TheSkribe - Issue#1 by Fina Florez

LEAN IN pg. 10

SEPARATION by TIME pg. 30

LAWYERS & LAW SCHOOL pg. 15

MY STUDENT LIFE in PARIS pg. 16

CONTENT

WWW.THESKRIBE.COM/1/

ISSUE#1 MAGAZINE

Honorable Mensch’n:

JACOB HANAIE By Farah Shamolian

LAWYERS & LAW SCHOOL By Jonathan Delshad

ABOUT THE SKRIBE

EVOLUTION OF PLASTIC SURGERY & WEDDING ATTIRE PG.13 By Eyal Aharonov

LEAN IN:

A PERSIAN JEWISH PERSPECTIVE By Jackie Rafii

The Skribe’s mission is to be the preeminent resource for the quality reporting and analysis of the contemporary issues and trends that impact Jewish young professionals of Southern California and beyond. We seek to distill information, synthesize solutions and provide a holistic vision of issues that affect the community, as well as report on community events and happenings. Fundamental to our vision are the following principles that guide our direction:

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SELFISH PG.14 By Raymond Nourmand, Ph.D.

• Promote awareness and knowledge of Israel, Jewish thought and culture • Create a professional and positive impact in the broader community • Celebrate creativity, balance, humor, and connectedness • Empower the voice of community members The Skribe is a completely not-for-profit publication that is run by an independent group of like-minded volunteers. We are not supervised or controlled by any organization or synagogue. CONT. ON PG. 35

AUGUST 2014 Elul 5774

NEUROSCIENCE OF MEDITATION By Dorsa Beroukhim Kay

GIVE TEN PERCENT OF YOURSELF: “30 YEARS AFTER” PG.32 By Tabby Davoodi THE CONTRIBUTORS PG.40

A brief description of every writer who contributed in the completion of our very first issue. You can be one of them!

LOVE & MARRIAGE:

To be the ideal Marriage Candidate By Rodney Rabbani

GOOGLE EXPANDS TO ISRAEL A cutting-edge Google campus opens in Tel-Aviv. By Abigail Klein Leichman

LAYWERS & LAW SCHOOL What you should know before choosing a career in law. By Jonathan Delshad

MY STUDENT LIFE IN PARIS By Rebecca Aframian, who shares her “Living Student Life in Paris.”

GONDI!! Our obsession with these delicious dumplings. By Karmel Melamed

04 15 16 18

SHABBAT MISUNDERSTOOD By Eman Esmailzadeh

YOUR SWEET TOOTH The dirty truth about it. By Farah D. Shamolian, MPH

SPOTTED FASHION FAVORITES Adam Bakhash and Rachelle Yadegar. By Judith Ilolilian

THE TESTS OF TIME ...Clarifying opportunities for growth. By Dorsa Beroukhim Kay

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.... Contact THE SKRIBE and share your thoughts with us! We would love to hear from you!

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Israel Today

GOOGLE OPENS CAMPUS IN TEL AVIV

BY Abigail Klein Leichman

tartup spaces in Tel Aviv are getting to be a dime a dozen, but the prime minister doesn’t attend the opening of every single one. The Israeli premier was, however, on hand at the December 2012 ribbon-cutting for Google’s Campus Tel Aviv, a one-floor shared work environment available to Israeli startups, developers and entrepreneurs at no charge. Campus TLV, like Campus London opened nine months previously, is a part of the Google for Entrepreneurs program to foster global entrepreneurship and innovation. It offers access to Google’s devices and experts, as well as workshops and events for the local tech community. This is the newest pin on the map of Google facilities in Israel, according to Google Israel Communications Director Paul Solomon.

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A community-minded venture Google opened its Tel Aviv offices in 2006. Currently, 270 developers work in this creatively designed eight-floor headquarters in the 45-story Electra Tower. Another 80 employees churn out new products and technologies at Google’s Haifa R&D lab. “We also have a business operation here working with advertisers in Israel, Europe and Africa to build online businesses,” says Solomon. Google Israel personnel have taken the lead in cultural preservation projects, such as digitizing historical archives of Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Campus TLV is another community-minded move for the California-based multinational corporation. “We’re not looking for acquisitions or talent,” Solomon tells ISRAEL21c. “If it were simply about

“Google began as a startup in a garage.” “ ...and in many ways remains a startup at heart.”

acquisitions, we wouldn’t need to build Campus Tel Aviv. It’s about contributing toward future Israeli tech innovation and helping Israel maintain its reputation as a startup nation, and in doing so, making web and mobile space even better.” Google began as a startup in a garage, Solomon adds, and in many ways remains a startup at heart. “Entrepreneurship is very much in our DNA and we want to help the next generation to be successful. There is tremendous expertise here in Israel. Our goal is filling gaps in knowledge in a number of places.” Huge talent To distinguish the new venture from neighboring projects such as TechLoft, Hub TLV, The Library and The Junction Solomon is unequivocal about what Campus TLV is not.

“There are many incubator and accelerator programs here, and it’s not another one,” he says, “though we do work with existing ones.” In fact, part of the program is a two-week Launchpad pre-accelerator program for very early-stage startups that come through Campus TLV partner incubators, developer hubs and academic institutions. In boot-camp style, Launchpad covers user interface, product strategy and technology, marketing, business development and analytic tools. The first participants are supported by UpWest Labs, The Junction and the Tel Aviv Angel Group. Up to 100 startups per year are expected to pass through. “We recognize the huge talent that has made Israel the world’s second-largest center of tech startups after Silicon Valley,” said Yossi Matias, managing director of Google’s R&D Center.

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“Our continuing investment and expansion in Israel are a testimony to the unique talent here, and we’re committed to helping increase even more the contribution of the Internet to the Israeli economy and society,” added Meir Brand, managing director for Google Israel, Africa and Greece. As for Prime Minister Netanyahu, he termed the opening of Campus TLV “pure joy.” “The world is flying fast and we’re leading the way,” he said. By the way, Google’s physical facility is also leading the way, ecologically speaking. The

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eight-floor office has applied for LEED Platinum certification for its cutting-edge sustainability practices including energy conservation.■

“Entrepreneurship is very much in our DNA and we want to help the next generation to be successful.”

Career Corner

THE TRUTH ABOUT LAWYERS & LAW SCHOOL BY Jonathan Delshad, ESQ

here is a story about a fancy attorney who sent his only son to UCLA for college and promised him a gift of $100,000 if he made it into UCLA law school. After four years of undergraduate studies, the student took his LSATs and called his father and told him that he had wonderful news for him. “Dad – I’m saving you $100,000!” The truth is, going to law school these days can cost you well over $100,000 in tuition,

books, expenses and other costs. And just like any other large investment, you need to do your homework before jumping into it. I graduated from law school with over 300 other students and I would guess that approximately 50% of them are not practicing law at this time. What happened? Many of us are big believers in higher education. We were taught from an early age that the more education we have, the more success-

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ful and respected we will be. To a certain extent, there is a lot of truth in this. Knowledge gained from an education, unlike other assets, is something nobody can take away from you. The longer you work on growing your knowledge and skill set, the more valuable they become, leading to greater benefits in the long-run. For example, a doctor who spent years just learning about the function of the eyes, and has spent his whole career treating eye ailments, will eventually become a great resource for any person with an eye ailment due to the doctor’s experience and extensive knowledge regarding this organ. The truth of this logic leads us to emphasize an investment in higher education. However, law school is a bit of an anomaly. Those who decide to go to law school have probably spent a very limited amount of time, if any, really understanding what a lawyer does. Conversely, someone who is going into higher education for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or any other health care related industry, has had at least a few hundred interactions with health care professionals over their life. We visit doctors when we get sick, and we see our dentist at least 2 times a year (unfortunately, I always seem to visit them more often). However, if you ask students in law school how many lawsuits they have been involved in, chances are most of them would reply “zero.” Furthermore, there are also no pre-requisites needed for law school. To go to medical school, or almost any other professional schooling, you’ll need to take pre-requisites. These pre-requisites, such as biology, chemistry, and physiology, serve to provide some sort of familiarity with the subject matter. Therefore, law students are entering law school without having taken one class that would give them a feel of what practicing law would be like. In my first year of law school, I had friend who said he didn’t want to be a lawyer, but just wanted to be in law school because he didn’t know what else to do with his life. It seemed to me to be the worst way to spend time and money. Not only were these people miserable in law

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school, they also wasted 3 years of their life and $100,000 to no end. The big question now becomes, how do you make sure going to law school and being a lawyer is for you? Here are some tips: 1. If you don’t like reading and writing, law school is not for you. Lawyers read and write a ton. If you like your English classes, writing persuasive essays, or if you read books for fun, you might like law school and being a lawyer. I can’t tell you how many thousands of pages I had to read each semester in law school. If this isn’t a skill you are good at, you can do one of two things, (a) work on it by reading books that interest you or, (b) don’t go to law school. 2. If you don’t like confrontation, practicing law might not be for you. There are, generally speaking, two types of lawyers: one that works on business transactions (writing contracts, advising on tax and corporate structures, etc.) and one that litigates (sues people, goes to court, files motions, and goes to trial). While being a transactional attorney is less confrontational than a litigator, both require some level of confrontation, and you will need to be comfortable with that. Someone who gets angry easily or has a bad temper will usually burn out after practicing law for a little while. 3. If you don’t want to work hard and long hours, being a lawyer might not be for you. While I have heard the myth of a “part time” lawyer, I have not seen it work in practice. Most of the lawyers I know work very hard and very many hours. The practice of law is a service industry. You are providing a service to your clients and, therefore, you need to be available when they need you. You also need to be accommodating to other lawyer’s schedules and the court’s schedules. Essentially, you can’t really practice law on your own time, and you’ll have to be flexible with your hours. Being a lawyer is not typically a nine to five job.

Despite all the things mentioned above, practicing law is very rewarding. You will be dealing with complicated and intellectually challenging moments numerous times throughout your day. You will deal with a variety of personality types and will have to sharpen your negotiating, menhat, tahrof, and tadig eating skills. Just like any other business, practicing law has its ups and downs, investments, and risks. You’ll need to work hard for a few years with someone who can show you the ropes before you really struggle for a few years on your own to make your practice successful. Therefore, if you are really considering law school, try to find an internship or other job in the legal field that will give you a sense of what practicing law would be like be-

fore making that $100,000 investment. If it’s not for you, call your dad and give him the “good news.”■ Jonathan J. Delshad is a Lawyer in Los Angeles who practices in all areas of employment law.

I’LL LEAVE YOU WITH A LAWYER JOKE: A lawyer was briefing his client, who was about to testify in his defense. “You must swear to tell the complete truth. Do you understand?” The client replied that he did. The lawyer then asked, “Do you know what will happen if you don’t tell the truth?” The client looked back and said, “I imagine that our side will win.”

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Women’s Voices

Lean In:

A Persian Jewish Perspective

t’s hard to believe that today, in 2014, gender inequality still exists in the workplace. At least, that was my reaction as I began turning the pages of Sheryl Sandberg’s popular and controversial hit, Lean In. In her intriguing book, Sandberg, currently the COO and second-in-command at Facebook, pours out study after study showing the disadvantages that women face in the workplace. The most striking example was her recap of the famous Heidi/Howard study. In this study, professors split their students into two groups. Group 1 read a case study about a successful entrepreneur, Heidi. Group 2 read a case study about the exact same person, except the name “Heidi” was swapped out for “Howard.” Students were asked to rate this person in terms of likeability. The result? Students in the Howard group found him to be likeable, and students in the Heidi group perceived her as selfish and not “the type of person you want to hire or work for.” This study suggests that society may look with disdain upon a woman who is ambitious, assertive, and accomplished in the workplace – while such behavior is praised in a man. Indeed, many studies show that girls and women are often discouraged from displaying the very behavior that fuels career progression – namely, taking risks and advocating for oneself. So what does this mean?

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by Jackie Rafii In her book, Sandberg argues that this means both women and men should work together to break down obstacles that prevent ambitious, career-minded women from reaching their full potential in the workplace. She points out that women make tremendous leaders, and argues that society as a whole will benefit with more women in leadership positions. She then offers solid advice for career-minded women that I would like emphasize to our own community, and especially to the Persian-Jewish community. Sit at the table. Sandberg paints a picture of a corporate conference room, with chairs around the table, filled by men only. She argues that during important meetings, conferences, and lectures, women often sit in chairs at the back of the room – not at the table. Why? Because, according to Sandberg, women in the workplace are still limited by the belief that they shouldn’t speak up; that they are mere guests at high-level meetings. And no wonder: in her own experience, Sandberg has been chastised for interrupting a speaker at a meeting, while her male colleagues who did the very same thing were praised. Sandberg encourages women to throw out these perceptions and take a seat at the main table. She dares us to be brave and give voice to our views in meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. Don’t leave before you leave. Perhaps the most powerful message in my mind, Sandberg cautions women against checking out of the workplace before they actually have to, because

“Let’s strip our minds from conventional wisdom once in a while. Ladies, don’t accept the limiting thoughts that society places on you.” of their potential future family obligations. She points out that many women make certain career choices – for example, refraining from striving for a higher position at their company – so that they won’t be stuck in a demanding, time-sucking job when they have children at home. There are serious dangers to this approach – things I had never thought about. First, if you don’t invest in your job or career, you probably won’t grow to be that passionate about it. Second, you likely won’t make big strides at work, which would get you noticed by your colleagues and allow you to advance to bigger and better positions. So what ends up happening? You’re stuck at a mediocre job that you don’t care much about, and when you have a child, the choice to stay at home (and never return to work) is an easy one. You left before you left. Now consider the alternative. Before you have a family, you dive into your career wholeheartedly, give it your all, and don’t hold back. You’re rewarded, both personally and professionally – you have built something for yourself. Further, when the time comes to have a child, you’re more likely to have made yourself a valuable asset to your company. They want you to stay. You might be able to negotiate better terms for your time off – and, should you want to return (which many women eventually do), your company is more likely to keep the job open to you, on favorable terms (part-time, for example).

So I want to ask a challenging question to the young, ambitious, talented women in our community: are you choosing, or sticking with, a mediocre job – because eventually you know you want to have a family? This is a question I have to face as well. I urge you to consider diving into your professional pursuits with an open mind, so that you may pave the way for better and more choices when the time comes to have a family. Another tough question to consider. Are you – are we – refraining from speaking up, sitting at the table, or reaching for leadership positions because society (especially, I will venture, the Persian-Jewish community) tends to applaud modest and only-speak-when-you’re-spoken-to women, while viewing assertive and out-spoken women with raised eyebrows? I want to echo Sandberg’s message to any woman in our community who can relate: if you want to speak up and take a leadership role, don’t worry about appearing less desirable, more suspect, and being less liked. It’s a real loss to the community if you don’t step up and contribute your talents. Further, don’t worry now about a possible future where you might spend less time with your kids because of a demanding job. Set yourself up for success, so that when you get there, you have a meaningful choice to make. But this message is not just for the women. We also need the rest of our community to open their minds and erase outdated stigmas, so that

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we can help the ambitious, career-minded women in our society feel comfortable about shining and reaching their full potential. To respond to some of the criticism of this book, Lean In is not a manifesto that places career-oriented women above stay-at-home moms. On the contrary, Sandberg repeatedly emphasizes her respect for the immensely difficult, rewarding, and crucial role of the stay-at-home parent. She points out that an intense, full-time career is not for everyone. Rather, she wants to break down barriers for those women who want to immerse themselves professionally, but feel societal or psychological pressure not to. One final, and perhaps controversial, note. Some traditional views in our community want to pigeonhole men and women into their respective roles by quoting the oft-repeated argument that “men and women are different. It’s biology.” They believe that the laws of nature will be irreparably broken, with horrible consequences for marriage and society, if women are more career-

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focused (and as a result, men take on domestic duties). Of course men and women are different. Of course they have different strengths. But any individual has different strengths from the next person, male or female. The point here is that biological differences should not make a women feel like she has to stick to a predetermined role if she doesn’t want to. And in any case, many studies challenge our notions of rigid roles. For example, data suggests that having both parents work outside the home can be better for a child’s development. Let’s strip our minds from conventional wisdom once in a while. Ladies, don’t accept the limiting thoughts that society places on you. As Sandberg says: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Don’t be afraid to be a leader. You might just be the leader that our community needs.■ Jackie Rafii is a native of Los Angeles with a background in music and law. She is studying to be a cantor, and leads services in synagogues across LA.

The Evolution of Plastic Surgery & Wedding Attire: Attention Seeking In The Ultra-Competitive Dating Scene

o no one’s surprise, the men of this generation are delaying marriage, and as you would imagine, it has a ripple effect in the dating scene. The days of “suggested” marriages from just a generation ago are largely behind us and the reputations we depend on for insight on potential suitors are largely based in markedly different indicators than our parents’ considerations when they were dating for marriage. Social status and beauty dominate the landscape by which singles quickly survey the adequacy of suitors. At some point, likely when the ratio of eligible women eclipsed that of marriage-minded men, desperation set in. The problem? The ever-increasing difficulty of finding a mate, the rise in assimilation and acceptance of intermarriage, as well as the sobering reality that some men may just never choose marriage. The solution? Relatively innocent and commonplace nose jobs have evolved into extensive facial and body work, including, but not limited to, lip and breast augmentation as well as facial fillers, in order to help women stand out to attract the maximum attention of males. Compounding the phenomenon is the increasing shamelessness of the wardrobe choices which leave little to the imagination. Subtle cleavage has evolved into barely-there backless gowns that would make debutantes blush. But wait, there’s more...this is happening at weddings and bar mitzvahs...with elderly people and children...and, much to the dismay of those ladies strutting their stuff...it’s as if it is going unnoticed.

With the hope of making their suitors’ hearts race, these ladies are really just starting an arms race - that of an insatiable and line-blurring culture of superficial, skin-deep beauty. Despite their resistance to fall into the trap, these women find themselves boldly encouraged by their parents to do whatever it takes to be noticed. One thing is for sure: every girl in that skin-tight, scandalous dress will quickly note that it’s a cold war - no one can afford to lose the battle, no one is surrendering, and no one is comfortable with the position they find themselves in. As a community, we condone the investment in, and public parading of, the most fleeting and one-dimensional qualities of our women. Let’s hope that, someday soon, it will be as trendy to parade their ever-increasing brilliance, sophistication and success.■

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Opinion

BY Eyal Aharonov

Food for Thought

The Importance of

Being Selfish By Raymond Nourmand, Ph.D.

ften we’re told being selfish is bad. It’s disrespectful, shameful, and wrong. But we are all selfish. Every one of us. We act to serve ourselves. We eat what tastes good to us, befriend those who understand us, and do what brings happiness to us. However, true selfishness takes courage. Being honest about who you are, what you want, and what you are willing to do to get it are important aspects of selfishness. Selfishness is about knowing yourself, getting in touch with yourself, and realizing that you are worth it. You deserve a shot. You are good enough. And that’s why being truly selfish can be scary. It’s about taking risks. The risk of stepping into the unknown, the risk of seeing something anew, the risk of trying something new. There’s also the risk of being different, the risk of standing out, the risk that people might not accept you. Many of us live according to the expectations of others, so much so that over time we forget who we really are. Being truly selfish is about understanding yourself, understanding others, and being able to distinguish between the two. Society constantly tells us what we “should” want. We should want the latest phones, clothes, and cars. We should want fame, fortune, and

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power. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting any of these, the truth is many of us pursue these things not because we want them, but because we think that by having them others will like and accept us more. Unfortunately, in a culture replete with such distractions, the line between “I” and “other” can get easily blurred. Thus, the quest for true selfishness not only takes diligence, but bravery in being able to separate what I want, versus what they want. It’s only after you have given to yourself wholly and completely, that you can truly give to another person. You can only give as much as you have. To truly give selflessly, you must be coming from a solid, self-loving place. You have to love yourself, care for yourself, and be happy with who you are. To get there, you have to care enough about yourself to go for what you truly want, to get your needs met. You must be selfish. Otherwise, what you call “giving” is not so much giving as much as it might be more a way to get approval. When giving, the less their reaction affects you, the more selfless a place you are giving from. Therefore, you must first be truly selfish to be truly selfless. So why do people sometimes accuse one another of being selfish, as if being selfish is bad?

“When giving, the less their reaction affects you, the more selfless a place you are giving from.” “Being selfish means caring for yourself. It means loving yourself, and valuing yourself enough to be the person you want to be.” Well, it seems as though when we accuse others of being selfish, we really mean arrogant, conceited, or self-absorbed. Ironically, people who come off as arrogant, conceited, or self-absorbed actually have very low opinions of themselves; they have little self-worth. Contrary to popular belief, they are not selfish at all. They have not cared for themselves to get their core needs met. They compensate for their lack of self-worth by pretending to be something they are not; they are only presenting a facade to cover up how bad they feel inside. Conversely, people who are selfish do have self-worth, they do value themselves, and they do care for themselves in doing what is important to them. Selfish people are less likely to become arrogant, conceited, or self-absorbed because they are focused on getting their needs met in a meaningful way. In addition, we tend to forget that when people make such vehement claims, they are really making a statement about themselves. They are unsettled, uncomfortable by the sight of a person being different. They probably feel threatened. Deep down, they are likely thinking, “By

seeing you act in your own individual way, I’m feeling uneasy about myself. This difference in opinion, stance, point of view makes me feel insecure and unsure of myself. I’m afraid your position might have some validity that I have not considered. I’m afraid to entertain this thought because it may mean that I’m wrong or my understanding is incomplete. I’m too scared to admit this because it’s too overwhelming. Instead of seeing this for what it is, I’m going to focus my attention on you, blame you, and put you down. It’s so much easier to point at you than to look at my own vulnerability and fallibility, to admit I might be wrong or missing something.” Being selfish means caring for yourself. It means loving yourself, and valuing yourself enough to be the person you want to be. Selfish people are aware, they are real, and they are honest. They muster up the courage to be who they want to be, and respect others for who they want to be.■ Raymond Nourmand, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist. He aims to help people better understand themselves.

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Arts and Culture

La Vie Parisienne - Parisian life

BY Rebecca Aframian aguettes, bĂŠrets, Le Tour Eiffel, mais oui!

Paris, the City of Light and love. Adored for its extraordinary architecture, charming cobblestoned streets, and mysterious romantic allure lying under its grey skies. Many of its treasures, however, remain undiscovered by the common visitor. Having the opportunity to spend six months living in Paris, I was not only able to uncover the many facets of the city, but of myself as well. Living so far away from home, I soon realized, was the greatest catalyst in reuniting me with my Jewish identity. Sometimes life will get you completely lost in order to unexpectedly find yourself. As a student, I have always been intrigued by learning new languages and cultures. Attend-

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ing my daily French class, my reveries of passing delightful sidewalk cafĂŠs and uncovering the endless rich history of Paris would linger in my thoughts. My innate love for adventure told me this was something I had to explore. As I researched various opportunities of going abroad, I could not help but contemplate the questions that constantly swirled my mind; could I live so far away from home? Would I be able to assimilate into a completely new environment? How would I be able to keep my Jewish values intact? Yet, despite all my doubts and uncertainties, I felt this was a path that could not be left undiscovered; that inexplicable feeling was urging me to look beyond my fears and simply trust in the outcome.

As the applications went out, the responses poured in. Several anxious weeks later, I sat at my desk with my acceptance letter to my first choice interior design school starring back at me. Despite my apprehension, I allowed my emunah to conquer my fears, as sometimes life’s greatest passage is just a leap of faith. Living amongst the largest Jewish population in Europe, I immediately felt right at home within the effortlessly chic Parisian community -- a large melting pot of Moroccans, Tunisians and Algerians. As acquaintances soon became friends, I realized that no matter where I am in the world, as a Jew, we are all intrinsically connected to one another. Although so far away from home, I couldn’t help but feel that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I didnt know if it was gravity, or simple attraction keeping me there. Descending le métro, walking to school each morning with my pain au chocolat in hand to the breathtaking sight of Le Jardin du Luxembourg covered in freshly fallen snow. Or a taking a stroll along La Seine at dusk passing the accordion players and local artists was something I thought only existed in the films. But no, this was Paris. Yet, as I soon realized my thirst for all things beautiful and scenic had been quenched, my desire for Torah learning laid yearning. I hastily sought out shiurim of local Rabbanit who were more than welcoming to l’américaine. Learning Torah in French? Formidable! Listening to the Meghilla read during Purim in the oldest synagogue in the city was indescribable. The Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue, built by famed 18th century Art Nouveau architect Héctor Guimard is rested in the quaint, but never quiet, Jewish quarter, Le Marais. As I strolled down one of the most aged districts of Paris, each step served as a reminder of the indentation the Jewish community has made throughout history. Walking along the Rue des Rosiers on the eve of Shabbat, the excitement in the air is palpable; the smell of fresh baked challah and pastries from Le Korcarz boulangerie, listening to the mothers rushing to pick up their children from

the corner Hebrew school and wishing one another a ‘Chabbat Chalom’, or the endless line at the exceptionally popular L’as du Falafel. Being constantly surrounded by my fellow Jews, I felt secure knowing that no matter where I came from or where I was going, I always had a strong sense community I could embrace. As a lone traveler, I appreciated the opportunity to immerse myself in an entirely novel culture. Being completely detached from my a comfort zone, to a place where I felt truly inspired, yet completely misplaced at times, it challenged me to stay faithful to my belief system. I reveled at the prospect of living in an entirely new setting, as it confronted me to introspect and sincerely see how “Jewish” I would stay when absent from all other outside forces: my family, my friends, and my home community. It further pushed me to stray beyond my boundaries, meet new people, and try something new each day that made me a little nervous, even. As it is often stated, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” The past several months have been one of the most rewarding experiences both academically and personally. I have been so fortunate to live in a flourishing city I love, and where so many of my passions intertwine one another; the breathtaking architecture and scenery, as well as a richness of Jewish life and culture. Living in Paris has not only inspired me professionally, but has created a large spark in reviving my spiritual connection. By removing myself from my place of comfort to a pool of uncertainty, yet striving as my heart told me to never object to my fears, the sentiment of emunah is now truly engrained in who I am. It is only now that I unreservedly understand the storybook lesson Le Petit Prince taught me as a child, “On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur.” One only sees clearly with the heart. Oui, c’est sûr.■ Rebecca Aframian is currently completing her master’s degree in interior architecture and design at L’École des Beaux-Arts Paris American Academy in Paris, France.

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Flavor

OUR OBSESSION

WITH GONDI!

Delicious dumplings traditionally served as a side dish in the Iranian Jewish culture. by Karmel Melamed

GONDI: pronounced go-n-dee

“W

hat are those delicious dumplings that look like matzahballs?” an American rabbi inquired of me recently. “You’ve got to find me someone who has the recipe for this food, it’s one of the best I’ve ever had in my life!” The rabbi could not stop asking me questions about some mouth-watering “dumplings” he had recently eaten at the home an Iranian Jewish family. I immediately knew he was talking about the famous “Gondi” dumplings. He never had this special dish before because it is exclusively prepared by Iranian Jews in the home and rarely if ever offered in Persian restaurants. Gondi, (pronounced go-n-dee) is perhaps the single most unique food to the Jews of Iran and is on the dinner table of most Iranian Jewish fami-

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lies for their Shabbat dinners. Prepared as dumplings that are cooked and served in chicken soup, Gondi is the traditional side dish or appetizer Iranian Jews enjoy along with Middle Eastern bread as well as raw green vegetables including mint, watercress, and basil. It is typically served in a hot bowl of chicken soup with some families also adding in potatoes and a turkey leg. I’ve come to realize that the preparation of Gondi is not only a labor of love for Iranian Jewish mothers, but enjoying the dish is always a time for families to gather and in a way reconnect with their past. Over the years, the vast majority of Iranian American Jews have informed me that Gondi first originated in the Jewish ghetto in Tehran many years ago—exactly when, no one knows. Now, before any Jews coming from a city either than Tehran

get upset with me, I must mention the fact that Jews from the other Iranian cities also claim to be the first inventors of Gondi. In any case, it was a special food prepared only for Shabbat dinner because its main ingredient of ground lamb or chicken was expensive. While Iranian Jews over the centuries have eaten the same types of foods as other Iranians, Gondi has been one of their few culinary innovations that they can claim as their own. If you ask older Iranian Jewish women what the ingredients of Gondi are, they will give you almost 100 different variations of the same ingredients. To the best of my research the following is a recipe for a serving of eight Gondi dumplings: 4 medium onions, peeled and quartered; 1½ pound skinless, boneless chicken breast 8 ounces or about 2¼ cups of ground chickpeas; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper & 1½ teaspoon cardamom. The preparation of Gondi can be tricky. First, the onions are very finely minced by hand or thoroughly blended in a food processor. Then, ground chickpeas or chickpea flour is added to the mixture and hand mixed with the onions. Next, chicken breasts or turkey breasts are blended or ground, to have the same texture as ground beef. Now some folks who prefer the taste of veal will use a combination of ground veal and ground chicken breasts. In any case, the ground chicken is added to the onions and oil, salt, pepper, and cardamom are added to the mixture. Some individuals will also add turmeric and cumin to the mixture. All these ingredients should be hand mixed very well, then water should be added to make a dough-like mixture. The mixture should then be refrigerate until well-chilled for about two to three hours. When the chilled mixture is removed, the chef preparing the dish should dip their hands in cold water and divide the mixture into small portions. Each portion is then fashioned into balls about two inches in diameter. Finally the dumplings should be gently added one by one to a chicken soup that has been brought to a boil. The

“Gondi (pronounced go-n-dee) is perhaps the single most unique food to the Jews of Iran and is on the dinner table of most Iranian Jewish families for their Shabbat dinners” pot cooking the dish should be covered and left to simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes. Preparing Gondi is no easy task and more often than not, amateur cooks fail in their first several attempts. Nevertheless, practice makes perfect and overtime anyone who is able to prepare a delicious tasting Gondi dish is typically given high praise in any Iranian Jewish family. My only hope is that younger Iranian Jews living outside of Iran will continue cooking this amazing dish not only because it’s delicious, but because it’s a part of our heritage that needs to be kept alive. Unfortunately, since Gondi is not widely available to the general public and not cooked in restaurants, the older generations of parents and grandparents have a responsibility to pass on the recipes and techniques of cooking Gondi. I bid you happy eating and encourage you to ask your Iranian Jewish friends to indulge you with Gondi the next you visit them for Friday night dinner!■ Karmel Melamed is a published freelance journalist. He’s received several journalism awards and works as an independent public relations consultant.

ISSUE# 1

The Honorable Mensch’n

BY Farah D. Shamolian, MPH

The Honorable Mensch’n

JACOB HANAIE

“W

ith any good deed that is done in life, the reward is not immediate. One might do a small act of kindness, not thinking twice about doing it, and never know the effect it might have on someone’s life.” These are the words of Mr. Jacob Hanaie, 34, who has been a “Big Brother” to Ben, 16, for over five years. For 90 years, The Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters program has been empowering young kids by providing mentorships to those in need of guidance and simply a friend. After completing graduate school, Jacob knew he wanted to get involved in a mentorship program. Once he found the Big Brother opportunity, he was thrilled to start immediately and share his wisdom with a young teen. However, the process was more challenging than he thought. After a

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months of the undergoing screening process, he was finally matched with his “brother”, Ben, who is a Persian Jew like Jacob. Upon their first few meetings together, they were both shy and didn’t know what to expect from their newfound relationship. Little did they know, five years later they would develop a deep relationship rooted in fun and meaningful experiences and conversations. Over the past few years, they have engaged in activities, such as playing basketball, going out to sporting events, and volunteering together. Jacob describes Ben as an important person in his life, “He is beyond just being my “Little Bro” now. I consider him a friend, or even family, I can talk about and discuss anything with not only him, but his mom as well”. One major highlight of this experience for Jacob was when Ben pre-

sented a speech at his school graduation mentioning Jacob as his mentor. Jacob has not only befriended this young boy, but he hopes he has been a part of helping him grow into the young man that he has become. “He’s even taller than me now!” The teenage years are a sensitive time where guidance and counseling are vital to overall personal, mental, and emotional well being. Parental influence and guidance is important, however, Jacob feels he was able to connect with his “brother” on another level. “I hope I had the ability to bridge the gap between his generation and his parents’.” Not only has this been an educational ride for Ben, but for Jacob as well. “As much as I thought I was teaching him, there were many instances where I was learning from the situation as well.” For both Jacob and Ben, this has been a learn-

ing experience that has taught them things they could have never imagined. Ben has not only been able to express his emotions to someone he could trust, but he has also gained a lifelong mentor and friend. Additionally, Jacob has had the opportunity to learn about the subtleties of dealing with teens, which allows him to be able to apply these lessons to his own future. Overall, this experience highlights the importance of sharing time with others that might be in need. The process and time commitment may seem challenging, but the results are invaluable. To learn more about JBBBS and information about volunteering visit: www.jbbbs.org. Farah D. Shamolian has a Masters in Public Health. Her special interest is in global development, maternal/child health, and obesity prevention.

ISSUE# 1

Healthy Living

BY Farah D. Shamolian, MPH

Healthy Living: The Dirty Truth About

Your Sweet Tooth F ood. It is arguably the most integral component of our daily life. It supplies us with sustenance and nourishment, and provides love and comfort. Unfortunately, in the modern day, food has presented a plethora of problems, including an unprecedented amount of both physical and mental disease. Namely, nearly 51% of the U.S. population is sick with metabolic dysfunction: 30% of Americans are obese, and up to 40% of average-weight individuals have the same metabolic dysfunction as those who are obese. It is crucial to grasp why this is happening and how we can help prevent this horrible, ever-growing epidemic. I will introduce a perspective that may just change the way you see and define food. Now more than ever, we have the resources and knowledge to tackle this issue head on, such as educating the public through government nutrition labeling and nationwide nutrition and fitness promotion campaigns. Startlingly enough, not only have these resources failed to make an impact, but they have made matters worse. For example, between 1980 and 2000, fitness club memberships more than doubled across America, yet at the same time the obesity rate also doubled. In 1980 the number of documented Type II diabetes cases among American adolescents (ages 8-19) was zero. Whereas in 2010, there were 57,638 U.S. adolescents diagnosed with this life-threatening (but preventable) disease.

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Let’s be real. Sweet and salty indulgences such as Oreos, Cheetos, Chips Ahoy Cookies, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, etc…. just taste so darn good! As humans we naturally want food that tastes good. We deserve to spoil our palate and take part in one of the greatest pleasures life can offer us – eating. However, within the past 30 years, American culture has been bombarded with food products that rate 10 on the taste scale and 0 on health. The taste may be gratifying for that second, but once you look at the ingredient list with all the processed chemicals, additives, and hidden sugars, it is clear that what was just consumed was far from what food really is or should be. In fact, food nutrition labels contain recommended daily percentages for fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates — but not for sugar. There is a secret the sugar lobbyists don’t want you to know and they have successfully kept this off the label, making it harder for us to distinguish how much sugar we’ve consumed. You might ask yourself: why would a food company do such a thing? The problem is that healthier unadulterated foods such as unprocessed vegetables, fruits, and grains are not as lucrative as processed and refined foods. You might be familiar with the “low-fat” craze, which pressured food manufacturers to reduce fat intake. Seems like a great thing, right? Wrong! On the contrary, the “low-fat” craze has caused food manufacturers to decrease the fat in foods

and quietly double up on sweeteners, which has undeniably contributed to the stunning rise in recent years of obesity-related illness. From 1977 to 2000, Americans doubled their dietary sugar intake. As if this weren’t disturbing enough, since 1995, corn-based sweetener companies have received over $8 billion in subsidies. Between 1970 and 1990, the consumption of high fructose corn syrup in America increased by 1000 percent. Did you know that a typical 20-ounce bottle of soda contains sixteen teaspoons of sugars from high fructose corn syrup? With billions of dollars spent on the strategic marketing of food products, we have been programmed at a young age to believe that any food product with a famous character on it, along with the pounds of sugar added, is deemed as gratifying delicious food. This makes me think… whatever happened to whole, natural, untainted food? Everything we’ve been told about food and exercise for the past thirty years is completely wrong. Big food conglomerates have been allowed to feed our nation tons of sugar. So much

so that Type II diabetes, which historically occurs in middle to later life, is now becoming commonplace in children coast-to-coast across America. The everyday processed foods that we think are healthy are not in reality. Most sugary cereals advertise the glorious fact that it contains 8 grams of fiber, but they do not say a word about the 40 grams of sugar! If we don’t take control of this issue now, not only are we ourselves doomed, but our future generations will have to worry about doctors’ office visits rather than which sport or instrument to start playing. We as a nation are getting sicker and sicker and fatter and fatter and the food industry is lying to our faces. The only real solution relies on you. Be a conscious shopper. Just because the word “health” is on the package of a food product it does not necessarily mean that it is healthier. Finding healthy options that taste good is not easy, however it is your role to be in charge of your health. Ultimately, if a food needs to convince you that it’s healthy, it’s probably not. “Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” - Anna Lappe■

ISSUE# 1

neuroscience of

Meditation BY Dorsa Beroukhim Kay

ave you ever meditated? You know that feeling you get of a silent yet awake state of mind? Well if you haven’t, here is a popular experiment that highlights how meditation can impact our mind. Try to think of a pink elephant. You’re picturing it in your mind? Alright, now for the next 10 seconds, try to think of anything but a pink elephant. Go.

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If you’re like most people, you probably thought of a pink elephant at least a few times in those 10 seconds. This simple experiment illustrates the challenge of controlling our thoughts, which is at the core of meditation. Meditation, as described by Aryeh Kaplan, may be achieved through various practices, such as meditating on a sentence (“Life is good”), a piece of music, or an image. What

“Modern scientific research has revealed a tremendous amount of support for how meditation actually changes the human brain.” each of these forms of meditation have in common, according to Kaplan, is “thinking in a controlled manner, directing our mind how we wish for a period of time”. This form of controlled thinking was used by our prophets to reach their state of heightened consciousness. Modern scientific research has revealed a tremendous amount of support for how meditation actually changes the human brain. Researcher Richard Davidson from the University of Wisconsin has studied the brains of Buddhist monks who have more than 10,000 hours of meditation practice. These studies have demonstrated greater activity in the limbic system, which is the brain’s emotional network, as well as reduced reactivity in response to distractions during meditation. How can we utilize the findings presented above to improve our daily lives? Well, the next time we are engaged in a task and a random, unrelated worry pops into our head about business or dinner plans, regular meditation would enable us to stay focused on our present task and would help prevent that random thought from turning into a stressor. Another research group, led by Andrew Newberg from the University of Pennsylvania, showed that meditators have greater activity in the frontal cortex, an area of the brain that is involved with voluntary control of attention and concentration. This is also the same area that’s active during executive functions like

when we are making decisions, planning goals, solving problems and making judgments like deciding what to eat, whether or not to go to the gym, and sticking to our career goals. Recent work in neuroscience has also looked at how a short practice in meditation can physically change the brain. In 2011, Dr. Christopher Moore from MIT found that people who meditated for 2 weeks were better able to control a specific type of brain wave, called alpha rhythms, in response to a cue/ stimulus. Alpha waves are active during selective attention, which are thought to reduce affects of distractions and help control focus & attention. More research is being done to examine how meditation changes the connections within our brain and how different areas of our brain communicate with each other. For example, the Parietal lobe, a key region involved with processing our place in space and time, shows greater activity in meditators, which may explain the feeling of transcendence often connected to the meditation experience. In sum, just like we exercise our muscles to gain better strength and control, we meditate to strengthen our brain and our control over our thoughts and emotions. In our daily life, meditation may allow us to become more aware of our mind and enable us to better deal with everyday stress. A dose of meditation may do us all good.■

ISSUE# 1

Fashion

Spotted Fashion Favorites By Judith Iloulian/Fashion Designer

he Noah’s Ark Initiative is the product of a special collaborative leadership project produced by the new community group MOJO-- Misfits of Jewish Outreach. On June 15, 2014 MOJO hosted an unforgettable evening aboard a 4-decker yacht. It was an all inclusive evening complete with the finest onboard entertainment, kosher gourmet cuisine, specialty drinks and live music to enjoy alongside 300 Jewish Young Professionals. Both Rachelle Yadegar and Adam Bakhash were stunners at the MOJO event. In midst of all the guests, they surely stood out in their flawless, classy, and sophisticated ensembles.

Adam Bakhash

Private Client Banker at J.P. Morgan Chase

GET THE LOOK BLAZER: Tom Ford SHIRT: Rag & Bone SHOES: Del Toro / BELT: Hermes

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If MOJO had an award for bestdressed male it would have gone to Adam Bakhash. He looked stylish in a green velvet blazer, crisp white shirt, and black pants. We couldn’t miss the shoes -- black leather slipper-style loafers embellished with gold studs. Adam’s bold green velvet blazer portrays refinement and elegance. Its soft texture and luxurious material demands all the right attention because he styled it to perfection. To achieve a trendy, cohesive look, velvet blazers should be paired with different textiles, just like the way Adam paired his blazer with black pants.■ “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” —Rachel Zoe

R achelle Yadegar Fashion Designer/ Stylist

As a personal friend of Rachelle Yadegar, I knew that she would show up with a perfect outfit for the MOJO event. I mean, when can you wear a long white dress... besides to your own wedding?! Rachelle had the perfect outfit that was fancy and sophisticated without being over the top. The dress itself can be worn in the daytime, but paired with a cardigan and some gold accessories, it’s the perfect attire for a yatch party. A cardigan is a specialty piece that can be essentially thrown over almost anything. It can take an outfit to another level, especially when you pair it with classic accessories like Rachelle did. Not only did the cardigan make the outfit look chic, but thanks to its versatile “climate control” functionality, the cardigan provided Rachelle with the ability to deal with the weather’s unpredictability.■ “Simplicity is the key note of all true elegance.” —Coco Chanel

GET THE LOOK DRESS: Cameo SHOES: ZARA CARDIGAN & ACCESORIES: BCBG

ISSUE# 1

Growth & Development

F INDING ! T H G I R . MR

WANT TO BE A BETTER Marriage

Candidate?

BY Rodney Rabbani

Advice from a Family Therapist

t is often said that a good man or good woman is hard to find. How many of us truly want this? Where do we find these elusive soul mates? Better yet, if you were to find them, would you be able to maintain a long lasting relationship with them? Do your morals, ethics, and values parallel the qualities of this person? Is he or she actively learning and growing? Are you?

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We are all looking for that perfect person, but where are you looking? My friendsâ&#x20AC;Ś The answer is simple. Before looking outwards to find this person, you must start by looking from within yourself. You see, we are constantly searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right, but we must also look at ourselves. What makes you deserve this person? What makes you a worthy candidate?

In this life we do not attract what we want, but what we are. What does this mean? To figure out who you are, ask yourself the following questions: What have you done today? Yesterday? What do you look forward to accomplishing emotionally and professionally in the future? What qualities do you admire about yourself that will potentially attract your wife or husband or partner? Are you gossiping or speaking lashon hara? Think about it, would you want to attract

someone who maintains the same type of behavior? We are all looking for the ideal candidate, but are you an ideal candidate? Licenses and credentials are handed out for virtually every goal and profession out there. Everyone in almost every field is required to prove their expertise. But for the bigger areas in life, the ones that matter the most and determine our ultimate state of happiness, there is no licensing—-no way for us to measure what we know. No degrees in self-esteem,

spiritually. Don’t be afraid to consult those around you who know how to deal with life’s trials and tests. We are not omniscient. It is okay not to know how to cope with the situations we face on a daily or even weekly basis. Dr. Nathaniel Branden, one of America’s leading experts in self esteem, writes “A concern with morality or ethics arises naturally, in the early stages of our development… inherent in our existence in humanity is the question: what kind of being should I seek to become? By what principles should I

“We are all looking for the ideal candidate, but are you an ideal candidate?”

H OW E TO BECOM T! H G I R . S R M

no credentials for resilience, and no schools for relationships. So how can we build and thrive in our relationships without any direction? I invite you to start becoming mindful of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Become aware of everything around you, and work hard. Work hard towards growing emotionally,intellectually,

guide my life? What values are worth pursuing?” Many of us have not delved deep into these questions, or thought about them comprehensively. But when we do, we will find it much easier to identify what we are looking for in others, as well as ourselves.■ Rodney Rabbani is an MFT Trainee and Group Counselor in the Los Angeles area.

ISSUE# 1

BY TIME

SEPARATION

BY Dorsa Beroukim Kay

Dorsa Beroukim Kay is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Southern California.

“...clarifying opportunities for growth.”

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e’re faced with all sorts of opportunities throughout our day that stimulate us to grow and develop into our wiser selves. Many times, these opportunities present themselves in the form of a test. These tests can show up within a decision that needs to be made, in attaining understanding of a circumstance we’re placed in or trying to make sense of the cause of a situation we’re faced with. In our daily experiences, we are expected to find clarity within each of these examples. Often enough however, it’s precisely the lack of clarity that can transform this test into an overwhelming struggle. But, how can we take hold of life’s tests and prevent them from becoming the source of stress and anxiety? Lets examine the mechanism underlying such tests and unpack the components that define clarity within them. Lets consider a simple scenario we’ve all faced. We learn as young children that tasting a hot drink too quickly hurts our tongue. So after only a few of these experiences, we learn that to avoid the burning effect

we need to double check that it has cooled down before drinking. We’ve connected the action to the consequence. And we’ve used this relationship to modify our actions and take control of the consequence. While this a simple example to relate to, this circumstance possesses the same elements as the deeper tests we’re exposed to in our own lives. But, what’s the principal difference that distinguishes the complex tests we face compared to this one? The extended separation in time. As we grow and develop, so do our tests. The presence of time inserted between our actions and their consequence compel us to become more conscious of our actions and more aware of their possible consequences. While it is precisely this disconnection by time that has the potential to create the illusion of confusion when we are faced by a test, it is the effort we make to see beyond this segregation that generates clarity.

Our obligation as Jews is to seek this clarity in every situation; to aspire to live on a conscious plane where we acknowledge the connection between action and consequence and aim to recognize this link unceasingly, so that we may transform all of life’s tests into clarifying opportunities for growth.■

In our daily experiences, we “are expected to find clarity within each of these examples. ” ...It’s precisely the lack of “ clarity that can transform this test into an overwhelming struggle.

”

ISSUE# 1

GIVIN

O F Y GT E O NP UR ER SE CEN LF T O

BY Tabby Davoodi

n Sunday, January 19th, four young professionals from 30 YEARS AFTER, an Iranian-American Jewish civic action organization, sat around a large board room table in Beverly Hills and interviewed over 30 fellow young Iranian Jews from that had applied for a new leadership training program. To an outsider, it looked innocuous enough meetings in a Board room, a water cooler, papers spread out over a table. However, to those of us that were involved more intimately in the deeply rewarding process that has become this program, we understood that in our own small way, we were making history. 30 YEARS AFTER was founded by and is run by young Iranian American Jews, students and professionals alike, in 2007. Our name signifies a moment in time when everything changed

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for our community back in Iran--a Revolution, a devastating war with Iraq, an entire shift in the trajectory of our very lives as the children of Jews that were themselves born in Iran and had planned to live the rest of their lives in that country, never having had a moment of doubt as to whether their children or grandchildren (us) would be raised anywhere else other than Iran, as they and their ancestors had been for 2,700 years. Over 30 years later, here we sat, in the Board room of a legal office of a colleague that had himself escaped Iran as a child, interviewing what we increasingly came to observe as the cream of the crop of young Iranian Jewry in Los Angeles. They had given their time on a Sunday to apply for The Maher Fellowship: the first-ofits-kind young leadership training program run by young Iranian-American Jews for IranianAmerican Jewish community. We asked the applicants everything from their professional background and education to their civic and Jewish life activity and experience. Each candidate blew us away. There was the 22year old that just graduated from Stanford (he was the commencement speaker) and had formerly interned at the State Department, having managed contacts with Syrian opposition rebels for use in intelligence gathering; the 22-year old that was the Founding Executive Director for the non-profit Swipes for the Homeless, which collects and donates unused student meal vouchers to the homeless community - recently recognized by President Obama as the most influential college organization in America. Her greatest passion is encourage fellow Iranian Jews to get their hands dirty and give back to those less privileged; there was even the 28-year old CEO of two start-up companies who holds the record as the youngest-ever elected Board member of Nessah Israel Cultural and Educational Center’s Board of Directors. There is not nearly enough space here to describe how each candidate that walked thru the doors of that boardroom elevated both our pride and our hopes for the next generation of Iranian-American Jews.

“I felt that the time had come to give 10% of myself to something.” “Not merely 10% of his income, but 10% of himself. There is a vast difference between the two.” At the center of it all were two inspiring young men-- the Fellowship’s founder and coordinator, Jason Youdeem, and its primary supporter, Oron Maher, after whom the program is named. Both serve tirelessly on 30 YEARS AFTER’s Executive Committee. When asked why he had decided to support this program with such generosity, Oron’s response blew us away. “I felt that the time had come to give 10% of myself to something,” he said casually during a recent session of the program. Not merely 10% of his income, but 10% of himself. There is a vast difference between the two.

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“To say that our community has been blessed with access to education and financial success in America would be an understatement. “ “...10% by committing to give 10% of yourself means that you allow the cause.” 34

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Perhaps if readers take away any single message from this article, it will be the unbearably simple yet intense wisdom of how to give. To say that our community has been blessed with access to education and financial success in America would be an understatement. To write checks and attend glamorous gala fundraisers might seem as innocuous as conducting daylong meetings in a board room in Beverly Hills. To give the Jewish tithing of 10% by committing to give 10% of yourself means that you allow the cause which you are helping to help you back by reminding YOU what values and actions the world needs from you. Over the course of the next five months, our 18 Maher Fellows will be trained in everything from public speaking to mapping the Los Angeles Jewish community from philanthropy to how to truly be an effective Jewish leader. They will all embark upon Washington, D.C. as Los Angeles delegates to the AIPAC Policy Conference, where they, along with both Jason and Oron, will represent beyond themselves to their community back home in LA, especially their parents that most likely never imagined that their sons or daughters would be convening in America’s capitol to lobby American leaders to support Israel. A seed was planted several Sundays ago in a board room in Beverly Hills. We look forward to updating you as it blooms and thrives and culminates by giving these remarkable fellows back to their community. If each commits to giving 10% of himself/herself in terms of time, action, and values, our community would always be reminded that As the leader, so the generation; as the generation, so the leader (Talmud Yerushalmi) Arachim 17a. 30 YEARS AFTER is also grateful to the support of the Jewish Values Partnership (JVP) and the guidance of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the PresenTense Fellowship. To learn more about the Maher Fellowship, please visit http://30yearsafter.org/.■ Tabby Davoodi is the Executive Director of 30 YEARS AFTER. He was born in Iran and immigrated to the U.S. towards the height of the Iran-Iraq War.

theibe skr

We Would Love to Hear From You!

istorically speaking, scribes were our only vehicle to pass on our beautiful heritage and legacy to Jews that were not in our immediate vicinity. Being the “People of The Book” is a testament to our emphasis on reading and writing to tell our narrative to everyone who would like to listen. In our modern world, a group of passionate young professionals have gotten together to be “The Skribe” of our community; a place to voice

our ideas, opinions and anything else we feel worthy of sharing. Please join us! Here’s how you can get involved: • Write an original article. This can include anything from an opinion piece to a unique recipe. • Love taking pictures? Contribute original photographs to be used in the magazine For requirements on writing an article for The Skribe email info@theskribe.com.■

ISSUE# 1

Jewish Thought

SHABBAT MISUNDERSTOOD

BY Eman Esmailzadeh

n an age where everything is questioned, we cannot help but sometimes question the fundamental truths that are found in our Torah. Long before our skeptical generation, our Sages told us that this questioning is not only permissible but people should be praised for such questioning. They realized that it is only through questioning that one can truly understand a subject and delve deeper into the true understanding and knowledge of the Torah. Thus, when it comes to our practical observance of Judaism, it is our obligation to pinpoint

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our doubts and confront the critical questions we have regarding our ancient traditions. One must, however, take caution and not allow these profound questions to become pretexts of nonobservance or even worse, of belittling of our religious practice. The true ‘truth seeker’ must address existing doubts, and accurate explanations must be sought. Two Questions about Shabbat  When it comes to Shabbat we all may have our own personal grievances about the many

prohibitions of the special day. While trying to make sense of it all, we sometimes assume that these prohibitions were put forth for a civilization long past; a civilization without the technological advances of our day, where so many previously difficult processes can now be completed with a snap of a finger or flip of a switch. For example, starting a fire in the middle of the dessert with two sticks was not the easiest thing 2000 years ago – one would be totally exhausted and sweaty after starting such a fire. That is why the casual observer might erroneously think that the Torah forbids it on Shabbat. But in our time, where, in half a second, one can light a cigarette with a lighter, one may not think that lighting such a flame would be considered breaking the concept of resting on Shabbat. After all, this activity requires virtually no exertion of energy. So the question arises: if Shabbat is about resting, why do we have to abstain from lighting a

flame, or any of the other prohibitions on Shabbat when they require such little physical effort? Interestingly enough, we find that the first time that Shabbat was kept, it was kept by God himself, as if to say, He “got tired” from creating the universe. But wait a minute! How can Hashem, the Almighty King of Kings, the Infinite Being, need rest, and how can He get tired? Isn’t He supposed to be the All-powerful limitless being that rules the world? To provide answers to these two perfectly valid questions, one must understand the underlying concepts of Shabbat and its connection to the observance of it. With this we will see that both questions can immediately be answered. Lost In Translation There are two concepts of Shabbat that are commonly used when relating to the prohibitions of the day; rest and work. The English word,

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“We must realize that in order for Shabbat to be the spritual bliss described by our sages as “a taste of heaven,” its precepts must surpass the physical realm and touch the spiritual realm” rest, is usually understood as something desired after some sort of intensive activity, something required in order to further continue that activity. The Hebrew word used for ‘Shabbat-type’ rest is shav, meaning to hold back or return; there is nothing actually lacking in the subject, but rather he chooses to refrain from an activity. So in essence, when the Torah says that God “rested”, it does not, heaven-forbid, mean that He was tired and needed rest, for that would be heretical to put a limit on The Infinite, but rather that He chose to refrain from His ‘work’. As God completed the creation of heavens and earth, the final creation was Shabbat, as the Torah tells us “On the seventh day God finished the work which He had been doing, and He ceased [rested] on the seventh day from all the work which He had done. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God ceased [rested] from all the work of creation which He had done.” So exactly what type of work does the Torah say that God rested from on the seventh

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day? The English word for work is understood as the physical energy exerted during an act (Work=Force*Distance for you science buffs). By a simple reading of the verses one understands that He abstained from creating the universe. So it is easy to see that melachah, Hebrew for work, refers to the kind of work that is creative, or that exercises control, domination or manipulation over the physical realm. From an analysis of many of the types of “work” prohibited on Shabbat, it becomes clear that the overlying principle is to abstain from creative acts. Take our previous example of lighting a flame, regardless of if you created a flame with wooden sticks 2000 years ago or with a stainless steel Zippo lighter today; a flame is still being created. It can now be seen that it is not heretical to say that God “rested” on the seventh day. The Torah is not saying that God physically got tired, but rather He held himself back from further creative activities. We must realize that in order for Shabbat to be the spiritual bliss described by our sages as “a taste of heaven”, its precepts must surpass the physical realm and touch the spiritual realm. It would be illogical to think the true essence of Shabbat could be felt by simply focusing on the physically strenuous activities done by our bodies and ignoring the mental and spiritual serenity obtained from abstaining from creative acts. Without this understanding, Shabbat can mistakenly become something mundane and physical where the self and the body become the prime focus, neglecting the mind and soul. Although we should all appreciate that physical rest is part of the spirit of Shabbat, we must understand that it is the psychological and spiritual rests that are its true essence. With this, we can comprehend that by mimicking our Creator and abstaining from creative acts on the seventh day we can elevate ourselves and break through the barrier of physicality that we are so accustomed to being stuck in. So who’s really in control?  During the week we act as if we control the world — creating, building, destroying and main-

taining our surroundings. By holding back our creative efforts once a week, we acknowledge that we do not own our world. For one day out of the week, we openly testify that our world is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domain. With this understanding, Shabbat goes from being a mundane ritual to a different state-of-mind, where we free ourselves from all the energies that usually hold us back from connecting to our source. Regardless of whether

spending the time in services or at home, Shabbat becomes a day where all distractions are cast aside, allowing for a connection to our families, ourselves and ultimately our Creator. May we all be fortunate enough to use the Shabbat experience to its fullest potential.â&#x2013; Eman Esmailzadeh is the Brand Director at Coloronix, a manufacturer of themed lighting products.

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THE

CONTRIBUTORS Dorsa Beroukim Kay is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on developing clinical interventions that enhance cognitive and motor function in patients affected by brain damage, such as from stroke.■

Eman Esmailzadeh is a graduate of UC Irvine where he studied Mechanical Engineering and Business Management. After college, he advanced his Judaic studies at various seminaries in New York and Jerusalem. He currently is the Brand Director at Coloronix, a manufacturer of themed lighting products.■

Eyal Aharonov was born in Israel to Persian and Bukharian parents, raised in Los Angeles and is the youngest of three boys. Eyal was raised with a deep connection to Judaism and to Zionism. Through his education in the United States, he has developed a sense of awareness and responsibility for Judaism in the Diaspora. As a result, he joined the Skribe team to help create and facilitate a dialogue among his generation of Jews in Los Angeles.■

Farah D. Shamolian recently graduated with her Master’s in Public Health from The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She has a special interest in global development, maternal/child health, and obesity prevention.■

Jacqueline Rafii is a native of Los Angeles with a background in music and law. A proud double Bruin, she graduated from UCLA Law last year and is now working in the entertainment industry. She is also studying to be a cantor, and leads services in synagogues across LA. Jackie enjoys studying voice and composition, and is currently recording an album of original music.■

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Jonathan J. Delshad is a Lawyer in Los Angeles who practices in all areas of employment law, including representing employees who were involved in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and certain real estate transactions.■

Judith Iloulian is a fashion designer/stylist. She is currently working on starting her fashion line, Oravee Couture. Judith aims to create pieces for women who desire a classy, sophisticated, and modest look. In her designs she utilizes high quality lace fabrics, silks, and vibrant colors for couture, evening and everyday wear.■

Karmel Melamed is an internationally-published freelance journalist based in Southern California. Since 2000, Melamed has specialized in covering the growing influential Iranian American community in Southern California and New York—particularly Iranian American Jewry. Melamed is the recipient of a number of journalism awards and works as an independent public relations consultant in the legal and corporate fields.■

Raymond Nourmand, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist. He aims to help people better understand themselves so they can take the steps to live the lives they want to live. rsnourmand@gmail.com.■

Rebecca Aframian is currently completing her master’s degree in interior architecture and design at Paris American Academy in Paris, France.■

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Rodney Rabbani, MFT Trainee and Group Counselor, specializing in addiction, practices in the greater Los Angeles area. Rodney looks forward to assisting clients who want to improve themselves through life-coaching, a byproduct of which will include a greater chance of attracting and maintaining healthy relationships. To contact him, e-mail dontworryjustask@yahoo. com.■

Sara Kahen Kashani is a First- Generation Jewish Iranian American. She earned her degree in Philosophy from UCLA, her MBA from USC and is in the process of obtaining a Masters in Management Studies. Sara believes that contributing to her local and global communities is a responsibility everyone should take on. She strives to apply her entrepreneurial spirit to making the world a better place.■

Tabby Davoodi is the Executive Director of 30 YEARS AFTER, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the participation and leadership of Iranian-American Jews in American civic, political, and Jewish life. Tabby was born in Iran after the Iranian Revolution and immigrated to the U.S. towards the height of the Iran-Iraq War.■

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