Charleston Jewish Voice | Winter 2015 by Jewish Charleston

VOICE CHARLESTON JEWISH

WINTER 2015

Charleston Jewish Federation 1645 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407

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W W W. J E W I S H C H A R L E S T O N . O R G A PUBLICATION OF THE CHARLESTON JEWISH FEDERATION

CONTENTS President’s Letter

By Spencer Lynch

Making an Impact. As cliché as that sounds, that is what the Charleston Jewish Federation (CJF) does today and has done since its founding over 65 years ago. The Jewish community in Charleston and the Diaspora face challenges that are both expected and unexpected. Despite these challenges, CJF has been there every step of the way to overcome these obstacles. We make an impact in our community by feeding the hungry through gleaning the fields and stocking the Kosher Food Pantry, providing essential social services through Jewish Family Services, connecting Jewish children with their cultural and religious heritage Spencer J. Lynch through PJManaging Library, Director nurturing positive relationships with all religious, racial, and ethnic groups in Charleston through our Jewish Community gement team in Charleston since 1993 Relations Board (JCRC), Holocaust education through our REMEMBER program, Israel engagement and advocacy, and the list goes on.

T OF YOUR RETIREMENT INVESTMENTS?

Jewish Charleston change from a core pocket community centered on the Peninsula and West Ashley to a Jewish community dispersed throughout the tri-county area. This change is not a threat but an opportunity to learn, grow, and celebrate the vibrancy of a growing Jewish community. Learning from the past has its place, but the key to our continued growth and longevity lies in our ability as a community to embrace change and not rest on our accomplishments. We must all join together despite our difference in origins, affiliations, and beliefs, as Together We Can Do Extraordinary Things. I look forward to staying involved as an active member of and an advocate for the Jewish community of Charleston. I hope you will join me and the rest of my board in thanking all of the professional staff and volunteers of CJF who work tirelessly day to day to make an impact on all of our lives.

u. Call us for a complimentary retirement review.

Reflecting over the past two years has also made me realize the significant effect that CJF has had on me and our community. We Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. are the only Jewish Agency in Charleston that impacts all of us.

9401 // 843.720.3500 // 866.384.9891 // lynchcracraftwealth.com

This is my last note as president and I want to convey how important it is to EMBRACE CHANGE. As a native, I have seen the landscape of

Spencer Lynch Charleston Jewish Federation President

Contents President’s Letter & Contents ��02 CEO Letter ��03 Jewish Federations of North America �� 04 Charleston Jewish Family Services ��05 Kosher Food Pantry �� 06 PJ Library ��07 Jewish Community Relations Council �� 08 The REMEMBER Program ��10 Connecting Jewish Women ��10 Annual Campaign ��11-13 Jewish Endowment Fund ��14 Israel Engagement Initiative ��14 Community News �� 17-20 Resource Guide ��21

CJF Mission Statement

Cover Image

To Build and Sustain Jewish Life in Charleston, Israel and Around the World.

Charleston PJ Lbrary Children by Mikhail Thomas www.thomasphotographers.com WINTER 2015

CHARLESTON JEWISH FEDERATION CEO Letter

FEDERATION 2015 BOARD MEMBERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chief Executive Officer Judi Corsaro CJF President Harry Goldberg CJF President Elect Stuart Tessler CJF Vice President Ellen Hoffman CJF Vice President Ava Kleinman CJF Vice President Michael Mills CJF Treasurer Suzanne Lynch CJF Secretary Eileen Chepenik Jewish Endowment Fund President Jan Pearlstine Lipov CJF Immediate Past President Spencher Lynch

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE Aaron Engel Harold Fox Larry Freudenberg Marilyn Hoffman Larry Kobrovsky Edward Kronsberg Amanda Reeves Hilary Rieck Ilene Turbow

CHARLESTON JEWISH FEDERATION 1645 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407-3507 PHONE: 843-614-6600 FAX: 843-556-6206

www.JewishCharleston.org

By Judi Corsaro This has been an exhilarating year at the Charleston Jewish Federation. Our board of directors and our professional staff have done an excellent job working on all of the facets of our organization. In my position as the CEO of the Charleston Jewish Federation, I have had the great privilege of working with an exceptional group of lay leaders, volunteers, and professional staff. Each and every one of you has contributed so much to our community, our organization, and to the Jewish people. You have had a profound impact on me personally and your support and generosity has inspired me in so many ways. I am grateful for the opportunity to work daily on behalf of our Jewish community. I am also very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Spencer Lynch in his role as the Federation president. I cannot begin to convey the hours and hours of time and energy he has spent working for the Charleston Jewish Federation and the betterment of the entire Jewish community and community at large.

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

Those of you who have donated your time by serving on our board, a committee, volunteered, donated food, shopped for food for the Kosher Food Pantry, gleaned the fields, or provided financial resources - thank you for making an impact. TOGETHER WE DID EXTRAORDINARY THINGS! All my best, and Happy Chanukah Judi Corsaro CJF CEO

Charleston Jewish Federation Staff Full Time: Judi Corsaro - Chief Executive Officer 843-614-6600 | judic@jewishcharleston.org Lori Hoch Stiefel - Senior Director of Communications & Community Engagement 843-614-6497 | lorihs@jewishcharleston.org Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz - Program Director 843-614-6497 | rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org Sara Sharnoff Chesley - Director of Charleston Jewish Family Services 843-614-6494 | sarahs@jewishcharleston.org Kelly Stellrecht - Development Associate 843-614-6481 | kellys@jewishcharleston.org Part Time: Sandra Brett - Special Events Program Director sandrab@jewishcharleston.org Joan Herrman - Administrative Assistant 843-614-6491 | joanh@jewishcharleston.org Anthony Klassy - Senior Graphic Designer 843-614-6480 | anthonyk@jewishcharleston.org Vicki Schmidt - Accountant 843-614-6481 | vickis@jewishcharleston.org

I welcome Harry Goldberg, our new Charleston Jewish Federation president, and look forward to working under his leadership. I want to acknowledge each and everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions but that would take up the entire issue. You all know how much I appreciate you and your many contributions. Special thanks to Ruth Goldberg for chairing the annual campaign and to Ellis Kahn and Eli Hyman, who cochaired the emergency campaign for Israel and raised over $65,000 in just a few weeks.

JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA didn’t and what they learned along the way. It’s collaboration at its best. And, that’s what the General Assembly is all about: Federations are able to amplify the successes of their own communities to others, and think about the ways we can have a greater impact on the issues and concerns we share.

jfna board of trustees chair michael siegal, vice president joe biden, and holocaust survivor nesse godin

General Assembly Recap

By Jerry Silverman, president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. Reinventing. Rethinking. Rebranding. Innovating. They’re all buzzwords we hear today - whether talking about education, healthcare, product marketing, or Jewish communal work. We’re living in a time in which endless access to information and 24 hour communication is challenging us to question just about everything. As a result, we have seen new models of business, philanthropy and outreach in every corner of the globe. Airbnb, Zipcar, and Kickstarter are examples of businesses that have successfully harnessed the tools of this new era to fill a need. For some, the opportunities are tremendous. In the Jewish community we have also witnessed a new age of innovation. Birthright, Moishe House, and PJ Library are just a few organizations that have emerged to fill our communal needs. And at this year’s annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations, we took a good look at how we can continue to maximize our potential. We know we have been successful as attendees left with just as many new questions as answers and are inspired to continue the conversation long after the conference concluded. The theme of the GA is “The World is Our Backyard.” The program amplified this message through a combination of thinking sessions and inspirational moments, highlevel speakers and new opportunities for Federations to share their best programs and strategies and discuss their scalability.

In Florida, for example, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando recognized how tough it is for adults with disabilities to find jobs. So JFGO started a program called RAISE (Recognizing Abilities and Inclusion of Special Employees) that not only matches adults with special needs to part-time jobs, but also gives those employees professional support and job training, helping them to become valued and productive members of the community. In San Francisco, the Jewish Community Federation was struggling to figure how to engage young people in philanthropy. The result was to schedule events around different themes that Federation supports, whether Jewish camping or LGBT programming, with each attendee asked to make voluntary contributions. Here in Charleston, we recognized the immense need to help feed those who were food insecure. Through marketing, outreach and grant writing, we were able to secure a $19,000 grant from the Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation for the Kosher Food Pantry. These kinds of programs are in our Jewish community backyards throughout North America. In fact, when Jewish Federations of North America solicited 153 North American Federations for ideas to feature at this year’s GA, held on Sunday, November 9th through Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 in National Harbor, Maryland, we received 250 submissions, selecting 50 to showcase. By featuring these 50, we gave representatives from across North America the opportunity to gather ideas, share stories, and question their colleagues on what worked for them, what

That’s the value of collaboration. And, that collaboration extends to the global Jewish community, whether it’s aiding Israelis under rocket fire, helping to fund Jewish summer camps and other identity programs in the former Soviet Union, or assisting elderly afraid to leave their homes in Ukraine. As at all GAs, this year we heard from top U.S. figures - including Vice President Joe Biden and Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan - internationally renowned journalists, and game-changing innovators in philanthropy, education and Jewish life. We also heard compelling stories from some of the millions overseas whose lives we’ve touched this year - including Jews from Europe who are fighting the rising tide of anti-Semitism and Israelis from the resilient south. We heard from Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer, the top editors of Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post and students defending Israel on college campuses. But, most of all we heard from each other, as we gathered as one big family in our “Backyard” - where the physical space was transformed to foster and support conversations and schmoozing. The GA Backyard transformed the traditional exhibit hall into a themed, welcoming area. Registration, exhibit booths, conversation areas, game areas, food areas and stadiumseating conversation pits created the kind of casual meeting space where participants hung out and networked. It was an opportunity to learn from our successes and failures, exchanging ideas and offering guidance; to embrace a new age and a new way of thinking. And of course, being together fueled our neshamot, our souls, allowing us to return to our communities renewed and inspired.

WINTER 2015

CHARLESTON JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES For those of you that may be unfamiliar with Charleston Jewish Family Services (CJFS), an affiliate of the Charleston Jewish Federation, its mission is to preserve and protect the basic human needs of all members of the community and to promote positive social functioning in all of our clients. We are guided by the Jewish values of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repair of the world.) CJFS has always been in a challenging predicament: We receive dozens of calls each month from families in need of the most basic life necessities – shelter, heat, water, and medical assistance. While the number of families in need continues to rise, the amount of awareness around those struggling in our own community has dwindled. It is not easy for people to discuss needing help paying for a heating bill in the cold winter months, and no one wants to chat about how their brief hospital stay set them back so greatly that they

cannot afford their mortgage payment. Many of the people who have received financial assistance through CJFS do not wish to talk about their experience, and unfortunately this has made it more difficult to share our story and ask for the Jewish community’s support. CJFS serves as many families as possible, but we have very limited funds to last us through the end of the year. There simply is not enough funding to help our families, friends, and neighbors. Every cent that is donated to CJFS goes directly into the hands of these Jewish families. We never want to be in a position where we have to turn someone away due to a lack of donations, so please help us make sure that never happens. Below we have compiled some stories of Jewish families who have been helped by CJFS over the past year.

Charleston Jewish Family Services’ Testimonials Dear Jewish Federation Staff,

Dear Charleston Jewish Federation,

Your kindness and willingness to help persons in the community is very special. Although I work full time, circumstances come up that are especially challenging financially. The most recent donation from the Jewish Federation allowed me to travel to be with my father as he reaches the end of his life. Donations do matter and I encourage people to know that the Jewish Federation staff work daily to help with life’s challenges.

Please know your willingness to help when I really needed food and things for my home is very appreciated. It is difficult for me to ask, and you were so understanding. Thank you.

Sincerely, A Grateful Charleston Resident Please accept this note as a thank you to you and the entire Federation for your incredibly generous financial assistance by furnishing the funds to fix my car. I am very happy and relieved to say I now have an auto with wonderfully cold A.C. and re-padded brakes thanks to you and the Federation. As you know, for most of us living in the south, driving under the intense heat is a far from pleasurable experience. So allow me to repeat again simply – thank you for both the funds that you sent so quickly but also for being so understanding and sensitive to the fact that I live on a fixed income without family or other social support. Your kindness in both listening to my needs/ difficulties as well as your caring nature creates a feeling of gratitude that I cannot adequately or fully express. Your efforts on my behalf remind me of my father’s participation in multiple Jewish support agencies, and though I miss him dearly, he would be so proud of your work. Know always of my appreciation and that the generosity of the Charleston Jewish Federation will not be forgotten.

For more information on CJFS, please contact Sara Sharnoff Chesley by phone at 843-614-6494 or by email at saras@jewishcharleston.org.

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

Over the past several years I have been either unemployed or under employed for several months at a time. As my unemployment and then my personal saving ran out, I was forced to ask for help from the CJFS for financial help. This aid not only helped pay the bills but was instrumental in keeping depression at bay. While I was able to find temporary jobs, the help from the CJFS was able to fill in those times when money was not enough to make ends meet. Eventually I was able to secure a permanent, full time position. If it wasn’t for the support from the CJFS, I am not sure where my life would be today.

CJFS has been a lifesaver in our family’s time of need and has helped us in multiple ways. Our son was born with a form of autism in 2009. Traditional therapies were not helping our son and unfortunately certain tests were not covered by insurance. CJFS helped pay for our son to see a doctor at COEM (Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine) and the result is that our son who was not functioning well is much better. He received allergy screening and other testing which allowed us to determine how to treat him. Thank you so much CJFS! The result is he is much better and is in mainstream schooling.

THE KOSHER FOOD PANTRY I also once visited a home of a Jewish family who was lacking basic necessities in their kitchen. I wanted to do something to help.” In September of 2013, Jane took further action and bought fresh produce for the KFP. Soon other women she knew said they were also interested in giving money to purchase food for the pantry. Amazingly, Jane never specifically sought out these women for donations; they each came to her to ask how they could help.

jane mendelsohn, kosher food pantry volunteer extraordinaire

The Kosher Food Pantry (KFP) had a tremendous year in 2014,

and it could not have been done without the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Jane Mendelsohn has been a champion for the KFP and her work demonstrates to our community that one small group of people can create a huge impact in battling hunger. Jane recently agreed to speak with Sara Sharnoff, Director of Charleston Jewish Family Services and KFP, to talk about her work for this cause. She became interested in fighting hunger in Charleston when she realized that hunger affected many Jewish people locally. “I’ve always thought about the issue of hunger around Rosh Hashanah and Passover. I always sent money to Lowcountry Food Bank and helped provide turkeys for The Salvation Army. I began to realize that hunger affected Jewish people in Charleston many years ago when I witnessed a woman take food home from Kiddush at synagogue.

Charleston Jewish Family Services was recently selected to receive a 2014 Bi-Lo Holdings Grant. The Bi-Lo Holdings Foundation and regional BI-LO team held a check presentation at 10 am on Thursday, November 6 at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Sara Sharnoff Chesley and Joan Herrman attended and were thrilled to receive $19,000 for the Charleston Jewish Community Kosher Food Pantry (KFP). This money will help the KFP continue to feed dozens of clients each week and reach new levels of food distributed in the West Ashley area.

“My little project began spreading by word of mouth. I never asked anyone for money; people just found out and began sending me funds to go grocery shopping. Right now we have about fifteen women who give money for me to go buy groceries for the pantry. We started to go shopping on Sundays and now my husband goes as well. Whenever Joan Herrman calls from the KFP and says they are running low on certain items, we go to the store. I email the women in my group every let them know about what we purchased for the bags. I like going shopping and we always enjoy our Sunday trips. It turned out to be fun for us and I know that we’re serving the people who need it.” This incredible group of women shows how everyone can do their part to make a difference in the path to ending hunger in our Charleston community. If you want to help, by either buying food or preparing the bags for clients to pick up each Wednesday, please contact Joan Herrman at joanh@jewishcharleston.org or 843-614-6491.

“The idea is that even if you put in ten dollars, it makes a difference. Even if you can’t go to the store yourself, someone else can go buy food for those in need.” -Jane Mendelsohn

The gleaners on October 19th, 2014 picked 640 pounds of corn and 25 pounds of peanuts. The food that was picked was distributed to East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) and Charleston Area Senior Citizens (Ansonborough House), as well as to our regular Kosher Food Pantry clients and Sherman House residents.

WINTER 2015

PJ LIBRARY PJ Library® is a gift for Jewish children and their families, is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and is made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local organizations. Each month throughout North America, PJ Library books are mailed to the homes of more than 100,000 children, ages six months through eight years. These books celebrate important aspects of Jewish culture, values and tradition and become cherished bedtime stories. This is where the power of PJ Library begins. In the most tender of moments - bedtime - young children and their parents share the beauty of their heritage. Every time a PJ Library book is read to a child, Jewish connections are being made. Parents and grandparents are introducing children to the joys of Judaism while, in many cases, being reminded of their own

heritage. PJ Library comes into the home and, in a gentle way, shares the joys of Judaism and helps connect families to community. In Charleston, over 240 children receive books each month. Since we brought the program here in 2007, 25,920 books have been distributed. Each PJ Library book is approximately ¼ inch, so with 4 PJ books to the inch there are 48 books to a foot. If you stacked all those books, you would have a tower of books equal to 540 feet tall, almost the same height as Time Square Plaza in New York, which is 600 feet tall. If you would like to receive books, know of someone that would benefit from this program, or would like to help keep this important program alive, please contact Lori Hoch Stiefel at lorihs@jewishcharleston.org or 843-614-6497.

Testimonials from PJ Library Families My 4-year-old daughter has been receiving books from PJ Library for quite some time at her grandparents' house. Every time we go to visit, it's a wonderful treat to see what's arrived since our last visit. She and her grandmother have bonded over reading the PJ books and now we have a huge stack to choose from. She loves reading about characters like her and her little brother (like Sadie and Ori and their sukkah) and especially likes the ones that speak about Israel. Thank you for providing this fabulous resource! —Jackie Terry Burman Everyday, the girls and I march our big and little feet to the mailbox, fight over who is going to pull down the lid, and peer inside, hoping to find "something special." On most days, there are bills and junk mail and flyers; things that, although surprisingly satisfying to a 3 and 1.5 year old, don't elicit those lasting smiles. But ,then, there are those magical days; those days when we open the mailbox and find a large white envelope with blue writing, and we know that we have received a book from the PJ library! Eve and Russell love tearing open the paper, revealing their new book. And what unbelievable books these are. Not only do they teach us about the Jewish holidays, traditions, and culture, but they are always beautifully illustrated and fun to read! We have a whole section on the bookshelf dedicated to these special books, and they are always a favorite at bedtime. This is a phenomenal program, and one that we feel very fortunate to be a part of. Thank you PJ Library for brightening our day and helping us deepen our children's (and our) understanding of our beautiful religion and traditions. Four years later, things are pretty much the same when we receive our special PJ Library packages! Except, now, the books come through a mail-slot in the door, there is a third sister, Sophia, to snuggle with at book-time, and Eve, now seven, can read the books herself!! In fact, when she has her extra time at the end of the evening to read, she requests a huge pile (that I replace at least three times) of PJ Library books. She reports that the thing she likes most about them is that They are all about Jewish Things. What else is there to say...Thank you PJ Library.—Samantha Brock Perlmutter

There is such excitement whenever a book arrives. And they're always requested over and over again. Thank you for all that you do!—Barbara Chou The PJ Library books have become an integral part of my family's Jewish education. My husband and I have two small children (3 years and 1 year old), and it is important to us that we raise our children in a Jewish home. PJ Library books help bring Jewish culture, language, and tradition to our young family. My children love the sweet, colorful, often humorous, always loving PJ Library stories. I am learning some Yiddish words with them, too! I am so grateful to be gifted these tools in raising my family.— Bess Brockington Bluestein I recommend the PJ Library to everyone! Not only are the books age appropriate and coincide with the holiday or season, they are engaging and teach valuable lessons to our children. Our children get so excited when a book comes to our mailbox and hope it is for them! It is also an excellent tool for for discussion. As we read with our kids at night when everything is quiet, we can take the time to pass on these tales and answer any questions they have. We love the PJ Library! Thank you a million times over.— Adina Baer Gross

sophia, eve, and russell perlmutter

yong chou

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

jack and libby bluestein

JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL

the charleston jewish federation contingency at the keshet/hazon reception: rebecca leibowitz, ava kleinman, judi corsaro, stuart tessler and kelly stellrecht.

The Charleston Jewish Federation Proudly Supports LGBTQ Jews At this year’s Jewish Federations of North America Annual General Assembly in November, the Charleston Jewish Federation had the honor of co-sponsoring the Keshet and Hazon reception, a gathering for friends, families, and allies of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Jews. CJF was the only “smaller” federation to support this event. Many larger federations across the country also sponsored the event, including federations in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and more. LGBTQ Jews are an important but often under-engaged constituency in the federation world. Having an LGBTQ and allies reception as part of the GA’s official program sent a strong signal to conference attendees that inclusion is a core value of the federation world and that LGBTQ staff, donors, volunteers, and community leaders are valued and respected. Keshet works to cultivate the spirit and practice of inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community – synagogues, day schools, youth movements, summer camps, federations, social service, and other communal organizations. Our work is guided by a vision of a world in which all Jewish organizations and communities are strengthened by LGBT-inclusive policy, program, and culture. By co-sponsoring this reception, CJF has demonstrated to the Jewish community that our public stand is that we value equality and inclusion. As a part of our local Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) acts as a coordinating body among all of our community members and Jewish organizations within Charleston. The JCRC creates and nurtures positive relationships with all racial, religious and ethnic groups in Charleston. For more information on the JCRC, or to get involved, please contact Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz at rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org or 843-614-6497.

What

Join us for a weekend of fun, community, and learning for and by Jewish LGBTQ and ally teens! Meet new friends, learn about LGBTQ organizing and identities, and celebrate a lakeside Shabbat with a warm, vibrant community of LGBTQ and ally teens and adults.

Where

The beautiful Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. Organized travel will be available from the New York City and Boston metro areas.

Cost

$36 for programs, meals, and housing. ($18 if you register by January 5, 2014.) Scholarship assistance available.

Learn More

Visit: http://www.keshetonline.org/teenshabbaton/

WINTER 2015

KOSHER FOOD PANTRY BASKETS FOR RENT

If you are interested in renting out a Kosher Food Pantry centerpiece or bimah basket, to check for availability please contact saras@jewishcharleston.org

www.thomasphotographers.com | 843-608-8628 | info@thomasphotographers.com

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

THE REMEMBER PROGRAM The Charleston Jewish Federation’s REMEMBER Program for Holocaust and Genocide Education was created to commemorate the Holocaust, educate the broader community, and share the experiences of local Holocaust survivors who provide an invaluable window into this horrific historical chapter. In keeping with this mission, we presented our annual commemoration of Kristallnacht, often considered to be the seminal event of the Nazi Final Solution, on November 5, 2014. In conjunction with the Charleston JCC Jewish Bookfest, we welcomed author Arthur Allen to a crowd of 125 people. Allen’s book, The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl: How Two Brave Scientists Battled Typhus and Sabotaged the Nazis, relates a fascinating chapter of anti-Nazi resistance and scientific ingenuity. Weigl’s lab produced a typhus vaccine in wartime Poland and soon flourished as a hotbed of resistance. Weigl was a Polish scientist who hired otherwise doomed mathematicians, writers, doctors, and other thinkers, protecting them from atrocity. The team engaged in a sabotage campaign by sending illegal doses of the vaccine into the ghettos while shipping gallons of the weakened serum to the Wehrmacht.

Allen’s presentation was a call to action and ethical decision making, as opposed to the response of most Germans after Kristallnacht. The REMEMBER program holds a variety of events throughout the year that help inspire people to take a stand for what is right, and creates goodwill and build community amongst all ethnicities in Charleston. One such program is the community-wide commemoration of Yom Hashoah. This year’s annual event will take place on Sunday, April 19th, 2015. For more information on the REMEMBER program, please contact Sandra Brett at sandrab@jewishcharleston.org.

the fantastic laboratory of dr. weigl

arthur allen

CONNECTING CONNECTING JEWISH JEWISH WOMEN WOMEN

The 5th Annual Connecting Jewish Women’s Conference took place on Sunday, November 2nd. The theme, Create The Life You’ve Imagined, directed the content of the workshops and our keynote speakers. Our workshops included Reinventing Yourself, Yoga Shalom, Art of the Holocaust, Everybody Eats, and Ending the Mommy Wars. Our keynote speakers, Jennet Robinson Alterman and Sue William Silverman, spoke respectively about taming our inner wonder women and “The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew.” It was a day of meeting, sharing, and networking with other Jewish women and becoming informed and motivated by the outstanding speakers. This event was a highlight for many

Jewish women in the Charleston area as it offered an amazing opportunity to connect. Many thanks to the committee who worked tirelessly to put this event together as well as the speakers and workshop panelists who lent us their expertise. A special thank you to our sponsors who helped make the day successful. Thank you to all our sponsors who made this event possible. Our hope is that women in Charleston will continue to reach out to each other and demonstrate our strength and commitment to one another. Please join the conversation at: jfeds.org/chswomen

Best Friend Sponsors :

OF CHARLESTON, SC

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WINTER 2015

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2014 Charleston Jewish Federation Annual Campaign The Charleston Jewish Federation (CJF) puts our Jewish values of Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam and Chesed into action. CJF is a collaborative network of people who have a profound belief that it is our responsibility to improve the lives of those less fortunate. We hope you will take this opportunity to add your name to our list of donors. If we respond with strength and vision we will overcome the many challenges facing our community and the Jewish people. Please send your donation to the Charleston Jewish Federation. Checks should be made payable to the Charleston Jewish Federation. The CJF Annual Campaign runs from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Thank you to the following individuals who have donated to the Annual Campaign as of November 25, 2014.

Women’s Campaign $100,000+

Anita G. Zucker

$10,000-17,999

Marilyn Hoffman Jan Pearlstine Lipov

$5,000-9,999

Susan Addlestone Berlijn Nancy Banov Gail Barzman Jackie Berlinsky Sandra Brett Linda Cohen Judi Corsaro Phyllis Firetag Hyman Ruth Goldberg Ellen Hoffman Ann Therese Hyman Ava Kleinman Elaine Krell Rachel Landis Elisabeth Lynch Suzanne Lynch Shirley Mills Andrea Muzin Ellen Nadler Rebecca Nirenblatt Susan Pearlstine Sandra Peskin

Mindelle Seltzer Susie Sheftel Roxann Spandorfer Sunny Steinberg Catherine Stuhr Toporek Elaine Tessler Sharon Toporek Barbara Zucker Laura Zucker

$2,500-4,999

Marlene Addlestone Shera Lee (Mrs. Alwyn) Berlin Debra S. Engel

$1,000-2,499

Elza Alterman Susan Altman Janet Berg Marilyn Brilliant Eileen Chepenik Jody Cohen Lynda Denberg Barbara Ellison Julie Ellison Sally Fischbein Marsha Freudenberg Marsha Golod Judy Grossman Sylvia Hyman Sybil Kalinsky Pam Kaplan Charlot Karesh

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

Mary Kirshtein Rose Levin Carol Mysel Evelyn Needle Neda Nussbaum Karen Pinosky Sheran Rittenberg Jean Rosner Sara Snyder Freida Sokol Susie Steinberg Ilene Turbow Ellen Yampolsky

$500-999

Janna Baker Marilyn Barron Linda Bergman Dorothy Cohen Barbara Cohn Heather Dawson Debra Engel Evelyn Engel Johanna Feldman Vivian Friedman Susan Garfinkel Janet Gilston Harriet Keith Jeanne Lieberman Rachel Lipton Sandra Lipton Joan Loeb Judy Lutz Ann Mandel Nancy Mendelson

Shirley Prystowsky Dianne Ratner Hilary Rieck Sheralyn Rosenblum Carla Seitz Carol Seltzer Debra Sistino Theresa Solomon Marcia Spar Karen Stark Ellen Steinberg Sharon Stricker Ann Walsh Blanche Weintraub Wine

$100-499

Patricia Bagg Kathleen Balefsky Roslyn Barkowitz Jo Ellen Basile Margaret Bender Andrea Berendt Carol Berlin Traci Black Jane Borks Hirsch Elaine Brabham Cindy Brams Ellen Miriam Brandwein Tsivia Browdy Frances Chase Leah Chase Nadine Chavin Phyllis Cohen Rosemary “Binky” Cohen Amy Davis Evaline Delson Jane Douglas Sharon Feinberg Shirley Feldman Cookie Finkelstein Lorraine Finkelstein Audrey Fleishman Sharon Forman Janet Fox Ruth Freedenberg Sherry Gilston Bryson Ibis Glass Missy Gold Harriet Goldberg Josine GosschalkReavis Sylvia Greene

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BY ENDOWING MY GIFT, I’M MAKING SURE THERE’S A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MY CHILD. What is it about a child lighting the Chanukah candles? It’s such a simple act, yet such a powerful example of Jewish tradition passing from one generation to the next. Keeping that tradition alive takes people who are passionate about Jewish life and committed to its future. Maybe you’re one of these people. If so, ask us about legacy giving. We can help you create a gift that speaks to your values and ideals. A gift that shines for generations.

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

For information about legacy giving, please contact Steffanie Dohn, Jewish Endowment Fund (JEF) Development Director at steffanie@ coastalcommunityfoundation.org

JEWISH ENDOWMENT FUND (JEF) Lighting The Way To A Brighter Jewish Future Jewish tradition teaches that one of our key duties is to make the world a better place for future generations. Chances are you already donate generously to the Jewish charitable organizations of your choice. But have you considered including those organizations in your will, so you can continue to make a difference for generations to come? Whether you use a will or other estate-planning vehicle, your generosity can do a world of good. The Jewish Endowment Fund (JEF) in partnership with the Coastal Community Foundation is there to help you start this rewarding process. Your legacy can reflect everything that is most important and meaningful to you. The legacy planning process can engender heartfelt conversations with your family and build bonds with your partners in the community.

The act of creating a legacy empowers you to complete the work of your heart, and to enjoy the peace that it brings. You are assured that your work will continue and the Jewish future will be bright. As we light our Chanukah candles this year, please consider creating a gift that will light the way beyond your lifetime and enable your memory to be a blessing! Happy Chanukah!, Jan Lipov Jewish Endowment Fund (JEF) President For more information on creating a Jewish Legacy, please contact Judi Corsaro by e-mail or at 843-614-6600 or Steffanie Dohn, Jewish Endowment Development Director (JEF) at Steffanie@coastalcommunityfoundation.org

Create a Jewish Legacy | www.jewishcharleston.org

ISRAEL ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE Connecting Livings Bridges To Jerusalem On September 9th, the Israel Engagement Initiative of the Federation hosted Dr. Moti Zeira, one of Israel’s leading experts on JewishIsraeli identity and emerging Jewish communities in Israel. Dr. Zeira is one of the founders and the Director of HaMidrasha Educational Center for Renewal of Jewish Life in Israel. Most Diaspora Jews regard Israelis as Jewish in religion and culture by virtue of being born (or living) in Israel, serving in its military, speaking Hebrew, and living in a country where Jewish holidays are national holidays. However, Dr. Zeira discussed the disconnect between many secular Israeli Jews and their Jewish identity because of their disengagement with any form of organized religion, or any individualized spiritual path to Judaism. The work of his education center is to identify and develop pathways for secular Jews to discover meaningful forms of Jewish communal and spiritual expression. The committee engaged in lively discussion with Dr. Zeira – the main point being that we American Jews do not recognize this gap in the cultural and spiritual development of many secular Israelis. However, all recognized that this is an area that Diaspora Jews should become more familiar with, since the paucity of religious paths in Israel outside of the Orthodox stream of Judaism is an isolating influence on Diaspora Jews, most of whom are not Orthodox. HaMidrasha’s goal is to provide alternatives to individual and communal spiritual growth for all of Israel’s Jews. Dr. Zeira was hosted by the Federation Board at an informal dinner on September 10th, where similar discussions – and a great deal of interest and questions – took place. Several participants of each evening suggested that Dr. Zeira return to

Charleston to speak at a full community forum. To learn more about Ha Midrasha, please go to www.hamidrasha-israel.org. On October 21st, the Israel Engagement Initiative, in conjunction with the Historic Preservation and Community Planning program at the College of Charleston, presented a talk by Dr. Shelley-Anne Peleg, site director for the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Saving the Stones Program in Acre. Dr. Peleg led an engaging discussion of the abundance of ancient sites in Israel, the challenges of restoring and preserving them, and the impact on the communities in which they are located, bringing current social implications to the art and science of restoration. To learn more about this project, please go to www.antiquities.org.il. These presentations are two of several “Voices of Israelis” that the Israel Engagement committee is planning. Dr. Zeira will make himself available to return to Charleston. If you have suggestions for other interesting Israeli speakers who can bring different “Voices” to our community for learning and discussion, please contact Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz at rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org or 843-614-6497.

anita rosenberg, ava kleinman, dr. moti zeira and betsy melamed

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ADDLESTONE HEBREW ACADEMY At Addlestone Hebrew Academy, we foster a community of leaders and thinkers. Our day school provides an engaging and challenging education in both General and Judaic Studies. We believe that each student deserve to learn, to grow, and to reach his or her own potential. With all the things Addlestone Hebrew Academy represents, truly Addlestone is the beating heart of our Jewish community. We are blessed because our new building will protect and nurture our heart, our children. Our new building will provide the tools that enhance our abilities to teach our children through modern technology in premiere educational spaces. The premise of a Jewish day school is built off of three main objectives: the study of Jewish text, learning the Hebrew language, and developing the connection with Israel. We are at a point in our school’s history where we are poised to have the strongest Addlestone Hebrew Academy we have ever had. Our enrollment is rising and our students are graduating and attending premiere high school programs as well as continuing on to top universities. Our students graduate from our school as leaders and thinkers, and most of all as individuals with a deeply rooted sense of Judaism.

BBYO

BBYO’s Community Impact: BBYO is the leading international pluralistic teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. As the oldest and largest youth-led, Jewish youth organization in the

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

world, we have provided identity-enriching, leadership development experiences for hundreds of thousands of Jewish teens. BBYO is open to all Jewish 9-12 graders and during the second semester, 8th graders can join! Here in Charleston, BBYO is broken up into CHAZA #143 (the boys’ chapter) and Iris Baker Ahava #1134 (the girls’ chapter). Together, we are a part of Dixie Council which consists of Charleston, Augusta, Columbia, Savannah, and Greenville. Many members are also members of NFTY, USY, and NCSY. Dixie Council has multiple conventions throughout the year. Most recently, we had our AIT/MIT/LTI Convention where we inducted new members and had leadership training for old members. Our next convention is the Southern Regional Convention, which will be held at Camp Eagle Rock November 14-16 with Atlanta Council. New members are always invited to attend Council and Regional conventions as well as local chapter events. We will be going to the Coastal Carolina Fair together on November 4th. For more information or to RSVP, contact Tamar Sternfeld at tsternfeld@bbyo.org. One thing that is very important to BBYO is community service. Last year we hosted a few different community-wide events including the Community Pancake Breakfast on December 25th, where we raised $450 to donate to our StandUp causes of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. We will be holding the Pancake Breakfast event again this year! For our JServe project we held a communitywide repair of the historic Coming Street Cemetery. In addition, we hosted a prescreening of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The event was a part of BBYO’s international initiative “Hunger is Not a Game.” Each person had to bring a minimum of 3 canned goods with them. In total, we collected over 1,500 cans of food for the Kosher Food Pantry! Currently, we are holding our CanTribute event, a competitive canned food drive with www.dosomething.org. Join today and may the odds be ever in your favor

BSBI Visitors from large Jewish communities are a daily occurrence at BSBI. They are always surprised that despite its relatively small size, Charleston has a strong and thriving Jewish community. We are very proud that much of Charleston’s Jewish infrastructure is due to BSBI’s unswerving commitment – both time and resources – to providing for a Jewish communal life, which benefits everyone regardless of affiliation or not. BSBI offers kashrut supervision throughout the community, offering its services at no charge to Addlestone Hebrew Academy to make it a place where all children can feel comfortable to eat. Rabbi Davis works hard to create kosher eating opportunities in Charleston, which enables our community to grow (both in calories and in population). BSBI is proud to coordinate Charleston’s Chevra Kaddisha. This group is comprised of people from across the spectrum of Jewish Charleston; they perform the greatest kindness a person can perform: to prepare a body for proper Jewish burial. BSBI is excited to be offering a course on the rituals of death and bereavement when Rabbi Elchanan Zohn, a renowned expert on these issues, joins us on November 16th. BSBI houses and runs the only mikvah in Charleston. Our Sages teach that the most important community structure – even more important than a synagogue – is a mikvah. Many women use our mikvah each month and the number keeps growing as more women learn about the spiritual benefits of this mitzvah. The backbone of a synagogue is daily minyan. BSBI maintains a twice-daily minyan 365 days a year, helping others to recite Kaddish and to offer a space for prayer, learning, and friendship every day. We are incredibly proud of our middle school boys who join

COMMUNITY NEWS us to help with minyan every morning. Rabbi Davis, his wife Ariela, and Rabbi Attar offer interactive classes throughout the week for a variety of ages, levels, and learning styles on subjects ranging from personal growth, Talmud, Jewish law, and Hebrew reading. We are proud that many of BSBI’s programs and classes are meant to benefit members and nonmembers alike with the goal of enhancing Jewish knowledge and experience for Charleston’s Jews. BSBI’s goal is not just about member growth; it is about Jewish growth.

DOR TIKVAH

Focus on Youth: Focus on the Future One of the things that stood out most on our first visit to Congregation Dor Tikvah was the focus on the youth. Watching as the children followed behind the Chazzan with their own stuffed Torahs as the Torah Scrolls were taken out of the Ark, then later seeing the large group of young kids surrounding the Bimah at the close of services left an indelible impression in our hearts and minds. A community invested in educating Jewish youth was a community we wished to be a part of. Since that visit close to two years ago, the number of children and children’s programming has increased dramatically. Every Shabbat morning the younger children gather for Tot Shabbat led by expert educator Samantha Goldberg. The program includes an interactive lesson on the weekly Torah Portion, which includes a food craft, song, story, or drama. At the end of services the children have the opportunity to present their crafts to the congregation and teach the community the lessons they learned. The older children, ages 3rd through 8th grade, also participate in a session focused on the values gleaned from the weekly

Parsha with Jason Daniels. Monthly on Shabbat afternoon, 5th through 8th graders join Rabbi Davies at our home for Shabbat Shebang, an opportunity to get together with friends, learn something, and enjoy snacks. Dor Tikvah continues to build on our youth offerings with both social and educational programming. Examples include a Youth Challah Bake, Candy Sukkah building, a movie night, and bowling. We are also introducing additional family programs including a Fall BBQ, Spring Picnic, and a trip to the Columbia Zoo. One of the highlights of every year is our Simchat Torah celebration at the end of the High Holy Day season. The dozens of children, singing, dancing, spirit and oh, the candy! What a beautiful display of joy and excitement. The future of our Jewish community – of any and all Jewish communities – is the children. Through the youth focus and extensive youth programming at Congregation Dor Tikvah, we are not only creating an impact for today, but an impact that will last for many generations to come.

HADASSAH

Jewish Continuity Bolstered By Engagement Of Children Are quotes from the recent Pew Study of the decline in Jewish identification in the US getting old? Based on the study, one in five Jews now describe themselves as having no religion. But all is not doom and gloom. We can take steps to improve the likelihood that our children will be strong supporters of Judaism and of Israel. How? By modeling behavior in the home, by family involvement with Jewish organizations, through religious education, and through camp experiences. Camp Judaea is a non-profit, pluralist, and Zionist Jewish sleepaway camp that is affiliated with Hadassah. Last year, a grant from Jewish Federation of Charleston gave scholarship support for six Charlestonarea children from three families.

sense of Jewish identity, a stronger sense of self, and a greater level of independence. The generous contribution from Hadassah made it possible for our children to enjoy what we hope will be the first of many summers making both memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.” Camp Judaea campers and alumni have shown themselves to be engaged and active members of their Jewish community. Here are some findings from a recent study by the Foundation for Jewish Camps: Camp attendance increases the likelihood of adult participation and identification in every one of these areas. As adults, campers are: •

30% more likely to donate to a Jewish charity;

•

37% more likely to light Shabbat candles;

•

5% more likely to attend synagogue monthly or more; and

•

55% more likely to be very emotionally attached to Israel.

We are grateful to Federation for their support, but we also need YOU to make a difference for your children and grandchildren •

Are you a Camp Judaea alumni? Should it not be your responsibility to help others have the same experiences?

•

Even if you never went to camp, wouldn’t it be great to give that opportunity to others?

•

If you don’t have kids, here’s a chance to enrich another generation.

You can donate directly to Camp Judaea. Send a check payable to Hadassah to our Treasurer, Ruth Oser, at 7 Hobonny Lane, Charleston 29407. Donations are fully tax-deductible. Please write Camp Judaea on the remittance section of the check. If Camp Judaea doesn’t really “ring your bell” Hadassah has many other life transforming programs such as the Taglit-Birthright Program offering free 10-day trips to Israel for 18-26 year olds and the Young Judaea Gap Year program. YOU can support these programs through your donations. If you would like more information, check out www.Hadassah.org or contact Sharon Hox at HadassahCharleston@gmail.com.

As Tamar and Scott Sternfeld wrote: “Camp Judaea has given our children a stronger WINTER 2015

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HEBREW ORPHAN SOCIETY This Society, ABI YETOMIN UBNE EBYONIM, or the Society for the relief of Orphans and Children of Indigent persons, was founded in 1801 by 12 Jewish men. Its primary objective will be as a charitable and service society which gives support and contributions to worthy causes and institutions as determined by a majority vote of the membership. This includes education, clothing, food, medical help, and the general welfare of the community. Today, the Society consists of no more than 36 members, men and women, who are Jews, and age 35 or older. They are elected into the Society based upon their record of services to the Jewish and secular community. Their election is for life. The Society provides educational support through the Edgar Miles Scholarship Program. Edgar Miles established this program to financially support graduates of any South Carolina high school who had a 3.0 GPA or better at the time of graduation and who were in the top 25% of their graduating class. The award is based on the financial need of the student. Recipients of the scholarship may attend the accredited college of their choice as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA average or better each semester. Once awarded, the scholarship continues for four academic years. The Hebrew Orphan Society does not solicit contributions but does accept voluntary donations for general or specific purposes.

THE CHARLESTON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

Camp Baker 2015, Platform for Inspiring Jewish Journeys. In Summer of 2015 (June 15th, 2015 - August 7th, 2015) the JCC will open its doors on the 1645 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd. campus to 300+ children looking for a fun, safe, secure, and nurturing environment that is packed with high level programs. Camp Baker continues to be the only Jewish Summer Day Camp in Charleston that provides comprehensive programming for children ages 18 months - 10th grade.

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

The Charleston Jewish Community Center (JCC) was established in 1945 and the first session of Camp Baker opened a year later in 1946. Over the past 68 years, Camp Baker has been a home to children and youth from the tri-county region and beyond. The JCC programming reflects the varying and unique needs of our membership; although the Jewish community supports the JCC, the membership mix reflects the diversity of the Charleston and tri-county populations.

If you have any questions in regards to Camp Baker 2015 or if you are interested in making a child’s dreams come true by providing funding for the summer, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at ronnecaw@ charlestonjcc.org or via phone 614-6488.

Camp Baker activities focus on teaching important recreational skills such as swimming, social skills, and team building while respecting individuality and making memories that will last a lifetime. The camp’s programs have the American Camp Association recommended ratios of staff to child. For example in the programs for ECE children, which are ages 18 months to 4 years, the ratio of counselor to child is 1:5. In the programs for kindergarteners through school age, the ratio of counselor to child is 1:10. The Camp Baker administrative staff are educators with several years of experience in the field. All aquatics staff that provide instructional swim to campers are certified and hold credentials of Water Safety Instructor.

YASCHIK/ARNOLD JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM

This past summer at Camp Baker, 75 Jewish children of all levels of Jewish identity and observance were identified and enrolled in camp. Camp Baker has become the platform for inspiring Jewish journeys and has become “the hub” where staff can engage those wanting to connect to their Jewish identity. Camp Baker 2015 promises to be dynamite as we bring back “Circus of The Kids, Inc.” Since 1982 this program has seen 150 venues, including our Charleston JCC, and has bought joy to over 200,000 kids. This is a phenomenal program; I have witnessed firsthand the impact that this program has had on kids of all ages in our community. Please don’t miss out on an opportunity to register your child for a performance of a lifetime! As the JCC continues to plan for 2015 and beyond, Camp Baker continues to be a primary focus. There is an ongoing search for locating facilities around the Charleston area that may include two camp sites in 2016: East of the Cooper and West Ashley location, in the event of a property sale in late 2015.

The Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston is the result of the vision and generosity of Henry and Sylvia Vlosky Yaschik obm, whose naming gift created the Program in 1984, and Norman and Gerry Sue Arnold, who added to the Yaschik’s naming gift some six years later. Both contributions were made to honor their parents’ commitment to philanthropy and, particularly, to community involvement. For the past three decades, Jewish Studies at the College has sustained our founders’ commitment to serving our community, and, happily, we have been overwhelmingly supported in return. The Jewish Studies Program is comprised of three distinct components – our academic offerings, Jewish student life events, and community programming. Not one of these is more important than the other, but a commitment to connecting Town and Gown – the respective Charleston and CofC communities – has become a distinctive hallmark of the Program. The community has embraced the Program’s offerings, supported the Program financially, and promoted it to the College’s leadership. Community members regularly take Jewish Studies courses, sometimes for credit, but more often as auditors. The Program’s commitment to Charleston’s Jewish community was broadened four years ago, with the creation of the Jewish Community Liaison position, a full time employee charged with further connecting the community at large with the Program’s offerings of courses, film series, lectures, and much more. A quick glance at the Federation’s Jewish Community Calendar makes it abundantly

COMMUNITY NEWS clear that Charleston is blessed with a wealth of Jewish programming opportunities – offered by our synagogues, Federation, JCC, and various other groups dedicated to promoting Jewish history, culture, and worship in the Lowcountry. The distinct impact of the Jewish Studies Program is that we provide a dues-free, academic setting to house our community’s range of Jewish organizations. No better example for this can be found than in the Three Rabbi Panel, now in its chai year, which brings together three of Charleston’s rabbis twice a year for a discussion on varying topics. Community members attend to learn from our rabbinic leaders, and to cheerlead their own, but the College’s neutral territory allows us to shed our alliances and to attend as k’lal yisrael. The same is true of A World of Jewish Culture at Piccolo Spoleto and Chanukah in the Square, which for a decade has been the largest annual gathering of Jews in South Carolina. For thirty years the Jewish Studies Program has prided itself on making an impact by connecting our community members, one event at a time. We hope to continue that legacy well into the future, and look forward to the community support which will ensure that reality.

KKBE

“Justice, justice shall thou pursue.” (Deut. 16:20) For the past three years, KKBE has been doing just that – pursuing social justice for the benefit of our entire community. In 2011, Rabbi Alexander and five other clergy met and began to lay the foundation for what has become the Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM). Today, 27 diverse congregations are working together to empower marginalized people in our community to bring about justice and fair practices. We do this by conducting research, educating the public, and publically addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice. Through a process that begins with over 100 house meetings and culminates with an annual Nehemiah Action, CAJM transforms the systems that cause suffering by holding local officials accountable for resolving these inequities and injustices.

The impact CAJM has had on the greater Charleston community during the past two years is both significant and measurable. Over 1,500 people attended our first Nehemiah Assembly in 2013, where our efforts resulted in the creation of 280 additional slots in the Charleston County School District’s (CCSD) 4-year-old preschool program, the implementation of a research-based literacy curriculum in that program, and a commitment to measure the progress of those children through third grade. We also initiated a task force with all three county police departments and the sheriff’s office to develop a plan to reduce juvenile pretrial detention by 65% in 2014. As a result of this work, police officers in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Charleston County are now required to use a specific Risk Assessment Instrument when determining if a juvenile needs to be detained. This instrument removes any subjectivity on the officer’s part, ensuring every youth across the county is treated equally and without prejudice. Our 2014 Nehemiah Action Assembly brought together over 1,700 people to address high suspension rates in CCSD schools and unemployment among young adults (ages 16-24), which accounted for 25% of the unemployment rate in Charleston County. As a result of this action assembly, 10 schools with high suspension rates are now rigorously implementing a research based behavior program and an Office of School Climate has been established to work with all schools in the district. Additionally, the mayor’s office is writing a targeted hiring policy to address the high unemployment rate among young adults. CAJM’s third Nehemiah Action is scheduled for April 27, 2015, and KKBE’s involvement continues to grow. Not only are more members getting involved, but Rabbi Alexander will also be serving as the Co-President of CAJM from 2015 -2017. To learn more about CAJM and how you can be involved, contact Louis Kaufman at (H) 388-9447 or (C) 240-426-7588 or email him at kseaducks@aol.com. There is still time for you to get involved and make Charleston a better place to live. Come join us as KKBE stands up for social justice.

SYNAGOGUE EMANU-EL Hazak is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism organization for mature Jews. Here at Synagogue Emanu-El, we offer this programming for people 55 and older who are members of our community – not just to members of our congregation. The name HAZAK is an acronym. The het stands for Hokhmah (wisdom), the zayin for Ziknah (maturity) and the kuph for Kadima (looking ahead). So Hazak notes that the senior represents cumulative knowledge, the ability to judge as zakeynin, in a mature fashion, and has aspirations to move ahead during the decades remaining. With that in mind, Hazak puts all these attributes together … Wisdom, Maturity, and Looking Ahead (forward thinking). Hazak is designed to address the needs of seniors. Seniors are the most rapidly growing segment of the Jewish population. Our Hazak programs combine adult education programs with specially designed social, spiritual, and educational components. And it is just plain fun and stimulating for our seniors. These opportunities will continue to stimulate and engage a sense of community through a variety of creative programs that include study, prayer, entertainment, and socializing. Hazak affirms the traditional Jewish view that mature adults should have the opportunity to continue to learn and be active in their congregations, their communities, and among themselves. Hazak offers its members the opportunity to travel through life together, participate in programs together, and use their own skills and knowledge as well as outside resources. Thus, Hazak promotes Judaism to seniors through projects and experiences, both in the synagogue environment and on a community level. For more information, contact the chairs of the Hazak committee at Emanu-El, Martin Lazarus or Carol Manheim. Hazak meets every Tuesday at 12 noon at Emanu-El. We would love to see you there. Oh by the way, we feed your body as well as your soul. There is a lunch during programming and the cost is still amazingly low; just $3 per person.

WINTER 2015

RESOURCE GUIDE Addlestone Hebrew Academy

Shalom Baby

Abby Levine info@addlestone.org | 843-571-1105 www.addlestone.org

Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6497

BBYO

Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6497

Tamar Sternfeld tsternfeld@bbyo.org | 843-619-3613 www.bbyo.org

Young Adult Division (YAD)

Congregation Dor Tikvah (Orthodox)

Brith Sholom Beth Israel (BSBI, Orthodox)

Rabbi Michael Davies info@dortikvah.org | 843-410-3230 www.dortikvah.org

Chabad of Charleston and the Lowcountry

Sharon Hox | Ilene Turbow | Sandi Archambault hadassahcharleston@gmail.com www.hadassah.org

Rabbi Moshe Davis info@bsbisynagogue.org | 843-577-6599 www.bsbisynagogue.com

Rabbi Yossi Refson info@southernspirit.org | 843-884-2323 www.southernspirit.org

Charleston Jewish Community Center (JCC) Stewart Weinberg, PhD stewartweinberg@me.com | 843-901-8018 www.charlestonjcc.org

Charleston Jewish Federation

Judi Corsaro info@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6600 www.jewishcharleston.org

Charleston Jewish Family Services

Sara Sharnoff Chesley saras@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6494 www.charlestonjfs.org

Kosher Food Pantry

Joan Herrman joanh@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6491 www.charlestonjfs.org

Charleston Jewish Voice

Kelly Stellrecht kellys@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6481

Israel Education Fellowship

Kelly Stellrecht kellys@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6481

Israel Engagement Committee

Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6497

Hadassah

Hebrew Benevolent Society

Norman Berlinsky normanb1e@knology.net | 843-556-3903

Hebrew Orphan Society

Dr. Alan Nussbaum alan.nussbaum@gmail.com

Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina Marty Perlmutter jhssc@cofc.edu | 843-953-3918 www.jhssc.org

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE, Reform) Rabbi Stephanie Alexander info@kkbe.org | 843-723-1090 www.kkbe.org

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Linda Krawcheck lkrawcheck@yahoo.com www.ncjwcharleston.org

Synagogue Emanu-El (Conservative)

Rabbi Adam Rosenbaum emanu-el@emanu-el.com | 843-571-3264 www.emanu-el.com

Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program, College of Charleston Marty Perlmutter jwst@cofc.edu | 843.953.5682 | jewish.cofc.edu

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6497

PJ Library速

Rebecca Solomon Leibowitz rebeccal@jewishcharleston.org | 843-614-6497 www.facebook.com/PJLibraryCharleston

The Remember Program

Sandra Brett sandrab@jewishcharleston.org | 843-571-6565

CHARLESTON JEWISH VOICE

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Wherever there’s a need to rebuild or a longing to reconnect, Federation is there. Supporting Jewish cultural festivals in Bulgaria, children’s services in Cuba, our elderly in the former Soviet Union. In Israel, where we gathered 3 million Jews from around the globe, today we’re ensuring that everyone can achieve the Israeli dream. With your help, Federation is building Jewish life and caring for our entire community—at home, in Israel and around the world. Now, and into the future. Give to Federation today. Visit us at www.jewishcharleston.org

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