How Jewish reporters in Muslim lands hide their identity p. 10 October 2014 Tishri/Cheshvan 5775 Vol. 19, No. 2
Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
The Miami Valley’s Jewish Monthly • Online at JewishDayton.org Marshall Weiss
New owners ready to keep
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Israeli tech at Ohio UAS conf.
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On tap at JCC’s Arts & Book Fest
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Michael Savit (L) and Greg Rosenbaum at Fifth Third Field, home of the Dragons
DAYTON
Regional trade alliance connects Israeli tech to UAS conference
Sukkot Celebration Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. Friendship Village is the final stop on the sukkah hop for Sukkahs in the City presented by Temple Israel. Create crafts, decorate the sukkah, eat snacks with friends, and shake the lulav and etrog with Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz. Hosted by Joe Bettman. Open to the entire community. R.S.V.P. to 837-5581 ext. 1274.
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By Marshall Weiss, The Observer David Fagelston’s Jerusalem-based company, AccuBeat, plays a critical role in protecting Israel’s citizens. AccuBeat provides the atomic clock technology used in the Iron Dome system, which shielded Israelis from more than 4,000 rockets fired by Hamas terrorists during this summer’s war with Hamas. On day 49 of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge — Aug. 25 — Fagelston is in Dayton to participate in Ohio’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Conference at the Dayton Convention Center. He made the trip, his first to Dayton, “to see how we can try to increase our business here in the states.” Fagelston is among representatives of a dozen Israeli-based tech firms at this year’s Ohio UAS conference who hope to expand into U.S. defense and commercial markets. Most of the Israeli firms were recruited to participate in the conference by Hadas Bar-Or, the Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance (DRITA) representative in Tel Aviv. Dayton and Montgomery County comprise the only region in
Ohio with its own trade representative in Israel. “Our main customer is the U.S. Army,” says Efraim Tzafrir of Haifabased Ci-Systems at a dinner DRITA hosts for the Israelis at the Dayton Crowne Plaza the evening before the three-day conference begins. “And the second one is the U.S. Navy. But unfortunately, not enough with the U.S. Air Force, so that’s why I’m here. WrightPatterson is the main research center and the main place for decisions about what the U.S. Air Force is going to buy.” Ci-Systems specializes in UAS simulation and electro-optics. It also runs a production facility in California since it sells about half of its products in the United States, Tzafrir says. Mike Retallick, the site rep in Dayton for Elbit Systems of America — a subsidiary of Haifa-based Elbit Systems — opened his one-person office here three years ago. “We have one of our birds, about 18 pounds, set up at the convention center,” Retallick says. Continued on Page Four Marshall Weiss
R.S.V.P. to 837-5581 ext. 1274.
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Join our Alzheimer’s Support Group Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month in our conference room near the Coffee House. Please enter at Door 18. For more information, call Pam Hall, 837-5581 ext. 1269.
Join our Diabetic Support Group Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. (2nd Tuesday each mo.) with Gem City Home Care Certified Diabetes Educator Mara Lamb. Friendship Village For more information call Pam Hall, 837-5581 ext. 1269. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located directly inside the Atrium entrance. Stop in & join us for a cup of coffee & Friendship Village Hospitality.
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Larrell Walters (L), executive director of University of Dayton’s Institute for the Development of Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST), talks with Yuval Chaplain, director of major campaign marketing for Elbit Systems of America — a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, a Haifa-based international defense electronics company — during a dinner hosted by the Dayton Region Israel Trade Alliance. Israeli companies were invited to the Aug. 25 welcome dinner at the Crowne Plaza in advance of the Ohio UAS Conference at the Dayton Convention Center. Also at the table are Pam Fannin, Montgomery County community/economic development specialist, and Elbit’s site rep in Dayton, Mike Retallick.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
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New owners ready to keep
Dragon ‘em in Marshall Weiss
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Veteran sportswriter Marc Katz (L) interviews the Dayton Dragons’ new owners at a press conference on Aug. 25 at Fifth Third Field (L to R): Greg Rosenbaum, Nick Sakellariadis, and Michael Savit
By Marc Katz Special To The Observer Greg Rosenbaum grew up in a Conservative synagogue in Toledo, graduated from Harvard undergrad and law school, became a merchant banker, and eventually purchased and ran thendistressed Empire Kosher Poultry, which he reestablished as the leader in its field. During his years with Empire (2003-2012), when people learned that he belonged to a Reform temple in the Washington, D.C. area, they would ask him why someone of his nonOrthodox background would run a kosher food company. You could now ask why someone of his background would own a minor league baseball
Gap Bark Mitzvah Boy in Israel The Year
The ecstasy of Yom Kippur at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue
... Not to mention the agony of 25 hours without coffee ...
You, I knew would mention it. To an easy fast. c O 2014 Menachem
team, the Dayton Dragons. “It’s a change in philosophy,” Rosenbaum said recently after the Aug. 20 completion of the team’s purchase by Palisades Arcadia Baseball — operated by Rosenbaum and his partners Nick Sakellariadis and Michael Savit — from Mandalay Baseball Properties. During his banking career, Rosenbaum mainly involved himself with companies on the brink, trying to nurse the salvageable ones back to health, as he did with Empire. The Dragons, by all accounts, are a healthy company, estimated recently by Forbes to be worth $31 million and on the market for a reported $40 million. Continued on Page Five
From the editor’s desk
It was a shot in the arm to join 900-plus people in Cleveland on the evening of Sept. 14 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Cleveland Jewish News. The big draw was a conversation-style program with Carl Marshall Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who Weiss pieced together the Watergate story in The Washington Post, which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation 40 years ago. Bernstein reminded the audience of his seasoned definition of news reporting: “the best obtainable version of the truth.” His observations of mainstream media regarding Israel that night are worth noting. Though he thinks American Jewry is “sometimes too quick” to accuse the media of bias against Israel, he noted that media coverage of Israel rarely reports that like the United States, the Jewish state “is a great democracy that is divided politically.” Bernstein also lamented the “terrible problem with reporters who don’t know history” reporting from the Middle East, and the trend toward ideologically-focused news outlets that provide “ammunition” to buttress consumers’ beliefs.
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Israeli tech at UAS conference Continued from Page Two Elbit is one of Israel’s three largest defense contractors. “We were looking for the opportunities in the Dayton area for Elbit as far as our technologies and how these technologies can be either in DOD or in the commercial market,” Retallick says. “I work a lot with the county commissioners (and the) University of Dayton Research Institute.” He says his role to create new opportunities for Elbit begins with taking the technologies Elbit develops in Israel and evolving them into products. “Very rarely can I take a product that already exists and make it fit into the market,” Retallick says. “My job, specifically being here, is to work with industry and labs and create those opportunities. These opportunities that are created in Dayton with the commercial sector are something that is new for Elbit.” Retallick encouraged Yuval Chaplain, director of major campaign marketing for Elbit Systems of America, to come from Ft. Worth to the UAS conference. “He’s the bridge for bringing those technologies,” Retallick says. “I said (to Chaplain), ‘You need to come here. You need to see what’s going on in Dayton.’”
Less optimistic about peace prospects
Coming to a neighborhood near you! October 8 - 14, 2014 Plan a weeklong sukkah hop around town or choose your favorite night to party in the hut. Decorate the sukkah, enjoy crafts, and share a potluck dinner. For exact locations and reservation information, contact Temple Israel.
Temple Israel • www.tidayton.org • 937.496.0050 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH 45405 A Reform Synagogue open to all who are interested in Judaism. Childcare provided during Friday services and Sunday school. PAGE 4
As hopeful as the Israelis are about expanding their markets in the United States via Ohio, those present express less optimism about the challenges facing the Jewish state following this summer’s war with Hamas and the continuing threat from the terrorist organization in Gaza. “I don’t know how things will play out,” Fagelston says. “I’m not a prophet. The situation has been ongoing for almost 14 years. It’s just intensified over the past few weeks, much more than ever before.” Fagelston says Israel’s defense establishment didn’t realize how extensive and dangerous Hamas’ network of tunnels would be. “I have a son who was called up but wasn’t needed in the end,” he says, “and a son-in-law who’s full-time in the army, in the career army. He’s in charge of new recruits at the moment, so he wasn’t involved in the action. He would like to have been, but we’re happy as a family that he wasn’t.” He says his neighbors’ sons and sons-in-law were injured badly on the first day. “And I don’t see an end to the situation as such,” Fagelston says. “But there will be another few years of relative calm and it will happen again.” Tzafrir says there is no solution to the current situation, and won’t be one “for at least one or two generations.” He thinks peace could eventually rise out of economic opportunities, “like building companies or building factories or sources of employment” for the residents of Gaza. “I always tell this story that in 2006 my city was hit by 80 missiles a day. That was in Haifa. I was talking with our facility in the states. And I talked to the manager and said, ‘Oh, there is an alarm. Wait.’ And then we continued talking. And he said, ‘Let me understand: there are missiles falling over your head and you continue talking while there are missiles?’ I said, ‘Yeah, why not?’ It was a kind of shock, but that’s our story. That’s our life. We have to live with that.”
Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss MWeiss@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Contributors Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin Rachel Haug Gilbert Sam Heider Mark Katz Candace R. Kwiatek Mark Mietkiewicz Michelle Tedford Advertising Sales Executive Patty Caruso, plhc69@gmail.com Proofreaders Karen Bressler, Rachel Haug Gilbert, Joan Knoll, Pamela Schwartz Billing Sheila Myers, SMyers@jfgd.net 937-853-0372 Observer Advisor Martin Gottlieb Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Judy Abromowitz President David Pierce President Elect Melinda Doner Vice Pres. Mary Rita Weissman Vice Pres. Bruce Feldman Vice Pres. Cathy Gardner CEO The Dayton Jewish Observer, Vol. 19, No. 2. The Dayton Jewish Observer is published monthly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, a nonprofit corporation, 525 Versailles Dr., Dayton, OH 45459. Views expressed by guest columnists, in readers’ letters and in reprinted opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dayton Jewish Observer, The Dayton Jewish Observer Policy Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton or the underwriters of any columns. Acceptance of advertising neither endorses advertisers nor guarantees kashrut. The Dayton Jewish Observer Mission Statement To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests. Goals • To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication. • To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community. • To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines. • To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation departments, United Jewish 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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DAYTON
Dragon ‘em in
was being drummed out of the sisterhood. “I told her if we kept making schmaltz, we would have to charge more. She didn’t care. While Savit also has ties to We made the schmaltz and she Continued from Page Three was welcomed back into the While the deal is private and Jewish life and charities, it is Rosenbaum who has the most, sisterhood.” the new owners have declined Rosenbaum was let go from to release details, Ballpark Digest initiated through his Empire Empire in October 2012. In an estimates the purchase price for association. “It was one of the most fun interview with Jewish news the Single-A affiliate of the Cinthings (being at Empire),” service JTA at the time, he said it cinnati Reds at $35.6 million. Rosenbaum said. “It got me was because of a disagreement That’s a pile of cash for a involved more deeply in Jewish between him and the partners minor league team, but Rosenaffairs. at Empire on strategy and baum said he considered the “In 2011, Empire sponsored direction that arose when the purchase price fair for a franJewish Community Day at a partners vetoed an acquisition chise that has sold out every Washington Nationhe was negotiating with MVP game during its 15 als game. There the Kosher Foods, the country’s secyears of operation. bond of Jewish events, ond largest supplier of kosher It was the kind of Jewish companies and poultry. team he wanted to Jewish affairs with At a late-season Dragons buy. baseball was sealed for game to celebrate his 62nd “At a time I turned me.” birthday, Rosenbaum’s aunt 60 years old two years Rosenbaum is cocame down from Toledo to be ago,” Rosenbaum chair of the Jewish with him and the rest of his said, “I wondered, American Heritage family, including his wife and what do I want to do Month Foundathree children. He attended at next? I really enjoy tion and was named least 10 Dragons games this sports and politics. I’d Greg Rosenbaum Humanitarian of the season among the 100 to 110 really like to spend the baseball games he attends every rest of my life at the intersection Year by New York’s Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty year. Rosenbaum has season of sports and politics, with a in 2011 for Empire’s annual tickets to the Washington NaJewish bent.” 50,000-pound donation of kotionals, Baltimore Orioles, Los As Rosenbaum looked for a sher poultry to the Met CounAngeles Dodgers and Boston team, his buddy Sakellariadis was doing the same thing. They cil’s food pantries and kitchens. Red Sox. He is a director of the NationAll three new owners say asked Savit if he wanted in, and al Jewish Democratic Council they’ll attend plenty of games he did. and a member of the U.S. and will hold regular business They were likely partners Holocaust Memorial Council, meetings at Fifth Third Field. — all Harvard grads from the the governing body of the U.S. They’ll offer suggestions but 1970s, Sakellariadis is a recent Holocaust Memorial Museum, plan to leave the operation investment banking retiree under the direction of Bob Murliving in New York who almost which loosely connects him to Dayton. phy, the team’s president from bought his own minor league Jordan Tannenbaum, the the beginning. team years ago, “until the day Holocaust Museum’s chief “No one else does things the job got in the way,” he said. development officer, is the way they do things here,” Savit Savit, who operates HWS said. “I’ve already Group — a sports management brother-in-law of Debbie Feldman, ‘I’d really like to learned more in firm out of Boston — already president and CEO spend the rest the past six months owns part of three other minor of Dayton Chilthan I have in the league teams. of my life at dren’s Hospital. last 17 years.” “This is clearly the premier Rosenbaum said the intersection Rosenbaum team in minor league baseball,” he initially became of sports and concurs. Savit said. “Greg and Nick are “We have a the general partners. I feel very involved with politics, with a philosophy that’s Empire because honored and happy they asked that company was Jewish bent.’ tried and true,” me to join.” in severe financial he said. “If it ain’t The partners thought they distress, and he recognized the broke, don’t fix it. We will not were ready to buy a different company from his youth, grow- be interfering with day-to-day Midwestern team when a huroperations. ried call was placed by a broker ing up in Toledo. “The fact it was able to “That said, we hope to play earlier this summer. He told a role in long-term strategic them Dayton was available and survive for about a decade of big financial losses told me development of the franchise.” they had about 48 hours to desomething,” Rosenbaum said. He also would like to connect cide if they wanted to make an “The brand had to have a lot of with the Dayton Jewish comoffer. It didn’t take that long. munity. Rosenbaum might be the only value.” He bought the company and “I’m looking forward to getpartner once involved with koeventually became its CEO, ting to know the Jewish comsher poultry, but he isn’t alone making changes, not all of them munity in Dayton,” Rosenbaum in his baseball enthusiasm. welcome. said. “It is a small world — like Savit spent several years at “We eliminated Empire (the connection with) Jordan Cleveland’s International Manschmaltz (chicken fat) just before Tannenbaum. There will be agement Group; he started his other Jewish connections like own business buying and man- Passover,” Rosenbaum said. “It cost too much to make. My aunt that.” aging teams with his brother. And maybe someday, even He was friends at Harvard with in Toledo was telling all her Sakellariadis’ future wife, Julie. friends I was Empire’s CEO. She kosher nosh at Fifth Third Field.
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On Aug. 18, Sinclair Community College dedicated the art installation The Last Dress by Rachel Leathers (L) — winner of the 2007 Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Contest — at the library loggia. The annual contest — sponsored by Renate Frydman, director of the Dayton Holocaust Resource Center, in honor of her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, — is open to area students in grades 5-12. Leathers was a 14-year-old student at ChaminadeJulienne H.S. when she won the contest, and is now studying art at the Savannah (Georgia) College of Art and Design. She is shown here with Frydman’s daughter Melinda Doner, a past chair of the Dayton Area Yom Hashoah Committee.
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First-place statewide award to Observer
Engaging Israel course at Beth Or
In August, The Ohio Society of Professional Journalists announced that Marshall Weiss, editor and publisher of The Dayton Jewish Observer, is the recipient of its 2014 first-place award for Best Religion Reporting in the category of newspapers with circulation below 75,000. Weiss won the award for his July 2013 piece Convention Center goes kosher for Chabad wedding. This is his third first-place award from the Ohio SPJ competition and The Observer’s seventh Ohio SPJ first-place award overall. The annual Ohio SPJ competition is a collaborative project of the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland SPJ chapters and honors print, broadcast, online, trade, and college journalists statewide for their best work during the previous year. The Observer is published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.
Rabbi Judy Chessin and Israeli Ehud Borovoy will lead the video lecture series Engaging Israel: Foundations For A New Relationship at Temple Beth Or on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Oct. 14. A program of the Shalom Hartman Institute, the course presents video lectures about Jewish values and ideas as they relate to Diaspora Jews’ connections to Israel. Based in Jerusalem, The Shalom Hartman Institute is a pluralistic research and leadership center for Jewish thought and education. Registration is $36 and includes a source book and Israeli refreshments. The course is open to the community. Scholarships are available. Register by Oct. 6 with Leslie Beers at 435-3400.
Beth Abraham accepting Women of Valor nominations The Beth Abraham Synagogue Sisterhood is now accepting nominations for its 2015 Women of Valor Luncheon, to be held on May 6. Eligible for nomination are Dayton-area Jewish women who make significant contributions to their faithbased and secular communities. Chairs for the 2015 event are Ellen Leffak and Gayle Moscowitz. Nomination forms are available at bethabrahamdayton.org and at the synagogue office. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 8. For more information, call the synagogue at 293-9520. THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
DAYTON The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton will present its 17-session course, From Door to Door: Introduction to Judaism, on Mondays at 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 20. The annual class opens Dayton’s synagogues to anyone interested in Jewish learning, dialogue, and exploration. From Door to Door offers an in-depth look at Judaism from Conservative, Orthodox, Traditional, and Reform perspectives. Course instructors are rabbis from Dayton’s synagogues; class sessions also rotate among Dayton’s four synagogues. The registration fee is $75 for a single or couple and includes books and materials. For more information or to enroll, contact Simone Sofian at 610-1795, Rabbi Judy Chessin at 435-3400 or go to jewishdayton.org/introtojudaism.
Jewish Genealogical Society meeting
The next meeting of the Dayton Jewish Genealogical Society will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. The meeting is open to the community. For more information, call Molly Blumer at 479-8880.
Sukkah hopping with Temple Israel
On evenings from Oct. 8 to 14, during the harvest festival of Sukkot, Temple Israel congregants will host Sukkahs In The City, celebrations in sukkahs at their homes. For more information, call the temple at 496-0050.
Social justice in South focus of Sukkot film
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A scene from the documentary Road To Eden with Dan Nichols
Jewish rock musician Dan Nichols, the focus of the documentary Road To Eden, and the film’s director, Doug Passon, will attend Temple Beth Or’s screening of the movie as part of a Sukkot celebration on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:45 p.m. Road To Eden shows Nichols and his band, Eighteen, in October 2011 when they toured the deep South during the festival of Sukkot. On the journey, they encounter a homeless congregant of a temple in Florida, undocumented aliens in Alabama, sing with a black gospel choir in Birmingham, and celebrate the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Temple Beth Or’s Rabbi Judy Chessin said the program will benefit the Dayton Food Bank and the Jewish Federation Food Pantry. “The cost of admission is a non-perishable food item or a cash donation,” she said. “The program is the brain child of congregant David Char, who
attended a screening of the movie last December and really wanted to do this as a gift to the Dayton community.” Char, whose vision is impaired, attended the film’s premiere at a fund-raiser for Ethan Kadish, a boy from Cincinnati who was struck by lightning in 2013 at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Ind. “Although I couldn’t see a single frame of the film, I was incredibly moved by the audio portion and what the movie really had to say,” Char explained. “It speaks of the world’s unending journey for peace and the quest of all people to find the Promised Land, and the journey we must embark on to reach that destination.” Nichols will also lead a Shabbat celebration at Beth Or on Friday, Oct. 17, with a reception in the Sukkah at 6:30 p.m. and services at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the programs, call 435-3400. — Marshall Weiss
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THE REGION
Ohio U. students protesting ‘blood bucket’ video arrested By Anthony Weiss, JTA An Ohio University Student Senate meeting erupted into a chaotic scene and four students were arrested over protests of the Senate president’s “blood bucket challenge” of Israel. At the Sept. 10 meeting of the Student Senate, pro-Israel students staged a filibuster and called for the resignation of Megan Marzec over her Sept. 2 video in which she poured a bucket of fake blood (redcolored water) over her head to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. Marzec’s video, which was posted in response to an ALS ice bucket challenge issued by the university president, has sparked widespread controversy on the campus and off. In the video, Marzec spoke in her capacity as Student Sen-
student paper, the Post Athens, ate president and accused Israel of “genocide in Gaza.” The Marzec called on Sebo to stop Ohio University Student Senate so that students could speak in an orderly fashion. Twitter account subsequently Sebo and other protesters apologized for the video. The video has been criticized continued to speak, however. Marzec shouted for order both for its critique of Israel and Marzec’s divisive stance as and threatened to have the protesters arrested. Other students a student body leader. and adults at the Marzec reported receiving hostile Marzec issued meeting clapped and chanted over messages and death threats. Oth- a vote to have the protesters, ers praised Marzec the protesters with some denouncing them as for speaking her arrested for “fascists.” beliefs. Rabbi DaniThe Student Sen- disrupting the elle Leshaw, the ate protest began at meeting. executive director the start of the sesof Hillel at Ohio sion with Rebecca University, was present and Sebo, the president of Bobcats said the atmosphere became for Israel, denouncing the “explosive.” threats made against Marzec Marzec issued a vote to have before calling on her to resign. the protesters arrested for disAfter approximately three rupting the meeting. University minutes, according to the
police issued the protesters a twominute warning, then arrested them and led them from the meeting. At the police station, the students were charged with disruption of a Ohio University Student Senate President Megan lawful meeting Marzec’s video in which she pours fake blood on her head in protest against Israel and released. Their court date was set for the morning of “I think it was actually a Sept. 24, the day before Rosh blessing that the police arHashanah, the Jewish New rived,” she told JTA. Year. After the arrests, Marzec Leshaw said that although stood on a table and declared she didn’t think the protesters that she would “never apoloshould have been arrested, the gize for the people of Palespolice “acted beautifully” and tine.” their presence helped prevent a She added, “And I will never hostile situation from spiraling stand up for fascists. And this out of control. body won’t either.”
Kent State prof. condemns ‘academic friends of Israel’ By Jacqueline Mitchell Cleveland Jewish News Kent State University Associate Prof. of History Dr. Julio Pino released an open letter this summer to “academic friends of Israel” condemning supporters for being “directly responsible” for what he called the murder of more than 1,400 Palestinians. Pino sent the letter to the
History News Network at George Mason University, and the website published it on Aug. 2. “Your names are scrawled on every bullet fired, bomb dropped, body buried and burnt forehead in Gaza,” the letter read. In an interview with the Cleveland Jewish News, Pino said he wrote the letter because he wanted to point out the “reality
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of total apathy out there.” He said he forwarded his letter to the History News Network in hopes that it would publish it to a broader audience, which it did. “I’m in communication with other academics all the time,” Pino said. “People tried to stifle me from speaking out.” Pino, an associate professor who specializes in Latin American history and the Third World, has a reputation for his outspoken opinions on Israel. In 2002, Pino wrote a controversial column for the Daily Kent Stater praising an 18-yearold female suicide bomber in Jerusalem, describing her as courageous and a “shining star.” In 2011, the tenured professor attended a lecture given by a former Israeli diplomat, during which he shouted “Death to Israel.” Lester Lefton, who was Kent State president at the time and is Jewish, described Pino’s behavior as “deplorable.” The university released the following statement denouncing Pino’s most recent comments: “It has come to our attention that a Kent State University professor posted an online statement charging scholars with responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza. We condemn the professor’s statement as reprehensible and irrespon-
tion that put him in power for sible. At Kent State, we value collegiality and mutual respect. five decades, and described the Assailing the public with broad Israeli “regime” as “the spiritual heir to Nazism.” statements of culpability vioPino said he kept scholars lates these principles.” of Latin American studies The university would not specifically in mind when he elaborate further on the situquoted Castro in an attempt to ation when reached for comremind Latin Americans that ment. if they are in keeping with the “I respect their right to do it,” said Pino of the university’s Cuban revolution, they should be “supporting the oppressed statement. rather than the oppressor.” Jennifer Chestnut, executive He also said that when director of Hillel he used the phrase “the at Kent State, also spiritual heir to Nazism,” released a statement he was referring to the regarding Pino’s Israeli government, alaccusations: though this assertion has “Hillel at Kent been largely misinterpretState joins the Kent ed to be addressing Israel State University in or the Jewish people as a condemning the rewhole, according to Pino. peated hate rhetoric He used such a highly acof faculty member Dr. Julio Pino. His Kent State Assoc. cusatory phrase because Prof. of History he believes the Israeli reprehensible com- Dr. Julio Pino government is deliberatements harm our university and create a divisive ly targeting civilians, he said. Pino said he received a large and harmful atmosphere for amount of hate mail in the the students and the entire Kent State community by creat- days following publication of his letter, but he anticipated ing a toxic environment which is closed to the free exchange of as much when he released his ideas. We commend the univer- statements. He said he has also received sity administration for their letters of approval and supstrong statement in speaking up against this vile hate speech port from both Americans and in order to uphold the integrity Palestinians. Kayla Morrison, a 20-yearof our academic institution.” old senior at Kent State, wrote Pino’s letter cited longtime her own open letter in response Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a to Pino, which was published communist who led a revoluTHE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
THE REGION Aug. 5 on BuzzFeed, a social news and entertainment company that specializes in online content. “It’s truly a shame that such a great university — and, now, my home — fosters a deplorable person within its academic infrastructure and permits him to educate young adults,” her letter read. Morrison, from Hartville in Stark County, told the CJN she was not surprised when she first read Pino’s letter because she was familiar with his previous actions and statements. “But I was really shocked that he had the audacity to say some of the things he did,” said Morrison, “especially at a time when antisemitism has taken to new heights.” She said she is appalled that Pino is able to get away with his behavior without penalization or disciplinary action. Morrison said she believes that because Pino has tenure, a tool used by many academic institutions to ensure academic freedom among faculty, he has somehow “found a loophole in the moral compass.” “This behavior is unacceptable, and it compromises the moral integrity of Kent State,” Morrison said. Morrison has not received feedback from administration at the university, but said KSU students have been active in sharing her article, which to date has received close to 15,000 views. “They’re standing by me,” she said. “That’s the side of Kent that people don’t often see. We all stick together. We’re a community. The students, more than anybody, have been the most supportive.” Morrison said that even though the university has released a statement expressing its disapproval of Pino’s letter, his behavior will continue if the administration fails to take further action. She called for such action at the conclusion of her letter: “If we, the Kent State University community, fail to take action now, we risk having yet another traumatic stigma attached to our name. So, my fellow classmates, the educators of Kent State, and the administration of the university: I ask you to question your values and the values of our academic institution. In 1970, we mourned the loss of student lives in a horrific tragedy. Why, now, would we allow murder and terror to be promoted on our campus?”
THE WORLD Miriam Alster/Flash 90
By Ben Sales, JTA TEL AVIV — In the days after the war in Gaza concluded, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to bear left. He spoke of a “possible diplomatic horizon” for Israel on Aug. 27 and suggested a return to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Reports emerged that Netanyahu had met secretly in Amman with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Then he took a sharp right turn, seizing nearly 1,000 acres in the West Bank as state land near the Etzion settlement bloc. The move is a prerequisite for settlement A playground at the settlement of Gvaot, Sept. 2. Two days earlier, the Israeli expansion and prohibits Pal- government declared part of the settlement near the West Bank city of estinians from using the land Bethlehem as state land. for building or agriculture. surrounding Palestinian vilor, in this case, reclassifying According to Israeli reports, lages, according to Ofran, have the government seized the land land.” laid claim to the land. But Inbar According to Maj. Guy in response to the nearby kidsaid an Israeli investigation Inbar, spokesman for the Israel napping and murder of three found the land has not been Defense Forces’ Coordinator of Israeli teens in June. used for decades. Government Activities in the The land seizure — Israel’s Netanyahu has backtracked Territories, the seizure is only largest in decades — drew before on settlement expansion the first step toward a potential condemnation from the Israeli plans following international settlement expansion. left and from the international criticism. In 2012, Netanyahu Palestinians who claim the community. The U.S. State announced Israel’s intention to land have 45 days to challenge Department said it was “counbuild in an area known as E1, the decision in Israel’s courts. terproductive” for the peace which sits between the Palesprocess. In a statement, the left- If the appeals fail, the govtinian cities of Bethlehem and ernment still has to make an wing NGO Peace Now called Ramallah, as well as between additional decision to legalize the move “proof that Prime Jerusalem and the Israeli settlebuilding there before any conMinister Netanyahu does not ment of Maale Adumim. The struction can begin. aspire for a new ‘Diplomatic United States opposed the plan, An illegal Israeli settlement Horizon.’” and nearly two years later the outpost, Gvaot, already sits on “Israel is trying to be terriland sits empty. a portion of the land. Several torially maximalist in the area and to deny territorial contiguity to the Palestinians,” Hagit Ofran, the head of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch, said. “The message of this act is clear: The inclination of Israel is not to peace and compromise but to continuation of settlement.” But some experts said that though the move hurts Israel diplomatically, critics overstate its importance on the ground. The area is a strip of land adjacent to the West Bank that Israel intends to keep under any peace deal. Declaring it state land was, they said, a way for Netanyahu to placate his allies on the right after opposing their suggestion to depose Hamas during the Gaza war. “I think it falls in a certain pattern,” Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the United States, said. “The government does something that is unpalatable to the right wing, whether it be making concessions in the peace process or, in this case, agreeing to a cease-fire in Gaza, and then it attempts to palliate the right by building in Judea and Samaria
Israel’s land seizure: political favor or West Bank game-changer?
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
But this seizure does prohibit Palestinian use of the land. And Israeli politicians and commentators have criticized Netanyahu for alienating Abbas and Israel’s allies just as the sides could have restarted peace talks following the Gaza cease-fire agreement. “(The) announcement, which wasn’t brought to the Cabinet, regarding 900 acres of land for building in the Etzion bloc harms the state of Israel,” Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid party said in a speech. “Maintaining the support of the world was already challenging, so why was it so urgent to create another crisis with the United States and the world?” Meanwhile, the future of peace talks remains unclear. According to reports, Abbas said he won’t return to talks unless Israel proposes a border in their initial stage. Should Israel refuse, Abbas reportedly plans to turn to the United Nations Security Council to call for an Israeli West Bank pullout. “Given that there’s no negotiations, trust with the P.A. and Abbas is not at a premium,” said Jonathan Rynhold, a senior research associate at Bar-Ilan University’s Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. “If (Netanyahu) offers a fairly generous territorial offer, this will be irrelevant.”
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THE WORLD
How Jewish reporters in Muslim lands hide their identity By Ron Kampeas, JTA WASHINGTON — Don’t bring it up. If it comes up, change the subject. If you can’t change the subject, consider an outright denial. Those are some of the strategies used by Jewish reporters working in the Arab and Muslim Middle East to conceal their religious heritage. The dangers facing Jewish journalists in the region became evident in September after the beheading of a dual American-Israeli citizen, Steven Sotloff, by the jihadist group Islamic State, or ISIS. It’s not known whether ISIS was aware that Sotloff was Jewish. Colleagues believe his kidnapping by ISISaffiliated terrorists in 2012 in Syria was one of opportunity and not a deliberate targeting. James Foley, another journalist kidnapped by ISIS and beheaded in August by the terror group, was Catholic. However, Sotloff’s family in South Florida, his friends and colleagues — indeed much of the journalistic community — went to lengths to conceal his family’s deep involvement in the Jewish community and his Israeli citizenship in order not to draw his captors’ attention to a factor that may have exacerbated his ordeal. JTA did not report on his
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spondent, who knew Sotloff. She captivity for the same reason. said it was especially pronounced The captors of Daniel Pearl, a in Libya during the overthrow of Wall Street Journal correspondent Muammar Gadhafi there in 2011. kidnapped and beheaded by ter“There was so much indoctrinarorists in Pakistan in 2002, made tion against Jews, but they didn’t a point of his Jewishness. In the know Jews.” video showing his execution, they Suspicion of Jews is not included Pearl saying “My father is straightforward, correspondents Jewish, my mother is Jewish. I am a said. Often it is wrapped into Jew” among his final words. other issues — for instance, being “We send our deepest conbased at Jerusalem, which hundolences to the family of Steven dreds of foreign journalists are. Sotloff,” Pearl’s parents, Judea and University of Central Florida student Melissa Catalanotto Many governments in the region Ruth, said in a statement emailed tend to ban entry to corresponto JTA. “We know too well the pain (L), president of the UCF Society of Professional Journalists, attends a candle light vigil held for journalist dents, regardless of religious heriof such horrific loss. Once again Stephen Sotloff on Sept. 3 at UCF in Orlando tage, who are based in Israel. the world has seen the horror of When they are allowed in, Jeruterrorism in action. We continue to based in Jerusalem for the Post from find strength in the belief that united, 2009 until 2011 and who now lectures at salem correspondents traveling to Arab countries go to lengths to cover up any civilization will triumph and humanity Stanford University. Israel ties: ripping tags out of clothes, will prevail.” “I would say, ‘I’m from New York or leaving Israeli cash with trusted friends As ethnic and sectarian origins loom D.C.,’ and if they persisted, I would say in transit cities, shutting down social large in every encounter, keeping Sotl‘My grandfather is from Greece,’ which media accounts. off’s Jewish identity under wraps made is true. I didn’t want to say what my It’s not just an Israel address that sense, said Janine Zacharia, who has religion was,” she said. can raise mistrust. First impressions in reported in the region for the WashingAnother Jerusalem-based correthe region often take into account one’s ton Post. spondent who asked not to be named “For me, the first question whenever because she is still reporting throughout background and presumed loyalties. Aaron Schachter, who was based in I met anyone in the Arab world was the region said she drew on the experi‘where are you from,’ and they weren’t ences of extended family who are Chris- Lebanon and Jerusalem for the BBC in the last decade, said that in Lebanon, asking whether it was the United States tian to pretend she was as well. asking one’s background was a natural or Canada — it was ‘are you a Muslim “You hear it in conversation. ‘You’re opening conversational gambit. But or a Jew?’ ” said Zacharia, who was not a Jew, are you?’” said this corre-
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
OPINION
THE WORLD when the answer was “Jewish,” he said, there was a patina of suspicion that he called “creepy.” “In Lebanon it was slightly threatening because everyone pays attention to what you are — Sunni, Shia — and it’s not unusual for someone to call attention to it, but at a point it’s vaguely threatening” for Jews, said Schachter, now an assignment editor for The World, a Public Radio International program. “I know what you are,” he recalled an interlocutor affiliated with Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based group that repeatedly waged war with Israel, as saying. The man drew the conclusion, correctly, that Schachter was Jewish from his first name. “I know they’re going to try to figure out who you are, whether a Maronite Christian or Orthodox Christian,” Schachter said. “But when you have someone say ‘I know what you are,’ what is the purpose of that in the course of the conversation we’re having?” One thing journalists quickly learn is that the Jewish “tells” in the West don’t mean much in the Middle East. Jewish names obvious in the West are not at all so in the region, and stereotypical “Jewish looks” among Westerners are indistinguishable from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern features that are common throughout the Middle East. “My name might have been Miriam Leah Goldbergstein, and I wouldn’t have worried,” said Lisa Goldman, who reported for various outlets in Lebanon and then in Cairo during the Arab Spring in 2011. A non-Jewish Baghdad correspondent for a major U.S. outlet recalled that in 2009, she and another American staffer were alarmed when they learned that a U.S.-based staffer for the outlet was on his way in for a reporting stint. From his looks and name, she said, they immediately surmised he was Jewish. Stoking their alarm was the fact that local Iraqi hires were unabashed in their anti-Jewish hostility, at least in conversation with the non-Jewish American staffers, said this correspondent who asked not to be named to speak freely. So she and the other American devised a plan: The incom-
ing reporter would be met in Amman, Jordan, by the local Iraqi hires and taken out for dinner before traveling to Baghdad. Neither the incoming reporter nor the Iraqis knew the true agenda of the dinner, and the Iraqis were not told that the reporter was Jewish. Afterward, she recalled, she casually asked the local hires for their impressions of the newcomer — would he fit in? Their reactions were universally positive; no one had guessed he was Jewish. “It’s an issue,” said this correspondent, who knew Sotloff and after his kidnapping obsessively tracked on the Internet whether his Jewishness was exposed. “There’s so much conspiracy indulgence,” she said. “There’s so much suspicion about spies, Israeli spies.” Jamie Tarabay, a senior staff writer for Al Jazeera who is not Jewish, said the anti-Jewish hostility alarmed her during her reporting in Baghdad for a number of major U.S. outlets. “All I know is that people who might have been Jewish in Baghdad, you kept it quiet, you did not talk about it,” she said. Goldman said that the educated professionals she encountered in Lebanon and Egypt were at pains to distinguish between Jews and Zionists. “People’s minds are very muddled, they talk about the people of the book, the tolerance that the Prophet had for the Jews, but they are aware most Jews support Israel as an identity issue,” said Goldman, now the director of the IsraelPalestine initiative at the New America Foundation, a think tank. Goldman recalled a casual conversation she had in her halted Arabic with a cab driver in Cairo in 2011, during the uprising. The mood was festive and it began well, she said. “’Where are you from?’ ‘Canada.’ ‘Walla! Are you a Christian?’ ‘No I’m Jewish,’” Goldman recounted. “He must have changed color five times and went silent.” She asked an Egyptian friend later about the encounter and was told that years of antiJewish government propaganda had left its mark. “‘He was probably wondering where your horns were,’ ” her friend told her.
“You hear it in conversation. ‘You’re not a Jew, are you?’”
IDF, fellow reservists rip refusal letter by intelligence corps members
Israel’s West Bank grab
By Gary Rosenblatt ers of Israel could note that the Did you, like me and many 1,000 acres in question, which other supporters of Israel, now have been declared “state cringe on reading that the land” rather than privately Jerusalem government had laid owned Palestinian land, is part claim to nearly 1,000 acres of of the Etzion bloc. It would reland in the West Bank, presum- main inside Israel after the kind JERUSALEM —The Israel ably for settlement expansion? of land swap expected in any Defense Forces said it will take It seemed like the timing permanent peace pact. disciplinary action against couldn’t be worse. After seven But the takeaway from this dozens of Israeli intelligence weeks of war against Hamas, latest diplomatic flare-up is corps reservists who signed a with many hundreds of civilian that to Israeli leaders, the land letter vowing to stop collecting deaths in Gaza and relentless status issue, like every issue, is information on Palestinians. international criticism of Jerusa- local. And political. No doubt Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz, the lem for alleged disproportionthe announcement about the head of the IDF Spokesperson’s ate use of military might, the Etzion-area land was based on Unit, in a statement issued expansion announcement had a decision Netanyahu made, Sept. 14 called the letter from 43 a tone-deaf quality to it. As in, part of a political calculation to reservists, including 10 officers, what were they thinking? ensure the continuation of his an “exploitation of military serSurely Prime Minister Necoalition. vice in order to express a politi- tanyahu remembers the outcry Ironically, although the cal position. We see the incident and fallout over the Israeli anprime minister is viewed on the as severe and serious disciplinnouncement of new settlements international level as an ideoary action will be taken. during Vice President Biden’s logical hawk, in practice, and “There is no room in the IDF 2010 visit to Israel. particularly within his coalifor refusal to serve,” Almoz Wasn’t the Netanyahu tion, he is a centrist, seeking to said. government aware that once balance more dovish members The letter from members of again the world reaction would like Finance Minister Yair Lapid the 8200 signal intelligence unit be condemnation for driving and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni was sent to Prime Minister Ben- another nail into the fading with more right-wing figures jamin Netanyahu, Army Radio prospect of a peace deal with like Foreign Minister Avigdor reported Sept. 12, as well to IDF the Palestinians? Lieberman and Trade and ReChief of Staff Benny Gantz and In response, the U.S. called ligious Affairs Minister Naftali Aviv Kochavi, who heads the on Israel to reverse Bennett. It is LieberMilitary Intelligence Directorthe decision, and a To Israeli man and Bennett ate. State Department pushed hard leaders, the who “The intelligence gathered official described for a deeper and harms innocents and is used the move as “coun- land status longer ground for political persecution and for terproductive to invasion of Gaza invading most areas of PalesIsrael’s stated goal issue, like to root out Hamas. tinians’ lives,” the 43 reservof a negotiated twoit is reasonable every issue, So ists wrote. “Our conscience no state solution.” to assume that the longer permits us to serve this Given the high is local. And price Netanyahu system.” level of tension paid for the ceaseIn response to the letter, between Washing- political. fire agreement more than 200 former soldiers ton and Jerusalem with Hamas was a and officers from the 8200 unit resulting from the failure of the public sign of support for the published a letter saying they Kerry peace effort and the dev- settlement communities in the were “ashamed” of their fellow astation of Gaza in the Hamas West Bank — like announcing servicemen. fighting, the Israeli announcethe Etzion expansion. It showed “We wish to express our ment could well be viewed as support for the Jewish commudismay, disgust and complete a poke in the eye of the Obama nities in the West Bank and was disavowal of our friend’s administration. As if to say, a reprimand to the Palestinian unfortunate letter,” they wrote. “We’ll do what’s best for us, Authority after its president, “Refusal to serve on the basis of thank you.” Mahmoud Abbas, has sought politics has no room in the IDF The problem, of course, is alternative approaches to and certainly not in Unit 8200. that the administration may statehood rather than directly When we as reserve soldiers are reply in kind to Israel, which is negotiate with Israel. called to serve, we put our oriso dependent on the U.S. for fiNetanyahu has become entations and political opinions nancial, diplomatic and military expert in straddling both sides aside and serve our country.” support. of the two-state solution divide The response letter said that Is the Netanyahu coalition within his government by satis“when ethical dilemmas arose, prepared to jeopardize Israel’s fying first one side and then the we saw they were seriously and relationship with America, other. Publicly call for a Palesmaturely addressed in accorits closest and in many ways tinian state and a willingness dance with international law only major ally in the UN and to negotiate a solution, then and the IDF’s ethical code.” beyond? criticize Abbas for partnering — JTA On the micro level, defendwith Hamas and allow growth in West Bank Jewish communities to continue. But while this approach has helped keep Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to the prime minister in power, The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive the debate over what his true Dayton, OH 45459 • MWeiss@jfgd.net Continued on next page
So, what do you think?
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
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OPINION
West Bank grab
Continued from previous page agenda is — and whether he has one at all beyond the goal of remaining in charge — continues unabated. The bottom-line message he projects to the world, and especially to the U.S. and to American Jews, is that Israel is not subject to international pressure, even from its best friends. Such internal, defensive thinking is understandable, particularly when Israel has been made, unfairly and cynically, into a pariah, called out for its allegedly immoral conduct by nations with no respect for human rights or human life. And U.S. policy in the region seems at best inconsistent, preparing to take on ISIS militarily while urging Jerusalem to lay off Hamas, a terror group that sacrifices its own women and children by offering them up as human shields. What, if anything, can we as American Jews do to stop the hemorrhaging of goodwill in Washington and around the country toward Israel? Rather than feed our obsession with critiquing the media for its bias toward Israel, which produces limited results (and is no doubt motivated by our sense of helplessness as distant spectators), it would be more effective to let Israel’s leaders know of our discomfort with their diplomatic arrogance. They need to understand that while American support for Israel continues to hold, there is slippage among younger people, particularly among minority groups and women. The same unease holds true for many younger American Jews who feel that Israel has not done all it could to make a two-state solution a reality. These are not healthy signs for the future. Second, challenge Israeli government officials to take a wider, deeper view of their decision-making process, and to appreciate the serious consequences. Politicians too often make choices based on their narrow interests to prolong or expand their personal careers. Leaders, by contrast, make choices based on the long-term good of the people. Israel today needs leadership that looks beyond today to tomorrow. Gary Rosenblatt is editor and publisher of The New York Jewish Week.
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CALENDAR
The Unit 8200 refuseniks By Shmuel Rosner Israel is abuzz over a letter. Forty-three reservists from the IDF’s Military Intelligence Unit 8200 published a letter declaring their refusal to serve in the army due to, well, here the complications begin. There is a whole range of reasons the reservists mention; you can read some examples here. Naturally, such a story is a boon for all opponents of Israel’s actions. It legitimizes many of the claims made against Israel. It is also the kind of story that tends to be taken way out of proportion. These 43 reservists serve in a unit of many thousands. It is quite reasonable to expect that within such a large military unit a number of people would become disillusioned with the mission or with the execution of the mission. It is reasonable to expect that the less these people support Israel’s larger policies, the more likely they are to feel uneasy with their mission. Thus, when Israel ponders the evacuation of settler outposts it has to deal with the occasional refusal to serve. And when Israel keeps controlling the occupied territories it has to deal with the occasional refusal to serve. And the more the refusal comes from high up the echelons of command or high up the echelons of military prestige, the more noise it makes. A refusal to serve of members of the prestigious unit 8200 is sexier than a refusal of military quartermasters. A few points to consider about the letter: It is about politics. Gathering intelligence is dirty, and yet necessary work. It involves borderline decisions and morally questionable actions. The reservists could not stomach it in this case because they strongly object to Israel’s policy. Had they thought there is no other way but to continue the occupation, or had they thought that the territories are Israel’s to keep, their mission would have made more sense to them and their conscience would feel less tainted by the type of things that they were asked to do (invading privacy, delivering information about targets for assassination etc). The frustration they feel is understandable: it is much harder to do the dirty work when the objective seems immoral. The damage can be real: it might make some IDF units — not as a matter of policy, but as a matter of we-don’t-want-anyheadaches pragmatism — take into account the political inclinations of candidates who apply to serve in these units. It is about the proper use of power. Some of the claims made by the reservists are troubling. When the military gives a lot of power to 18-19 year old soldiers, there is always a danger that these youngsters will use it inappropriately. The reservists claim, for example, that recordings of secretly taped sex acts of Palestinians, to which the unit was eavesdropping, were played for the amusement of soldiers. If that is true, it is not amusing and the people involved should be disciplined. The reservists also claim that Israel uses
So, what do you think?
information about the medical needs of Palestinians or about their sexual orientation to blackmail them for information. This sounds even worse — but is in fact easier to defend as an ugly but inevitable means of extracting crucial intelligence. It is neither disgusting nor brave. Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog, who is himself a reserve officer in Unit 8200, used harsh words in his reaction to the refusal letter. “I oppose the refusal to serve and am wholly disgusted by it.” This shows how far from mainstream Israel these letter-signers are. Yet I don’t find the action disgusting. I think it is juvenile and idiotic. It will not do much to advance any of the goals of the signatories — if they even have any goals. Thus, Israel’s sane majority should object to the letter without being hysterical about it. The minority which supports them, on the other hand, can quit calling the signatories brave for their action. Whether it was their intention or not, their letter gives fodder to Israel’s critics and to its enemies. And in any case, judging by previous such letters, it is doubtful if the signatories are going to pay any price for their act — being discharged from the unit cannot be called a “price” in this case. It is not convincing. If the aim is for Israel to end the occupation because of a letter signed by 43 people, it is not quite realistic. If Israelis — for good or bad reasons — believe that their security depends on keeping the territories (or if they believe that the territories are for them to keep) the case made against it was not compelling enough to change their view. That maintaining the occupation is neither easy nor rosy doesn’t come as much of a surprise. That Israel uses a variety of means to prevent Palestinian terrorism — and possibly also in its political fight against the Palestinian leadership — is also a well understood, if unpleasant, fact. If the aim is to make the 8200 unit take a better look at its procedures, the letter might succeed, but this could have been achieved in better, more discreet, ways. That’s why many Israelis might suspect that the motivation behind the letter is to smear Israel, and that even if the signatories had other motivations, the most likely impact of the letter is the smearing of Israel. It kills the Israeli left. The left’s inability to connect with Israel’s majority has been proven time and again in elections and in debates over policies. The refusal letter is both a consequence of this problem — the frustrated reservists felt that they had no other way but to publicly refuse to serve — and an incident that will perpetuate the problem — Israelis don’t really appreciate calls for refusal. What the letter really says: we the reservists no longer believe in our ability to change Israel’s policies through the democratic process. Hence our attempt to create a scandal that will make it harder for Israel to keep doing what it is doing. The majority of Israelis who still believe in the democratic process would be right to resist to such an attempt.
Send your letters (350 words max., thanks) to The Dayton Jewish Observer Shmuel Rosner is political editor of the Jewish 525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, OH 45459 Journal of Greater Los Angeles. MWeiss@jfgd.net
Classes
Temple Beth Or Classes: Sundays, 10 a.m., Oct. 12 & 26: Tanach Study w. Rabbi Chessin. Sundays, 1 p.m.: Adult Hebrew w. Rabbi Chessin. Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.: Israeli Folk Dancing w. Janifer Tsou. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.: Adult Modern Intermediate Hebrew w. Ehud Borovoy. Wed., Oct. 1, 7 p.m.: Men’s Circle w. Rabbi Burstein. Wed., Oct. 8, 7 p.m.: Spirituality w. Rabbi Burstein. Thursdays, 7 p.m.: Beginners Adult Modern Hebrew w. Ehud Borovoy. Thurs., Oct. 9, 1 p.m.: Socrates Café. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 4353400. Temple Israel Classes: Mondays, noon: Advanced Hebrew w. Rabbi BodneyHalasz. $50 members, $55 nonmembers. Mondays, 1:15 p.m.: Knitting & Crocheting. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.: Lattes & Legends, Dorothy Lane Mkt., 6177 Far Hills Ave. Wednesdays, noon: Talmud study. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.: Torah study. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050.
Classes
Synagogue Forum’s Introduction to Judaism Course: 17 sessions, Mondays, 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 20. $75 single or couple. To register, call Simone Sofian at 610-1795 or Rabbi Judy Chessin, 435-3400.
Discussions
Temple Israel Ryterband Lecture & Brunch Series: Sundays, 10-11:45 p.m. $5 each. Oct. 12: Columbus Dispatch Sportswriter Bill Rabinowitz. Oct. 19: HUC Prof. Dr. Jason Kalman, Implications for Jewish Biblical Interpretation. Oct. 26: HUC Prof. Dr. Richard Sarason, The New High Holy Day Prayer Book. 130 Riverside Dr. 496-0050. Hartman Institute’s Engaging Israel, Foundations For A New Relationship: Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. beginning Oct. 14. Taught by Rabbi Judy Chessin & Ehud Borovoy. $36. Temple Beth Or. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. R.S.V.P. to Leslie Beers, 435-3400. Beth Abraham Synagogue Men’s Club Brunches: Sundays, 10 a.m. $5. Oct. 19: Dayton Children’s Pres. & CEO Debbie Feldman. Oct. 26: Dayton Art Institute Dir. & CEO Michael Roediger. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. 293-9520. Dayton Jewish Genealogical Society Meeting: Sun., Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. R.S.V.P. to Molly Blumer, 479-8880.
Women
Beth Abraham Synagogue Sisterhood Sunset In The Sukkah: Tues., Oct. 14, 6 p.m. $10 non-members. 305 Sugar Camp Cir., Oakwood. R.S.V.P. 293-9520. Beth Jacob Sisterhood Let’s Walk Group: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. 7020 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. 274-2149.
Young Adults
YAD at Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Thurs., Oct. 23, 8 p.m. Schuster Center, 1 W. 2nd St., Dayton. For info., call Ehud Borovoy, 610-1555.
Children
JCC’s Sleeping Under The Stars: Sat., Oct. 18, 8 p.m.-Sun., Oct. 19, 8 a.m. Trip to Sky Zone, movie & indoor camping for THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
CALENDAR OF EVENTS grades 2-5. $35. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to 6101555.
Family
Chabad Sandwiches & Soups in the Sukkah: Sun., Oct. 12, 5 p.m. $20 adult, $10 child (3-12). 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 643-0770.
JCC Family Fun Hayride @ Windmill Farm Simchat Torah Market. Sun., Oct. 12, 3-4:30 p.m. 1454 Simchat Torah Live @ Chabad: Thurs., E. State Rt. 73, Springboro. $12 hayride & Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Dinner & kids program. Free. pumpkin, $8 hayride only. R.S.V.P. by Oct. 7, 2001 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. 643-0770. 610-1555. Simchat Torah/Shabbat Celebration at Fitness Temple Beth Or: w. Jewish rock musician Tai Chi @ the CJCE: Tuesdays. Beginners Dan Nichols. Fri., Oct. 17 6:30 p.m. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Advanced 4:45-5:45 p.m. $5. reception in sukkah. 7:30 p.m. Shabbat 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to service. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435610-1555. 3400. Insanity Workout: w. Lauren Baumgarten. Mondays & Wednesdays, 4 p.m. $5. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555.
Seniors
Jewish Family Services Events: See Federation newsletter in center spread.
Community Events
Temple Beth Or Screening of Road To Eden: w. filmmaker Doug Passon & Jewish rock musician Dan Nichols. Thurs., Oct. 16, 6:45 p.m. Free with non-perishable food item or cash donation for Dayton Food Bank or Jewish Federation Food Pantry. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400.
Sukkot
Temple Israel Sukkahs In The City: Meeting at various sukkahs evenings Oct. 8-14. Call Temple Israel for details, 4960050.
Tickets for all CABF events are available at the door or R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 or jewishdayton.org.
Author Kai Bird, The Good Spy: Thurs., Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. $5 in advance, $8 at door includes Middle Eastern cuisine reception after talk. Neil David Schwartz, What If Tomorrow Never Comes: Wed., Oct. 29, 7 p.m. Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. $5 in advance, $8 at door.
Too often, voters don’t feel informed enough to vote in judicial elections. I am doing my best to communicate the importance of an informed vote for judges. My website is judgefroelich.com, where you can find my qualifications. Please consider supporting me. If you are willing to help, please email your friends who live in any of the counties urging them to vote in the judicial election on Nov. 4. They can vote by mail if they ask for an application from their County Board of Elections. Thank you very much. Best wishes for a good New Year!
JUDGE
FFROELICH ROELICH t
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Beer & Brats Opener: w. Joshua Bernstein, The Complete Beer Course. Mon., Oct. 20, 7 p.m. Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St. Cost for beer & brats $15 in advance, $20 at door; for brats only $10 in advance, $15 at door.
I need your help. I am seeking re-election for Judge of the Second District Court of Appeals, which covers Montgomery, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene and Miami Counties. I do have opposition in this election.
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JCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest
A letter from Judge Jeffrey E. Froelich
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JUDGE
COURT APPEALS COURT OF OF APPEALS Experience-- Integrity Integrity --Judgment Experience Judgment
Paid for by the Re-elect Judge Froelich Committee judgefroelich.com Paid for by the Re-elect Judge Froelich Committee Paid for by the Re-Elect Judge Froelich Committee, Gary Froelich, Treasurer, 2310 Far Hills Ave., Suite 1812, Dayton, OH 45419
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
PAGE 13
KVELLING CORNER Rachel Haug Gilbert Dr. Felix Garfunkel has just self-published his memoir, From Czernowitz: A Life in Three Continents, Memories of a
Survivor. In it, he relates how his childhood in Romania was shattered during the Holocaust, how he survived a ghetto, slave labor, forced marches, and ultimately, a concentration camp. He and his wife, Dr. Erika Garfunkel, also a survivor, met and married in Ecuador where he studied medicine and she studied
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dentistry. In 1958 they relocated to Ohio where they rebuilt their lives. Felix dedicated the book to his parents, Frieda and Marcus Garfunkel. Among the honorees at the 37th Annual Friendship Dinner of the National Conference for Community and Justice will be Temple Israel’s Rabbi David M. Sofian, who will receive an NCCJ Humanitarian Award. The dinner will be held on Oct. 27 at the Sinclair Ponitz Center. NCCJ aims to eliminate bias, bigotry and discrimination through education and advocacy. Larry Burick is a chair for the dinner and committee members include Beth Adelman, Elaine Bettman, Beverly Louis, and Gayle Moscowitz.
Synagogue Donor Dinner are Angela and Joel Frydman, who will be feted for their service to the congregation on Nov. 9. Dinner chairs are Melinda and Bill Doner and Susan and Stanley Katz. Rachel Wilson has landed the lead role in Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire. Rachel will play Margaret Walsh, a lifelong resident of a blue collar Boston neighborhood. Good People was voted best play in 2011 by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards. The show runs weekends Oct. 3-19.
Les Misérables productions have played in 42 countries including Israel. And now Dayton’s own Courtney Honorees for this Cummings will year’s Beth Abraham Rabbi David M. Sofian appear in the role
Loving care for grandma ...
Joel and Angela Frydman
of Éponine in the Dayton Playhouse and Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra production of Les Mis. The show runs Oct. 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at The Dayton Masonic Center. Amanda Cohn, granddaughter of Natalie and Franklin Cohn, received the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence for the 2013-14 school year at Great Neck South Middle School in New York. Send your Kvelling items to kvellingcorner@gmail.com or to Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Drive, Centerville, OH 45459.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
ISRAEL: As summer changes to fall, we listen and watch
Jewish Federation of GREATER DAYTON Thursday, October 23 › YAD @ Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 8PM @ the Schuster Center 1 West 2nd St., Dayton Wednesday, October 29 › Interfaith Conference on Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence 9AM – 4:30PM @ University of Dayton River Campus 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., 45469 Registration required online at westohioumc.org/conference/ event/interfaith-conferencehuman-trafficking-anddomestic-violence November 9-11 › Annual General Assembly Washington D.C.
YAD SEES NEW LEADERSHIP
Ehud Borovoy’s role at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton was recently expanded to include overseeing YAD (Young Adult Division). In addition to social and sporting events, Ehud plans to expand the program to include cultural, educational and networking events. “I am very excited to take on this new role,” says Ehud. “I believe YAD is a great program with a lot of potential to help Jewish young adults grow in our community.”
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
It has been a summer of turmoil. The events of the 50 Day War have left us with so many thoughts and concerns. The big question that I must ask myself is, as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton and a strong supporter of Israel, what we can do as a community and as individuals moving forward? BECOME MORE INFORMED. We hear in passing, sound bites and often perfunctory comments from the “mainstream” media. Their information to report is
limited and their scope defined by the lack of focus on radical Hamas, the complexity of Palestinian life and the many political issues of the region. As individuals we can seek out those who are telling all sides of the story and make sure we know as much as possible. (One of the best commentaries
that I have read can be found at tabletmag.com, An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth, by former AP correspondent, Matti Friedman). SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT ISRAEL. We must continue to demand the support of what is important to our global Jewish community by whoever is in power. We will keep you updated about the progress being made here and who is supporting Israel. BE AWARE. While the
threat of anti-Semitism is strongest in Europe, we are seeing voices and acts of hate emerging in other parts of the world and in the U.S. This is the most challenging aspect of the summer’s unfolding incidents. As a Jewish community, we continue to be informed about what is going on world-wide as well as any local or national security concerns. What to do with this information is two-fold. First, we must remember that being aware and prepared is the first line of defense for security. Being aware is
also crucial in combating anti-Semitism. Next, we can support all the Jewish organizations working diligently to insure that the Jewish people continue to live free and safe lives. We will continue to inform, provide educational opportunities and support for our global Jewish community. You have my total commitment to that. To sign up for our Israel email updates please visit jewishdayton.org/ israelincrisis. — Cathy Gardner
SAR A KLABEN: MY LIFE IN ISRAEL As a native Daytonian, friends and family are always asking me about life in my new home, Tel Aviv, Israel. When I came back to Dayton to visit this August, the questions were a bit different. I am honored to be able to share my experiences about life in Israel during this difficult time with the Jewish community that shaped me into who I am.
everyone returns to their desks, their cappuccinos, or pushing their strollers down the street. What is the general "feeling" over there?
As we all have learned, Israelis are extremely resilient – they have a special way of using dark humor or minimizing the situation and this allows them to go on, even when things are rough. I have How has the war affected to say that after my four years living in Israel, this my daily life? resilience has rubbed off In Tel Aviv almost evon me and I would not erything is continuing as usual – I've been working, have it any other way. People in Tel Aviv or Jerugoing to the beach, and salem are a bit distracted seeing friends. Sirens with all of the news and interrupt my daily activities, usually no more than constant updates, but they are portraying "business once a day. These sirens as usual." In the South pierce the sky for around of Israel, the situation is one minute and twenty much more difficult as seconds before (luckily) many families living near hearing the boom of the Iron Dome – so we get out the Gaza border have left their homes for extended of bed, out of class, out of periods or are constantly work, off the street and staying in the bomb shelgo to designated shelters ters since they have less as soon as we hear the than 15 seconds to reach siren. A few minutes after shelter. Specifically, for the booms of the Iron Dome, everyone goes back the residents of the south, they have been suffering to whatever they were from these rocket attacks doing. This important on and off for fourteen part of the daily routine years. Businesses all over is something that is hard Israel are suffering as the to see from outside Israel so I'd like reiterate that we numbers of tourists have dropped dramatically and may be in the shelter for 5-10 minutes but after that even business travelers
in other industries are not making the trip. Politically, there is less discourse from anyone relatively close to the center – it makes no difference if you are left, right or somewhere in the middle – you still have family and friends serving in Gaza and you are doing the same thing by sending care packages of goods and food to the soldiers and praying for their safe return.
know that they have an additional home in Israel if they should ever want or need it. We have a few minor differences, but in the end, we are all one people. During the operation, an Israeli lone soldier from the U.S. was killed in battle. He was a 24 year old LA native who had visited Israel for the first time only two years ago. Since his Birthright trip, he moved to Israel, Am I going back? learned Hebrew, joined I never had much of a connection to Israel grow- the prestigious Golani combat unit, fought, and ing up, but after coming fell for his country. I felt here to volunteer for six a certain connection to months after graduating this soldier and made college, something about the trip to Mount Herzl Israel struck a chord with me. Maybe it’s how Israel in Jerusalem to attend functions on "Jewish time" his funeral. I posted the funeral on Facebook and (not only starting everyconvinced other friends thing a little late but also working Sunday to Thurs- to join since I knew he was a lone soldier with day instead of Monday no family in Israel and I to Friday), their laid back mentality, how they always did not want him to have make sure you have a place an empty funeral. When I arrived at the funeral, I to go for Shabbat dinner, or maybe it's just the feeling found that this young man may have been a lone solthat the whole country is one big family. And it does dier, but he was far from alone. 30,000 people filled not matter if you grew up here, in France, Argentina, Mount Herzl that day to celebrate the life of someor the U.S., you are also one they never knew and part of the Israeli family – this country will always be that is exactly what Israel is all about. The same there for you as the warm phenomenon happened at and safe home for Jews of all kinds. Every Jew should a funeral of another lone
soldier in Haifa that same week. If you were in need, Israel would support you too; they would welcome you with open arms and give you all kinds of benefits to start your life here. So, right now in Israel’s time of need you can help us by standing by us regardless of your political views. You can communicate the sense of strength, resilience, and straight up grit that Israelis have. You can remind the world that Israel is a safe place to be and know that the Israeli government (and the Iron Dome) would protect you like any other citizen. You can come visit this year and promote continued tourism, which is a major part of income all over Israel to help us bounce back from economic difficulties stemming from the operation. So to answer your question – of course I’m going back and I hope to see you there on your next visit.
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2014
Jewish Community Center of GREATER DAYTON Sunday, October 12 Family Fun Hayride @ 3 - 4:30PM at Windmill Farm Market (1454 East State Rt. 73, Dayton). Don't miss the fall family fun of our annual hayride outing, full of fresh farm sights, smells, and animals! $12 per person, hayride and pumpkin, $8 per person, hayride only.
ACTIVE ADULTS: Cox Arboretum Michael Kling (Left photo), Ira Segalewitz, & Eva Clair (Right photo) enjoy a tour of the Cox Arboretum Butterfly House, by tour guide Bernadette Whitworth.
Saturday, October 18 - 19 Sleeping Under the Stars @ 8PM - 8AM at the Boonshoft CJCE. Get your bounce on as we jump around Sky Zone and then settle in for a movie and indoor camping at the Boonshoft CJCE, grades 2-5. $35 per person (includes activities and food). Monday, October 20 CABF OPENING AUTHOR Joshua Bernstein, Beer & Brats @ 7PM at Warped Wing Brewing Company. Author Sponsor: Jessup Wealth Management. Thursday, October 23 CABF EVENT Spies, Lies, and Complicated Ties @ 7PM at the Boonshoft CJCE. Friday, October 24 - 26 BBYO KIO Spirit Convention @ Camp Campbell Gard (4803 Augspurger Rd., Hamilton) Join your fellow teens for a weekend of Jewish networking, activities and fun. Contact Yale Glinter for pricing and more information at (937) 401-1550 or yglinter@jfgd.net
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Start of a new year
RIGHT: It’s a new year for new friends, furry and otherwise! Jonah Halasz (L) and Elior Ginsberg (R) meet their class pet, Daisy, during the first week of preschool in the Chaverim Cheder class. PHOTO CREDIT: PAT JONES. ABOVE: “Hey, Ho, Shabbat, Shabbat!”, Porter Studebaker, Sebastian Steiger, Teacher Karen Douglass, Jonah Dorf, Rolana Dorf, and Teacher Hope Fullen enjoy singing during the first Shabbat sing along of the new preschool year.
›Mamaloshen
A little bit of Yiddish to share with friends, courtesy of the JCC Yiddish Club, in memory of Lynda A. Cohen.
Wednesday, October 29 CABF Event Cherish the Moment @ 7PM at the Boonshoft CJCE. Author Sponsor: Hospice of Dayton.
Tretn: \TRET-en\ Verb \ Past Participle: Getrotn To step, tread, trample.
RSVPs are due at least 1 week before event. Events with no price listed are free. PLEASE CONTACT KAREN STEIGER REGARDING ALL EVENTS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE: 610-1555, ksteiger@jfgd.net
» CHECK OUT PAGE 22 FOR FULL CABF EVENT INFORMATION!
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2014
Expressions with Tretn: 1. On Gots vort, keyn trit fun ort - Without God’s word, no step [can be taken] from one’s place (i.e. the power to do even the most basic things in life comes solely from God). 2. Az men halt zikh tsu niderik, tret yener oyfn kop - If you behave too humbly/don’t believe in yourself, others will take advantage of and walk all over you (lit., If you position yourself too low, another person will tread on your head). 3. A gefalenem tret men nisht mit di fis - Don’t hit a man when he’s down (lit., You don’t step on a man who has fallen).
Coping with
GRIEF Are you coping with grief and need to talk about it and begin to live your life once again? One of the best things that you can do to help yourself in a time of grief is to talk about your experiences and feelings in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment. This program is an educational seminar and is designed to offer guidance and emotional support. The session will have structured time as well as time for open sharing by all the participants. This program is free but space is limited. The group will be co-led by Rabbi Barsky and Mary Ann Hemmert, Director of Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton. Mary Ann has led a number of grief groups in the area for Good Samaritan Mental Health Center, Greene Memorial Hospital and before she joined the Federation was employed for 10 years with the Area Agency on Aging. Mary Ann is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and has a number of years in the field of gerontology and mental health. There is no one definite point which will signal the completion of grieving, and no time at which we can say, unequivocally, “I have successfully healed after the loss of my husband or wife.” Yet, we know that a series of positive phases will enrich your life as your physical energy increases, and new roles are established. These phases may occur very gradually and often are barely discernible, yet change does occur. This healing that is taking place is real, when you no longer regard your life as those simple tasks to be gotten through during a day or a week at a time, but as your own future over which you have some control and in which you are now confident that you once again can experience pleasure. The group will continue for six weeks and is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Oct. 23, starting at 3:30 pm for an hour. The group will be meeting in a private room at the Starbucks in Oakwood. There is no charge for the group but space is limited so please call today. Please call Joyce at 937-853-0377 to reserve your place.
Jewish Family Services of GREATER DAYTON Monday, October 6 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Craft Circle Tuesday, October 7 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Musical entertainment presented by the harmonizing quartet Party of Four and More
COVENANT MANOR: Rummage Sale TOP: Covenant Manor residents Janice Compton, Mitch Ergang, and Hazel Kessler shopping at the Beth Jacob Synagogue rummage sale. PHOTO CREDIT: HYLA WEISKIND. BOTTOM: Sarah Routman, internationally known Laughter Yoga teacher made a presentation at the Covenant Manor lunch program. Those that attended were amazed to learn the many benefits of laughing, and had a chance to practice laughter exercises. A true afternoon of belly laughs for the health of it! Pictured (L-R) are Loretta Washington, Priscilla Smith and Sarah Routman. PHOTO CREDIT: JANICE KOHN.
Tuesday, October 14 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Tim Cochlin joins us for musical selections on the piano and sax Tuesday, October 21 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Wacky, Wild Wonderful Word games, and more Friday, October 24 NOON @ Covenant Manor Fresh Friday delicious home cooked meal. Prepared by Bernstein’s Fine Catering. 12:30PM Bingo Tuesday, October 28 12:30PM @ Covenant Manor Angie Hoschoeur presents the fascinating history of Dayton’s Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
ANNUAL MEDICARE ENROLLMENT IS OCT. 15 - DEC. 7 Medicare's Annual Enrollment time is when people on Medicare can review their current prescription drug and/or Medicare Advantage Plans and decide whether to retain them or select different ones that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015. The review process takes place between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 and is encouraged because plans can and will change, as will people's medical and prescription drug needs. Three "Medicare Check Up" days will be offered here in Montgomery County to help with this plan review and selection. Medicare counselors from the Ohio Dept. of Insurance will be on hand to sit down individually with people and help them review their needs and decide on a plan. This is a free service offered by Medicare
and OSHIIP, the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program. Other than Check-Up Days, anyone seeking additional Medicare information or help with plan selection can contact Connie Blum, OSHIIP's County Coordinator, at 274-4717, scblum@earthlink.net. Besides Vandalia, Hithergreen and Heck Center, people can be seen by appointment at Covenant Manor Apartments, Kettering Connection at Town and Country Shopping Center, and at locations in Huber Heights and Beavercreek Connie Blum OSHIIP CERTIFIED MEDICARE COUNSELOR
MONTGOMERY COUNTY MEDICARE CHECK UP DAYS & LOCATIONS: NORTH
SOUTH
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 10AM - 3PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
21 TIONDA DR. (off Dixie Drive in Vandalia) CALL 898-1232 FOR APP’T FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 10AM - 3PM
Hithergreee Senior Center
201 N. MAIN ST. (Englewood) CALL 836-5929 FOR APPT
»Bring a list of
Vandall Senior Center
Earl Heck Center
10AM - 3PM 5900 HITHERGREEN DR.
The JFS Bereavement Group begins October 23 at Starbucks (private room) Hills, between Rahn and Whipp) in Oakwood. If interested CALL 435-2415 FOR APP’T in attending please contact Joyce at (937) 853-0377. (off Brookmont, which is off Far
current prescription drugs.
PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL BENSON REGARDING ALL COVENANT MANOR EVENTS : 854-6319
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2014
PHILANTHROPIC FUNDS: Doing Good
Jewish Foundation of GREATER DAYTON FIVE FUN PHIL FUND FACTS » 2 ~ Average number of minutes it takes to make a Philanthropic Fund distribution request
» 5 ~ Average number of days it takes to process a Philanthropic Fund distribution » 48
~ Number of Philanthropic Funds through the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton
» $1,274,278 ~
Number of dollars granted by Philanthropic Fund holders in 2013
» Countless
~ Number of lives touched thanks to the generosity of our Philanthropic Fund holders!
The 5th Annual Art Competition in honor of Barbara Leventhal-Stern took place recently as part of the Community Art Instructor’s Course at the Western Galilee College’s Center for Art & Design. The theme was based on Barbara’s work with troubled youth as an art therapist. Students divided into teams of 2-3 and were asked to construct a papier-mâché chair sculpture fit for a child. Each team chose an animal to base their design on. Inspired by Barbara’s passion for giving back to the community, the chairs were donated to three centers that work with youth at risk in Akko. The competition was made possible through a generous grant from the Harry & Shirley Leventhal Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton. Alisa Thomas DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Legacies, Tributes, & Memorials FEDERATION
CAMPAIGN IN MEMORY OF › Eric Brown, son of Ellie Brown Marilyn and Everett Young LINDA RUCHMAN FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joan Weinberg Diane and Jim Duberstein CAROL J. PAVOFSKY LEADERSHIP FUND IN HONOR OF › Birth of Ella Miriam Scharg, great granddaughter of Cissy Ellison Marlene Miller ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND IN HONOR OF › Birth of Ella Miriam Scharg, great granddaughter of Cissy Ellison Marilyn Stayman › Special birthday of Ed Kress › Special birthday of
Joe Bettman › New grandson of Julie and Marc Katz › Speedy recovery of Jerry Kantor Carole and Bernard Rabinowitz IN MEMORY OF › Mother of Jackie Sprinces Wong Debby Goldenberg
› Special birthday of Andy Schwartz Sara and David Shuster
PJ LIBRARY FUND IN HONOR OF › Special birthday of Ed Kress Ellie and Bob Bernstein Renee and Dr. Frank Handel Marla and Dr. Stephen Harlan Marilyn and Larry Klaben Elaine and Matthew Arnovitz Sara and David Shuster Cheryl and Rick Carne › Birth of two granddaughters to Mary and Dr. Gary Youra › 50th wedding anniversary of Susan and Don Zulanch Marcia and Ed Kress
JOAN AND PETER WELLS FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH FUND IN MEMORY OF › Joshua Levine Joan and Peter Wells › Leonard Solganik Cathy Gardner
JEWISH FEDERATION of GREATER DAYTON AGENCY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 2014
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF › Stuart Lipp Kathy and Marc Gordon JCC
ACTIVE ADULTS FUND IN MEMORY OF › Rudy Levandofsky Sylvia Linsker
EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND IN HONOR OF › Birth of daughter, Ilana to Emily and Ryan Snyder › Birth of Ilana Snyder, granddaughter of Mary and Dr. Gary Youra Jane and Dr. Gary Hochstein FAMILY SERVICES
SENIOR SERVICES IN MEMORY OF › Eric Brown, son of Ellie Brown Carolyn and Melvin Caplan SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE IN HONOR OF › Good health to Arlene Stine › Full recovery of Sarah Naomi Weiskind Hyla and Dr. Raymond Weiskind › Full recovery of Sarah Naomi Weiskind Arlene and Dr. David Stine
SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONOR OF › 55th wedding anniversary of Bobbie and Jack Myers Susan and Jonas Gruenberg FOUNDATION
JEREMY BETTMAN B’NAI TZEDEK FUND IN MEMORY OF › Stuart Lipp Jean and Todd Bettman
Donating to an endowment fund is a wonderful way to honor someone. To make a contribution, call Sheila Myers at 937-610-5538. Let us know what fund you would like to donate to, or we will be happy to help you choose a fund.
A beer course worthy of study
$35 per person (includes d food).
ctober 20 NING AUTHOR rnstein, Beer & Brats Warped Wing Brewing uthor Sponsor: Jessup agement.
October 23 NT and Complicated M at the Boonshoft
ober 24 - 26 Spirit Convention mpbell Gard urger Rd., Hamilton) llow teens for a Jewish networking, nd fun. Contact Yale pricing and more n at (937) 401-1550 or gd.net
y, October 29 nt e Moment @ 7PM hoft CJCE. Author spice of Dayton.
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By Marc Katz Special To The Observer Not everybody gets to make a good part of his career drinking beer, but Josh Bernstein has managed it. He’ll be glad to tell you how when he opens the JCC’s Cultural Arts and Book Festival with a beer and brats event on Oct. 20. He is the author of The Complete Beer Course, which he’ll talk about at the Warped Wing Brewing Co. downtown. All the beer served will be kosher, as will be the brats. It will be a learn-and-taste evening. Bernstein’s story doesn’t include work as a bartender or drunken brawls, but it does include his acquiring a taste for beer and being able to wrap that knowledge into a freelance drink, food and travel writing career, which at least subliminally was his goal in the first place. Bernstein moved to Dayton with his family when he was 7. His mom, Maryann, was a longtime director of nursing at Covenant House, while his father, Dr. Jack, was with the Veterans Administration working in the area of infectious diseases. His parents live in Englewood. A Northmont High School graduate, Bernstein now lives with his wife and infant daughter in Brooklyn. He had no major plans when he graduated from Ohio University in 2000 with a degree in magazine journalism. That seemed OK when he took off with some friends on a cross-country road trip that ended badly. He was left with his gear in a parking lot in Great Falls, Mont. on the first day of autumn. He made two phone calls: the first to a friend in New Mexico who didn’t answer, the second to a friend in Boulder, Colo., who did. He stayed on a basement couch for two weeks, then called another friend in New York who also had an extra bedroom. “I had a series of forgettable temp jobs and after awhile, I thought I should be using my journalism degree,” Bernstein said. “I started pitching newspapers and
SPONSORED BY FIFTH THIRD BANK
Carsten Peter
EXTREME PLANET
February 16, 2015 Victoria Theatre
Photograph by Carsten Peter
Beer maven/author Josh Bernstein
magazines.” He was staying deep into the night at bars, then writing stories about the experiences. They were good enough to be purchased, and after awhile, Bernstein found he wanted shorter stays in bars, giving him more time to write. His byline has appeared in Bon Appetit, The New York Times, and Wired. “Around 2004-05, I saw this flowering of the beer culture in America,” Bernstein said. “I started writing about craft beer.” Although craft beer has a small share of U.S. sales — about 7.8 percent — it is growing, especially in the Dayton area. He also wrote a book about that, Brewed Awakening. Bernstein still drinks mass-brewed beer, but prefers craft, or smaller breweries. One thing he won’t do is tell a person he or she should be drinking something else. “The worst thing to say to get someone to try something new is tell them they’re wrong,” Bernstein said. “I try to provide comparison points. “If you don’t like a beer, don’t feel obligated to drink it. It’s an affordable everyday luxury. You can go to a corner store and get a well-crafted beer for $2 a bottle. You can go to a bar and for $5-6 bucks, have a great experience.” The best way to find out about beer, he said, is to try as much as possible, with one caveat. “Beer is great. Waking up with a hangover is not.” The JCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest opens with Josh Bernstein, Beer & Brats on Monday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St., sponsored by Jessup Wealth Management. The cost for kosher brats and beer is $15 in advance, $20 at the door; the cost for brats only is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. R.S.V.P. to 6101555 or at jewishdayton.org.
David Doubilet & Jennifer Hayes
CORAL KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES OF ICE March 23, 2015 Victoria Theatre
Photograph by David Doubilet
Cory Richards
UNTAMED WILD April 20, 2015 Victoria Theatre
Photograph by Cory Richards
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
PAGE 19
Trust Furst Florist for your High Holy Days centerpieces.
The making of a real spy The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames by Kai Bird • 2014 • Crown • 448 Pages • $26 grades 2-5. $35 per person (includes activities and food). Monday, October 20 CABF OPENING AUTHOR Joshua Bernstein, Beer & Brats @ 7PM at Warped Wing Brewing Company. Author Sponsor: Jessup Wealth Management.
Book Review by Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Our idea of what spies actually do is deeply tainted by a century or so of novels and movies, some better than others but all of them fictional. The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames by Kai Bird, by contrast, is the real thing. And yet for all of its careful attention to facts, The Good Spy is fully as colorful and compelling as the very best imaginary spy stories on the Thursday, October 23 CABF EVENT Spies, Lies, and Complicated Ties @ 7PM at the Boonshoft CJCE.
Expires 12.31.2014
Friday, October 24 - 26 BBYO KIO Spirit Convention @ Camp Campbell Gard (4803 Augspurger Rd., Hamilton) Join your fellow teens for a weekend of Jewish networking, activities and fun. Contact Yale Glinter for pricing and more information at (937) 401-1550 or yglinter@jfgd.net Wednesday, October 29 CABF Event Cherish the Moment @ 7PM at the Boonshoft CJCE. Author Sponsor: Hospice of Dayton.
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May You be Sealed for a Good Year on Yom Kippur
bookshelf or the screen. A Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer (American Prometheus, co-authored with Martin J. Sherwin) and a gifted memoirist (Crossing Mandelbaum Gate), Bird allows us to see how the real-life exploits of CIA clandestine agent Robert Ames figure in the vast and tumultuous history of the modern Middle East. With a novelist’s eye for the telling detail and a scholarly commitment to telling the whole truth, Bird has produced a masterpiece.
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CIA operative Robert Ames
The story opens on the day in 1993 when President Bill Clinton welcomed Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat to the White House lawn for the signing of an historic (if also ultimately futile) peace accord. “It had all started decades earlier when a young CIA officer named Robert Clayton Ames had cultivated the first highly secret contracts between the United States and the Palestinians,” Bird explains. “Ames paved the way for the peace accords — and for his dedication to his spy craft and his work as an intelligence officer, he’d been murdered in Beirut on April 18, 1983, in the first truck bomb assault on a U.S. embassy.” The making of a spy, as it turns out, is more akin to the subtleties and contradictions of a John Le Carré plotline than to the stylish fantasies of Ian Fleming. “(Ames) was selfeffacing and not afraid to speak up, a cynic and an idealist, a good old boy and an intellectual, a moralist and a problem solver,” one diplomat who knew him said. “Put it together and he was one of the best spooks I ever met.” Among the insights Bird provides is how little a real-life spy resembles James Bond. Ames was a married man with young children at home, and he shunned the carnal temptations of the exotic places where he was stationed, “preferring to spend his free time either practicing his Arabic in the Continued on Page 28 The JCC Cultural Arts & Book Fest presents PulitzerPrize winning author Kai Bird, Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 Versailles Dr., Centerville. The cost is $5 in advance, $8 at the door and includes a reception with Middle Eastern cuisine following Bird’s talk. R.S.V.P. to 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
Inspiration in times of great darkness your ability to love and be loved. Galut By Michelle Tedford crushes and destroys the human spirit... Special To The Observer Galut has emptied my dream bank and In the darkest part of his life, Neil poured water on the flame of hope.” David Schwartz found reason to hope. If we are lucky, he He’s sharing that hope with others said, we pray for a good through his writing and public speaklife and our prayers are ing around his memoir, What If Tomoranswered. row Never Comes? But what happens “My mission in life is to inspire peoto your faith when ple, especially in times of great darkyou pray for the most ness,” said Schwartz, who suffered the important things in the death of two family members within world and the answer is three months. “There is another chapter only silence? out there, and there is hope.” Neil David Schwartz continued Schwartz will bring his message of Schwartz to pray. But he had to hope to Dayton on Oct. 29 as part of realize that God “cannot be the Cocathe JCC’s 2014 Cultural Arts and Book Cola God” that dispenses answers to Festival. every prayer. There is a greater mystery Until 2010, Schwartz said, his family’s life “was nothing but sunshine and in the universe that remains to be discovered, he said. flowers.” He had He also began to write. a happy marriage, What would become his memoir a successful career started as a cathartic journaling process as a trial lawyer, suggested by a therapist who counseled and two accomthe family after Amy’s diagnosis. plished adult Schwartz said he had written more children. than 2,000 pages when those who knew Then his daughter, Amy, was dihim suggested he turn it into a book agnosed with a rare and deadly lung about his journey. cancer. The book has helped him heal, he A year into Amy’s fight, Schwartz’s said, both in writing and through meetwife of 32 years, Joanne, died in her sleep of a stress-induced cerebral-vascu- ing others who share their stories about fighting grief, despair and loss. lar incident. At his Dayton talk, Schwartz said This left Schwartz in unfathomable he’ll follow the formula he’s used at grief but with the responsibility of takother public readings. He’ll share words ing over the primary caregiving for his from the book about his daughter during the last journey and continuing three months of her life. struggle out of spiritual It was a dark journey, he galut. said, but it was also a lovHe’ll discuss the role of ing gift in the way he was prayer and faith in emergable to connect with his ing from the darkness. And daughter during her final he’ll share what he calls months. Schwartzie’s Toolbox for “Her strength will Survival. always be an inspiration to While he does not have me,” he said. all the answers, Schwartz During his daughter’s illsays he has learned things ness and after both deaths, that have allowed him to Schwartz recognized that live again. he was living in galut. One is the concept of Galut is a Hebrew word the legacy of immortality. for exile. It is often used as As individuals, our legacy includes the a physical exile, but for Schwartz it was things we’ve created and all the people a spiritual disconnect. we’ve touched, he said. It gives him Schwartz said he learned about galut solace, he said, to know that Joanne and as a young man through his studies of Amy’s legacies as teachers include all Kabalah, Jewish mysticism. He recognized the despair in his life as a struggle the students they helped. He also discovered that he wants of a person out of sync with his soul. to reform his own legacy, focusing on In his book, Schwartz writes, “Galut divests you of your dreams, your hopes, what is most important in life. That includes this opportunity to share his The JCC Cultural Arts & Book story in hopes of helping others. Fest presents author Neil David He still fights the darkness, he said. Schwartz on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at But he has found rays of light, includ7 p.m. at the Boonshoft CJCE, 525 ing meeting a wonderful woman and Versailles Dr., Centerville, sponsored remarrying. by Hospice of Dayton. The cost is $5 “I’m sharing my story,” he said, “and in advance, $8 at the door. R.S.V.P. I hope I can emit some positive energy, to 610-1555 or at jewishdayton.org. that there is life and sunshine.” THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
LIFECYCLES
Shane-Vernick Felice and Michael Shane announce the engagement of their daughter Lindi to Adam Vernick, son of Susan and Leonard Vernick of Baltimore. Matan Yosef Ginsberg Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg and Hazzan Jenna Greenberg, along with big brothers Ranon and Elior, welcomed their newest addition, Matan Yosef, on Aug. 3, 7 Av. He was 9 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. Paternal grandparents are Tina and Michael Strauss-Hoder of Wilmette, Ill., and Kenneth Ginsberg of Mesa, Ariz. Maternal grandparents are Dr. James and Linda Greenberg of Pittsburgh.
Lindi is the granddaughter of Arlene Furst and the late Rafael Furst, and Roberta Shane and the late Phyllis and Sidney Shane. Adam is the grandson of Eudice and Leonard Tucker and the late Rose and Morris Vernick. Lindi attended Indiana University for her undergraduate degree and graduated magna cum laude from DePaul University College of Law. She is currently an attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. Adam attended Boston University and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and works as an attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. An April 2015 wedding is planned in Dayton. The couple resides in Cincinnati.
Jordan Elyse Poch Eric and Sheri Poch announce with great pride that their daughter, Jordan Elyse Poch, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Oct. 18 at Temple Israel. Jordan was an honor roll student at Northmoor Elementary. Currently, she is a seventhgrader at Northmont Middle School and participates in soccer, basketball, piano, singing lessons, safety patrol, peer mediation, and the Computer Operator Personal Specialist program, and she is certified in CPR through the American Red Cross. For her mitzvah project, Jordan became a volunteer for Hospice of Dayton and donated books she collected from neighbors to Dayton Children’s Hospital. Jordan is the big sister of Alayna Poch, great-granddaughter of Lucile Levine of Stamford, Conn. and
the late David Levine, the late Jack and Freida Leet of Dayton, the late David and Bessie Froug of Ft. Lauderdale, the late Leon and Elsie Poch of Jamaica, N.Y.; granddaughter of Col. Richard and Honore Poch of West Chester, Pa., Phyllis Froug of Dayton, and Ronald Froug and the late Gloria Kobrin Froug of Mission Viejo, Calif.
Send lifecycles to: The Dayton Jewish Observer, 525 Versailles Dr. Centerville, OH 45459 • Email: MWeiss@jfgd.net There is a $10 charge to run a photo. Please make checks payable to The Observer.
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Abigail Hannah Zied Abigail Hannah Zied, daughter of Eric and Dena Zied, will be called to the Torah on Oct. 25 as a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel. Abigail is the granddaughter of Howard and Renee Mason of Cincinnati, and Ernest and Marci Zied of Canton, Ga. She is a seventh-grade student at Springboro Junior High. Abigail is involved in Girl Scouts and is an avid soccer player. In her spare time she is often found reading a book, riding bikes, and socializing with her friends. For her mitzvah project, Abigail has been volunteering at Circle Tail, an organization that trains service dogs for the hearing impaired. Abigail recently donated her beautiful hair to Locks of Love to help make wigs for children with cancer.
WYSO Fall Membership Drive October 20th - 26th
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
PAGE 23
October
Tishri/Cheshvan Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement Oct. 4/10 Tishri The holiest day on the Jewish calendar, marking the end of the Days of Awe, spent fasting and in prayer. The sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn, signals the end of the holiday.
Sukkot, Festival of Booths Oct. 9-15/15-21 Tishri Named after the huts the Jews lived in while wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Marked by building sukkot to eat meals in during the festival, and in the synagogue by processions with the lulav (palm branches with myrtle and willow) and etrog (citron fruit). Shemini Atzeret
Eighth Day of Assembly Oct. 16/22 Tishri Either the final day of Sukkot, or a distinct holiday immediately following Sukkot, depending on interpretation. Historically, it allowed an extra day in Jerusalem for Jewish pilgrims on their journey to the Temple. Tefillat Geshem (the prayer for rain), Hallel (Psalms of thanksgiving and joy), and Yizkor (memorial prayers) are recited.
Simchat Torah
Rejoicing of the Torah Oct. 17/23 Tishri Annual cycle of reading the Torah is concluded and a new cycle begun. Celebrated in the synagogue with singing, dancing and Torah processionals.
Torah Portions
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RELIGION
CONGREGATIONS
Who will live and who will die?
Beth Abraham Synagogue Conservative Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Monday through Friday 6:50 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Fri., 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org
By Dasee Berkowitz, JTA JERUSALEM — My kids are the first to tell me that God does not have a body. “But how can He write us in a book of life? God isn’t like a person, Ima (Mom)!” Indeed. The image of an anthropomorphic God is rife, however, throughout the Machzor, the High Holy Days prayer book. God sits in judgment, counts our deeds and records them in a grand book that captures the narrative of our past year. And while the image is one that even our children may question, the metaphor is a daunting one.
Perspectives Particularly poignant is the Unataneh Tokef prayer, which we first see in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy and then again on Yom Kippur. Allegedly written by the 11th-century sage Rabbi Amnon of Mainz, it begins, “on Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed.” Next come the dreadful musings of the author: “Who will live and who will die? Who will rest and who will wander? Who by fire and who by water?” The poem evokes a particular feeling of angst for synagogue-goers the world over, putting us in direct confrontation with our own mortality. And while we may find the poem theologically problematic — the tension between our free will and God’s providence — it remains a focal point of our High Holy Days experience. In that moment, the curtain falls away and we are alone as we face ultimate meaning. Will we actually die this year? Will we become infirm or impoverished, or have our lives degraded in another way? Will we lose those we love? Could we have imagined that one year ago, when we were last confronted with this prayer, that we or our loved ones would have encountered difficult trials? With the benefit Erev Yom Kippur/Shabbat Oct. 3: 6:58 p.m.
The encounter with death makes our own lives so much more vivid. Ernest Becker knew this well when he wrote Denial of Death back in 1973. We put up so many defenses in our day-to-day lives to feel safe and secure, to think it will of hindsight, would we have all last forever and we deny the acted any differently, been fact that at the end of the day, more compassionate and lovwe are all ultimately very fancy ing? worm feed. Since moving to Israel this Becker wrote, “Man cuts summer with my family, I out for himself a managefeel like a confrontation with ultimate meaning is not limited able world...he doesn’t bite the world off in one piece as to the High Holy Days — esa giant would, but in small pecially when you move with manageable pieces, as a beaver your husband and three kids does...he learns not to expose during a war. himself, not to stand out... When I had made aliyah the result is that he comes to (immigrated to Israel) 20 years exist in the imagined infallibilearlier, I was single. I lived through the hope of peace with ity of the world around him. He doesn’t have to have fears the Palestinians and the Oslo when his feet are solidly mired Accords, which too soon gave and his life mapped out in a way to despair when Yitzchak ready-made maze.” Rabin was assassinated. This is how so many of us There were other painful behave during 11 months of the interruptions to an otherwise year. But in the month of Tishri, carefree life of a young woman as we prepare for Rosh Hashain her 20s — the second intinah and Yom Kippur, we have fada, bus bombings, death of an opportunity to take away friends. While it was dangerthe artifice of ous living here, our manageable uncertainty was Having a death and prescribed something we consciousness lives and face faced daily and makes us our mortality dilearned how rectly. Like with to cope with. healthier, more the Unataneh Friendships real, more daring. Tokef poem, the were stronger answer to the and plans to go, to do, to experience and to love question of “who will live and who will die,” as Rabbi Edwere a part of a daily calling to make meaning. The raw beauty ward Feinstein notes, is “me.” Having a death consciousof life was fully seized, in part ness makes us healthier, more because the fear of life’s end real, more daring. We stand was all too palpable. up for what we believe in, we With a family, especially repair broken relationships, during the most recent bout and we take risks — by caring with Hamas, we face ultimate meaning by realizing how little about people and causes that need us. is in our control. While we Your life is happening right build a secure framework for now. The metaphor of God our children of schools, playcounting our deeds in the Book groups and enrichment activities, ultimately the future is un- of Life during the High Holy Days enables us to make our certain. No Israeli will tell you otherwise. I might think that as lives count. a parent I have a godlike ability Dasee Berkowitz is a Jewish to protect my children, but I know in my heart that I am like educational consultant and writer living in Jerusalem. a giant in their eyes only.
Candle Lightings
Oct. 18/24 Tishri Bereshit (Gen. 1:1-6:8)
Erev Sukkot Oct. 8: 6:50 p.m.
Shabbat, Oct. 10: 6:47 p.m.
Oct. 25/1 Cheshvan Noah (Gen. 6:9-11:32)
First Eve Sukkot Oct. 9: 7:46 p.m.
Erev Shemini Atzeret Oct. 15: 6:39 p.m.
Erev Simchat Torah Oct. 16: 7:36 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 17: 6:36 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 24: 6:27 p.m. Shabbat, Oct. 31: 6:18 p.m.
Beth Jacob Congregation Traditional Mornings: Sun., Mon., Thurs., 7 a.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m. Evenings: Sun. through Fri. 7 p.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 274-2149. BethJacobCong.org Temple Anshe Emeth Reform Rabbinic Intern Tina Hughes 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Call Eileen Litchfield, 937-5470092, elitchfield@woh.rr.com. Correspondence address: 3808 Beanblossom Rd., Greenville, OH 45331. ansheemeth.org Temple Beth Or Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator David Burstein Fridays 7:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat 4th Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 435-3400. templebethor.com Temple Beth Sholom Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz See Web site for schedule. 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. thetemplebethsholom.com Temple Israel Reform Rabbi David M. Sofian Rabbi/Educator Karen Bodney-Halasz 1st & 2nd Fri., 6 p.m. Other Fri., 7:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat 4th Fri., 6 p.m. Sat., 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 496-0050. tidayton.org Temple Sholom Reform Fridays 6 p.m. 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES Chabad of Greater Dayton Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon, Teen & Young Adult Prog. Dir. Rabbi Hershel Spalter. Beginner educational service Saturdays 9 a.m. adults, 10 a.m children. Sundays 9 a.m. Tuesdays & Wednesdays. 6:45 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 643-0770. www.chabaddayton.com Yellow Springs Havurah Independent Services 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10-noon. Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Cheryl Levine, 937-767-9293.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
FOOD Shannon Sarna
Taking it outside for Sukkot Chopped Kale Salad with Apple and Roasted Beets
Hearty fall tastes for Festival of Booths By Shannon Sarna MyJewishLearning.com During the summer we all relish al fresco dining. The moment we can bring our meals outside is always a happy one, and we schedule the summer months with picnics, barbecues and rooftop cocktails as much as possible. Then the autumn arrives, and we box up our plasticware and move indoors. But Sukkot offers us such a beautiful moment to extend our time outside and enjoy the tastes of early fall. Give me a salad with some roasted beets and I am a happy lady. The Chopped Kale Salad recipe with Apples and Beets is satisfying and sweet with crunch from some walnuts and a hint of tartness from dried cranberries. The kale is hearty and will hold up well if you need to transport it to someone’s sukkah for lunch or dinner. Apple Cider Beef Stew uses one of my favorite fall treats, apple cider, to make a rich stew that is perfect to serve on a chilly fall day over some egg noodles or rice. It’s also a great alternative to cholent for a hearty Shabbat lunch in the sukkah. Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting will have your guests asking incredulously, “are you sure these are nondairy?” And yes, they are. The sweet potato ensures a super-moist cake even without milk or butter, and the slight spice sings of fall flavors. The marshmallow frosting is super easy to make and even
more fun to toast using the oven broiler or a small hand torch if you have one. Chopped Kale Salad with Apple and Roasted Beets 3 cups chopped fresh kale 2 medium beets 1/2 apple, diced 1/4 cup chopped candied walnuts 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries Olive oil Balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and dry the beets. Place in tin foil and roast in oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until soft. Allow to cool. Remove the outer peel of beets using hands or a vegetable peeler. Cut beets into bite-sized pieces. Place chopped kale in a large salad bowl. Add beets, apple, candied walnuts and dried cherries or cranberries. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or salad dressing of your choosing. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Yields four servings. Apple Cider Beef Stew 3 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 2inch cubes Salt and pepper All-purpose flour 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced 3-4 garlic cloves 2 bay leaves 1 tsp. cinnamon Pinch crushed red pepper 2 cups apple cider 1 cup red wine 1 cup vegetable or beef stock 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
4-5 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground pepper liberally over beef. Cover beef in light coating of flour. Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or other large oven-safe pot. Brown meat on all sides and then remove from pot and set aside on a dish. Add another tablespoon of olive oil and sauté onions, carrots and garlic cloves, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add cinnamon, bay leaves and pinch of red pepper flakes, continuing to stir. Sauté vegetables until translucent. Add apple cider, red wine, stock and balsamic vinegar and let come to simmer. Add salt and pepper. Place beef back into the pot, stir and cover cooking for two hours in preheated oven. At the two-hour mark, add the potatoes. Taste the stew, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Put stew back into the oven for another 45 minutes. Serve with rice or noodles. Yields six servings. Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting 2 medium sweet potatoes 11/2 cups flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 3/4 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and wrap in tin foil. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes or until soft. Let cool. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out flesh. Place in a food processor fitted with a blade and pulse until smooth. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add puréed sweet potatoes, sugar and oil to a large bowl.
Beat on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture in batches; beat just until blended. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line and grease muffin tins. Fill muffin trays until threequarters full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool. Make frosting (see recipe below). Pipe frosting in a swirl on top of each cupcake. Using a hand-held blow torch, gently drag the torch across the frosting, toasting the frosting until just lightly brown. Yields 12 cupcakes. Marshmallow Frosting (via Jennifer Shea of Trophy Cupcakes) 8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, three to four minutes. Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, five to seven minutes. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Use immediately. Yields enough for two dozen cupcakes. Shannon Sarna is editor of The Nosher blog at MyJewishLearning.com.
37th Annual Friendship Dinner Sinclair Community College, The Ponitz Center Monday, October 27, 2014 Reception – 5:30 p.m. • Dinner – 6:15 p.m.
During the Annual Friendship Dinner, The National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ) will honor individuals and two area corporations for their personal and professional commitment to promoting understanding and respect among people of all races, religions and cultural backgrounds.
Humanitarian Awards Pastor Nan Alley Erbaugh • Rosalind Jackson, MD Donald H. Nguyen, MD • Darshan Sehbi, MD Rabbi David Sofian Youth Leadership Award Deonna Kitwana
Greater Dayton Workplace Diversity Awards Dayton VA Medical Center • Skanska USA Building Inc. Dinner Committee
Chairs: Susan Cornett, Thompson Hine LLP • Larry Burick, Thompson Hine LLP (retired) Beth Adelman, Coldwell Banker Heritage • Karen Basista, Miller-Valentine GEM Elaine Bettman, Community Volunteer • Marieta Bingatati, WilmerHale Dominique N. Davis, RP, LifePlan Financial Group, Inc. Steve Davis, Thompson Hine LLP • Michael Houser, Houser Asphalt & Concrete Beverly Louis, Community Volunteer • Kermit F. Lowery, LexisNexis Gayle Moscowitz, Community Volunteer • Stefanie Nemitz, Dayton Children’s Hospital Norman Spence, Kettering Health Network Belinda Matthews Stenson, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Michael R. Roediger, The Dayton Art Institute, Ex Officio Yu Chen Yu, PNC Bank Mary E. Tyler, The National Conference for Community and Justice
R.S.V.P. by October 3 to 222-6225
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
PAGE 25
FOOD THE JEWISH INTERNET
To play or pray? Yom Kippur is a time for soul-searching for all Jews, and that’s certainly been true for a number of Jewish athletes who have faced the dilemma of whether to compete on the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar. Although some of the most famous predicaments have involved baseball play-
Mark Mietkiewicz ers, stars from the worlds of football, tennis and even chess have grappled with the question: to pray or to play?
Baseball
Let’s start with the most famous dilemma: the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax. Would he pitch against the Minnesota Twins when Game One of the 1965 World Series fell on Yom Kippur? To get a real taste of what Koufax’s decision to sit out the game meant to North American Jews, don’t miss a lovely clip from the documentary, Jews & Baseball: An American Love Story (http://bit.ly/ksports1). Decades earlier, the Detroit Tigers’ Hank Greenberg, aka the Hebrew Hammer, made headlines when his team was in an American League pennant race. Greenberg did play on Rosh Hashanah but not on Yom Kippur. His decision was immortalized by poet Edgar Guest in that week’s Detroit
.
Free Press (bit.ly/ksports2): “Came Yom Kippur — holy fast day world wide over to the Jew, And Hank Greenberg to his teaching and the old tradition true… We shall miss him on the infield and shall miss him at the bat But he’s true to his religion — and I honor him for that!” The Tigers lost that night but went on to win the pennant.
Football
For Gabe Carimi, a 6-foot 8-inch, 292-pound left tackle for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, the question was whether to fast just before an evening game against Iowa in the Big Ten Conference opener. Carimi fasted. He then played. And he won. “Religion is a part of me, and I don’t want to just say I’m Jewish. I actually do make sacrifices that I know are hard choices (bit.ly/ksports3).” Carimi credits another Wisconsin player, Matt Bernstein, who also decided to fast right before taking on Penn State. Bernstein then chose a very unorthodox method to get rehydrated after the fast. According to the ESPN story, “The Wisconsin junior feasted on a pregame IV bag, and during the game, moved on to turkey slices, fruit and the Penn State defense (bit.ly/ksports4).”
Tennis
Just last month, the Israel Tennis Association refused to play a Davis Cup match scheduled for Yom Kippur.
When their Belgian opponents turned down Israel’s request to reschedule the game, the International Tennis Federation stepped in and ordered the Israel Tennis Association to pay more than $13,000 to cover the cost of adding a day to the tournament. In its statement, the Israel Tennis Association proclaimed, “As an institution that represents the state of Israel and its values, we…stand proud, before all those who refuse to recognize the importance of the Jewish tradition, on behalf of Israel and Jews world over (bit.ly/ksports5).”
Chess
Things went a bit smoother for Israeli chess Grandmaster Boris Gelfand. Last year, he was scheduled to compete at the London Grand Prix Chess Tournament on Kol Nidre evening. The tournament concluded in a three-way tie between Gelfand and his opponents from Azerbaijan and Bulgaria (bit.ly/ksports9). Most of us will probably never face the dilemma of deciding whether to pitch at the World Series on Yom Kippur. Our temptations are more prosaic like the one in this apocryphal tale: Sidney telephones Rabbi Levy. He says, “Rabbi, I know tonight is Kol Nidre night, but tonight the Yanks are in the playoffs. Rabbi, I’m a lifelong Yankee fan. I’ve got to watch the Yankee game on TV.” Rabbi Levy replies, “Sidney, that’s what TiVo is for.” Sidney is surprised. “You mean I can record Kol Nidre (bit.ly/ksports8)?” Mark Mietkiewicz may be reached at highway@rogers.com.
36th Annual Ryterband Symposium Author of “The Jew in the Lotus,” an account of Rabbis traveling to India to meet the Dalai Lama.
Roger Kamenetz
Monday, November 17, 2014 Wright State University, E156 Student Union, Endeavor Room Award-winning poet, author, and Professor Emeritus of English and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University
3:30 pm “The Soul of a Jewish Poet: Why Poetry Still Matters” 7:30 pm “The Jew in the Lotus: Spiritual Encounters with the Dalai Lama, a Retrospective” The Ryterband Symposium is a collaboration involving The University of Dayton, United Theological Seminary, & Wright State University. All lectures are free and open to the public.
For more information contact Mark Verman Zusman Professor of Judaic Studies, 937-775-2461 PAGE 26
LESHON IMA - MOTHER TONGUE
Kapparot Ten days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish world observes Yom Kippur. From the days of the Torah and up to the end of the fifth century, all Jewish sources referred to this day only in the plural form, namely Yom Hakippurim.
Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin The shift to the singular, Yom Kippur, occurred mainly in the liturgical poetry. Today, the name Yom Kippur is recognized universally as the proper name for this somber day. The original name, Yom Hakippurim, is mentioned eight times in the Bible. It is derived from the root kpr, meaning atone for, expiate, propitiate and forgive. It is related to the Aramaic verb kaper which has a similar meaning, and to the Akkadian word kuppuru, which means wipe off. The word kapparot (in Yiddish kappores) meaning expiatory sacrifice is also derived from the verb kaper. The custom of using an animal as an expiation sacrifice is very old. In the days of the Bible the ritual of Kapparot centered in the Temple and was officiated by the High Priest. Two goats were used in the ritual in order to cleanse the community from sin. By lottery, one goat was sac-
rificed by the High Priest and the other was sent to Azazel, an undisclosed place in the desert, carrying with it the sins of the community (Lev 16:7-10). With the destruction of the Temple, this ritual ceased. A new ritual of expiation was introduced in the seventh century in the Mesopotamian exile, where magic and sorcery were popular. Accordingly, a hen (for a female) and rooster (for a male) were waved above one’s head praying that all transgressions would magically be absolved. The bird then was slaughtered and given to the poor. Some people preferred using stalks of plants and grain to wave above their head, throwing them into the river as expiation. Many rabbis objected to these practices, seeing them as superstitious, but popular beliefs and customs prevailed. In some communities money was given for tzedakah as an expiatory act. Two interesting idioms entered the Hebrew language connected with the custom of kapparot. The first is sair laazazel, literally a goat sent to Azazel, and idiomatically meaning scapegoat. The other is ketarnegol bivnay adam, literally translated like a rooster (tarnegol), among human beings (benay adam). Idiomatically it means to be confused, not understanding what is happening in front of one’s eyes. Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin is a professor of biblical literature at Spertus College in Chicago and an adjunct professor of Bible and Hebrew at New College of Florida.
Hear this week’s Jewish news with Radio Reading Service.
Do you know someone who is visually impaired and would like to keep up on the Jewish news? Join Marshall Weiss every Sunday at noon and 6 p.m. for the Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley Radio Reading Service broadcast of The Jewish News Hour. Radio Reading Service provides audio access to newspapers, magazines and other print media for those unable to read on their own. Listeners tune in with special radio receivers.
If you know someone who might qualify to receive a Reading Service radio, call 528-6564. THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION
Mishpacha & Menschlichkeit
of prayer if it doesn’t result in ioned chairs and a good sound God’s intercession. system. The spiritual comfort This perception of God as a of being surrounded by tradiThe Jewish Family Identity Forum celestial butler suggests a need tions from your childhood. The for all ages to explore the aims, emotional comfort of being with meanings, and intended experi- people who share your values ences of Jewish prayer. Learning and aspirations or a non-judgIncidentally, the students I want Jewish education — mental atmosphere. were fascinated to learn that not Jewish indoctrination — Synagogues should be aware the Hebrew word for pray, As an emergency room A good friend recently shared that also has practical applicaof these comfort expectations physician, my husband has that he joined his synagogue for tion. From the biblical Abraham l’hitpaleyl, means to examine or and find ways to address even many opportunities to mentor its friendliness, but only got in- to the great rabbis of the Talmud judge oneself. the conflicting or unrealistic Prayer workshops could medical students and residents. volved when he started attend- to Abraham Joshua Heschel, ones while also pointing out involve creative writing, drama, that “come as you are, leave To practice good ER medicine, ing weekly to say the Mourner’s Judaism has encouraged learnstorytelling, and more, but regu- as you are” is not a synagogue he counsels that it’s not enough Kaddish. ing, exploring, debating, and lar engagement with prayer is to establish the symptoms, exMidway through the year, he challenging. aspiration. necessary for personally meetamine the patient, and diagnose realized he was attending more Today’s Jews of all ages Just like medical patients, and treat the problem. for the friendships than for the want to return to that model, to ing this expectation. congregants and the unaffiliated Kaddish. As the synagogue explore controversial issues like often expect synagogues to proEngagement reached out to invite further belief in God, the purpose of vide everything they want with I need something purposeful little or no personal investment. participation, he became more existence, the meaning of goodand relevant to do. Most people ness, and other difficult topics. Candace R. involved. But Judaism isn’t a one-way want to be part of something Today he’s an active service Jews also seek practical street or a sideline spectator Kwiatek bigger than themselves, to be leader, program attendee, and guidance about what it means sport, and synagogues have the inspired. president of the board. to live as a Jew in potential to offer a great deal to Some find this Synagogues can go a long a secular world. the community. Judaism isn’t a Good medical outcomes and way in meeting the chief expec- Synagogues have in synagogue leadPerhaps we ought to stop one-way street ership or learning. pointing fingers and start patient satisfaction require three tation of community, but it’s a the resources to additional elements: establishOthers become en- holding out our hands to begin two-way street that ultimately facilitate such or a sideline ing a personal connection with gaged when workdepends on individual involve- engagement, but to spectator sport ing at synagogue- meeting our expectations. the patient, inviting patient ment. meet their meminvolvement in their treatment sponsored food bers’ expectations Family Discussion: One way plan, and eliciting and address- Spirituality they will have to rethink the tra- pantries and shelters, tutoring the physician can elicit chief ing the patient’s chief expectaI want spirituality from my ditional lecture and Bible study programs, interfaith programs, expectations in the emergency tion, even if you can’t fulfill it. synagogue. All human beings classes and look outside the box supply collection events for room is to ask, “What were I wonder: how might these refugees, and other worthwhile you hoping that we would are inherently spiritual, havfor new approaches. key elements apply to synaprojects. While no one program accomplish today?” Not ing been created in the image At the same time, congregogues? Personal connections fits all, this is a chief expectation “What can I and the hospital of God with a soul from God’s gants will need to both request and member involvement are that can be easily met by match- community do for you?” but breath (Gen. 2:7). According and then participate in such hallmarks of synagogue life, but to Prof. Neil Greenberg in Can ing congregants’ interests with learning opportunities. “What can you and I together what about congregants’ chief community needs. Spirituality be Defined?, spiriaccomplish?” Keeping that expectations? tuality has three components: Prayer in mind, what are your chief emotion (feelings of awe, conI need meaningful prayer that Comfort expectations of your synagogue Community I want to feel comfortable. solation); cognition (values and works. My high school students and how are you playing a role As a member, I expect the beliefs about oneself, the world, recently questioned the purpose The physical comfort of cushin the response? support and camaraderie of the the meaning of existence); and synagogue community. practice (music, meditation, Synagogues must be welcom- ceremony). New & Renewing Voluntary Subscribers ing and foster relationships Certainly the synagogue, Aug. 6-28 just as they establish support through its architecture, rituals, Renewing Angels Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Soifer Art & Joan Greenfield systems for challenging times foods, teaching, and music, can Susan & Stanley Katz Jeffrey & Julie Stoller Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Harlan such as death or disaster. offer many tools to arouse or tap Robert & Vicky Heuman But a synagogue isn’t just a into your inner essence. Double Chai Current Guardian Angels Sylvia & Ralph Heyman service provider; community But it cannot give spirituality, Chuck & Dee Fried Marilyn & Larry Klaben Maxine & Jeffrey Hoffman isn’t a one-way street. It is the an innately personal process. Paula Gessiness & Jay Holland Walter Ohlmann Steve and Rachel Jacobs product of sharing, engageLynn & David Goldenberg Andi Rabiner Dr. & Mrs. David Joffe That being said, synagogues Dr. Franklin & Renee Rubin Bernie & Carole Rabinowitz Lawrence A. Lasky ment, and face time on the part should broaden their offerings Handel Dr. Nathaniel Ritter Sarah Moore Leventhal of the congregants. to include a variety of service Robert Klaben Mrs. Dorothy Shane Bert & Jean Lieberman The more you show up and settings, multiple approaches Alan & Myrnie Moscowitz Beverly Louis get involved, the more you cre- to exploring values and teachTeresa C. Wyman Current Angels Dr. David & Joan Marcus ate the community you seek. ings of Jewish tradition, and Ken Baker, K.W. Baker & Assoc. Suzi & Jeff Mikutis
Chief expectations
expanded music repertoires to encourage and facilitate those personal journeys and to address the expectation of discovering spirituality.
Myths and Misconceptions series
Literature to share The Patchwork Torah by Allison Ofanansky — A multi-generational family of sofers (Jewish scribes) rescues four Torah scrolls that are patched together into an old-new scroll. Crafted for the early elementary set, this thoughtful and heartwarming tale is a perfect Simchat Torah family read. Eating the Bible by Rena Rossner — Originally appearing in serial form in the Jerusalem Post, the recipes and commentaries in this fascinating volume bring the Torah to the table. Following the order of the Five Books, each of the easy recipes and its accompanying facts, historical notes, and thought-provoking questions is a clever culinary trigger for a discussion of the weekly Torah portion.
Subscribers Derek Inslight Alvarado Judy & John Bloom Burrelles Eileen Carr Barbara & Jack Gerbs Michael & Mary Glantz Yale & Donna Holt Bernice Klaben Barbara & Ira Kushnir Henrietta Lubow Bruce & Rita Mendelson Gary Pacernick & Peggy Weller Margie Perenic Idele J. Ports Irwin & Adele Reingold Marsha Scherr Larry & Harriet Shpiner
Skip Becker Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Bettman Michael & Amy Bloom Hy & Sylvia Blum Betty & Don Chernick Mrs. Betty Crouse Dr. & Mrs. Scot Denmark Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Feldman Esther & DeNeal Feldman Lynn Foster M.J. & Bella Freeman Eric Friedland The Gaglione Family Felix & Erika Garfunkel Kim & Shelley Goldenberg Debby & Bob Goldenberg Mark & Kathy Gordon Judi & George Grampp
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
Irvin & Gayle Moscowitz Myrna Nelson John & Sharyn Reger Russ Remick Felice & Michael Shane Zerla Stayman Dr. Marc & Maureen Sternberg Col. Jeffrey Thau, USAF, (Ret) & Rina Thau Mr. & Mrs. Ira H. Thomsen Joel & Jennifer Tobiansky Lois & Gilbert Unger Julie & Adam Waldman & Family Judith & Fred Weber Caryl & Donald Weckstein Michael & Karen Weprin Dr. Judith Woll & Ron Bernard Thank you for your support.
PAGE 27
OBITUARIES Stephen Dale Sommer, 10/1/1954 to 9/9/2014. Stephen Sommer died unexpectedly Sept. 9 at Miami Valley Hospital. Mr. Sommer was a loving husband, supportive and loving father, and a great and steadfast friend to many. A graduate of Miami University at Oxford, Mr. Sommer worked as a professional geologist for almost 30 years. His work in petroleum geology, hydrogeology, and aggregate analysis was nationally recognized for its ingenuity, originality, and effectiveness. Mr. Sommer enjoyed travel, fishing, hiking, and hunting. He was a constant explorer who loved, studied and deeply appreciated the natural world. He camped with his family several times a year. As an outdoorsman, an environmentalist, and a scientist, he held his values deeply and lived by them enthusiastically. He enjoyed paleontology, mineralogy, archeology, lepidoptery, microscopy and photography. He shared these pleasures with his wife, children and friends, sharing the knowledge he gained. He spent his free time reading, gardening, and doing carpentry, woodturning, and machining. His woodwork was beautiful. He built much of the home in which his children grew up, and was always able to help others in creative and effective ways. His taste in music was legendary among many generations, and at the time of his death he had taken up playing bass. He was an excellent cook, known among friends for the spicy salsa he canned annually. While his life was rich and his interests broad, his family was always his greatest joy. The son of Alma Yohe Sommer and Russell D. Sommer, both deceased, Mr. Sommer is survived by his wife Amy Margolin, his daughter Hannah Sommer, his son Joseph Sommer, extended family, cousins and friends.
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Yom Hashoah pioneers The making of a real spy Bernice & Ben Muler By Sam Heider in Dayton, thanks to Ben. Special To The Observer After being in Dayton for Bernice and Ben Muler were, a short time, Ben found out to us, like our own family. Ben that there were some single was the first one we met. Our Holocaust survivors living in friendship goes back more than Dayton, so he invited everyhalf a century ago. one to come every Sunday for Bernice passed away on breakfast, to our apartment. Aug. 30 in Hollywood, Fla. at He would make salami and the age of 89. Ben passed away eggs and potatoes, and everyon Jan. 27 in Hollywood at the body loved it. But after a while, age of 91. Both were Holocaust they all went their own ways. survivors. They were born in Ben was on the board of Poland and met as exiles in directors at Beth Jacob SynaRussia. gogue and a lot of Jewish Our friendship began in organizations. He was always 1951 when Phyllis and I and a great supporter of the state our 4-year-old son, Morris, of Israel, and after they moved were walking on Main Street to Florida, he continued being in Dayton with thousands of involved in Jewish causes. people. As for my own experience, Out of nowhere I hear a YidI can only say Ben, I will never dish Litvak voice, “Amchu? Du forget what you did for me. I bist a Yid, One of us? Are you a barely survived an open-heart Jew?” surgery, nish haint gedacht, it It took us completely by surshould never happen again. prise to hear someone speaking Ben came to visit me in the Yiddish. So we Dayton Holocaust Resource Center hospital almost stopped and every day and we talked for a when I came while and Ben home Ben said, “I think I would run back found a job and and forth to we will move to bring whatever Dayton.” we needed. A few weeks Nothing was later, the Muler too much for family moved Ben. He would to Dayton, and The late Ben and Bernice Muler, come up to me for a short time interviewed for the Faces of the every night, Holocaust series produced by they stayed stay with me Renate Frydman and Wright State with us, until till late at night, they found an apartment. walk with me in the hallway; Ben’s late father was a news- he kept saying, “God vet helfin, paper printer in Poland. The God will provide, you will be Dayton Daily News hired Ben alright.” and he would work there until Ben, you gave me moral he retired in 1986. support and I will never forget We became the best of you. The Torah tells us there are friends. Our children were 613 mitzvot (commandments); born and raised together. We one of the greatest is when a attended every simcha (celebraperson visits a sick person. tion) together, we ate together, Ben, you are the one who and we even slept together (but fulfilled a great mitzvah. And not in the same bed). Bernice followed up with also a And as time went by, Ben great mitzvah, she would cook became active in the Jewish special meals for me. community. I remember Ben She knew what I liked was the first one to organize because we used to eat at each a Yom Hashoah committee, other’s home. The only food we so that we could observe Yom didn’t agree on was gefilte fish. Hashoah every year, honoring Ben liked fish with salt, and I our six million Jewish people liked sweet fish, but we came who perished during the Hoto an agreement, we mixed the locaust. fish together. There was some opposition, Bernice and Ben, we love but Ben never took no for an you very much. We will miss answer, and Yom Hashoah you tremendously and we will was observed for the first time cherish your memories forever. in Dayton. There was not an May this be a living tribute to empty seat: the synagogue was your memory. packed and Ben was the main speaker. Daytonian Sam Heider is a From then on, Yom Hashoah survivor of Auschwitz and has been observed every year Dachau concentration camps.
Continued from Page 20 souk or doting on his girls.” He declined the 9-mm Browning pistol that was offered to field officers in the CIA station in Aden: “If they get you here,” he wrote to his wife, Yvonne, “it is in the back or when you’re not looking, and a gun wouldn’t do much good.” Then, too, Ames excelled at what really counts in espionage, which has little or nothing to do with gadgetry or derring-do. “Getting to know the right people was the definition of good spy craft,” Bird explains. “It was all about getting close to influential or powerful actors…Good spying was all about empathy.” Bird is capable of making distinctions between a “Palestinian patriot,” a “guerilla fighter” and a “terrorist,” even when he applies all three terms to the same man — Ali Hassan Salameh, chief of intelligence for the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Force 17 and a leader of Black September. Indeed, The Good Spy reveals how Ames, who was “ambivalent about Israel,” acted on his own initiative to open a channel of communication with some of the most consequential figures in the PLO. “You Arabs claim your views are not heard in Washington,” was the gist of Ames’ message. “Here is your chance. The president of the United States is listening.” Bird is frank about Ames’ perspective on the Middle East. The author quotes a source who thought Ames “had an overt pro-Palestinian prejudice.” Bird also acknowledges that Ames’ admiration for Salameh is “hard to explain.” Writes Bird: “He knew Salameh had done some terrible things.” Ames wrote, “When I see some of these so-called ‘nations’ in Africa like Uganda and Idi Amin, I don’t think it is fair. Here a very educated people are denied a home, while the Ugandese eat each other and have a vote at the U.N.! Something’s wrong somewhere.” More importantly, Bird insists that Ames’ success in opening a clandestine back-channel to the PLO was regarded as “an intelligence coup” at CIA headquarters in Langley, even if Nixon and Kissinger “blew hot and cold” on the initiative. The endgame, Bird argues, was the opening of direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis for a peaceful
solution to the conflict, and the whole point of The Good Spy is that Bird regards Ames as one of the American visionaries who made those negotiations possible. Yet, the overtures Ames made to his contacts inside the PLO were especially treacherous at the time. The Palestinian activists were adopting ever more violent tactics, including a civil war in Jordan and the creation of Black September, “a clandestine force to bring the war to the West.” Salameh was both the intelligence chief of the PLO’s Force 17 and an activist in Black September, and Ames tried to caution him against “carry(ing) out operations in our territory.” The caution did not prevent Black September’s notorious operations, including the murder of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Nevertheless, Bird asks us to regard both Ames and Salameh as peacemakers at heart. “Arafat could see that the channel that went through Bob Ames to the CIA leadership and ultimately to the White House, offered him the potential opportunity to gain America’s recognition for both the PLO and the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and nationhood,” Bird argues. “In this sense, Ames and the CIA had planted the seeds of a peaceful settlement.” Not surprisingly, neither Ames nor Salameh lived to see even the first doomed shoots from the seeds of peace that Bird describes. Mossad, which had tried and failed to assassinate Salameh on previous occasions in revenge for the massacre at the Munich Olympics, finally caught up with him in Beirut in 1979. And Ames, who was regarded as “Mr. Middle East” and “the ghostwriter of the Reagan peace initiative” during the early 1980s, died in the terror bombing of the American embassy in Beirut in 1983, which is attributed by Bird to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Not every reader will regard Robert Ames as a hero. After all, he cultivated some of the PLO’s most bloodthirsty terrorists as contacts and sources. But Bird makes a good case that “Ames’ calculation was a moral one.” As Bird puts it, “Dealing with bad guys is part of the spy craft.” Ames himself is the best example of the price that sometimes must be paid in doing so.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
Arts&Culture
Highlights from Rose Rare Book Collection on exhibit at UD Faculty at the University of Dayton just experienced what it’s like to be scholarly kids in an academic candy store. Members of their ranks selected more than 40 items to be displayed at UD from among thousands of rare books and manuscripts in the collection of Stuart Rose. Works on exhibit range from a first-century B.C.E papyrus scroll of the Book of the Dead to treatises by Galileo, Descartes and Kepler in the 1600s, a Shakespeare Second Folio from 1632, and numerous earth-changing ideas put forth in print in the Western world up to the 20th century. For those with an appreciation of rare Judaic books, the exhibit includes Don Isaac Abravanel’s Zevach Pesach Haggadah, the first printed commentary on the Passover Haggadah, published in Constantinople in 1505, and a 1474 edition of 12th-century philosopher Moses Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed. The Rose Collection exhibit also features an original 1947 edition of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and a handwritten note by Frank, dated Stuart Rose June 12, 1942. But Rose — who serves as CEO, chairman of the board and director of Dayton-based REX American Resources Corp. — says he never set out to collect Judaic titles per se, but rather works by the world’s most eminent authors. “I try to buy the greatest copies of the greatest books that were ever printed,” he says. “I also try to collect good manuscripts. I try to find the very high end. I have a lot of every religion’s manuscripts.” Rose says he caught the rare book bug more than 20 years ago when he was at a Sotheby’s auction house. “I didn’t really understand what rare books were, but I’ve 1474 edition of Guide for the Perplexed by 12thcentury Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides
The Sky’s The Limit Sunday, November 9, 6 p.m. Beth Abraham Synagogue Donor Dinner Honoring Angela & Joel Frydman Zevach Pesach Haggadah, the first printed commentary on the Haggadah, by Don Isaac Abravanel, published in Constantinople in 1505
learned and I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s a great hobby.” The exhibit with UD came about after Rose loaned the school his copy of the Coverdale Bible last year. Published in 1535, the Coverdale Bible is the first complete Modern English translation of the Bible and the first complete English translation in print. “They enjoyed that book and they asked if they could do an exhibition and picked about 50 of my books,” he says. “They picked 50 that were important to them, mostly for academic reasons. They’re not necessarily what I would say are the 50 most valuable.” With a network of auction houses and dealers around the world keeping their eyes open for him, Rose says several acquisitions in his collection were hard-fought wins. “I just bought A Tale of Two Cities (that) Dickens inscribed to George Elliott. It’s been a battle I’ve been working on for over a year to get it, but I think I got it as of today. We’ll see. You never know if you bought something Beth Abraham is Dayton’s only Conservative until it comes in the mail.” synagogue, affiliated with the United Synagogue of A native of New Orleans, Rose gradConservative Judaism. uated from Emory University in 1976 We are an enthusiastically with a bachelor’s degree in business. egalitarian synagogue. “I took most of my electives in EngWe also have an enerlish and went to England, and I getic had a that Keruv program reaches out to intermarried humanities professor as an instructor couples and families in our and in the Dayton that I was closest to,” he says. synagogue Jewish community. Rose says he’d like to keep his collecFor a complete schedule of tion intact for the long run. our events, go to “I don’t know what I’m goingbethabrahamdayton.org. to do with it eventually, but I enjoy it,” he says. “It’s a nice hobby because unlike tennis, my knees won’t get bad doing it. I would recommend it to anyone. It could be at any level, but in every field you can collect something.” — Marshall Weiss
Sunset In The Sukkah Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m. An evening of socializing & Sisterhood Come for Wine, Hors d’Oeuvres & Fun Free for Sisterhood members, $10 non-members. Our Gift Shop will be open. R.S.V.P.
Beth Abraham is Dayton’s only Conservative synagogue, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Men’s Club Brunches
We are an enthusiastically egalitarian synagogue. Beth Abraham is Dayton’s We also have an eneronly Conservative getic Keruv program that synagogue, affiliated with reaches out to intermarried the United Synagogue of couples and families in our Conservative Judaism. synagogue and in the Dayton Jewish We arecommunity. an enthusiastically egalitarian synagogue. For a complete schedule of Forevents, a complete our go toschedule of our events, go to bethabrahamdayton.org. bethabrahamdayton.org.
Imprints and Impressions: Milestones in Human Progress, Highlights from the Rose Rare Book Collection will be on exhibit from Sept. 30 through Nov. 9 at the University of Dayton Roesch Library. For more information, go to rosebookexhihbit.com.
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
Deborah Feldman
Michael Roediger
Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.: Deborah Feldman, President & CEO, Dayton Children’s Hospital. Member appreciation day: free to all Men’s Club members, honoring Bobby Feldman Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.: Michael Roediger, Director & CEO, Dayton Art Institute. $5 per brunch. Breakfast buffet includes lox, bagels, eggs, pastries, juice and more. R.S.V.P.
The Gates Are Still Open. Join us for Kol Nidre and on Yom Kippur day. Stay for our break the fast following Neilah. No tickets required. See bethabrahamdayton.org for our service schedule. Baby-sitting & Youth Services available.
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August 20 – School Begins
“Call them not your children, Call them your builders” -Talmud
Nurturing confident and successful learners • Exemplary secular and Judaic education • Art and science professional residency programs • Project-based learning and critical thinking • Hebrew language immersion via Tal-Am Hebrew Curriculum
Nurturing confident and successful learners www.daytonhillel.org 937.277.8966 • dankathymecoli@daytonhillel.org
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
Arts&Culture
A Fresh New Approach To Senior Living
Chagall windows inspired Joseph costume designer
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Jennifer Caprio’s Coat of Many Colors in the national tour of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Schuster Center Oct. 21-26
resenting each brother, inspired Theatregoers who attend by Chagall,” she explained. the national tour of Joseph “Each image was hand drawn, And The Amazing Technicolor and then the motifs were hand Dreamcoat at the Schuster painted onto fabric.” Her deCenter Oct. 21-26 might notice sign evolved over a familiar design several months. on Joseph’s coat: The song about the Marc Chagall’s coat in the Andrew Jerusalem windows Lloyd Webber/Tim representing the Rice musical men12 Tribes of Israel. tions 29 colors. “I Since 1962, the 12 am proud to say all windows have 29 are represented been the centerJennifer Caprio’s design somewhere on for Joseph’s coat piece of Abbell the coat,” Caprio Synagogue at the proclaimed, “but that might be Hadassah University Medical cheating because I’m including Center. Tour costume designer Jennifer Caprio created a coat of the silver for the hardware on the closures. But it’s there.” 12 panels, one for each brother. — Marshall Weiss “I filled them with motifs rep-
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Hear this week’s Jewish news with Radio Reading Service. Do you know someone who is visually impaired and would like to keep up on the Jewish news? Join Marshall Weiss every Sunday at noon and 6 p.m. for the Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley Radio Reading Service broadcast of The Jewish News Hour.
To receive a Reading Service radio, call 528-6525
Move-in Special!
Independent/Assisted Living
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Start the new year living at Cedar Village in the Oak View or Fountain View Apartments. Live in an enriching, vibrant Independent /Assisted Living community! • One and two bedroom apartments as well as studio apartments available • Three meals daily in our beautiful Garden Dining Room or Deli • Full range of activities and programs including fitness; lectures and discussion
groups; adult education; music and theatre • Chesed Corps—a group of volunteers comprised of residents and team members who do regular service projects for the community • Access to the new Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati Aquatic Therapy Center and a premier wellness and fitness program Call Rachel Hodesh, Director of Independent/Assisted Living, at 513.336.3168 for more details or to arrange a tour. This offer is good through November 1, 2014.
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THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014
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ENGAGING ISRAEL FOUNDATIONS FOR A NEW RELATIONSHIP
A Shalom Hartman Institute Video Lecture Series Led by Rabbi Judy Chessin & Israeli Native Ehud Borovoy Through video lectures, text study, and lively group discussion, we are pleased to bring the world-renowned faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute to the Jewish community of the Miami Valley. • What are the benefits of Jewish sovereignty? • How should a Jewish state exercise military power ethically? • How do we create and maintain a Jewish democracy? • Why should American Jews care about Israel? • What values should a Jewish state embody? • What can Israel offer the world? Explore the Jewish values and ideas at the foundation of our relationship with Israel.
Each session includes text study and discussion led by Rabbi Judy Chessin and Ehud Borovoy, a video lecture by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, and a video dialogue between Rabbi Hartman and other top scholars and experts.
Join us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from great scholars and from one another as we engage in thinking about the meaning that Israel can have in our lives and what our role might be in envisioning and building the future of the Jewish State.
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Open to the entire community. Tuesdays, 7 - 9 p.m. at Temple Beth Or October 14 & 28, November 11, December 9, January 13 & 27, February 10 & 24
Registration is $36 and includes the Shalom Hartman Source Book and Israeli refreshments. Scholarships available if needed. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Or.
Registration is due by October 6, 2014
Email: leslie@templebethor.com
Or mail Leslie Beers, Temple Beth Or, 5275 Marshall Road, Dayton, OH 45429
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • OCTOBER 2014