Reflector November 2020

Jewish Community Federation 6

Reflector

the

in this

issue

FEDERATION

Volume 68 | Issue 11

OF RICHMOND

STAY HEALTHY & SAFE

Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | November 2020

COMMUNITY CHRONICLES PAGE 2

AGENCIES

BOOK FAIR PAGE 6

COMMUNITY

A GUIDING FORCE TABLE of CONTENTS

PAGES 12-13 FEDERATION

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AGENCIES

5

SYNAGOGUES

14

HADASSAH

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COMMUNITY

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FOUNDATION

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This year’s Kristallnacht Memorial Service at 2 p.m. will be live-streamed. For more information, see Page 20.

.Community Chronicles Federation Happenings

continues on Nov. 15 T

he Federation’s Annual Campaign 2021 virtual series, Community Chronicles, continues on Sunday, Nov. 15, at noon. The event is free and open to the entire community.

The online program “Israel Women’s Panel” will feature three Israeli women entrepreneurs as they talk about the paths their lives have taken till now, the struggles they’ve overcome and how they navigate their roles as wives, mothers, activists and women who are passionate about entrepreneurship.

The series aims to help educate, inspire and motivate the community on why a gift to the Federation Annual Campaign this year is more important than ever before.

The series was launched on Aug. 10 with guest speaker Mark Wilf, the chair of the Jewish Federations of North America’s Board of Trustees and owner of the Minnesota Vikings. The second virtual program was held Sept. 14, featuring a Cooking Class by James Beard award-winning chef Michael Solomonov, founder of Tall Order. The third in the series on Oct. 13 featured Lisa Friedman Clark who offered inspiring remarks on how the Federation has helped her with a number of life challenges.

Join community members on Nov. 15 to hear how much donating to the Federation matters.

For more about Community Chronicles and the Annual Campaign, contact Federation Director of Development Jesse Feld at jfeld@jewishrichmond.org.

The Power of the Federation

To register for the free virtual program on Nov. 15, visit www.jewishrichmond.org/calendar For more information, email Jesse Feld at jfeld@jewishrichmond.org.

SAVE THE DATE JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF RICHMOND

SUPER SUNDAY December 6 Look for details coming soon on Guest speaker Lisa Friedman Clark speaks about how she and her two boys were assisted by the Federation in New York following the loss of her husband on 9/11 as well as how the Federation helps millions every year. As Lisa noted during the Community Chronicles, “We all walk a fine line between being a donor to Federation and being a recipient of its generosity; we never know when our lives will change.”

To view the presentation held on Oct. 13, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWVpjFL9Quc&feature=youtu.be

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Social Media and e-news

REFLECTOR

THE

How good & pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.

The Reflector is published monthly by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Copy must be received two-and-a-half weeks prior to the date of publication. The Reflector reserves the right to edit or refuse any copy or advertisement submitted. Views expressed by guest writers and reader’s letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

Call for information about advertising in The Reflector at 545-8655. Acceptance of advertising does not endorse or guarantee Kashruth.

Ellen Renee Adams, President

Daniel Staffenberg, Chief Executive Officer Raymond (Skip) Kozakewicz, Editor Sara Rosenbaum, Director of Impact and Community Planning Jesse Feld, Director of Development and Engagement David Cohen, Director, Jewish Community Relations Meghan Kelly, Marketing Manager

Jewish Community Federation

OF RICHMOND

5403 Monument Avenue • Richmond, VA 23226

(804) 545-8620 Email: reflector@jewishrichmond.org

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Leadership

L Daniel Staffenberg Chief Executive Officer Jewish Community Federation of Richmond

www.JewishRichmond.org

eadership. I have used, heard and discussed the concept of leadership hundreds of times over the past few months.

Leadership is responsibility, caring for and inspiring others, and vision setting. Most often it is using these skills wisely to make decisions that are challenging and sometimes unpopular. In the Jewish community, it involves leading with Jewish values and according to Judaic principles.

Leadership can be elusive and tough to “see.” It may take a while to recognize. The last seven months have been difficult for many in leadership who have struggled to adapt.

I have been blessed to see leadership in abundance over the past few months here in Richmond, and you likely have as well.

Leadership is locking down Beth Sholom Senior Living early; literally saving lives and caring for our elderly. It is creating innovative ways to connect with family, introducing new programs and mobilizing the community to support an outstanding team. Thank you, Mo Funk, and all of your amazing caregivers and professionals at Beth Sholom.

Federation Happenings

Leadership is pivoting to tele-health; ensuring no one in need is alone or left behind. It is always moving to help, support and lift up.

It is acting instinctively with care, compassion and a willingness to go the extra mile. Thank you, Wendy Kreuter, and the caregivers, counselors, and support team at Jewish Family Services who allow no Jew in Richmond to be left behind.

Leadership is stepping into the void and being unafraid to look beyond the current difficulties to a brighter future. It is facing unbelievable challenges and finding a path forward that unites and brings community together with safety and care. Thank you, Orly Lewis, who has led the Weinstein JCC and her outstanding team forward, crafting and building new models to engage and connect.

Leadership is educating and caring for not only our children but our families as well. It is finding a way to reopen our Jewish Community Day School safely and securely while maintaining the highest standards of learning and care. It is holding the hand of

the nervous parent, or struggling child, sharing strength to help the day get better and brighter. Thank you, Rabbi Yosef Bart, and the teachers and staff of Rudlin Torah Academy for guiding the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Thank you to all our Rabbis who led us through the most unusual of Holidays with creativity, passion and Yiddishkeit. Thank you to our many agency professionals who have stayed connected with our university students, teens, and have raised and distributed funds and continued to connect.

The journey is far from over. We have many challenges ahead. The seas may be rough. But we are blessed with captains who have the skills to lead us to calmer waters.

Your gifts and continued support will help ensure we stay strong. When you see these captains of leadership – virtually or in person – know you are with the best-of-the-best and kindly share your thanks with each. They all deserve it!

Feel free to reach out to me at daniel@jewishrichmond.org.

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector | 3

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Jewish Community Relations Committee

By Amy Melnick-Scharf Chair, JCRC Rabbi Yitzhak taught that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud Berachot 55a)

Voting is an expression of being Jewish

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hen I think about democracy, I see a concept embedded in the very fabric of Judaism. This deeply entrenched ethic of political participation has led Jews to engage in the democratic process.

Throughout history Jews vote at rates higher than the national average.1 For this we should be very proud, though not surprised. As Hillel taught “Al tifros min hatzibur, Do not separate yourself from the community” (Pirke Avot 2:5), demonstrating that it is our responsibility to play an active role in public affairs and in the process of choosing our governments leaders.

The duty to create and support government is one of the few duties that Jewish law recognizes for all, Jew and non-Jew alike (B.T. Sanhedrin 56a).

Overcoming polarization in the aftermath of the election This year in Virginia, and in all elections in the Commonwealth moving forward, you have had many options available to cast your ballot. As of October 15, at the time of this writing, over 1 million Virginians have voted! That is incredible and represents over 25% of all votes cast in 2016.

Many voters, including me, appreciated the many options available, due to worries about going to potentially crowded polling stations on Nov. 3 and risking exposure to the coronavirus.

I urge you to VOTE (in person, early, or absentee) both as an American and as a Jewish American. I also encourage you to research and appreciate the great care the Virginia Department of Elections2 and local Registrars have taken to ensure the integrity of our elections.

These professionals, are working hard in all 95 counties and 38 cities to ensure every vote is verified, secured, protected, and counted.

If anyone says they know what is going to happen on election day ... or the day after…they don’t. However, our country has been through tumultuous elections and uncertain times before – when election outcomes were not readily apparent.

Our Jewish tradition is based on debate and dissent – we cel-

1 www.brandeis.edu/now/2020/october/elections-jewish-vote-steinhardt. html 2 www.elections.virginia.gov/index.html 3www.hartman.org.il/how-to-overcome-the-pandemic-of-polarization/ Dr. Micah Goodman is a Research Fellow of the Kogod Research Center at Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.

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ebrate both and in many ways dissent is upheld as something vital and necessary. Torah scholars have enshrined minority opinions in the Mishnah. Having vocal distinctive minority opinions is a part of our Jewish and American traditions. We must however work to insure they do not fracture our community. It is ok that some of us may be disappointed about the outcome of the election but let us not disagree about the future and the support of our democracy.

It is my hope that when we disagree, we do so with respect for each other as members of our community-each of us who care deeply about our families, our friends, our city, our Commonwealth, and our nation.

Combatting the Polarization Pandemic Our community has come together to combat the coronavirus pandemic – let us now join together to combat the pandemic of polarization. Micah Goodman, Research Fellow at the Hartman Institute3, suggests that the high level of polarization is due to our “collapse of curiosity.” We are no longer intellectually curious about the other side. We are trapped in a polarized political world fueled by social media algorithms that feed our soul with confirmation bias.

This constant polarizing onslaught leads us away from content that nourishes the soul and instead makes us feel emptier and more depressed than ever. Goodman asserts, and I agree with him, that it

is this polarization (from both the right and the left) that is threatening our democracy (and some say our mental health too).

The constant social media compulsion to fear and hate those of different opinions or backgrounds is threatening to drive our community apart.

A true community is based on a shared love and caring for each other (our friends, our children, our parents, extended family and our neighbors).

Polarization creates a community too, but one that is based on hatred and separation.

How to combat polarization?

After the election, we will need to transcend our political differences and opinions and focus on healing our community, helping our community, and working together on the challenges that confront us. Witnessing each other’s lives … the life cycle events, holidays, community gatherings and events, births, B’nai Mitzvot, weddings, graduations and yes, even funerals, is where we come together and create these shared connections.

Through these shared experiences we celebrate – we acknowledge; kvell; express our gratitude and yes, sometimes to mourn and … it is during these shared community events (virtual or in person) where political affiliation seems almost insignificant.

Belonging to our Community can liberate us from loneliness – participating in polarizing speech does the opposite.

Voting Dates • Voters can vote early in-person at your local elections office or satellite locations thru Oct. 31.

• Voters who have absentee ballots can return to a secure ballot dropbox as soon as possible or return by mail, but it should be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 to be counted.

• Vote in-person on Nov. 3 at your specified polling location.

So what can we do?

• As COVID leaves many of us alone – remember that we are not alone – we are part of a warm, thriving, caring Richmond Jewish community. Reach out and call a friend or a neighbor, psychologists have proven that these connections make a difference.

• Join one of the amazing virtual gatherings happening weekly, if not daily, throughout our community.

• Recall that throughout our history what unites us as fellow Jews is stronger than what tears us apart.

• Use your social media voice and consume carefully. Take care not to harm each other. Words can cut and they can also heal – be a healer. Be curious about the “other”.

Our political future today is uncertain, of that I am certain. However, my belief in our democracy is strong and my belief in the strength and caring of our Jewish community is even stronger.

Judaism’s tradition teaches that “You do not need to finish the work, but you are not free to desist from it” (M. Avot 2:16).

We will all have work to do after this election, will you join me?

For more information, reach out to David Cohen, director, Jewish Community Relations, at dcohen@jewishrichmond.org.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Whether the change is your choice or beyond your control, we can assist you with respect to matters involving family law, elder law, and estate planning. We have lawyers who handle criminal matters, divorce cases, complex equitable distribution; premarital agreements and post marital agreements. We practice in all courts in Virginia including appellate work in all appellate courts.

Our three offices are designed to protect you and our staff regarding the Covid 19 virus. We meet with clients in person with appropriate safeguards, over the phone, via Zoom, & WebEx. We are here to assist you, advise you and otherwise walk with you through changes in all aspects of your life and the life of your family.

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Weinstein JCC Happenings

Exciting literary line-up at the Weinstein JCC

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ovember is still National Jewish Book Month and still the month for The Fife-Davis Family Annual Jewish Book Fair.

Regardless of all the changes to the programs this year, some things do stay the same! A great lineup of authors and books have been assembled and better yet, everyone is guaranteed a front row seat.

Beginning Thursday, Nov. 12 and running through Wednesday, Nov. 18, our annual Book Fair author events will be presented virtually, through partnership with the Jewish Book Council and local bookseller, Chop Suey Books. Don’t miss this year’s exciting lineup: Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier Alan Zweibel Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. EST (Virtual event via Zoom) Alan Zweibel has made a career of helping funny people be funnier.

His long and successful career started by selling jokes for $7 a-piece to the last of the Borscht Belt standups, to being one of the original Saturday Night Live

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writers working with SNL greats such as Gilda Radner and John Belushi to having a hand in such landmark shows as “It’s the Garry Shandling Show” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” In his memoir, “Laugh Lines,” Alan weaves together his own stories and interviews with his friends and contemporaries including Richard Lewis, Bob Saget, Carl Reiner and more.

Mengele: Unmasking the Angel of Death David G. Marwell Monday, Nov. 16 at 12:30 p.m EST (Virtual event via Zoom) Co-hosted by 5400 Club “Mengele: Unmasking the Angel of Death” is a compelling biography of the infamous Nazi doctor and a gripping narrative of the quest to bring him to justice.

David G. Marwell, historian and former Justice Department of Special Investigations official who was tasked with uncovering Josef Mengele’s fate in the

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1980s, draws from new sources to deliver a richly detailed work that dispels many of the myths obscuring the physician’s identity.

David G. Marwell has served as director of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City and Associate Museum Director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Hannah’s War Jan Eliasberg Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a..m EST (Virtual event via Zoom) Co-hosted by Jewish Woman’s Club In 1945, Dr. Hannah Weiss, an Austrian-Jewish physicist, is removed from her essential work with the Critical Assemblies Team at the Los Alamos National Laboratories and is taken for interrogation.

Is Hannah a Nazi spy or is she protecting a far more personal and dark secret of her own? Hannah’s War is a vivid, page-turning, and inspiring re-imagination of the final months of World War II, and the brilliant researchers behind the first atomic bomb.

This unforgettable love story about an exceptional woman and the danger-

ous power of her greatest discovery. Jan Eliasberg is an award-winning writer and director. Her directing career includes dramatic pilots for Miami Vice and Wiseguy, countless episodes of television series including “Nashville,” “Parenthood,” “Blue Bloods,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and many more.

Wandering Dixie: Dispatches from the Lost Jewish South Sue Eisenfeld in conversation with Amy Milligan Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. EST (Virtual event via Zoom) Presented in partnership with Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Konikoff Center for Learning at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and Old Dominion University’s Institute of Jewish Understanding and Inclusion “ ... An introductory plunge into more profound racial consciousness ...”

- Kirkus Reviews “Wandering Dixie” is an exploration of the history of Jewish southerners as it converges with the region’s complex, conflicted present. Author, Sue Eisenfeld visits small southern towns where Jewish people once lived and thrived and, in the process, discovers the unexpected ways that race, religion, and hidden histories intertwine.

For full details and to register for these book fair events, visit weinsteinjcc.org.

The Weinstein JCC is supported, in part, by a generous annual contribution, programming grants and COVID-19 Crisis Relief Funds from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. www.JewishRichmond.org

2nd Global Day of Jewish Learning Global Day of Jewish Learning

Virtual n the spirit of Jewish tradition and quest for knowledge, the Weinstein JCC will be hosting its second Global Day of Jewish Learning (GDJL) on Sunday, Nov. 8, with support from Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Richmond Rabbinical Council.

Programming will be available to participate in from 12:30 to 6 p.m.

Community Rabbis and Jewish educators will provide learning experiences related to this year’s theme “Human Dignity.”

This year, GDJL will be entirely virtual, with many flexible learning opportunities throughout the day.

These experiences will provide participants with an opportunity to engage with Jewish texts and learn alongside fellow community members. GDJL is open to everyone regardless of educational background and religious affiliation. The classes are created for

Weinstein JCC Happenings

Stock up on Chanukah essentials

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November 8

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all audiences; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish text is necessary in order to participate.

GDJL is an initiative of the Weinstein JCC Adult Committee chaired by Susie Adolf and the event is co-chaired by Helen Griffin and Sarah Arenstein Levy.

In addition to sessions with Richmond community Rabbis, the GDJL will include programming from Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery in remembrance of Kristallnacht.

Programming for this community event is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

For more information, to register, and for a full schedule of the day, visit weinsteinjcc.org.

he pandemic may be changing the way we celebrate the holidays this year, but it can’t take away the holiday spirit!

Stop by the Weinstein JCC between Dec. 2-10 for a Chanukah Pop Up Shop in the Richard A. Arenstein Lobby for all the essentials. The shop will include candles, gelt, gift wrap, plastic dreidels, games and more – everything needed to celebrate the Festival of Lights!

To add more meaning to your Menorah, Candles for a Cause in support of the Autism Society and Sharsheret (breast and ovarian cancer support services) will also be available for purchase. CDC and VDH guidelines to be observed.

More details to be announced in the December Reflector and at weinsteinjcc.org. Questions? Contact Jennifer Adams at jadams@weinsteinjcc.org.

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Using the latest in voice recognition software, Captioned Telephone Service displays captions of your conversations, as you listen. Call or visit us online to see how it works and learn how to get a captioned telephone for you or your loved one.

866-894-4116 (Voice) 866-246-9300 (TTY) varelay.org

CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. • Third-party charges may apply: the Hamilton CapTel phone requires telephone service and high-speed Internet access. Wi-Fi capable. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. IP Captioned Telephone Service may use a live operator. The operator generates captions of what the other party to the call says. These captions are then sent to your phone. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. To learn more, visit fcc.gov. • Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector | 7

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Weinstein JCC Happenings

“All Day at the J” student, Avelyn Hanchey, dances to local bluegrass musicians during the Weinstein JCC’s “Jamming for Joy” recently with her family.

Moving forward, together ... building engagement at the Weinstein JCC

(From left) Weinstein JCC members Max, Michael, Lauren, Jonah and Luke Plotkin enjoy a sociallydistanced Shabbat celebration with other JCC families at the first “Shabbat in the Lot.”

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ith the Weinstein JCC’s ongoing focus on family engagement, the JCC staff have been actively investing in intentional programming to nurture connections, promote civic stewardship and enhance relationships.

In the past couple months, the JCC youth programming department has launched three successful and safe in-person programs: Tashlich off the Capital Trail, Shabbat in the Lot, and Jamming for Joy. During these programs, staff witnessed a community reconnecting safely and in-person. One family said, “It’s so great to finally be home again.”

Continued cultivation of meaningful programming opportunities that connect families’ personal values with the Center’s mission at a space for K’dusha (intentionality and presence) remains the driving purpose behind JCC youth programming, where there is already a strong emphasis on Kehillah (community).

For more information on youth offerings at the Weinstein JCC, contact Melissa Bunce at (804) 545-8658 or mbunce@weinsteinjcc.org.

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he 5400 Club at the Weinstein JCC meets virtually on Mondays from 12:25-1:30 p.m. A Zoom meeting registration link will be emailed to members the Friday before each meeting.

For questions? Contact Shari MenloweBarck at sbarck@weinsteinjcc.org or (804) 5458611.

November Scheduled Programs Nov. 2 - Dr. Karin Wulf, College of William & Mary, “Why Revisionism is Essential: Thinking about Early America in the 21st Century.”

Nov. 9 - Kim Martin, KLM Foundation, “The Florence B. Bowser Effect: Rosenwald School Galvanizer.”

Nov. 16 - Book Fair: Dr. David Marwell, historian and author, “Mengele: Unmasking the Angel of Death.” See page 6 for details.

Nov. 23 - Dr. Jim Doering, Randolf Macon College, Musical Program, “Scared Silly: Hollywood’s Techniques for Scoring Frightening Films.”

Nov. 30 - Dr. Ronald Schechter, History professor, College of William and Mary, “The Secret Library of Marie Antoinette.”

Note: The programs and speakers listed are scheduled at Reflector press time. Any changes to the speakers/programs will be communicated to members.

www.JewishRichmond.org

Join Beth Sholom for a special presentation: ‘Living with Dementia During COVID-19’ B

eth Sholom is a certified Memory Care Center of Excellence for the Hearthstone Institute’s I’m Still Here® approach to dementia, the only program of its kind in Virginia.

We are pleased to announce that on Nov. 10 Michael Skrajner, director of Research and Innovation at the Hearthstone Institute, will be our guest speaker via Zoom to the Richmond community on “Liv- Michael Skrajner Contributed Photo ing with Dementia During COVID-19.”

The program is set for noon - 1 p.m.

COVID-19 has changed all of our lives, but few people are as profoundly affected by the crisis as persons living with dementia. The lifestyle changes to which we have all had to become accustomed during the pandemic, such as quarantines, social distancing, and mask wearing, can be extremely difficult for persons with dementia to understand.

This may lead to increased confusion and even depression for those dealing with cognitive challenges and those that care for them. In this presentation, Mr. Skrajner will talk about ways to help persons with dementia navigate the various challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. At the end of the presentation, he will answer questions submitted prior to the event.

As the director of Research and Innovation at Hearthstone, Mike oversees federally-funded clinical trials of non-pharmacological interventions for dementia. He also designs and implements internal research projects for Hearthstone to develop the evidence base for the company’s programs and operations.

As a senior faculty member of the Hearthstone Training Institute, Mike trains professionals and care providers nationally and globally on the I’m Still Here® Approach and Procedural Interval Learning, about which he has coauthored more than ten peer-reviewed articles.

Beth Sholom anticipates this to be the beginning of many in a series of “Lunch and Learn” topics for the community. Through programs such as this, we hope to offer some support to families and caregivers.

For more about this program, attend, or to submit your question, please email Communications@bslcc.org to request login information.

We hope you can join us!

Beth Sholom Senior Living is supported, in part, by a generous annual contribution, programming grants and COVID-19 Crisis Relief Funds from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Beth Sholom Happenings

Living with Dementia During COVID-19 A free virtual presentation from Beth Sholom Senior Living

Tuesday, November 10th, 12:00-1:00PM

Michael Skrajner, Director of Research and Innovation at the Hearthstone Institute, will discuss ways to help persons with dementia navigate the various challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.

Beth Sholom is a certified Center of Excellence for Hearthstone Institute’s “I’m Still Here®” approach to dementia care.

For information or to request a login code, email Communications@bslcc.org or call (804) 421-5355

1600 John Rolfe Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238 | www.bethsholomliving.org

Beth Sholom’s mission is to provide quality and comprehensive residential, health care and communitybased services to individuals of all faiths, in a manner that reflects our Jewish traditions and values.

For information call us at (804) 750-2183 or visit us online at bethsholomliving.com.

Beth Sholom and Generations Home Health Proudly Serving the Richmond Community Generations Home Health provides in-home skilled medical care and personal care designed to competently meet important needs of our neighbors. Whether you are recovering from illness or injury, managing a chronic disease, or simply trying to improve your quality of life in retirement, Generations has the multi-disciplinary team that can ensure you achieve optimal health outcomes while in the comfort of your own home.

For more information contact us at (804) 421-5270.

Generations Home Health is jointly owned and operated by Beth Sholom in Richmond and Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach.

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JFS Happenings

Light the holidays for a neighbor in need with JFS Lights of Love 2020

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You could even include a holiday game or treat that’s special to your family!

You can help bring holiday warmth and joy to your neighbors in need of a little light! We are shifting Lights of Love to an online format where you can choose someone to shop for without having to leave your house, and simply drop off the unwrapped gifts at JFS. Our staff and volunteers will wrap and deliver the gifts, spending a little time with each person, appropriately socially distanced of course.

Please keep an eye on your inbox and JFS’ Facebook page – facebook.com/jfs.richmond – for announcements and more details to come! If you know you’d like to participate or have any questions, reach out to Morgan Goad at mgoad@jfsrichmond.org or (804) 2825644 ext. 231.

Jewish Family Services is supported, in part, by a generous annual contribution, a programming grant to support the Jewish Care Line and COVID-19 Crisis Relief Funds from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

he JFS Lights of Love campaign brought warmth and joy to almost 50 people who might otherwise have felt forgotten last holiday season.

Many generous, compassionate community members participated, buying gifts for their more vulnerable neighbors. The Weinstein JCC graciously hosted a giant Menorah display hung with paper flames that listed someone in need and their short holiday wish list. Every single flame was chosen, and every single person received gifts!

Last year, one elderly client had just moved into a new apartment, and her wish list included dishes and a floor mat. When she opened her door to see JFS Director of Human Resources and Volunteer Services Teresa Baldwin and her daughter Abbie struggling to carry three giant bags of home goods to get her settled in, she burst into tears.

As Teresa and Abbie left to make their next delivery, she said, “Thank you for thinking of me today.”

Lights of Love will look a little different this year, but the need is greater than ever. Kids in foster care need coats, art supplies, or a soft blanket to snuggle with. Elders might like cozy socks or puzzles and games to keep their minds active.

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The “Lights of Love” display last year in the lobby at the Weinstein JCC. The Center hosted the display that featured paper “flames” with the Wish Lists for people to read, take and shop for. This year, “Lights of Love” has shifted to an online format. Details will be available soon at facebook.com/jfs.richmond.

Posing last year with some of the “Lights of Love” gifts are (from left) a JFS volunteer, JFS CEO Wendy Kreuter, volunteers Blanche Kornfeld and Debbie Sawyer and Teresa Baldwin, and JFS director of Human Resources and Volunteer Services. The group of five were just some who helped wrap and package the gifts last year. JFS Photo www.JewishRichmond.org

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JFS celebrates Adoption Awareness Month

JFS Happenings

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ovember is Adoption Awareness Month, and JFS Adoption and JFS Connecting Hearts are busier than ever!

JFS’ Adoption program is celebrating Adoption Awareness Month with a social for all the families they’ve helped grow over the years! While in the past they might have gathered at a park, this year JFS will host a family Zoom reunion!

Adoptive families and JFS Adoption staff will take the time to catch up, swap stories, and share what they’re thankful for.

Every November, JFS Connecting Hearts partners with WTVR CBS 6 to present “A Hand to Hold,” a 30-day campaign to raise awareness about children in Virginia’s foster care system awaiting adoption.

Every day in November, CBS 6 features a child or sibling group on Virginia this Morning, the evening

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news, and their website and social media outlets. This year, families who have adopted children from foster care will also tell their stories on the air.

The goal of the A Hand to Hold campaign is to find permanent, loving homes for the 30 children or sibling groups featured and to raise awareness about the other 1,000+ children in foster care awaiting adoption.

Last year, CBS 6 featured 31 children and 153 families reached out to JFS Connecting Hearts! Initiatives like “A Hand to Hold” are essential to spread the word and help recruit foster, adoptive, or kinship parents and find forever families for every child in central Virginia.

Tune in to CBS 6 all November long meet the children and youth looking for a family to welcome them home.

Children you might meet during A Hand to Hold.

JFS Photos

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector |11

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Jewish Community Happenings

Jules Mintzer: A Guiding Force for 25 Years Facing the Future ~ Honoring the Past 19 35

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Jewish Community Federation of Richmond 85th Anniversary

Jules and Rhoda Mintzer at a Federation Annual Meeting in 1996. From a Reflector scan.

The Federation honored Jules Mintzer with its Distinguished Community Service Award in 1995.

Courtesy of Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives.

(Editor’s note) Jules Mintzer (OBM) was Executive Director of the Richmond Jewish Community Council and Jewish Community Federation of Richmond for a quarter of a century – 1953-1978. As the Federation celebrates 85 years of service in Richmond, we are sharing stories on some of the families, individuals and institutions who were and are the soul and legacy of our Jewish community. This is the second article in the series. We appreciate Robin Jackson assisting with conducting interviews, contributing information, writing articles. We also thank Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives for providing archival information as well photographs.

By Skip Kozakewicz Reflector Editor or more than a quarter of a century, the guiding force behind a significant part of the Jewish community of Richmond was Julius “Jules” Mintzer.

Commenting on Mr. Mintzer’s forthcoming retirement in August 1978 in the Reflector, Federation President Hortense Wolf (OBM) referred to the high reputation and regard Jules– had earned nationally in the Jewish community organization field as well as locally in Richmond’s general and social service communities.

“These past 25 years have been truly momentous periods in the growth and development of our Jewish community,” she noted.

Mrs. Wolf continued, “Jules has been the one who provided the personal spark and the high quality of professional skill and leadership that enabled the officers, Board of Directors, and the Richmond Jewish Community to make such great progress over the past quarter century.”

She recognized his Annual Campaign leadership – a

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12| the Reflector | November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781

grand total of $19,233,509 was raised during his 25 years.

“The Campaigns have grown from a figure of $289,424 in the year prior to his arrival to drives exceeding the one-million-dollar mark in each of the last eight years.”

It is clear the Federation became the Jewish community’s address during this period. There was a strong sense of unity and cohesion with leadership coming from all elements of the community.

A warm and caring man, Jules Mintzer left an indelible mark on the community. Known for his foresight, and together with his wife, Rhoda, they helped build a strong foundation in both the Jewish and general communities during their time here.

Former Federation President Neil November (OBM) said in 2001 in the Reflector, “Mr. Mintzer’s unusually long tenure as executive director stands as testament to his strengths in the position.”

Mr. November who knew Jules for several decades, continued, “He achieved it by being effective, diplomatic and not rubbing anybody the wrong way – and that’s tough.”

A highlight of Jules’ years with the Federation, said Neil, came in 1976 with the eight-day Israeli Showcase. “This event took years to plan and it was an effective show.”

In remarks during his retirement event hosted by the Federation in 1978, Jules noted, “The Richmond Jewish community has changed rapidly during the past 25 years.

The Federation agenda now encompasses just about every concern facing Jewry at home and overseas. It has been successful in merging the ‘We’ and ‘They’ concept into a unified, all Jews serving themselves.”

A native of Brooklyn, Jules Mintzer arrived in Richmond in 1953 as executive director of the then Richmond Jewish Community Council, and retired in 1978. He died in 2001 at age 87 in Massachusetts.

Prior to Richmond, he held positions as assistant director of the Jewish Federations of Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1946-1953.

During the early 1940s, he graduated from New York

University with a B.S. degree in education and M.S. in sociology and earned master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. He served in the Army during World War II serving as a sergeant from 1942-1945.

Daughter Susie Mintzer Davidow, reflected, “My father was an unbelievably warm and generous man who got along with everyone!”

Starting in the 1950s, she recalled, he was dedicated to helping people get started in Richmond who were settling here from abroad. He was deeply involved with the Russian Resettlement program here.

Son Ken Mintzer recalled recently, “My dad and mother were all about family. They also were devoted to the community here. Through the years, I am sure he could have moved on to larger cities and Federations. but both my dad and mom felt so much comfort here.”

Daughter Amy Mintzer Abramovitz recalled, “My mother was an only child. My father was from a large, warm, generous family with wonderful parents. Both of my parents valued education. They each had a master’s of Social Work degree. They were devoted to each other.”

They actually met at a social worker conference in Pittsburgh she noted. “That’s really remarkable.”

Amy Abramovitz continued, “My mother was a clinical social worker at Family and Children’s Service in Richmond. She was highly valued by colleagues, clients, and social work students. She also was an adjunct professor at VCU School of Social Work. She was recognized for the contributions she made in the Field Instruction of master’s level social work students at the VCU School of Social Work. Adele Karp was a valued colleague.”

She added, “I followed in her footsteps. I attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, receiving my MSW from there, and subsequently my LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).

Now retired, I worked for 35 years as a clinical social worker in the Newton Public Schools in Massachusetts, Jules Mintzer More on next page www.JewishRichmond.org

Rhoda and Jules Mintzer are happily pictured surrounded by their family during their 45th wedding anniversary celebration in the mid-1950s. Standing are: granddaughter Talya Davidow; daughter in law Ann Mintzer; son in law Joel Abramovitz; daughter Susie Davidow; and son Ken Mintzer. Seated are daughter Amy Abramovitz who is holding her daughter Sarah with her other daughters Miriam and Rachel next to their grandparents. Mintzer Family Photo.

After college, Ken did have positions in both the Fedworking with individual students, groups, crisis interveneration and JCC fields. “My father was always proud of this tion and advising principals.

Ken Mintzer who was born and raised in Richmond, and was also pleased with my other career choices.”

Ken is currently the chief advancement officer for graduating from VCU, offered these reflections, “We are a family of social workers. We always had Shabbat fam- APLA Health. “We provide medical, dental and behavioral ily dinners together and my father impressed on me to be health care and support services (14 food pantry’s, housing, home for these dinners. It was understood and was very etc) for low income members of the LGBTQ and underimportant for us to be together. Friday night was always served communities in the greater Los Angeles area though special. My mother lighting the candles and my father say- 20 locations.” ing the blessings are so memorable.”

He noted, “My parents spirit and desire to provide TikHe noted, “My father always stressed Tikum Olam – kun Olam -- To Repair the World -- around us to all people Repairing the World – to me and my sisters. He believed in in need still lives within me today and their DNA is part of this very much whether it was the Civil Rights Movement who I am.”

When Jules came to Richmond, he already was known or helping those who were homeless and less fortunate.”

Ken also noted it was important he attend public high to Holocaust Survivors Jay Ipson and his father, Israel.

Jay Ipson said recently he met Jules in Munich in 1946 school – Thomas Jefferson – during the forced busing period in Richmond. “My father and mother always stressed when Jules was serving as deputy director of Camp Fochryou needed to get along with people of different back- enwald, a displaced persons camp housing approximately grounds. My father always believe in this - Repairing the 5,500 Holocaust Survivors. It was sponsored by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

World.”

Jules was a contemporary of Jay’s father, and both In addition, being together with aunts, uncles, cousins served with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Comand other family was important, he added.

Ken also recalls his father and mother never pushed mittee in Munich. Israel Ipson was in charge of transportation at “the Joint.” which furnished vehicles- ambulances, him to major in Sociology or Social Work.

“In college, I initially was majoring in Anthropology trucks, etc. and told my father I was not enjoying it,” he recalled.

“I remember my father saying, ‘maybe it’s time to get Jules Mintzer More on page 21 into the family business.’” www.JewishRichmond.org

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector | 13

Beth-El Religious School Happenings

By Ramona L. Brand Director of Youth Learning Beth-El Teens Leading by Example t is no exaggeration that 2020 has been a tumultuous year.

The Coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside-down. Our Religious School, like so many other educational institutions, suddenly shifted online and our homes became our schools, workplaces and social spaces.

An October 8, 2020 article in “Education Week”* online magazine explains the deprivation of social outlets has hit teenagers particularly hard. Teens have faced a loss of interactions with friends at school and through extra-curricular activities. They faced the closure of anticipated special events, camps, vacations and a sense of burgeoning independence from parents.

Our teens already had experiences a disrupted year, as the group had a turnover of Youth Advisors. Spring activities were canceled and the Teen program ground to a halt.

In stepped our Teen Board made up of four remarkable young women. During this summer Grace (Grade 12) and Maggie (Grade 10) Hessberg, Sophia Futterman (Grade 11) and Lexi Pasternak (Grade 11), approached me with their concerns about wanting to revitalize the teen program.

They took the initiative to ask for a summer program, requested their former 7th grade teacher be their new Teen Programs Advisor, and undertook creating, planning and implementing a summer Teen Game Night.

The Teen Game Night was a great success, Brandon enthusiastically agreed to be their advisor and the teens were encouraged to take on creating a virtual space just for tweens and teens on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They are determined to build our teen program and to pass along their excitement for USY. Along the way, they are developing confidence and vision that is shaping our teen group, not only for this year, but for the years ahead.

What made this young women step up and lead? Their own words explain it best.

Grace, a senior at Glen Allen High School, said, “My journey with Jewish activities has always been very prevalent in my life, I went to sleep away camp for four years, Religious School for eleven, have been a part of BBYO since 8th grade, and have been working on bringing back an active USY chapter to Richmond for the past three years. I joined TBE’s teen board in 10th grade because I wanted to create an accessible space for teens in the conservative Jewish community in Richmond.”

Grace continued, “One of my camp friends in Atlanta was very involved in her region and chapter and she inspired me to pursue a love for USY. This passion grew even deeper when I went to my first international program where I met some of my best friends. Then I went to my first

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Synagogue Happenings

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regional convention, there I found a place where I felt at home and that weekend ultimately pushed me to run for regional board this past May.” Lexi, a junior at Maggie Walker, loves languages, STEM, travel and learning about other cultures, which has played into her love for Judaism. She explains “For me, the most important part of involvement in Judaism is community. It’s the connections we make and the experiences we share with one another that have Teen Board Members: top (from left) Sophia Futterman, Lexi Pasternak, bottom (from left) been so rewarding for me.”

Maggie Hessberg and Grace Hessberg.

Lexi continued, “I have met all kinds of awesome people and learned a lot about myself currently serving on Seaboard’s regional keeps me wanting to continue leading and and Judaism throughout my time in religious board as Communications VP while also pushing for more programs. school and USY. My interest in staying active assisting with the Temple Beth-El USY Brandon aptly summed up these young comes from a love of the Jewish community chapter. This year, I cannot wait to strengthen leaders accomplishments. “USY was a and how Judaism values kindness, service, and TBE’s USY chapter and help our teens big part of my life as a Jewish teen, and it inclusivity. I felt that being on the Teen Board venture to regional events and conventions” introduced me to new perspectives on and would be a good opportunity for me to push Lexi says of her experience, I’ve learned ideas about Judaism at an important point in myself to learn about leadership, meet new how to find ways to connect with and involve my life. It warms my heart to see these four people, and make a difference in our community. people. I’ve definitely worked on important following a similar path. And when I see just I hadn’t really known much about Jewish youth hard and soft skills like writing and networking how many kids we have on the verge of being groups when I first became part of our Teen through working on the Teen Board. I’m part of these teen programs themselves, I Board but I have definitely learned a lot and proud of all of our programs (they are a lot know that the future is in very good hands.” gotten plenty out of it.” of fun!) and particularly how we’ve managed * h t t p s : / / w w w. e d w e e k . o r g / e w / Maggie, a sophomore at Glen Allen High to keep in touch with kids and hold awesome articles/2020/04/16/why-the-coronavirus-crisisSchool, adds, “Growing up in Synagogue taught activities despite the challenges 2020 has hits-teenagers-particularly.html me a lot about being religiously Jewish, but going thrown at us. Laughter over zoom is laughter November Religious School Calendar: to camps and joining youth groups has shown me nonetheless!”

Sundays: Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 the true community and culture of our religion.

She continued, “This year, I hope that Wednesdays: Nov. 4, 11, 18 My eighth grade year my sister pushed me to go we will not only be able to continue running Confirmation meets: Nov. 1 & 22 to a Regional USY convention, where I knew no programs with our chapter but also find ways Tot Shabbat Service one. I fell in love with USY there.” to support our broader community through Zoom Tot Shabbat Service, Saturday, Maggie continued, “When I came back the volunteering and advocacy. It’s needed now Nov. 7; 10 a.m. For families with children other members of Beth El’s teen board were just more than ever.” from birth to age 5. Open to the entire starting to create something, so I decided to join.

Maggie added, “From the past years of community I want this year to be different. I really want other planning programs, having successful ones, November Theme: Thankfulness kids and teens in Richmond to be a part of the and a couple that failed, I have learned a lot.

December Theme: Hanukkah amazing youth group, USY.” Not everything works out and if you really Shabbat service geared filled with music, Brandon Metheny, a long time teacher at want something to succeed you have to keep stories, movement and more. A musical, Beth-El Religious School and their new teen trying. This year especially I loved seeing all meaningful service designed for wiggles. advisor, couldn’t be prouder of them. the faces at our programs, and growing closer For zoom access, email Ramona at “They are an incredibly smart, creative, and connections. Hearing all the positive feedback r.brand@bethelrichmond.org. motivated group, and they were determined to take the reins on our Teen High Holy Day programming. We had about a dozen people for Rosh Hashanah, they saw what worked and what didn’t and wrote an entirely unique program for Yom Kippur, where we had about 20 people attend.”

Brandon continued, “They ran the entire Eliana shows off the thing themselves; I just sat back and let them do Sukkah Decoration she it, and it was great. They got everyone involved made during the Sukkot and there was a real positive buzz when the Zoom Program. call ended.”

These young women have learned a lot about leadership in a short time. Grace notes, “I am

14| the Reflector| November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Happenings at Brith Achim

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all is always busy with the High Holidays at Congregation Brith Achim; this pandemic-hampered year is no exception.

We held distanced services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in September, including pre-recorded musical performances from congregants both locally and from across the country.

Every congregant was sent a High Holiday package, with services enhanced by the ubiquitous ownership of “shofarot” among our members with children!

The High Holidays were complimented by our distanced Shabbat services and video-conferenced Thursday night Torah studies, keeping us spiritually active and Kabalistically enlightened.

Men’s Club and Sisterhood have also been busy.

In September, Sisterhood published the annual Memorial Book and Men’s Club’s president, David Goldstein, gave

Synagogue Happenings

a Zoom talk on “Practical Computer Security.”

October continued the cluster of important celebrations with Sukkot (and meals at Rabbi Beck-Berman’s Sukkah) and Simchat Torah.

With any luck and the pandemic subsiding, we will be in the Shul waiving “lulavim” and rerolling Torah scrolls as a congregation!

For more details or to register for any of these events, please call the Synagogue office at (804) 732-3968 or email brithachim@aol.com.

May your New Year be blessed!

Julia and Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman’s Sukkah where Brith Achim congregants had meals for Sukkot and Simchat Torah.

Brith Achim photo

Or Atid happenings Virtual Fall at Congregation Or Atid

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ongregation Or Atid made the most of this holiday season.

The Congregation enjoyed a Sukkah hop over Zoom, visiting several members’ Sukkahs as well as Rabbi Hal’s. We danced and clapped at home for Simchat Torah and did some Torah trivia! It’s been wonderful to “see” our Or Atid family and celebrate together virtually.

Every year from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur Congregation Or Atid has collected non-perishable food donations for FeedMore, Central Virginia’s Core Hunger-Relief Organization. Although we were unable to gather together in person this year, we remained committed to our annual “Corners of Our Fields” effort: “This is the fast I have chosen … to share bread with the hungry” [Isaiah 58]. We created a virtual link www.JewishRichmond.org

on our website which provided anyone who visited there an opportunity to make a financial contribution to Feedmore as part of the Or Atid team. As of several weeks ago, we are proud to have raised enough funds to provide approximately 4,000 meals to those in need in the greater Richmond community!

In October Rabbi Hal started a new adult education series, “Love and Death in Six Scrolls: Jonah, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther.” These six short biblical books are read on Jewish holidays, and they are some of the most thought-provoking and entertaining books of the Bible. The classes explore these ancient biblical books of poetry and prose, and what they teach us about life, death, love, loss,

and more, and why we read these books on their respective holidays.

Our book club continues to meet regularly.

In October, the book club had an in depth virtual discussion of the historical novel, “The Physician”, by Noah Gordon. Set in the 11th century, this book vividly depicts the journey of an orphan in London who transforms from a fast-talking swindler to a talented doctor trained in Persia. Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures and rituals intertwine through-

out the book, which provided a rich context for our book club discussion.

For information about Congregation Or Atid, visit www.oratid.org or call the office at 804-740-4747.

We’d love to have you join us for our meaningful virtual services and events.

See next page for Or Atid Religious School Happenings.

Bed & Breakfast 615 S. Main Street • Blackstone, VA 23824

434-292-3199 or 800-509-3567 www.greyswaninn.com info@greyswaninn.com

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector | 15

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Synagogue Happenings

Or Atid Religious School news

By Alison Litvin Education Coordinator month into distance learning, Kornblau Religious School staff have reimagined, adjusted, and updated the virtual classroom to personalize the experience for all learners.

Live classes provide creative opportunities for students to freely express themselves, encouraging collaboration among students via Zoom’s interactive features.

These features allowed students to come together to celebrate recent holidays, fostering community through the screen.

The Zoom client offers a remote control feature, allowing teachers to temporarily grant students access to the mouse during an ongoing screen-share. By gamifying elements of their virtual sessions and highlighting student agency, staff have created a variety of online games to coincide with each week’s lesson.

Inspired by the point-and-click and drag-and-drop styles, students have played Alef-Bet iSpy, dressed the Torah, and decorated a sukkah virtually to interact with their Judaism in new, and uniquely Or Atid, ways.

As they prepare for their upcoming B’nei Mitzvahs, Morah Tal’s class offers new opportunities to explore the meaning and themes of individual prayers.

Students talk through the service together, carefully examining the words behind

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each blessing to understand the message behind each prayer.

As they progress through the service, students recognize how the order of the service resembles the flow of a car wash, the rooms in a fun-house, and even the Shuk HaCarmel in Israel.

Emphasizing the way each prayer fits together to form services, Morah Tal guides students towards personally connecting to the prayers as they gain a deeper understanding of the service structure.

This year’s classroom may be virtual, but that doesn’t limit staff or students from discovering new ways to engage with Jewish holidays and traditions, Israeli culture, Hebrew and Tefillah, and the weekly parsha.

For more information about the school, and to learn about our approach to distance learning, please contact Education Coordinator Alison Litvin, at relschool@oratid.org, or call Congregation Or Atid at (804) 740 - 4747.

Students at the Helen and Sam Kornblau Religious School of Or Atid had fun finding the hidden Hebrew letters. Or Atid Photos

Or Atid students enjoyed using the click and drag feature during remote instruction to decorate virtual Sukkahs.

Hadassah Happenings

8 Nights: Hadassah No Show Hanukkah Party

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lease do NOT show up at Hadassah Richmond’s Hanukkah Party!

Don’t RSVP, don’t buy a new dress, don’t get a babysitter, just click on our emails during Hanukkah!

Be on the lookout for candle lighting opportunities with Hadassah. Join with your friends and family each night of the holiday at our No Show Hanukkah Party. Members of Hadassah Richmond will light the Menorah, recite the

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blessings, celebrate and remember the miracle of the Maccabees defeating the Assyrians and reclaiming the Temple.

As our Hadassah families kindle their Menorahs, join us virtually to light your own. At that time, we will be are asking for your support to raise funds for the important work of Hadassah here and in Israel.

Our support today can be part of our modern-day miracle finding cures

16 | the Reflector | November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781

for so many diseases plaguing our world.

Hadassah research and development cannot stop even when we cannot join together in traditional fundraising events in person.

Hadassah is actively doing research on Covid-19, stem cells, osteoarthritis pain, cardiac diseases, neurological diseases which includes Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

These are just a few of the many,

medical breakthroughs happening at Hadassah Medical Center in Israel.

Stay tuned for more details on how you can participate!

HADASSAH RICHMONDA COMMUNITY OF WOMEN WHO DO!

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Synagogue Happenings

Some of the Jewish heroes Or Ami students will study this year.

Or Ami happenings O ctober was a busy month for our Or Ami kids.

On Sunday, Oct. 11, we had a wonderful Opening Day of Religious School with learning and fun for children and parents. There is still time to enroll your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews between the ages of 2 and 14.

Our Religious School is wonderful way to connect to other Jewish children and learn about this year’s topic of Jewish heroes from biblical times to the present day, including scientists, athletes, activists, and trailblazers of diverse Jewish backgrounds. To register, visit https://or-ami.com/registration/.

We had a blast celebrating the fall holiday of Sukkot with everyone in their personal sukkah or customizable virtual sukkah. Children and adults enjoyed the Sukkot scavenger hunt, finding items in their home that evoked holiday themes such as welcoming guests, beautifying our homes, and remembering the journey of our ancestors. At the end of Sukkot, we celebrated Simchat Torah with a Zoom dance party to energetic music, including a techno remix of Havah Nagilah. Community memwww.JewishRichmond.org

bers waved handmade flags and danced with mini Torah scrolls after taking a virtual tour of the Torah with Rabbi Ahuva.

Our regular busy social schedule is curtailed due to the virus, but our virtual Book Club still meets.

You can join in on the fun on Nov. 2 with “Lost Girls of Paris”

by Pam Jenoff. December’s selection is very different - poetry by Marge Piercy, “The Art of Blessing the Day: Poems with a Jewish Theme, and January will probably feature science fiction (we are really branching out).

Please contact: office@Or-Ami.com for links to these events.

Virtual Shabbot Services are held on-line Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30, and Torah Study is held on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Zoom format.

For more information on any of our programs, or to obtain links to Zoom events, please contact our office at (804) 272-0017 or office@or-ami.com.

Having fun at Or Ami’s virtual Sukkot

Want to know more? Contact us at Belong@Or-Ami.com or check us out at www.Or-Ami.com. You can follow us at

facebook.com/OrAmi-Richmond, or catch us on Twitter@oramirichmond.

All inquiries welcome.

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 |the Reflector | 17

Beth Ahabah Happenings A

s the High Holy Days in this year of COVID-19 drew to an end, Congregation Beth Ahabah virtually celebrated Simchat Torah.

With the joyous accompaniment of the music of the Klezmer band, My Son the Doctor, Rabbi Scott Nagel, Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman and Music Director Natan Berenshtyen circled the sanctuary seven times with Torahs as congregants danced in their living rooms.

Afterward, like every New Year, the Sukkah was taken down, the Torahs exchanged their white mantles for blue and, like the cycle of the Torah reading, the congregational year began again anew ... with changes to keep the congregation safe and connected.

Religious school opened the “doors” of its Google Classrooms on Oct. 4. All but one of the teaching staff returned to take on the challenge of virtual teaching. Both students and teachers were delighted to see each other.

With the summer to prepare for all potential eventualities, the staff designed and wrote a whole school curriculum that was printed in a Religious School Reference and Resource Guide.

Each week the curriculum included the Torah portion, a Middah (Jewish Value), a topic on Israel and Prayer/Hebrew study.

All students learned the same material in a grade appropriate way.

The guide and other materials, including a honey cake baked by the Women of Beth

Ahabah, was picked up by families at a drive

by Materials Pick-up Party on September 26th.

Adult and Teen Education began on Oct. 19th, with classes including Jewish Mysticism, Jewish Cooking with Chef Dan Scherotter, Tehillim/Psalms: Reclaiming the Ancient Top 40, and Holocaust through Many Lenses.

Torah resumed with more than 40 people Zooming in weekly to learn with Rabbi Nagel. Tot Shabbats and Talmud Lunch and Learn continued monthly virtually as well.

It wasn’t all education, there were some fun in-person socially distanced activities.

The top floor of the parking deck was transformed into an outdoor cinema for screening of two Sukkot themed films: “The Lorax” and “Ushpizin.” The deck and the courtyard hosted a few youth group events as well.

Shabbat Services will continue to be lived- streamed weekly on Fridays at 6:15 p.m. to our YouTube channel. To view, visit Congregation Beth Ahabah, Richmond VA. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information on Beth Ahabah, call (804) 358-6757 or visit www.bethahabah.org

The Beth Ahabah Religious School Staff designed and wrote a whole school curriculum that was printed in a Religious School Reference and Resource Guide.

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Synagogue Happenings

Beth Ahabah families are greeted during a drive by Materials Pick-up Party on Sept.

26. Beth Ahabah Photos

The top floor of the parking deck at Beth Ahabah was transformed into an outdoor cinema for screening of two Sukkot-themed films: “The Lorax” and “Ushpizin.”

www.JewishRichmond.org

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Israel & Overseas Happenings

Ignoring Jewish poverty is a sin we can’t afford Editor’s Note, The following article was published on Sept. 24 on “Scribe,” the curated contributor network of the “Forward.” The online publication showcases personal experiences and perspective from across our Jewish communities.

By Asher Ostrin and Mark Sisisky American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee n Yom Kippur, the global Jewish community will look back on tremendous losses. Among them are loved ones, the comforts of individual and community connections, shared simchas and holidays, and a way of life driven by all of the above. But there is another loss that jeopardizes those closest to us and our collective future: growing economic insecurity among Jews and Jewish communities as a result of the economic toll of COVID-19.

We already sense it in the number of beloved Jewish causes and institutions that have folded or made painful cuts to survive an uncertain philanthropic future. These were early warnings to prepare for the further decline of our communities’ financial prospects and the need to sustain Jews who’ve become “the new poor” as the pandemic unfolds.

Data backs these concerns: Economic challenges, including unemployment, in the U.S. and Israel, are matched by worrying global financial trends. The IMF is predicting the global economy would shrink by nearly 5%; global employment losses in the second quarter of 2020 could be equivalent to the disappearance of tens of millions of full time jobs.

In recent months, they’ve also forecasted an 8% economic contraction in Spain, 10% in Greece, and in Argentina, already beset by economic troubles, there is rising unemployment and increasing inflation.

Jews in these places, especially those who have become middle-class recently, are hard hit. Unemployment funds or other relief programs will not fully cover freelancers, independent contractors, and merchants, a critical mass of

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the workforce. Additionally, tourism and rental income that some Jewish communities and individuals rely on for their livelihoods and to support the poor and elderly has declined. The result has been the emergence of people who have never needed assistance before and are turning to their Jewish communities for support.

As leaders of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, an organization that has helped Jewish communities and Israel weather numerous crises, we have learned valuable lessons about how to address this crisis. Four steps need to be taken: First, we must acknowledge financial strife, however difficult. Many Jews have achieved widespread success in business and philanthropy. This sometimes makes poverty a condition they find hard to imagine. And yet it has always been a feature of our communities and we’ve created agencies like Jewish Family Services to meet needs.

To get beyond the discomfort rising from this tension, we need to recognize it loudly and address it head on, especially when growing numbers are experiencing it. We should also engage in efforts that strengthen the voices of those newly in need and get better at tracking real-time changes in their economic status.

Second, we must reinforce the centrality of the Jewish community in solving this challenge.

It’s no surprise that people turn to the Jewish community when facing economic need. They come to us in the best of times and believe they can do so when life is hardest. They assume our collective values – mainly arevut (mutual responsibility among Jews) and tikkun olam (repair of a broken world) – will ensure Jewish communities provide aid with dignity and respect.

So we need to strengthen community outreach and remind folks we’re here for them.

Playing this role leads to surprising results and new relevance: deepening

JDC was founded during World War I, when, in 1914, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Henry Morgenthau, Sr. wired New York philanthropist Jacob Schiff to ask for funds to help Jews suffering in Ottoman Palestine. We were the first Jewish organization in the United States to give large-scale funding for international relief. JDC photo

and growing engagement with the community, even among the unaffiliated; new or increased donations and matching efforts from Jewish philanthropists eager to aid fellow Jews; and impactful solutions leveraging existing social services.

Third, we need to partner for success.

In an era of shrinking budgets and an urgent need to share resources, knowledge, and expertise, we need to build coalitions to help those in need.

Responding to the current situation, we’ve been leading a consortium of mostly-European philanthropic leaders and foundation partners – including the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Philanthropic Foundation, Maimonides Fund, and the Genesis Philanthropy Group — and Jewish communities worldwide in providing emergency assistance for food, medicine, rent, and supplementary income.

We’re helping close to 1,600 Jewish households, impacting an estimated 6,000 people in 11 countries in Europe, including Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Greece, and Bosnia, as well as Jews in Morocco, Tunisia, and Argentina.

Finally, we must leverage this partnership model to address other challenges, including the financial viability of our communal infrastructures. This paradigm is especially critical as post-COVID

Jewish life will require transformations in how organizations and communities operate, gather people for prayer and programming, and continue to meet social service, cultural, educational, and identity-building needs.

There have been promising developments in this area around day schools and summer camps, both in Europe and America, and we should leverage learnings from them for other institutions that anchor Jewsh life and identity.

Jews around the world today are relying on their communities to ensure that 5781, and the years that follow, are hopeful and filled with opportunity. Stronger community economic preparedness, building of collective resilience capacities for future crises, and forging stronger connections between Jews and their local communities is the formula for achieving that.

For the sin we might commit in being too slow to address the poverty around us, there is much we can do to make amends.

Mark Sisisky, a longtime Richmond and International leader, is president of JDC and Asher Ostrin is innterim CEO of JDC, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 |the Reflector | 19

.Kristallnacht Memorial Service: November 8 Jewish Community Happenings

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his year’s memorial service, marking the 82nd anniversary of Kristallnacht and the 65th annual ceremony held at Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery, will be held on Sunday Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions this year, the service will be transmitted live from the memorial at Emek Sholom. While the speakers, Cantor Dara Sage Rosenblatt and a few others involved in the service will be present, it is requested community members attend the service remotely.

To register for the observance and view online, see the link in the caption under the photo.

The guest speaker will be Daniel Staffenberg, CEO, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Alex Keisch, committe chair, will offer opening remarks. The Shofar Call to Assembly will be led by Jay Ipson and Ben Ipson. Dr. Limor Glazer Schwam will deliver remarks on “Stories Behind These Names” related to the names on the Emek Sholom Memorial Wall. Dr. Roger Loria will present the “E.J. Windmuller Never Again” Award.

Rudy Rochman is scheduled to conclude the event to speak about Social Media.

Also participating in the event will be members of the American Legion Post 144.

History of Emek Sholom Tucked away in a section of the sprawling Forest Lawn cemetery near the RIR track on Laburnum is a beautiful and moving memorial to the slain relatives of the survivors who emigrated to the Richmond area.

The Holocaust Memorial at Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery is now believed to be the oldest memorial to the Holocaust in North America. To register and view the observance, visit www.jewishrichmond.org/calendar/emek-sholom-holocaust-memorial-kristallnach

Best known to the Richmond Jewish community for the Beth El section at the entrance, Forest Lawn is also where, in 1955, members of the New American Jewish Club bought land and erected the memorial to their loved ones who perished in the Holocaust.

These new residents of the United States pooled their meager resources and constructed this memorial to 200 family members who had perished in the Holocaust and whose final resting places will forever be unknown.

Since then, every year on the Sunday closest to the November anniversary of Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass), a memorial service is held to honor the slain relatives and all of the six million who were killed, continuing our commitment to Never Again. The service is usually an hour long, traditionally with a

Thank you Friends of Reflector The Reflector staff and Jewish Community Federation of Richmond thank

Vivian Burton for her recent donation to the Friends of Reflector.

As always, we thank the community for supporting the Reflector. Stay healthy and safe.

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guest speaker, family speaker, high school students who have won the Esther Windmueller Never Again essay contest, candle lighting, reciting of El Maleh Rachamim and Kaddish prayers.

In 1998 the Virginia Department of Historic Resources recognized the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial, one of the first Holocaust memorials in North America, by listing it as a Historic Landmark in Virginia.

The following year, the U.S. Department of the Interior placed it on the National Register of Historic Places. On Nov. 7, 1999, two flanking panels, bearing 239 additional names, were dedicated by new A bugler from the American Legion plays members of the Richmond Jewish com- “Taps” at last year’s Memorial Service. munity to memorialize their family mem- File Photo bers who were killed in the Holocaust. Federation to obtain materials. They were Adjacent to the Emek Sholom Holocaust puzzled about the request, and undertook Memorial is a Jewish cemetery for Ho- their own investigation. After researching locaust survivors, their descendants, and the issue they determined there was neither written nor physical evidence that others of the Jewish faith.

Recently, after some research under- such an item ever existed.

While we do not know the origins of the taken by Inge Horowitz we received some wonderful news. We have always said the story of the Indianapolis Holocaust MemoEmek Sholom Memorial is one of the old- rial, we now strongly believe that Richmond est Holocaust memorials in North Amer- is indeed home to the OLDEST memorial ica, having been under the impression for to the Holocaust in North America.

Yet Emek Sholom remains one of many decades that our memorial was preceded by a memorial obelisk in a cemetery Richmond’s best kept secrets.

For more information about the Emek in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Attempting to find out more about this Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery, obelisk, Inge contacted the Indianapolis please visit emeksholomcemeteryrichmond.org/ www.JewishRichmond.org

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Jewish Community Happenings

Jules Mintzer Continued from page 13

His memory of his work there and interaction with the Survivors would guide Jules in later years as he worked to fight prejudice and building understanding among people of different religious faiths.

The horrors of his time helping the Survivors would stay with him during the rest of his life.

Jules said in the Dayton Herald in 1946 when he was assistant director of the Jewish Community Council in Dayton, Ohio, “I estimate 95 percent of those in the camp were formerly in concentration camps and their conditions were sickening.”

He wrote later, “I devoted considerable time counseling people who were suffering intensely from having been imprisoned in concentration camps.”

In 1978, Jules Mintzer retired in name only for just a few days as many recall.

As the Reflector noted in 2001, “Jules embraced the role of volunteer with equal zeal” as his professional career.

For 20+ years, he was among the most active volunteers in the community serving his Synagogue – Temple Beth-El – in many roles and later president. He also volunteered with other communual agencies as well.

He also was president of Rudlin Torah Academy, vice-president of the Seaboard Region of the United Synagogue of America, chairman of the JCC Forum, editor of the Anti-Defamation League quarterly bulletin, In additon, he produced the Federation’s 50th anniversary commemorative journal as well as a gala journal for Beth Sholom Home.

“He was revered by many in the community,” remembers Susie Davidow, “and even taught at Beth Ahabah. A devoted member of Beth-El, he served on many committees and the board for many years.”

Susie added, “He received awards and accolades from all of these organizations – every award imaginable. He was truly beloved - and and this is not just from his oldest child saying so,” she laughed. “Everyone www.JewishRichmond.org

who knew him; loved him.”

Her father believed in collaboration and cooperation. “He tried to bring individuals and organizations together to work for the good of the community.” Recognized as a terrific fundraiser, and according to Susie, “he not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. My parents were very generous to causes they believed in.”

She shared one story and is not sure if it is true or lore. She grew up hearing the story of how her parents were audited by the IRS because “the IRS couldn’t believe someone of his income level gave so much to charity!”

Susie talked about how compatible her parents were and how devoted they were to each other.

“My mother was a wonderful partner to my father. They were both bright and devoted to each other and their family.”

Susie says she and he brother and sister had happy childhoods and knew both parents loved and supported them and their endeavors.

She followed in her father’s footsteps, when she retired from a career at CocaCola in Atlanta, and took a job at the JCC using her Special Education degree.

“It just felt right to be a Jewish professional,” she remembers. “I got a lot of traits in the Jewish communal world from him.”

Susie has very fond memories of her time in Richmond. Friends called her “Club Mintzer” because she joined so many organizations. To this day she keeps up with some of her friends from here and also some of her parents’ friends – Amy Krumbein, Edith Glock ad Melanie Becker to name a few.

Among his many honors, he was awarded the State of Israel Medal, the Federation’s Distinguished Community Service Award, the Lion of Judah Award by the Israel Bond Organization, three prestigious Temple Beth-El Awards – the Samuel Gerson Outstanding Service Award, Distinguished Worker Award and Simhat Torah Award; A President’s Cup from the JCC,

Jules Mintzer receives a silver bowl from past president Nathan Petersiel of the RJCC on Jules’ 10th Anniversary of his leadership of the organization in 1963. Mr. Petersiel noted, “under your leadership, there has been a spirit of wholehearted unity ... Jules you have made a lasting and substantial contribution to the community. JCFR archives

The Man the Month from the American Jewish Times Outlook and many others. His honors, awards, achievements and honors reads like a Who’s Who. The City of Richmond recognized him several times with medals and awards – first in 1973 and later by Mayor Henry Marsh in 1978. He also was appointed by the governor to the Citizens Advisory Council of the State Department of Volunteerism and appointed by the chief judge of the Richmond Juvenile Court to the Citizens Advisory Council of the Court.

In a Reflector Editorial, “Thank You, Jules,” in 1978, it read, in part, “Jules has been a man who listens to opposing views, then finds the acceptable solution to the problem. He has been the calming influence, the leader whose quiet wisdom sets the example for others.”

Congressman Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., recognized Jules with extenseive remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Aug. 12, 1992, that were subsequently published in the Congressional Record.

In his conclusion, he noted, “It is a rare privilege to applaud Jules Mintzer for his many accomplishments as a civic leader, one who has given of his time and energy without expectation of monetary gain, but only to serve well his fellow man and for others who will follow.”

Someone who witnessed this first-hand for over three years is Steve Abramson, who was a graduate intern and later assistant director for the Federation under Jules.

“Jules let me be a fly on the wall at all

types of meetings,” noted Steve who was promoted to succeed Jules as executive director of the Federation in 1978. He went on to become executive director of the San Diego, Calif., Federation for 24 years.

“He was very kind and such a great mentor. I learned so much under Jules and he was always willing to spend time answering questions. I would listen intently at long board and other meetings and then spend time afterward talking with him.”

Steve noted, “I could never have been the exec in San Diego without the foundation I received in Richmond under Jules.”

A longtime friend of Jules and his family, Saul Viener (OBM) said it best in the Reflector on Feb. 15, 2000, “Long a constructive force in our community’s growth and development in his role .... Jules endeared himself to several generations of Richmonders.”

Saul, a former Federation president and later a Reflector contributing writer, added, “After arriving in Richmond ... Jules established himself in the RJCC and commenced to energize the Council leadership while acclimating himself to the local scene. Relationships became friendships ... a caring and kindly gentleman was here to help and to encourage us. He instilled in all who had the privilege of working with him an understanding of Tzedakah and the Jewish perspective of unity and cooperation.

We acknowledge ... his years of service did indeed insure the flowering of today’s Federation.”

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 |the Reflector| 21

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Year-End Planning Letter around making permanent several key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as well as a potential cut in the tax rate on capital gains and dividends. The Biden tax agenda contemplates reimposing a top income tax rate of 39.6 percent above $400,000 and taxing capital gains and dividends at ordinary income tax rates for those taxpayers with incomes over $1 million.

By Robert Nomberg president & ceo richmond jewish foundation

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he year 2020 has been a tumultuous year to say the least. As you work with your financial advisors to discuss year-end tax and charitable planning, there are several additional factors this year that can influence key decisions.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact virtually all aspects of the economy; and the election is bound to bring changes to Washington that could result in significant changes to the income tax and the estate and gift tax regimes. States and local governments are facing unprecedented budget crises that could also lead to new or larger tax burdens.

While the outcome of the election will greatly impact the direction that tax policy will take in the coming years, it is also important to realize that regardless of the outcome of the election: the economy will most likely still be in a recession and this will make it even more difficult to raise sufficient revenue to support government spending and shore up key social safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Differing tax agendas could bring significant changes either way: There are significant differences between the two presidential candidates. The Trump tax plan for the second term revolves

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Some key considerations for yearend decisions include: Tax rate considerations and the impact of recently-enacted legislation: The prospect of increased tax rates in 2021 could lead some to second-guess the tried and true year-end planning mantra of “deferring income and accelerating deductions” as a means to reduce the current year’s tax bill. Effective tax rates and the value of deductions could be worth more in 2021 if Congress does impose a tax increase next year. However, recently-enacted tax legislation, as well as some other long-standing planning techniques could be beneficial in 2020.

Planning idea: The CARES Act enacted to provide COVID-19 relief contains a provision that enables the current deduction of up to 100 percent of adjusted gross income for cash gifts to charity (other than donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations). Individuals considering large cash donations may find this one-year lifting of the AGI limitation to be beneficial. And the IRA charitable rollover remains an attractive alternative to those over age 70½ who may not otherwise

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Foundation Happenings

be able to itemize their deductions and claim a tax benefit from a charitable contribution. Keep in mind that Congress has suspended the pension rules imposing “required minimum distribution” requirements but rollover contributions to qualified charities could still make sense for some.

Taxes on capital gains could rise dramatically: Capital gains taxes generally were reduced under the TCJA to 15 percent or 20 percent, depending on a taxpayer’s income level and the asset class.

Under a second term of the Trump Administration, the existing structure could remain static or even be reduced. Under the Biden plan, however, taxes on capital gains could almost double to 39.6 percent for taxpayers earning more than $1 million.

Planning idea: With the possibility of a substantial increase in the capital gains tax rate, clients with appreciated assets may want to consider selling before year-end in order to lock in more favorable tax rates or consider donating those appreciated assets to charity to take advantage of the larger deduction based on the fair market value of the asset at the contribution date rather than selling the asset, pay ing capital gains taxes that might be due and then contributing the proceeds.

Estate taxes are likely to increase: Under the TCJA, the gift and estate tax exemption has been increased from $5 million to $10 million with inflation adjustments, bringing that amount to $11.58 million for this year. Individuals can gift up to this amount without paying a dollar of tax during their lifetime. Anything left over can be used to offset estate taxes at death.

Planning idea: It may make sense to engage in gift transactions before year-end in order to take advantage of the higher exemption amount. There is another important added benefit of removing any future appreciation from the estate through gifting strategies to f amilymembers and others. There are a number of estate planning techniques that can be utilized including using gifts or sales of property expected to produce income or increase in value to remove existing or future wealth from the traner tax base, use of trusts for the donor’s spouse, setting up grantor retained

annuity trusts, among others. In addition, consideration of transfer ring assets to charities now, rather than later, through charity lead annuity trusts may also be advantageous.

Cost basis step-up of bequeathed assets may be eliminated: Under current law, heirs receive appreciated assets with a step-up in basis to fair market value at the time of death.

The Biden plan proposed to eliminate this rule, making transfers at death taxable. And this “taxable recognition event” would occur even if the beneficiaries do not sell the asset. Changes contemplated by the Biden plan would (1) decrease the gift and estate tax exemption substantially: (2) increase the tax rate on capital gains; and (3) potentially eliminate the step-up in basis of inherited assets.

Planning ideas: Gifts at death to charity would be exempt from the Biden plan tax changes. However, donors who are considering making such gifts may also wish to accelerate these transfers in order to provide significant support to charities now, rather than in later years, especially as many charities face increased costs and potential decreases in fundraising during the pandemic.

Given this combination, in the event that Vice President Biden wins the election, it may make sense to consider shifting certain assets, especially those likely to continue to appreciate in value to others in lower tax brackets such as younger generations and potentially defer capital gains taxes that might otherwise need to be triggered.

As with any and all, significant tax and charitable planning ideas, it is essential to review existing income, estate and charitable giving plans to assure that potential changes are viewed in the context of the client’s complete financial profile.

And, please remember that RJF does not provide tax advice. Please consult with your professional advisor before taking any action. www.JewishRichmond.org

Jewish American Hall of Fame Exhibit at VHM T he Virginia Holocaust Museum continues to welcome in-person visitors daily at the museum.

Come join the over 4,000 visitors who have come to the VHM since it re-opened on July 6.

Samuel Asher, executive director, noted, “We are focusing on our Jewish American Hall of Fame exhibit that has an important section on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (OBM).”

The permanent exhibit includes over 50 Jewish American men and women who have made important contributions in all fields of endeavor have been inducted since 1969.

The large artistic plaques have been created by outstanding sculptors, many of whom have won the American Numismatic Society’s J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal and/or the American Numismatic Association’s Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture.

There are Jewish-American Hall of Fame honorees in Business, Entertainment, Literature, Medicine, Military, Music, Public Service, Religion, Science, Social Welfare, and Sports.

In addition to the famous names, visi-

Virginia Holocaust Museum Happenings

tors will discover relatively unknowns like Gertrude Elion, whose medical research has saved millions of lives around the world and earned her a Nobel Prize in Medicine; Asser Levy, one of the first Jewish settlers in America, who fought anti-Semitism and sued for the right to bear arms in the citizens’ guards; Ernestine Rose, pioneer fighter for Women’s Rights; and “Rosie” Rosenthal, World War II Flying “Ace” As people gaze on the portraits of Albert Einstein, George Gershwin, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Joseph Pulitzer, Dr. Jonas Salk, et al, it is hoped that visitors will reflect on what contributions to humanity might have been made by the six million Jews (and their descendents) whose lives were viciously taken in the Holocaust.

For further information about the JewishAmerican Hall of Fame, visit www.vaholocaust.org/.

Volunteer to help uncover history with us! What did Virginia newspapers report about Nazi persecution during the 1930s and 1940s? In partnership with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Hands on Greater Richmond, the Library of Virginia is offering the last of three virtual “research sprints” into their newspaper collection on Nov. 21 from 10-11:30 a.m. By identifying Holocaustrelated articles in Virginia newspapers, we will begin to understand what the average Virginian could have known during WWII. Minimum age is 16 (12 with an adult). These events are free and registration is required. Register today at www.handsonrva.org/opportunity/a0C1J00000IlL7J?Id=a0C1J00000IlL7J www.JewishRichmond.org

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg (OBM) is featured in the Jewish American Hall of Fame exhibit at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. The permanent exhibit includes over 50 Jewish American men and women. VHM photo

Calling all middle and high school educators! Together with Yahad-In Unum, VHM is pleased to present “Holocaust by Bullets In the Occupied Soviet Territories” -- a 90-minute, free teacher webinar scheduled for Nov. 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register at www.vaholocaust.org/professional-development

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector |23

MANY THANKS TO OUR 2020 CORPORATE PARTNERS The support of our Corporate Partners during this challenging year has been critical to our success.

We extend our deepest thanks for their generosity and commitment to our community.

Jewish Community Federation of Richmond

2020 Corporate Partners: Emerald Level Sponsor:

THESE PARTNERSHIPS ENABLE US TO Provide life-sustaining humanitarian aid at home and abroad

Sapphire Level Sponsors: Build a welcoming and inclusive community and offer resources at every stage of life

Gold Level Sponsor:

Empower older adults to thrive in their homes and community safely and independently

Contributor Level Sponsor:

Educate our community about compelling issues

Donor Level Sponsors:

Connect Jewish young adults with their community and peers

It makes good corporate sense to partner with the Federation.

Sponsors are provided with the opportunity to invest in social impact through an organization that evokes recognition and trust throughout the Greater Richmond region.

Supporting the Federation will increase your company’s brand awareness, enhance your corporate image and generate good will among the people who count the most—our donors and your clients.

If you’d like to learn more about our partnership program, please contact Paul H. Powell, Director, Corporate Partnerships and Business Development at 804.320.0220 (Remote Office) or ppowell@jewishrichmond.org. www.JewishRichmond.org

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November 2020 Cheshvan/Kislev 5781 | the Reflector | 24