The Dayton Jewish Observer, December 2023

Wishing you a happy David Moss designs Grace After Meals Chanukah in comic book form p. 22

THE DAYTON Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton

December 2023 Kislev/Tevet 5784 Vol. 28, No. 4

OBSERVER

The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • daytonjewishobserver.org Marshall Weiss

'We had to be there'

Miami Valley Jews & allies at the March for Israel, Nov. 14, Washington, D.C.

Address Service Requested Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton 525 Versailles Drive Dayton, OH 45459

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID DAYTON, OHIO PERMIT NO. 59

DAYTON Rabbi Tina Sobo

Temple Israel honored local Jewish war veterans at its Veterans Day Shabbat service and kiddush lunch, Nov. 11. Lunch was donated by All The Best Deli.

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Wishing You and Yours a Happy Chanukah PAGE 2

Busy in Brooklyn blogger and kosher cookbook author Chanie Apfelbaum led a cooking demonstration for a dinner featuring her recipes at Chabad, Nov. 12 as part of the JCC's Cultural Arts & Book Series. Chabad Women's Circle co-sponsored the event.

Marshall Weiss

Workers with Groundskeeper Landscape Group till a new garden area and plant daffodil bulbs at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education in Centerville for the Dayton Yom Hashoah Committee's participation in The Daffodil Project, which aims to develop a worldwide 'living Holocaust memorial' by planting 1.5 million daffodils in memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust, and to support children in humanitarian crises in the world today.

The committee will hold a dedication in the spring, when the daffodils bloom.

On the cover: Some of the Daytonians at the Nov. 14 March for Israel on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (L to R): Jewish Family Services Exec. Dir. Tara Feiner and Adam Feiner, Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Temple Israel Rabbinic Intern Kit Brewer, Jewish Community Relations Council Dir. Jeff Blumer, Masada Warner, Devorah Schwartz, David Bergman of Bethesda, Md., Jennifer Holman, Andy Schwartz, and Adina Weiss.

Calendar..................................23 Family Education....................27

Food................................28 Obituaries...........................35

Opinion.........................22 Religion.......................... 24

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

DAYTON

'We had to be there'

Contributed

Miami Valley Jews reflect on recordbreaking pro-Israel march Nov. 14 in Washington

By Marshall Weiss The Observer Actor Tovah Feldshuh opened the Nov. 14 March for Israel in Washington, D.C. with an impression of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, whom she has famously portrayed on stage.

Feldshuh told the estimated 290,000 people sprawled across the National Mall, one of the largest gatherings of Jews in American history, "As Prime Minister Golda Meir said, 'Some people love you, and some people love you and show up.'

You showed up and that makes all the difference."

Twenty-one people from the Miami Valley — from ages 20 to 80 — showed up that day for the rally, also billed as a march to free the hostages in Gaza and against the antisemitism that has exploded around the world since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre and the Israel-Hamas war.

The rally's main organizers were the Jewish Federations of North America and the Con-

Related More rally coverage...............14

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(L to R): Celia Diamond of Yellow Springs with Dr. Neil Katz and Karin Hirschkatz of Dayton at the Nov. 14 March for Israel in Washington, D.C.

ference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

"We both felt we had to be there," Karin Hirschkatz of Dayton said of herself and her husband, Dr. Neil Katz.

"We've been wanting to do something, and we've been contacting our Congresspeople.

I'm in touch with two youngish men that we housed a long time ago who are Israelis. My cousin is there."

Their friends, longtime Daytonians Andy and Bill Franklin, also live in Israel.

Jennifer Holman, an artist who lives in Dayton, said she needed to do more than just

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have a voice on social media.

"I felt like it was important to try to get the numbers up there to show the voice of the community," Holman said. She studies for conversion to Judaism with Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz at Temple Israel.

"It's been a very difficult past month and a half," Holman said. "It's time for the hostages to be released. I'm just trying to be a part of that larger voice to be heard because it's not a time to be silent right now."

Hirschkatz, Katz, and Holman traveled to Washington with 11 others from the Dayton area aboard one of the Jewish Continued on Page Four

From the editor’s desk

Here’s to MORE LIGHT. To scatter the darkness.

B

BM

c O Menachem

Wishing You A Happy Chanukah

News about the Jewish world and Israel seems to move faster than ever in these difficult times. You may be in search of a place you can rely on for accurate journalism, thoughtful analyses, Marshall and intelligent opinion pieces.

Weiss We've offered such a site for several years now. Go to Facebook and like or follow us at facebook.com/TheDaytonJewishObserver.

Every day, except Shabbat and Yom Tov, I post numerous pieces pertinent to our understanding of the Jewish world. If you see it at our page, you'll know it's been carefully vetted from a variety of reliable news outlets. It's information that, as a reader of The Dayton Jewish Observer, I know you'll want to see.

Stay with our Facebook page and keep up on the news as it happens. If you don't already like or follow us, give it a try. Consider it our gift to you this Chanukah.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

WISHING YOU & YOUR LOVED ONES PEACE & LIGHT THIS CHANUKAH SEASON.

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PAGE 3

DAYTON Marshall Weiss

THE DAYTON

OBSERVER daytonjewishobserver.org Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss mweiss@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Contributors Candace R. Kwiatek Rabbi Tina Sobo Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Administrative Assistant Samantha Daniel, sdaniel@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Billing Sheila Myers, smyers@jfgd.net 937-610-1555 Proofreaders Rachel Haug Gilbert, Steven H. Solomon

(L to R): Daytonians Adam Feiner, Devorah Schwartz, Tara Feiner, Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz, Jennifer Holman, Kit Brewer, and Masada Warner at the Nov. 14 March for Israel rally in Washington, D.C.

peace I hadn’t had since Oct. 7.

'We had to be there' tional Hearing some of our Congresspeople

DaytonMetroLibrary.org PAGE 4

Continued from Page Three speak made me feel a little less abanFederation of Cincinnati's charter doned." buses.

Dayton's new Jewish Commu"We got on the bus to leave at 11:59 nity Relations Council director, Jeff p.m., Nov. 13 in Cincinnati and arBlumer, led the Dayton group. rived in D.C. after 11 a.m.," Holman Six other Jews from Dayton came said. "We ended up getting back to by plane, including Beth Abraham Cincinnati at about 3:30 in the mornSynagogue's Rabbi Aubrey Glazer, ing, Nov. 15 and were back in Dayton his wife, Elyssa Wortzman, and their roughly at 4:45 a.m." daughter, Tal. They agreed it was the Shabbat morn'It's terrible that ingOn worth it. four days after the On the picture-perfect this march has march, Glazer shared day, multitudes of parwith his congregants an to exist. But ticipants chanted "Bring experience he had on the Them Home" in support I am proud to National Mall. of the hostages, and "Am have a voice.'

"So there I was, Yisrael Chai," the Jewholding up a poster ish people lives, over a sea of Israeli of one of the 240 captives that read flags. Thousands waved them; hun'Kidnapped,' with their image and dreds wore them as superhero capes. age, when a young Israeli beside me "I felt a surprising sense of relief," asked for the sign. 'Why do you want Hirschkatz said of the rally. "I have it?' I asked. 'It's my friend from the been feeling under a cloud since Oct. Supernova (music festival).' So we 7. I've been feeling more emotional switched signs immediately, and then than I have in my life. Between feelour daughter, Tal, went over to this ing abandoned by all the movements Israeli she had never met before and that we have supported and by some offered her a hug, and they shed tears friends — and the hostages and the together. Those tears made the myswar and the atrocities — being there tery of this gathering of those 300,000 was a release. I had a feeling of emo— Jews and friends of Zion — much more tangible than I’d Contributed ever imagined."

Hirschkatz said she went to peace rallies during the Vietnam era and women's marches but has never experienced a rally this large.

"Looking around and seeing all the young people — just hundreds, thousands of young people — that was wonderful.

We were very conBeth Abraham Synagogue's Rabbi Aubrey Glazer and his wife, Elyssa Wortzman, with their daughter, Tal, in D.C. cerned that there are

Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Mary Rita Weissman President Dan Sweeny President Elect Marni Flagel Secretary Neil Friedman Treasurer Ben Mazer VP Personnel Teddy Goldenberg VP Resource Dev. Dr. Heath Gilbert Immediate Past Pres.

Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 28, No. 4. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459.

Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut.

The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests.

Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication.

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

• To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines.

• To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation agencies, its annual campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs.

• To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.

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Please recycle this newspaper.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

DAYTON not that many people who can just drop everything and go.

And it was just amazing."

Holman said she was impressed with the diversity of the Jews at the massive rally.

"We had representation from Reform to Conservative to Reconstruction to Orthodox and I really appreciated that.

I was so proud that people from all walks of Judaism came together. I was proud to see that people who were not Jewish came to show their support. It was really lovely to see, because if there is any time to unify, now is definitely a time."

Along with their "jewishdayton" signs, Dayton-area people who joined the Cincinnati bus received bright yellow "Cincinnati Stands With Israel" T-shirts. Several said the color made it easy to spot others in their traveling group for miles in any direction across the Mall.

One of the most memorable moments of the day, Hirschkatz said, was when her yellowshirted group was on the Metro and on its way to the rally.

"There was one gentleman who kept looking at us. And he finally said to me, 'I like your shirt,' and he applauded what we were doing, which was unexpected and very nice. That really touched me."

Holman said she was glad to be at the rally but brokenhearted because of the reasons for it.

"I was excited to be a part of this though it's terrible that there are hostages that have been held for 41 days, and it's terrible that antisemitism is on the rise. It's terrible that there are lies being spread about what the actual operations of the IDF are. It's terrible that this march has to exist. But I am proud to have a voice."

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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

PAGE 5

DAYTON Photos by Marshall Weiss

Area law enforcement keeps watchful eye on potential threats

FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati field office, J. William Rivers, shown with local law enforcement and FBI officials, addresses the Greater Dayton Jewish community security town hall meeting Nov. 15 at the Boonshoft CJCE in Centerville.

Local updates connected to the Israel-Hamas war

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PAGE 6

By Marshall Weiss, The Observer Members of the Jewish community received a briefing about the current threat landscape, actions to protect the Jewish community, what the Jewish community can do to help the FBI and local law enforcement, and what the Jewish community can do to protect itself.

The Jewish Federation hosted the security town hall meeting Nov. 15 at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education in Centerville, led by J. William Rivers, FBI special agent in charge of the Cincinnati field office; Michael Herwig, FBI supervisory special agent; and Centerville Police Chief Matt Brown.

Also on the panel were FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer Charles Balaj, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Zrinka Dilber, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Brandt, Dayton Police Major Jason Hall, and retired Centerville Police Officer John Davis.

The panelists noted the surge in antisemitism across the United States since the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7, described how their agencies work together, confirmed there were no known imminent threats against the local Jewish community, and urged all present to be vigilant.

Israel Emergency Campaign nears $856,000 goal

Jewish Federation CEO Cathy Gardner announced Nov. 16 that its Israel Emergency Campaign has raised $796,357 toward its goal of $856,000.

Jewish Federations of North America assigned this dollar goal based on the Dayton area's estimated Jewish population and per capita giving to the Federation's Annual Campaign.

Along with online giving to the Israel Emergency Campaign, the Federation raised $603,418 Oct. 30 at a small gathering of major donors, and $82,000 at a community caucus event for Israel Nov. 12.

To date, the JFNA system has raised more than $659 million and has allo-

cated close to $200 million.

"We have almost met our goal, but the needs will continue long into the future," Dayton's Gardner said. "JFNA will continue to allocate the dollars to provide lifeline services, mental health and trauma relief, economic relief and rescue, and resources for community resilience and rebuilding."

To donate to the Israel Emergency Campaign, go to jewishdayton.org.

Jewish Family Services offers emotional wellness Zoom sessions Mondays at noon

Tara Feiner, executive director of Jewish Family Services, has launched Let's Talk sessions via Zoom from noon to 12:45 p.m., Mondays through March 25 (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1).

These drop-in sessions with JFS staff give participants the opportunity to share their emotional struggles, fears, and concerns.

"Since the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and the taking of hostages, the war, and the subsequent increase in antisemitism, many of us are struggling to process these difficult and emotional events," Feiner said. "This is our way to provide you with a safe, nonjudgmental, confidential space to be heard and to process complicated emotions."

Register for Let's Talk at jewishdayton/events or call JFS at 937-401-1551.

Dayton city commissioner offers prayer at Islamic Council of Dayton's 'Stop the Genocide' peace rally

"Stop the genocide!!! Ceasefire now!!!" was how the Islamic Council of Dayton's Nov. 10 peace rally at Dayton's Courthouse Square was billed online. More than 100 people showed up to the afternoon rally, holding signs and chanting "Free Palestine" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Signs also referred to Israel's military operations in Gaza as genocide.

Following several speakers who accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — including two who said they

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

DAYTON are Jewish — Dayton City Commissioner Darryl Fairchild, also a United Methodist pastor, acknowledged the "complexity, pain, and suffering of the situation." He then recited a Christian prayer for peace, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace," attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.

In an interview with The Observer after his prayer, Fairchild said he was not aware the rally had been framed as "Stop the genocide."

"I was asked to come and

pray for peace. And so, I came to pray for peace," he said.

When asked if he thought Israel is committing genocide against the citizens of Gaza, Fairchild said, "I shrink in the face of some of these questions.

It's not my place to say that. I know there's a lot of pain, and I want to stand in solidarity with Jews, Christians, Muslims in that part of the world who

Image on social media promoting the Islamic Council of Dayton's Nov. 10 rally.

Dayton City Commissioner Darryl Fairchild, also a pastor, prepares to offer a prayer at the Islamic Council of Dayton's 'Stop the genocide!!!

Ceasefire now!!!' peace rally at Dayton's Courthouse Square, Nov. 10.

are suffering."

He added that on the question of genocide, "I haven't thought it through all the way."

A backgrounder distributed by the Anti-Defamation League Oct. 25 about accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza states that "while one may oppose and even condemn particular Israeli policies or actions with regard to

Palestinians or Israel’s Arab citizens, the fact remains that in no way has Israel engaged in any action with the intent to exterminate, in whole or in part, the Palestinian people."

Greenville ministers stand with Israel

The Greater Greenville Ministerial Association signed a letter Oct. 18 in support of Israel and Jews around the world in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre and the Israel-Hamas war.

"Antisemitism is rife around the world," the letter states. "It is evident here in the country.

We, the members of GGMA stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters and lift them up

in prayer at this time in their hour of suffering, death, and destruction.

"May the God of Abraham hear our prayers for a swift end to this conflict and that peace will once again become reality in the Holy Land. Until that day, let it be known that the members of the GGMA stand with Israel in their fight for freedom and the right to live in peace as a nation."

The letter was drafted by the Rev. Peter B. Menke, a retired pastor with Greenville's St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Menke is chair of the Darke County Holocaust Memorial Committee.

Participants at the Islamic Council of Dayton's Nov. 10 rally.

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PAGE 7

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With two of his family members released, three killed, and eight still held hostage, veteran Israel correspondent Martin Fletcher talks candidly at UD about Hamas.

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'For me, it's very real and very personal.'

AN E-GIFT CARD PROGRAM OF

By Marshall Weiss The Observer Martin Fletcher says he's been to Gaza at least 50-60 times and to the West Bank a hundred times or more as a journalist. He was NBC's Israel correspondent for 26 years until his retirement in 2010. For 15 of those years, he served as bureau chief there too.

He's covered the First and Second Intifadas. And he still serves as a special correspondent on a contract basis for NBC. But Fletcher says it wasn't until the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre that he fully understood the terror group's real intent.

"It's not about the destruction of Israel. It's about actually killing the Jews," he says Oct. 29 at a program co-sponsored by the JCC's Cultural Veteran NBC broadcast journalist Martin Fletcher at UD Arts & Book Series and the members of the family were killed. And University of Dayton Departeight members of the family are still ment of Communication.

"Hamas and the anti-Zionism demon- hostages."

He emphasizes that it's not just the strations around the world in support story of his family but of many families of a ceasefire and amazingly in support near the Gaza border. of Hamas — you wonder how is that "For me, it's very real and personal. I possible? And, their answer partly is, got a call this morning from a couple of 'It's not about Jews. It's about Israel. It's cousins who are coming to Chicago and about the occupation. It's about cruelty, New York to work on behalf of the eight etc., etc.' still-held hostages. The family's become "What I can tell you is all the times extremely active and a real I've been in the West Bank and Gaza — I've been to 'Now, it seems critical force, I think, in Israel. They're not letting many, many demonstrathis question die." tions, I've been there dur- to me, either With people around ing the different wars and you want to kill the world demonstrating the different fighting. Not one time, never did I ever the Jews, or you in support of Hamas, he wonders if they know the hear a crowd of Palestin- don't. That's terror group's raison d'être ians during fighting say, is to kill the Jews.

'Israelis are coming. Here frankly how I "Do they know that? Or are the Israelis.' Not even do they know and really one time. It's only 'Kill the see the world.' don't care? Do they agree Jews' and it's about the with it? I don't know."

Jews. Sometimes they say just the army.

Fletcher says he's not surprised by But mostly it's Yahud. Jews." student anti-Israel demonstrations at Fletcher is on tour for his latest book, Teachers: The Ones I Can't Forget. He cuts colleges and universities in the U.S. "Frankly, excuse me, they don't know that presentation short to answer quesmuch," he says. "If somebody has a tions about Gaza. well-thought-out position, and this is "Some of you may know that two of the position he chooses, good for him, my family members were hostages," and to be anti-Israel after you've looked he says. "And they were the first ones at the stuff in the situation. That's totally released (Judith Raanan, 59, and her fair. But at the same time, I don't believe 17-year-old daughter, Natalie). But in killing Jews." they're not celebrating and the family's He says college students tend not to not celebrating, to a person. Because have enough understanding of what's although those two were released, three

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

DAYTON going on. He cites the accusation that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians of Gaza.

"Do you know what genocide is? The deliberate targeting of a nation or group in order to wipe them out. That's what the Germans did to the Jews. That's what Hamas wants to do to the Jews.

"The Jews don't want to kill those civilians. They've asked them to leave the battle zone so they don't kill civilians. It's a tragedy what's happening to the Palestinians. But it's not on purpose, it's not deliberate.

People may be demonstrating because of Israel, and there are many good reasons to do that.

Though at the same time, you have to understand that what they're supporting is a terrorist group that wants to kill Jews."

Fletcher asks rhetorically if it's ever justifiable to rape women and kill them in front of their children, or to cut off Jews' hands and feet.

"What else do you need to see in order to believe they (Hamas) mean what they say?

My truth is not the same as their truth. And I will never persuade one of those guys

that I'm right. And they'll never go forward, if you want peace, there's never been a peace persuade me that I'm wrong.

Now, it seems to me, either you agreement in history — a real peace agreement — in which want to kill the Jews, or you one side got everything. Six don't. That's frankly how I see million dead Jews and Israel's the world."

He notes that antisemitism in best friend is now Germany.

There's 30,000 Israelis living the Middle East goes back well happily now in Berlin. The Britbefore Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, ter- ish and Northern Ireland, they made peace. Ameriritories it captured in can vets now go to the Six-Day War. Even so, Vietnam on holiday "Well, the HoFletcher says to meet Vietnamese locaust was before fighters. Yes, it's posIsrael, 69 Jews were he believes sible. But both sides massacred in Hebron have got to give up in 1929, before Israel. that peace This has been going in the Middle a lot."

When asked what on for a long time.

East is still advice he gives ediThe idea that Israel tors and corresponat all had anything to possible. dents about how to do with it is obvifairly report what's ously nonsense." going on in the Middle East, he Even so, Fletcher says he besays he never sought objectivlieves that peace in the Middle ity.

East is still possible.

"My wife's Israeli, my three "If you want peace, at a cersons were born there, they were tain point, you've got to forget in the army, half the family is about the past. If you look at on kibbutzim and in the army. a choice between justice and My advice is don't try and be peace, justice means you're going to get some kind of revenge objective. You're going to have a very strong feeling one way on someone for whatever they or the other. What you must be did. But that's looking backis fair and accurate. Get it right. ward.

And be fair to both sides."

"In the end, if you want to

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Beth Abraham, Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, is enthusiastically egalitarian and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

'No Jew is ever alone'

Mangel family patriarch survived Auschwitz at age 10.

At 90, he returned with three generations of descendants.

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Rabbi Nissen Mangel shows some of his great-grandchildren his tattoo in the barracks at Auschwitz, Oct. 23.

Mangel says. "It was important to him When Rabbi Nissen Mangel was 10 to go to his grave." years old, he made it out of Auschwitz Devorah Leah Mangel, Nochum alive. He made it past the "Angel of Mangel's wife and Chabad of Greater Death," Dr. Josef Mengele. He survived Dayton's women's program director, the brutal death march in January 1945 says the day the family visited Ausjust before liberation. None of his other chwitz, there were about a thousand relatives in Auschwitz — including his other visitors there. father — made it out alive.

"And they were staring at us, just Nearly 80 years later, the boy who because of our numbers and because survived Auschwitz returned there to nobody else had kids," she says. celebrate his 90th birthday with his Other than two 2-year-olds who wife, children, grandchildren, and stayed back with other family, all of great-grandchildren — nearly 100 Nissen Mangel's great-grandchildren people in all. were there.

A noted scholar and author in the "My father did ask the question, Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Rabbi what's the point of bringing 7-yearNissen Mangel is the father of Rabbi olds? How are they going to appreciate Nochum Mangel, director of Chabad of what's happening?" NoGreater Dayton. chum Mangel says. "The "My father, his entire 'Wherever we argument was that this is life, was never bitter," Nofor the future. Even if you chum Mangel says. "Never went, they were have a 3-year-old who angry. No nightmares. This constantly doesn't understand what's is how he saw it: it's a gift from God that he survived. surrounding him going on, he's going to be standing in a picture. He's He doesn't know why God and just taking going to see that picture, chose him, but he's going it all in.' and he's going to hear stoto make the most of his ries about these pictures, life." and he's going to hear stories about his The children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came together from great-grandfather and then he'll say, 'I was there and here's the picture.'"

Ohio, Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, Devorah Leah Mangel says it was Georgia, New York, Italy, and Israel. powerful to see the great-grandchildren "He always wanted that we should constantly at her father-in-law's feet. see the hell that he survived," Nochum "At Auschwitz, they were standing Mangel says. "And, that Judaism is by him and taking in every single word never doomed."

Their first stop was Lizhensk, Poland he had to say," she says. "Wherever we went, they were constantly surroundto visit the grave of Rabbi Elimelech of ing him and just taking it all in. These Lizhensk, one of the founding rabbis of children will really, really one day pass Chasidism. it on to their children, to make sure we "My father is a direct descendent of never forget the Holocaust."

Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk," Nochum

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

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Rabbi Nissen and Ester Raizel Mangel surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at Auschwitz, Oct. 23.

The Mangel family did confuture of Judaism. sider calling off the trip a few "Jewish atrocities, for us, weeks before they departed, are a granted, a given. That because of the Oct. 7 massacre, we survive, that is the miracle. the ensuing Israel-Hamas war, Therefore, we are singing." and the worldwide explosion "We're celebrating the surof antisemitism along with it. vival of one," Devorah Leah "My brother in Cherry Hill Mangel notes. "And what kept knows somebody whose broth- on going through my mind is er is the head of security of the that this is one. But for each of Israeli embassy in Warsaw," the 6 million, you realize how Nochum Mangel says. "So we many we lost." asked him. What he said was, "That's 6 million individu'Just don't post any pictures als," Nochum Mangel adds. where you are. Don't let any"And look what could have one know where you are. Once happened: 100 people came you're gone, then you can post from one individual. So you pictures.'" could imagine what could have The family decided it was come from 6 million. At all important to go now, more times, these dual feelings are in than ever. all of our minds."

"Because my This was Nissen 'Jewish father's message Mangel's fourth all his life was, return to Ausatrocities, "Hodu l'Hashem ki chwitz. Though tov, ki l'olam chasdo for us, are a family members (Psalm 136), thankwere concerned granted, a ing Hashem for about how his the goodness and given. That we emotional state kindness that He might be on this survive, that is trip at age 90, he bestowed upon him. That's how he the miracle.' was in the mood tells his story." to celebrate.

Devorah Leah "He walks triMangel adds that the greatumphantly, talking and showgrandchildren all learned ing where things happened," Nissen Mangel's message from Nochum Mangel says.

Psalm 136 before the trip and "They treat survivors with were singing it the whole time. great respect today. They gave "Wherever it was, we him a golf cart, so they don't danced and sang my father's have to walk. My father goes theme song, Hodu l'Hashem into that, and he has a smile ki tov, and also about the from ear to ear. And he's wavfuture, L'Shanah Haba'ah ing to everybody."

B'Yerushalayim (next year in At the site where Dr. JoJerusalem), Am Yisrael Chai sef Mengele selected Nissen (the Jewish people lives), Vehi Mangel out of the line to the She'amda," Nochum Mangel gas chambers, the patriarch says. pointed and recited the prayer, Vehi She'amda is a passage in the Haggadah that is recited at the Passover Seder: "And this is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving.

Jeff Noble For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, rather in Jeff Noble MRINetwork every generation they try to Management destroy us, and Hashem saves MRINetwork Recruiters of Dayton Management us from their hands."

Recruiters of Dayton The family, Nochum Mangel 937-228-8271 says, intentionally chose songs jnoble@mridayton.com Noble Staffing Solutions about the past, present, and

"She'asah li nes b'makom hazeh," that God performed a miracle for me right here. Then, his progeny made the blessing as well.

Nissen Mangel showed his great-grandchildren the barracks where he slept.

"He says, 'In the barracks, six of us were lying in bed. How many of you can lie on this bed?'" Nochum Mangel relates of his father.

"He can take one of his grandchildren and say, 'This is how tall I was. This is how old I was.' It became very real.

Even for me. You could see him in those kids."

Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, displays an installation at Auschwitz with the names of all victims who were killed there, along with the cities they came from. There, Nissen Mangel found his father's name with those of other relatives.

"The message wherever my father spoke was, no Jew is ever alone. God is with every single Jew. You can overcome the hardest things in your life," Nochum Mangel says.

"I would say the sad reality is that we cannot rely on the world. Antisemitism lives on.

And we see it in our lifetime.

The exact same nonsense. The exact same lies. We've got no one else to rely on but God. And it happens throughout Jewish history. And we're going to survive. We're going to take shots. We're going to be hurt. But ultimately, nobody's going to be able to destroy us."

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DAYTON

Atmosphere at OSU 'continues to be challenging' after antisemitic incidents

By Alexandra Golden Columbus Jewish News The atmosphere on The Ohio State University campus in Columbus after two antisemitic incidents occurred close to campus within a 24-hour period “continues to be challenging,” OSU Hillel CEO Naomi Lamb wrote to the Columbus Jewish News Nov. 15.

After the two antisemitic incidents occurred, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to coordinate with The OSU Police Department and the Columbus Division of Police to provide extra patrols for the area around the OSU campus.

The incidents include two OSU students assaulted in a hate crime on Nov. 10 and vandalism and anti-Israel

statements and threats at OSU Hillel on Nov. 9.

“Two antisemitic incidents have occurred in the past 24 hours against Ohio State students,” DeWine said in the statement. “We will not tolerate hate and violence on our college campuses or anywhere in Ohio. These are despicable acts, and as governor, I will ensure that the state continues our efforts to protect all Ohio students.”

Two females vandalized Israeli flags in the lobby and shouted anti-Israel statements and threats in The Ohio State University Hillel Wexner Jewish Student Center building on Nov. 9 at 46 E. 16th St. in Columbus, Lamb posted on the organization’s social media accounts.

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The females entered the building by saying they wanted to look around and were let in by the front desk, Sgt. Joe Albert of the Columbus Division of Police wrote in an Nov. 10 email to the CJN. The police were notified about the incident when the call came in at 1:41 p.m.

One female stood by the door and the other went into a room and grabbed small Israeli flags, he said.

“When confronted by staff, the female ran out the door yelling ‘F--- you,’ ‘You support genocide’ and ‘Free Palestine’ while running to a waiting car,” Albert said. “The female dropped the flags and she and the other female got in the car driven by a male and the vehicle left the area.”

No students were nearby when the instance took place, Lamb said.

Two OSU students were assaulted in a hate crime after a verbal altercation occurred with two Middle Eastern males after leaving a bar on North High Street, which the victims reported to officers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Albert said.

The assault, which took Continued on Page 35

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Chanukah Montgomery County Commissioners Judy Dodge, Debbie Lieberman, Carolyn Rice

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THE WORLD

290,000 show up for historic pro-Israel rally in D.C.

Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of demonstrators showed up in support of Israel on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14.

By Ron Kampeas, JTA Schleifer also praised President Joe WASHINGTON — Organizers of Biden, who has asked Congress to send a pro-Israel rally at the National Mall more than $14 billion in emergency asin Washington Nov. 14 claimed that sistance to Israel. “President Joe Biden 290,000 people showed up for the event, has been the steadiest ally and champimaking it one of the largest gatherings on of our shared values,” she said. “We of Jews in U.S. history at a time when are grateful for his leadership.” an ongoing war in Gaza has sharply diThe message thrilled the audience, vided public opinion around the world. but subtle differences in messaging also An additional 250,000 people watched emerged from the prominent Democrats the event through a live stream, organiz- and Republicans who spoke, and also ers added. Other Jewish marches that between the Biden administration and gathered over 100,000 people include Israel. one in 1987 in support of Soviet Jews Mike Johnson, the newly installed and one in 2002 in support of Israel dur- Republican speaker of the House, said ing the second intifada. the United States would reject wideIn more than three hours of speeches, spread calls for a ceasefire. “The calls for a range of politicians, actors, musicians, a ceasefire are outrageous,” he said to activists and U.S. college students preloud cheers. sented a strong front in support of Israel Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and spoke about the rise of antisemitism and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefaround the world since Hamas’ attacks fries, both New York Democrats, did not on Oct. 7 and Israel’s subsequent war in mention a ceasefire.

Gaza.

The Biden administraIt was a rare Many speakers also detion opposes a ceasefire manded the safe release of moment that and backs Israel’s ultimate the 240 hostages still being goal of dismantling Hamas brought together but differs with Israel on held by Hamas in Gaza.

In a live feed from Jerusa- leaders of both the degree to which there lem, Israeli President Isaac should be pauses in fightHerzog said, “we will heal, political parties ing to bring humanitarian we will rise again and we assistance into Gaza. passionately will rebuild.”

Biden is under intense pushing a similar pressure The message from the from a number of main organizers, the Jewmessage. congressional progressives ish Federations of North as well as some staffers in America and Conference of Presidents the State Department and elsewhere to of Major American Jewish Organizaforce Israel to declare a ceasefire. tions, was unity. It was a rare moment Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Jewish Democrat, that brought together leaders of both and Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, also political parties passionately pushing a spoke. It was not clear why Kentucky similar message.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the minority “We stand here in a city often divided leader, was unable to attend. by partisan lines, but not when it comes Beyond the politicians, celebrity to Israel,” said Harriet Schleifer, the speakers including Debra Messing, chairwoman of the Presidents’ ConferMichael Rapaport and Tova Feldshuh ence. “Democrats and Republicans stand called for Jews to wear their identities together — supporting the Israeli people with pride. as they seek peace, justice and the safe “My name is Tovah Feldshuh,” began return of hostages.” the Broadway star, repudiating decades

PAGE 14

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

THE WORLD Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

Demonstrators in support of Israel gather to denounce antisemitism and call for the release of Israeli hostages, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14.

of entertainment pressure on Jews to disguise their identities. “My Hebrew name is Tovah Feldshuh. My stage name is Tovah Feldshuh.” The audience cheered.

Messing, who has been active in campaigning for Democrats, alluded to the heartbreak many Jews on the left felt after failing to hear robust condemnations of Hamas by progressives after Oct. 7.

“I know you are alone, I know you are afraid, I know you feel abandoned by people you thought were friends,” she said. “Looking out today I know we are not alone, because we have each other.”

Three relatives of hostages being held in Gaza also spoke.

“We hostage families have lived the last 39 days in slow motion torment,” said Rachel Goldberg, mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. “We all have third degree burns on our souls.”

An array of Jewish organizations across the political spectrum attended the event. The inclusion of some of the more right-wing speakers, including Johnson and Pastor John Hagee — the head of the influential Christians United for Israel group who is an opponent of LGBTQ rights — caused controversy before the rally.

“A dangerous bigot like Hagee should not be welcomed anywhere in our community,” the liberal pro-Israel lobby J

FROM

Street tweeted hours before the march.

“There is no middle ground in this conflict — you’re either for the Jewish people or you’re not,” Hagee said in his speech.

But several speakers, including liberal CNN analyst Van Jones, called for the protection of Palestinian lives while emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself, and that joint message was continually given a warm reception by the crowd.

“We must stand together to secure a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Jeffries said to applause.

Dr. Rochelle Ford, the president of Dillard University in New Orleans, a historically Black university, said it was time to “stand with Israel, and to stand with the Palestinians who suffer under Hamas’ cruel rule in Gaza.”

The rally started and ended with cries of “Am Yisrael Chai”— the people of Israel lives. William Daroff, head of the conference of presidents, said the tally was counted by magnetometers used by security at entrances.

“Do not cower, allow no one to make you afraid,” said Deborah Lipstadt, the Biden administration’s antisemitism monitor. “The message is built into the Jewish people’s most ancient history — Jews are strongest in their most broken places.”

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On the rally stage and among the crowd there was praise for President Joe Biden, who has asked Congress to send more than $14 billion in emergency assistance to Israel.

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THE WORLD

Alleged bus driver boycott snarls 900 Detroit Jews’ trek to D.C. Israel rally

By Jacob Gurvis, JTA Four hours after the Nov. 14 pro-Israel march in Washington, D.C. ended, 900-plus participants from Detroit had expected to be touching down back home. Instead, the delegation, organized by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, was hungry, disappointed, and nowhere close to Detroit.

Many had missed most if not all of the rally because of what the Federation said was a “malicious walk-off of drivers” hired to ferry them between the airport and National Mall.

Their return flight was delayed as a result, too.

“The buses that were hired to take over 900 participants

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from Dulles International Airport to the site of the march failed to appear, delaying the arrival of many in our group,” read a statement from the Detroit Federation.

“We have learned that this was caused by a deliberate and malicious walk-off of drivers.”

The incident was a rare blemish on an otherwise successful day for the march and its attendees. People successfully made the trip from all over the country.

The snafu stood out so notably that it was mentioned during the rally itself, called in part to counter the anti-Israel demonstrations that have taken place in many places since Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel and elicited a military response.

The three planes chartered by the Federation landed at Dulles International Airport at around 11 a.m., leaving plenty of time for the delegation to board buses and make the 26-mile drive to the National Mall by the rally’s start time of 1 p.m.

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But around a third of the buses never showed. Two hours went by, with the three planes stranded on the Dulles tarmac. Because the flights were privately chartered and the passengers did not pass through a TSA checkpoint before boarding, they were not permitted inside the airport.

Then the news started to trickle out from Federation staff, who told the people on board that drivers from the bus company the Federation had hired were staging a sickout, where workers call out sick as a form of protest.

The Federation's statement said it was “deeply dismayed by this disgraceful action” but noted that not all Detroit attendees were affected. “Fortunately, many were able to travel to the march and we are grateful to the drivers of those buses that arrived.”

After around two hours, the delegation’s organizers had arranged for makeshift shuttles, which allowed many of the 900 people to make it to the rally, though one full plane’s worth of people didn’t get to the event at all.

Then because of the unexpected delay in the morning, the plane’s crew had “timed out,” or exceeded federally mandated work limits, and was not allowed to begin the route back to Detroit until 2:30 a.m.

— leaving the delegation waiting for several hours outside the airport. Some in the group hadn’t eaten all day.

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December 2023 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

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UPCOMING EVENTS WEDNESDAYS, 12:30 - 3:30PM Open Canasta

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 11AM JCC Chanukah Brunch

23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1PM MAC(and cheese)ABEE Team at the Dayton FoodBank MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1PM JFS Mitzvah Mission

30

Connect with us! Check out our events. For more information, check out our calendar at jewishdayton.org.

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Sunday, December 10 11AM – 12:30PM

Happy Chanukah!

Join the JCC, Jewish War Veterans and Hadassah to celebrate Chanukah! There will be Chanukah songs, trivia, and entertainment by Rich Begel.

Ready for the holiday? PJ has you covered.

Candles, dreidels, gelt, and more!

Contact Kate Elder at kelder@jfgd.net for your free holiday bag.

$20 includes entertainment and kosher lunch: fresh salad with dressing, tuna salad, egg salad, potato latkes, sour cream and applesauce, bagels, cream cheese, fresh fruit salad, donuts, coffee, and tea.

Register online by December 5 at jewishdayton.org/events Questions? Contact Stacy Emoff at 937-610-5513 or semoff@jfgd.net.

Jewish Community Center OF GREATER DAYTON

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

PAGE 17

December 2023 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

JANUARY 2024

Thursday, January 11, 2024 @ 7PM In partnership with Washington-Centerville Public Library

Livestream at the Woodbourne Library (6060 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville) No Cost

David Abromowitz The Foxtail Legacy

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Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 7:30PM Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 2PM & 7pm

Join 2,000 Jewish teens from across the globe for an Olympic-style sports experience in Detroit.

Be part of the magic!

Thursday, January 25, 2024 @ 7PM via Zoom No Cost

Benyamin Cohen The Einstein Effect — How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds Physicist to Pop Culture Icon • Albert Einstein’s genius continues to define our everyday lives, and his enduring legacy has shaped him into a modern-day pop culture icon. But it’s not just his genius that continues to shape our world. The Einstein Effect reveals the innumerable ways his influence is still with us today.

To purchase tickets for in-person events or to register for free events, please visit jewishdayton.org/events or call 937-610-1555

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at

MACCABI GAMES • DETROIT, MICHIGAN JULY 28 - AUGUST 2 For more information, please contact Marc Jacob at 937-401-1545 or mjacob@jfgd.net

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

December 2023 mitzvah

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mitzvah

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Monday, December 25, 10AM - 12:00PM The Boonshoft CJCE (525 Versailles Dr., Centerville, 45459)

Join us for mitzvot for all ages!

Have fun with friends old and new while making warm hats and scarves, no-sew rag dolls, and sack lunches for the guests at St. Vincent de Paul’s shelters. Light noshes will be served.

JFS is collecting donations of new children’s winter hats in coordination with Crayons to Classrooms for those in need across the Miami Valley.

If you have any questions, please call Jacquelyn Archie, 937-610-1555.

No cost. RSVP at jewishdayton.org/events.

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OPTIONAL ADD ONS: 8AM - 9AM Rise & Shine 4PM - 5:30PM Stay & Play December 21 - January 3 (closed December 25 and January 1) January 15, 2024 - MLK Day and February 19, 2024 - Presidents’ Day Cost: $50 per day or $425 for all 10 days Temple Beth Or, 5275 Marshall Rd., Washington Township, 45429 Join us over winter break for camp fun including indoor and outdoor games, field trips, cooking and more!

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Register at app.campdoc.com/register/jccgreaterdayton For more information contact Marc Jacob at mjacob@jfgd.net or 937-401-1545

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December 2023 JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON & ITS AGENCIES

JOIN US IN ILLUMINATING THE FUTURE As we celebrate the Festival of lights, honor the spirit of Chanukah by making a legacy commitment and leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

If you are interested in learning more about leaving your legacy, contact Janese R. Sweeny at jsweeny@jfgd.net or 937-401-1542.

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JEWISH FOUNDATION of GREATER DAYTON

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O U R J O U R N E Y TO WA R D S C O M M U N I T Y

FEDERATION

ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND In memory of Anita Kboudi Sue and Don Zulanch JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DAYTON ENDOWMENT FUND In honor of Cathy Gardner’s Humanitarian Award from NCCJ Melinda and Bill Doner CAROL J. PAVLOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND In honor of Marlene and David Miller’s new grandson Melinda and Bill Doner EDWARD R. HATTENBACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In honor of Meryl Hattenbach and Joseph Beringer’s wedding Diane and Ralph Williams Mark and Sonja Smallwood Mazel Tov on your wedding, Meryl Hattenbach and Joe Beringer Audrey and Vic Ronis-Tobin

S ave the date!

Thurday, April 4, 2024

6 - 9PM at Beth Abraham Synagogue 350 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood $54 per person. RSVP online by March 14 at jewishdayton.org/events or contact Stacy Emoff at semoff@jfgd.net The Jewish Community Center is proud to collaborate with the women from Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Hadassah, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton stands in solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community.

To donate to the Israel Emergency Fund, and for resources and information on how you can help, visit jewishdayton.org/programs/standwithisrael PAGE 20

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

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OPINION

In Washington, Jews manage to rally around an intentionally murky message. Will the unity last?

JTA

By Andrew Silow-Carroll WASHINGTON — I didn’t cover or attend the Free Soviet Jewry rally in Washington in 1987, but I’ve seen the photographs.

That rally, which drew some 250,000 Jews to the National Mall, was long considered a high point for Jewish street activism, the benchmark against which all demonstrations since have been measured.

The rally apparently caught the attention of thenPresident Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, who were to meet the next day. Over the next three years, hundreds of thousands of Jews left the “Evil Empire” for the United States and Israel.

The best-known photos of that rally show a sea of people under a “Let My People Go” banner. In its laser-focused call on the Soviets to end the oppression of their Jews and allow them to emigrate, that rally’s lack of complexity was perhaps its greatest strength.

By contrast, the Nov. 14 March for Israel defied one simple slogan. The official organizers suggested three: “March for Israel. March to free hostages. March against antisemitism.” It was a multi-pronged rallying cry for complicated times: The war launched when Hamas slaughtered 1,400 Jews on Oct. 7 has whipped up as many crises as it has emotions.

That complexity and even confusion were reflected Rally-goers at the March for Israel wrapped themselves in Israeli flags, Nov. 14. at the Nov. 14 march. A lot of the people in the masBut if there was one “for Israel” message, it was sive crowd — estimates, backed by data from the folks In an email to T’ruah followers, the group’s CEO, one of apolitical unity, expressed in the “Philly stands Rabbi Jill Jacobs, said they’d be taking part “in a way handling security, put it at some 290,000 — carried with Israel” and “Cleveland stands with Israel” signs signs with names and images of some of the 240 peothat allows you to grieve with Israelis, stand with the that seem to have been coordinated by one of the ralple kidnapped by Hamas in the initial attack. “Bring families of hostages, support our Jewish community ly’s two organizers, the Jewish Federations of North them home” was a common placard. One Orthodox through rising antisemitism, and also grieve for inAmerica. “Standing” doesn’t commit the stander to feminist carried a sign with a verse from Jeremiah: nocent Palestinians.”

“She refuses to be comforted, because her children are a specific political agenda, except in this case to the That message also seemed an effort to reclaim the baseline belief that Israel is a country that deserves missing.” left-wing conversation from the anti- and non-Zionist to exist and defend itself if its people or security are Some signs thanked the Biden administration and Jewish groups. One sign carried in the “peace bloc” threatened.

Congress for giving Israel a wide berth, and signifiread “Pro-Peace, Anti Hamas, Pro Israel, Anti Bibi,” At bare minimum, many attendees said they were cant financial backing, for its war on Hamas. Many using Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s there to counter pro-Palestinian demonstrations — in- nickname. of the signs echoed calls from the stage, including by cluding many arranged by non-Zionist Jewish groups Deborah Lipstadt, the State Department’s special enIt’s the rare Jewish event that can attract doves and — that seemed to reject even that much. voy on antisemitism, to “stand shoulder to shoulder” hawks, black-hatted Orthodox Jews, queer Zionists That could be seen in the day’s prevailing aesagainst the anti-Israelism expressed as antisemitism at waving rainbow flags, secular Israelis, and busloads of thetic: the blue and white Israeli flag. pro-Palestinian rallies and on college suburban synagogue-goers of all denominations.

Many wore the flag as a cape.

College campuses.

And that’s perhaps why — despite the grieving People seemed students and day school kids daubed Meanwhile, the invitation to Israeli families, the missing hostages, the unrelenting genuinely relieved it on their faces. Groups were handing “March for Israel” was less a slogan bombardment of Gaza — the rally took on a festive out little Israeli flags.

Before Oct. 7, the than a set-up to an old Jewish joke: to loudly and safely huge crowds in Israel opposing their mood at times.

One catchphrase, three opinions.

People seemed genuinely relieved to loudly and celebrate their far-right government’s judicial reforms safely celebrate their attachment to Israel in a crowd For many in the crowd, it meant “no ceasefire” and spurning calls on Israel attachment to Israel had reclaimed the flag as a symbol of where Israel’s existence wouldn’t be called into quesJewish democracy. from around the globe to halt the tion, its right to defend itself was taken for granted in a crowd where On Nov. 14, it took on a particularly and wearing a Star of David didn’t mark them as attacks that have so far, according American meaning: to be Jewish here to the Hamas-run Health Ministry “colonialists” or worse.

Israel's existence is to care deeply about Israel, putting in Gaza, cost more than 10,000 PalThat there wasn’t a single slogan that can become aside the inevitable disagreements estinian lives. (The chant was heard wouldn't be called the lasting image from this remarkable day isn’t a surabout what the country should be and perhaps the loudest when Van Jones, prise. It feels obvious that if the organizers had picked into question what course it should be taking in its the CNN commentator, called for “no one agenda — no ceasefire, free the hostages, stand up war on Hamas. more rockets from Gaza, and no more against antisemitism — they would have lost a large That broad-tent message even allowed some leftbombs falling down on the people of Gaza” — an chunk of the crowd and potential allies. wing Jewish groups to join the march, despite their even-handed statement that drew boos and threatBut in service of a hopeful future, there’s one image qualms that it might support a right-wing agenda and that could endure — a message of unity that lasted at ened to drown out his main point about liberals who ignore the growing civilian death toll in Gaza. have abandoned pro-Israel colleagues like him.) least for a few hours on Nov. 14. A colleague saw a Americans for Peace Now, J Street and the National sign quoting Psalm 133: “How good and how pleasant “Let Israel finish the job!” read one sign held by a Council of Jewish Women made up a “peace bloc” rally-goer. “Thank you Israel for fighting terror,” read it is that brothers (and sisters) dwell together.” with T’ruah, the rabbinic human rights group. “I stand another. The Rhode Island Coalition for Israel unwith Israelis. I stand with Palestinians. I stand with furled a huge banner reading, “Destroy Hamas — No Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor at large of the New York humanity,” read a sign carried by T’ruah.

Ceasefire.”

Jewish Week and managing editor for ideas for JTA.

So, what do you think?

PAGE 22

Views expressed by columnists, in readers’ letters, and in opinion Send letters (350 words max.) to The Dayton Jewish Observer, pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of staff or layleaders of 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459 • MWeiss@jfgd.net The Dayton Jewish Observer or the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

CALENDAR Classes

Beth Abraham Zoom Classes: w. Rabbi Glazer. Mondays, 10 a.m.: Mishnah. Mon., Dec. 4, 11, noon: Chasidism Lunch & Learn. Register at 937-2939520.

Beth Jacob Classes: w. Rabbi Agar. Sundays in person, 10 a.m. & Wednesdays on Zoom, 6 p.m.: Beginner Hebrew, $100.

Sundays in person, 11 a.m. & Wednesdays on Zoom, 7 p.m.: Intermediate Hebrew. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.: Torah on Zoom.

Thursdays, 7 p.m.: Thursdays of Thought on Zoom. Register at 937-274-2149. 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. Chabad Classes: Tuesdays, 8 p.m.: Code of Jewish Law. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.: Talmud. Thursdays, noon: Parsha on Zoom. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com.

Temple Beth Or Classes: Sundays, 12:30 p.m.: Adult Hebrew. Thurs., Dec. 7, 14, 7 p.m.: Chai Mitzvah on Zoom.

Sat. Dec., 2, 10 a.m.: Aprocrypha in person. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. templebethor. com/events.

Temple Israel Classes: Saturdays, 9:15 a.m.: Torah on Zoom. Tues., Dec. 5, 12, 19, noon: Talmud on Zoom. Wed., Dec. 6, 13, 20, 10 a.m.: Torah Queeries w. Rabbinic Intern Kit Brewer at home of Ann & Skip Becker. Fri., Dec. 15, 11 a.m.

Living with Loss. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. RSVP to 937-4960500. tidayton.com.

Camp Cir. Oakwood.

Family

Chabad Bagels, Lox & Tefillin: Sun., Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m. Ages 13+. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com.

Chabad Ckids Chanukah Legoland: Sun., Dec. 3, 4 p.m.

Free. RSVP at chabaddayton. com/rsvp. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Chabad Chanukah Storytime: Wed., Dec. 6, 6 p.m. Preschool1st grade & siblings. Wright Memorial Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-6430770.

Beth Abraham Rhythm ‘N’ Ruach Shabbat: Fri., Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m. Infants-8 yrs. old, family & friends. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 937-2939520.

Hillel Academy Musical Shabbat w. Mark Rossio: Fri., Dec. 15, 2:30 p.m. Free. Ages 5 & under. RSVP to Meryl Hattenbach, 937-277-8966. 305 Sugar

Women

Chabad Women’s Circle Chanukah Party & Craft Night: Tues., Dec. 12, 6 p.m. $36. Mosaics w. Cathy Gardner. RSVP at chabaddayton.com/rsvp.

2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood.

937-643-0770.

Men

Adults

Temple Israel Brotherhood Ryterband Lecture & Brunch Series: Sun., Dec. 3, 9:45 a.m. $7. Richard Sarason, The Miracle of the Oil. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. tidayton.com. 937496-0050.

JCC, JWV & Hadassah Chanukah Brunch: Sun., Dec. 10, 11 a.m. $20. Music by Rich Begel.

RSVP to Stacy Emoff, semoff@ jfgd.net or jewishdayton.org/ events. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. 937610-1555.

Temple Israel’s Rabbi Walks into a Bar: Thurs., Dec. 14, 6

p.m. W. Rabbi Bodney-Halasz.

1st round on Temple Israel. The Barrel House, 417 E. 3rd St., Dayton.

Dinner: Fri., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.

Followed by 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service. 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. ansheemeth@gmail.com.

JCRC Volunteers at FoodBank: Tues., Dec. 19, 1 p.m.

Contact Jeff Blumer, jblumer@ jfgd.net. 56 Armor Pl., Dayton.

Temple Israel Sundown Chanukah Social: Sat., Dec. 9, 5 p.m. $5. RSVP by Dec. 7. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-4960500. tidayton.com

Community

Temple Beth Or Artisan Brisket Fair: Sun., Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Preorder at templebethor.com. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400.

Beth Abraham Kosher Chinese Dinner & Movie: Sun., Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m. $15 adults, $10 children 3-12. RSVP by Dec. 15, 937-293-9520. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.

JFS Mitzvah Mission: Mon., Dec. 25, 10 a.m. RSVP at jewishdayton.org/events or 937610-1555. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville.

Chanukah

Chabad Menorah Lighting at Town & Country: Thurs., Dec. 7, 6 p.m. By TJ Maxx. 300 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. 937-6430770.

Anshe Emeth Latke & Soup

Beth Abraham Eat Latkes & Dreidel On!: Sat., Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Free. 937-293-9520. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood.

Beth Jacob Chanukah Party: Sat., Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Free. Music

by Bob Kohn. 937-274-2149.

7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. Temple Beth Or Chanukah at the Big Easy: Sat., Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Free. RSVP to 937-4353400. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash.

Twp. Chabad Latke Fest & Dinner: Sun., Dec. 10, 5 p.m. Free.

RSVP at chabaddayton.com/ rsvp. 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 937-643-0770.

Chabad Menorah Lighting at Austin Landing: Wed., Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Outdoors, near bike hub. 3601 Rigby Rd., Miamisburg. 937-643-0770.

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PAGE 23

‘I don’t want our cemeteries to be like the cemeteries of Europe.’ — Helen Ostreicher Halcomb

A

s a child of a Holocaust survivor, Helen Ostreicher Halcomb always thought about the millions of European Jews who weren’t afforded a proper funeral or burial. It compelled her to dedicate her life to preparing people for their eternal rest and protecting our cemeteries for generations to come.

Even without having anyone buried in one of our local Jewish cemeteries, Helen got involved with the Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton campaign because she believed we needed to take care of our own. “I saw the need, not only in Dayton, but throughout the country in other small Jewish communities. It’s wonderful that Dayton is being proactive and preparing for our future,” said Helen.

“The thought that our cemeteries would go unattended was frightening,” continued Helen.

“I wanted to guarantee that I’ve done all that I could to help people find their perfect peace.”

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Dayton is an endowment organization created to maintain our three Jewish cemeteries in perpetuity.

Please join us as we strive to maintain the sanctity, care, and integrity of these sacred burial grounds.

Preserving our Past Ensuring Our Future

daytonjewishcemeteries.org 525 Versailles Drive • Centerville, OH 45459 PAGE 24

RELIGION

CONGREGATIONS

We've always had hope

Beth Abraham Synagogue

And so, we enter into the ChanuBy Rabbi Tina Sobo, Temple Israel kah season in our own day. And I One of my children just received recall the rabbinic question of why Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale Chanukah is eight days long. It is as their PJ Library book for the based on the tradition that when the month. The tale starts out introducMaccabees went to redediing Simon, a boy who is cate the Temple, they, as on his way to immigrate legend goes, found but one to America, when the boat small cruse of pure oil that he is on hits an iceberg and remained fit for use and begins to sink. He finds that miraculously, the oil himself stranded on the that was sufficient for only iceberg, alone, with just his one day lasted the eight knapsack as the sun sets for days (the time needed to the first night of Chanukah. get or make additional oil).

Shockingly, with the help One could argue, if there of a bear and some miraRabbi Tina Sobo was enough oil for one cles, he survives each night, day, the miracle really was only for lighting his menorah, and is rescued seven days — the days that there on the last night of Chanukah – and was not sufficient oil to light the meeveryone lives happily ever after. norah. Thus, shouldn’t our holiday Reading this book for the first time among my children, there was a be only seven days long?

Rabbis over the years have come simultaneous fear as to Simon’s fate, and reassurance that, like a fairy tale, up with dozens of explanations, such as the military victory being the reason for the first night, or the ability to rededicate the Temple, or the miracle of finding the oil in the of course it would all work out. As first place, and other scenarios such an adult reading it, with Chanukah approaching, and all that is going on as that the Maccabees used only one-eighth of the oil each night, but in Israel, the message was equally it lasted the whole night, and so on. clear that we can all learn a few lesI don’t need to determine which sons from Simon. answer is the corThe PJ Library rect one. When reading guide sugJews go looking, gests that themes they find hunof gemilut chasadim dreds of miracles (acts of lovingkindin the Chanukah ness) are reflected story. in various charWhen we go acters’ actions looking, how throughout the many miracles story, and without can we find in our negating the imown experience? portance of being In our own time? kind and having There have been empathy, even on times since the our worst days, Oct. 7 attacks that it was Simon’s perhaps we felt, hopefulness that individually or as the Jewish People, perhaps a miracle would happen for like little Simon on that iceberg with him too.

One of the hardest parts since Oct. just a polar bear as company in a dark, scary, cold world.

7, watching Israel’s war with Hamas I hope that just as young Simon continue, is a feeling of helplessfound his blessings and miracles, ness, that nothing I do here will be and just as he created them for the enough, that there is so much loss others in the book too, that we are and hate in the world, among other able to live by his example. things. The story reminds us that We watched 290,000 Jews gather Jews have always had hope, even in in the largest rally for Israel ever. our darkest, scariest moments. That Maybe a miracle will occur and by Jews have always looked out for those around them at those moments the time you read this, our homeland will be once again at peace, too. with hostages returned to their families.

Happy Chanukah As we gather this month around our own Chanukah menorahs and remember the miracles of the Maccabees, may we remember to be a light unto the nations as well, bringing miracles and light to each other and the world, in as much as we The Weiss Family hope for them in our own lives.

Perspectives

Conservative Rabbi Aubrey L. Glazer Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Fridays, 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. bethabrahamdayton.org

Beth Jacob Congregation

Traditional Rabbi Leibel Agar Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. Evening minyans upon request.

7020 N. Main St., Dayton.

937-274-2149. bethjacobcong.org

Temple Anshe Emeth

Reform Rabbinic Intern Gretchen Johnson Fri., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

320 Caldwell St., Piqua.

Contact Steve Shuchat, 937-7262116, ansheemeth@gmail.com. ansheemeth.org

Temple Beth Or

Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator Ben Azriel Fridays, 6:30 p.m.

5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400. templebethor.com

Temple Beth Sholom

Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown.

513-422-8313. templebethsholom.net

Temple Israel

Reform Senior Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz. Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, 6 p.m.

Fridays, Dec. 15, 22, 29, 6:30 p.m.

130 Riverside Dr., Dayton.

937-496-0050. tidayton.org

Temple Sholom

Reform Rabbi Cary Kozberg 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 937-399-1231. templesholomoh.com

ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton

Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com

Yellow Springs Havurah

Independent Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Len Kramer, 937-572-4840 or len2654@gmail. com.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

RELIGION

‫ב''ה‬

In dark times like these, Jewish tradition suggests a new way of seeing

By Rabbi Diane Elliot We are now in the Hebrew month of Kislev, the month here in the Northern Hemisphere when we often experience the longest, darkest nights of the year. As the light contracts each day, I experience a tightening in my gut, an anxious fluttering of the heart. Time feels compressed, as if there aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything that needs doing. When the light fades at the end of these foreshortened days, I draw the blinds and turn on the lamps, wanting to make my home into an island of warmth and light in the face of the encroaching darkness.

My trepidation at the onset of night echoes the primal fear of the dark ascribed to the first mythic humans, Adam and Eve. A talmudic tale found in Avodah Zarah 8a imagines them becoming frantic as darkness falls at the close of the first day of their lives.

They’ve disobeyed God, eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and now they’re terror stricken.

“Woe is me,” Adam wails, “that because I’ve sinned, the world is darkening around me! The world will return to chaos and emptiness; this is heaven’s death sentence upon me!”

In this midrash, Adam experiences the arrival of darkness as punishment.

His words conjure up the kind of existential shudder that can overtake a person in the dark, as the familiar shapes and colors of the daytime world dissolve into the trackless night. No

wonder that darkness is often a metaphor for the scariest of times, times like the present, when awash in grief, fear and anger, we bear witness to the atrocities of war, to hatred unleashed and suffering magnified, to shattered dreams and dampened hopes. “These are dark times,” we tell one another.

Perhaps it’s only natural that humans try to beat back the dark with our hearths, campfires, and brilliant winter light displays. We Jews do this beginning on the 25th of Kislev, when we kindle Chanukah candles in remembrance of the Hasmoneans’military victory over the Seleucid Greeks and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. But on a more primal level, we do this to remind ourselves that even a tiny flame instantly dispels the deepest dark, offering hope, a light at the end of the tunnel.

Yet it strikes me that many of our tradition’s most transformational and transcendent moments unfold in the Continued on Page 26

December 8, 4:54 p.m.

December 15, 4:55 p.m.

December 22, 4:58 p.m.

December 29, 5:02 p.m.

Sunday

4:00 PM

Epic Chanukah games, activities, and crafts!

Chanukah StoryTIme dec Storytime in partnership with the Wright Library. Listen to the story If the Chanukah Candles Could Speak, followed by 6 fun Chanukah crafts. For preschool to 1st Grade (siblings

Wednesday

6:00 PM

welcome) at Wright Library.

Thursday

Menorah lighting @ Town & Country

6:00 PM

Doughnuts, latkes, dreidels, and more!

Sunday

Latke fest & dinner

5:00 PM

concluding with a Menorah Lighting.

Dec First Night of Chanukah!

7 Public Menorah Lighting indoors near TJ Maxx.

dec Delicious dinner with Chanukah activities and 4:00 10PM entertainment for both adults and children,

Monday

Dec 11

7:00 PM

December 2: Vayishlach (Gen. 32:4-36:43) December 9 Vayeshev (Gen. 37:1-40:23)

Young Adults lights & strikes

A special program for young adults, featuring bowling at RollHouse in Huber Heights!

Tuesday

Women's craft night & Dinner Dec Cathy Gardner will guide us in a holiday themed 12 Mosaic artwork. Celebrate the light and joy of

December 16 Miketz (Gen. 41:1-44:17)

6:30 PM

December 23: Vayigash (Gen. 44:18-47:27) December 30: Vayechi (Gen. 47:28-50:26)

Chanukah together with friends.

Wednesday

Dec Menorah Lighting @ Austin landing 13 Public Menorah Lighting at Austin Landing Mall.

Chanukah • Dec. 8-15, 25 Kislev-3 Tevet

6:00 PM

Eight-day holiday commemorating Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks and the miracle of the rededication of the Temple. One day’s oil for the Temple Menorah lasted eight days. A chanukiah (menorah) is lit for eight nights, and latkes (potato pancakes) are fried in oil to commemorate the story.

Children play with dreidels, and gifts are exchanged.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Ckids Chanukah Legoland

DEC SPIN.BUILD.SHINE. 3 Ages 5-12. No Charge. Optional dinner.

Torah Portions

Kislev/Tevet

December 1, 4:55 p.m.

CHANUKAH WITH CHABAD OF GREATER DAYTON

December Shabbat Candle Lightings

CELEBRATE

Doughnuts, latkes, dreidels, and more!

for more info visit www.chabaddayton.com or call 937-643-0770

PAGE 25

MAZEL TOV!

Your K-6 private Jewish day school.

Academically driven, culturally inspired.

Joshua M. Harris, son of Garrison and Staci Harris (Jennings) of Tampa, Fla. and grandson of the late Lisa Jennings, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Dec. 15. Joshua will be called to the Torah during Shabbat morning services at Young Israel of Tampa. Joshua is an eighth grader at Hillel Academy of Tampa, where he participates in the National Junior Honor Society and plays on four different sports teams.

Joshua will also lead Friday night services as part of his Bar Mitzvah at Kol Ami Synagogue, also in Tampa, where he is an active member of their Gesher USY group.

Send your Mazel Tov announcements to mweiss@ jfgd.net.

The Columbus Jewish News reported that in October, Jeff and Meagan Buren collected and transported more than 2,200 pounds of non-military items for adult children of Columbus families who serve or have been called up to serve in the Israel Defense Forces for the IsraelHamas war. The Burens also coordinated packing events across Columbus.

Jeff, who was raised in Dayton, drove to Miami, stopping in Fort Lauderdale to pick up more items from cousins who couldn’t meet the delivery deadline. He then flew on El Al from Miami to Israel with the supplies in 35 carry-on bags.

Rabbi Jack Riemer has written a new book with Rabbi Elie Spitz, Duets on Psalms: Drawing New Meaning From Ancient Words, published by Ben Yehuda Press. It's a deep exploration of the

J

ust as the candles of Hanukkah bring warmth and brightness to our homes, our dedicated faculty instills a deep appreciation for Jewish values and heritage while providing a top-tier academic curriculum.

Join us in kindling the flames of curiosity and character, and let your child shine brightly at Hillel Academy this Hanukkah season and beyond.

Happy Hanukkah daytonhillel.org • asmith@daytonhillel.org Call us for a tour today. 937.277.8966 PAGE 26

Psalms, with contemporary translations.

Rabbi Riemer served Dayton's Beth Abraham Synagogue from 1964 to 1978.

In November, Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton CEO Cathy Gardner was elected to a two-year term as chair of Small Cities Jewish Federation Executives. She'll oversee its institute for learning. Currently, 65 Jewish Federations comprise the small city group out of the 146 Jewish Federations across North America.

As part of New and Olde Pages Bookshoppe's Holiday Story Time at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, Rachel Estep will read The Hanukkah Hamster by Michelle Markel. Rachel works at the Englewood store. Milk and cookies will be provided too.

Not just my eyes, but my whole New way of seeing sible. body began to see in the dark in ways I Continued from Page 25 dark, in a dream space rich with spiritual potency. In the Torah narrative of Jacob, for instance, his journey toward self-realization is bookended by two stirring night episodes. Fleeing from his wrathful brother, he has a prophetic dream in which angels ascend and descend a ladder stretching between heaven and earth while God looms over him, promising protection.

Returning home some 20 years later, he engages in an all-night wrestling match with a mysterious being, perhaps his own shadow self, who ultimately blesses him as the dawn breaks, renaming him Israel, the one who strives with God and prevails.

Despite the anguish that darkness evokes, the dark times offer unique opportunities. They slow us down, inviting us to rest in the moment. Sometimes they force us to face painful truths. They challenge us to deepen our prayer life, strengthen our faith and resolve, and discover inner resources and possibilities for transformation we might not know we possess.

Years ago, I practiced walking in the woods at night without a flashlight and discovered that when I could breathe deeply and relax into the darkness, over time, my eyes would adjust and I could see much more than I thought pos-

couldn’t in the light of day. I could find my way.

Adam and Eve, so the story goes, sat across from one another on that first traumatic night, fasting and weeping.

When dawn finally broke, they realized the freshly created world was not coming to an end. That the alternation of light and dark, day and night, was simply the way of the world. Had they not felt so guilty and terrified, they might have been able to look around with curiosity as the light waned, noticing how their eyes were primed to pick up many subtle shades of gray, the palette of darkness. Their vision might have gradually adjusted to the dark and, in the subtle glow of starlight, they might have been able to pick out the familiar, reassuring features of the other’s face and been calmed and comforted, even in the midst of their distress.

Could it be that in our yearning for the resurgence of the light, we fail to recognize and fully receive the gifts of darkness? That in drawing my blinds against the terrors of the night, I also shut out the vastness of the cosmos, the glimmering pinpoints of distant stars, the radiant winter moon, and the intimate, enveloping quiet of the dark?

Rabbi Diane Elliot is a spiritual leader and somatic therapist. Distributed by JTA.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION

Pleasure or purpose?

Judaism's Worldview Series

In Lionel Shriver’s fascinating novel Should We Stay or Should We Go, Kay and Cyril relive the last decades of their lives together in a dozen distinct but parallel universes, each based on varying life circumstances and personal choices. “‘It’s taken me ages to realize that I still don’t understand what this is,’ Kay blithered. ‘I

Candace R. Kwiatek still can’t get my head round what it means to be alive in the first place…much less whatever it was we were supposed to do here, and if I’ve wasted my time I can’t tell you what I should have done instead.’

Cyril soothed, ‘Human beings have fought to locate a sense of purpose from the year dot…* I say that, beyond mere physical survival, finding purpose is your job. And that job is never done…’”

The fundamental human need to have a purpose in life was identified by Holocaust survivor and psychoanalyst Viktor Frankl, who wrote, “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any ‘how'.”

Researchers went on to define purpose as “a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once personally meaningful and at the same time leads to productive engagement with some aspect of the world beyond the self."

More simply, purpose is the story we live by (i.e. teaching is honorable) or the grand narrative we believe in (i.e. America’s founding) that shapes our goals, guides our life decisions, and influences our behavior to favorably influence the world.

Throughout life, purpose evolves in response to changing circumstances, emerging abilities and interests, and new priorities.

In the Jewish worldview, loving and valuing life itself is a foundational principle. The Talmud teaches that the very purpose of life is pleasure and

warns that each person will have to give account on the judgment day for every good permissible thing that one might have enjoyed and did not.

Refusal to enjoy life is like rejecting God’s “very good” gift of Creation, of being itself.

Balancing the principle of pleasure is that of life purpose.

Looking into the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo, Moses sets forth the commandments and indicates the Israelites now have the choice between life and death in their hands.

That is, they can ignore divine guidance or “follow the call of God as articulated in Mosaic Law, which is a way of etching everyday life with the charisma of holiness,” as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks describes it. “That means everyday life is given significance, it’s given weight, it’s elevated. Humans' purpose is to reveal Godliness in this world as well as to refine the world and elevate it to a higher level.”

He adds: “If you want to find your purpose in life, think about the following sentence: Where what you want to do meets what needs to be done, that is where God wants us to be.”

Fulfill the mission. While

visiting overnight in Belarus, Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg of Slonim noticed a stranger at his inn. Stately and well dressed, he was enveloped in an unusual glow. The second night, the stranger quietly sorted through documents, again strangely illuminated.

On the third evening, Rabbi Shmuel greeted the stranger and engaged him in conversation. Although a successful salesman, he was a simple man, couldn’t read, had little learning, and only knew the Shema by heart.

Rabbi Shmuel didn’t judge him, but asked, “Could you tell me about your day?” The man responded, “I’m really quite ordinary. I wake up at five every morning…,” launching into a detailed recital of his daily schedule. Rabbi Shmuel was still at a loss. Why did the man glow? Then the man concluded, “And before I go to sleep I say to God: ‘Master of the world, I ask only one thing from you.

If I don’t have what it takes to fulfill the mission for which you created me, don’t wake me up tomorrow. Wake me up only if you believe I can do everything you need me to do in the world.'” Rabbi Shmuel had his answer.

Hear me roar. The first three years of her life, Vital Zinger lived in hospitals while undergoing multiple medical treatments that cured her cancer but left her paralyzed. She didn’t have a wheelchair until she was 12. At 16, she wanted to study chemistry and physics,

Balancing the principle of pleasure is that of life purpose.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

but the science classes were on the second floor of her school.

At that time, wheelchair accessibility wasn’t a mainstream idea, and the administration refused to add an elevator just for her. Knowing that the law was on her side, Vital fought back, recognizing that winning would help others in the future as well. She won, and the elevator was installed. It was the first time she fought the system for her rights, which gave her the experience and confidence to pursue a legal career.

Vital went on to become a lawyer, a social activist, and a world medalist Paralympic Latin dancer, representing Israel around the world.

Protect and defend. In September, S would have told you that his primary purpose in life was to support and protect his family, and he made sure he

was ready to do so.

Following Hamas’ murderous October attacks in Israel and terrifying threats against Jews in America, S immediately offered to help guard his kindergartener’s Jewish day school. It’s now November, and he has been there ever since, working virtually at his day job while outfitted to protect and defend.

Students and parents alike have approached him to say thank you for keeping us safe, and for helping us feel a bit less afraid to keep our children in a Jewish school.

How do you elevate your days by loving life and living with purpose? *An informal British expression meaning a very long time ago, from the beginning or as far back as one can remember.

Literature to share Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated

by Omer Hoffmann. Cousins Noah and Nora live on opposite sides of the globe, one in New York and the other in New Zealand. One year, they decide to have a friendly contest about who has the best Chanukah. Delightfully illustrated with colorful cartoon images, this picture book is an engaging introduction to both the uniqueness and similarity of Jewish holiday traditions around the world.

The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America by Christopher C. Gorham. For seven decades, Hungarian immigrant Anna Rosenberg was a problem solver and trusted advisor to Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson. She had a hand in many of the most influential programs of the 20th century: Social Security, the GI Bill, military desegregation, the Manhattan Project, and held significant posts in many more, often the only woman to do so. This first and only biography of Anna’s life is both a captivating story and an inviting journey through a century of American history.

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PAGE 28

L to R: Brod goreng, corn fritters, negi latkes.

By Jordyn Haime, JTA Asian-Jewish cuisine is a complex tapestry.

Jewish communities have existed across Asia for longer than many might assume, especially near major historical trade routes in places such as India, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Other communities developed during and after World War II. Some were part of or assimilated into local cultures, while others blended culinary traditions from other lands with the cuisines of their new homes.

So what do Jews in various parts of Asia eat on Chanukah? Jews hailing from India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan share some of their go-to holiday recipes here.

Tokyo, Japan: Negi latkes Before moving to Japan with his wife, Maiko, six years ago, Jeremy Freeman was selling vintage Jamaican records in New York City. Maiko was the one with the restaurant — Oni Sauce, a Japanese home-style food stand in Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg market.

But when the two made the move to Tokyo with their kids, they decided to switch it up.

Freeman’s Jewish background takes the stage at their Tokyo restaurant, Freeman’s Shokudo — specifically, the smoky side: Freeman’s specializes in smoked fish and meats with a rotating seasonal menu.

They often dabble in Japanese-Jewish fusion, with offerings like the bialy (made on request by a local Japanese bakery) with whitefish salad made from smoked saba (mackerel), smoked daikon pickles and tobiko, or flying fish roe.

On Chanukah, Freeman whips up these potato latkes made with negi, a type of onion native to China and grown across East Asia, that falls somewhere between a scallion and a leek.

Negi has a stronger flavor than white onions typically used in latkes, and they also produce a lot less water, creating a batter that’s cleaner and easier to work with.

At Freeman’s Shokudo, they’re topped with crème fraîche, tobiko, and ikura, or salmon roe.

2 large potatoes 2 negis (Japanese leeks) 2 eggs 1/2 cup matzah meal Tobiko Ikura (salmon roe) Dill Sour cream Grate potatoes with the large hole side of a box grater. Use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Chop negi into thin slices as you would with scallion. Mix with potatoes and add the two eggs (beaten) and matzah meal. Season with salt and black pepper.

Heat skillet or cast iron pan with safflower oil. Add a drop of the potato mixture to test oil temperature. When it sizzles, the oil is ready. In batches, so as to not crowd the pan, add potato mixture in a thin layer for pancakes about the size of a palm. When browned on one side, flip the pancake. Make sure the pan does not get too hot. To serve, add a dollop of sour cream and top with ikura and tobiko and a sprig of dill.

Singapore/Indonesia: Deep-fried corn fritters Rosita Goldstein’s Saturday morning Shabbat meals have become something of a local legend in Singapore’s Jewish community. Twice a month for a decade, she hosted anywhere from 30 to 100 community members at her home, where she prepared abundant spreads of Jewish and Indonesian classics now memorialized in a cookbook.

Goldstein, who is originally from Indonesia and converted to Judaism after meeting her husband, Harvey, in Singapore, says culinary traditions from Indonesia meld easily with kashrut, or Jewish culinary rules.

“A lot of recipes don’t use pork,” she said.

“And then second of all, in the Jewish tradition, we don’t mix meat and dairy, and it’s very easy, because in most of Indonesian food, we use coconut milk.”

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

FOOD Life is a little slower now for the Goldsteins, who recently moved to Virginia and hope to split their time between the United States and Singapore.

On Chanukah, these deepfried Indonesian corn fritters, served best with sour cream and sweet chili sauce, are a family favorite. In Indonesia, they’re a popular street food, but they are also a nod to the Chanukah custom of frying in lots of oil.

maintaining their Jewish identity, leading to the formation of unique customs and culinary traditions.

Esther David is a Bene Israel Jew who grew up in Gujarat and writes about the Jewish Indian experience in her novels.

Her most recent book, Bene Appetit, recounts the diverse traditions and cuisines of India’s five Jewish groups — traditions she says are quickly being forgotten due to modernization and immigration.

At Chanukah, fried vegetable patties or fritters are traditional, usually served alongside carrot halavah. David likes to serve the fritters with coriander chutney.

½ cup grated coconut ¼ tsp. sugar Salt Clean and finely chop the coriander, mint leaves, and green chili. Mix with the grated coconut, sugar, and salt. Process in a mixer and serve with the patties.

North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Brod Goreng The Jewish community in North Sulawesi, Indonesia 2 cups fresh or frozen corn might be one of the smallest kernels in all of Asia. Made up mostly 1 cup all-purpose flour of descendants of Dutch Jews 1/4 tsp. baking soda who came to Indonesia with the 1/2 tsp. garlic powder Dutch East India Company in 1/2 cup thinly sliced spring the 17th century, the population onion has declined over time as Jews 1/4 cup chopped celery Vegetable patty ingredients have attempted to assimilate leaves 6 potatoes amid an environment that is not 1 large egg ½ cup green peas always welcoming to them.

1 cup water ¼ tsp. red chili powder In 2013, a historical Dutch Oil, enough to deep fry the ½ tsp. cumin powder synagogue in Surabaya, on corn fritters.

1 Tbsp. chopped coriander the island of Java, was demolWhite ground pepper, and leaves ished by a real estate developer salt to taste.

Salt to taste following protests by Islamic Eggs, breadcrumbs, flour groups.

In a mixing bowl, mix the and oil for frying Yaakov Baruch, the rabbi for ingredients together until North Sulawesi’s community, the flour, baking soda, garlic Peel potatoes and shell green is a descendant of both Dutch powder, white pepper, salt, peas. Cook both until soft.

Jews and Holocaust survivors. egg, and water are all well Mash the potatoes and comHe shared a recipe for brod combined. bine with peas. Add red chili goreng, a sweet fried bread for Add the corn kernels, spring powder, cumin powder, coriChanukah. onions, and celery. Mix it well. ander leaves and salt to taste.

A Dutch-Indonesian culinary Heat the oil in the pan. Using Mix with oiled hands. Divide creation, brod goreng was only a spoon or small ladle, spoon the mixture into equal portions eaten in areas where Dutch portions of batter into the hot and shape into round patties.

Jews were living, Baruch said. oil and fry. Do not overcrowd (Optional: add one small grated “The Jews combined the the pan. Cook both sides of carrot to the mixture of potatoes culinary (traditions) between the corn fritters until golden and peas.)

European and local Indonesian brown.

In another bowl, whisk eggs food, since this food is closer Serve with sour cream and until frothy and dip each patty with sufgiyanot,” he said. “So sweet chili sauce. in the egg mixture. Then roll the Jews in this country always in a platter of flour and breadprepare this brod goreng next Gujarat, India: Vegetable pat- crumbs and cover on both sides. to our menorah during Chanuties with coriander chutney Heat oil in a pan and fry pat- kah.”

According to legend, the ties on both sides until golden Bene Israel trace their beginbrown. Drain and serve hot.

1 cup flour nings in India to a shipwreck 1 egg on the country’s west coast over Coriander chutney ingredients 5 Tbsp. sugar (you can add 2,000 years ago. When British 1 small bunch fresh corianmore if you like it sweet) rule began in 1858, they came to der leaves 1 tsp. yeast Gujarat, a state on the coast and 10 leaves fresh mint 2 Tbsp. butter embraced local life there while 1 medium green chili Water Oil for frying

Esther David serves her vegetable patties with coriander chutney on Chanukah.

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Beat sugar, eggs, butter until slightly white. Add flour and yeast, then add water little by little while stirring, until there are no lumps. Leave it for about 30 minutes, covered with a napkin.

Heat enough oil to submerge the portions. Before frying, stir the mixture for a while, then use a tablespoon to spoon pieces one by one into the cooking oil.

They will be sticky when taking them off of the spoon. Fry until golden brown. (Optional: serve with powdered sugar.)

Wishing you a delicious Chanukah.

Happy

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Arts&Culture

Some Jewish musicians ask Jewish critics of Israel not to sing their songs at protests

By Philissa Cramer, JTA young Jews who said they were dissatisfied with When the Jewish group IfNotNow asked educawhat they had learned about Israel at their Jewish day tor and musician Shoshana Jedwab whether it could schools and summer camps. Its activities have long include her song Where You Go in its songbook, Jedwab drawn on and featured Jewish ritual and objects. offered a cautious yes.

Like Jedwab, Creditor, now the rabbi-in-residence at The year was 2018, and the song, which Jedwab had UJA-Federation of New York, had expressed admiraofficially released on the first anniversary of thention about IfNotNow’s use of his work in the past, President Donald Trump’s travel ban on even if he did not endorse its outlook on Israel.

Muslim-majority countries, had taken off at In 2016, he said on Facebook that he was progressive protests. inspired by the group as it protested against The lyrics were easily adaptable to the Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon, previmost pressing issues of the moment, includously the chair of the hardline right-wing news ing immigration, women’s rights and Insite Breitbart, as chief strategist. digenous rights — all issues that IfNotNow, “That their livestreamed marching on the which had been founded in 2014 to press Republican party offices in Boston had them American Jews to more harshly criticize singing my Olam Chesed Yibaneh is, perhaps, Israel, was widening its scope to tackle. most humbling of all,” he wrote at the time.

Jedwab knew that IfNotNow was further to The song’s title means The World Is Built on the left on Israel issues than she was, but she Shoshana Jedwab Kindness and is drawn from Psalm 89. decided to grant permission nonetheless.

In addition to Olam Chesed Yibaneh and “I thought, ‘I need to open up, I need to be braver, I Where You Go, IfNotNow also recites the Mourner’s need to reach out here and give my blessing to people Kaddish prayer and sings traditional Jewish songs who put energy into the anti-occupation movement,” such as Lo Yisa Goy, based on a biblical passage with she said. “I had my father ringing in my ears, a Hoan antiwar message, at its rallies. Other actions have locaust survivor and an ex-Palmachnik who looked featured Jewish prayer shawls or the shofar. at the occupation in the West Bank and said this is a “Turning to ritual and song is one of the most basic, shame, this is a shanda, we cannot be occupiers. So ancient things that Jews do,” said Ilana Lerman, who that’s why I did it.” helped compile the IfNotNow songbook that features Five years later, Jedwab has changed her mind. She Jedwab’s song. “This is a very ancient and brilliant recently asked IfNotNow to remove Where You Go technology: We use song and ritual to call people, to from its literature. The trigger for that reversal, she mourn, to praise, to act, to join in solidarity, to learn, said, was the group’s claim that Israel is committing to mark time. These are all things that we are going to a “genocide” in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Some want to do as a movement together.” protests trumpeting that accusation have also featured IfNotNow told Jedwab that it would remove her her song. song from its literature in the future, said the “I gave them permission. I trusted them,” songwriter, who also teaches Jewish studshe said. “It breaks my heart thinking that ies at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in this organization that thinks it’s doing good New York City. But she said friends have let is putting Jews in danger by saying a falseher know that Where You Go is still being sung hood, an incredibly dangerous falsehood.” at the group’s rallies. And the group’s naJedwab isn’t the only Jewish musician tional spokesperson, Eva Borgwardt, declined to demand that IfNotNow stop using their to answer questions about whether it plans songs in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on to curb the singing of Olam Chesed Yibaneh, Israel that killed 1,400 people, took hundreds which Creditor wrote after 9/11. hostage, and began the current war.

“We want to build a world of love and Rabbi Menachem Creditor has declared peace, where no Palestinians or Israelis need Rabbi Menachem on social media that he disavows the group’s Creditor to fear for their lives. We cannot build a world use of his song Olam Chesed Yibaneh, citing of love through more bombing and death,” its genocide accusation and its alignment with Jewish Borgwardt said in a statement.

Voice for Peace, an explicitly anti-Zionist group.

“We will continue to call for ceasefire, the release “I’ve been struggling for a long time with the use of of all hostages, deescalation, and addressing the root my song by IfNotNow and wanted to give them every causes that brought us here, and we are proud to draw chance to express themselves with different Jewish on the rich Jewish tradition that gave us the words of eyes,” Creditor said. “But again and again, they have Psalm 89:3,” she added. effectively unmoored themselves from our people and Lerman said that her understanding was that the are acting in ways that will be destructive to the Jewish group would in fact stop using Jedwab’s and Credipeople and to the State of Israel.” tor’s songs in its national actions. But she said it could In asking IfNotNow to stop using their work, the take some time for the songs to disappear completely musicians are taking a page from the likes of Sting, — because they have been such mainstays of IfNotBruce Springsteen, and R.E.M., all of which have Now’s activism up to this point, and it might take barred politicians from playing their songs at rallies. some time for local chapters to get the message.

The Jewish musicians are also opening a window “We’re definitely going to follow their request,” she into a dramatic reordering within the progressive said. “We won’t sing their music, and we’re really sad Jewish left since Oct. 7, as some progressive Jews have about it, because the messages from their music really realized that despite sharing an outlook with the mem- come from the part of Judaism that is about love and bers of far-left Jewish groups on many social issues, not about vengeance.” their differences of opinion on Israel now feel like an Creditor said he had gotten offers of pro-bono legal uncrossable gap. assistance to press IfNotNow to carry out his request, IfNotNow represents a notable laboratory for those but he isn’t interested. “I think that gives too much tensions because of its posture at the intersection of oxygen where I just simply want them to stop,” he Jewish expression and progressive politics. The group said. “If they have spiritual integrity, they’ll respect my was founded during the last major war in Gaza by wishes.”

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Chag Sameach

from Miami University AS WE APPROACH CHANUKAH, the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence wishes Jewish community members and friends Chag Sameach during this time of celebration.

MiamiOH.edu/DEI Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence

PAGE 31

A sweet and joyous Chanukah Linda Novak

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Have a latke fun this Chanukah!

Wishing all of Dayton Happy Chanukah

Debbie & Jim Robertson & Adam DiSalvo

Brenda Rinzler

Judith Weber

Your Anshe Emeth Neighbors

Ann, Skip, Alli, Bri, Cate Becker

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Warm Chanukah greetings from

Happy Chanukah

Sondra Kulback

Cory & Sharon Lemmon

Myrna Nelson

Judi & George Grampp

Sylvia & Ralph Heyman

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Alvin & Ellen Stein We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

The Roden Family Warm Chanukah greetings from Ellie & Bob Bernstein Warm Chanukah greetings from

Dr. Franklin & Renee Rubin Handel

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Chuck & Dee Fried We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah Hindy, Rachel & Elliott Gruber

Ken Baker KW Baker & Assoc.

Sylvia Blum & Family

Marni Flagel & Family

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Warm Chanukah greetings from

Happy Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Warm Chanukah greetings from

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Laurence Lasky

Mrs. Jack Goldberg

Judy Lipton

Marvin & Susan Mason

Helene Gordon & Joe Fodal

Happy Chanukah to our friends

The Wagenfeld Family

PAGE 32

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Kate, Jake, & the Elder Family

The Guadalupe Family

Dr. Gary Pacernick & Peggy Weller

Robert & Vicky Heuman

Irvin & Gayle Moscowitz

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Wishing all of Dayton Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Becky & Alan Elovitz Our warmest wishes for a Happy Chanukah Cherie Rosenstein & Family Warm Chanukah greetings from

Judy & Alan Chesen

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Wishing all of Dayton Happy Chanukah

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah The Levy Family Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Celia B. Diamond

Michael Goldstein & Family

Debby, Bob, Alicia, Teddy & William Goldenberg

Howard & Sue Ducker

Milton Nathan & Ritva Williamson

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

Robin & Tim Moore

Alice & Burt Saidel

Carol Graff

Syd & Lois Gross

Steve & Kim Adler

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

Wishing you lotsa latkes

Ellen & Michael Leffak

Jim & Kristen Mitchem

Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Harlan

Stan Frankowitz

Jeffrey Abrahams

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah Mark & Kathy Gordon Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Don & Sue Zulanch

Happy Chanukah

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

PAGE 33

Happy Chanukah Beverly Saeks & Family

Happy Chanukah Gary & Andrea Abrams

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah Mort & Phyllis Levine

Ira & Susan Thomsen

Dena Briskin

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Happy Chanukah

Patricia A. Riley

Happy Chanukah

Steve, Shara, Rachel & Natalie Taylor

Bonnie Mendelson & Family

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Warm Chanukah greetings from

Barbara Hollander

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

The Self Family Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

A sweet and joyous Chanukah from

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Arlene Graham & Family

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Barb Gronefeld

The Levinson Family

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah John & Carol Sheehan A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Carol Jacobi Holm

Judy Schwartzman & Mike Jaffe

The Sanderow Family

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Happy Chanukah

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Marc & Maureen Sternberg

Happy Chanukah to our friends

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Linda, Stephanie & Daniel Jarvis

Diane Rubin Williams & Ralph Williams

Best wishes to all for a Happy Chanukah

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Walter & Bonnie Rice

Cantor Jerome & Goldye Kopmar

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

Wishing all of Dayton Happy Chanukah

Sharon & Izzy Guterman

Maryann & Jack Bernstein

Edye Leuin & Dave Ziegler

Felix Garfunkel

Rina & Jeff Thau

A sweet and joyous Chanukah

We wish the Dayton Jewish community a very happy Chanukah

May there be peace on Earth

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Jeffrey & Cathy Startzman

Sharyn Reger & Family

Cheryl & Franklin Lewis

Arlene & David Stine & Family

Warm Chanukah greetings from

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Warm Chanukah greetings from

Harvey Tuck

David & Susan Gottschalk

Cantor Andrea Raizen

Our warmest wishes for a joyous Chanukah

Warm Chanukah greetings from

Sanford & Karen Wolfe

Joel & Judi Guggenheimer

Wishing the Dayton Jewish community a happy Chanukah

PAGE 34

David Esrati

Mrs. Kathleen Wassenich

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

OBITUARIES David Lawrence Char, age 59, of Dayton, died Nov. 12.

He was preceded in death by parents, Helaine and Anthony Char; mother-in-law, Joan Chesler; and guide dog Hershey. He leaves behind to mourn, his loving wife of 23 years, Deb; and guide dog, Claudette; son Jonathan Simmons (Ashley); and grandchildren Mayson, Liliana and baby girl due in February; son Benjamin Char; sisters Deborah Char Cloud and Deanna Char;

OSU

Continued from Page 12 place at about 1:30 a.m. Nov. 10, is being classified as a hate crime motivated by bias against the Jewish community, the email notice stated.

“A hate crime is defined by the Clery Act as a criminal offense that manifests evidence based on sufficient objective facts that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias against the victim,” the notice stated. “The categories of bias in the Clery Act are race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability,” The victims believed this to be a hate crime because they heard a racial slur and the suspects asking what their religion was, Albert said. They took an Uber to the hospital to get treated for their injuries and the suspects left the scene on foot, Albert added.

“Victim 1 reported that he was struck in the face once with a closed fist causing redness and swelling to the left side of his face,” Albert wrote. “Victim 2 reported that he was struck in the face once with a closed fist causing a possible fractured nose, as well as redness and swelling to Victim 2’s face.”

In the social media post made on Nov. 9, Lamb asked the OSU Acting President Peter Mohler and the administration to “clearly and unequivocally condemn this attack on the center of Jewish life at OSU.” Mohler sent out an email to students, faculty and staff on Nov. 10 addressing both incidents.

“I want to be direct and clear – the university has no tolerance for acts of hatred or violence,” Mohler said in the email. “Antisemitism is despicable and has no place in our community. The university will pursue all action possible against anyone committing hate crimes on or near our campus.”

father-in-law, Mark Chesler; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and an enormous number of cherished friends whom he considered family (you know who you are).

David was well-known and admired for how he managed his gradual vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa, which resulted in complete blindness. He attended The Ohio State University and ultimately earned his degree in hotel and restaurant management from Columbus Technical Institute.

Among other professional endeavors, he owned and managed the Oaks Lounge, where he held many beach parties as fundraisers for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and was a serial entrepreneur. Faced with further vision loss, he transitioned to a successful career as a licensed massage therapist for almost 20 years. David was in the last graduating class at Fairview High School in Dayton

and was a proud Bulldog. In his youth, he was very active in the local and state B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), where he met many of his lifelong friends.

At OSU, he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity (Sammy), where he met many other lifelong friends. David instilled Buckeye pride in both of his sons but confused friends and family by marrying a trueblue Michigan Wolverine. David’s greatest joys were his wife and sons and Ohio State and New York Giants football. He will be remembered for his bear hugs, kindness and warmth, booming laugh, ability to make others feel special, listened to and cared for, and how he continually faced life’s challenges with grace and determination.

He will be greatly missed. Donations may be made to Temple Beth Or (templebethor.com), Guiding Eyes for the Blind (guidingeyes.org), or a charity of your choice.

Happy

Chanukah.

GLICKLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE Larry S. Glickler, Director Dayton’s ONLY Jewish Funeral Director 1849 Salem Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45406-4927 937-278-4287 lgfuneralhome@gmail.com

THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • DECEMBER 2023

Happy

Chanukah.

Pre-need Arrangements Pre-paid Funeral Trusts Cremation Services • Transfers

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Huber Heights Chapel 5844 Old Troy Pike

For Both Locations Call 937-275-7434 Contact Patty Caruso at plhc69@gmail.com to advertise in The Observer.

Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton is proud to be accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice

324 Wilmington Ave. Dayton 937.256.4490 1.800.653.4490 www.hospiceofdayton.org

PAGE 35

NO ONE SAVES MORE LIVES IN ISRAEL IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

This Chanukah, there are many ways to support Israel and its people, but none is more transformative than a gift to Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical system. Your gift to MDA isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them — providing critical care and hospital transport for everyone from victims of heart attacks to casualties of rocket attacks.

Join the effort at afmda.org or call 866.632.2763.