosher baker Paula Shoyer will talk about her latest cookbook, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen (Sterling Epicure), at a program featuring samples of recipes from the publication on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Beth Jacob Congregation in partnership with the JCC. The author of The New Passover Menu, The Holiday Kosher Baker, and The Kosher Baker, Shoyer received her pastry training in France.

The Healthy Jewish Kitchen focuses on “natural ingredients and includes Jewish classics updated for the modern table, and both American and international dishes that reflect food trends beyond the Jewish culinary world.”

In time for Purim, which begins on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 28, here is Shoyer’s recipe for hamantashen from The Healthy Jewish Kitchen.

Purim is one of my favorite Jewish holidays, and I love to invent new flavors of hamantashen every year. These taste best when they are baked until firm.

Paula Shoyer will talk about her take on Jewish cooking, with tastes of recipes from her newest cookbook, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Beth Jacob Congregation, 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Township, in partnership with the JCC. The cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. R.S.V.P. by Feb. 20 to 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org.

By Paula Shoyer, from The Healthy Jewish Kitchen

Pareve Makes three dozen cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes: 1 hour to chill dough; 15 minutes to roll out and shape • Bake Time: 14 minutes • Advance Prep: May be made two days in advance; avoid freezing • Equipment: Measuring cups and spoons, can opener, large bowl, electric mixer, silicone spatula, plastic wrap, medium bowl, two jelly roll pans or cookie sheets, parchment paper or silicone baking mats, rolling pin, small drinking glass or round cookie cutter (2 to 3 inches in diameter), long metal flat-blade spatula Dough 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup sunflower, safflower, or canola oil 1/2 cup pumpkin purée 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Paula Shoyer

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 13/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting 11/4 cups whole-wheat flour Dash salt Filling 1 cup pumpkin purée 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. maple syrup 1 large egg yolk In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to mix together the eggs, sugar, oil, pumpkin purée, and vanilla and mix well.

Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, and salt and mix until the dough comes together.

Form the dough into a round, then cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for one hour or overnight to firm up.

Prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, place the pumpkin purée, light brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and egg

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Lift off the top parchment.

Using a small drinking glass or a round cookie cutter, cut the dough into circles.

Use a long metal flat-blade spatula to lift the cookie circles and place them on a piece of parchment paper sprinkled with a little flour.

Place 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each dough circle, and then fold in the three sides toward the middle to form a triangle, leaving a small opening in the center.

Pinch the three sides together very tightly. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Roll and cut any extra dough scraps, making sure to sprinkle a little flour under and over the dough before you roll it out.

Bake the cookies for 14 minutes, or until they are lightly browned.

These cookies taste best when they are crunchy. Slide the parchment and cookies onto wire cooling racks.

yolk and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to roll out the dough.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two to three cookie sheets or jelly roll pans with parchment or silicone baking mats. Divide the dough in half.

Cut off two pieces of parchment paper and sprinkle allpurpose flour on one. Place a dough half on top of the parchment paper, then sprinkle flour on top of the dough.

Place the second piece of parchment on top of the dough and, using a rolling pin, roll over the top of the parchment paper.

Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4-inch thick. After every few rolls, peel back the top parchment and sprinkle a little more flour on the dough.

Once or twice, flip over the parchment-dough “package” and peel off the bottom parchment. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, place the parchment back on top, and then flip it over.

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 23

A celebration of us How a slightly disorganized interfaith couple organized a Jewish wedding ceremony

By Nataliya Naydorf interfaithfamily.com I tried incredibly hard to make the wedding planning process as organized as I could.

I had spreadsheets upon spreadsheets of guest lists and vendors that I shared with my fiancé, Andy. I had folders with links saved and an extensive private Pinterest board of DIY wedding planning ideas that required far more creativity than anything I would ever be capable of and which, closer to the main event, I had completely forgotten about.

As our wedding date loomed ever closer, as our work lives became more hectic, and as we closed on our first home two weeks prior to the wedding, I realized that we were still missing vital last-minute details and items.

It was two weeks before the wedding and I had forgotten to buy my shoes, to create the wedding programs, to give the music requests for the ceremony and reception to the DJ, and to top it off, the Kiddush cup we had ordered still hadn’t arrived.

Oops.

But somehow, despite a few last-minute glitches, it all came together to be one of the most unforgettable, special, and happiest day of our lives.

We started our weddingplanning journey with the book A New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant.

Together, we carefully selected Jewish wedding traditions that were meaningful to us.

No matter what we did, Tenaim: Tenaim is the prethe plate would not break. I wedding ceremony where the families of the bride and groom will never underestimate the strength of Pier One plates ever decide on the financial and loagain. We all laughed, the rabbi gistical terms of the marriage.

Our rabbi drew up a progres- called it a “symbolic breaking” of the plate and we agreed that sive tenaim document which our mothers would break it we and our ketubah (marriage at our house warming in two contract) witnesses, our two months. sisters, signed. The document Ketubah: The Jewish wedstipulated that we would bring a physical reminder of our love ding contract conveys our commitment to each other and and our spiritual gifts for one to build a loving and supportive another (in lieu of a traditional home. It requires the signature object of value/dowry) which of the bride and groom, the in our case, was a Kiddush cup officiant and witnesses. We from our wine fountain set. each have one sister and while We had originally ordered a new Kiddush cup but soon real- traditionally, witnesses should ized it was not going to arrive in not be related to the bride and time, so we ended up using the groom, we decided that we truly wanted to honor them in cup that we regularly use for this way. We had purchased the Shabbat.

Tenaim includes the pre-wed- ketubah from Ketubah.com and made some adjustments to the ding tradition of the mothersin-law breaking a plate together. Hebrew spelling thanks in part to a rabbi friend’s Two nights prior Together, review of the text. to the wedding, The ketubah.com we carefully Andy and I team was more trudged to Pier selected the than willing to One to buy the Jewish wedding correct the text. cheapest, most It was a great breakable looking traditions that experience and plate we could were meaningful I highly recomfind. mend them.

The rabbi had to us.

Our ketubah is warned us to break the plate beforehand and beautiful and we look forward to putting it up in our new glue it back together but we home. figured the plate would break Chupah: A chupah is the easily. Lo and behold, as our wedding canopy, which repremothers, the rabbi and then Andy desperately tried to break sents the home the couple will the plate in various ways, it was create together, open to family and friends. To create ours, we clear that we should have folpurchased four 7-foot birch lowed instructions.

With help from their rabbi, Nataliya Naydorf and Andy Doppes easily constructed an affordable chupah (wedding canopy)

poles at Amazon for around $60 and large eye hooks for $10 dollars.

Andy drilled a hole at the top of the birch poles and screwed in the eye hooks. Our rabbi brought in his large tallit (prayer shawl), tied the corner fringes to the hooks at the top and voila, we constructed our chupah cheaply and easily. We also wanted to include and honor our friends and family and decided to have chupah bearers.

Our chupah was held up by my best friend, my sister, Andy’s brother-in-law, and one of his best friends.

One of the most special moments for me was when my parents walked me to the chupah.

It was great being able to have

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that time with them before the ceremony.

Circling: Circling is the tradition in which the bride circles the groom seven times (or the partners both circle each other).

Seven is an auspicious number in Judaism and circling seven times can represent the seven days of creation, the seven blessings, and other instances where something happens seven times in the Torah/Talmud.

However, for us, the circling meant that we would make each other central to each other’s lives. We decided to keep it equal and circled each other three times.

Birkat Erusin: The Birkat Erusin is the betrothal blessing recited by the rabbi over a Kiddush cup of wine. We then drank from the same Kiddush cup that we used in our tenaim ceremony to symbolize our commitment to sharing our lives with each other.

Ring Exchange: In a traditional Jewish wedding, the groom gives the bride a ring, constituting the act of gifting an artifact of value to the bride and therefore making the marriage official. However, we decided to do a double ring ceremony where we used my maternal grandmother’s ring for my wedding band and Andy had his paternal grandfather’s ring for his.

Neither of us have any living grandparents left, so it felt like they were able to participate in our celebration in a way, making it even more special for us.

Sheva Brachot: The Sheva

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

Brachot are the seven blessings which are recited for the bride and groom. Our rabbi read them in both Hebrew and English. We had no strong feelings about the Sheva Brachot and allowed the rabbi to select the wording.

Breaking the Glass: This marks the conclusion of the ceremony and has many interpretations but the ones we chose to add into our wedding programs were that it’s a reminder that there is still suffering in the world and that it represents the breaking of barriers between people of different cultures and faiths.

After being regaled with stories of over-confident grooms going to the ER after stomping on the glass, I made sure to put the glass into a plastic bag and cover it with multiple cloth napkins prior to the wedding.

I was relieved that Andy was able to break the glass without any issues, but I’m also pretty sure our wedding pictures captured my anxiety-filled expression. We kept the broken glass and are now trying to decide what to do with it.

Yichud: After Andy broke the glass, everyone yelled “mazel tov,” we shared our first kiss as husband and wife, and we then left for yichud, a time of seclusion for the bride and groom at the end of the marriage ceremony.

We escaped to the bridal suite where we had water, Coca-Cola, and appetizers waiting for us. We also had a chance to practice our wedding dance one last time.

It was an ultimate must-have for us and we are both glad we had those moments to be alone and decompress before heading out to our guests again.

Our wedding ceremony was perfect for us and set the tone for not only the rest of the wedding but for the rest of our lives. It opened our hearts in a way we could never have imagined. It was a celebration of love, of unity, and of starting our marriage with our nearest and dearest close by.

Most of all, it was a celebration of us.

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 25

Israelis throwing ‘Nature Weddings’

Dana Bar-On

We have an emergency Queen Esther has been kidnapped!

Bring your super powers to help save her.

Grab your costumes and join us for a fun night of games and food.

Wednesday, February 28 6:00pm Megillah reading 6:30pm Spaghetti dinner & Purim Carnival Dinner: $6/adult $4/child (4-12 years) RSVP to the Temple office

Chili Cook-off

Shani and Ran Maaman embrace under the chupah at their wedding in the Judean Desert, May 11

By Andrew Tobin, JTA TEL AVIV — In this tiny country, there are only so many places to have a wedding. Or so you would think.

But a growing number of Israelis are creating one-of-a-kind outdoor weddings from the ground up. In some cases, they even start with the ground.

"We brought in bulldozers for one couple," said Ori Fuks, an Israeli wedding producer. "They wanted to get married on an avocado farm, so we built them a parking lot."

“Nature weddings,” as they are sometimes called, are an increasingly popular option for young Israeli couples seeking unique nuptials. In recent years, an industry has emerged around the bespoke outdoor events, offering an alternative to the traditional wedding hall blowout.

Shani Maaman, a 31-year-old hightech worker from Jerusalem, and her husband-to-be, Ran, were determined to do their wedding themselves. With the help of Israeli wedding blogs and Facebook groups, they spent months

planning and preparing a wedding they felt reflected who they are.

Unlike some couples, Maaman and her fiancé did not start from zero. Instead, they converted a biblical tourism center called Genesis World into a bohemian desert getaway with Bedouin-style tents and cushions, billowing macramé decorations, and a caravan of camels on hand. A DJ played world music-inspired beats late into the night.

“Nature weddings have become common, but I know that our wedding was very, very special,” Maaman said.

“The nice thing about the place was that because it’s not for weddings, it doesn't feel commercialized. They don't charge you for every little extra. If you want another area to chill out, they give it to you no problem.”

Fuks said many young Israelis have become dissatisfied with the “copy and paste” approach of wedding halls, which they see as inauthentic. Having grown up working in two such venues owned by his family, in 2009 he started Yoav Alon

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An Israeli couple poses at their wedding in the northern Israeli forest, May 29 PAGE 26

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • FEBRUARY 2018

ding — which was also Burning Man his own company called Bloom, which inspired — was countercultural, too. specializes in nature weddings at sites Like a growing number of Israelis, she with little to no infrastructure. and her husband eschewed the Chief “Young Israelis want their wedding Rabbinate, the Orthodox authority that to be their own,” he said. “They want to feel like they're hosting you in their own controls Jewish marriage in Israel. They opted for a secular humanist rabbi, and home. That's why we come and say, because only an Orthodox rabbi can anything you want, we can create it.” perform a wedding in Israel, they have Fuks lets couples customize nearly yet to be officially married. every aspect of their wedding, startMaaman said they plan to eventually ing with the location. In addition to the marry abroad and have the union recogavocado farm, he uses forests, deserts, nized by Israel’s secular bureaucracy, or vineyards and fields. Last year he threw to enter a common law marriage — two a wedding in a pallet factory. He works increasingly popular options. with suppliers to bring in the desired She said their amenities, like generators for electricDana Bar-On motivation for not going through the ity, a kitchen and Chief Rabbinate bar, a sound system, was more personal lighting, restrooms, than principled. tents and flowers.

They wanted to do Immediately after the wedding on a the event, everydate that is forbidthing is dismantled. den by Jewish law No infrastructure and, more imporcan stay in place, tant, to have an Fuks said, because egalitarian cerhe rents the properemony. Under the ties from private owners and may or Shani and Ran Maaman in the company of macrame chupah, camels at their Judean Desert wedding Maaman joined may not have the her husband in the required permits. traditional concluding ritual of breaking Fortunately, he said, he has never had a a glass in memory of the destruction of wedding shut down.

Fuks said business has grown steadily Jerusalem.

“We’re not like ‘anti’ people,” she over the years to about 30 weddings said. “What guided us was making it a year, mostly in the relatively sunny our wedding, fit to us. We did what we months between March and October. needed to do.”

At the same time, he said he has seen his competitors in the nature wedding industry proliferate, from just a couple eight years ago to as many as 10 experienced competitors and countless upstarts today.

A saleswoman at one of Israel’s poshest wedding halls said the growing popularity of nature weddings has not cut into her clientele. But speaking on condition of anonymity to protect her job, she said she expects that to change in the near future. Among her Tel Aviv friends, she said, wedding halls are already out of style.

“People want their wedding to make them feel special,” she said. “But this industry is all about money. You spend money you don't have, and we make money. In a couple years, everyone will be planning their own weddings.”

However, nature weddings are not necessarily less expensive. Fuks said his average wedding costs about $40,000, which is at the high end of the national average, according to a 2015 survey.

Maaman's $25,000 wedding is at the low end.

Lira Wieman, the owner of LW Events, said nature weddings are nothing new for her clients, who include Israel's rich and famous. Nearly threequarters of the weddings she does are in nature, she said. In May, she produced a high-profile desert wedding for model Shlomit Malka and actor Yehuda Levy.

“They wanted a Burning Man-style event,” Wieman said, referring to the American countercultural festival. “It was crazy — three days on an isolated 898-2761 ranch with a 24-hour DJ party.”

To some extent, Maaman's wedinfo@bernsteinscatering.com

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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.

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.

S T KA

A Purr...sian Purim Tail

Wednesday, Feb. 28 • Megillah Reading at 6 p.m.

• Purim Seudah (Dinner) at 7 p.m. $20 adults, $10 children 3-12 • Purim Shpiel following dinner Come in costume!

Please bring a small bag of dry cat food to use as a grogger. Afterward, we’ll donate them to The Tenth Life, a cat rescue and adoption facility.

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, Feb. 21

Sunday Brunch Speaker Series 10 a.m. • $7 • R.S.V.P. to 293-9520 Feb. 4: Jack Bernstein, M.D. Mosquito Airlines.

Feb. 18: Joel Shapiro. The Passover Seder. Bring your favorite Haggadah. In conjunction with Temple Israel’s Brotherhood, at Beth Abraham.

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 • FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 27

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Registration is now open for the 2018-19 school year.

Students new to Hillel for 2018-19 are eligible to apply for renewable scholarships funded by the Sinai Foundation.

Nurturing confident and successful learners daytonhillel.org 937.277.8966 • dkmecoli@daytonhillel.org