American Israelite, March 15, 2012

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Ben Gettler, an original Jewish Foundation Trustee, retires from Board The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati has announced that Ben Gettler, one of the original Trustees and first president of the organization, has retired from the Foundation’s Board.

“My concern for our Jewish community over the last fifty years has been unwavering,” Gettler wrote in a letter to the Foundation Trustees. “It is a comfort to me to know that I have been able to define my concerns, express my concerns and actively participate in the resolution of those concerns. It is, likewise, a comfort to me to know there is an equally dedicated and committed fellowship prepared to continue strengthening our community under your demonstrated and capable leadership.”

Ben Gettler was a central figure in the establishment of The Jewish Foundation in 1995, and as president, chairman and a founding Trustee, Ben’s leadership and vision helped guide the Foundation’s groundbreaking philanthropic investments in the Cincinnati Jewish community.

Since its inception, the Foundation’s assets have grown from the original $67 million corpus in 1995, to more than $77.5 million today, while during that same period he and his fellow Trustees have invested more than $60 million in local Jewish communal initiatives. As a result of the sale of Jewish Hospital in 2010, the Foundation’s overall assets have grown to more than $300 million.

“This is a watershed moment in the history of the Foundation – one that is bittersweet for me, and for my colleagues on the Board,” said Michael R. Oestreicher, president of The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. “Ben’s leadership and dedication to the Cincinnati Jewish community have been indispensable in our efforts to make the future

Ben Gettler

of this community stronger and more sustainable.”

The initiative considered to be Ben’s crowning achievement is The Jewish Foundation’s nationally recognized Israel travel grants program, which has helped more than 1,300 young Jewish Cincinnatians participate in educational experiences in Israel. Ben was the first to push for the program’s establishment, keenly understanding the role the Foundation could play in making critical Jewish identity-building Israel experiences more affordable and accessible. As a result of this initiative, Cincinnati sends more Jewish youth, per capita, on Israel programs than any other Jewish community in North America. The program’s impact was measured in

the 2008 Jewish community demographic survey, which indicated that the connection to Israel felt by younger Jews in Cincinnati is disproportionately stronger relative to their peers in other communities.

Ben’s legacy as a Foundation Trustee also includes major capital grants to the American Jewish Archives and Klau Library on the Hebrew Union College’s Cincinnati campus, The Jewish Hospital, the Mayerson JCC on The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati Campus, Cedar Village, local Jewish Day Schools and several other Jewish institutions. In addition to those capital investments, the Foundation endowed the Judaic Studies Chair at the University of Cincinnati and helped establish the Jewish

Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati.

Said Jewish Foundation Chairman Gary Heiman, one of Ben’s original Board colleagues: “Ben is a true giant in our community, and always continued to fight for issues of extreme importance, long after others had given up or tired of battle. Ben is truly a man of great strength, great perseverance, and a model of commitment and action.

For me, he is a true mentor and I have learned a tremendous amount about leadership from him.”

Ben originally joined the Jewish Hospital board in 1978, serving as chairman from 1991 to 1992. He has also held local Jewish communal leadership positions at the Jewish Community Relations Council and Rockwern Charitable Foundation.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Shabbat services with Kol Rinah, Shir Chadash, Beth Schafer The entire community is invited to enjoy a special guest, Beth Schafer, master songwriter and guest musician-in-residence, at Isaac M. Wise Temple, on Friday, March 16, during Shabbat evening services, at 6:15 p.m. to be held at Wise Center. The Shabbat service will also be enhanced by a Music Extravaganza, with Wise Temple’s congregational band, Shir Chadash, and volunteer choir, Kol Rinah, participating in the service, along with Beth Schafer. “We

anticipate a wonderful, creative spirit that will enhance our worship that evening, both from the bima with so many of our musical volunteers, with our talented and nationally-acclaimed musician-inresidence, and from the congregation itself, as members and guests add their voices and measure of joy to the music and the prayers,” commented Rabbi Lewis Kamrass.

Schafer is redefining Jewish music by combining masterful songwriting with sensitivity to

liturgy and a unique insight toward text. She specializes in music for Torah-minded adults looking for an extension to their Jewish lives through music. Schafer won the 2006 American Idol Underground Faith-Based Competition, and is using her win to create new music for interfaith communities. She is an acclaimed creative force within the Reform Movement and beyond, having performed and led worship in several Union for Reform Judaism Biennial gather-

ings of more than 4,000 participants. More than performing, her music invites a deeper invitation for the participant, and her creativity begins with a sense of joy and enthusiasm. The worship experiences that Schafer creates both at home and on the road have been described as “exhilarating” and “incomparable.” She has an innate sense of the rhythm of worship, and quickly responds to a congregation’s need to spiritually connect to one another and to God. When

she leads a group in prayer, no one is a stranger.

We invite the community to join us at Wise Temple as Schafer brings those gifts to us as our guest, and participates in services with our choir and band. Following the service, there will be a Shabbat dinner which requires advance reservation, after which she will then perform a concert. No RSVP is required for the service at Wise Center, although an RSVP and fee for dinner is required.

Wise Temple library has new documentaries for loan The Wise Temple library, which is open to all members of our community, has recently added several new documentaries to its collection.

A just-purchased film that is currently being screened at university Hillels, Jewish centers and synagogues in North America is called “Unmasked: Judeophobia and the Threat to Civilization.” Produced by Gloria Greenfield and Doc Emet Productions, (who produced the Alan Dershowitz video, “The Case

for Israel”), this documentary has drawn many laudatory comments as a “must-see” film alerting us to the re-emergence of the lethal plague of anti-Semitism in today’s world.

“Iranium” was the documentary subject of the 92nd Street Y program last November. Many people who attended that program inquired about seeing the film, and now it is available from our library. This documentary covers the revolution in Iran in 1979 and the regime estab-

lished by Ayatollah Khomeini, its attempts to spread the revolution beyond its borders, its role as a sponsor of terrorist groups, its position on the threshold of acquiring nuclear weapons, and its threats to destroy Israel. It also explains the American responses to the regime over the past 30-plus years.

The producers of Iranium have released another documentary, called “The Third Jihad: Radical Islam’s Vision for America.”

Narrated by Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a Muslim American physician—onetime physician to the United States Congress—Dr. Jasser exposes the agenda of radical Islamic groups in America. The film includes interviews with historian Bernard Lewis, former CIA director James Woolsey, New York City Police commissioner Ray Kelly, and others, as well as film clips from speeches by extremists in the West.

Finally, the documentary “Inside

Hana’s Suitcase,” a follow-up to the award winning book by Karen Levine, follows Fumiko Ishioka’s search to discover the details of the life of Hana Brady, whose suitcase in the Auschwitz Museum found its way to the Tokyo Holocaust Museum where Fumiko worked.

Hana’s brother George, who survived the Holocaust, tells his memories, interspersed with schoolchildren of today who learn about Hana and tell her story.

Gesher—Wise Temple’s family education program It truly takes a village to raise Jewish children. Religious School, tutors, rabbis, teachers, cantors the list goes on. But perhaps the most important ingredient in this sacred task are parents. For over a decade, Wise Temple has been running an innovative program to help support parents in their roles as teachers to their children. Gesher, Wise Temple’s family education program, helps bridge the gap between temple and home, offering families opportunities to learn together and participate together in a wide range of Jewish experiences. Each Gesher

class is divided by grade and consists of 20-25 families. Each Gesher grade meets with their families on Sunday mornings five times a year.

For the first hour, parents learn with the rabbis about the same topic their kids are studying in their classrooms. The second part brings students and parents together working, studying, interacting and having fun around the same topic. Each and every Gesher session is filled with creative activities, active learning, community building and tons of resources and ideas to bring home and try out.

The Gesher program involves families from second to sixth grade and connects to a particular theme and subject tied to the classroom curriculum. Starting in second grade, families explore what it means to be a mensch and what it means to be part of a community.

For third grade, it is all about holidays; how to celebrate them and bring new life and new activities into the observances. The fourth grade engages in a yearlong study of Israel, its people and places, past and future. The topics of Torah and lifecycle events are what the fifth

graders study. Finally, in sixth grade, the families learn about Jewish history, their own family history and the evolution of Jewish law.

Over the past several months we have been extremely busy. We’ve had sessions on Chanukah, Tu B’shvat and Purim. Our families have explored Jewish identity, Jewish Law and Israeli society now and into the future. Our fourth grade families created Israel “Brag Books” that they can use to teach friends and others about the uniqueness and our Jewish connection to our homeland.

Each book includes items made by

the families: maps, Hebrew words and phrases, a CD of Israeli music and even a card with the smells of Israel on it. Each book also contains activities and information for our families about Israel. Best of all, we were fortunate to have one of our community’s Chaverot m’Yisrael guiding us and sharing what life in Israel and Netanya is like and what other things about the country there are to brag about.

How wonderful it is to see so many families at Wise Temple on Sunday mornings engaged together in Jewish learning.

into a grand auditorium. Members of the Wise Temple staff—including the rabbis, educators, administrators, and the congregation’s youth choir — regaled the audience with their rendition of “The Megillah According to the Beatles.” The shpiel featured Cantor Deborrah Cannizzaro as Queen Esther, Rabbi Michael Shulman as King Ahasuerus, Rabbi Ilana Baden as Mordecai, and Rabbi

Lewis Kamrass as Haman. The cast sang Beatles-inspired favorites, such as “Rabbi Pupik’s only Purim Band,” “Esther-Day,” and “Back in the Month of Adar.”

“This year’s Purim events were filled with joy, laughter and good spirit,” noted Rabbi Baden. “It is always nice to be able to come together as a congregational community to celebrate this freilich holiday.”

Wise Temple Purim celebrations Members and guests of Isaac M. Wise Temple enjoyed several Purim celebrations last week.

In anticipation of the holiday, (e)YGOW (Excellent Youth Group of Wise) sponsored its annual Purim Carnival on March 4. While the official start time of the carnival was 11:45 a.m., the teens opened the doors to the youngest members of Wise Temple 30 minutes early so that the little ones

could get an advanced opportunity to play the games. Many children and staff members were dressed in costume, and all enjoyed this yearly opportunity to gather together for such a fun time.

Just a few days later, the congregation reconvened for the Purim holiday on March 7. Many arrived at 6 p.m. for the congregational dinner, hosted by YoFI (Wise Temple’s Young Family Involvement group).

In addition to pizza, salad and hamentaschen, participants could make their own groggers for the Purim Shpiel that followed. Another highlight of this dinner was the Children’s Costume Parade, where the kids showed off their festive attire to one another. Allison Moss and Gayle Swift chaired this portion of the evening.

At 6:30 p.m., guests gathered in the chapel, which was transformed

Joint school of NHS, Ohav Shalom have a Purim Carnival If you walked into the joint Kehilla Religious School Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 4, held this year at Ohav Shalom Synagogue, your senses would have been overwhelmed with excitement and instantly you would have known

that you were in for a good time.

The bright, colorful set-up of the room with over 30 games, booths and food tables, turned a social hall into a magical Purim playland for all ages. The smiling faces of children ranged in age

from just a few months old to children in their 70s. Costumes, crepe paper, spray in hair color, balloon animals, face painting and clowns made the room come to life.

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Potential partnership for local Jewish young adults, new international program strengthening their Jewish identities and their connections to the global Jewish community. Project T.E.N. seeks to harness that motivation and energy by connecting these passionate young adults with likeminded Israeli peers for intensive volunteer programs and Jewish and Israel education.

Through the project, Jewish young adults from the Diaspora will be partnered with Israeli young adults to participate in a three-month long volunteer program in one of a number of countries in need of humanitarian aid.

They will work to develop sustainable improvements in infrastructure and support services for the local population.

“Cincinnati is one of the only cities of its size being visited by Mr. Lahav while in the U.S.,” says Community Shaliach (Emissary) Yair Cohen, who has been instrumental in initiating a possible partnership between Cincinnati and Project T.E.N. “Because of the strength of Cincinnati’s Jewish community and its increasing ties to Israel, it is being viewed as on par with cities such as Los

Angeles and New York as a potential partner.”

The project and the specifics of such a partnership are still evolving, but the community leaders meeting with Lahav are hopeful it will lead to new opportunities for young adults in Cincinnati to form relationships with peers from Israel and engage in meaningful social action, thereby connecting further with their Jewish identities and developing the leadership skills necessary to help shape the collective Jewish future in Israel and around the world.

Mayerson Foundation helps pave the way for a more inclusive Israel—Nahal HaShofet Park

The American Israelite “LET THERE BE LIGHT” THE OLDEST ENGLISH-JEWISH WEEKLY IN AMERICA - EST. JULY 15, 1854

VOL. 158 • NO. 34 THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012 21 ADAR 5772 SHABBAT BEGINS FRIDAY 6:28 PM SHABBAT ENDS SATURDAY 7:29 PM THE AMERICAN ISRAELITE CO., PUBLISHERS 18 WEST NINTH STREET, SUITE 2 CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202-2037 Phone: (513) 621-3145 Fax: (513) 621-3744 publisher@americanisraelite.com editor@americanisraelite.com production@americanisraelite.com RABBI ISSAC M. WISE Founder, Editor, Publisher, 1854-1900 LEO WISE Editor & Publisher, 1900-1928 RABBI JONAH B. WISE Editor & Publisher, 1928-1930 HENRY C. SEGAL Editor & Publisher, 1930-1985 PHYLLIS R. SINGER Editor & General Manager, 1985-1999 MILLARD H. MACK Publisher Emeritus NETANEL (TED) DEUTSCH Editor & Publisher BARBARA L. MORGENSTERN Senior Writer YEHOSHUA MIZRACHI RITA TONGPITUK Assistant Editors ALEXIA KADISH Copy Editor JANET STEINBERG Travel Editor SONDRA KATKIN Dining Editor

by hundreds of thousands of Israelis every year. Now people, with and without disabilities, can enjoy nature together in the most accessible way possible. Thanks to Manny Mayerson’s wonderful vision and the generous contribution from the Manuel D. And Rhoda Mayerson Foundation, a new approach to inclusion is happening in Israel!” said a spokesperson.

This past January, Emma Mayerson, the granddaughter of Manuel and Rhoda, paid a visit to the Nahal HaShofet Park. Emma is also the daughter of Arlene Mayerson, who is a driving force in the civil rights movement of people with disabilities, and a primary architect of the United States’ landmark civil rights legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

MAYERSON on page 19

LEV LOKSHIN JANE KARLSBERG Staff Photographers JOSEPH D. STANGE Production Manager MICHAEL MAZER Sales ERIN WYENANDT Office Manager e Oldest Eng Th

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tions, the Nahal HaShofet Inclusive Parks Project became a model for future parks to follow. According to a report, “The beautiful Nahal HaShofet Park is the prototype for all recreational upgrades.” It sits on 20,000 acres in Menashe Heights in Northern Israel, and is considered one of the most beautiful and unique settings in the country. A trail for people with and without disabilities meanders along the Nahal HaShofet stream so visitors can see a wide variety of flowers along the riverbank as well as fig trees. A wheelchair-accessible trail that is flat and stabilized with the water level leads from the Nahal HaShofet waterfall and wading pool, past dense reeds and flour mills to a wooden path that runs along the riverbed with benches and resting spots to enjoy the spectacular scenery.

“Nahal HaShofet is one of the most scenic parks in Israel, visited

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difficult for them to take part in everyday community life.”

Pam Saeks, dDirector of Jewish Giving for The Mayerson Foundation, was part of a team that traveled to Israel as part of the parks project. “I never realized just how much we take for granted the modifications we have in our country for people with disabilities, such as ramps, curb cuts, automatic doors, elevator access and more until I saw Israel through the eyes of someone with a disability. While the country is certainly making strides, it still has a long way to go,” she said.

“That’s why I am especially proud that The Mayerson Foundation has helped to pave the way for ALL people in Israel to enjoy the parks, trails and nature there, just like everyone else!”

Thanks to a generous gift from The Mayerson Foundation, along with funds raised by other organiza-

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Emma Mayerson visits Israel’s Nahal HaShofet Park, an accessible prototype park made possible by The Mayerson Foundation.

MARIANNA BETTMAN NATE BLOOM IRIS PASTOR RABBI A. JAMES RUDIN ZELL SCHULMAN RABBI AVI SHAFRAN PHYLLIS R. SINGER Contributing Columnists

ewish N h-J ew lis

Pushing your child in a swing, walking over a bridge on a breezy spring day, skipping stones in a stream or enjoying the solitude of a hike through the woods, these are the simple pleasures in life that most people take for granted. But what if your child had a disability and wasn’t able to sit on that swing? What if you used a wheelchair and the arch of the bridge was too steep, the shore of the stream inaccessible or the nature trail too uneven for you to use?

Should the simple pleasures of life only be available to some?

Manuel Mayerson didn’t think so. And thanks to his bold vision, The Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation decided to make the problem of inaccessible parks a priority by designing a fully inclusive prototype park in Israel that would allow everyone, with and without disabilities, to experience it in the same way.

“Everyone deserves to experience a walk in the park, to experience its calming effect and to experience the awe of nature,” said Manuel Mayerson. “Unfortunately, many parks are not accessible to people with disabilities, and unfortunately, due to its many wars, Israel has more than its fair share of people with disabilities. We wanted to create a park to serve as a prototype for how parks can be designed to be welcoming to all people.”

A report released by the American Joint Distribution Committee’s JDC-Israel Unit for Disabilities and Rehabilitation states that even though “Israel has laws and regulations regarding construction and planning, which mandate easy access to public facilities for people with disabilities, these laws are not sufficiently enforced and people with disabilities find that they are unable to access public places, commercial facilities, and even some of the structures where they are supposed to receive services. This makes it

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Nir Lahav, a developer of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s new Project T.E.N. initiative, will arrive in Cincinnati on Friday, March 16.

Lahav will meet with leaders from the local Jewish community and the Jewish Federation. The goal of his visit is to build awareness of the project and discuss the possibilities for the Cincinnati Jewish community’s involvement in the launch of Project T.E.N. (Tikkun Empowerment Network).

Jewish young adults can make a difference by engaging in tikkun olam (repairing the world) and

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Hadassah’s annual Donor Luncheon Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah will hold its annual Donor Luncheon on Thursday, March 22 at the Kenwood Country Club.

Hadassah is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year, and March 22 has been declared “Home Sweet Hadassah Day,” as chapters all over the world recognize 100 years of accomplishments.

Cincinnati Chapter is also celebrating its 90th anniversary by honoring all members at this luncheon who are 90 years old and above. The program will feature a multimedia retrospective on Hadassah’s history and a fashion show. The doors will open at 11 a.m. for registration and the Hadassah Boutique, offering Hadassah cards and certificates, Vasu reusable vases and other items

for sale, with the luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In 1909, Henrietta Szold and her mother traveled to Palestine and witnessed a dreadful need for medical intervention for the people in this compelling yet desolate land.

These images haunted her, and in March 1912, she inspired her Daughters of Zion Group in Baltimore to take the name Hadassah, the Hebrew name for Esther, a leader among women who saved the Jewish people. Thanks to the backing by department store magnate Nathan Straus, two nurses were hired to travel to Palestine and set up a health station for maternity care and trachoma treatment. In 1918, Hadassah sent the first American Zionist Medical Unit to

Palestine and opened the Rothschild Hospital and the Henrietta Szold School of Nursing in Jerusalem.

From these humble beginnings, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, has grown to be the largest women’s volunteer organization in America, whose members are motivated and inspired to strengthen their partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realize their potential as a dynamic force in American society. Donor funds support projects like healthcare and medical research (Hadassah Medical Organization), education (Hadassah College Jerusalem), youth programs (Young Judaea and Youth Aliyah/Children at Risk), and environmental resource development (Jewish National Fund).

JFS’s Ann S. Burke honored as COA’s 2012 Outstanding Professional in Aging services to NORCs. She was appointed as the director of the Aging and Caregiver Services Department that same year.

“Through her leadership we have seen this department grow and prosper,” said Beth Schwartz, Jewish Family Service executive director. “Ann is highly respected

by JFS staff, colleagues within the Jewish Community, and peers in the professional network of Aging Services in our region. Ann honors all of us with her passion for her work, her knowledge, expertise, and professionalism.”

BURKE on page 20

COA award winner Ann Sutton Burke with JFS executive director Beth Schwartz

Ann Sutton Burke, MPA, CMC, Jewish Family Service director of Aging and Caregiver Services, was honored as the 2012 Outstanding Professional in Aging by Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) at its annual meeting Wednesday March 7. Commissioner Greg Hartmann, Board of Hamilton County Commissioners, presented the award before an audience of 500 professionals and volunteers in aging.

This COA award honors a person who has made a significant contribution of professional service to older adults and their families in southwestern Ohio and who has had a profound and lasting impact.

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio is one of our region’s largest non-profit organizations and is designated by the state of Ohio to be the Area Agency on Aging for the five southwestern Ohio counties. COA is responsible for planning, coordinating and administrating local, state and federally funded programs and

services for older adults.

Burke has been a leading contributor in the field of aging in Cincinnati and nationally for over 30 years. Her background includes program planning and organization in senior centers, care management, home health, adult day services, corporate elder care and caregiver services.

Burke has been with Jewish Family Service since June 2003, when she arrived to direct the agency’s newly-funded Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program. NORCs, which are neighborhoods where residents continue to live independently in their homes and communities where they are familiar, was at that that time an emerging field and has since evolved into a national movement to encourage aging friendly communities. In 2006, Burke testified about older adult issues at a United States Senate Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging hearing on the importance of providing supportive

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Ohr Chadash presents a Jewish perspective of the end of time What is the “Jewish Perspective” of the end of time?

How do the turbulent times that we live in fit into the bigger picture of history? You can find the answers to these questions on Monday, May 14, when Congregation Ohr Chadash hosts, “Lighting the Way II,” with Rabbi

Ken Spiro from Israel, who will deliver an intriguing multi-media presentation entitled “Edge of Eternity.” The presentation is meant to inspire a deep appreciation of the profundity of the Jewish People in world history.

“Ever since I first heard him speak in Israel, I have been enam-

ored with his works,” said Debbie Balk, congregation president and event chair. “I am looking forward to an event that will truly show the community how special our shul is.”

Rabbi Spiro’s quick-paced, humorous style catches and keeps an audience’s interest. He has the

ability to explain deep concepts clearly that makes an impact that lasts long after the presentation.

Rabbi Spiro is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher for Aish HaTorah’s Discovery Seminar. In addition, he is a licensed tour guide from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. Rabbi Spiro graduated

from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has an MA in History from The Vermont College of Norwich University and Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem.

Northern Hills Hazak focuses on Jews, Muslims The relationship between Jews and Muslims will be the focus when Northern Hills Synagogue –Congregation B’nai Avraham holds its monthly HaZaK program for seniors on Wednesday, March 21. The featured speaker will be Dr. Ethan Katz of the University of Cincinnati. The program will take place at the

Synagogue, at 12 p.m. Lunch will be served.

Dr. Katz is an assistant professor of History and Jewish Studies, specializing in modern Jewish history and the history of modern France and Francophone North Africa. He earned his Ph.D. in Modern European History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

in 2009. During the 2009-2010 academic year, he was a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Advanced Jewish Studies. There he was part of a working group on “secularism and its discontent,” rethinking the meaning of the secular as a category in Jewish history and thought. Dr. Katz is currently

completing a book on JewishMuslim relations in France since World War I. “HaZaK” is an acronym, with the letters standing for the Hebrew words “Hakhma” (wisdom), “Ziknah” (maturity) and “Kadima” (forward). The HaZaK programs are for adults 55 and older, and are open to the entire

community. In addition to members of Northern Hills, many attendees have come from the Jewish Community Center, Cedar Village, Brookwood Retirement Community and throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Israel Up to the Minute asks ‘What is the Jewish State?’

Israel Up to the Minute, a series of casual briefings on the current “hot button” issues in Israel, returns on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m., at the Mayerson JCC. The topic of this second session is “What is the Jewish State?” In a discussion led

by Yair Cohen, Cincinnati’s community shaliach (emissary), participants will explore what makes Israel a Jewish state.

A study released earlier in this

year found that Israelis are torn between wanting a state that reflects Judaism and Jewish law and full protecting religious and individual freedoms. While 87 percent of Israelis believe, for example, that food served in public institutions must be kosher, 59 percent also believe that public transportation should be available on the Sabbath. Moderated by Cohen, participants will look at what these

possibly opposing beliefs mean for Israel as a Jewish state.

Young adults, age 21-45, are invited to come early for the Power Half-Hour: Conversations and Libations at 6:30 p.m. in the Rockdale Temple social hall, presented by the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. In this second installment of the popular Power Half-Hour, a tasting of

international beers will be offered, along with the opportunity to mingle with other young adults interested in Israel, before attending Israel Up to the Minute, at the Mayerson JCC. Yair Cohen is the community shaliach (emissary from Israel) of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s Israel Center, funded

by The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. Cohen arrived in

Cincinnati in September 2011, after being trained by the Jewish Agency for Israel, and is primarily responsible for sustaining and strengthening the multi-faceted connections to Israel in Cincinnati through education, advocacy and travel.

The Israel Up to the Minute series continues on April 17. These programs are free and open to the public.

Get a jump on spring camps, programs, register at the JCC Spring is almost here, and that means spring break camps and spring programs at the Mayerson JCC. Now is the time to think about JCC camps and programs so you and your children will be assured a spot. Registration for spring and summer programs opens on Monday, March 19. No matter what kind of camp or class you want, the J has something for children and adults of all ages.

There are two different weeks of Spring Break Camps for grades

K – 6: March 26 – 30, and April 9 – 12. Kids can enjoy activities all throughout the J, including splashing in the waterpark, playing games in the gym, having fun and exercising in the game room, and letting imaginations soar creating art projects in the art room. Spring Break Camps are open to everyone; however, J Members enjoy a cost advantage.

The J has swim lessons for children and adults, taught by JCC American Red Cross certified

instructors, in either private or group sessions, and a Lifeguard Certification class.

Adults and children can enjoy ballet and tap classes geared for all levels and abilities. Children age 5 – 7 can learn the basics of ballet with CCM Prep: Beginning Ballet and Tap. And CCM Prep: Primary and Tap offers learning beyond ballet fundamentals for students age 4 – 5. Teens age 16 and older can refine their ballet skills with Ballet Fit or Ballet for

Life. Adult tap for age 16 and older is a fun way to get fit while learning the skill of tap dancing.

Parents with their children age 13 – 24 months can enjoy time together with Music and Motion, a program that improves coordination, muscle movement and flexibility.

Learn about international factors affecting Israel and Judaism in adult Jewish education classes such as Melton School: Israel at a Religious Crossroads or Rhythms and Purposes. Adults age 18 and older

can sign up for beginner or intermediate Conversational Hebrew.

When summer approaches, it’s time for camp. The J offers a multitude of camps for children in grades K – 8, with 1-, 3-, and 6week options. There are sports camps, horseback riding, field trips, outdoor games, archery, ceramics, cooking, crafts, drama, nature, pioneering and much more. A counselor-in-training program is available for kids entering grades 9 – 10.

Kathy Ireland: Inspired in Paris, committed to Israel

By Maxine Dovere JointMedia News Service WASHINGTON, DC — Kathy Ireland’s attachment to Israel has a biblical basis and an almost 6,000mile-journey to a city that brought her a special revelation.

Paris will always hold a special place in Ireland’s heart. While in the “City of Lights” to pursue her modeling career (which eventually included 13 appearances in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue), Ireland experienced a new sense of enlightenment, she recalled in an exclusive interview with JointMedia

News Service. Living at the end of a long, dark hallway in a place she describes as “uncomfortable,” the Santa Barbara, Calif., native turned to a bible her mother had placed in her suitcase. Turning to the text “for a bit of solace,” she recalled that, “As I began to read, I knew the truth.

The Lord found me…I became crystal clear about God.” Asked how, as a Christian, her personal connection to God translated into a connection and concern for Israel, Ireland said “the Mosaic covenant could not be more clear: God loves the Arab people, but was very specific that possession of this

land of Israel will be through Isaac, that the Jewish people are His first born, His diadem, the Apple of His Eye. God’s love and heart for Israel is unconditional.”

Ireland spoke at the Monday morning plenary of the 2012 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in Washington, D.C. Telling the crowd she was “honored and humbled,” Ireland called her participation in the conference a “responsibility” she did “not take lightly.” Speaking with JointMedia News Service following her speech, she said, “Israel is fighting for its

very existence…I don’t understand how anyone can think Israel can give up any of its land.”

The entrepreneurial Ireland noted the similarity of values shared

by Israel and the U.S. “Standing beside Israel is something every American must do,” she said.

Ireland called the lack of knowledge about the history of the land of Israel problematic.

“The facts and the truth and what some of the leaders in neighboring countries say, coupled with their unwillingness to absorb ‘refugees’ creates a real problem,” she said.

“We need more people telling truth about the history of the land of Israel,” she added. Ireland noted that Israel has granted citizenship and absorbed all who have immigrated there, asking: “Why will the Arab countries not absorb and care for their people?”

Speaking about the treatment of women in the Arab lands, this successful businesswoman said it is “heartbreaking to see how women are treated.”

“I don’t understand how anyone with any sense of humanity can stand by and let this happen,” Ireland said.

NATIONAL • 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

National Briefs U.S. Treasury looking into Gov. Rendell fees from terror group WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating speaking fees allegedly paid to former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell on behalf of a State Departmentdesignated terrorist organization.

The Treasury Department is seeking to subpoena records of payments made by backers of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, or MEK, an Iranian dissident group, to Rendell for his speaking engagements on behalf of the group, the Washington Times wrote in a story published March 9.

Rendell is one of many prominent Jewish officials, including former Attorney General Michael Muskasey and Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz, who speak on behalf of the MEK. Rendell and other political officials have called for the MEK to be removed from the State Department terrorist list, claiming that there are no credible reports that it has engaged in violence in more than two decades.

One-state conference at Harvard signifies possible new front in campus Israel wars

By Penny Schwartz Jewish Telegraphic Agency BOSTON (JTA) — To critics, the one-state conference held at Harvard University was a thinly veiled assault on the legitimacy of the Jewish state.

To organizers, the condemnations and calls on Harvard to cancel the conference amounted to thinly veiled attempts to silence any criticism of Israel.

In the end, “Israel/Palestine and the One-State Solution” — arranged by a group of graduate students at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and held at the university — held few surprises.

Activists and academics came together over the weekend to talk about how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a colonizer-settler relationship. A handful of pro-Israel activists stood outside the Kennedy School bearing signs that read “Shame on Harvard, Haven for Jewish Hatred.”

Organizers declared the conference a success, while critics denounced it as a sham.

“The reality is, no matter what the conversation, if it’s critical of Israel, the response is the same,” Israel-born Elisha Baskin, one of the conference organizers, said of criticism of the event. Baskin is a research fellow at the Kennedy School and a graduate student at Brandeis University.

The fact that the conference took

Ohio man born in the Shoah’s shadow searches for answers about his past

By By Hillel Kuttler Jewish Telegraphic Agency BALTIMORE (JTA) — Sol Factor recalls a happy childhood in circa-1950s Boston suburbia with his physician-father Joseph, teachermother Bernice and younger sister Rachel.

His first life, as Meier Pollak — born in 1946 near a displaced persons’ camp in Germany — remains in the ether, evasive and ever tantalizing.

Factor, who teaches Jewish history at Kent State University, near Cleveland, began poking at the holes 20 years ago in his biography. In 2007 he came close to locating the natural mother who abandoned him in Germany. Factor tracked her to Israel, but Magen David Adom, Israel’s equivalent of the Red Cross, notified him that she had rebuffed its intermediary efforts. Factor expresses no sadness or anger toward the woman whose postwar name he has never known.

Now he hopes to discover any half-brothers and half-sisters who might shed light on his roots, tell him about his natural mother and even provide helpful medical information.

While Factor says his early years and search are “not something I dwell on,” assembling these pieces of his life would be valuable, “so that I can share it with my children [and say], ‘This is your background.’ ” An Israeli adviser to Kent State’s Hillel organization broadcast Factor’s search last month on the Israeli radio program “Hamador L’chipus Krovim” (Searching for Relatives Bureau).

As to whether he has made any follow-up attempts to locate his natural mother, Factor quickly responds, “No, no, no.” But, he continues, “If by some miracle there are other children and we connect, and if she’s still alive and they say to her, ‘You really should meet this guy,’ I’m not going to fight it.”

SEEKING on page 22

Courtesy of SJP Tufts via Twitter

Opening panel of the one-state conference at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, March 3, 2012.

place at all — and at Harvard, of all places — may have signified a possible new front developing in the campus wars over Israel.

Until now, most of the campus agitation over Israel has centered on the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel known as BDS. But the Harvard conference, and the intensity with which opponents fought to derail it, suggests a great anxiety among pro-Israel groups about the one-state solution turning into a new anti-Israel rallying cry on U.S. campuses.

“To the extent that the idea of a one-state solution is gaining currency, it is important to fight this line of

thinking,” said Rob Leikind, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Boston office.

In the weeks leading up the event, pro-Israel groups sought to discredit the conference as an exercise in delegitimizing Israel, and Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) called on Harvard to cancel the forum.

For its part, Harvard issued several statements clarifying that it was organized by students and received only a small amount of financial support from the university, as do other student conferences.

Kennedy School dean David Ellwood said, “We would never take a position on specific policy solutions to achieving peace in this

region, and certainly would not endorse any policy that some argue could lead to the elimination of the Jewish State of Israel.”

Ellwood also expressed disappointment that the lineup of conference speakers was one-sided.

Not all Harvard faculty members opposed the conference.

“As a Harvard faculty member, I am extremely proud that this conference in happening here,” Harvard law professor Duncan Kennedy said in his opening remarks as its first speaker.

Kennedy, who said he felt jealous when similar conferences were held at other colleges, was among some two dozen speakers — academics and political activists — who addressed the audience of 300 or so at the conference Saturday and Sunday. Organizers said the goal was to open up serious dialogue about alternatives to the two-state solution, but the lineup included a who’s who of academics, activists and officials who have made careers out of attacking the notion of a Jewish state.

Speaking at the conference, Ali Abunimah, co-founder of Electronic Intifada and author of the 2006 book “One Country, a Bold Proposal to End the IsraeliPalestinian Impasse,” denounced the two-state solution as an attempt to preserve Israeli Jewish power.

HARVARD on page 20

8 • NATIONAL

WWW.AMERICANISRAELITE.COM

Republicans address AIPAC with varying airtime lengths

By Masha Rifkin and Jacob Kamaras JointMedia News Service WASHINGTON, DC — Three Republican presidential candidates addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference Tuesday morning, but only two took part in question-and-answer sessions following their comments.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who was the only candidate to appear in person at the conference amid 10 primaries and causes on “Super Tuesday,” did not have a question-and-answer period following his remarks. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who both spoke via satellite, answered questions after their comments—but not without a moment of confusion.

Romney immediately began a question-and-answer period with a four-person panel following his speech. Gingrich publicly asked for the question-and-answer period to begin after making his brief remarks, but was initially told by an AIPAC board member on stage that he would not be able to answer questions. Gingrich was then asked

Courtesy of: EPA/Pete Marovich.

Former U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., on March 6. While Santorum addressed the conference in person, fellow presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich spoke via satellite.

to continue speaking, and was eventually interrupted for two questions from the same board member.

It is unclear whether Santorum was not offered the chance to answer questions by AIPAC or turned down

that opportunity himself, and why Gingrich was at first told he would not be given a question-and-answer period. AIPAC’s internal and external press liaisons both did not respond to requests for comment.

“I can’t explain AIPAC’s decisions,” analyst Richard Baehr, chief political correspondent for American Thinker, wrote in an email to JointMedia News Service. “[AIPAC] is generally very careful about being ‘fair and balanced’—one Democratic elected official for every Republican elected official who speaks at [the] policy conference. [On Tuesday], they stuck [Democratic Michigan Sentor] Carl Levin and [Secretary of Defense] Leon Panetta between the three Republican candidates for president.”

Baehr called it a “smart move

by Santorum to be there.” However, he added that Santorum’s campaign is “on the ropes, and I do not think [appearing in person at AIPAC] will change things.”

Santorum calls for ‘clear ultimatum’ to Iran Following reports that he was among three Republican candidates who would address the policy conference via satellite, Santorum instead showed up in person despite

Netanyahu’s dismisses alternatives to military option

By Masha Rifkin JointMedia News Service WASHINGTON, DC — The world “can’t wait much longer” for Iran to end its endeavor to produce nuclear weapons, said Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference on Monday night.

Netanyahu was addressing a visibly and audibly electrified audience of 13,000, including more than half of congress (according to the prime minister).

He received the longest standing ovation at the conference, eventually commenting that the applause could be heard all the way to Jerusalem, “the eternal, undivided capital of Israel.”

The prime minister’s speech focused mostly on Iran, stressing the gravity of the nuclear threat, and disputing claims that an attack would do more harm than good.

“For 15 years I’ve been warning that a nuclear armed Iran is a grave danger to my country and the peace and security of the entire world,” Netanyahu said, “For the past decade the international community has tried diplomacy; it hasn’t worked. For six years, the international community has tried sanctions, that hasn’t worked either.”

He stated his appreciation for

Obama’s recent attempts to impose “even tougher sanctions on Iran.”

In his address to AIPAC on Sunday, Obama affirmed his strong preference for diplomatic sanctions, and willingness to use force if necessary. The sanctions are working, Obama said, and Europe will place

Courtesy of EPA/Pete Marovich.

Prime Minister Netanyahu holds up a copy of 1944 letters in which the World Jewish Congress implored the American government to bomb Auschwitz.

a ban on Iranian oil imports in July.

“Few thought that international sanctions could put an immediate bite on the Iranian regime,” he said.

“They have. Iran is isolated, its leadership divided and under pressure…its ally, the Assad regime, is crumbling.”

However, Netanyahu said that

despite these increased sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program “continues to march forward,” and the world must be ready to respond.

Iran has claimed that it is enriching uranium to develop medical isotopes, he said, and some believe it. The reality—that Iran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, manufacturing thousands of centrifuges, and developing underground testing facilities—points to a different story, according to Netanyahu.

“Ladies and gentleman, if it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck…it’s a duck,” he said. “But this time it’s a nuclear duck, and it’s time to start calling a duck, a duck!”

Yet, Netanyahu said that acknowledging that Iran’s goal is to produce nuclear weapons is not sufficient. It’s important to further understand that it will intend to use them. Iran’s possession of the bomb alone would embolden terrorists around the world, drastically raise oil prices, and likely lead to an attack, Netanyahu explained.

He said Iran will be “blackmailing the world.”

The prime minister then disputed claims that stopping Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb could be dangerous, and a military confrontation “would provoke an even more vindictive response by Iran.”

a busy “Super Tuesday.”

“I wanted to come off the campaign trail to come here,” Santorum told the crowd.

Speaking on what he called the “grave concern I have about the security of our country and the leadership of our country in the face of an existential threat to not just the state of Israel,” but an “existential threat to freedom-loving people around the world,” Santorum said the U.S. needs to “set forth a clear ultimatum to the Iranian government.”

“We need to say to the Iranian government: the time is now, you will stop your nuclear production now, you will open up your facilities to inspectors from the United States and other countries, so we can certify that [nuclear] efforts are being dismantled,” he said. “Now.” Santorum recounted how he was among the first legislators to warn Americans about the Iranian nuclear threat back in 2006. He said he would ask, “How many people have ever heard of the name Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?” and that nobody would know.

He also reaffirmed the strength of his policy on Iran. “If they do not tear down those [nuclear] facilities, we will tear them down ourselves,” he said.

Chris DeSanctis, an adjunct professor in the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, wrote in an email to JointMedia News Service that, “By leaving the campaign trail to deliver a speech in person to [the AIPAC conference] in Washington, Rick Santorum showed the nation, and specifically the Jewish community, just how important the security of Israel is to him.”

Romney’s talk goes beyond Iran In contrast with the rest of the conference, Romney spoke not solely of Iran, but of other issues facing Israel and the United States.

The Republican candidate began by criticizing Obama’s approach to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “Palestinians are convinced they can do better with America than at the bargaining table [with Israel],” he said.

“As president, I’ll treat our friends and allies like our friends and allies.”

Romney also criticized the Obama administration for being too soft on Iran. It took too long for Obama to impose crippling sanctions, he said, allowing Iran to gain “three invaluable years.”

REPUBLICANS on page 22

Obama and Netanyahu disagree, in private and in public

By Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree, at least in principle: Keep the talk on what to do about Iran behind closed doors.

But once they’re behind those doors, they can’t agree — and they can’t seem to resist bringing their disagreements into the open.

Within hours of a long and private Oval Office meeting on Monday that aides to both leaders said was productive, Netanyahu suggested that Obama’s sanctionsfocused approach to Iran’s nuclear program wasn’t producing results.

The next day Obama was warning that the United States would suffer repercussions if Israel struck Iran prematurely.

There also seem to have been some concessions from both sides.

Netanyahu told Obama and congressional leaders that he had not yet decided to strike Iran. And Obama’s defense secretary, Leon Panetta, issued perhaps the most explicit warning yet of possible U.S. military action against Iran in his address Tuesday to the

American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference.

“Military action is the last alternative when all else fails,” he said on the conference’s last day in a round of morning addresses aimed at motivating the 13,000 activists in attendance before they visited Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers. “But make no mistake, if all else fails, we will act.”

That formulation is more acute than the “no-options-off-thetable” language that has been the boilerplate for the Obama and Bush administrations.

Much of Panetta’s speech appeared to be a bid to persuade Netanyahu to coordinate more closely with the U.S. “Cooperation is going to be essential to confronting the challenges of the 21st century,” Panetta said. “The United States must always have the unshakeable trust of our ally Israel. We are stronger when we act as one.”

Top Obama administration officials have tried to persuade Netanyahu that diplomatic options have not yet been exhausted in the bid to have Iran stand down from its suspected nuclear weapons program.

NATIONAL • 9

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Did Florida’s Legislature endorse one-state solution, Israeli citizenship for Palestinians?

By Ben Harris Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Courtesy of Samantha Steinberg

Beren coach Chris Cole instructing his players during a timeout at the championship game, March 3, 2012.

Beren comes up short in tourney, but stands firm on larger principles

By Uri Fintzy Jewish Telegraphic Agency FORT WORTH, Texas (JTA) — In Texas, they say, high school athletics are a religion. But last weekend the saying took on a new meaning.

The Robert M. Beren Academy, a small Modern Orthodox school in Houston, had captured national headlines during the week. Its boys’ basketball team had earned a berth in the state tournament 2A semifinals, but would have been forced to forfeit because the games coincided with the Jewish Sabbath.

But an 11th-hour legal challenge convinced the tournament organizer, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS, to accommodate the team. And last Friday, hours before the Sabbath was to begin, Nolan Catholic High School was the place to be for Houston Jews who had made the four-hour trip to cheer on their boys.

Beren would reach the finals on Saturday night but lose, 46-42, to Abilene Christian High School.

But even after coming up short, the game’s larger significance didn’t appear lost on the players. For an hour after the final whistle, fans, friends and family lingered in the gym to support the players.

“I am proud to be here,” said Beren guard Isaac Mirwis. “It’s more than just basketball. It’s about being true to who you are.”

That would seem to be the lesson of the whole episode, which saw a little-known Jewish school in Texas cast into the national spotlight for standing firm on its refusal to violate its religious principles for the sake of a basketball game. After a refusal by TAPPS to accede to Beren’s request to reschedule the games, The New York Times, ESPN and other national news outlets picked up the story, which was also much discussed on social networks.

After a second request to TAPPS was denied, it looked like Beren was going to have to forfeit. Playing on Shabbat was never considered.

“Our priorities were never shaky,” said coach Chris Cole, who is not Jewish but has coached the Beren team for 10 years. “I learned very quickly that there is no compromise as far as upholding the religious faith.”

On the morning of March 1, several Beren players and parents filed a civil rights motion in federal court accusing TAPPS of religious discrimination and asking for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction. Before a judge had time to rule on the matter, TAPPS acquiesced and said it would reschedule the games.

“The experience gave us the opportunity to show how much we care about religion,” said senior Isaac Buchine. “The way you make something special is to sacrifice something that is much greater for it.”

With the scheduling victory, it was time for basketball, and the atmosphere in the Nolan Catholic gym was electric for Friday afternoon’s semifinals. Beren students who had been allowed to leave school early, families with kids, elderly couples, local basketball fans and rabbis crowded the bleachers. One young fan held a sign that read “Be a mensch.”

Beren also got some support from an unexpected source — members of the Burton Adventist Academy soccer team showed up to cheer them on. Burton had its own beef with TAPPS a few years before over a Saturday soccer game that TAPPS had declined to reschedule.

“The doors were blown wide off,” said Kevin Klein, the Burton coach, of Beren’s earning the right to compete. “Sabbath keepers across Texas don’t have to fear not being able to play.”

NEW YORK (JTA) — The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a hotly debated issue — but not in the Florida Legislature.

Both houses of the state’s Legislature voted unanimously in February to stake out a bold position on the issue — but it’s not entirely clear what, exactly, Florida lawmakers were trying to say.

The resolution supports Israel’s “God-given right of self-governance and self-defense upon the entirety of its own lands” and says that the Jewish state is not “an occupier of the lands of others.” It concludes by saying that “peace can be afforded the region only through a whole and united Israel governed under one law for all people.”

The activists behind the measure say their goal was to affirm Israel’s right to determine what happens with the territories it captured in 1967 and the right of Israeli settlers to live anywhere in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem. But critics counter that the plain reading of the resolution ends up endorsing a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian con-

Courtesy of Alan Clemmons

South Carolina Rep. Alan Clemmons with a group of Israeli soldiers at Masada during his visit to Israel, November 2011.

flict — with Palestinians in the West Bank being granted equal citizenship.

Such a prescription not only contradicts the stated policies of both the U.S. government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it represents what leaders in both countries have described as an existential threat to Israel’s existence as a Jewish democratic state.

Supporters of the measure, however, denied that this was their intent.

“One law for all people — and by ‘all people’ we mean Israeli cit-

izens,” said Joseph Sabag, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Zionism Organization of America, who helped organize lobbying efforts in Tallahassee to get the measure adopted.

Asked about suggestions that the text of Florida’s resolution seems to call for a one-state solution, one lawmaker said the reading did not occur to him.

“I would have to say, I did not focus on that,” said Rep. Jim Waldman, a Jewish Democrat from Coral Gables, who was one of more than 30 co-sponsors of the resolution in the Florida House of Representatives. “If it’s anything other than support for the State of Israel, then I would say shame on us for signing on.”

The Florida resolution is largely based on legislation that was approved unanimously by the South Carolina state House of Representatives last June.

At a January meeting in New Orleans, the Republican National Committee embraced a resolution identical to the one passed by the South Carolina lawmakers when it was proposed by a committee member from the state. An RNC spokesperson later stressed that the resolution does not bind the party since it is not part of its platform.

10 • ISRAEL

WWW.AMERICANISRAELITE.COM

Latest rocket barrages from Gaza mean life ‘does not go on as normal’

By B. Davidson JointMedia News Service BE’ER SHEVA (JNS) — The worst Palestinian rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip so far this year saw 166 rockets (not including 56 intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system) fired into major southern Israeli cities, with the wail of sirens and sudden explosions jolting residents, sometimes several times an hour.

During the period of March 9-12, there were more than 20 Israeli civilians injured. Authorities in communities in a seven-to-40-kilometer (22mile) radius from Gaza canceled all schooling on Sunday and Monday due to a lack of sufficient bomb shelters. Closer-in towns reinforced schools and public areas, enabling studies to continue. An Egyptian-brokered truce took hold 1 a.m. Tuesday as fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian terrorists entered its fifth day.

The feeling of Gaza rockets is all too familiar for southern Israel. For the 200,000 residents of Be’er Sheva, life “does not go on as normal,” Deputy Mayor Dr. Heftzi Zohar told JointMedia News Service.

While the “queen of the Negev” was not totally closed for business

due to the latest rockets, “Most of the time commercial centers are empty, but this is our regular life these days, unfortunately,” Zohar said.

Courtesy of B. Davidson

A Qassam rocket in Sderot.

This round of rocket strikes began when an IDF aircraft on March 9 killed Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) chief Zuhair al-Qaissi, along with two other members traveling in his car in Gaza City. The Popular Resistance Committee is a militant group in Gaza aligned with Hamas that was behind the abduction of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier who

was held captive for more than five years and freed in a prisoner swap for more than 1,000 Palestinians.

The IDF said the group was about to carry out “a combined terror attack on the Israel-Egypt border,” and closed a road that was hit in a similar attack last August in which eight Israelis were killed.

The army said that thanks to “reinforcement of forces and observation abilities, Route 12 was reopened for traffic during February,” but “that the road is being closed temporarily, in light of situation assessments meant to keep the citizens of Israel safe.”

The pro-Hamas PRC vowed that it would keep carrying out revenge attacks. “We are not committed anymore to the truce with the occupation (Israel). We will teach the occupation a lesson for its ongoing crimes,” PRC spokesman Abu Mujahid told reporters.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement to reporters that Israel would “act against anyone who attempts to send rockets or perpetrate terror attacks. Anyone attempting such an attack will pay the full price.”

Israeli Air Force strikes to quell the salvos killed 19 members of armed terrorist groups—14 from Islamic Jihad and five from the PRC.

In latest clashes, a new technology vies with old grievances and internal power struggles

By Mati Wagner Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — If Israel has its way, this is how future conflicts with Gaza-based terrorists will unfold: Israeli aircraft launch surgical strikes on rocket launchers; terrorist leaders are assassinated as necessary; Israeli civilians along the southern frontier are protected by advanced technology that shoots enemy rockets out of the sky; and the world, preoccupied with other matters, is too distracted to object.

The clashes this weekend provide a glimpse of what this brave new world of warcraft might look like. They were precipitated by the Israel Defense Forces’ bombing of a car that carried Zuhair Qaisi, leader of the Popular Resistance Committees in the Gaza Strip, and another top PRC terrorist released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.

As Israeli leaders expected, Islamist terrorist organizations responded with a barrage of mortar shells, Kassam rockets and Grad missiles aimed at the million or so Israelis living within firing range

of Gaza. But Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense system performed admirably, foiling dozens of deadly hits and providing Israel with cover to go after terrorists it considers valuable targets.

Israel also has been able to act decisively without causing widespread carnage and inviting a broader retaliation. As of Monday night, Israel Air Force strikes had resulted in few civilian deaths among the more than 20 Palestinians killed — most of the casualties were members of terror groups. And with the world largely distracted by the violence in Syria and a looming confrontation with Iran, it seems that Israel’s leaders viewed this as an opportune moment to strike.

“The Americans are busy with presidential elections, Syria is involved in a civil war, which means that its proxy in Lebanon — Hezbollah — has been weakened, and Egypt is dependent on the U.S. and is in no position to do anything,” said Professor Efraim Inbar of the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University. “Most of the world would be relieved that Israel is tied

down in Gaza and not planning an attack on Iran.”

On the Palestinian side, a different set of considerations is driving Hamas, the controlling power in Gaza, to refrain from taking an active part in the attacks against Israel and confronting more extremist organizations.

Hamas is keen to show it can ensure quiet in Gaza and avoid provoking Israel, but it also wants to preserve its position with Gaza’s young and radicalized population by avoiding a clash with the PRC and Islamic Jihad. Both groups are so-called muqawama, or rejectionist, terror groups, funded and backed by Iran, and oppose what they see as Hamas’ “pragmatic” approach. They advocate a commitment to violent struggle against Israel.

“Hamas is in transformation, moving away from its old alliance with Iran and Syria, and attempting to align itself with Sunni states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” said Ehud Yaari of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“Hamas has a vested interest in showing that it is capable of maintaining stability in Gaza.”

Courtesy of Flash90/JTA

Israel’s Iron Dome defense system near the Israeli town of Ashdod has intercepted a volley of rockets fired by terrorist groups from the Gaza Strip area, March 11, 2012.

Netanyahu pledges decisive response as rockets slam southern Israel

By Marcy Oster Jewish Telegraphic Agency JERUSALEM (JTA) — As southern Israel was barraged by rockets for a fourth straight day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was hitting back “strongly and decisively,” and its Iron Dome anti-missile defense system was intercepting many of the rockets coming from the Gaza Strip.

“The IDF is continuing to — strongly and decisively — attack the terrorists in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said Monday at the Knesset. “Whoever intends to harm our citizens, we will strike at him.”

Israel has responded to the barrage of missiles with more than 30 attacks on rocket-launching sites and weapons facilities. At least 20 Palestinians, including two civilians, have been killed since the recent violence began. Several dozen Palestinian civilians, including several children, reportedly have been wounded in the strikes.

More than 200 rockets have been fired at Israel since Israel assassinated a terrorist leader from the Popular Resistance Committee.

Israel’s military said the PRC leader, Zuhir Mussah Ahmed Kaisi, was planning an attack on Israel through the Sinai.

At least eight Israelis have been injured, two seriously, in the attacks by the PRC and Islamic Jihad. Hamas, which rules Gaza, has not launched missiles in the latest round of attacks.

At least two-dozen rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel on Monday. The Iron Dome system intercepted at least eight fired at Beersheba and five at Ashdod.

One rocket fired Monday struck an empty kindergarten building, a day after a rocket landed in a school courtyard. One rocket Monday struck Gadera, located 24 miles south of Tel Aviv.

Also Monday, rockets fired from Gaza struck the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel

and Gaza, which has remained open throughout the hostilities. The crossing was closed for about half an hour before operations were continued. A truck and a van on their way to deliver goods to Gaza were hit, according to a statement

by Israel’s coordinator of government activities in the territories.

“Despite the continuous barrage of mortars and artillery shells from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, the IDF and COGAT continue to honor Israel’s commitments to transfer goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing to the people of Gaza in an efficient and secure manner,” the statement said.

Schools were closed for a second day on Monday in cities and towns located up to 25 miles from the Gaza border, affecting about 200,000 children. Classes at colleges and universities in the area also were closed.

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said Monday that he is “very concerned” by the new round of violence, saying that civilians on both sides are paying a heavy price.

Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel remains on alert against an attack from Sinai. The prime minister commended the security and intelligence services in the airstrike that killed Kaisi and another member of the Popular Resistance Committee.

“We have exacted from them a very high price,” he said. “Naturally we will act as necessary.”

Netanyahu praised the Iron Dome missile defense system, which according to the IDF has intercepted 90 percent of its targets.

“We will do everything in our power to expand the deployment of this system” in the months and years ahead, he said.

Netanyahu also lauded the residents of the southern Israeli communities for their resilience in the face of the rocket barrage. He met Sunday with with 30 municipal leaders from the area and received their staunch backing.

SOCIAL LIFE • 11

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

ANNOUNCEMENTS BIR TH ophie Hannah Shumulewitz (Shalhevet Tikvah) was born in New York City to her parents Shira and Joseph Shumulewitz on February 22, 2012.

GreatGrandmother Martha Saltzman, Sophie, Shira, (L-R) Phyllis Saltzman, Martha Saltzman, and Grandmother Sophie Shumulewitz, Shira Shumulewitz.

Phyllis Saltzman are seen here in this four generation photograph. Sophie is the niece of Barak Saltzman, a resident of Cincinnati. Martha Saltzman resides in the Cedar Village community.

S

Courtesy of Ed Rothenberg Group of players with Mike Haffer and Ed Rothenberg shown in the middle.

Old Jewish jocks who stay young playing basketball

By Ed Rothenberg Contributing Writer I started the group for older players about five years ago. We meet three mornings a week and play very competitive full court basketball.

We played basketball in our youth. My high school team won the Chicago championship, and I got a basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. It was in the 1950s just before the Big O starred. After that, I made Cincinnati my home and went into the real estate business. In the meantime, I never stopped playing basketball.

My friend Mike Haffer, originally from Boston, played at the YMHA (Young Men’s Hebrew Association). Haffer first came to Terre Haute, Ind., to manage United Department Stores of Cincinnati. After two years there, he was transferred to Cincinnati.

While a successful businessman, Haffer had stopped playing for 50 years while actively employed. He came back to playing basketball in retirement to stay fit.

While basketball is a great way to enjoy a rugged workout and make friends, I think the main reason I never gave it up is because it kept me mentally “young.” Unlike

other sports like jogging, golf and tennis, basketball is a young person’s sport.

Mike and I are called the “old guys.” When we make a basket, a rarity by the way, everyone yells, claps and laughs. We have a perpetual bet: whoever scores the most pays for lunch. Sometimes we both score zero and we buy our own lunches.

As the years flew by, I’ve gotten slower and weaker. I swallowed my pride and continued

playing. I’d be the last player picked, guarded the worse player (usually Mike) and seldom shot.

Bottom line: as long as I can play the sport I love, I will stay young. I don’t care what anyone says.

A year ago, one of our guys died of a heart attack while we were playing. Ron was in his mid60s. He loved basketball and it is my guess it was the way he wanted to go. That is, if he were given a choice.

Courtesy of Ed Rothenberg

Mike Haffer (L) and Ed Rothenberg

12 • CINCINNATI SOCIAL LIFE

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ACCESS’ PRE-TU B’SHEVAT PLANTING PARTY Nearly 50 Jewish young professionals got together for a pre-Tu B’shevat Planting Party on Jan. 26 for dinner at the Civic Garden Center. The event, part of Access’ JCafe initiative, which explores interesting topics with a Jewish twist, featured HUC-JIR Rabbinic student, Ari Boxman who spoke about Judaism’s connection with nature. Plus, each participant got to plant three pots of herbs and other plants, and went home with an indoor garden, compliments of Access!

For more information about Access, contact Rachel Plowden whose contact information is listed in the Community Directory in the back of this issue.

Access is an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation.

Anything that shows up bold and bright, such as markers, crayons, paint or cut paper.

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Everyone enjoyed getting down and dirty and paying tribute to trees and nature!

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

CINCINNATI JEWISH LIFE • 13

Everyone planted pots of basil, parsley and spinach after enjoying an organic meal from Melt, in Northside.

Ari Boxman, a Fifth Year Rabbinical Student from HUC, spoke about Judaism’s connection with nature, and explored concepts from the Torah such as Gleaning, which commands Israelite farmers to leave the corners of their fields for the poor to harvest.

14 • DINING OUT

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Delicious pastas, pizzas, and fresh baked breads at Ferrari’s

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Years ago friends recommended trying the special house salad at Ferrari’s Little Italy. This award winner—“Best of Taste,” 1999— which lived up to its reputation, was crisp and carefully prepared with an interplay of leafy greens, cranberries, pine nuts, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

My husband Steve and I also appreciated the small, cozy dining rooms with stucco and brick walls, warm fireplaces, exposed beams and red plaid tablecloths. It reminded us of the casual Italian restaurants in Rome and Sicily. The restaurant, located in Madeira, is nestled in a lushly landscaped area with no competing city scapes to interfere with your romantic meal at an Italian “getaway.” Nor will loud music blare in your ears. Each room has its own volume controls for classic Italian- American music, and manager Chris Reed noted, “We are sensitive to the needs of our diners.”

Reed’s parents were good friends with owner Patti Bassano’s family, and as a kid, he loved Patti’s home cooking. He said she is a great chef with all the traditional Italian recipes handed down in her family and comes from a family of great cooks. Her aunt Norma Antenucci had a TV cooking show here in the ‘50s. He added that Patti is at Ferrari’s every day baking desserts and warmly greeting customers.

When entering the restaurant, your first view is the bakery with a wide variety of freshly made breads and desserts. If you don’t fill up on the sights and smells gently accosting you, you can look forward to tasting—in your bread basket—an assortment of the eight to 10 breads made daily. Many of them have surprise fillings such as cheese, potatoes or olives. “We flatten the bread, put toppings inside, then roll it up, and when you cut into it, you discover the toppings,” explained Reed with enthusiasm—this must be one of his favorites. Several different focaccias grace the display case and a customer was requesting the three cheese, a very popular variety. I’ll try to distract Steve’s attention since he must maintain a gluten free diet.

Reed introduced me to chef Coby Lowry who enjoys having “Iron Chef” nights with his friendly fellow chefs. Reed praised the chef’s creation of nightly specials.

Lowry served me two entrees. The first was honey roasted chicken salad. One taste immediately informed me that this was not the usual, bland featherless fowl fillet but a definite taste awakening chunk of chicken. It gets its special moistness and flavor from a honey marinade and baking sauce. A light sweetness permeated the meat and was nicely contrasted by the tart-

(Clockwise) Chef Coby Lowry, whose delicious specials reflect the warmth of the surroundings; The bakery case, containing fresh and fragrant confections and breads; Chocolate chip cannoli, even better than it looks; Attractive, full service bar with happy hour discounts; Blackened salmon caprese pasta with fire roasted vegetables, a delicious combo; Honey glazed chicken pecan salad—sweet and satisfying.

ness of the salad. Other sweet accents, the cinnamon glazed pecans and sundried cranberries went well with the cranberry and port vinaigrette dressing. Crunchy, homemade croutons added their earthy complementary texture to the delicious salad. Lowry mentioned that pizza is very popular here with 10 varieties, baked in a brick oven. Diners may choose from multi-grain or regular crusts that are crispy yet still tender.

My second selection was chef Lowry’s special of the day, blackened salmon caprese. With fire roasted tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, and goat cheese surrounding but not overwhelming the salmon, each individual ingredient could be savored. Combined with al dente pasta and coated with meltingly tangy goat cheese, it was lovely and luscious. And this was no ordinary salmon, it was Norwegian salmon with all the moist freshness

and velvety texture that the brand is famous for. A generous wedge, it was rapidly wrested from its resting place on the pasta as I ate it. Yum! Another special he created, chicken Madeira with spinach is exceptional according to Reed. Lowry said that he cooked his way through college, and then learned his “from scratch” techniques at Jeckle’s. He commented that he and the executive chef, Greg Wright, are always at the restaurant, and “keeping customers happy is our most important concern.” When describing their beef he said, “We buy an excellent grade — well marbled. Greg tried many before we found the high quality we were looking for.” Many customers have rated the beef medallions as outstanding. A 12 ounce, aged New York strip, seasoned or peppercorn crusted, will satisfy those who want their pasta sharing the plate with a juicy steak.

Since Ferrari’s features a bakery

and a pastry chef, there are many desserts to sample, including Patti’s award winning tiramisu — “Best of Taste,” 2000. I tried the cannoli, a selection she’s famous for. It had the sweet crunch I was looking for, wrapped around a light, creamy filling dotted with chocolate chips — a “menage a trois” I could manage merrily. Reed told me that “the chocolate cake is awesome. It’s huge and if I eat it, it turns my stomach on and my brain off.” That’s praise from the gut. Other desserts include spumoni, gelato and turtle sundae along with port, cognacs and single malt scotch. Or you may choose from a menu of specialty coffees, such as Ferrari’s French roast coffee with Godiva Chocolate liqueur, Bailey’s Irish cream and whipped cream, and several other wonderful sounding combinations.

They use Wallingford coffee, long known for its rich yet mild coffee flavor. These brown, robust bever-

ages will bend your tongue around the tempest in your coffee cup.

Ferrari’s has a full service bar with beer on tap, $5 martinis on Sunday or Monday, half-priced selected bottles of wine on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kids, 12 and under, eat free on Sunday with the purchase of an adult entree.

Appetizers are discounted at the bar on a regular basis. At the end of March, diners can enjoy the beautiful garden patio with a waterfall. Catering and private rooms are available. Their hours for lunch are Monday — Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; for dinner, Monday — Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 5 to 11 p.m.; bakery, Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ferrari’s Little Italy 7677 Goff Terrace Madeira, OH 45243 513-272-2220

DINING OUT • 15

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

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16 • OPINION

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‘The Gorilla’s Lesson’

Sheftel, as I’ll call the boy (because it’s his name) was around 3 years old at the time. I was around 19. I felt bad, and immediately removed my head — that is to say the gorilla’s.

Sheftel’s eyes shrunk back to their normal size and the scream that had lodged in his lungs never made it to his wide open mouth.

He saw it was only me.

When, a bit later, I replaced my gorilla head, Sheftel let out a scream. I reminded him from inside that it was only me. He screamed again. I took off the head and he immediately calmed down. I put it back on and, once again, he screamed.

Children, apparently, have to reach a certain stage before they realize that a costume is only a costume, that the person wearing it remains the person wearing it even when he’s wearing it. Sheftel had yet to internalize that truth.

Related and more poignant is the lesson of an old Yiddish joke, about Yankel informing Yossel that, unfortunately, Shmelkeh had just passed away. “Shmelkeh?” asks Yossel, “the guy with the oversized ears?”

“Yes, that Shmelkeh,” Yankel says sadly.

“The fellow with the terrible skin condition, the rash covering most of his face?”

“Yes,” once again.

“The Shmelkeh missing an

Rabbi Shafran is an editor at large and columnist for Ami Magazine.

Do you have something to say? E-mail your letter to editor@americanisraelite.com

Dear Editor,

our Jewish identity, regardless of the fact we have not formally met, consider this time, in this place where we live together to stop but a second to smile and say have a good Shabbos to all and perhaps all at once you too will make someone’s day.

The Gift of Saying Good Shabbos. The Rabbinim say every Jewish soul yearns for the true meaning of life and with just the right words anyone can spark the imagination and ignite the inner flame. I believe this is true, as I happened to be just that person one Friday afternoon in Kroger just before Shabbos, when I recognized someone from the community whom I don’t really know, but as I caught her attention, I took but a moment to wish her a good Shabbos. With a cheerful smile, she recounted a story of a warm tender family Shabbos that most likely had long disappeared and though pressed for time I was quite content as I became aware that my most simple act of chesed touched someone’s consciousness that Shabbos is still real.

It’s disappointing though that there are those times when I am passed by unacknowledged. My greeting ignored or at best in passing I receive a burdened response without being seen. The Rebbe says that all Hashem’s children are his precious creation. For this reason each of us is worthy of being acknowledged and why none of our actions should make another feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.

So I kindly remind you that as we take upon ourselves the mitzvah of learning Torah and reaping the rewards and benefits we are sure to gain as we rejoice in the beauty of Shabbos, the heart of

Sincerely, Seena Rubenstein Cincinnati, OH

tially painful as this one should warrant other perspectives for readers.

As a pluralistic Jewish community, most of us want all people to feel welcomed and respected for who they are. It is in the spirit of inclusion that I respectfully request that The American Israelite publish another article with a different viewpoint. Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important matter.

Dear Editor, I was deeply troubled by Avi Shafran’s column in the March 1 Israelite. It was a hurtful attack on the gay community, their supporters and on those who oppose extremism. He expressed his views on “Torah-loyal” Jews, asserting that they must reject anything other than traditional heterosexuality. In addition, he contends that all Jewish tradition is “fixed” and if you believe otherwise you are somehow disloyal to the Torah.

I categorically reject Shafran’s suggestion that Jews should go through a course of therapy “to control homosexual inclinations.”

This is a hurtful and scary proposition. My biggest concern is that a parent or loved one may read this article, see it is authored by a rabbi, and believe this therapy is a good idea for someone in their life. It is irresponsible not to have another article refuting this kind of “therapy,” largely rejected in the scientific community. Surely a topic as large, complex and poten-

Sincerely, Julie Jacobson-Ruby Cincinnati, Ohio Dear Editor, AJC is dismayed by UNESCO’s failure to expel Syria from the committee that handles human rights issues. The UNESCO executive committee reprimanded Syria, but failed to go further and oust Syria from its human rights body. Naming Syria for a two-year term on this UNESCO committee last November was a horrible mistake.

The UNESCO leadership, meeting in Paris, voted 35-8 to adopt a resolution that “strongly condemns the continued widespread and systematic violation of human rights” in Syria. However, the resolution did not mention its committee membership.

More than 7,500 Syrians have died in the internal conflict that began a year ago.

LETTERS on page 22

T EST Y OUR T ORAH KNOWLEDGE THIS WEEK’S PORTION: VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI (SHMOT 35:1—40:32) 1. What character trait described the people who worked on the Mishkan? a) Inspired b) Talented c) Hard working 2. Did the women donate to the Mishkan? a) Yes b) No 3. What did the princes donate? a) Rugs b) Precious stones 5. C. 40:35. Hashem’s presence was in the entire Mishkan, to show he desired it.

Afterward, Hashem constricted his presence to the Holy Ark. When King Solomon dedicated the Temple the same thing happened. First the Priests could not enter because of the Divine Presence, then Hashem constricted his presence.

Rashbam

Even the very symbol of meaningless chance, the casting of lots, turns out to be Divinely directed and crucial to the Purim miracle.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

c) The menorah 4. Which item in the Mishkan was made from mirrors? Why? a) Menorah b) The Cherubim c) Washbasin 5. Why was Moshe not able to enter the Mishkan? a) Levites were forbidden to enter b) It was full of Bnei Yisroel c) Hashem’s cloud surrounded it

3. B. 35:2 The princes gave their gift after everyone’s. That is why the word “nesim” for princes is missing a letter. Rashi 4. C. 38:8. The women used the mirrors in Egypt to make themselves attractive to their husbands. They were specifically used for the wash basin because it made peace between a man and wife by the mitzvah of Sotah. Rashi

The little boy was petrified, as one might imagine, by the gorilla who sat down next to him at the table in his (the child’s) home. I hadn’t meant to scare the kid; I was just tired and needed to get off my paws.

It was a very long-ago Purim (the child is now a father and accomplished talmid chochom) and a group of us had rented costumes to use in Purim visits to homes while collecting for a worthy charity. The gorilla suit was very realistic (and hot).

eye, and with the large wart on his chin?”

“Yes, yes, that Shmelkeh,” Yankel confirms.

“Oy!” exclaims Yossel. “Azah shaineh Yid!” (“Such a beautiful Jew!”) Superficial things, we come to realize if we’re perceptive, are, well, superficial. Masks, in other words, mask.

The theme of misleading appearances is, of course, central to Purim. Esther, the heroine of the historical happening commemorated on the day, hides her identity from the king who takes her as his queen. Her very name is rooted in the Hebrew word for “hidden,” and is hinted to, the Talmud teaches us, in words the Torah uses to refer to Hashem “hiding” Himself, rendering his providence undetectable.

Which it is in the Purim story.

The absence of Hashem’s name from Megillas Esther reflects the fact that His presence was not overtly evident in what happened. Yet, His “absence” was itself but a mask; Divine providence, in the form of delicious ironies, informs the story at every turn. From Achashverosh’s execution of his first queen to suit his advisor and then execution of his advisor to suit his new queen; to Mordechai’s happenstance overhearing and exposure of a plot that comes to play a pivotal role in Klal Yisroel’s salvation; to Haman’s visiting the king at the perfectly wrong time… Hashem’s presence loudly hums, so to speak, in the background. If anything merits being called The Purim Principle it would be: Nothing is an Accident.

Even the very symbol of meaningless chance, the casting of lots, turns out to be Divinely directed and crucial to the Purim miracle.

Klal Yisrael, too, is “masked.”

The people seem beholden to an idolatrous, lecherous king, and readily participate in his grand ball where he celebrates, of all things, the finality of the Beis Hamikdosh’s destruction, chalila.

But that was, as the Talmud teaches us, a merely superficial stance. In truth, behind the unimpressive Jewish veneer lay Jewish hearts dedicated to Hashem. And when events began to blow like a strong wind, the masks were ripped away. Our ancestors, in their fasting and prayers, showed their true essence.

Is it any wonder that on Purim we wear masks? And make fun—of ourselves and even (good naturedly) of others? What we mock are the masks we all wear, the particular character each of us projects.

The mockery declares that such things are superficialities, camouflaging what really matters: the Jewish soul that resides in, and ultimately defines, us.

Written by Rabbi Dov Aaron Wise

ANSWERS 1. A. 35:21. Literally an elevated heart. Nobody had any training for intricate craftsman work.

Those people who were inspired in the ways of Hashem found the ability to do the work.

Ramban 2. A 35:22, 35:29. Actually the women came forward first to contribute. Ramban

Rabbi Avi Shafran Contributing Columnist

JEWISH LIFE • 17

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Sedra of the Week

by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “Bezalel made the ark…He made two cherubs of gold…at the two ends of the cover…The cherubs had their wings spreading out upwards… with their faces turned towards each other…” (Exodus 37:1-9).

This week’s Biblical portion repeats the detailed construction of the Tabernacle, including the protective cover of the Holy Ark, which featured the two winged cherubs facing each other. In the previous portion of Terumah, the Biblical text noted: “It is there I will set My meetings with you, and I shall impart to you – from above the Cover and from between the two cherubs who are above the Ark of the Covenant – everything that I will command to the children of Israel” (Exodus 25:22). Thus, G-d spoke to Moses from between the cherubs.

The Bible insists that from the time of the Divine Revelation at Sinai the Almighty continues to communicate with us in “a great voice that never ceases.” The Ramban says that the Tabernacle was a continuation of the revelation on Mount Sinai, hence the Divine Voice was heard from between the cherubs. (See Deuteronomy 5:19, Targum ad loc.)

But where does that leave us today? How do we hear G-d without the Tabernacle, and without a Holy Temple? Who speaks for Gd when there is no Sanhedrin whose Sages were infused with some of the Divine Spirit and no prophets who can speak in the name of the Lord G-d? How does G-d communicate with us today?

I believe the symbol of the cherubs will help us to find our answer: G-d communicates through people. After all, did not the Almighty create the mortal in His own Divine Image (Genesis 1:27)?

Does not the Bible picture the Divine act of creation as G-d’s “breathing (in-spiriting)” into the dust of earth the breath (nishmat, soul) of life,” and does not the Sacred Zohar make the point that “everyone who exhales, who breathes out, exudes the inner essence of Himself, as it were?”

Hence there is a trace of G-d within each and every one of us—and it is

SHABBAT SHALOM: PARSHAT VAYAKHEL-PEKUDAI EXODUS 35:1-40:38

But where does that leave us today?

How do we hear G-d without the Tabernacle, and without a Holy Temple?

Who speaks for G-d when there is no Sanhedrin whose Sages were infused with some of the Divine Spirit and no prophets who can speak in the name of the Lord G-d? How does G-d communicate with us today? that G-dliness within which reaches out and communicates to us.

You will remember that when the Biblical Joseph searched for his brothers, an unnamed personage pointed where they had gone. Rashi suggests that this anonymous man was the angel Gabriel, literally, a man of G-d (Gavri-El). The Ramban adds that he was merely a mortal, probably unaware of the function he was performing, but thanks to him, Joseph—and the entire family of Israel—realized their destiny through the enslavement in and exodus from Egypt.

Rabbenu Tzadok, the famed Pri Tzaddik of Lublin, records how he learned one of the most important lessons of his life from a Gentile Polish peasant, whose wagon had collapsed. The peasant asked him to help to gather the hay that had fallen to the ground. “I can’t,” said the Pri Tzaddik. “You mean you won’t,” said the peasant. “If you wanted to, you could.” As he helped the farmer gather the hay, the rabbi felt the great importance of the lesson G-d had taught him through the mouth of this peasant.

Our challenge is to sensitize our hearts, minds and souls to every one of our human encounters—and to listen for the emanations of the Divine-messages.

Many years ago, when visiting my Rabbinical “emissaries” in Germany, I was invited to speak in a synagogue in Munich. The congregation consisted of approximately 150 Polish Jews, survivors of the Holocaust who had come from DP camps outside the city.

They had remained in Germany after the war to begin new families and successful businesses.

It was the strangest congregation that I have ever encountered.

It was not only that people were engaged in conversation during the prayers; they acted as if there

wasn’t a synagogue service being conducted in the room at all. They walked around, conversed, and called out to friends from the windows. And although they were respectfully silent for the 15 or 20 minutes that I spoke, I could not understand why they came to shul!

My host gave me the answer.

“Every one of them lost most if not all of his family in the Holocaust. They cannot live with G-d and they cannot live without G-d. They are traditional Jews, so they come to synagogue, but it is as if they are on strike: they speak to each other but not to G-d. They are too angry to speak with Him. And they let Him know how angry they feel by speaking to each other when the service dictates they should be speaking to Him!” I think about this synagogue a great deal. I even admire their faith; after all, if they questioned G-d’s existence, they couldn’t be angry at Him. I even believe G-d loves their “prayers.” Does not Gd Himself say according to the Midrash Rabbah, “Would that you forget about Me and remember my children?”

Rav Haim Vital teaches that when we enter the synagogue to pray, we must intone the verse, “You shall love your friend like yourself,” since closeness to G-d must bring us close to all humanity, to all G-d’s children. As the anonymous poet wrote: “I looked for myself and could not find me I sought my G-d and couldn’t find Thee I reached out to others and found all three.”

Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chancellor Ohr Torah Stone Chief Rabbi — Efrat Israel

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By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist ZACH BRAFF RESPONDS TO ME AND COUSIN MITT ROMNEY On Feb. 9, a longer version of the following column item (written by me) appeared in The American Israelite. Actor ZACH BRAFF, as I will explain below, read this longer version. If you missed my Feb. 9 column— here’s the essence of the item: Actor ZACH BRAFF (“Scrubs,” “Garden State”), 36, who is Jewish, and former Governor Mitt Romney, 63, a devout Mormon, seem worlds apart. Nonetheless, Braff and Romney really are (very distant) blood cousins and they are both direct descendants of Rebecca Nurse (1621-1692), a devout Puritan Protestant woman who was falsely accused of practicing witchcraft at the infamous Salem, Mass. witchcraft trials. She was hanged. Nurse is a central character in the famous play, “The Crucible,” by ARTHUR MILLER. My friend Michael found interviews with Braff and his brother, novelist JOSHUA BRAFF, 42, in which they both said that their mother, who was born into an old New England Protestant family, converted to Judaism before marrying their Jewish father. On a hunch, Michael looked far back in Braff’s mother’s family tree and Romney’s family tree and found Rebecca Nurse in both. (End) Postscript: The longer version of this column item that was in the Israelite also appeared in the New Jersey Jewish Standard, a paper based in Teaneck. Braff is from a town next door to Teaneck, and apparently some hometown friend sent Braff the actual newspaper page with the above column item about him. On Feb. 29, he posted a scan of the page on the new social network site “Reditt” under the following title: “So I guess I am related to Mitt Romney through a witch. Family Reunions just got a little crazier”…Later he added, “Mitt Romney and I have nothing in common.” And then he joked, “Incidentally… buying a broom later today.”

About 1,200 people commented on Braff’s posting. When you combine witchcraft, politics and weird family histories—you can interest almost everyone.

DANCING RETURNS The 14th season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” starts on Monday, Mar. 19 at 8 p.m.

MELISSA GILBERT, 47, of “Little House” fame, is the sole Jewish (w/an asterisk) contestant.

Gilbert’s adoptive mother, BARBARA, is Jewish and Gilbert

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grew up celebrating Jewish holidays and wed one of her two (nonJewish) ex-husbands in a Jewish ceremony. On the other hand, she calls herself “Jew—ISH” in her recent autobiography because she had no religious training; her family also celebrated Christmas; and she discovered, as an adult, that her mother never had her formally converted to Judaism.

Actress SARA GILBERT, 37, is Melissa’s legal half-sister.

Barbara is Sara’s birth mother.

Sara is the daughter of Barbara’s second marriage and Sara’s original last name is Abeles. When she started acting, Sara opted to use Melissa’s last name. Confusing?

No doubt. But not as weird as the fact that Melissa’s adoptive father, actor Paul Gilbert, who died in 1975, age 56, was married 13 times!

Also dancing is William Levy, a “beefcake” actor who was born in Cuba and stars in Spanish language soap operas. Levy’s paternal grandfather is his sole Jewish grandparent. Levy was raised without religion, but formally converted to Catholicism in 2009.

MAZEL TOV AND BACK TO THE ‘80S Actress ELIZABETH BERKLEY, 39, and her husband, artist GREG LAUREN, 42, made public on March 5 that they are expecting their first child. Berkley wed Lauren in a huge Jewish wedding in 2003. Greg’s uncle, RALPH LAUREN, 72, designed her wedding dress. Greg’s father, JERRY, is Ralph’s brother and business partner.

Berkley first became known as a co-star of the high school hit sit-com, “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93). Then Berkley, who is quite beautiful, made a huge career mistake by playing a stripper in “Showgirls” (1995). Both she and the graphic movie got such bad notices that her career seemed almost dead. But it slowly revived as she did TV guest shots, acted in good indie films, and even did good work offBroadway. (And let’s be frank: when you’re married to Jerry Lauren’s son, you don’t have to worry about getting steady acting jobs to pay the bills.)

Speaking of ‘80s TV: “21 Jump Street,” which began in 1987, was one of the then-new Fox network’s first hits. The premise was that young-looking undercover cops went to high schools, etc. and stopped crime. This is also the premise of a film of the same name that opens on Friday, March, 16, co-starring JONAH HILL, 28, and Channing Tatum as undercover cops who try to stop a violent high school drug gang. Hill co-wrote the script and the flick is described as a comedy/drama.

FROM THE PAGES 100 Y EARS A GO Dr. and Mrs. G. Deutsch are expected home from Florida during the coming week. Dr. Deutsch has fully recovered from his recent illness.

A Cincinnati firm shipped a trainload of Matzos to Canadian points last week.

Mrs. Sam Cooperman of Erie, Pa., is the guest of her mother, Mrs. B. Wolf of Locust street, East Walnut Hills.

Benjamin Klein, aged 66 years, died suddenly at his home on Hutchins Avenue, last Friday. The funeral took place on Sunday in the chapel of the Clifton Cemetery, Dr. Philipson officiating.

Mrs. Jennie Fuchs, wife of the well known teacher at Walnut Hills High School, Julius Fuchs, was buried from the Mortuary Chapel Walnut Hills Cemetery, Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Philipson officiating.

The family, relatives and friends of Mrs. Henry Cohen will celebrate her eighty-seventh birthday anniversary on Friday, March 15, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Abraham Bloom, Clineview Avenue, Walnut Hills. Mrs. Cohen, who has been a resident of this city since 1835, is well and hearty.

The Cincinnati Zionist Society will hold its next meeting Sunday, March 17, at 2:30 p.m., at the Lincoln Club rooms, 824 Race Street. An excellent program has been arranged. A report of holding next Zionist Convention in Cincinnati will be given. Dancing will follow. Friends are invited. — March 14, 1912

75 Y EARS A GO Mrs. Felix Haas, who spent the past few months with her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Stern, has returned to her home in Portsmouth, O. Theta Pi sorority will hold its annual informal initiation at the home of Miss Dorothy Meiss, Mitchell Avenue, Sunday, March 21st. This will be followed by a dinner and formal initiation at the President Apartments. Hostesses will be Misses Marion Meyers, Dorothy Meiss, and Shirley Mayer.

Pledges to be initiated are Misses Doris Mombach, Muriel Mayer, Estelle Fleischmann and Betty Jane Levendorf.

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Schwartz and mother Mrs. I Keilson, 770 Clinton Springs Avenue, are enjoying their sojourn in Hollywood, Fla. Mr. Schwartz will return to Cincinnati this week after a delightful vacation with his family, who will remain until mid-April.

Miss Belle Mielziner passed away Monday, March 15th, at the home of her brother and sisters, 945 Burton Avenue.

Her late father, Dr. Moses Mielziner, had served as president of the Hebrew Union College.

She is survived by two brothers, Benjamin, of Cincinnati, and Jacob, of Copenhagen, Denmark; three sisters, Mrs. Rose Reinberg, Cleveland, and Misses Ernestine and Dora Mielziner, Cincinnati.

Her late brother, Leo Mielziner, portrait artist, was the father of Jo Mielziner, stage designer, and Kenneth McKenna, actor. — March 18, 1937

50 Y EARS A GO Mrs. David Gantz is chairman of the Adult Education Committee of the Pupil Enrichment Program sponsored by the North Avondale Neighborhood Association at North Avondale School.

Mrs. Gantz said there would be an evening of American music performed by a talented group of community-minded individuals.

They include Thomas Adler, Danny Adler, Mr. and Mrs. Abe Braude, Steve Braude Trio with Stuart Mitnik and George Makrauer, Danny Cox, Mrs. Elizabeth Elsasser, Mrs. Winston Gibson, Miss Patricia Kessler and group, Miss Jeanne Kirstein, Mrs. Millard Segal, Clyde Williams, Mrs. Atara Jablonsky, Dr. Herschel Sachs and Mrs. Ruby Brigmon, Narrator.

Harry M. Hoffheimer was elected president of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners in convention at Los Angeles last week.

Mr. Hoffheimer is chairman of the Ohio state Racing Commission and is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Ohio Court of Appeals.

Joseph Reins, 1649 Summit Road, passed away Saturday, March 3, following a long illness.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Reins; two daughters, Mrs. Ralph Kahn and Miss Beverly Reins; a son Robert; a sister, Mrs. Arthur Nienhold, of Strassbourg, France; and three grandchildren. — March 15, 1962

25 Y EARS A GO Mark H. Berliant was awarded the 1987 William A. Mitchell award for leadership at the annual meeting of the Community Chest held March 9 at The Westin Hotel.

Immediate past president of the Freestore/Foodbank, Berliant is president of the Cincinnati law firm, Strauss and Toy. He has served on the boards of Rockdale Temple, the American Jewish Committee, Jewish Vocational Service and the Jewish Community Relations Council. He is past pres-

ident of Losantiville Country Club.

Dr. Victor Reichert, Rabbi Emeritus of Rockdale Temple, will be honored at a special luncheon on March 28. The occasion is a double anniversary: his 90th birthday and the 60th year of his rabbinate at Rockdale.

S. David Shor of 2200 Victory Parkway passed away March 10.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Greenberg Shor; his sister, Rose Jaffe; two daughters Shelly Gerson and Toby Oshman; a son Charles Shor; and two grandchildren, Rachel and Ilana Gerson.

Services were on March 11 at Weil Funeral Home. Rev. Manfred Rebenstein officiated. Interment was in United Jewish Cemetery, Price Hill. — March 19, 1987

10 Y EARS A GO Harriet Blumenthal Warm, 81, passed away March 6 in Las Vegas, Nev., where she had lived for 22 years. Her husband, Herbert B. Warm, M.D., preceded her in death in Las Vegas, NV, May 21, 2001. Mrs. Warm was born in Hamilton, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1921. She attended the Hamilton public schools and obtained both her bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Miami University. She is survived by her children, Skip and Susan Warm of Mason, Ohio and Karen and Bob Dopher of Newburgh, Mo. Also surviving her are her grandchildren, Wendy Warm, Bradley and Tracy Warm, Christopher Dopher of New York, Rachel and Bill Walker of St. Louis, Mo. and Rebecca and Mark Dopher, both of Springfield, Mo. Her surviving great-grandchildren are Joe Moorehouse and Aidan Walker. In Cincinnati, Mrs. Warm is also survived by a sister and her husband, Ruth and Sigmund M. Cohen.

Susan Block Litvak, 76, passed away Feb. 21. Mrs. Litvak was born in Cincinnati. She was a daughter of the late Maurice and Olga Weiss Shott. Mrs. Litvak was predeceased by her husbands, Louis T. Block and Sidney A. Litvak. She is survived by her children, L. Thomas and Jody Block of Riverside, Conn., Richard and Joyce Block, and Barbara and O.J. Cohen. Her surviving grandchildren are Tom, Julia, and John Block; Drew, Trevor and Todd Block; and Lauren and Trisha Cohen. Mrs. Litvak was a sister of the late Robert Shott and a sister-in-law of Eleanor Shott. She was also the stepmother of Suzi and Bob Brant, and Judith and Jeff Roth, who survive her. Her surviving stepgrandchildren are Abbie, Vallie and Jordan Brant, and Andrew and Elyse Roth. — March 14, 2002

CLASSIFIEDS • 19

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS Access (513) 373-0300 • jypaccess.org Big Brothers/Big Sisters Assoc.

(513) 761-3200 • bigbrobigsis.org Camp Ashreinu (513) 702-1513 Camp at the J (513) 722-7258 • mayersonjcc.org Camp Livingston (513) 793-5554 • camplivingston.com Cedar Village (513) 754-3100 • cedarvillage.org Chevra Kadisha (513) 396-6426 Cincinnati Community Mikveh 513-351-0609 • cincinnatimikveh.org Fusion Family (513) 703-3343 • fusionnati.org Halom House (513) 791-2912 • halomhouse.com Hillel Jewish Student Center (513) 221-6728 • hillelcincinnati.org Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati 513-961-0178 • jcemcin.org Jewish Community Center (513) 761-7500 • mayersonjcc.org Jewish Community Relations Council (513) 985-1501 Jewish Family Service (513) 469-1188 • jfscinti.org Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (513) 985-1500 • shalomcincy.org Jewish Foundation (513) 514-1200 Jewish Information Network (513) 985-1514 Jewish Vocational Service (513) 985-0515 • jvscinti.org Kesher (513) 766-3348 Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund (513) 793-2556 Shalom Family (513) 703-3343 • myshalomfamily.org The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education (513) 487-3055 • holocaustandhumanity.org Vaad Hoier (513) 731-4671 Workum Fund (513) 899-1836 • workum.org YPs at the JCC (513) 761-7500 • mayersonjcc.org

CONGREGATIONS Adath Israel Congregation (513) 793-1800 • adath-israel.org Beit Chaverim (513) 984-3393 Beth Israel Congregation (513) 868-2049 • bethisraelcongregation.net Congregation Beth Adam (513) 985-0400 • bethadam.org Congregation B’nai Tikvah (513) 759-5356 • bnai-tikvah.org Congregation B’nai Tzedek (513) 984-3393 • bnaitzedek.us Congregation Ohav Shalom (513) 489-3399 • ohavshalom.org

Congregation Ohr Chadash (513) 252-7267 • ohrchadashcincinnati.com Congregation Sha’arei Torah shaareitorahcincy.org Congregation Zichron Eliezer 513-631-4900 • czecincinnati.org Golf Manor Synagogue (513) 531-6654 • golfmanorsynagogue.org Isaac M. Wise Temple (513) 793-2556 • wisetemple.org Kehilas B’nai Israel (513) 761-0769 Northern Hills Synagogue (513) 931-6038 • nhs-cba.org Rockdale Temple (513) 891-9900 • rockdaletemple.org Temple Beth Shalom (513) 422-8313 • tbsohio.org Temple Sholom (513) 791-1330 • templesholom.net The Valley Temple (513) 761-3555 • valleytemple.com

EDUCATION Chai Tots Early Childhood Center (513) 234.0600 • chaitots.com Chabad Blue Ash (513) 793-5200 • chabadba.com Cincinnati Hebrew Day School (513) 351-7777 • chds.shul.net HUC-JIR (513) 221-1875 • huc.edu JCC Early Childhood School (513) 793-2122 • mayersonjcc.org Kehilla - School for Creative Jewish Education (513) 489-3399 • kehilla-cincy.com Mercaz High School (513) 792-5082 x104 • mercazhs.org Kulanu (Reform Jewish High School) 513-262-8849 • kulanucincy.org Regional Institute Torah & Secular Studies (513) 631-0083 Rockwern Academy (513) 984-3770 • rockwernacademy.org

ORGANIZATIONS American Jewish Committee (513) 621-4020 • ajc.org American Friends of Magen David Adom (513) 521-1197 • afmda.org B’nai B’rith (513) 984-1999 BBYO (513) 722-7244 Hadassah (513) 821-6157 • cincinnati.hadassah.org Jewish Discovery Center (513) 234.0777 • jdiscovery.com Jewish National Fund (513) 794-1300 • jnf.org Jewish War Veterans (513) 204-5594 • jwv.org NA’AMAT (513) 984-3805 • naamat.org National Council of Jewish Women (513) 891-9583 • ncjw.org State of Israel Bonds (513) 793-4440 • israelbonds.com Women’s American ORT (513) 985-1512 • ortamerica.org.org

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CARNIVAL from page 3 As you walked through the doors, your ears were filled immediately with the sound of children laughing, the music from the cake walk, the clacking sound of the color wheel being spun and the plastic clicking sounds of the plinko chips falling. You knew that something magical and fun was happening all around you— and that you were a part of it.

Lunch teased your senses of smell and taste as you were treated to the wonderful aroma and taste of the Sisterhood’s homemade hamantaschen, as well as all the usual carnival foods like hotdogs, chips and snacks galore.

You could feel the happiness

MAYERSON from page 4 “For years my grandfather has been encouraging me to visit the park in Israel that bears not only our family name, but embodies the vision my family shares for a more inclusive world. A few months ago I had the chance to go on Birthright Israel and decided to extend my stay so I could visit the park,” Emma explained. “Israel blew me away. The longer I was there, the more I realized I was home! Going to Nahal HaShofet park was the highlight of my experience. All the arrangements were made and they sent someone to pick me up and take me to the park. On the way we talked about accessibility in Israel and the importance of having parks and greenery for people to enjoy, especially in such a dry climate.

She also explained how my grandfather had encouraged them to conduct a focus group of people with disabilities who could go to the park and suggest special modifications and adaptations that would make it more accessible, such as bumpers on either side of the path for people who are blind, and ramps leading up to the river so people who use wheelchairs can enjoy the water as well,” she continued. “I was impressed by how meticulously every detail had been

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(513) 531-9600 filling the room as the doors opened and the children rushed in.

The energy and excitement was instantly contagious.

This year’s carnival was run with the assistance of teens and parents from both Ohav Shalom and Northern Hills Synagogues. It serves as one of the primary fundraisers for Kehilla.

We learn in the Gemara (Tannis 29) “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha,”—When the month of Adar arrives we should increase our joy. There is no doubt that the children, parents, volunteers and all who attended not only increased their joy for the month of Adar, but for the entire year! Yasher Koach to all those who made this successful event possible. planned so that everyone can have access to the park. I am proud of my family’s involvement in this important project, which has led the way for a more inclusive park system throughout Israel,” she added. “Site visits like this, and others I have gone on with my grandfather in Cincinnati, inspired me to follow in my grandparents’ philanthropic footsteps of generosity and tzedakah at a very young age. I feel so blessed to have this beautiful legacy!”

Many of these inclusive additions have been added across parks all over Israel. Picnic tables and barbecue installations have been built and placed to suit wheelchairs and special playground and sport structures have been installed.

Signs in Braille, and landscaping that focuses on aromatic plants to heighten the sensory experience have been put in place for people who have visual disabilities.

Nature trails are paved for easier access for people who use wheelchairs and attention has been given to strategically-placed, accessible restrooms. By designing inclusive facilities at its parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, nature trails, lookouts and other recreational facilities in Israel, all visitors with and without disabilities can experience them the same way.

20 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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With a Broadway show and new CDs, Shlomo Carlebach’s tunes resound worldwide

By Lisa Alcalay Klug Jewish Telegraphic Agency BERKELEY, Calif. (JTA) — When David and Batsheva Miller left Israel for California in 1994, they sorely missed singer-spiritualist Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and their community at the moshav, or Israeli town, founded by Carlebach.

Nothing, even in Berkeley, compared to Shabbat on the moshav, Meor Modiin. So they created gatherings at their home, enlivening them with Carlebach melodies — what Miller calls “nusach Shlomo.”

“It was a landing pad for people coming back from Israel, including us, who were in shock at the wilderness we encountered,” Miller said. “Equally important, it was a blastoff for many people powering up to go to Israel.”

Fast forward to last November, when the Millers and friends launched the Mevorach Minyan of Berkeley, an independent, monthly Shabbat morning service at a rented hall that commemorates the blessing of the new moon.

It is one of the latest Carlebach minyans around the globe. The services, which use Carlebach melodies, range from Crown Heights in New York’s Brooklyn borough to the West Bank, and take place both in independent minyans and regular synagogues.

“If you wanted to count them all, you couldn’t,” said Rabbi Naftali Citron, the spiritual leader of New York’s Carlebach Shul.

The growing ranks of minyanim are a part of a surge of recent interest in Carlebach, who was Citron’s late great-uncle. Urim Publications and the Carlebach Legacy Trust recently released “Evan Shlomo, The Torah Commentary of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach: Genesis, Part I,” authored by Carlebach and edited

by Rabbi Shlomo Katz.

After sellout runs in South Florida and New Orleans, the musical “Soul Doctor: The Journey of a Rock Star Rabbi,” written and directed by Daniel Wise, is poised to open on Broadway this fall. Since Carlebach’s passing in 1994, his eldest daughter, Neshama, has toured widely, recording eight albums. Her latest is a children’s collection for the PJ Library, which delivers Jewish books for free to 65,000 families nationwide. Neshama’s CD, “Higher & Higher,” in which she performs her father’s music with the Rev. Roger Hambrick and members of the Green Pastures Baptist Church

Choir, was a Grammy entrant last year.

Countless other popular bands and individuals perform Carlebach’s music to an everexpanding international fan base.

They include Moshav, Soulfarm, Chaim Dovid, Benyamin Steinberg and Rabbi Katz.

Courtesy of Shlomo Carlebach Legacy Trust

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach during a visit to the Kotel in Jerusalem, early 1990s.

But perhaps most notable is the extent to which Carlebach’s melodies have permeated synagogue services across the world.

“I’m always amazed by how much Shlomo lives and how much his music affected his time and our time,” said Ari Goldman, a journalism professor at Columbia University who wrote Carlebach’s obituary for The New York Times.

“It is very much ingrained in our liturgical life, our celebratory life and our musical life.”

The Millers’ experience of longing for Carlebach tunes is a common impetus to launch a minyan, according to Citron. “Once you get used to this kind of davening, you can never go back,” he said.

Carlebach minyans vary widely. Many smaller groups pray in private homes. Others take place in synagogues, either as a supplement to the regular Friday-night service or in its place.

The differences between the Carlebach sevice and a more typical one are the melodies, pacing and degree of participation by congregants in the singing. Carlebach tunes have spread to all types of shuls — Orthodox, Renewal, Reform, Reconstructionist, gay, Conservative and Chabad.

When Orthodox Congregation Ramath Orah in New York introduced a Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat a few years after Carlebach’s passing, it “completely revived Friday-night davening,”

said Goldman, a longtime member. It draws not just Orthodox Jews from the neighborhood but students and faculty from the nearby Columbia University and the Conservative Movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary.

A Carlebach minyan in a Los Angeles karate studio launched 17 years ago when friends celebrated the Shabbat before the wedding of co-founders Stuie and Enny Wax. After years of meeting in spare rooms at local synagogues, the Happy Minyan now draws 100 to 150 people to services at The Karate Academy of PicoRobertson.

Organizers transform the studio into a sanctuary by removing floor mats and covering wall-to-wall mirrors with white velveteen.

They cart in a podium, an ark, a mechitzah to separate men and women, prayer books, prayer shawls, chairs and decorations.

They also offer child care and catered kiddush lunches. The community-led effort has no formal membership, rabbi or staff.

Prayers at the Happy Minyan are infused with ecstatic singing and dancing on both sides of the mechitzah, and feature niggunim — wordless melodies — and impromptu percussion on a wooden podium. Cantor Yehuda Solomon, lead singer of the rockfolk band Moshav, learned the melodies firsthand; Carlebach was his next door neighbor at Meor Modiin.

“This type of davening demands that you put your whole self into it,” said David Sacks, a Happy Minyan founding member who grew up across the street from the Carlebach Shul in Manhattan. “It adds another dimension where you can’t just say it, you’ve got to pray it.”

Neshama Carlebach says the universal appeal of Carlebach music doesn’t surprise her.

“My father was unlimited and he was more powerful than anyone understood,” she said.

Her younger sister, Nedara (Dari) Carlebach, a married mother of two living in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, says Carlebach music can be characterized by a unique capacity to unify, just like him.

“My father would start a concert with a roomful of strangers and within one song, you could feel the electricity in the air,” she said. “In videos, you see the melting-down of walls and by the end, everyone is singing and dancing, holding hands. It was like heaven came down, the ceiling opened and the angels were in the room dancing with us.”

BURKE from page 5

Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann who presented the award to Ann Sutton Burke.

As the director of Aging and Caregiver Services at Jewish Family Service, Burke oversees six broad program areas and supervises a staff of 16. She also serves on the Board of the Association of Professionals in Aging (as president-elect), the Planning Committee for the Forum on Aging, and the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter Symposium.

She is a past president and current member of Home Health Professional Advisory Committee, City of Cincinnati Health Department.

The Planning Partnership-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission selected Burke as a panelist for its Sustainable Hamilton County Workshop. Burke is a Nationally Certified Geriatric Care Manager who has her undergraduate degree from Miami University in Sociology with a concentration on Gerontology, and a Masters in Public Administration from Xavier University.

“Passion and heart,” said Liz Tassone, a gerontologist and owner of Tassone Consulting. “I still see in her the same passion for the field of aging that she had as a

young college student 35 years ago. And I still see in her the same heart for serving a population that continues to need a strong advocate. She has continued to serve this community for over 30 years with her dedication to improving the lives of older adults. There is no other person I know who is more deserving of this Council on Aging award than Ann Sutton Burke.”

Burke showed that passion in her acceptance speech, saying, “What we were really passionate about (when I started as a COA intern), and still are, is helping everyone age successfully. Things have changed in the past 30 years but I routinely see evidence still of ageism, exploitation, patronizing and created dependency. Please wake up and realize you are creating your own future. You are the role models in how you treat your clients and your aging parents.

You are the role models for how your own children will treat you as you age. I challenge each of you to design and deliver services and care that not only are efficient and sustainable, but are what you would want for your loved ones and for your own future.”

HARVARD from page 7

Jewish people as a national entity with extraterritorial claims has never been recognized under international law.”

Other speakers included Rabbi Brant Rosen, a congregational rabbi from Evanston, Ill., who is co-chair of the rabbinical council of Jewish Voice for Peace, which favors BDS; Dalit Baum, co-founder of Who Profits from the Occupation; and Ilan Pappe, a history professor at the University of Exeter who argues that Israel engaged in concerted ethnic cleansing during the establishment of the state in 1948.

“Any discussion of a political solution must at its core be a discussion about ending the system of colonial and racial power and privilege and replacing it with a system based on full human rights for all who live under it,” Abunimah said.

Boston University law professor Susan Akram talked about how “Israel’s claim of a state, on the basis of exclusive and discriminatory rights to Jews, has never been juridicially recognized. In other words, the concept of the

FIRST PERSON / AUTOS • 21

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Mothers and sons Incidentally Iris

by Iris Ruth Pastor I am a little confused over my role as the mother of adult sons.

Two of my sons are married and three are single. Two live close by and three live in the New York City area.

All are between the ages of 27 and 41.

I envy my sister who has two grown daughters. She displays a natural way in her relationship with her girls that I would love to emulate with my boys. She doesn’t agonize every time she gets an urge to email, text or call one of them. She just does it.

Every time I get the itch to connect, I find that I am unable to accurately gauge how my reaching out to my sons will be perceived. I want to convey interest, concern and caring.

But I hesitate to connect too often—afraid they will think me cloying, obsessive, needy, nosy, overbearing and intrusive. And even asking them when is a good time to connect and following through on their suggestion, often still leaves me yearning for more.

It’s no wonder, they are busy.

They are sleep deprived. They are self-absorbed. They are overwhelmed. They are overworked.

But most of all, I think the difference stems from our culture. It seems to me that it is perfectly acceptable for adult young women to have multiple interactions with their mothers each day, but it does not seem to be socially acceptable to have that same level of daily intense connection between mothers and sons.

Unlike current day mother and daughter conversations, there is very little exchange of minutiae between me and my boys. I’m not vastly interested in their fantasy football updates, the latest Reds trade or March Madness. And they could care less about my newest shade of lipstick, the growing status of my basil plant or my funky new knitting project.

But just recently I emerged from my totally disenchanted state and found my moody, gloomy state of mind has greatly

abated regarding this issue. And here’s why: When I was married to my first husband at the ripe old age of 22, I mistakenly believed that there was room for only one woman in his life: Me. Needless to say, and not surprisingly, his mother didn’t quite see it in the same way. (Of course, now that I, too, am a mother-in-law, I more than get why she was so peeved.)

Anyway, my poor husband, to keep the peace, ran interference between us up until the day of our divorce.

My first husband and I have been divorced since 1975. I remarried shortly thereafter.

He waited about 10 years. For whatever reasons, he endured the same uneasy alliance between his second wife and his mother that existed in our union. Fortunately, I learned a few lessons the first time around and my second mother-inlaw understood boundaries, so we had little cause for discourse.

Even so, if my husband had one prolonged and/or substantive conversation with his mother a week, that was sufficient for him.

My first husband and I went out to dinner recently, just he and I. We have a good relationship and this was an opportunity to spend some time talking about things we have in common—like grandchildren. In the middle of our light-hearted banter, his cell phone rang. He picked it up. He glanced at it. And he put it back down without answering it. In those few seconds, I was able to discern a picture on the face of his phone. Lo and behold, it showed a fairly current picture of who else? His mother!

I started to laugh. “You know,” I remarked, “if that was 40 years ago and if we had cell phones back then and if you dared to show a picture of your mother on it, I probably would have divorced you even sooner.”

We both chucked and delved back into our prior conversation.

After that dinner, a strange thing occurred. I found that I was suffused with a warm and lingering glow. Because, in spite of his being “blessed” with a mother that he frequently butted heads with—one whose phone calls he repeatedly dodged and overtures he regularly rebuffed—and a mother who didn’t always “wear beige and keep her mouth shut,” she still maintained a very special and timeless place in his heart.

There’s hope for me yet.

Keep Coping, Iris Ruth Pastor

Audi R8 brings the autobahn to you The R8 brings the autobahn to you. It is nothing less than a supercar with a pure, clear German spirit, ready to take on the Italian competition.

The Audi R8’s eager-to-rev 4.2liter, 420-horsepower V8 that sits mid-chassis is essentially the same as that found in the RS 4, Audi’s premiere midsize sedan. Maximum power is provided by a new 5.2-liter V10 good for 525 horsepower. Either engine can be mated to a traditional manual transmission or Audi’s R tronic sequential-shift gearbox. Either way, six ratios are available and the redline is a lofty 8250 rpm for the V8 and an even higher 8700 for the V10.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is standard on the R8, and offers a performance-oriented torque distribution of just 10 percent to the front wheels and 90 percent to the rears.

The all-wheel-drive system is almost completely imperceptible when driving the R8 and the chassis responds very quickly to steering input. The 420 horsepower V8 is a model of response and power and downshifting is rarely necessary, as torque is abundant and available throughout the rev range. In terms of transmission choices, anyone capable of actuating a clutch will find the manual transmission, with its stylish metal gate, a far more satisfying drive than the surprisingly unrefined optional R tronic transmission.

Regardless of transmission choice, according to Audi, the R8 4.2 will accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds. The V10 sprints from zero to 60 in a scant 3.7

www.audiusa.com

2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder

seconds and has a top speed of 196 mph. The brakes are up to the task, with 15-inch discs with eight-piston calipers in the front and 14-inch discs with four-piston calipers in the rear.

Get ready to feel like Danica Patrick or Jeff Gordon, as the entire cockpit (monoposto) of the R8 is tilted toward the driver for maximum performance from both the car and the driver.

The race-inspired, lightweight, magnesium, three-spoke, leatherwrapped design has a performance look and feel that includes R tronic shift paddles (on vehicles equipped with R tronic transmission) for quick gear changes. The multifunction steering wheel provides easy access to MMI®-inspired logic control for CD, radio, navigation and voice control functions.

The Audi R8 sits wide and low, with its cabin far forward and its engine behind. The soft curvature of the hood and roof are drawn in one sweeping arc, while a vertical “side-

blade” between the wheel arch and the roof section breaks the smooth door line with contrasting color. The car’s LED daytime running lights sit flush with giant air intakes.

According to Audi, the styling was dictated by aerodynamics.

Only Audi has a blue tooth® seatbelt microphone. This system is the first to include seatbelt microphones, which deliver crystal clear audio even at highway speeds. The advanced technology of the Audi R8 model allows you to conveniently access many features on your Bluetooth®-enabled phone via the MMI® operating system or convenient voice control, allowing for easy, intuitive, hands-free communication.

The 2012 Audi R8’s starting MSRP is $114,000, which shaves off $4,000 from last year. With the Spyder, GT and Spyder GT, the cost can range up to $149,000 without options. Still, if you want to ride in style and feel the wind wrap around you, this is the car for you.

22 • OBITUARIES D EATH N OTICES FAGIN, Richard, age 76, died on March 7, 2012; 13 Adar, 5772.

NIDICH, Louis, age 91, died on March 7, 2012; 13 Adar, 5772.

SCHWARTZ, Richard K., age 59, died on March 8, 2012; 14 Adar, 5772.

KRAUS, Alfred, age 89, died on March 9, 2012; 15 Adar, 5772.

SEEKING from page 7 Only in 2001 did Factor begin digging seriously into the matter, with luck helping mightily. A German exchange student in the Cleveland high school where Factor taught for 36 years was intrigued by REPUBLICANS from page 8 “I will bring procrastination toward Iran to an end,” Romney said.

The former governor stated that if elected, his administration would

WWW.AMERICANISRAELITE.COM

Factor’s roots and urged his mother in Munich to lend a hand. The woman searched local archives and uncovered the identity of Factor’s mother: Roza Pollak, who was born in 1924 in Orosken, Romania, survived Auschwitz and later lived in a displaced persons’ camp in St. Ottilien, a village near Munich.

Roza delivered Meier at the University of Munich’s Frauen Clinic on June 25, 1946. Three weeks later Meier was taken to the Schwabing-Altersheim displaced persons’ hospital in Munich. On Nov. 21, 1947, he was flown to New York by the U.S. Committee for the Care of European Children, which gave him over to the Jewish Family and Children’s Bureau of Boston. A photograph was taken that day in the Munich airport lounge. It is the only image that Factor has of his life as Meier Pollak, including the two

years he lived in American foster homes before the Factors adopted him at age 4.

Factor also does not know his father’s identity. On one document, Roza listed the boy’s father as Schaier Pollak, but Factor thinks that Roza invented the name, if not the man’s entire being, because he has found no record of Schaier Pollak’s existence. A document in the files of the European Jewish Children’s Aid Inc. states that Canada rejected the infant for immigration “because he was born out of wedlock”; the next sentence adds that “Meier is a very desirable child, irrespective of his unknown background.”

William Connelly, a technical information specialist at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Survivors and Victims Resource Center, says the circumstances of Factor’s birth and his search are not rare.

Five years ago, a woman contacted Connelly, presenting a similar background and requesting his assistance in locating her birth mother.

Connelly asked an Israeli official to look into the matter. He tracked down the woman’s mother, “but she didn’t want to have contact,” Connelly recalled.

“The end of the war was a difficult time. Just because Germany surrendered, it doesn’t mean there was a cessation of outrages against human decency,” Connelly explained.

“There were rapes in many of the [displaced persons’] camps. People made their way through what can only be described as a chaotic wasteland. [Factor’s] mother could have been too ill or too shattered by her experiences. There could be any number of reasons why a woman would give up her child at the end of the war.”

Factor appears at peace with the knowledge that he has gained, even if it opens no further doors. But as the last interview for this article concluded, he mentioned having just been told of someone near Boston whose Romania-born mother’s data closely resembles that of Factor’s mother.

“It probably would not pan out, but you never know. He could be a halfsibling,” Factor said of a planned telephone conversation with the Boston man. “What’s ironic is that where he is living is next door to where I grew up.

It would be very weird.”

[in addition to imposing sanctions] station multiple aircraft carriers “next door” to Iran, put in place a diplomatic isolation program that would ensure that “[Iran’s] diplomats are rejected and despised throughout the world,” sufficiently

communicate the United States’ military strength, and empower Syrian rebel forces and leadership.

Romney added that in contrast with Obama, who wants to “shrink our navy, and shrink our military,” he would “expand every one of them.”

A strong American military, the governor said, is “the best ally peace has ever known.”

Romney used his question-andanswer session to elaborate on his plans for a policy toward Iran, as well as his view of the peace process.

“We stand with Israel,” he said.

“We don’t insist that Israel make unilateral concessions; those have not worked in the past and they are not the way to go.”

embassy in Jerusalem The audience greeted Gingrich’s appearance with a standing ovation, and a generally more excited response than was offered the other two candidates. The Republican candidate delivered a short, yet firm speech.

“On the first day that I’m president, I will sign the executive order to move the American embassy to Jerusalem,” Gingrich opened. The American embassy, currently located in Tel Aviv, has been shrouded in controversy as it reflects the United States’ reluctance to acknowledge Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.

“On that first day I will initiate an energy policy…to produce enough American energy so that no future American president will bow to a Saudi king,” the former

speaker continued.

He also spoke of the Iranian nuclear threat, ensuring that if elected, he would “provide all available intelligence to the Israeli government, and ensure that they had the equipment necessary” to defend themselves. Gingrich also added that he would “require no advanced notice” if Israel decided to strike.

During the seemingly hastily organized question and answer session, Gingrich said that if elected, the U.S. “would not keep talking while Iranians keep building,” stating that Iran is already crossing the line by continuing its development of nuclear weapons.

“The red line is not the morning the bomb goes off, the morning our intelligence community tells us they’ve failed once again…the red line is now.”

On the one hand, there are obvious benefits—be they physical fitness, discipline, sportsmanship, confidence building, or just plain fun—to participation in a favorite American pastime of competitive youth sports, in this case basketball. On the other hand, for an traditionally observant Jewish girl, there is the deep commitment to G-d and tradition that guides what is considered appropriate, refined and respectable attire and carriage for a young woman—usually this would preclude a basketball uniform and as such participation in any basketball league.

Sunday’s game proved that as a Jewish community in America we can retain our values while creatively participating in modern life. I saw an all-girls team, playing in an all-girls league, coached by women, dressed in a unique basketball outfit of long sleeves and skirts. The players all chose to wear this uniform, to not play on Shabbat, and to stand proud of their religion regardless of personal comfort or outside approval. In Torah parlance, this was a true Kiddush Hashem,

sanctification of G-d’s name.

Thank you JCC—and director of JCC sports, Mark Creemer— for truly being a community center for all in the community. Your flexibility and sensitivity has allowed these girls to enjoy not only best of sports but also maintain full respect of their Jewish observance.

Thank you Coach Lydia for accepting the girls for who they are and for giving them the confidence and skills to make it all the way to second place.

Thank you Rabbi Kernerman, principal of CHDS, for accommodating the girls’ practice schedules and teaching them great sportsmanship. And finally, thank you JCC “Lady Jays” for playing hard, having fun, and for teaching so many how you can be true to your religious ideals and still enjoy the game.

Congratulations. Your trophies are a symbol of much more than just good playing. Enjoy them with pride.

Gingrich vouches for American LETTERS from page 16 The U.S. ambassador to UNESCO, David Killion, said the U.S. “is profoundly disappointed that this resolution does not call for outright removal” of Syria from the committee. In addition, several Arab and European countries had joined with the U.S. in pressing for Syria to be removed from the UNESCO body that deals with human rights.

While countries are closing embassies and imposing sanctions, UNESCO has no business giving Syria a pass.

Sincerely, John Stein, Cincinnati, OH Dear Editor, This past Sunday my heart swelled as a proud Jewish American and father. As I watched my daughter, Fayga, play in the final championship girls basketball JCC team, I saw before my eyes a convergence of traditional values and modern opportunity that epitomizes the American dream.

Please contact the writer at seekingkin@ jta.org if you can help Sol Factor locate his r elatives or if you would like the help of “Seeking Kin” searching for long-lost relatives and friends. Include the principal facts and your contact information in a brief (one-paragraph) email.

Sincerley, Rabbi Yisroel Mangel, Cincinnati, OH

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