Arizona Jewish Life Vol.1/Issue 11 by JewishLifeMagazine

AUGUST 2013

The Jewish Lifestyle Magazine For Arizona

Judy Laufer:

Changing Nightmares to Laughmares

HIGH holidays Ring in a Sweet New Year

Back to School Education Spans the Ages

ButterflY

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Emerges in Desert Thanks to Rubin Stahl, Amram Knishinsky & Martin Pollack

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Table of Contents August 2013/ Av-Elul 5773 | Volume 1/Issue 11

[Cover Story]

50 Butterfly Wonderland: Beautiful emergence from Jewish roots

Which schools accepted graduates from the PCDS class of 2013?

A. Brown B. NYU C. Parsons New School for Design D. Duke E. UCLA F. Cornell G. Rhode Island School of Design H. U Penn Answer: All of the above. Our 62 well-rounded graduates will attend 42 different colleges and universities in the fall. For their complete list of acceptances, visit www.pcds.org/acceptances2013.

50 53 Young writers wax poetic on butterflies [Focus] UPFRONT 10 Mitzvahs & More: Living Energy hosts expo BUSINESS 12 Super lawyer, super dad FOOD 42 Chef’s Corner by Lisa Glickman 44 Where Do Jewish People Eat? ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 48 Author turns grief into Laughmares 49 Theater company inspires youth FAMILY 56 Raising responsible children SENIORS 58 McDowell Villagers are “family” 60 Survivors share their stories SINGLES 66 Don’t assume when you’re looking for love

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and sweet New Year. Thank you for being the best part of Arizona Jewish Life. Shana Tova u’Metukah Publishers Bob Philip & Cindy Saltzman Editors Deb Moon, Janet Arnold & Kira Brown & The whole team at Arizona Jewish Life

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Table of Contents

W H E T H E R E N T E R TA I N I N G C L I E N T S O R G AT H E R I N G W I T H L O V E D O N E S , A L L O W U S T O M A K E Y O U R O C C A S I O N A S P E C TA C U L A R O N E .

[Back to School/Special Section 14-25] Bureau of Jewish Education for all ages, Connecting teens at Hebrew High, ASU’s Hillel director looks out for her students, School shopping Is dangerous, Graduate program meets mark for students, School news, Beit Midrash gets new leader

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[High Holidays/Special Section 28-41] Chandler Chabad enters new year in new building, New leaders energize congregations for new year, Two Arizona families ring in a sweet new year, Heritage center hosts three congregations for holidays, Kids enjoy “backyard fort” during Sukkot, How do you use honey?, Legal and life compromises are righteous, Holiday lessons on time

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[Columns] 19 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman 26 Fashionista by Kira Brown 41 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman 63 Life on the Other Side by Anne Kleinberg 64 An American in Israel by Mylan Tanzer [Connect] 68 Happenings Cover photo of Rubin Stahl, Amram Knishinsky & Martin Pollack by Carl Schultz; Butterfly photo courtesy of Butterfly Wonderland

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The article about taking great vacation photos in the June/July issue of Arizona Jewish Life mislabeled one of the photographs. The photo labeled Oaxaca, Mexico, was really a photo of hand-painted parasols in Bo Sang, Thailand. The June/July article on staycation resorts refered to the former chef at Royal Palms Resort and Spa. The resort’s remodeled T. Cook’s restaurant is set to reopen early September with new Executive Chef Chef Paul McCabe, who joined the Royal Palms team in May 2013.

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 7

Editor’s Letter

ust as individuals reflect on the past year and plan for the next year as Rosh Hashanah draws near, so too do we at Arizona Jewish Life. It’s been a wonderful year. We’ve had the opportunity to introduce you to so many intriguing people on our pages. We’ve assembled a team of writers ranging from those with decades of immersion in Arizona’s Jewish community to recent transplants who are enjoying the opportunity to explore it. Associate Editor Janet Arnold has lived in Arizona since 1957 when the Shcolnik family moved to town. As the founder of the former Arizona Jewish Theater, she has invaluable connections with the performing arts and Jewish communities. We appreciate all your comments telling us what a vital role a lifestyle magazine fills in the life of a community. You’ve told us you appreciate how we delve into subjects and personalities in a way that brings a community together. We introduce you to people you might never meet and make you feel connected. Experts from a variety of fields share advice on pertinent and timeless topics. The community benefits from hearing diverse voices. This issue is full of new leaders and programs ready to lead the schools and shuls as the new year begins. Be sure to check out our new feature, Soundbites. Each issue we plan to give folks

we run into the chance to share their short views on the question of the month. This month we asked six people “How do you use honey for a sweet new year?” We got some sticky replies! It’s one more opportunity to give more people a chance to share their wit and wisdom. I already have long lists of fun people and innovative enterprises that I’m looking forward to sharing with you in the coming year. We love hearing your ideas. Does someone in your congregation devote themselves to helping others in a creative way? Have you worked with a business that helps the Jewish community function smoothly? Be sure to let me know. The coming year will be full of exciting features and innovations. Next month keep your eyes open for our new resource guide, as well as the launch of our online Jewish Life Directory Network. As the new year begins, I hope to meet many more of the people who make Arizona’s Jewish community a special place to live. Shana Tova! Deborah Moon Editor1@azjewishlife.com PS: You can reach Janet directly at janet.arnold@azjewishlife.com or 602-989-4152.

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Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman Editor-In-Chief Deborah Moon Associate Editor Janet Arnold Advertising Sales advertise@azjewishlife.com 602-538-2955 Art Director Philip Nerat Copy Editors Susan Moon Elizabeth Schwartz Online Content Editor Kira Brown Columnists Kira Brown, Joni Browne-Walders, Ellen Gerst, Debra Rich Gettleman, Lisa Glickman, Anne Kleinberg, Amy Hirshberg Lederman, A. Noshman and Mylan Tanzer Contributing Writers David M. Brown, Michelle Talsma Everson, Rich Geller, David Goldstein, Melissa Hirschl, Carine Nadel and Masada Siegel

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[UPFRONT]

Mitzvahs & More Couple and company full of Living Energy

n addition to producing myriad corporate, school and social events, Toby and Rick Benton have helped hundreds of families create bar and bat mitzvah celebrations that are full of living energy. “We want to be an integral part of Jewish community resources,” says Toby, who is vice president of Living Energy Events and Productions, a company her husband, Rick, founded in 1989 in Michigan and expanded to Arizona in 2003. To enhance their company’s role as a community resource, Attendees at last year’s Mitzvahs & More Expo swarmed vendors’ booths to find photographers, decorators, caterers, venues and more for their upcoming b’nai mitzvah celebrations or other Jewish social event. Meanwhile a diverse array of entertainers took to the stage to showcase the talents they can bring to celebrations. This year’s Expo – still free for attendees – will be noon to 4 pm, Aug. 25 at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale.

the Bentons invite their competitors to join them at an annual Mitzvahs & More Expo. “We have to sell ourselves at the event even though we own it,” says Toby. Toby describes the event, which is free to attendees, as “a creative, intimate show so people can come for a couple hours and really interface with every exhibitor.” This year the expo is expected to feature some 70 vendors including event planners, florists, photographers, videographers, caterers, venues and out-of-the-box entertainment options. Living Energy reserves several booths for Jewish agencies and nonprofits to give them the opportunity to meet and interact with attendees. 10 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Toby and Rick Benton each had nearly two decades experience planning and promoting events before they married last summer and added a personal dimension to their professional partnership at Living Energy Events and Productions. Photo by Casey Graham, I Do Photography.com

Toby says they believe having community resources at the expo gives the event more of a “community feel.” And she says it is an opportunity to reach unaffiliated families, since many attendees “don’t go anywhere else Jewish.” Toby is one of the few Certified Special Event Professionals in the state of Arizona. She earned the CSEP designation in 2009 from the International Special Events Society and now mentors other event planners and event industry professionals in the certification process. Rick is incoming president of the local chapter of ISES. The expo earned prestigious ISES awards in 2010 and 2012 in the category “Best Event Innovation.” Toby and Damita Curry designed the first event, Mitzvahs Made Simple, in 2010. When Curry left the industry to work in the nonprofit sector, she told Toby to run with the event. Living Energy spent 2011 re-envisioning and rebranding what became Mitzvahs & More in 2012. Florists, kosher caterers and other vendors don’t care if it’s a bar mitzvah or a wedding, explains Toby of the “More” in the title. “We desire to be the ‘go to’ event production company for the Phoenix Jewish community,” says Toby. Of the Mitzvahs & More Expo, she says, “We are the ONLY event-planning showcase designed specifically to service the Jewish community of Greater Phoenix.” Initially the show focused entirely on bar/bat mitzvah celebrations to provide resources to families who were planning them. The concept was very successful, but there was no other event-planning expo where people could find vendors for their simchas – vendors that specialized in working with Jewish families, that is. “It made perfect sense to us, as a well-connected and Jewishowned event production company, to launch such an annual show and do so with a very creative flair,” says Toby.

The first year the expo drew 300 people, and last year 450 turned out. This year Toby expects more than 500 attendees, since this year’s Aug. 25 expo is near several synagogues and begins just as many Hebrew schools are letting out for the day. The expo further supports the Jewish community each year with a raffle during the event. This year’s charity partner is Jewish Family and Children’s Service. Attendees can win prizes donated by exhibitors, who get more exposure as prizes are announced both at the event and on social media. “It truly is a win-win for all of us,” explains Toby. “Rick and I are both Jewish – he is from Detroit, MI, and I am from Toronto, Canada,” says Toby, explaining their interest in serving the Jewish community. “We met in 2005 when I hired his company to provide entertainment for an event; then, in turn, his company hired my marketing consulting firm to help him … brand the business in Arizona. We have been working together ever since, and we got married last summer.” “Both Rick and I make it a point give back to the Jewish community and enjoy being able to do so when we can. We are members at the Valley of the Sun JCC. I come from very

This is just the first box in the three page timeline/checklist that Toby Benton created to help families plan their b’nai mitzvah celebrations.

traditional Jewish roots, and we work with a large number of Jewish families in our business. My father was Israeli, and I grew up living in Israel each summer visiting family. Rick was raised in West Bloomfield, a very established Jewish community.” Toby has two daughters from a previous marriage – Cailey, 21, a senior and pre-med student at George Washington University, and Amy, 18, who is heading to Tulane University as a freshman this fall. Both girls graduated from Pardes Jewish Day School, where Toby served as marketing director on the board for some years. When the family moved to Arizona in 1998, Toby says that with Phoenix’s spread out and transient Jewish community, the family found it challenging to become part of the community until they found Pardes. They also joined Har Zion, where they maintained a membership for many years. “I’m so thankful we had Pardes as an option,” says Toby. “They made a point of raising mensches.” 

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From law school grad to firm partner, one constant in Wolf ’s life has been Robin, his wife of 24 years. The Wolfs are dedicated parents to three children, ages 20, 18 and 14. Recently, Wolf ’s support of his daughter Ellery and her dancing has made him known as the “dance dad” in performing arts circles. “I’ve always been supportive of Ellery’s dance and my other kids’ interests as well,” he says. “It’s a nice thing to be able to be supportive financially and physically; parents need to get behind their kids’ interests, and I couldn’t imagine not being a part of that.” “I will admit though,” he says with a laugh, “I am usually one of only a handful of dads active in supporting the dance performances.” Ellery performs locally and regionally with the Plumb Performing Arts Center in Scottsdale, a passion that inspired Wolf to join the board of the directors for the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. He chose that specific board, he explains, because the center provides access to the arts to kids and community members from across the Valley. “It’s great watching her, and I’ve been on other boards, but our whole family is passionate about the arts,” Wolf says. “The

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While Wolf promotes and supports the Valley arts scene by serving on the board of directors of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – a move inspired by his 14-year-old daughter Ellery, an up-and-coming dancer – he also stands out in his own field. A partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, a top law firm, Wolf works in the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Franchise and Distribution Industry groups. “Essentially, I represent franchise companies, helping them resolve a variety of legal issues and a variety of other business and legal problems,” Wolf explains. A litigator by trade and experience, Wolf says these issues can include contract disputes and much, much more. “Some people may call me a ‘franchise lawyer,’ but I don’t like to pigeonhole myself,” he adds. “Day to day, I handle all kinds of contracts and other issues that don’t always involve franchises. But I have carved a niche [in franchise] for myself, and I’m glad I did.” Wolf, who is originally from the East Coast, has an in-depth hospitality and real estate background and says he first got into franchise law because of a friend. After diving right in, he describes himself as “deeply entrenched” in the industry. “I have developed an expertise; after 22 to 23 years it has definitely defined my career,” he notes. And what a career it has been. According to Quarles & Brady LLP’s website, quarles.com, some of Wolf ’s accolades include: • Named to The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers by Who’s Who Legal (2011-2012). • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2007-present: Franchise Law). • Selected for inclusion in the 2007-2013 editions of Southwest Super Lawyers (Franchise/Dealership) and named

To learn more about the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, visit scottsdaleperformingarts.org. Find out more about Wolf ’s law career at quarles. com/jeffrey_wolf.

A Legal Superstar

among the Top 50 attorneys in Arizona. • Selected as one of “Arizona’s Finest Lawyers” (2011). • Listed in “Who’s Who in Law” in the Phoenix Business Journal (2006). • Recognized by Franchise Times magazine as one of the top 100 franchise lawyers in the United States in its annual Legal Eagles listing (2004-2013). “I’m not the kind of person to make a big deal out of awards,” Wolf says. Still, two honors that stand out to him are the Southwest Super Lawyers recognition, where he was named among the top 50 attorneys in Arizona, “because it focused on peer recognition; other lawyers had to vote on that.” Also, he says that being recognized by Franchise Times 10 years in a row is satisfying because clients and other lawyers are a part of that honor as well.

“I’m not a heavily religious person, but I have a strong Jewish identity and cultural background,” Wolf says. He laughs as he admits, much to his wife’s chagrin, that they met at a Jewish singles event when he was new to the Phoenix area. “At the time, Phoenix wasn’t like the New Jersey or New York areas that had a heavy Jewish population,” Wolf explains. Throughout his career, he has been

Faith and Roots

Jeff Wolf supports his kids and the arts community while excelling in his field alley resident Jeff Wolf has a lot to be proud of. A lawyer for more than 20 years, he has garnered many prestigious industry awards, including recently being named among the top 5% of lawyers in Arizona for 2013 in Southwest Super Lawyers and being designated a “Legal Eagle” by Franchise Times 10 years in a row. But some of his favorite roles are those of a supportive father, husband and – perhaps unexpectedly – avid advocate of the performing arts.

heavily involved in his temple community at Congregation Beth Israel and the Valley Jewish community at large, he says. “It’s great to meet other Jewish people, get to know them and network.” One example of his involvement includes his two years on the board of directors for the Jewish National Fund. Being involved in the Jewish community is something Wolf hopes he has ingrained in his children. “I raised my children to identify strongly with Judaism,” he says. Beyond giving his kids a strong cultural and faith-based foundation, he has set an example of giving back as well. In addition to his support of the arts, Wolf is heavily involved in several causes around the Valley, including being a long-time board member of Terros, Inc. (1998-2010), an organization that addresses behavioral health problems in Maricopa County. Also, through his firm’s Quarles Cares outreach program, he volunteers regularly in the community. 

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts puts on something like 1,000plus performances a year. It’s a great venue that merits the support of the community.” When asked how he balances it all – a successful career and involved fatherhood – he admits that “balance is a constant struggle for any business professional.” “I embrace it as a challenge though,” he adds. “I do my best to be involved in all of my kids’ events. One nice thing is the mobility of the professional world with technology. I’m proud that I’ve always been involved.”

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 13

Special Section

Back to

School

Back to

School

Jewish Life & Learning Bureau of Jewish Education offers classes for all ages By Janet Arnold

child’s Jewish education should begin even before preschool or tot Shabbat. How can that be? Ask Linda Feldman, who has developed the Jewish Life & Learning............................page14 extremely successful Jewish Baby University offered through the Hebrew High connects teens...............page 16 Bureau of Jewish Education in Scottsdale. During the 15 years she has been leading this program, more than 500 expectant Family Time School Shopping............. page 19 couples have taken the classes. She shows her pride when she New Hillel director...............................page 18 adds, “So many of them and their children are still friends with each other today.” University’s new graduate certificate In the six-week class, taken during the second or third meets the mark for students................page 20 . .. trimester of the pregnancy, couples learn about physical and What’s Nu at schools?.........................page 22 emotional aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. But what really sets these classes apart from those offered by hospitals or other groups is that there is a significant Jewish component included from the first meeting. Couples learn about the brit milah, choosing and bestowing Hebrew names, and other customs, traditions and mitzvot associated with adding a new member to the family. The sessions, offered three times a year, average 10 couples and nearly all of them have reunions once the babies are born. “There’s one group who still meet for a monthly Shabbat with couples they met over 12 years ago!” Linda gleefully adds. Jewish Baby University is just one program provided through the Family Education component of the Bureau. Originally funded by a donation made by Steven Spielberg, the programs cover most of the life-cycle stages. Linda hopes to get couples involved first with Marriage University and then move them through a variety of classes. Jewish Marriage University is held two Sundays, twice a year – in fall and spring. “It’s hard to get busy couples to commit to an ongoing class, especially when so many think that ‘all you need is love’ to make a good marriage!” Linda encourages couples to “make an investment in their future” and take the classes. By condensing the classes into two days, Linda has succeeded in getting the message out to many who are beginning their Jewish journey as a couple. She brings in speakers on diverse topics ranging from Creating a Jewish Home to How to Budget and Plan. She tries to schedule classes in coordination with Jewish Genetic Diseases’ testing programs to make the testing accessible to couples at this important time in their lives. An additional third Sunday class is offered for interfaith couples. Linda Feldman’s official title is family education coordinator. But she’s more than that. She is the personal and very personable face behind the programs and their success. As is true of many dedicated Jewish communal workers, Linda’s own story gets

[Inside]

14 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

lost in the work she does. An Arizona resident since 1986, she moved here from the Washington, DC, area where she taught in elementary and preschools. Here she taught at Congregation Beth El’s preschool and was the director of Temple Solel’s first preschool. She joined BJE in 1997 and has developed a variety of programs to engage families in incorporating Judaism into their everyday family life. Linda has the innate ability to charm folks with her sincerity and humility. This ability enables her to bring in a plethora of experts to help inform her classes. And they all donate their services. “Collaboration” seems to be her middle name, as she reaches out to synagogues and organizations to be as inclusive as possible. Another program Linda organized 10 years ago is Baby and Me Shabbat, held the first Friday of every month at the Valley of the Sun JCC. Parents, grandparents and siblings up to age 6 are all welcome at this free event. As the children grow, they can attend Training Wheels, a class for 3- to 6-yearolds and their parents. This monthly get-together for parents and toddlers reinforces Jewish values. The program is co-sponsored by Hadassah-Valley of the Sun and is currently offered at Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City. Additional family programs, which are offered in conjunction with PJ Library, provide opportunities to hear and explore the world of Jewish books. Linda is also happy to offer a program for non-Jewish mothers who are raising Jewish children, called The Mothers Circle (TheMothersCircle.org). This free educational program introduces Jewish rituals and ethics as well as hands-on tips for creating a Jewish home. It was developed by the Jewish Outreach Institute and sponsored by the Marcus Foundation. BJE offers limited programming for school-age children. Let’s Make Matzah and Olive Oil for Hanukkah are both hands-on experiences that start from scratch. Limud (or limmud) means studying, learning or acquiring knowledge, and BJE’s Limud for Kids works with Valley religious schools to bring children from various congregations to gather in one location for a day of experiential learning. In Pieces of Our Past, elders teach children about their

BJE programming staff are back Director Aaron Scholar; and front from left: Myra Shindler, Hebrew High; Elaine Hirsch, Resource Center; and Linda Feldman, Family Education.

Jewish life experiences. By the time a Jewish child reaches eighth grade, he/she has often already had a bar or bat mitzvah and is ready to move on to another level of Jewish learning and camaraderie. Too often this “rite of passage” to adulthood in Judaism has served as a stopping point. But Hebrew High helps keep Jewish teens involved and learning. Hebrew High became part of BJE in the early 1980s. This auxiliary, evening high school is housed at the Valley of the Sun JCC, with satellite programs in the West and East Valleys. Classes are one evening a week – or two if a student is taking Hebrew for high school foreign language credit. Topics range from feel-good Israeli dancing and Jewish cooking to more serious Jewish ethics or Turmoil in the Middle East. To graduate, a student needs to take two classes each semester. Students from several congregations can complete their confirmation requirements through Hebrew High. While Hebrew High has been around for about 40 years, it really began to blossom when Myra Shindler came on board in 1992. Myra has spent her life in Jewish education and her love for both learning and teens is evident. Why else would she spend part of her summer taking nearly 30 teens on a 16-day bus excursion, the Hebrew High Care-a-Van, for the 12th year? The trip is available to all incoming 9th- to 12th-grade Jewish youths who

want to make a difference through tikkun olam (repairing the world) projects in needy areas. Over the years the teens have helped to clean up New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, painted fences at a rescue haven for abused animals in southern California, served food to hundreds of homeless at soup kitchens along their route, organized Olympicstyle games for homeless children on the beach, and celebrated 4th of July with a Dance and Casino Day for elderly residents of Jewish homes in San Francisco, Houston and Denver. This year’s trip from June 18 to July 3 included communities up and down the west coast as well as inland through Colorado. The cost is about $2,000 per person, with each student responsible for his/her own fare. BJE has limited scholarships available, but those funds have decreased during the past five years’ tough economic times. “We work with families to make the trip affordable,” Myra says. The Bureau’s mantra is: No one is ever turned away from a BJE activity because of an inability to pay. Knowing that eighth grade is often a pivotal point in a young person’s Jewish education, Hebrew High has expanded to offer Eighth Grade Hebrew High. The program is open to all, affiliated or not, and offers classes independent of the high school program. Students are offered a variety of courses, speakers and social events to keep them engaged with Jewish studies. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 15

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Adult learners are also an important component of the BJE. Year-round and summer classes at the VOSJCC through the Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning have a good following. Most classes meet weekday mornings. Back to Basics is geared to Jews looking to renew their connections and to non-Jews who want to learn more about the religion. Historical classes include History of Zionism, while lighter fare features Jewish Women of the Silver Screen. Lunch and Learning classes are available and an evening Parenting Class will be offered this fall. Jewish Life and Learning Courses are put together by Elaine Hirsch, who is starting her 26th year with the Bureau as head of the Jewish Library and Resource Center, also housed at the JCC. Elaine, who holds a master’s degree in Jewish communal services from Brandeis, and her husband, David, came to Arizona from Cincinnati in 1979. They have two sons and three granddaughters in the Valley. “Our son Nathan is a chef at Whole Foods, so we were able put together a terrific Jewish cooking series with Har Zion synagogue and Whole Foods last year,” she shares. Partnering with other agencies comes naturally to Elaine. “We have six partners for our Women’s Symposium on Nov. 2,” she says. “It’s a wonderful way to help with marketing and other resources. We want to be here for everyone.” The Library and Resource Center is open to the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. “We provide services to teachers, havurot, non-Jews, interfaith couples and to individuals from unaffiliated to traditional,” Elaine continues. She’s particularly proud of their connection with the PJ Library and programs with parents and grandparents reading to their children. “There’s nothing like cuddling with a child while you turn the pages together,” she says with a smile. Elaine also enjoys educating families on how to start home Jewish libraries. Elaine is also in charge of an annual Jewish preschool teachers’ learning day, a full-day workshop for religious school teachers and a statewide conference on the Holocaust for public school teachers. “In addition to having physical resources here in the learning center, I also have knowledge of and access to many national and international resources,” Elaine states. “I’m here to help.” Overseeing the Bureau is Executive Director Aaron Scholar, who has lived in the Valley since 1960 and has been with BJE since 1984. In addition to teaching a number of the classes, Aaron puts together the Passages Lecture Series BJE has sponsored for 35 years. “Last year we held all seven programs at the VOSJCC,” Aaron says, “but we’re going to go back out into the community this year to make sure we’re accessible to all. We will have our trio concert at the J and the other speakers at various synagogues throughout the Valley.” Passages begins Jan. 12 and runs seven Sundays between January and March. Top scholars, speakers and programs from around the country provide insight into everything from politics to entertainment in the Jewish world. The Bureau of Jewish Education works hard to provide something for everyone in the greater Phoenix area. The small but mighty staff of devoted Jewish communal workers strives to educate and enlighten the community in the ways of all things Jewish.  16 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Hebrew High connects teens

ver the past few decades thousands of Jewish teenagers in Arizona have attended Hebrew High, where they not only learned fascinating facts about their heritage and studied Hebrew for credit, they also made enduring friendships. Hebrew High’s programs bring Jewish students together from all walks of life. Students have varied points of view and religious upbringing and belong to different high schools and synagogues. They are encouraged to take classes with teachers and rabbis who have diverse perspectives. Hebrew High creates opportunities for students to study, work, travel to Israel, perform community service and socialize. Tess Suchoff attended Hebrew High for four years and graduated from the program in May 2009 before attending Brandeis University. She believes it made a difference in her life for a variety of reasons. “Going to Hebrew High allowed me to dive into the parts of Judaism that weren't talked about in Hebrew school. I was able to take control of my Judaism and connect and converse with other students who were interested in some of the same sorts of niche topics such as ‘Judaism in Literature’ and ‘Jewish Literature’ or ‘Why Marry Jewish?’ Also, the teachers more often than not were able to find interesting subjects to discuss or fun ways to present information, such as a legal proceeding to support or deny ethical dilemmas.” Another student, Sophie Loeb, who graduated from Hebrew High in 2010, explains it this way: ”For me, Hebrew High was sort of just the next step in my Jewish education, but I know that for some, it was their only real connection to their religion or faith. I was always very involved in my temple and in my temple youth group, so attending Hebrew High was what all of my friends did. Despite maybe feeling obligated to go every Tuesday night, I ended up really enjoying Hebrew High.” Students who attend the program can take Hebrew for high school foreign language credit, which is helpful for both college admissions and the ability to actually speak Hebrew when visiting Israel. Suchoff says her Hebrew High experience was one where discussion was encouraged by teachers. In addition, she had meaningful conversations regarding difficult topics with her peers, ultimately helping all of them better understand themselves and their community. One of the highlights for many of the students is having a place and a time to meet new Jewish friends outside their high school and synagogue and socialize with their peers. “A lot of my close Jewish friends went to my high school, but it was also really nice to be able to see some of my other friends who went to other schools or temples or who were older or younger,” Sophie Loeb says. Hebrew High is a timeless institution where many teachers were

classes, but it was more of at one time students a place and time to be with themselves, and many people who shared my religion. students keep nurturing I liked the community feel and those friendships the opportunity to learn from throughout college and others I normally wouldn't get beyond. to learn from.” Suchoff explains: “I Loeb continues, “As had many friends from someone who has always been Hebrew High and even involved in 10,000 things, continued onto college at Hebrew High was just another Brandeis University with piece of my puzzle. My senior a couple of them! year, I ended up missing a “I liked it because lot of Hebrew High Tuesday I found the classes nights due to my intense dance interesting and it never rehearsal schedules, and I really felt forced. It was an extra did feel like I was missing out. couple of hours a week Hebrew High had become with friends that I didn't a piece of me those past few see every day since I lived years, and it was strange not in central Phoenix while counting on being at the JCC most of them were in the those Tuesday nights. I guess I Scottsdale area, closer to Hebrew High teens meet Los Angeles actress Yafit Josephson (In IDF didn't notice the impact it the JCC.” uniform) after she performed her one-woman play “New Eyes.” truly had until it was ending!” Loeb, who just graduated from the University of Arizona and is considering a medical career, says: Masada Siegel is a graduate of Hebrew High and has been an instructor in the program for the past seven years. She is a “Honestly, Hebrew High was totally social for me. I did enjoy freelance reporter, author and consultant. For more information, many of my classes, and I graduated with a degree in honors, so masadasiegelauthor.com. I did end up taking many thought-provoking and challenging

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 17

Girded for Battle: Back to school shopping is dangerous

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ASU’s new Hillel director already looking out for her students By Janet Arnold

oute 66 conjures up nostalgia for many. Officially opened in 1926 as a cross-country road from Chicago to Los Angeles, it gave birth to many mom-and-pop stores, motels and eateries in small town America. In the 1960s there was even a hit TV show called Route 66, following the exciting adventures of two buddies traveling the road in their Corvette. So when Debbie Yunker Kail and her husband Ben were embarking on their new life adventure in Arizona, they decided to honor their fondness for “quirky” travel and follow Route 66 from the Midwest to Flagstaff. The trip was the perfect beginning for this young couple as they stepped into new roles in the Southwest after a lifetime east of the Mississippi. Debbie is the new executive director of the Hillel Jewish Debbie and Ben Kail cross into Arizona in photo taken at Meteor Crater about 40 miles east of Flagstaff, near Winslow in the northern Arizona desert. Student Center at Arizona State University, and Ben is the dean of curriculum and instruction at Phoenix Collegiate Academy. Debbie replaces Rabbi Barton Lee, who as executive director. In the months had led the organization since 1972. He leading up to her arrival in Arizona, she will be staying with Hillel in a part-time has had regular contact and involvement position as its rabbi. “Barton has been so in our Hillel discussions and has bridged supportive and welcoming,” Debbie says. relationships in our community. The “I am so looking forward to learning from board is looking forward to working him and working with him.” closely with her throughout the school On her arrival in the office July 1 at year. With this addition to our Hillel the Hillel Center in Tempe, workmen family, the students are in for an exciting were busily putting in new flooring and and fulfilling year!” assembling furniture for the corner office Passon will remain on the board as that would be Debbie’s new work home. the immediate past president as Ira “I’m overwhelmed by this wonderful Joseph takes over the helm. community,” she says. “The workmen are ‘on Debbie is looking forward to helping loan’ from the JCA, the flooring and office the students to “access their Jewish furniture were donated by members of the identity through something they’re community. Everyone has been great!” already passionate about.” That might Debbie has known she wanted to be a be an interest in Israel, history or maybe Jewish communal worker since she was in arts and culture. Recently 20 Hillel college at Emory. “I knew my work had to students went on a Birthright trip to – Debbie Yunker Kail be meaningful,” she says, with wide-eyed Israel. Debbie sent each of them $1 enthusiasm and sincerity. “My first job as tzedakah to be given away in Israel. was at the St. Louis Hillel, and I was blessed to have incredible “There is a traditional thought that if you are traveling to do good, mentors. Hillel provided an amazing opportunity to me through a i.e., give tzedakah, that you will be protected and your trip will be a program called Weinberg Accelerate. It’s their executive training safe one,” she says. program, and it convinced me this is how I want to make a She has clearly already begun to include the welfare of the ASU difference.” She recently finished seven years at the University of Hillel students in her next great adventure.  Pennsylvania as associate director of Hillel there. Outgoing Board President Rachel Passon, who was on the ASU Hillel: 480-967-7563 debbie@hillelasu.org search committee, says: “I am very pleased with how gracefully hillelasu.org and thoughtfully Debbie is transitioning into her new position

I’m overwhelmed by this wonderful community... The workmen are ‘on loan’ from the JCA, the flooring and office furniture were donated by members of the community. Everyone has been great!

h, shopping for school supplies. Is there anything ... worse? First of all, why do they need so darn much stuff ? I mean, honestly, are they really gonna use one pencil a week for the next 36 weeks? Plus, this school supply stuff really adds up fast. It was probably wrong to tell my son he could have the Mario Wii game if we netted out at under $100. His subsequent tantrum was rather embarrassing I must admit. After he composed himself, he looked at our $180 stash and said, “School costs enough. I think the teachers should just buy all the school supplies themselves and give them to students.” Of course I used that as a teachable moment to launch into a diatribe about the shattered state of education in the country (and particularly within our own state confines) and shared with him the rather disturbing fact that nationwide, teachers earn a whopping $.88 for every dollar earned by those in “comparable” positions. This might have gone over my 9-year-old’s head. But back to the chaos of the school supply aisle. It reminded me of Passover shopping on Devon Avenue at Hungarian when I was a little kid growing up in Chicago. (While this image may only be accessible to a few of you, it is such a perfect analogy that I had to include it.) Only instead of large Jewish women with short, complacent husbands bodychecking me in the macaroon aisle, here we had hordes of over-privileged children violently grabbing the last few packs of sharpened pencils, staplers and highlighters with absolutely no regard for personal space, safety

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or courtesy. And the parents were even worse. One lady literally raced me to the dry-erase pen section after I foolishly pointed out its whereabouts to my dazed son, who’d been up and down the aisles three or four times without spotting them. She took the very last package of pens. “Um, excuse me,” I politely announced. “My son was on his way over to get those. I believe you heard me direct him to this section, and then you ran over here before he could get here and took the last package of pens. Don’t you think you’re being a little too competitive?” “Hey,” she smiled with self-satisfaction, “You snooze, you lose.” I thought about smacking her upside the head. For a brief psychotic moment I thought about taking both of my children to purchase their school supplies at the same time. Instead I decided to make it a “fun” mommy and me outing for each child individually, complete with a post-shopping trip to the local fro-yo shop. After round one, it was too close to bedtime to play out the second half of this cutthroat acquisition competition. But let me tell you, come tomorrow morning, if you see me coming down the aisle, please, for the love of God, get the hell out of my way. Debra Rich Gettleman is a mother and blogger based in the Phoenix area. For more of her work, visit unmotherlyinsights.com.

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University’s new graduate certificate meets the mark for students By Deborah Moon

since 2007 and have worked on archaeology digs for many decades. It was my life goal and, up until getting my BA’s at Judaic Studies in 2008, I had been self-educated and trained,” says Miller, 64. “Judaic Studies always treated me as a professional and academic despite not having the ‘papers’ and this is one of the reasons I was the first grad of the new program. The department is top notch, no pretensions and welcoming to both traditional and nontraditional students.” Dr. Nakhai says the courses are offered as both a 400- and 500-level course that co-registers undergraduates and graduates, with graduate students doing extra work and meeting higher expectations for 500-level credit. “We are a small department and have been focused on creating an excellent undergraduate program. The faculty can only teach so many courses,” she says of the decision to offer dual-level courses. Having a larger group that includes both undergraduate and graduate students in the same classroom “creates a robust population.” For the coming school year, Nakhai says she has spoken with about a half dozen individuals who are interested in the certificate program. Some prospective students are enrolled in master’s programs in

Amanda C

ookson Car

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Nakhai, or Beth Alper t graduate advis nter for Ce Judaic studies na izo Ar d te Ken Miller, an program gradua t. Director Ed Wrigh Judaic Studies

other departments; others are professionals, such as clergy, who want to learn more about Judaic studies or who are interested in liturgical languages such as biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Ed Wright, director of the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies, teaches Aramaic every couple of years. The University of Arizona is one of only a few universities in the country that teaches the ancient language used in early sacred texts. The small department is an advantage for students, says Nakhai. “Since we are small, we can really personalize to meet the needs from a lot of different places. We are engaged in helping people learn things that are tailored to their interests.” Additionally, being small means they can accommodate students quickly. Fall classes start Aug. 26; Nakhai says interested students could contact her as late as Aug. 20 and still be able to enroll in a course and then finish the paperwork for the certificate program after the term begins. For more information, contact Nakhai at 520-626-5762 or bnakhai@email. arizona.edu.

Ken Miller, shown here at the Tel Gezer Excavation Project in Israel, earned the first Judaic Studies Graduate Certificate awarded by the University of Arizona

ancient Mediterranean, providing me with a broader context uring the first year of a new graduate program for understanding ancient politics, geography and history,” says in the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies at the Amanda. University of Arizona in Tucson, two students “The strengths of the graduate certificate include the diverse earned Judaic Studies Graduate Certificates. “We’ve been working on a graduate program for some time. courses offered and the highly qualified and accessible faculty Originally we had our sights on a master’s program,” says who taught them, notably, in my experience, Dr. Beth Alpert Beth Alpert Nakhai, Ph.D., Nakhai and Dr. Ed Wright. Both ACJS associate professor and of those faculty members served on Judaic Studies always treated me as a graduate advisor. But for now, my master’s thesis committee, and I professional and academic despite not Judaic studies has created the attribute my M.A. Outstanding Thesis certificate program “to enhance Award (awarded by the Department having the ‘papers’ and this is one of the of Classics) to their support and the education of a graduate reasons I was the first grad of the new advisement. In my opinion, my or professional student or to program. The department is top notch, education would have been incomplete provide continuing education without contact with those two to professionals.” no pretensions and welcoming to both professors and the overall support of According to certificate traditional and nontraditional students. the graduate certificate program in recipient Amanda Cookson – Ken Miller Judaic Studies.” Carver, who added the Judaic Ken Miller, who received the first studies certificate to her graduate certificate in December, had master’s program in classics, the begun taking graduate-level courses even before the program program definitely enhanced her education. was formally launched, enabling him to complete the 15 credits “I am primarily interested in the role of Greece and Rome in the program’s first official semester. within the Near East, particularly Judea, Nabataea and Egypt. “I have been on staff of the Tel Gezer Excavation Project The graduate certificate greatly enhanced my knowledge of the 20 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

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What’s NU at Schools? DAY SCHOOLS

Yeshiva High School of Arizona (YHSA) 602-266-1213 | azyeshiva.com Head of School Rabbi Gavriel Goetz announces the addition of Rabbi Yonah Wohlgelernter to the staff of YHSA. Rabbi Wohlgelernter, who is currently a member of the rabbinic faculty at the Phoenix Community Kollel and holds a master’s degree in education from Johns Hopkins University, will serve as the 12thgrade Judaic Studies teacher for the upcoming first 12th-grade class of the yeshiva. The senior class also will be able to take online college courses through Rio Salado College and in 2014 will be the first graduating class for YHSA.

2013 students and staff of YHSA. Photo by Jacky Sebag

Pardes Jewish Day School 480-991-9141 | pardesschool.org Pardes Jewish Day School is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Since 1993 Pardes has been preparing students to become outstanding members of society through a rigorous secular and Jewish education while recognizing the importance of personalized learning. This year, the school welcomes Rabbi Meir Goldstein as director of Jewish life. In addition to leading the Jewish studies and Hebrew departments, Rabbi Goldstein will develop and implement programming to enhance all aspects of Jewish life on campus. Lezlie Strolle, who previously taught fifth grade at Pardes, has been named the new technology integration specialist. This move recognizes the importance of incorporating technology into all aspects of education. Strolle will be working directly with members of the faculty to ensure they are integrating SMART Board and laptop technology in the most innovative ways. Additionally, Bethany Spector, who taught at Pardes for the past eight years, is the school’s new director of admissions. She looks forward to meeting with families and sharing the benefits of a Pardes education with them. 22 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Tesseract School 480-991-1770 | tesseractschool.org Tesseract School constantly researches ways to enhance learning. Tesseract’s primary initiative for 2013-14 is procuring and enhancing its already successful project-based learning (PBL) initiative. This methodology has been highly successful in the upper school, and the plan is to incorporate it into the lower school and integrate it further into the middle school and high school curricula. Project-based learning is centered around students constructing their own learning, within certain parameters, under the guidance of the educators. They actively participate in the learning process while remaining emotionally connected and engaged in the project. Significant content is taught by asking a driving question to initiate critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration. Students determine their own need-toknow essential content and skills to create an original and authentic project whereby they gain deeper understanding of the content. This culminates in a public presentation of the material demonstrating confidence in the knowledge gained and mastery of the topic. Tesseract’s leaders and staff constantly embrace unique and innovative learning methodologies and integrate them into their collaborative philosophy as the school has done successfully for 25 years. Tesseract is focused on providing each student with a thirst for knowledge, and, through the project-based learning initiative, a way to quench this thirst.

Tesseract 11th-graders participate in the Suffrage Debate Project, an example of the project-based learning initiative implemented within the Tesseract curriculum

Sara Klein and Shea and Mack Levine get the full experience of painting what they see in the garden during Beth El’s Earth Day celebration.

PRESCHOOLS

help them through the key brain development in the areas of cognitive, fine- and gross-motor, social, emotional and language development. The school is also proud of its status as the first certified Outdoor Classroom in Phoenix through the Nature Explore Program and the Arbor Day Foundation. The program highlights the value of education for the children and encourages them to learn and grow through an innate sense of wonder, discovery, curiosity and inquiry. The designated centers allow for more teachable moments, handson learning, a healthy approach to fitness as well as environmental literacy.

Aleph Bet Preschool at Chabad 602-944-2580 | alephbetaz.com The Aleph Bet Preschool opens its new educational organization, The Aleph Bet Institute, this year. In partnership with Aleinu of Jewish Family & Children’s Services, this new organization will provide educational opportunities for parents Valley-wide to learn and grow in their vital role of parenting. The Aleph Bet Institute will offer exciting lectures, parenting workshops and training sessions throughout the school year, geared specifically to parents of young children and early childhood educators. “The early childhood years are so crucial in the growth and development of a child,” says Rabbi Moshe Levertov, executive director of Aleph Bet. “Children are born without a manual or instruction book, and most parents learn on the job. The Aleph Bet Institute was founded to offer support and share valuable resources Cadie Arnold has her hands full as with practical and hands-on courses to she takes a very hands-on parents who look to improve and develop approach to exploring the that important role.” worm garden at Beth El. Beth El Preschool 602-944-2464 | bethelpreschoolphx.com Beth El Preschool is adding a new infant room, “Snuggle Bugs,” a state-of-the-art spacious room for 6-week-olds through beginner crawlers. The other infant room, the “Mazel Tots,” will be for babies who are crawling and/or taking their first steps. The goal is to make an easy transition from the home environment to school, focusing on self-discovery and exploration, and to

Esther B. Feldman Preschool at Congregation Anshei Israel 520-745-5550, ext. 229 | caiaz.org Congregation Anshei Israel’s Esther B. Feldman Preschool/Kindergarten offers a free weekly ParentTot class on Thursdays from 9 to 11 am. Open to the public and led by educator Heather Gordon, this class for children 9 to 24 months old and their parent(s) is fun and educational. Participants sing songs, make art projects, read stories, have a snack and share parenting advice with each other. Occasional guest speakers help tackle specific issues such as food allergies, sun safety, baby sign language and Love & Logic. Water play is included in May and September. The school has twice received the “Solomon Schechter Award for Excellence” from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and three of its teachers have been selected as “Educator of the Year” from the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 23

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and children is contagious. She will be working with all of the children from infants through Pre-K, exploring music and movement during core hours as an included specialist in programming. She will also engage the preschoolers in a nutrition and healthy cooking class in the afternoons. Congregation Beth Israel’s Chanen Preschool 480-951-3398 | cbiaz.org

Brayden Subrin, Michelle Schwartz, Piper Abrams and George Souccar enjoy the new Cozy Cocoon on Beth Israel’s 3- to 5-year-old playground, while other students work on their gross motor skills with the new balance buttons.

Brand new state-of-the art playgrounds were installed at CBI this summer to maximize outdoor play and exercise. The preschool program is open to those 6 weeks through Pre-K, with all 3-year-olds and pre-K lead teachers holding certification and degrees in education. Each week, every class visits the unique Art Studio with a full-time art specialist. Additional activities include Spanish, Hebrew, PE, Music and school-wide Shabbat in the Chapel with CBI clergy. The school is open from 7:30 am-6 pm (5 pm on Fridays) and offers a Free Shabbat Club program every Friday morning with a music specialist and CBI clergy for infants through 2½ with a parent. Valley of the Sun JCC Early Childhood Center 480-659-7769 | vosjcc.org

There are several new and exciting programs coming for the 2013-14 school year at the JCC ECC. There’s a new Mom & Tot program for children 12 to 24 months of age and their parents, which includes swimming, yoga, art, cooking and much more. An additional 3-year-old classroom has been opened due to high demand. The ECC staff is also very excited about the new Accelerated Learner Program. This Ready to Read program is available to children who are developmentally ready to learn to read and show a strong desire to engage in the process. Sholom Preschool 480-897-3636 | sholompreschool.org Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool of Temple Emanuel 480-838-1414, ext. 20 | emanueloftempe.org

Yad B’Yad is opening a new toddler class this year for ages 12 months and walking to 2 years (potty training not necessary). The program is being offered both part-time and full-time. They will also be continuing their popular Temple Tots, which is a free playgroup for infants through 36 months with an adult. The school is open from 7 am to 6 pm to accommodate all. Temple Chai Early Childhood Center 602-923-3619 | templechai.com

Temple Chai ECE has added some new and exciting programs for this fall. A new program piloted last year is the Jolly Sounds phonics program with 3-year-old through Pre-K children, which proved to be a great success in strengthening early literacy skills. Lois Peterson has been hired to enrich the Pre-K afternoon program. Lois worked for many years at the Har Zion preschool and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to enhance the kindergarten-readiness program. Her lessons will also connect with the phonics program to further emphasize and reinforce learning throughout the day. Laura Slayton is also joining the Chai ECE community as the new music coordinator and cooking/nutrition specialist. Laura is highly qualified and her enthusiasm for music, nutrition 24 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Sholom Preschool at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley is combining efforts with the TBS-EV Youth in a new program affectionately referred to as Kiddie Minyan. Parents may attend regular adult services and bring their children to participate in a Shabbat-friendly program for 1- to 6-year-olds. The program is designed to engage the kids in music, art, stories and other activities that will allow them to experience and explore Judaism in a fun and friendly way. The program is also designed to allow the parents who wish to participate with their children to stay for the program and enjoy the parent/kid friendly atmosphere. Kiddie Minyan will be held every second Saturday of the month (excluding February), 10-11:45 am, at which time the children will join the traditional services and stay for Kiddush. Temple Kol Ami Early Childhood Center 480-951-5825 | templekolami.org/early-childhood-center

This fall Temple Kol Ami’s preschool will offer a new reading readiness program called Literacy Links in its two pre-K classes. This academic literacy program will help prepare students for the current standards of kindergarten. Highly trained literacy coaches will teach fun, multi-sensory lessons twice per week in the Pre-K classes. The Kol Ami preschool welcomes infants through prekindergarten.

NEW LEADERSHIP

Rabbi Yanklowitz to lead Valley Beit Midrash

alley Beit Midrash has announced a new executive director for the coming year. Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz recently arrived in the Valley to begin his tenure at the 6-year-old educational collaborative, replacing Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, who moved to California. Though only 31 years old, Rabbi Yanklowitz has been included in the rankings of America’s Top 50 Rabbis from the Newsweek magazine/ Daily Beast website for the last two years. He is a co- founder and president of the social justice organization Uri L’Tzedek and is well-respected as a prominent contemporary Orthodox innovator. He has received three rabbinic ordinations as well as a doctorate degree from Columbia University. “We were blown away by his resume,” declares Stan Hammerman,

Anshei Israel offers free religious school for kindergarteners

As part of a new initiative for 2013-14, Congregation Anshei Israel is offering free tuition and is waiving the registration fee for religious school for kindergarten-age children. This offer is available to the entire community (members and non-members of the synagogue) and Anshei Israel is the only synagogue to do so in Tucson. Kindergarten and first Grade students attend class on Sundays 9 am to noon. Classes will be taught by Renee Hulsey, who was recently named “Outstanding Judaic Educator” by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. The religious school is directed by Assistant Rabbi Ben Herman. With a passion for Jewish education, Rabbi Herman values each relationship built with the student and his/her parent(s). “This is a wonderful opportunity for Jewish families,” said Rabbi Herman. Senior Rabbi Robert Eisen is involved in the learning process of all children enrolled in CAI’s schools, from preschool through adult education programs. “We are very excited to offer this gateway to the synagogue in the hopes of enabling everyone to live meaningful Jewish lives,” stated Rabbi Eisen. The first day of school is Aug.18. Congregation Anshei Israel: 5550 E. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85711 caiaz.org/lifelong-learning/religious-school/ 520-745-5550

chair of the Beit Midrash board of directors. “He’s a real dynamo who will continue to move Valley Beit Midrash forward.” The author of Jewish Ethics & Social Justice: A Guide for the 21st Century, Yanklowitz emailed from Jerusalem this past June that he is “… thrilled to be leading the Valley Beit Midrash to collaborate to bring the community together for the benefit of all. Now, when people are seeking meaning and connectedness more than ever, is a crucial time to demonstrate the relevancy of Jewish wisdom to our everyday lives. I feel deeply privileged to be a part of this collective journey!”  Valley Beit Midrash partners with a number of congregations throughout the Valley, with offices housed at Temple Chai. 602-330-2335, valleybeitmidrash.org

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(516) 455-6735 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 25

[FASHION]

Bags

————————— By Kira Brown It’s that time again – time to get back to school! Outside of fall holiday shopping, it’s one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, filled with sales and savings. So shake off the summer sand from your beach vacations and trade in those flip-flops for back to school styles! My must haves for back to school are jeans, shoes, jackets and bags. Hitting the halls this fall are this season’s hottest trends in jeans. A new pair of jeans is a back to school staple for all. Printed jeans, solid colors and skinny styles are carrying over from spring. And of course, a great pair of dark blue jeans is always a wardrobe staple, if you’re in need. Shoes – oh glorious shoes! Look for great savings on shoes and all fashion for back to school season. This time of year, however, I’m searching for smart flats and sneakers, both comfortable options while establishing a new school or classroom routine. As the weather cools, opt for a leather bomber jacket this year in black or brown, to mix with your jeans or to match with a pretty, feminine floral dress. The masculinity of the bomber style paired with a floral dress creates an edgy, yet feminine, look. And a bomber jacket is a great wardrobe investment sure to earn its cost per wear for years to come.

Bags and backpacks are a MUST for back to school, of course. And backpacks have become a style piece and statement of their own. My favorites include florals and bright neon colors for a splash of style. Along with your backpack, a chic wristlet is the perfect size to stash personal items inside your larger pack, easily accessible and easy to tote when the large pack full of books and homework isn’t necessary.

For the Guys…

Same thing for men and boys: jeans, shoes, jackets and bags. Time to grab a new one of each for fall. A new pair of jeans is always a great buy for back to school. And the Nike Air Max, a fashion-throwback from the ’90s, is making a comeback this fall for shoes.

Uniforms

Uniforms, simple and predictable, are becoming more popular throughout schools. If your school allows, check Old Navy and JC Penny for pants and shorts. Also, check your local uniform distributor and school for sales on gently used uniforms from previous years.

Back to School Cleanse

The weeks prior to school are a great time for a closet cleanse and purge. Outgrown or outworn items can be donated, filling consignment and thrift store shops with inventory for discount shoppers while creating space for your new wardrobe pieces.

A pair of sneakers help you get a comfortable start for the new school year.

Fun wristlets to tuck inside your back pack keeps personal items organized and at quick reach.

Back to school in style with Juicy Couture Back Pack. Bright backpack by Hershel for men and boys

26 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 27

Special Section

holy days HIGH

HIGH

holy days

Just in time for Holidays Grand new Chabad Center opens in Chandler

ropelled by a dream of a visually stunning and largescale synagogue, Rabbi Mendy Deitsch and members of the Chandler Chabad congregation have worked tirelessly over the last 10 years to make that dream a reality. The new Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life at McClintock and Ray Roads in Chandler is a now a dramatic cornerstone of the community, poised to offer a myriad of religious services, inspiring classes, special events and engaging social activities.

[Inside]

Chabad Chandler in a new building for the holidays.................................... page 28

New clergy arrives for holidays.............page 30 Profile: Ecelbarger family holiday celebration............................ page 32 Profile: Entin family holiday celebration............................. page33 Three diverse congregations share space.......................................page 34 Family: Kids & Holidays.......................page 36 Singles and High Holidays...................page 38 . Soundbites: Honey for sweet new year.............................................page 39 Compromise is righteous....................page 40 To Life: Holidays and Time...................page 41

A key player in the building’s success is local real estate icon, Michael Pollack, whose generous donations paved the way for the project’s eventual success. Generous donations were also made by congregation members and members of the local community. “Pollack has been a good friend and supporter of Chabad for many years,” says Deitsch. “He is an incredible individual and a great visionary. He understands and appreciates Jewish continuity, and he has a passion for ensuring the Jewish community remains strong and vibrant.” The most salient architectural feature of this 15,900-squarefoot, Mediterranean-themed building is a 36-foot-high

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler 480-855-4333 28 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

octagonal tower containing 24 windows. Inside, a handsome hand-carved arc with a walnut finish and brass recessed doors adorns the sanctuary underneath the tower. Other highlights to marvel at include a rotunda over the foyer, gold-leaf ceiling tiles, marble tile in the foyer, cornice moldings and an elegant three-tiered crystal chandelier in the lobby. The synagogue will also contain a huge kitchen, library, gift shop, conference rooms and six classrooms replete with state-of-the art security systems. Weddings and other celebrations can be accommodated easily in the elegant and airy 450-seat sanctuary, which doubles as a ballroom. Attractive plants and flowers in the large backyard help create outdoor ambiance, perfectly suited for garden parties, school events or receptions. “We’ve already received calls from people all over the country and even around the world who are excited about this project,” says Deitsch. “We think it will be a gem in the East Valley. It will not only bring Jews closer to Judaism, but also bring a tremendous sense of pride to the Jewish community. I see it as a sign that Judaism is strong, thriving and empowering. That is what this building is all about.” Although the 10-year road to this stunning new building was paved with occasional setbacks, financial hurdles and arduous work, the dream was always on course. The original synagogue was housed in the home of the rabbi and his wife, Shternie. Before long, hotels, preschools and “Hanukkah on Ice” party – a other synagogues were needed to particularly popular event at accommodate the ever-expanding Chandler’s Polar Ice skating activities such as Purim parties, rink; an ice menorah is lit in Hanukkah parties, seders, High the Polar Ice lobby and then Holiday services and summer brought out onto the ice. Another camps. “The community here was event geared to bring awareness young, beautiful and growing, but there to Chabad and delight those in was a tremendous void – we needed a the community is a Hanukkah car place to call home,” says Deitsch. parade. Congregants put menorahs Congregants such as seven-year on top of their cars and drive throughout member Corinne Haller are excited as the East Valley to spread the miracle of well. “This beautiful building will make Hanukkah. Last year’s event culminated the whole prayer experience more sacred. with the lighting of a 6-foot menorah at It has a spiritual ambiance and a warm, Tempe Town Lake. community feel, even though it is much The combination of colorful events, larger in scale than our previous building. uplifting spiritual services and a dazzling It’s a real shul now.” new building will undoubtedly add a new The Chabad Center is the perfect place and exciting dimension to the East Valley to embrace the New Year. In concert Jewish community. “This building turned with their welcoming philosophy, High out more beautiful than I ever imagined,” Holiday regular seating will be open to all, says Deitsch. “It was one thing to see it in addition to reserved seating. “We have on paper and another thing to see it come a partnership with our families, and we to life in all its beauty, surpassing my – Rabbi Mendy Deitsch want everyone here to feel they are part of imagination. A congregant often jokes with creating a positive atmosphere,” explains me. He says, ‘You wanted a Taj Mahal on a Deitsch. “We also want everyone to feel joy and happiness and poor man’s budget.’ I am happy to say we have achieved that!” have a feeling of ownership. Our goal is to create an incredibly The grand opening of the Pollack Chabad Center at 875 N. warm environment for everyone who comes.” McClintock Road will be 11 am, Aug. 18, and will feature food, Creating events that are spiritually motivating and also fun music, ribbon cutting and affixing a mezuzah. Local politicians for families has always been a trademark of Chabad. To reach are expected to attend.  out to affiliated and non-affiliated Jews, the synagogue hosts a multitude of creative events throughout the year, such as the Melissa Hirschl is an Arizona freelance writer.

I see it as a sign that Judaism is strong, thriving and empowering. That is what this building is all about.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 29

Special Section

holy days HIGH

Clergy bring new focus to new year Rabbi Leitner energizes Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley

served primarily smaller congregations in which the rabbi is deeply integrated into the school, if not in direct leadership of the school. I look forward to a school year that is celebrative and joyous!” TBS offers a warm and supportive environment in which Jews by birth and by choice and non-Jewish family and friends celebrate the richness and beauty of Jewish life through life-cycle events, communal worship and education. Rabbi Leitner says Beth Sholom’s greatest strength lies in its commitment to the idea of empowerment. The adult studies program at TBS includes classes from beginning Hebrew to advanced text study, with the majority of classes taught by lay members. Services also are led primarily by the laity. “For too long, we have professionalized those aspects of synagogue life which sit at the core of the Jewish spiritual experience: leading tefillah, reading Torah, giving a d’var Torah, teaching other adults,” he says. “I believe it is Rabbi Kenneth Leitner is surrounded by the role of the rabbi to encourage all Jews to young congregants at a family night at grow into these roles. …We have welcomed Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley. Photo new people into our cadre of Torah readers and by Michele Millman have individuals in training to lead parts of the Shabbat service.” 

s he nears his first anniversary at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, Rabbi Kenneth R. Leitner says, “My greatest joy has come from introducing a phenomenally successful family night service.” Rabbi Leitner is not alone in his feelings about his new congregation’s family service, which uses a special prayer book created and designed to appeal to young families. Attendance at the services has been growing steadily at the 60-year-old congregation. “Rabbi Leitner has brought new energy to our shul. We are especially excited about his introduction of Young Family Shabbat that happens on the third Friday of each month when we have a shorter, musical service followed by a child-friendly dinner,” says TBS-EV President Debora Bloom. “His good humor and approachability make all feel welcome. We appreciate his practical teachings and down-to-earth style.” The only Conservative synagogue in the East Valley, TBSEV is located at 3400 N. Dobson Road in Chandler. The campus includes the TBS sanctuary, social hall, youth lounge, administrative offices and Sisterhood-sponsored Judaica shop, as well as Sholom Preschool and the religious school. “We are also very pleased that Rabbi Leitner will lead the religious education of our children beginning in August, a position where he has many years of experience,” adds Bloom. “All in all, we feel very blessed to have Rabbi Leitner lead our congregation!” Rabbi Leitner is a noted educator who has been involved with the founding of two Jewish day schools and a community Jewish supplementary high school. The senior class of the high school honored him with a “teacher of the year” award for excellence in classroom teaching. A native Californian, he has served congregations in NY, CT, PA, CA and GA. Ordained as a rabbi in 1976, he completed his post-ordination doctoral work in the Talmud department of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and holds an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. “I am very much looking forward to leading the religious school during the coming year and integrating the best of the 30+ years of experience in Jewish education,” says the rabbi. “Although I have been primarily a pulpit rabbi, I have 30 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Cantor Nesis adds voice to Congregation Kehillah

heila Nesis joins Congregation Kehillah, an independent Jewish congregation founded in Scottsdale in 2008 under the leadership of Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cantor Nesis started her path as a sh’licha tzibur at a very early age. Inspired and trained by Rabbi Sergio Bergman and Fundacion Judaica’s School of Shlichei Tzibur, Cantor Nesis served numerous congregations including Temple NCI-Emanu-El and C.I.R.A (also known as “Temple Libertad”) the first synagogue in Buenos Aires.

During the years that followed the economic crisis in Argentina in 2001, she worked with the World Union for Progressive Judaism helping the Jewish and non-Jewish community in Argentina that was in need: she lead Shabbat services and performed concerts in synagogues throughout the United States (Los Angeles, Phoenix, Carmel, Sacramento, Houston, East Hampton), and was featured in regional and national URJ Biennials. From 2007-2012 she served as assistant cantor at Temple Israel of New York City. In August 2012 she and her husband Alex Abreu relocated to Arizona whre Abreu is now a PhD student at the School of Media, Arts and Computer Engineering at Arizona State University. She has since then worked on a soon-to-be-released recording that features original melodies for Shabbat liturgy. “Cantor Nesis’ music is so ethereal and uplifting,” says Congregation Kehillah’s administrator Jill Weinstein. “With her and Rabbi Bonnie on the bimah, you can feel the positive energy. They’re an inspiring duo.”  The community can meet the cantor at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Aug. 9 and 23. congregationkehillah.org

Rabbi Rosenthal brings passion to Prescott’s Temple B’rith Shalom

ews in the Quad City area have a new rabbi: Rabbi Jessica Rosenthal became Temple B’rith Shalom’s spiritual leader July 1. Her first Shabbat service in Prescott was July 5, preceded by a special oneg Shabbat. Rabbi Rosenthal, who was ordained by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, holds master’s degrees in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College; a master’s in Jewish education with distinction from Siegel College of Judaic Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from New College – the Honors College of Florida. She has been involved extensively in Jewish teaching, counseling, community building and spiritual leadership since 1994, and has served several congregations as religious school educator and principal, and as a student rabbi. “I’m thrilled to have been chosen to be spiritual leader of B’rith Shalom,” Rabbi Rosenthal says. “I met many members of the Jewish community during my visit here, and I was impressed with the enthusiasm they showed for Jewish learning, communal activity and spirituality.” She adds that she, her husband, Chad, and her 8-monthold son, Isaac, look forward to enjoying all of the cultural and outdoor activities in the Prescott area. “We spent a lot of time taking in this beautiful community, and we loved what we saw. “My passion is to bring people together with a charge to help others discover their own doorway into Jewish life,” Rabbi Rosenthal emphasizes. “I believe that relationships are the foundation of community. A web of connections held together

by a synagogue can bolster the community and enhance every individual’s connection to Judaism. I want to help to build entryways for the unengaged and the disenfranchised based on their personal interests.” Rabbi Rosenthal succeeds Rabbi William Berkowitz, who is returning to the private sector after serving as Temple B’rith Shalom’s spiritual leader for the past five years. “I’ve been deeply touched by the relationships our congregation offered me over these years,” he says. “I’ll always treasure the experience and wisdom I gained working with B’rith Shalom and with the

entire community of caring in the Quad City area.” Temple B’rith Shalom is located at 2077 Brohner Way in Prescott. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, the congregation seeks to create a spiritual home for all Jews in Arizona’s central mountain region. B’rith Shalom also is popular with Valley residents who flock to Prescott to escape the summer heat. The temple offers attractive associate membership dues for people who are members of other congregations.  For further information, please contact Temple B’rith Shalom at 928-708-0018.

Got Ruach?

WE DO AND WE WANT YOU!

Please join Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley for an

Open House on August 4th from 11am to 1pm.

TBS EV is the only traditional conservative synagogue in the East Valley and has been serving the community for over 60 years. Come meet the Leadership, Teachers, Congregants and our Rabbi Kenneth Leitner. We have many wonderful programs for all, including a Religious School and Preschool. TBS is located at 3400 N Dobson Rd, Chandler 85224 There will be food for everyone and Water Slides for the kids.

480.897.3636

To learn more about us, please visit

www.tbsev.org

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 31

Special Section

holy days HIGH

Arizonans Ring in a Sweet New Year

Ecelbarger family enjoys traditions of Rosh Hashanah

ess and Paul Ecelbarger may not be what our grandparents would have called a typical Jewish couple. While Bess was born and raised in a Jewish family in Rockland County, NY, Paul’s family was non-Jewish and rooted in Tucson. However, they are raising their children in a Jewish home and are active members of Tucson’s Temple Emanu-El, a Reform congregation that reaches out to “Jews-by-choice and interfaith families” who raise their children Jewish. So, in today’s world of assimilation and mixed marriages, contrary to what our grandparents might have thought, the Ecelbargers stand out as a special and committed Jewish couple. Of her lackadaisical Jewish upbringing, Bess recalls humorously, “We observed the Jewish holidays, but not too much.” Her parents were neither affiliated nor very observant Jews. And that proved to be insufficient for Bess. “I was probably in college when I started to feel I wanted to connect more with my Judaism,” Bess explains.

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32 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Rosh Hashanah part of fabric of Jewish life for Entin family

Paul and Bess Ecelbarger with their daughters, Elena, 13, and Audrey, 9.

In 1989, after graduating from high school, she enrolled at the University of Arizona, Tucson, where she met fellow student Paul Ecelbarger. “He’s not Jewish, and he didn’t grow up with any religious affiliation,” says Bess, so he was very accepting of her Jewish beliefs and practices. Eventually they married and agreed to raise their children as Jews. They have two bright, lovely daughters, Elena, age 13, and Audrey, age 9, who attend Shabbat services with their parents, and go to Sunday school and Hebrew school, as well. Each year, the Ecelbargers eagerly anticipate the High Holidays, says Beth. On Rosh Hashanah, “…our synagogue does a Tashlich dinner in the park,” open to all members of the congregation. And at that event, the participants symbolically “cast their sins into the water,” an age-old Jewish tradition. On Erev Rosh Hashanah (Rosh Hashanah Eve), the Ecelbargers join four other congregation families to share a festive holiday dinner in one of the group members’ homes. The families have enjoyed this traditional gathering “for many, many years,” says Bess. Naturally, the meal includes the traditional succulent beef brisket, fresh challah, apples and honey, and apple cake for dessert. Young Elena and Audrey are particularly fond of the apples and honey. Though the Ecelbargers do not always attend Erev services at the temple, they never miss the next morning’s family service. Bess says the girls love to hear the shofar being blown during Rosh Hashanah. This year, for the first time, Elena (who became bat mitzvah this past March) will join Bess and Paul at the main service, while Audrey will continue at the children’s service until she’s older. “I think what the children enjoy most about Rosh Hashanah,” says Bess, “is sharing the Jewish traditions with family and friends … the community aspect of it.” As part of the Reform community, the Ecelbargers have created a strongly Jewish family that finds genuine meaning in Judaism and the High Holidays. We should all be that typical!  Joni Browne-Walders is a produced playwright, book editor and freelance writer. She can be reached at jonibw@hotmail.com.

he Entin family is deeply enmeshed in the Judaic experience. It’s not just about dipping apples in honey,” she says, fiber of Phoenix, so heading to shul for Rosh noting her children also put honey on challah and other foods. Hashanah and Yom Kippur is just another thread of “It’s something else to make children more engaged in the their family life. holiday.” Rabbi Isaac Entin is principal of the Phoenix Hebrew Dvora also looks forward to making her mother-in-law’s Academy, a Jewish day school for kindergarten through middle honey cake and round holiday challah, to which she adds school. Dvora Entin is coordinator of Aleinu (Hebrew for “it is cinnamon and sugar instead of raisins, which she personally our responsibility”), the Jewish Family and Children’s Service doesn’t like. program that offers resources Her husband usually makes a for strengthening individual brisket on the smoker for holiday and family life in a culturally dinners. sensitive fashion to ensure Traditional and symbolic the comfort of the Orthodox foods – such as the head of a fish, and all others members pomegranates and carrots – can of the Jewish community. help families add meaning to They attend Beth Joseph the holidays. She says the idea Congregation with their of eating from the head of a fish children Yummy, 15, Ezra, 13, reminds us “we should be leaders Naava, 6, and Tehilla, 3. in our community and the world.” Her husband leaves early The multitude of seeds in a in the morning for holiday pomegranate are reminders of the services.“I follow later when 613 mitzvot. The words “carrot” I can get the kids rallied and and “decree” have the same Hebrew ready to go,” Dvora says. root (gezer), “so when we eat During years when child care carrots it is to say negative decrees isn’t available, she prays at are null and void, and positive home. But she enjoys going to degrees shall be enacted.” the shul for tefillah (prayer) Symbolic foods as an integral because she enjoys Beth part of the Rosh Hashanah dinner Joseph’s songs of the prayers, is customary in most traditional which are reminiscent of the homes, says Dvora. “There are melodies she grew up with prayer-like statements that go Rabbi Isaac and Dvora Entin with their children, Yummy, 15, in Baltimore. “Also I enjoy along with each of the different Ezra, 13, Naava, 6, and Tehilla, 3. integrating something for the foods, and everyone gets to sample family; every holiday brings the foods and say the prayers something interesting into the home,” she says, noting she has a together.” box of items for each Jewish holiday. “I have my Rosh Hashanah “Anything that makes children interested is valuable,” she says, box for me to carry things forward from year to year. I recently noting children enjoy the symbolic foods. Additionally, she says, found beautiful apple napkin rings.” She likes to add items to her those symbolic foods help us “focus on our connection to G-d holiday box that make the holiday “pleasant in our home as well and our spiritual relationship with Hashem.”  (as in shul).” She says her children enjoy having “a lot of company” for Rosh Hashanah dinners. Honey is a prominent feature in the Entin home at every dinner from Rosh Hashanah through Sukkot. Dvora likes finding new varieties of honey, which have included an assortment of floral honeys and even eucalyptus honey. “I enjoy setting out all the different honeys. It enhances the ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 33

Special Section Special Section

holy HIGH holy days days

Have a Sweet New Year from the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas

Three Congregations Under One Roof By Janet Arnold

34 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

OR ADAM – (From left) Susan Weil Ernst, Miki Safadi and Pauline Staples sing at a gathering of Or Adam.

the Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center in downtown Phoenix to accommodate their membership. They meet in the comfortable Leverant bungalow building at the Heritage Center with Marcie Lee serving as their Shabbat officiant. Sandor Lubisch, the group’s president, says they noticed that the bungalow’s porch door didn’t have a mezuzah. So last March they presented one, with a rainbow design, to the center. Gettogethers include a Break the Fast potluck, Hanukkah party, Passover seder and occasional other events. “We have great discussions about rituals and customs, especially when it comes to food items,” Sandy says. “We usually end up having food choices from all the Jewish traditions!” avivaz.com

“

We had to do some maneuvering of times and space to make sure we could all be accommodated at the center. I think it is well worth it, and we’re delighted to be able to share this great venue. We love being a part of the continuing history of Jewish Phoenix.

“

ooperation and collaboration are key concepts in any community – concepts that are sometimes talked about more than they are put into practice. But three synagogues in the Valley have got it right. This year the Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center (122 E. Culver St.) in downtown Phoenix will be host to Congregation Merkhaz Ha’Iyr, Congregation Or Adam and AVIV for the High Holidays. The three groups are examples of how diverse and unique groups within Judaism can be, while still embracing many of the same major tenets. Congregation Merkhaz Ha’Iyr began in AVIV – Rabbi Barton Lee, service leader Marcie Lee and member Eric Tolkin say the 2008 as a progressive, liberal Reform group. blessings over challah at an Aviv gathering. As its name signifies (center of the city), the members live mostly in north central their liturgical song leader. Phoenix. They are a participatory group of about 25 families “The acoustics are great and we love having an available piano and include their youth in their services. Rabbi Barb Moskow, on the bima,” says Tracy. This group uses both the Heritage their original rabbi, would assign a part in the Rosh Hashanah Center and Crossroads Methodist Church for its programming. service to each child at bar/bat mitzvah time, to ensure the congregationmerkaz.org child’s continued participation. As a result, the young people are Congregation Or Adam, the Valley’s Humanistic Jewish as actively involved and engaged as their parents. Rabbi Barb group, will be using the Heritage Center for the first time. They recently moved to New Orleans to complete her education as have been meeting mostly at Phoenix Country Day School a chaplain. The congregation is conducting a search for a new and look forward to being more centrally located, because rabbi to lead them, but Tracy Leonard-Warner is continuing as their members come from around the Valley. Miki Safadi, the congregation’s administrator, is excited about the move. “It helps to connect us even more to Judaism and its history, a very important component for us.” They will also use the center on a regular basis for their Shabbat services as well as their Sunlight school for children. oradam.org AVIV is the Valley’s Jewish LGBT organization, providing spiritual and social support to its members and the community. With the motto of “Where you belong,” the group is inclusive to all who want to join in their open spirit of friendship. They have about 50 members from all streams of Judaism. Their monthly Shabbat services are on the third Friday of Merkhaz Ha’Iyr youth and Rabbi Barb Moskow. the month alternating between Temple Chai in north Phoenix and

–Merkaz Board President Denise Jones

Regarding sharing the space for the High Holidays, Merkaz Board President Denise Jones says, “We had to do some maneuvering of times and space to make sure we could all be accommodated at the center. I think it is well worth it, and we’re delighted to be able to share this great venue. We love being a part of the continuing history of Jewish Phoenix.” 

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Our beautiful ballroom creates intimate settings for twenty-five to eight hundred guests. We offer all of the finest touches and delectable culinary creations, along with a Kosher Kitchen. Our professional team brings it all together -

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6333 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85250 480-948-7750 www.scottsdaleresort.hilton.com

ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR SERVICES

Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association DFJCA High Holy Day Services at Monterra at Westworld in Scottsdale Services are led by Rabbi Robert Kravitz and cantorial soloist, Ms. Sharon Friendly. Dates this year are: Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday Sept. 4 at 7:30 PM Rosh Hashanah Day, Sept. 5th at 10:00 AM Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre, Friday, Sept. 13th at 7:30 PM Yom Kippur Day, Saturday, Sept. 14th at 10:00 AM immediately followed by Yizkor Remembrance Service. After a mid-Service break, we conclude at 4:00 PM Holiday Tickets cost for non-members is $125.00 per person and $25.00 for students for all 4 services. Annual Membership $60.00 per person and member High Holiday Ticket cost is $95.00 per person. Call for membership and ticket information Arlene Braff, 480-585-4437 Joan Freund, 480-342-9753 Visit our website and see our activities at

www.dfjca.org

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 35

Special Section

holy days HIGH

Temple Emanuel of Tempe

For kids, Sukkot is a fun week in a backyard fort

Micah Schwartz and Adin Warner in the Congregation Merkaz Ha’Iyr sukkah last year.

he Jewish holiday of Sukkot, or as The Daily Show host John Stewart calls it, “The Hebrew word meaning how many holidays can the Jews fit into one month?” follows so quickly on the heels of the 10 Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur that it seldom gets the love it deserves. This is truly a shande, for as I discovered last year when my friend and I built a sukkah in my backyard, Sukkot is hands down the most family-friendly week in the Jewish holiday oeuvre. Think about it from a kid’s perspective. You basically get to build a giant fort in the backyard that you get to live in for a whole week! What could be better? My family had helped to build the sukkah at our congregation in years past, but this was our family’s first backyard sukkah. Our kids were so enthralled with the whole concept of the sukkah that they insisted on eating every single meal, drink and afterschool snack under its leafy canopy. They even did their homework in the sukkah! We only managed to sleep one night in our cozy little booth under the stars, but huddled together against the night chill in our sleeping bags, we shared a peace and serenity that is a rare gift indeed in a family with three very energetic young children. Building the sukkah itself was surprisingly easy. I found a simple and inexpensive design on the website neohasid.org. The lumber cost only about $30. With a little help from our kids, we were able to assemble our booth in one day. I used tarps tied to the frame with ropes for the requisite three walls. The s’khakh (roof covering) was easy enough to find. Our neighbor was having some trees removed from his lawn and was only too happy to let us take some of the branches off his hands. Plus my less than stellar lawn maintenance really paid off, ensuring plenty of extra s’khakh as we needed it. Then came the fun part … decorating it! After schlepping an outdoor table and some chairs into our booth, we hung construction paper loops the kids had made in religious school and strung up some gourds. The kids strategically placed pumpkins in each corner of the sukkah. Then we let them go crazy with the paper, markers, glitter and glue. By the time we were finished, we had an impressive little structure, resplendent with kid-produced art adorning the walls. My son Leo even made a nifty little paper-and-stick Torah that he decorated with adhesive-backed Hebrew letters. You can ask your synagogue or Jewish gift store for the four species necessary for Sukkot observance: the etrog and lulav, 36 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Hayden Jones holds Sukkot’s traditional four species – etrog, lulav and myrtle and willow branches – at Congregation Merkaz Ha’Iyr in Phoenix last year.

along with the myrtle and willow branches. Our kids really enjoyed the ritual aspects of Sukkot. Each of them had the opportunity to perform the mitzvah of waving the four species as we recited the blessing. Explain to your children that we build the sukkah to remember the fragile dwellings our ancestors slept in for 40 years as they wandered the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Sukkot is the perfect time to teach kids about the night sky. Because Sukkot is so early this year (Sept. 18-25), many of the summer constellations are still visible. In September the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen reigns over the northeast horizon. Shaped like a W, she is easy to spot. High overhead in the Milky Way looms the Summer Triangle, an asterism (pattern of stars) comprising prominent stars from three constellations: Deneb from Cygnus the swan, Vega in Lyre the harp and Altair in Aquilla the Eagle. Jupiter rises in the eastern sky shortly after sunset. Even low-powered binoculars will reveal Jupiter’s four Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. Saturn hangs low in the west-southwest. You will need a telescope to

view the planet’s rings. The crisp, cool nights of fall typically make for excellent “seeing” conditions. You can find basic star charts at your local bookstore, science store or online at telescope.com. As your children gaze at the stars through the gaps in the sukkah’s roof, they may share the same sense of wonder ancient Israelites no doubt felt as they looked up at the desert sky all those years ago. Be sure to invite your friends over for dinner or Shabbat in the sukkah, especially your children’s friends. My kids were very excited to share the sukkah with their friends. Don’t forget to fire up the grill during the week. There’s no doubt that barbecue just tastes better in the sukkah. Sukkot is a harvest holiday too, and a great time to enjoy the bounty of delicious seasonal foods. Put out a bowl of apples and pears. Shabbat is particularly fun in the sukkah. You’ll definitely need some Neronim candles to compensate for the wind. Last year after blessings and dinner, we busted out the djembes, our kid’s bucket of instruments (mostly percussion) and a shofar and proceeded to rock the night away! You can hit up your local library or independent bookstore for some Sukkot-themed books to read by flashlight at bedtime in your sukkah. One of our kid’s favorite Sukkot books is Sadie’s Sukkah Breakfast by Jamie S. Korngold. It is the sweetest Sukkot story about a brother and sister who fill their sukkah with stuffed animals and make breakfast for them. Another fun read is Sammy Spider’s First Sukkot by Sylvia A. Rouss. If you live in an apartment and cannot build an outdoor structure, you can always build a tabletop sukkah. You can make one out of construction paper and Popsicle sticks. Throw in some dollhouse furniture and twigs, leaves and fruit for s’khakh. Kveller.com has a kid-friendly craft project featuring an edible graham cracker sukkah! Just take three graham crackers for the walls and use peanut butter or marshmallow fluff as mortar. Throw some pretzel or carrot sticks on top for your s’khakh and bam — you’ve got yourself one delicious sukkah! However you choose to celebrate Sukkot, be sure to take the time to appreciate the natural beauty that is all around us and try to imagine what it must have been like for our wandering forebears, who did not have warm, dry homes to sleep in, as they slowly but inexorably made their way home to the promised land.  Rich Geller is a freelance writer who enjoys sharing the richness of Jewish life with his three children.

A Reform Congregation That Honors Tradition Join us for High Holy Days — 5774 Rosh Hashanah Eve - Sept 4; Days Sept 5 & 6 Yom Kippur Eve - Sept 13; Day Sept 14 Non-Member Ticket Fees:

250 All Services $ 125 One Holiday $

Prices are per person.

Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day, Yom Kippur afternoon and Yizkor services are free. College Student (under age 35) / Military: no charge with valid I.D. card. Tickets must be picked . up at the Temple office before August 28, 2013

Preschool: 12 months to Pre-K • Religious School: Pre-K to Grade 12 Religious School Only Option • Spirituality • Community See our website for full high holy day scheduling: www.EmanuelOfTempe.org 5801 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 Tel: 480-838-1414 • Fax: 480-838-2192

Where Judaism is... Connect with our new spiritual leader, Rabbi Judi Ahavah Del Bourgo. Worship in the peace and holiness of our Sanctuary.

Join Us:

www.harzion.org • 480.991.0720 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 37

Special Section

holy days HIGH

For singles, New Year is a time for a fresh start

By Masada Siegel he road was open, and gorgeous snow-covered mountain tops were in my view. However, every time I needed to change lanes, I asked my Mom to help me since I was in an unfamiliar car and couldn’t see well out of the rear-view mirror. We were driving up to Vail to stay at the gorgeous Sonnenalp Hotel to bond over fabulous dinners at places like Matsuhisa, Terra Bistro and Bully Ranch. My agenda was simple: relax by Gore Creek outside the hotel, hang out with my Mom and figure out my life. Driving down unfamiliar highways at high speeds makes me a bit nervous; I decided to try a road trip adventure because I like testing myself – trying things that deep down I know I can do but that scare me. I always feel more alive when I try something new. New beginnings are both thrilling and frightening. An upcoming opportunity to focus on the future is the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the perfect time to start fresh – to change your life, your thoughts and your actions. One idea on how to embrace the New Year is to make a list of everything good you have in your life. Too often we are critical of ourselves and focus on what we don’t have, instead of celebrating what we do have and our accomplishments. If you take a moment and write down everything positive in your world, starting from the basics, you would be surprised. However, if you need to make changes, don’t just think – act and take the first step to get where you want to go. Judaism believes in tikkun olam, repairing the world, and that also extends to changing ourselves to become better people. One night we enjoyed a spectacular Japanese dinner at Matsuhisa in the center of Vail Village. My Mom sat next to me so we could both enjoy the stunning view of the setting sun and the green mountain changing colors. As the day was ending and I was indulging in the divine sesame eggplant and black cod marinated in sweet miso, I asked my Mom questions about life and how to make the most of it. She grinned at me and said, “It’s simple, figure out what you want and then go for it.” I laughed, “That is it? This is the big advice?” But, it’s so true. How often do we agonize over what to do and how to do it? Life is as complicated as we make it. For example, if someone wants to lose weight, they have to take the first step of getting off the couch, throwing out the chips and going to the gym. The same holds true to meet the person of your dreams. You need a plan of action. What will help get you closer to your goal? Is it online dating? Do you need to go out twice a week to venues where the types of people you want to meet are likely to be? What can you do that will take you one step closer? Speaking of getting out, after spending time in the Sonnenalp Spa, drinking herbal tea and relaxing while watching the water 38 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

SOUNDBITES Try something new this year! in the creek rush by, Mom and I dined at Terra Bistro, a farmto-table, all-natural organic restaurant where we feasted on mouthwatering delicacies such as sweet potato ravioli and Rocky Mountain Trout. As we indulged over outstanding entrees filled with flavor, I was filled with questions. I wanted Mom’s opinion on new adventures I was considering in the New Year. “Mom, what do you think I ought to do?” She smiled at me and said, “Masada, you know yourself better than anyone else. You will make the right decisions in your life. There is no playbook, no guarantees for anything. Life is unpredictable and you have to make decisions based on the information you have at the time and with the best of your abilities.” Truth is if you want to change your life, you need to have a direction and a plan how to get there. If you are not sure about the right steps to take, start asking people you admire and trust how they have planned their journey and achieved their dreams. Everyone travels a different path. Don’t compare your life to someone else’s. Looks are deceiving, and while you might perceive someone has the perfect life, chances are they don’t. They might be looking at your life and be envious of you! No direction is right or wrong: your journey might be filled with extensive travel, while another person might be raising children, while another might be focused on a career. Life is about living, creating meaningful relationships and having fun. The Jewish New Year is a time to reflect on past mistakes, ask forgiveness and start with a clean slate. Driving back to Denver, I had conquered my fear of the highways, and while I still was not driving the 90 miles an hour everyone else was, I was going my own speed (the speed limit actually), and I made it to my next destination on my own time. I could not help but think there is a reason the car’s front window is large and the rearview mirror is so small. That is because it is more important to focus on what is ahead than what is left behind. This year don’t be afraid to follow new roads – it might be nerve-wracking, but it could also be and a bit exhilarating. Chances are if you need some guidance, someone who loves you will be happy to help you change gears, lanes and position your life in a new and positive direction! 

Happy New Year!

Masada Siegel is the author of Window Dressings, available at masadasiegelauthor.com.

How do you use honey for a sweet holiday?

Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman Congregation Kehillah, Scottsdale

”Share some with others – we all can use some more sweetness in life! Congregation Kehillah does a honey tasting. There are so many delicious varieties of honey. They come from diverse sources and have diverse qualities, but all are sweet, much like the precious individuals I have the pleasure of teaching and serving.”

Rebecca Weinstein Development Coordinator at Hillel ASU

“Lately, my husband has been using honey in a delicious raw-brownie recipe I found online. Dates, macadamia nuts, cocoa powder, cherries, mmm! I’m a lucky girl! There’s nothing like a nutritious, healthy and sweet treat to ensure a happy and healthy year ahead.”

Terry Taubman Executive director Congregation Beth Israel Jonah Langerman, 8 years old Student at Pardes Jewish Day School “I like to dip apples in it! I bet a lot of kids would say the same thing!”

Sharona Silverman Director of the Deutsch Family Shalom Center at Temple Chai “I like clover honey sticks for sweetening my tea or coffee.’

“There is a tradition on Friday evenings at the Shabbat dinner table to sprinkle salt on the challahs, but during the Rosh Hashanah season we substitute the salt with honey for a sweet new year. Additionally, I try as best I can to surround myself with my family and friends – for those are my real ‘honeys.’ ”

lene Blau Former Executive Director of the East Valley JCC Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival board member “I like to make honey cake. It reminds me of generations past. Seems our next generation would rather have chocolate than honey, but I make the honey cake anyway as a link to our heritage. It just makes me feel good.”

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 39

[]

Special Section

holy days HIGH

In court or life, compromise is righteous

If only I could stop the clock right now

By David Goldstein

By Amy Hirshberg Lederman

Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Korchah says, “It is a meritorious deed for a judge to arbitrate a compromise. As it is stated: ‘Execute truth and judgment of peace in your gates.’ [Zechariah 8:16] But where there is judgment, there is no peace. And where there is peace there is no judgment. What is the judgment which has within it elements of peace. I would say this is compromise. And likewise in connection with David it is stated: ‘And David rendered judgment and righteousness (tzedakah) …’ [II Samuel 8:15] But whenever there is judgment there is no righteousness and wherever there is righteousness there is no judgment. What then is the judgment which has within it elements of righteousness. I would say this is compromise.” Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin 6b [Schottenstein Edition, Mesorah Publications 1993, 2002] After further discussion, the Amora Rav declares that Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Korchah’s opinion is the halacha, the controlling Jewish law. [Id.]

ull-blown litigation is a zero-sum game. There is a winner and a loser. The decision comes at great cost to the participants in time, money, uncertainty and stress. The decision is limited in most civil cases to an award of money to the winner or dismissal of a claim. Compromise and settlement offer disputants the option of controlling the outcome, flexibility of result and the possibility of reconciliation. Our sages recognized the advantage of compromise long ago. Arizona’s courts have increasingly encouraged compromise and settlement. In 1991 Arizona adopted Rule 26.1 requiring early disclosure of the relevant facts, the theories behind the claims and defense, the names and addresses of the witnesses, and the documents a party anticipates may be used as trial exhibits. The rationale behind the new rule was that early revelation of a case’s details would encourage compromise and settlement before positions hardened and the very cost of litigation compelled the parties to try the case at great cost to themselves and the judicial system. Some years later, Rule 16(g) of the Civil Rules of Procedure was amended to require the parties to confer about alternatives to litigation for resolving their dispute such as arbitration or mediation. The court system provided judges, often volunteers, to conduct settlement conferences to mediate and resolve cases short of trial. Mediation is a form of facilitated negotiation. A neutral, often retired judge or attorney helps the parties offering guidance on the strengths and weaknesses of their respective positions. Like the judge of the Jewish court he arbitrates a compromise. Often this compromise includes non-monetary elements like an apology from a doctor accused of malpractice, or former opponents agreeing to a creative business solution that unlike the zero-sum game of litigation is a win-win. We are approaching Rosh Hashanah, which our liturgy calls “Yom Ha-Din,” the day of judgment, when G-d decides who 40 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

will live and who will die in the coming year. But are we not told that arbitrating a compromise is meritorious? Can we arbitrate a compromise with G-d? We are also told that G-d can forgive our sins against Him, but not sins we commit against our fellow man. For those, we must seek out the person we have wronged and ask their forgiveness. In litigation that request might be seen as an admission of guilt; in the confidential context of mediation, asking for forgiveness often breaks a logjam of distrust. In the Unataneh Tokef prayer recited during the Musaf service of Rosh Hashanah, we are told that tefillah (prayer), tzedekah (charity but also translated as righteousness) and teshuvah (repentance) avert the severe decree. Through these we hope to be forgiven, that G-d will not render the strict judgment we may deserve but show us the mercy that is more than we deserve; that our tefillah, like a good mediator, will help achieve compromise; that tzedekah, like the judgment rendered by David permeated with tzedakah, will soften the harsh decree; and that teshuvah, a return to our Source and our amends to our fellow man and asking for their forgiveness, will reconcile us with G-d and them. These can serve as our own successful and creative mediation agreement on the path to a year of health, happiness and spiritual growth. L’Shanah Tovah.  David Goldstein is an experienced mediator, litigator and transactional attorney, concentrating his practice on commercial litigation and bankruptcy, copyright, trademark, computer law, creditors’ rights, estate planning and business transactions. Mr. Goldstein earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and is a founding partner of Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat, PLLC, in Scottsdale Arizona.

his week I got a phone call from my daughter in San Francisco, the very same daughter who, six months ago, was struggling to figure out what to do post-college with a degree in anthropology. She is interning at a nonprofit agency by day and waitressing at night, having the time of her life as she figures it all out. Next came an email from my son, who, after spending several years trying to make it in the Big Apple, went to grad school and is now working for the Associated Press, reporting from, of all places, the White House! As if that weren’t enough, I watch my husband pack his bags for our hiking trip through Glacier National Park in celebration of our 30th anniversary. Was it just a year ago that he packed the same suitcase as we headed for a consult at MD Anderson for cancer that is currently in remission? Looking at life, being aware of how precious and precarious it all is, makes me more fully understand what my dad used to say when I was a little girl. “If I could only stop the clock right now…” he would muse, leaving the rest of the sentence unfinished. Stopping the clock – an image that suggests an appreciation for those rare moments in time when everything is going well – is not possible. But what is possible is to be mindful of and grateful for the time we have, and to use these precious hours and days to create a life of meaningful choices and relationships. When we are young, we feel that we have “all the time in the world.” This sense of unlimited time is a reflection of our youth, good health and energy, often based on the idea that limitless possibilities and experiences lie ahead. As we age and our responsibilities increase, from work, family and other commitments, time takes on new meaning. Time can even become our enemy, as we fight to steal a few minutes or hours from one activity to create time for another. Juggling our calendars, multi-tasking through the day and feeling pressed for time are common feelings that accompany us as we try to balance the multiple demands to raise our families, work and make time for the people and things we love. And in our “golden” years, when energy and health often elude us, we take stock of time in a totally different way. We slow down,

mentally and physically, and look at what is most meaningful at this point in life, knowing that we have a limited amount of time left to enjoy and experience what we value most. Jewish tradition has much to teach us about time because it acknowledges two types of time: historical and cyclical. Historical time (i.e., chronological time) lets us take stock of our lives, evaluate our choices and determine how we want to live and what we want to change. It provides a sense of optimism because we can use our time to enrich ourselves and become who we want to be. The Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgies are replete with prayers and expressions that confirm this way of viewing time. Cyclical time, as expressed through our Jewish calendar and life-cycle events, helps us appreciate the recurring patterns of the seasons and the year, of natural life-cycle events that are inevitable. It is best expressed in the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, which states: “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven.” I measure my own good fortune by the awareness of how blessed I am that things are good – right now. I know there will be times ahead when I will face personal challenges, struggle with family and health issues, and be confronted by problems for which I have no answer. But of one thing I can be sure: that as time passes, as the days and months flow into years, things will and must change. For today, I am determined to “stop” my clock and offer a prayer of gratitude. 

Jewish tradition has much to teach us about time because it acknowledges two types of time: historical and cyclical.

Amy Hirshberg Lederman is an author, Jewish educator, public speaker and attorney. Her columns have won awards from the American Jewish Press Association, The Arizona Newspapers Association and the Arizona Press Club for excellence in commentary. Visit her website at amyhirshberglederman.com.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 41

[FOOD]

s Chef’Corner Apples and honey give chicken a sweet taste for Rosh Hashanah dinner

42 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

by Lisa Glickman As the High Holidays get closer, I know summer soon will be over and it’s time to reflect and celebrate the Jewish New Year.. The term Rosh Hashanah appears in the Bible in Ezekiel 40:1 where it means generally the time of the “beginning of the year.” Traditional customs include sounding the shofar and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey in hopes for a sweet new year. It is also a time to take stock of the previous year. I like to appreciate all of the good fortune I have had, as well as make a mental list of personal transgressions and the things I could be doing better in my life. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlich (“casting off ”). We gather around flowing water, such as a river or stream and toss breadcrumbs into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. (This is a good time to take along that mental list I was talking about earlier…) I converted to Judaism before I was married almost 20 years ago. Back then, the traditions and customs of being Jewish were very new to me. A few years after my conversion, my sister-in-law Jennifer and I decided to study Hebrew and become b’nai mitzvah, though of course both of us were well past our 13th birthdays. Standing on the bimah that evening and chanting our Torah portions was a very proud moment for both of us. The High Holidays are when we come together to rededicate ourselves to G-d so we might have the greatest chance of ensuring that – in spite of what the previous year might have held – we will have a very happy new year. One of my favorite cookbooks contains recipes from a mother and daughter who share their recipes for traditional Jewish food along with some more contemporary recipes. I have used many of the recipes in Mother and Daughter Jewish Cooking: Two Generations of Jewish Women Share Traditional and Contemporary Recipes by Evelyn and Judi Rose. One of my favorites is this recipe for “Biblical Chicken.” It encapsulates the spirit of Rosh Hashanah with honey, apple and raisins. I like to use boneless, skinless thighs because I think they have more flavor, but you can use

thinly sliced boneless breasts if you like; just remember they will cook much more quickly. The chicken is lightly fried to give it color and then finished in the tangy sauce made with apple juice, white wine, lemon zest, honey and a touch of cinnamon. I tighten up the sauce with a bit of cornstarch and garnish with toasted slivered almonds for added crunch. It’s easy and delicious. You can make this dish well ahead of time and simply reheat and add the garnish when needed. It tastes even better the next day. “L’Shanah Tova” is the greeting heard during the High Holidays which literally means, “To a Good Year.” I wish L’Shanah Tova for us all.

Rosh Hashanah Holiday Dinner L’Shana Tovah

Wednesday, September 4th Phoenix, Scottsdale & Chandler Locations 5pm – 8pm, Reservations Accepted $ 95 29 per adult $ 95 14 per child 10 & under Regular dining menu with holiday favorites will be available at Tempe location.

Dine-In or Take-Out. See Holiday Menus at www.CHOMPIES.com

Feast Enjonythethe Fast is Ove he

ver! W he Yom Kippur Friday, September 13th All Stores Will Be Open

Lisa Glickman is a private chef and teacher. She has appeared on the Cooking Channel’s The Perfect Three. She can be reached via her website at lisa@lisaglickman.com.

Phoenix 602.710.2910 • Scottsdale 480.860.0475 • Tempe 480.557.0700 Chandler 480.398.3008 • ValleyWide Custom Catering 480.348.CATR(2287) See Rosh Hashanah & Break the Fast Yom Kippur Take-Out Menus at www.CHOMPIES.com

Biblical Chicken 6 to 8 boneless and skinless chicken thighs ½ cup all-purpose flour Kosher salt and pepper 4 tablespoons olive oil ¾ cup slivered almonds For the sauce: 1 cup chicken stock (plus a bit more for the slurry) ½ cup apple cider (the cloudy unfiltered kind) 1 /3 cup dry white wine Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon 3 tablespoons honey ¼ cup golden raisins (optional) One 3-inch cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup chicken stock and 1 teaspoon soy sauce Chopped parsley for garnish

Season the flour with the salt and pepper. Flatten the chicken thighs gently and dredge in the flour. Shake off excess flour. In a large skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the slivered almonds and cook until golden brown. Remove almonds with slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and set aside. Add the chicken to the hot fat and cook over medium heat on each side until rich golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Pour out remaining oil leaving the brown bits in the pan. To make the sauce, pour the white wine into the pan and stir to remove brown bits and intensify flavor, about three minutes. Add the stock, apple cider, lemon juice and zest, honey, raisins and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil. Add chicken back to pan, cover and turn heat to low. Allow chicken to finish cooking in sauce, about 20 minutes. Lift chicken from sauce and arrange on platter. Remove and discard cinnamon stick. Bring sauce to a boil and add cornstarch/chicken stock/ soy sauce mixture a little bit at a time to bring sauce to desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with slivered almonds and chopped parsley.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 43

[Food]

Where do

JEWISH PEOPLE

By A. Noshman

EAT?

t is 113 degrees at 5 pm, and I am dining outside on purpose, and it turns out I’m not alone. A trendy crowd fills the 50,000-square-foot patio space known as “The Yard.” I have been here on several beautiful evenings, but always wondered what would happen here if it were scorching out. Well, with misters pumping and ceiling fans spinning, groups of young professionals started gathering at large tables and sofa seating nooks and taking over the play area. Undaunted and with drinks in hand, they are playing ping pong and bean bag toss (aka “cornhole”), and it’s the hottest day of the year so far. You can wander between outdoor patio and a beautifully styled indoor bar/restaurant called Culinary Dropout. There’s a newly opened restaurant here, as well, called Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend. The first time I went, I had a feeling that I’d been there before. Sure enough, it used to be a Ducati motorcycle shop. Do you remember driving down Seventh Street and seeing all those used motorcycles parked outside under a tin roof? Perhaps you even bought one there as I did? Now it’s a compound of stylish food and fun that you have to try. I’m giving my recommendation upfront, because you will encounter a hurdle to getting here – finding a place to park. This place is wildly popular, which means parking is hard. How hard you ask? Harder than La Grande Orange. Take advantage of the free valet if you can. I braved the parking glitches and returned several times. Over the course of several visits, here’s what I had:

Moscow Mule $10

Vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger agave syrup, garnished with mint and candied ginger. My teetotaling mother introduced me to this cocktail that she remembers from the ’50s. Traditionally served in a copper mug, these days the mug is copper plated, but the drink is no less refreshing. The candied ginger was a real treat and if you ask nicely, they will bring you more. 44 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

The candied Gorgonzola is a similar tangy cheese, creamier than the other, but absolutely delicious and at a great price. Again you have to be a bleu cheese fan. The unsung heroes of this snack are the slices of sourdough bread that are chewy, sour and fresh; again, if you ask nicely, they will bring you more.

Korean Beef on a Stick $6

Culinary Dropout at The Yard $$ 5632 N. Seventh St. Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-680-4040

Humbolt Fog $6, Candied Gorgonzola $4 One of the lovely features of the menu is that it is filled with antipasti, cheeses, meats and snacks to munch while you drink. Humbolt fog is a California goat milk cheese that’s tangy, acidic and named after the ocean fog that rolls in where it is made. If you are a fan of bleu cheese, you will love this.

Marinated skewer of beef, served over a bed of sautéed vegetables This was one of the best dishes I had. Served at happy hour only, the crispy charcoal-broiled outside disguised the soft medium-rare inside, and it was sweet, smoky and wonderful. Even more of a surprise was the warm bed of squash, peppers, mushrooms, bean sprouts and cilantro. My only complaint is the menu described none of that. Perhaps this is a cool way to make you feel like you are getting more than you expected, but I truly wish I had known. I just ordered it on a lark. If I had seen the full description, I would have ordered it for sure. This is a must try.

Meatloaf Sandwich $6 Again no menu description, so I had to ask if it was made with pork, and the server said, “nope, pure beef.” She did fail to mention the slice of gruyere cheese it was served with, that I had removed. OK, nobody’s meatloaf is going to be as good as your mom’s, but this was pretty good. Chunked and served warm on a large sesame seed bun, it turned out to be real comfort food. The sandwich had pickle slices that provided both a nice crunch and complementary flavor to the meatloaf. If it had been described on the menu as having pickles, I probably would have had them held, but not knowing turned out to be a good thing. Hmmm … maybe not knowing isn’t so bad?

Chopped Salad $6 Asparagus, avocado, beets, corn, kale, pistachio, parmesan Refreshing, earthy, sweet, cool – a perfect salad for a hot day. With so many ingredients, every bite tastes a little different. This small bowl was the happy hour size, but this salad is offered as an entrée named the Spring Salad. This is a must try.

Fried Chicken $16 Again, not much of a description on the menu, so I’m going to do it for you. Three large pieces of crispy battered chicken drizzled with Arizona honey and served with mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw and a biscuit. People with allergies are often advised to eat Arizona honey. Have I found fried chicken with health benefits? Wishful thinking probably, but this entrée is very good. The chicken is plump, crispy and juicy. The mashed potatoes and gravy are cafeteria-like yet oddly comforting and quickly eaten. The staff was very friendly and the surroundings comfortable and unique. It is definitely built for groups of people to socialize, and the food is best described as pub fare. It’s not a gourmet experience, but it’s not priced like one either. What you will find is a unique gathering place to meet friends with good drinks and good food. Carpool if you can. Culinary Dropout is another in the series of successful Sam Fox creations with two locations in Arizona and one in Las Vegas. foxrc.com/restaurants/culinary-dropout

Contact A. Noshman at a.noshman@azjewishlife.com

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[Arts & Entertainment]

Symbolic (and filmed) Sukkot Journey

Red Rocks Music Festival highlights the beauty of both musicians and Arizona

By Janet Arnold

he short answer to “What is Sukkot?” is “It’s the fall harvest holiday.” But it’s much more than that. Sukkot is symbolic of the Jewish journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. A 40-year journey of wandering, but also one of learning, growing, maturing and understanding. If one understands the geography involved, it’s easy to see the trip didn’t have to take that long – that is, if they walked in a straight line. But the Jewish people needed time to sort out who they were, what they believed in. They needed to learn to become a spiritual people, a community bonded together in their beliefs. They needed to accept that everyone is equal, that everyone has ability and contributes to the whole. The temporary shelter or sukkah reminded them and us that life is fragile and transitory – and that we must live for the moment. Doug Passon discovered the depth of Sukkot during his time as a student in the Wexner Heritage Program, a twoyear learning program whose mission is “to expand the vision of Jewish volunteer leaders, deepen their Jewish knowledge and confidence, and inspire them to exercise transformative leadership in the Jewish community.” He was one of about 20 individuals in the greater Phoenix area to participate in this extensive educational program. Doug, an attorney with the federal public defender’s office, is grateful for the opportunity to have studied through the Wexner Program. He was chosen as an up-and-coming young leader in the Jewish community and is living up to the program’s high aspirations in both his vocation and avocations. He believes his work as a public defender is Jewish to its core. “Judaism teaches us to seek justice, to reach out to help our fellow man, to welcome the stranger. That’s the work I do on a daily basis, particularly with immigration issues,” he says. In addition to his work, another of Doug’s passions is making movies. He debated going to film school, but his parents nudged him in the direction of law school, and he knew a law degree would add stability to his future. However, he has integrated film into his practice and has been invited to show other public defenders how to use film to strengthen their defense strategies. “Oftentimes, words just don’t tell the whole story,” Doug explains. “About eight years ago I put together a five to 10 minute documentary to use at a client’s sentencing, showing much more about his life and circumstances than could be simply told. It was very successful and now others are using the same technique.” Doug grew up in Minnesota and Indiana and attended a Jewish camp where his best friend was Dan Nichols. Dan’s 46 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

By Carine Nadel

Doug Passon and his sister, Jordan Passon

family converted to Judaism when he was 9, and he treasured his camp experiences as ones that helped him to absorb all he could about what it meant to be Jewish. Both musicians, Doug and Dan bonded over Jewish camp music. Dan went on to earn a degree in vocal performance and formed the Jewish rock band Eighteen in 1995. Each of the band’s eight full-length studio albums received critical acclaim. At a reunion of camp friends in 2010, Dan shared an exciting project. He had received a grant to put together a musical journey through the Deep South during Sukkot. The only stipulation was that he seek out small communities that probably couldn’t afford an outdoor concert. Would Doug like to film the journey? This would be a trip through the Deep South ending at their beloved “summer home” at Goldman Union Camp. It would be their own version of the passage to the “Promised Land.” Doug didn’t need to be asked twice. With the OK from his job and the support of his family – wife, Rachel, and sons, Nathaniel and Dillon – Doug recruited a crew from students he had met in film classes at Scottsdale Community College. The resulting documentary, “The Road to Eden: Rock and Roll Sukkot,” chronicles the tour of 11 performances in 10 days. More than simply temporary stops on a concert tour, the communities welcomed the musicians as members of their own. Perhaps most moving is a visit to New Orleans, where an Orthodox synagogue and Reform temple are shown uniting, after damage from Hurricane Katrina, to share land so both may flourish. “The Road to Eden: Rock and Roll Sukkot” premieres at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center Sept. 21. The evening will begin with a Havdallah service. Dan Nichols and Eighteen will perform a live concert, thanks to support from Congregation Beth Israel. The JCC and Doug’s congregation, Or Chadash, are also providing support. The film was produced by Doug’s sister, Jordan Passon. They raised money from family and friends and through Indiegogo, a crowdfunding platform, but they need additional funding. To participate, visit roadtoedentour.com.  For more information on Dan Nichols and Eighteen, go to jewishrock.com.

welve years ago, 59-year-old Moshe Bukshpan, a noted violinist from Israel, had a dream to bring the finest quality of classical and jazz music, as well as modern dance, to Arizona. Founder and executive director of the Red Rocks Music Festival, Bukshpan thought of where the best place would be to show not only the beauty of these arts, but of the surroundings as well. He chose Sedona. “When we started we wanted to be in a place that David Ehrlic would be cooler for the guests. And how could h there be a more gorgeous spot? But as we’ve grown, we’ve realized that we need to provide other venues as well. This year we’ve added performances in Tempe and Scottsdale.” Born in Tel Aviv in 1954, Bukshpan began studying the violin at the age of 8 with Ilona Feher. He was a featured guest artist on Israeli TV at the age of 11. In 1973 he participated in a seminar under the guidance of Isaac Stern, Pablo Casals and Alexander Schneider. Migrating to the United States in 1976, he studied Shmuel Ash kenasi with Shmuel Ashkenasi, who will be performing in the Red Rocks Music Festival this year. He received his master’s degree in violin performance from Northern Illinois University. Bukshpan has performed in the Aspen and Colorado music festivals. Bukshpan’s vision is “to grow the Festival into a major cultural event in Arizona ... and become a cultural magnet for music lovers from around the world.” Besides the performances that run from Aug. 23 through Sept. 8, another major part of the Director M oshe Buksh Festival’s mission is education. Master classes and workshops pan enable young musicians to learn skills from master musicians. The Festival provides outreach educational music programs that inspire students to appreciate and continue their interest in the arts. This year the roster includes world-renowned musicians who are from Israel: the aforementioned Shmuel Ashkenasi and violinist Rami Solomonow, a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where he studied with Oedoen Partos. 

Red Rocks Music Festival redrocksmusicfestival.com 877-733-7257

PERFORMING “Bach to the Blues”

with concert violinist Elmira Darvarova Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 pm Kerr Cultural Center 6110 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 pm Sedona Creative Life Center 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona

“Transfigured Night” Desert Dance Theatre with festival musicians Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 pm Tempe Center for the Arts 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe

“Souvenir de Florence” with the legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 pm Kerr Cultural Center 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Saturday, Aug 31 at 7 pm Sedona Creative Life Center 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona

“Transfigured Night”

Desert Dance Theatre with festival musicians Sunday, Sept. 1 at 3 pm Sedona Performing Arts Center 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona

“A Free Community Outreach”

with Yuki & Tomoko Mack Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 am Steinway Piano Showroom 13820 N. Scottsdale Rd. #176, Scottsdale

“Rhapsody in Blue”

with Yuki & Tomoko Mack Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 pm Kerr Cultural Center 6110 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ Sunday, Sept. 8 at 3 pm Sedona Creative Life Center 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 47

[Arts & Entertainment]

Judy Egett Laufer turned grief into a great teaching creation By Carine Nadel

udy Egett Laufer is what one might call a Renaissance woman. Born in Budapest, Hungary, she is the product of Jewish parents who not only survived the concentration camps, but also escaped during the Hungarian revolution. The family started a new life in Montreal, Canada, with $5 and not knowing the language. Despite hardships they were thankful to be in a free country. Many Jewish agencies helped them along the way, and the family blossomed as a result. Today, Laufer is trilingual in English, French and Hungarian. Graduating with a B.A. in 1976, Laufer found great satisfaction as a kindergarten teacher. Within two years she was promoted to do curriculum Author Judy Laufer at a book signing with Purple Pudding, a character from her recent children’s book, Last Night I Had a Laughmare. development and was asked to mentor other teachers as the early childhood “Not now, not yet and maybe soon” and decided to self-publish. specialist. Laufer’s positive attitude seems to come naturally for her, but She created a publishing company and called it “Little Egg Publishing.” Since her maiden name was “Egett,” the name she credits her outlook on life to her parents. “My brother and seemed fitting. I had an understanding that with all the difficulties our family “After my first book, I wrote another children’s book, Last endured, that we always survived. We managed to get things Night I Had a Laughmare. This one got an endorsement from done, and we were shown it all with positivity.” Clive Cussler! I love to use humor. I think laughing is so very Always considering education as the way to change the important to all of us in our lives. It helps kids in a fun way world, Laufer looked beyond her beginning horizons to become deal with social and emotional issues. This brings me to another a mom of now 20-year-old son, Andrew, an actor, a children’s important part of my company. We give back to the community. author, a publisher and a philanthropist here in Arizona. We recently donated books to the kids who survived the “What’s funny is that when we moved here 25 years ago from tragedy in Connecticut. My husband (Nathan Laufer, MD, Canada, I was being cast in commercials as the all-American FACC medical director, Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona) mom, and I was still waiting for my citizenship to come and I are also quite involved in the Arizona Leadership Council through!” for the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces. One of the things Laufer is very proud of is her philanthropic “Last year we went on a mission to Poland and marched with work within the Jewish community. “Education is always at the troops into the Auschwitz Camp. We went to Israel after and forefront of what I try to help with.” met with Shimon Peres. It was a fascinating experience.” Laufer became a children’s author when her father passed When asked to describe herself, Laufer says, “I’m very happy away; she thought it was a wonderful way to both deal with her and outgoing. I enjoy humor. Education is very important to grief and use it as a tool to help children understand the loss me. I care about people, especially children! I’m generous. I also of a loved one. The book, Where Did Poppa Go?, was accepted feel very, very lucky to be able to give back to my community. into the Washington Holocaust Museum’s store this past It’s truly a gift and I’m thrilled I’m able to do it.” May. It had its second printing in November 2012. “This is For more information about Judy E. Laufer, how to purchase particularly exciting for me since my dad was a survivor! I also her books and Little Egg Publishing, visit LittleEggPublishing. have a quote on the back from (survivor) Gerda Weissmann com.  Klein.” In trying to get the first book published, Laufer heard a lot of Freelance writer Carine Nadel recently moved to Arizona. 48 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

Arizona Theatre Company motivates youth

ith arts funding in most school districts continuing to wither, it’s more important than ever for arts organizations to help fill the void. The Arizona Theatre Company provides programs motivated by its vision to inspire creativity. “My belief is that if you can help young people feel included, if you can help them believe they can and do bring a contribution, then it opens a door to boundless possibilities,” says ATC’s Education Director Stephen Wrentmore. “Our programs, many of which we offer around the state, are not about making little actors, but about developing sophisticated, free-thinking individuals with tools to navigate an increasingly complex world.”

5-day programs, go out to 11 of the 15 Arizona counties, helping to bring theater into rural areas. In addition to these, one of the programs Stephen is most proud of is the company’s “My Shakespeare” program. It introduces storytelling using Shakespeare as a conduit. The youth are introduced not only to the text, but to the meanings beneath the text, and they go on to use the skills they acquire in other aspects of their education. “Discovering what is going on under the text in Hamlet will help when navigating an exam question, a college paper or a job application,” Stephen says. Teachers are encouraged to contact ATC’s educational department to learn more about available opportunities: 520-884-8210, ext. 7502, or swrentmore@arizonatheatre.org.

OPENING SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

James Dumel from Tucson performs in the Summer On Stage production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

ATC, the only major regional theater in the country to operate in two cities, offers a host of programs for young people. Tens of thousands of students have attended student matinees, which always include a post-show discussion as well as study guides that provide lesson plans geared to state educational standards. The Open Door program, originally developed by the late playwright, Wendy Wasserstein, is available to students in the Phoenix area; it introduces students to a wide variety of cultural experiences, followed by discussions with guest artists and staff to enhance criticalthinking skills and inspire confidence. The five-week Summer on Stage program for high school students in the Tucson area includes acting and production techniques and culminates in a fully staged production. Master classes, which involve ATC talent in full-day workshops, and artist-in-residence 2- to

An exhibit that celebrates the lives of the Jewish pioneers

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 49

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Jews in the butterfly business? A success model worthy of Joshua at Jericho, Moses at the Red Sea or Sandy Koufax ascending the sacred mound at Yankee Stadium: Three visionary Phoenixarea Jewish businessmen recently opened Butterfly Wonderland – the country’s largest butterfly pavilion – to winged praise from adults and children.

Odysea

From left: Rubin Stahl, Amram Knishinsky & Martin Pollack Photo: Carl Schultz

The development team – Amram Knishinsky, Martin Pollack and Rubin Stahl – debuted the five-acre first phase of their eventual 522,000-square-foot Odysea in the Desert May 25 at the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and Via de Ventura, Scottsdale. Build-out will take three to five years, they say. On 37 acres leased from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the entertainment complex will include the Odysea Mirror Maze, opening in November; an IMAX Theater; one of North America’s largest aquariums; a Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum; an “Arizona Experience” celebration of history and culture; and a “Taste of the World” showcasing 14-16 internationally inspired sit-down restaurants reminiscent of those at the Epcot Center in Orlando, FL. Eventually, “experience retail” stores also will open at Odysea in the Desert – such as a glass shop with artisans demonstrating their work and perhaps an old-fashioned general store as well. “For our first few weeks, we were encouraged not just by the number of visitors but the wide demographics,” says Knishinsky, an Israeli émigré who has developed shopping centers, office buildings and apartment complexes during his 30-year-plus career.

“We’ve had a fantastic opening reception. People have loved it,” says Pollack, CFO for Odysea in the Desert. A Connecticut native and graduate of City College, NY, he is the former president of the Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale. Stahl says the group is pleased to have opened its first phase on property owned by the Native American community, where land is valued as sacred. “We are looking ahead to bringing the other components online – such as our world-class restaurants, which will be the centerpiece of the entertainment district.” After opening the entertainment-centric, 5.5-million-squarefoot West Edmonton Mall in Alberta almost 30 years ago, the

Montreal native has partnered on development projects with Knishinsky and Pollack for 27 years. “So far, at the Butterfly Pavilion, we’ve seen mothers with strollers, lovers and daters, and senior citizens,” explains Knishinsky, whose retail developments include the Scottsdale Galleria. One woman invited her family to celebrate her 95th birthday, he notes. Another family brought triplets to celebrate their birthday: “About 190 or so people sang Happy Birthday to them,” he says. One father told me that this was the first time all five of his

Butterfly Wonderland (9 am-5 pm daily): 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale | 480-800-3000 | butterflywonderland.com

in the Desert

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children had smiles on their faces at one place at the same time,” he says. “But that’s what the Butterfly Pavilion and Odysea on the Desert were envisioned to do: to be places where you can be entertained and educated at the same time.” Carefully choreographed, the experience begins with the 196-seat, 3-D theater showing the 14-minute “Flight of the Butterflies” film and then continues into the Butterfly Emergency Gallery, a chrysalis viewing area. Next is the focalpoint Conservatory – a tropical rainforest atrium for enjoyment of and interaction with the butterflies. Following this is a 360-degree-view Live Ant Colony and Honeybee Extravaganza and the Rivers of the Amazon freshwater aquariums, showcasing fish such as oscars, silver dollars, red fire queens, silver arowanas, eels, piranhas and other exotics, as well as offering a touch tank experience with Salt River stingrays. Guests can also stop in the Butterfly Treasures Gift Store and the Butterfly Café, offering sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, hummus, muffins, breads and assorted sweets by Scottsdale’s Vermont Sandwich.

A Place to Metamorphose Meticulously overseen by Chief Curator Dayna Cooper, the glass-enclosed Conservatory also includes waterfalls, plants and trees and a large koi pond. This is a place to center, to relax, to learn and to be entertained. Having a butterfly land on your shoulder may even change your life. “We have from 2,000 to 3,000 butterflies flying freely every day, with more than 50 species of butterflies represented,” Knishinsky says. “No time is the same time here. You and your family just walk in and interact with them.” The management team selects from among the 28,000 species of butterflies in the world, receiving chrysalids from Costa Rica, Malaysia, Ecuador, Thailand and the Philippines. The butterflies also come from throughout North America, which has about 800 species, and Arizona, second only to Texas among the states with 334 species. So far in The Conservatory, the Blue Morpho is the most popular both because of its brilliant blue color and flashy personality, Knishinsky says. Other colors are represented by the scarlet Mormon, the orange Dryas Julia, the large brown owl butterfly and the deep-burgundy flame border Charaxef from Africa.

ButterfliesareFree Kate Lorene Hirsch, 9, submitted the winning poem for Arizona Jewish Life’s Butterflies are Free writing contest for children up to age 12. Kate and her family are members of Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, where she and her twin brother Jake attend religious school.

Timing and space selection are important. Perhaps the premium viewing spot is the upper east side of the Atrium, offering a great view of the pavilion. “The butterflies love this space because it is warmer, drier and very bright,” explains Knishinsky. Numerous nectar plants are excellent butterfly feeders. The outer perimeter pathways that wind to the koi pond and waterfall are more shaded and intimate areas. Here are also vivid purple-colored plants that the butterflies are attracted to.

So far, at the Butterfly Pavilion, we’ve seen mothers with strollers, lovers and daters, and senior citizens.

Arianna Walker, 7½, is a student at Pardes Jewish Day School. Ora Anne Ross, 4½, attends Shalom Montessori at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale. The family belongs to The New Shul in Scottsdale.

Honorable Mentions

By Kate Lorene Hirsch

Every Morning the Butterfly, Welcomes its beautiful day, With its sails of grace. It goes high in the blue sky, Not tumbling or falling, With bright blue wings. She looks in the field of land, To give her egg, To the plants hand. The little baby eats and eats, The plant can feel the little feet, He tickles it and then it laughs. The baby transforms in a cocoon, For several months in his little room, While the light shines from the moon. This evening the Butterfly, Ends the months from his little room, And opens his wings to welcome the night.

Watching Butterflies

– Amram Knishinsky

The Rainforest Atrium is florally heterogeneous: the buddleja; the pink perennial pentas; plumeria and lantana – both “ice cream to butterflies,” Curator Cooper says; davidii, one of the butterflies’ go-to nectar plants; the chocolate mimosa plant; the orange zinnia and burgundy-leaved cordyline; tropical eucalyptus plants; and kentia palms – the butterflies’ favorite palm tree. If you want the butterflies to land on you, wear red, yellow or orange clothing because they tend to be attracted to those colors, Knishinsky says. And, while there is no best season to see the butterflies hatch from their cocoons in the Emergency Gallery – they are on a year-round tropical biological clock 52 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

The Hirsch family will receive a lifetime family membership to Butterfly Wonderland, the country’s largest butterfly pavilion, which opened May 25 at the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. But we had some great entries from young poets in the community, so we decided also to award honorable mention and a free day pass to two other young butterfly lovers.

By Ora Anne Ross

Butterfly contest poem

By Arianna Walker Butterflies Pretty, colorful Landing, flying, drinking Very amazing Rainbows

I’m watching Colorful wings, Flying high In the sky, Purple, red, yellow, green, blue. Do they see me looking At their beautiful Flapping wings? I like watching them. Their faces, noses and eyes, So pretty and sweet. God’s cuties.

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After serving three years in the military and playing basketball for the armed forces league – at 6 feet, 4 inches, he jokes he was the tallest Israeli they could find – he completed his MBA at the University of California, Berkeley. Armour Company in Chicago recruited him, moving him to Phoenix to head imports for the Armour Food division. Here he received a PhD from Arizona State University in Tempe. – Rubin Stahl Financed to set up a development company by a prominent Jewish business family from Melbourne, Australia, he left Armor. “The family’s only condition was that Martin Pollack serve as my controller,” Knishinsky says. As a result, the two have been working on projects for 37 years. “That’s longer than most marriages,” he adds, with a laugh. About 17 years ago, he and his wife, Anne, were visiting Niagara Falls and they stopped by The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. “We discovered things we did not know; it was a unique experience, and it stayed with me,” he says. Prior to the Butterfly Wonderland, the three men developed the first for-profit aquarium in the United States in Newport, KY, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, and the Odysea Experience at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.

“Before Newport, aquariums were all funded by wealthy individuals,” Knishinsky says. “Our concept was to look at enterprises like these and see how we can sustain it here without looking to charity and contributions. In the same way, there were few butterfly places with a profit motive. So, we’re putting them together here in the Valley.” Stahl, who developed 22 Canadian shopping centers in his career, has incorporated his leadership at the 100-acre West Edmonton Mall into visioning for the Butterfly Wonderland and Odysea in the Desert. “The mall was unlike anything before it, with experiential elements such as a roller coaster and dolphins and submarines, an ice arena for the Edmonton Oilers, led by the great Wayne Gretzky, three McDonald’s, a Bourbon Street re-enactment and a pool that 10,000 people can swim in at the same time. It introduced the entertainment component into the mall experience – and malls have never been the same since,” says Stahl.

We are looking ahead to bringing the other components online – such as our world-class restaurants, which will be the centerpiece

of the entertainment district.

– the best time, apparently, is 10 am because “butterflies have their own biological clock, and this seems to be the best time for emerging,” he says. Special events are also scheduled. For example, on Aug. 26, a Life Cycle of a Butterfly Workshop will be hosted by Director of Education Adriane Grimaldi, who will discuss tropical butterflies as well as Arizona varieties such as snouts, swallowtails and monarchs. In September a Fall Color Spectacular will celebrate autumn colors, and December will feature a festive allwhite butterfly flying display and allwhite flowers.

Follow the Butterfly Road Egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly: The new attraction has its roots, inspiration and development from the principals, individually and as a group. For Knishinsky, the love for fauna and flora began in Israel, 54 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

In the same spirit, “We’ve all tried to take Butterfly Wonderland to new levels of size and quality,” Knishinsky says. “To create this unique experience for our guests, we’ve put everything you may have seen before on steroids – just not the butterflies!”  David M. Brown (azwriter.com) is a Valley-based freelancer.

where he grew up in Ramat Gan, the Tel Aviv suburb. Here is the National Park of Israel and the Ramat Gan Safari, also known as the Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan, with the largest species collection in the Middle East. His parents had immigrated to Israel in the 1930s when it was Palestine, before the Holocaust took most of their family in Lithuania and Poland. In Israel his father attended Mikveh Israel, an agricultural school he says still exists, and then worked as an agronomist at the new country’s ministry of agriculture. “He would take me with him to the places such as groves and orchards, where he would check on the plantings,” he recalls. “I would sit and eat fig and apples and fresh fruit. And, in the summer, I was at the beach at Tel Aviv and fished in the Yarkon River nearby.” ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 55

[Family]

Five sure ways to raise a responsible child By Larry Waldman, Ph.D., ABPP

s an experienced clinical child psychologist, I believe the ultimate goal of any parent is to rear an independent, responsible child. While at first glance this may appear obvious, if we observe most parents in action on a day-to-day basis, it becomes evident that many parents have no idea how to achieve this. Most parents never take a course on parenting or even read a book or two on the topic. Ask many parents, “How do you foster independence and responsibility in your child?” and you are likely to get a blank stare. Our nation’s future rests in the hands of our youth. It is the job of today’s parents to properly raise these children. I contend that being an effective parent – and an effective spouse – are probably the two most important things an adult can achieve. Many parents believe independence in our children occurs, more or less magically, when the child turns 18. For example, I recently had a case in which the father of a 17-year, 10-monthold daughter insisted that she maintain a 10:30 pm curfew. This girl, my client, was upset with her father because this early curfew interfered with her active (and appropriate) social life. When I met with father he argued that the curfew was in place – and would remain so – to keep his daughter “safe.” After listening to the father, I noted that his daughter, a senior in high school, would soon be attending the University of Arizona, 100 miles away in Tucson, and living in a dorm, where she would have no curfew at all. Moreover, since she would be living in a coed dorm, she could have a boy in her room if she chose. I advised the father that for his daughter to learn to become independent, like any complex skill, she needed the opportunity to practice such behavior, and he was not providing her that opportunity. Is it any wonder why many freshmen “go crazy” when they go off to college? If adolescents have no previous practice in behaving independently, how can we expect them to suddenly sleep right, eat right, exercise right and make good decisions simply because they moved into a college dorm and now have no supervision? 56 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

In my many years in practice I have had dozens of cases where freshmen in college dropped out because in high school they were made to do their work by a hovering parent or were “rescued” by a parent who actually did the work for them. These teens did not know how to manage their freedom when they got to the university. So, how do parents foster independence and responsibility? In the following, I describe five ways to make that happen.

1) Reinforce independent, responsible behavior specifically and immediately. Parents tend to operate

according to the “Sleeping Dog” philosophy: If the dog is quiet, leave it alone; or, if the kid is behaving appropriately, leave him/ her alone. This skewed parenting philosophy gives the child essentially no parental attention for good behavior yet extensive parental attention for negative behavior. Then we wonder why our kids misbehave. Parents must reverse this perspective and become attuned to when their children exhibit responsible, independent behavior – and attend to it. Most parents understand that reinforcement is intended to reward good behavior. Many parents, though, are unaware that reinforcement is also designed to educate children as to what they can do when in a similar situation to earn that reinforcement again. Telling a child “good job,” “way to go” or “I’m proud of you,” are compliments – not reinforcement. To qualify as reinforcement the verbal praise must specifically detail exactly what the appropriate behavior looked like: “Billy, I like the way you brushed and flossed your teeth this morning without having me remind you. I’m proud of your independent, responsible behavior. Let’s play a board game together.” In this manner Billy knows exactly what he can do to get reinforced. Reinforcement is only effective when it closely follows the targeted behavior. If an overweight man ate a reasonable meal and immediately following his dinner weighed himself and saw that he had lost two pounds, it would be easy to continue to eat in that manner. Proper eating was not that difficult because the reinforcement was immediate. Unfortunately, weight loss does not occur quickly, so it is quite challenging for most people. If delayed reinforcement stymies most adults, it certainly will be problematic for children. Expecting a child to behave well on Tuesday, for example, for some reward that may occur next Saturday is likely to be ineffective. The reinforcement must be administered immediately.

2) For nearly 100 years research has shown that the best way to change an undesirable behavior is to reinforce the alternative desired behavior.

Often when I speak in public, during the question and answer segment, I am asked a question that takes the form of: “My child does so and so, which I don’t like; what should I do about it?” The question portends some form of punishment. My response to that type of question is always, “What would you prefer the child to do instead?” When I get the answer to that question, I always respond with, “Then reinforce that.” For example, if the children are squabbling in the backseat of the car while you are driving, you could scream at them to be quiet or, instead, distract them and say, “Let’s play a game. The first to find five yellow VW bugs wins.” In this manner, the kids learn alternative ways to behave responsibly for parental attention.

3) Ignore mild to moderately inappropriate behavior – using “extinction” – and allow “logical/ natural consequences” to occur.

By using extinction – doing nothing – logical consequences are allowed to come into play. The child who chooses not to complete homework (or a project) is left to be confronted by the teacher (who has received an email or a phone call from the parent saying the child behaved irresponsibly, and the teacher is empowered to apply any appropriate consequence). The teen who gets a speeding ticket is not screamed at and grounded from driving for 60-90 days; instead, the teen is required to work off the $120 by doing household chores to pay for the driver reeducation class he/she will have to attend on Saturday. The basic components of logical consequences are that the child does not receive negative attention (and “get their parent’s goat”) for misbehavior; the child learns through outside factors – not their parents’ wrath – that misbehavior has its own logical/ natural consequences; and finally, with no hysteria, children are not distracted from their misbehavior and are forced to confront their own guilt.

4) State the task once, clearly and specifically, and allow the child to respond. Depending on the child’s

response, follow through with the appropriate consequence – Most inappropriate behaviors that children exhibit are mildly reinforcement, extinction, or (rarely) punishment. to moderately inappropriate – like whining, procrastinating, Parents cheapen themselves. Without exaggeration I have forgetting, complaining, etc. This kind of negative behavior is heard at least a hundred times some parent done primarily for parental say: “I have to tell my child at least five (negative) attention. Since most Our nation’s future rests in the hands of times before he/she will do anything.” of the inappropriate behavior our youth. It is the job of today’s parents to When I hear a parent say that I usually ask, kids exhibit is for attention, “What do you think you’ve taught your properly raise these children. I contend that then clearly the best response child about your first request?” being an effective parent – and an effective to that kind of behavior Parents must state their request one time spouse – are probably the two most important is no response. Behavioral and allow the child to respond. Once the things an adult can achieve. psychologists refer to this child has responded – good or bad – the as “extinction.” When I tell parent applies the appropriate consequence. parents in my office to ignore One of my favorite responses when one of my sons chose to these behaviors in their children, they often look at me like I’m ignore a task was to do that task myself at the same time he crazy. However, if they follow through with this concept, parents wanted something or needed me to take him somewhere. It was are amazed at how powerful doing nothing is. a great natural/logical consequence. I have been recommending this “experiment” to parents for The parent must expect that the child will make some decades: “The next time your kids start to bicker, simply get up, irresponsible choices. Which child doesn’t? It’s to be expected. leave the room, say nothing, go into your bedroom, leave the It’s part of the learning process. Let the consequences fall on door open and sit on your bed and wait.” When I suggest this to that poor choice and move on. Behavioral management works parents, I often hear: “You’ve got to be kidding! There’ll be blood when the child behaves positively and is reinforced and when the on the floor! Someone will be seriously injured!” child misbehaves and must deal with the consequences. However, what almost always occurs is that within 30 seconds 5) It is not the child’s behavior but the parent’s the kids are in the parent’s bedroom bringing the fight to mom or dad: “He’s mean!” “She’s not playing fair!” “He/she started it!” response to the behavior that matters. What this experiment clearly demonstrates is that, for the most Most parents mistakenly believe they must control their part, siblings fight not because they want to maim each other, children’s behavior and must make them behave. This is but because they have learned arguing is an excellent attentionimpossible and, moreover, puts much undo pressure on getting mechanism. parents. Effective parents are those who systematically provide When using extinction it is imperative that parents be appropriate consequences to their child’s behaviors. consistent. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the initial Using these five rules allows parents do their job and enable inappropriate behavior for a time but then later respond to it. their children to become independent, responsible adults.  It is predictable that when you initially ignore some behavior it Larry F. Waldman, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist who has practiced will escalate. Be steadfast in your extinction. If you respond to in the Paradise Valley area of Phoenix for over 35 years. He works with escalated behavior, you will have taught your child to become children, adolescents, parents, adults, and couples. He volunteers with the more obnoxiously persistent. It will not take too long before the Bureau of Jewish Education’s Jewish Marriage University. He is the author of child understands the message of extinction and ceases his/her Who’s Raising Whom? A Parent’s Guide to Effective Child Discipline. He can inappropriate behavior. be reached at 602-996-8619 or LarryWaldmanPhD@cox.net.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 57

[Seniors]

McDowell Villagers love their “family” M

cDowell Village in Scottsdale is like a favorite didn’t even look at any other complexes. “My prime motivation robe or a warm blanket on a cold day – it was that my cousin lived here. I love the senior center and my makes you feel loved and cared for no matter current events course. I’m so thrilled to be here. I don’t have where you are in your golden years. Allen to dress up for the dining room like I’ve seen at other senior Honig and his wife Virginia have a unique way of describing communities. I can be comfortable here – which means to me their choice to move into this 7-year-old that I feel safe, at home and I sleep great!” senior-living community five months Arlene Okin, who has lived at the ago: “We looked off and on for about community for 21 months, is in total two years all over East Scottsdale where agreement. “My daughter actually looked we were living, but we felt this was the around at quite a few places, but her best best fit – we’re so happy here, it really is a friend’s mother lives here and several good marriage.” of my neighbors from Leisure World The complex has 207 apartments, 62 of in Mesa moved here as well. The staff which are in the assisted-living section. is fantastic – from my first breakfast in Unlike other senior-living communities, the dining room all the kids knew who where you may have the option to either I was and greeted me! I swear they even lease or purchase, McDowell Village know whose walker belongs to whom. I units are rentals with several floor plans love the card and game room – just love and sizes available. Unit sizes start with a to play poker! And Jay and Teri – they 648-square-foot 1 bedroom and range to are phenomenal. Can’t say enough about a 2 bedroom with a den at almost 1,300 them.” square feet. Rental prices range from Jay Beaird, marketing director for $3,250 to $4,725 per month. five years, adds that the residents love The rent includes a complete meal the dining room and café. For those plan, housekeeping, all utilities (except who would like to have a family dinner, for phone service), basic cable, daily Beaird says “we love when relatives come! status checks, private health and wellness We have a private dining room for the records, 24/7 caregiver oversight, licensed residents, or we are very happy to create nurse on staff for those in the assistedthe needed table setup in the restaurant.” living program, a full activities calendar Beaird loves to say that McDowell (art, exercise, movies, entertainment, Village sets itself apart from other similar trips, special events and much more), communities by welcoming people to transportation to shopping and doctor/ a wonderful resort-like lobby, but by pharmacy appointments and the option including a very homey feel by having McDowell Village to have a pet. Residents’ pets are enjoyed several “living rooms” as you continue 8300 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale by both residents and staff. entering the building. “We want everyone 480-970-6400 | mcdowellvillage.com At the time of this visit, there were to feel right away that they can come in exactly 200 residents – which included and chat with both family and friends – 15 couples; approximately 15% of those and even enjoy our entertainment right are said to be Jewish. Every year McDowell hosts a residentaway.” officiated seder where family members are invited. Hanukkah Besides the usual perks of a state-of-the-art gym with a staff and Rosh Hashanah are also observed. “We also have a Shabbat trainer, there’s also an Internet café, a full-service salon, library, service once a month,” says Activities Director Teri Azlin. “We’d heated pool and spa (which is also host to water exercise classes), be happy to do it more often – if the residents felt that it would theater and chapel (which hosts services for all faiths). For those be something that they’d like.” who are dog lovers, there’s a pet park and walking area. Jan Harris, who has lived at McDowell for a year and a half, Azlin, who has been in her position for five years, says she’s 58 JUNE/JULY 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

The people in this happy group feel that moving to McDowell is the best decision they’ve ever made. From left, back row: Teri Azlin, Virginia and Allen Honig; front row: Jan Harris, Arlene Okin and Etta Rikess. Photo by Carine Nadel

willing to try almost anything to make everyone feel involved and happy. “When I arrived, the gym and exercise classes were pretty well situated. We had a tai chi class that was somewhat popular, but when it started to wane and one of the residents asked about yoga – well it has become quite the full class. Same with Jazzercise.” Azlin has set up Mondays as her “day trip” time. “I try not to repeat things. Last week we went to Sedona for the day and had a picnic. We go to ball games, museums, all kinds of things – we just had a great time at the Musical Instrument Museum.”Beaird and Azlin agree that the big events they put on are among the most popular offerings. “We love to think out of the box, and it turns out that the residents love to watch us work! Things like watching us have silly competitions amongst the staff – who can move and stack the most chairs in a certain amount of time, setting up the dining room – things like that,” comments Beaird. Azlin adds that everyone loves when they host theme parties and open houses. “Our biggest and most attended events are our Mardi Gras and Halloween parties! Everyone dresses up and has a blast. We make quite a day of our chili cook-off. Recently, we had an open house where we turned our largest room into a diner and malt shoppe!” Etta Rikus, who has been at McDowell for three years, appreciates that she has so much to do. “I love to exercise, take the yoga and water classes. I love to do the beading activity. The food is great, and if there’s something I’d like to see on the menu and I ask, they put it on the next week!” Beaird is proud to say that most of the residents are so happy that even those who have been in the hospital or even a hospice situation want to come back home to McDowell. “I love to say that when we first opened, we were called the best-kept secret in Scottsdale for senior living. Since then many other complexes have opened up and what they’re doing is emulating us. All of our residents have come to us by word of mouth – right there says so much about how we feel about our community – we’re family.” Jan Harris seems to speak for the group when she describes her arrival and happiness at McDowell: “If you want to know what happened to me, well, I feel that I’ve died and gone to heaven. This is not our parents ‘Old Folks Home’ – this is 1% retirement and 99% fun.”  ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 59

[Seniors]

we learned firsthand about the personal loss and unimaginable pain these resourceful people were forced to endure at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. At times, I wanted to stop the interviews and say, “Enough! Please. He’s only a boy.” But deep in my heart I knew that contemplating and facing these atrocities was the only way to ensure they never happen again. We spoke to a variety of survivors – some who had made it their life’s work to share their stories with others. One survivor told us that her unwavering commitment to tell her story was her way to prove to God that He hadn’t made a mistake by letting her live. Another man told us extraordinary tales of survival and of personally being saved by Oskar Schindler himself. But my son’s greatest accomplishment was convincing one octogenarian, who had never shared a word of her story with anyone, to sit down and tell her story on camera so that her voice would be heard for generations to come. She confided to him that she had actually turned down Steven Spielberg when

Levi Gettleman and Oskar Knoblauch

Capturing survivors’ stories Contemplating and facing atrocities ensures they are never forgotten “Mom, I have my idea for a mitzvah project,” my 12-year-old son, Levi, exclaims. “But you’ve already done a mitzvah project,” I object. “You’ve been voluntarily running the ‘Clean up the Park’ field trip at the temple preschool for the past seven years. You teach the 4-yearolds all about beautifying our community, giving back and recycling. Your mitzvah project is a real-life project. What are you talking about?” Then it hits me. My fear of yet another added responsibility actually has me dissuading my child from doing good – and I haven’t even heard the topic yet. I pull back and breathe. “So, what’s the idea?” I ask calmly. “I’m going to make a documentary about Holocaust survivors and put it on a website for kids my own age, so that they will have the chance to see and hear these people’s stories for themselves. Because Mom, once these people are gone, their stories will be too, and it’ll be too easy for the next generation to 60 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

believe the Holocaust never happened. I have to do this, Mom.” I admit I still had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I contemplated the amount of work this project would inevitably entail. But I am happy to report that my overwhelming pride and respect for my “soon to be a man” son took over and nudged me forward. “That sounds incredible,” I say. “Let me know how I can help.” Over the next few weeks, Levi googled, called and wrote endearing personal notes to many survivors. It wasn’t easy and he met with many frustrations and roadblocks. I tried hard to stay interested but detached. After all, this was his project. Finally, he came to me with a list of scheduled interviews and asked if my husband and I would be willing to run the camera and sound recorder as his assistants. We spent the next three weeks interviewing some of the most remarkable people we have ever met. Bone-chilling tales of desperation and unthinkable violence haunted our family as

But my son’s greatest accomplishment was convincing one octogenarian, who had never shared a word of her story with anyone, to sit down and tell her story on camera so that her voice would be heard for generations to come. approached years earlier. But Levi’s personal plea and dedication made her realize that she couldn’t allow her story to be lost with her eventual passing. One disturbing general theme that emerged during the interviews was that although many survivors actively seek out occasions to publicly tell their stories in schools and religious institutions, they find the opportunities to speak in front of young Jewish audiences to be the scarcest of all. Numerous times we were told that Jewish day schools and Hebrew schools don’t invite survivors to speak because the topic is too disturbing, too graphic and gruesome.Yet these same speakers are regularly booked at Christian schools, public academic institutions, even on many Native American reservations. According to those who spoke with us, Jewish parents want to protect their children from the hideous realities of the Holocaust. Believe me, I get that. This has been hard for us as a family. It has raised issues for both my 9-year-old and 12-year-old sons that I wasn’t ready to face. It has prompted questions about bigotry, hatred and evil from which I would have preferred to safeguard them. But these stories must be shared openly, honestly and directly with our Jewish children and grandchildren. I’m not suggesting every family immerse themselves in Holocaust history as we have done. But I do urge

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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 61

[ISRAEL]

parents and school administrators to seize what fleeting opportunities remain to bring together Jewish children and these indomitable elders who have much to teach us about faith, perseverance and commitment to life. So many moments remain with me after meeting these wonderful and open souls. But if I had to pick my most memorable, it would be when we were leaving the home of Helen Handler, a noted Holocaust speaker and survivor. We did not capture this moment on tape. As we said good-bye, Helen held fast to Levi’s shoulders and looked deeply into his eyes. She handed him a copy of a letter she had written to a child

One disturbing general theme that emerged during the interviews was that although many survivors actively seek out occasions to publicly tell their stories in schools and religious institutions, they find the opportunities to speak in front of young Jewish audiences to be the scarcest of all.

Life on the Other Side New Year, Old Memories

Alex White

Levi Gettle ma

n and Fried

a Mann

that was published several years ago in a local Jewish newspaper. “You will give this letter to your children as proof,” she told him. “And you will tell them that this happened. That it was real. That you touched me.” Then we said one more tearful good-bye and departed, knowing that our lives had changed and that they would never be the same again.  Debra Rich Gettleman and Helen Handler 62 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

The mere mention of Rosh Hashanah generates a torrent of memories. Whether it is the solemnity of the Jewish New Year, the “official” end of summer and beginning of the school year, or perhaps the culinary customs we grew up with, most Jews will wax poetic with childhood recollections. My most poignant memories center around the synagogue, as my father was the cantor and that came with big implications. On the High Holy Days my friends and I hung around the synagogue steps until one of the ushers would come out and scold us. We were wearing new clothes (mine bought on New York’s Lower East Side) and new black patent leather shoes. The services seemed to take forever – we had to wait endlessly before we could enjoy the Kiddush and head home for lunch. The meal included sweet round challahs with raisins, served with honey, apples and honey; pomegranate seeds, a new fruit to us; gefilte fish, chicken soup, roast chicken and brisket; potatoes and salads; and the dreaded taiglach among the desserts (pyramid-shaped concoction of honey-drenched fried dough balls). I skipped the taiglach and went for the apple crumb cake. Living in Israel has exposed me to so many traditions, way beyond the Ashkenazi customs I grew up with. I feel so fortunate to experience the “hag” the way others enjoy it. My Sephardic friends, and especially their mothers, regale me with wondrous tales from “back home.” Wilma grew up in Tripoli, Libya, where life was fine until Israel became a state – then the situation for Jews throughout the Arab world changed dramatically. Her family left behind a wealthy lifestyle with expensive furnishings, household help and endless resources. “My mother wanted to create a special Rosh Hashanah atmosphere for us, and the fact that she had been forced to move from a mansion with maids to a tent in the desert didn’t rattle her. For the High Holidays, she took out the exquisite antique carpets from Persia that we had brought, unrolled them and decorated the floor of the tent – which was nothing more than sand and stones. I’ll never forget how important it was to her that our home look festive,” Wilma explains. Her treasured copy of the Cordon Bleu Cooking School book, a very old copy of a Jewish Libyan cookbook and La Cucina Nella Tradizione Ebraica issued by WIZO are the staples of her kitchen and enable her to preserve her holiday traditions (although I know for a fact that she remembers the recipes by heart and improvises as she sees fit). Linda, from Aleppo, Syria, recalls her family traditions: “We all went to the Bet Knesset – even the women. When

we returned home the main meal would be served. On Rosh Hashanah we observed the custom of saying seven brachot before we ate.” She starts to recall the prayers and the food associated with each. “There was the head of the fish – and not the tail – so that you would always be in front and not trailing behind. There was the rimon (pomegranate) with its multitude of seeds – so that you will be fruitful and multiply. And of course apples with honey (this tradition seems to be global), and dates and pumpkin in sugar…” She remembers the black-eyed peas and the spinach with chickpeas. “But why we ate them, I don’t remember.” The fish they ate was carp – stuffed with rice and walnuts or pine nuts with a variety of spices. “We heard that over in Palestine they ate ground fish with sugar – we couldn’t believe that!” She laughs as she refers to the Ashkenazi staple of gefilte fish. Her father and his neighbor would gather hundreds of kilos of pomegranates around Rosh Hashanah time and bring them home. A major production ensued turning all the seeds into pomegranate juice and syrup. That is a family tradition Linda has continued with her husband. In Israel commercialism is alive and well as the gift shops are hopping with customers around the holiday. It is common to buy presents – for your family, your friends and of course your hosts if you’re lucky enough to be invited out. Lines are everywhere; ribbons and gift wrap have their very best season and every possible tchotchke is offered for sale and on sale. While it is usual for the synagogues in the United States to be filled to capacity on the hagim, here, too, non-observant Jews come out of the closet to listen to the shofar and attend Yom Kippur services. It’s universal – religious observances, culinary customs, festive meals with families and friends, reflection, repentance – all part of the excitement of the New Year. May yours be sweet. Shana Tova!

Anne Kleinberg, author of Menopause in Manhattan and several cookbooks, left a cushy life in Manhattan to begin a new one in Israel. Now she’s opened a boutique bed and breakfast in her home on the golf course in Caesarea. For details, visit annekleinberg.com and casacaesarea.com. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 63

[ISRAEL/An AMERICAN in ISrael]

After 13 years, the truth on al-Dura may inspire positive change

he greatest 20th century leader, who looked eye to eye with the greatest evil of the world at that time and did not blink, understood very well the tactical and strategic danger of lies to open democratic societies. In his typical fashion, Winston Churchill said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.” In June the Governmental Investigative Committee set up by the Ministry for Strategic Affairs to examine the report by the France 2 TV network on the Mohammed al-Dura affair concluded, “The central claims and charges of the French news report were baseless with no proof of IDF responsibility.” As 13 years have passed (plenty of time to put on one’s pants), with so much damage done to Israel, there is a question as to how effective the report will be and if it even might be counterproductive. But the truth must be told. Buddha reportedly said, “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” Thankfully, in the end, that sentiment was heeded here. There were questions from the beginning about the validity of the al-Dura incident. In that summer of 2000, soon after the breakdown of the Camp David summit when Yasser Arafat refused to accept Ehud Barak’s peace proposal, each side returned to Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, respectively, where security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority police, supplied with Israeli weapons, was continually evolving. For most Israelis, still scarred from the incomprehensible savagery of Palestinian suicide bombers blowing up Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem buses packed with innocent civilians in the mid-1990s, this cooperation offered cautious hope that perhaps an accord might slowly be built de facto from the ground up. This tenuous hope was soon brutally shattered. A sudden and violent outburst during the High Holidays quickly became known as the Second Palestinian Intifada. Erupting a few days after the end of the Sydney Olympics (which caught the international media looking for a new story), thousands of armed Palestinian police and civilians mobbed and attacked Israeli settlements, bases and positions with automatic rifles and Molotov cocktails. As a sovereign body with a police force, the Palestinians had an endless supply of mostly Israeli-supplied guns and bullets. The sudden explosion of violence was clearly orchestrated from above as Palestinian police, who were supposed to prevent violent mobs from attacking Israelis, instead stood behind the mobs firing their automatic weapons at Israeli targets. One such event occurred at the Netzerim Junction, a crossing point between Israel and Gaza. With Palestinian police spraying salvo after salvo in the direction of the Israeli position, Israeli soldiers responded. Palestinian Jamal al-Dura and a young boy, purported to be his son, Mohammed, were caught in the crossfire 64 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

behind a concrete barrier. Despite a significant media presence at the junction, only Tallal Abu-Rahman, a Palestinian from Gaza freelancing for the France 2 network, filmed this event. The Israel-based reporter for France 2, Charles Anderlin, was not present, reminding me of George Santayana’s second most famous quote: “History is a pack of lies written by people who weren’t there.” The dramatic France 2 video was broadcast that day, voiced over with commentary implying the boy was killed by Israeli fire. Broadcast throughout the world, the video became one of the most memorable moments in the coverage of the Second Intifada, and perhaps of the entire conflict. Large segments of the international media and the Palestinian Authority instantly adopted it as the symbol of Palestinian bravery in the face of Israeli brutality. It shocked viewers indifferent to the violence of our region and reinforced hatred of Israel throughout many parts of the world. The name Mohammed al-Dura was exalted almost to sainthood status and turned into another symbol of resistance to Israel. Arab city leaders named thoroughfares after him, painted large urban murals of him and observed the anniversary of the Netzerim incident. Israeli complicity was further enhanced when Major-General Giora Eiland, the head of the National Security Council, admitted responsibility. Eiland rejected an investigation conducted at the time by Major-General Yom-Tov Samiah, head of Southern Command, which concluded it was not plausible that the death was caused by Israeli fire. In the ensuing Arab and international media circus, Jamal alDura achieved celebrity status and immense exposure as a heroic and grieving father and victim of Israeli brutality. When this exposure aroused the suspicions of Israeli orthopedist Dr. Yehuda David, the long road to the truth began. In 1994 the doctor treated Jamal al-Dura for gunshot and other wounds inflicted by Hamas, which suspected him of collaboration with Israel. When al-Dura displayed the scars from the Netzerim incident, David went public in France and Israel stating these were the exact same injuries he treated years before the incident. Together with evidence that was beginning to accumulate, he suggested that not only was Israel not responsible for the death of Mohammed al-Dura, but that he might not be dead at all. The additional evidence included a documentary by German journalist Esther Shapira, who painstakingly examined the angles with the help of physicists and ballistic experts – proving it was physically impossible for bullets fired from the Israeli position to have hit the alleged victims. She also revealed eyewitness testimony that, in contrast to the Israeli side, the firing from the Palestinian position was massive, wild and completely scattered, greatly increasing the plausibility that if the al-Duras were indeed hit by bullets, then it was from the Palestinian side. Questions were beginning to be asked about whether the

al-Duras were hit by bullets at all, if Muhammed was killed and if the boy in the France 2 video was actually Muhammed al-Dura. Doubts were raised because a Mohammed al-Dura had been reported at Shifa Hospital in Gaza at 9 am that day, while the Netzerim incident began after 3 pm. The more significant question was raised when several witnesses reported that in footage of the France 2 video that was not aired, it appeared the young boy was moving after he was supposedly shot and killed. Dr. David, who claimed that Mohammed al-Dura was alive in Gaza, and French Jewish politician Philippe Karsenty, who accused France 2 of airing a staged video, soon found themselves in court, sued by France 2. After initially losing the case in 2007, David appealed and last year was exonerated. The case between Karsenty and France 2 is ongoing. These two individuals (as well as Boston University Professor Robert Landes) are fighting their legal battles on their own. Karsenty has paid a great personal price but has succeeded in undermining the credibility of France 2. David, who served as a divisional surgeon under the command of current Defense Minister Ya’kov “Bogi” Ayalon, approached Ayalon, who then established the committee of enquiry in the last government when he served as Minister of Strategic Affairs. In addition to the above discrepancies, the committee also noted there was no sign of blood at the site only a few hours after the incident and that the bullet holes in the area could not have been caused by Israeli fire. Of no less importance, the report raised serious doubts regarding the ethics and practices of certain elements in the foreign media covering Israel. The reliance on local “fixers,” so widely used even today by the international media in the West Bank and Gaza, is responsible in large part for the prevalence of anti-Israel bias. Since many foreign reporters do not understand the context, fixer-generated, one-sided reports and video often get through the filters of the media outlets straight onto TV, computer and newspapers, causing irreparable damage to Israel’s besieged cause. The case of al-Dura might be one of the most extreme examples, but is far from the only case. Even though the government woke up very late, the France 2 Committee report hopefully will constitute a precedent, and individual attempts to refute continuing Palestinian attempts to lie through altered video and stills will receive government support. Knesset Member Nahman Shai, author of the book Media Wars, wrote when the report was released, “Israel cannot behave like an ostrich, lifting its head for an instant and then burying it in the sand again. Every time I asked why Israel did not try to verify the validity of the France 2 footage earlier, I was given the same banal response: ‘Why should we bring this subject up again? The dust has already settled.’ Yet this incident has not been forgotten. It still appears in the French media with the libel lawsuit against Karsenty.” Some will scoff, claiming the report’s objectivity is in doubt coming from a government committee, but Israel’s robust democracy prevents the kind of whitewashing these critics complain about. Will the international media admit their mistake? Not likely; but if they improve their reporting procedures to

prevent this kind of fiasco in the future, it will have been worth the wait. Furthermore, with what Israeli media watchers refer to as “Pallywood” continuing to churn out semi-staged video and altered stills to the international media, Israeli government resources and assets are crucial to fight this ongoing anti-Israel offensive that constantly attempts to portray Arabs and Palestinians as innocent, peace-loving victims of Israeli aggression. To the majority of the Israeli media who believe this issue should not have been revived for fear of further criticism, I bring to their attention something written by Hanoch Marmari, one of their most esteemed colleagues, who was editor-in-chief of the critical Ha’aretz paper during the Second Intifada. After the release of the report and the ensuing questioning by the media, he wrote: “The important lesson that I learned from years of covering the two intifadas is that there is no way to be a journalist with veiled eyes. And even when the purity of shame blurs the vision, it is forbidden to drop even in the most difficult circumstances, the basic tools of reporting: curiosity, skepticism and criticism. … It finally dawned on me how successful the Palestinian side has been at manipulating this embarrassment and shame of Israeli journalists like me as a tool in its struggle. … Whoever tried to continue to delve into this affair was perceived to be crazy or with a political agenda, or both. … We let this incident go especially when the flames engulfed the territories and our journalistic resources. Today it is clear that we should have been doubtful at what we saw, especially as the eyes were one camera only, that of Tallal Abu Rahman, a supplier of hot footage from the front, footage defined as Pallywood, the Palestinian video drama industry.” Finally, one welcome development should provide a significant boost to not only coping with Pallywood, but also in going on the offensive: July will see the launch of I 24, the first Israeli-based, 24-hour news channel broadcasting in English, French and Arabic. With new, modern studios in Jaffa, the first Israeli CNN-style operation, launched by French Jewish Cable TV mogul Patrick Derhi, will be available throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle and Far East. Unfortunately the American launch will be in 2014 at best, but in the meantime will be accessible via streaming on their website (i24news.tv). I wish them the best of luck and hope Derhi will be able to sustain this massive operation that will inevitably accumulate expenses exceeding revenue. It is crucial they succeed. Maybe the MSA can follow the belated commission of enquiry of the Mohammed al-Dura affair with another positive stop by supporting I 24 in a significant manner.  Mylan Tanzer is an American who moved to Israel in 1981. He was the founding CEO of the first Israeli cable and satellite sports channel. Since 2005, he has launched, managed and consulted for channels and companies in Israel and Europe. Tanzer lives in Tel Aviv with his wife and five children. He can be reached at mylantanz@gmail.com.

ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 65

[Happenings | Faces]

[] [Singles]

Looking for Love If you make assumptions, you won’t find love

By Ellen Gerst

our success or failure in the dating arena (or life in general) is directly proportional to the beliefs you hold at the time you embark on your endeavor. Many people have preconceived ideas about dating, especially Internet dating. They make assumptions about what it will be like and the type of people they will meet. Moreover, they don’t believe it will work, so they expect failure before they even try. Usually, these self-defeating thoughts emanate from fear and insecurity and are postulated as a self-protective mechanism. It’s the old teenage mentality of “I’ll reject you, before you reject me.” In addition, if you’ve let it be known that you don’t believe you will ever meet anyone of quality, when you don’t, you’ve steeled yourself against disappointment. However, in truth, what you’ve done is completed a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’re probably aware of what the word ASSUME means: When assumptions are made, an ASS is made out of U and ME. That’s because you can’t possibly know what others are thinking, unless you ask them directly. For better success with dating, here are five assumptions you should consider deleting from your repertoire: 1. “I know what’s going on.” In the context of a first date, or first few dates, the answer is probably not. Daters come with agendas, and they’re usually not sharing them in the get-to-know-you beginning dates. Don’t assume you know the meaning of every sigh, sidelong glance or a lack of communication. 2. “I have a plan and no adjustments will ever be necessary.” Wrong. Life is fluid and adjustments are necessary to every plan you make. Don’t be rigid. Go with the flow and see where it takes you. 3. “I’m too old (or too young) to find success with dating.” Wrong again. Love comes in all shapes and sizes and at every 66 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

age. Sometimes, love found at a mature age is much sweeter because time is short and, thus, appreciated more. Hopefully, both participants are mature in their thinking. Consequently, they should each know who they are and what they want in a partner. 4. “I don’t have the time and energy necessary to devote to finding a new partner.” That’s the wrong way to look at it. If you’re too busy to date, then either you don’t want to or are afraid to. If you really want something in your life, you will make time for it – no matter how busy you are and how difficult it is to accomplish. 5. “I don’t deserve to be happy and successful.” Wrong, wrong, wrong! Everyone deserves to be happy and successful. However, you must make a conscious decision to go out and get the things that will allow you to feel that way. The world takes its cue from you. Hence, it will “punish” you only in response to your own self-punishment. Let go of these assumptions and others that are holding you back from finding love. They are self-imposed barriers, and you have the power to tear them down.

Question and Answer Question: I’ve just started dating a person who I think is a keeper. How do I know if he feels that same way about me? Answer: If your feelings are not reciprocated, it matters very little how powerful and deep they are. Dating limbo – or “sort of dating” someone – is a difficult and tiring place to be. Consequently, rather than spending your energy on fostering the relationship, you exert it on keeping your feelings in check so you don’t scare this prospective mate away. Always remember that you deserve to

be with a person who wants to be with you as much as you want to be with him. When a person makes excuses for not calling or spending time together, he is telegraphing that the relationship is not important. If this happens repeatedly, don’t brush this big hint aside. Conversely, here are seven signs that indicate your date enjoys being with you and wants to move to the next level: 1. He’s curious about you. He asks a lot of questions and seems genuinely interested in the answers because he finds everything you say fascinating. 2. He returns your phone calls, emails, texts. He’s not worried if his quick response time makes him seem overanxious. Therefore, he answers you promptly. Remember that it’s simply polite to answer someone in a timely fashion. 3. He introduces you to his friends. He’s proud to be with you and wants to include you in his circle of friends. He refers to you as his girlfriend. 4. He wants to meet your friends. He wants to be included in your circle and come to know the important people in your life. 5. He is dependable. He’s glad to be your “go-to” person – the one on whom you can depend to help you out when needed. 6. He’s comfortable just hanging out. The two of you can be with each other in companionable silence and not feel awkward or feel the ever-pressing need to fill the silence. 7. He starts using the words “we” and “us.” Couple-speak is used with ease. This leads to couple’s thinking versus single’s thinking, and both of you start to think of yourself as a unit.

Ellen Gerst is a relationship coach, author and workshop leader. Visit LNGerst. com. To ask Ellen a question to be answered in a future column, email her at LNGerst@LNGerst.com.

JEWISH BASEBALL – Cantor Melissa Berman of Congregation Or Chadash in Scottsdale leads the crowd of 27,000 baseball fans in the national anthem at the Diamondbacks home game May 26. Cantor Berman was selected to perform for the Diamondbacks Jewish Community Day at Chase Field. Diamondback’s President and CEO Derrick Hall was the cover feature in May’s Arizona Jewish Life, in part to promote Jewish Community Day. Photo by Joel Zolondek

RODNEY GLASSMAN, who appeared on the April cover of Arizona Jewish Life, is now serving as interim town manager of Cave Creek, AZ, a community with a $20 million budget, 5,000 residents, water company and beautiful frontier tradition. He will be leading the town through an independent audit and permanent town manager search.

The Israeli Scouts, a group of talented teen ambassadors from Israel, performed 16 shows in Arizona, including Phoenix, Chandler, Sedona and Tucson. Above, the Scouts of Caravan Gilad show their talent. Right, Shiri touches the hearts of the audience with her solo. An estimated 2,500 plus people saw these shows and about half were kids including more than 200 Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. At the Arizona Jewish Historical Society show, the Israel Scouts were presented with the World Organization of Scouts Messengers of Peace award. The group included 10 teens accompanied by two adult leaders. Photos by Jeffrey Shedroff

Bob Segelbaum (left) the incoming executive director of the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival presents a gift to outgoing exec Jerry Mittelman in appreciation of his six years of leading the festival. During that time the East Valley and Phoenix film festivals successfully merged into one organization and increased their offerings to three locations throughout the Valley. The 2014 Festival, celebrating its Chai (18th) season, is Feb. 9-23. gpjff.org

4 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | AUGUST 2013 67

[Happenings ]

J-West Conference builds community for secular Jews

Humanistic Judaism in Arizona By Janet Arnold

Miki Safadi officially came to Humanistic Judaism in 2001. She was raised in a modern Orthodox home. Her grandmother insisted they keep kosher, although they all agreed to accept one “traif ” cupboard. Her mother was not at all observant, but Miki was always drawn to the cultural aspects of Judaism. In 2001 her mother announced that she had found a place where they could attend High Holiday services that was both close to their home and in their price range. Congregation Or Adam, the Phoenixarea Humanistic Judaism group, was holding services at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library. At the end of the services, Miki looked for her mother and found her in the lobby writing out a check to Dana Naimark, one of Or Adam’s founders. “We’ve found our home,” she declared to Miki. “I like these people!” From that day on, her mother never missed a Shabbat service or an adult education program until she passed away in 2005. The connection was a significant one for Miki as well. She believes that the philosophy of Humanistic Judaism with its emphasis on personal responsibility is perfect for her. She became a leader of the cultural and adult education programs and currently serves as the congregation’s administrator. Miki will be representing Or Adam at the upcoming western states regional conference in Portland this month. “By having a smaller, more geographically specific conference, we can concentrate on concerns that are intrinsic to western states’ groups,” she explains.

Humanistic, cultural and secular Jews from around the West will gather Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 1, in Portland for the fifth annual J-West Conference. Hosted by Portland’s only Humanistic Jewish congregation, Stuart Schwartz from Tucson. the Kol Shalom Community for Humanistic Judaism, it is a forum for secular and Humanistic Jewish organizations to share resources and gain inspiration for sustaining and promoting Jewish culture and history. The conference brings cultural, Humanistic and secular Jewish groups together from the Western states and Canada. Congregation Or Adam (Light of Humanity) was founded in 1987 The conference is sponsored and attended by communities by two local families and now has about 34 member families. They are part of the national and international Secular Humanistic Judaism affiliated with the national organizations of the Congress of movement founded by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine in the Detroit area in Secular Jewish Organizations, the Society for Humanistic 1963. Judaism, and Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring from British Dana Naimark grew up attending Wine’s Birmingham Temple in Columbia, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, California and Michigan. She and her husband, Rick, helped Colorado. to introduce and promote Secular Humanistic By building connections between Jewish Jewish principles in the Phoenix area by organizing communities, the J-West Conference Or Adam. The congregation offers Shabbat and promotes a feeling of inclusion in a larger holiday services and programs as well as both adult community – of ‘klal yisrael’ ( Jewish and youth education (info@oradam.org). Tucson is home to the Secular Humanist Jewish peoplehood). This year’s meeting, titled Circle, which began in early 2009. In 2012 they “Then, Now and Tomorrow,” features two affiliated with the national organization and days of workshops and programs with a achieved their 501(c)3 nonprofit status. While they variety of interesting topics such as “Jewish don’t have their own building, they have services, Identity” and “Understanding How Secular classes and activities throughout Tucson to meet Jews can Approach Jewish Holidays.” A the needs of the widespread community. Public “What Floats Your Boat” panel provides speakers and educational programs, such as a people from different J-West groups the recent discussion from the University of Arizona opportunity to share information about concerning the “arid lands” of Israel and Arizona, are held at public libraries. Other programs are their activities. held at private homes or social halls in condo Panel discussions and workshops will complexes or churches. cover a variety of other subjects including Jewish music, the background and history “We have found it’s the personal touch that of secular Jewish communities, planning so many people want,” says Judy Teitler, vice Miki Safadi from Phoenix. for the future, planning for High Holidays president of the group, explaining why some are and organizing for social change. The drawn to Humanistic Judaism. “The philosophy “philosopher’s café” offers an opportunity for sharing and touches a chord, and they want to be with other like-minded people.” discussing meaningful issues as well as organizational topics. The group has about 30 households as members. They don’t have a youth program at this time, but they look forward to adding younger All events will be held at the University Place Hotel families to their congregation. For information on upcoming High and Conference Center. For more information, contact the Holiday services on Sept. 7 or general info, contact membership chair conference organizers (jwestmeetup@ymail.com) or Kol Cathy Bechskehazy, 520-293-3919, cathbaz@gmail.com or visit Shalom (kolshalom.org or 503-459-4210). secularhumanistjewishcircle.org.

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AUGUST/Sept CALENDAR

[Happenings ]

July 28-Aug. 2 JCC Maccabi Games 2013 take place in Austin, Texas, with the Austin JCC as host. The program is the largest gathering of Jewish teens in the world, bringing delegations from throughout North America and Israel for Olympic-style athletic competitions, as well as cultural and social activities. Austinjccmaccabi.org

Through Aug. 14 Line/Work – New Drawings in Steel by Gary Swimmer is the exhibit at the Fine Arts Gallery of the Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Rd. 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the biblical saga of Joseph, his jealous brothers, Egypt’s Pharoah, famine, forgiveness and reconciliation. This popular musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is playing at Arizona Broadway Theatre, a dinner theater at 7701 W. Paradise Lane in Peoria. Call for times, menu and prices. 623-776-8400, azbroadway.org

Aug. 1

Touro College graduates from left: (back row) Gadiel Yaron, Chaim Marks, Dean Esther Lowy, Sharona Haroonian, Chanita Sipen, Bracha Ahuva Mahpari, Leora Dahan, Brana Ratner-Stauber; (front row) Zoya Ogiyvsky, Diana Cooper, Menucha Cohen, Joelle Czech, Rena Dahan; and (not pictured) David Oaknine, Aaron Rosenberg, Aliza Rosenberg, Joseph Schrage.

Touro College Los Angeles seventh graduation ceremonies on June 19 at Sapper Hall at the TCLA West Hollywood campus featured a keynote address by Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish. Though TCLA accounts for only a small portion of the nearly 20,000 students educated by Touro divisions and schools worldwide, Kadish said it was important for him to attend because, “You are the pioneers who have laid the foundation for the future of Touro’s growth and its increasing service to the Greater Los Angeles Jewish community,” he said. Then turning to the graduates beside him, he added, “Your example of spirit, performance and dedication will serve as a shining example to your peers and will attract more young dedicated Jews to Touro.” Dr. Kadish likened the students to bikkurim (the first fruits brought to the Temple, accompanied by a detailed recitation of the debt owed to those who came before). “Just as it is proper for you to thank all those who love you and who supported you in your efforts to reach this day, so will you be thanked in the future for laying the foundation and showing others the way.” Valedictorian Leora Dahan, who recently moved from her native Montreal, spoke of how she was accepted and nurtured by the Touro community: “Although we each had our own personalities and a diversity of backgrounds, we approached our work and our school with a unified spirit – like the Israelites at Mount Sinai, who, though from many different walks of life and backgrounds, accepted the Torah, as the Midrash puts it, ‘with one heart, and as one person.’ ” Dean Esther Lowy presented academic awards to Menucha Cohen and Sharona Harroonian and the “Spirit of Touro” Award to Student Council President Brana Ratner-Stauber. In Dean Lowy’s concluding remarks, she pointed out that, though Touro was saying goodbye to these graduates, the Hebrew for goodbye is also the word for hello – shalom – and has as one of its roots the word for wholeness – shaleim. One may derive from this that the most heartfelt expression of farewell is the one that conveys the idea that the parties who are parting will not consider themselves whole until they meet again and are reunited. “You are now Touro alumni, joining the body of Touro alumni here in Los Angeles and around the world who are dedicated to furthering the goals and mission of the school and its founder, Dr. Bernard Lander, zt”l (of blessed memory).

Registration opens for Fall Mothers Who Write Workshop at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts. This 10-week creative writing course on Thursday evenings starts Sept. 12 and is taught by talented writers Amy Silverman and Deborah Sussman. No experience required. $200/$175 members. Limited spots open. Registration required: 480-874-4642

Aug. 4 Congregation Or Adam is hosting a Meet ’n’ Greet Bagel Brunch at their new home for Shabbat and holidays. 10 am at the Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. 480-663-7788, oradam.org

Aug. 9 Congregation Kehillah introduces their new Cantor, Sheila Nesis, at their Kabbalat Shabbat services, 7:30 pm, 6140 East Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale (on the campus of Har Zion Congregation). 602-369-7667, congregationkehillah.org

Aug. 11 JCC Open House and Jewish Community Fair brings together organizations and synagogues from across the Valley. Open to the public. Free Active Adult brunch from 10 to 11am. Call 480-483-1121, ext. 1230 to register for brunch. The Community Fair from 11 am to 2 pm includes kids’ activities and a chance to learn about Valley-wide programs and events. vosjcc.org

Aug. 13 Coalition for Jewish Education registration party for Hebrew High and the entry exam for Hebrew for credit will be at 6 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. Fifth St. in Tucson. 520-577-9393, tucsonhebrewhigh.org Grammy-winning singer Michael Bolton has been an adult contemporary mainstay for decades. After four decades in the music industry, Bolton has become one the most successful musicians of our time. Tickets $50. At 7:30 pm at Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St, Phoenix. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com

Aug. 14 Teen Improv Auditions will be held for All Rights Reserved, one of the Valley’s first teen improvisational troupes, started in 2002. Rehearsals will be two Wednesday nights per month with performances throughout the school year. At 7:00 pm at the VOSJCC social hall, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. Must be 13-18. $100 for JCC members; $125 non-members. Contact AZAllRightsReserved@yahoo.com for more info. Jewish Women International, Greater Phoenix Chapter of Jewish Women International Summer Get-Together at New York Italian Bistro, 13901 N. 73rd St., Scottsdale. RSVP to Sandy 480-348-1241.

Aug. 18 Make your own Honey Jar/Apple Plate at the Tucson JCC. Participants will use a variety of hand-building techniques and glaze and decorate the jars and plates. For adults and children 8+ accompanied by an adult. $30 members/$35 non-members. 3-5pm at JCC, 3800 E. River Rd, Tucson. Register at 520-299-3000. tucsonjcc.org

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Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life is having its grand opening at 11:30am at 875 N. McClintock Drive in Chandler. Free and open to the public. 480-855-4333, chabadcenter.com Artist’s Reception for Kristi Barnard at the Fine Arts Gallery at the Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Road in Tucson, 2-4 pm. The exhibit of her paintings, Lyrical Abstracts, continues through Sept. 17. 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org Change Your Lifestyle/Save Your Heart Learn how to prevent, halt, stabilize and even reverse coronary artery disease. Presenters: Richy Feinberg, and Edna Silva, R.N., Coordinator of the Heart Failure Clinic at Northwest Hospital, and co-creator with Charles Katzenberg, M.D. of the HEART Series on preventative cardiology. Free. 1:30 pm at Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Road. 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org

Aug. 23-Sept. 8 Red Rocks Music Festival presents Eight Summer Sizzling Concerts of classical and jazz music and modern dance. Held at various locations in Scottsdale, Tempe and Sedona. redrocksmusicfestival.com

Aug. 25 Mitzvahs and More Expo presented by Living Energy. Plan your event in one day: bar/ bat mitzvahs, weddings and more. Free and open to the public. Noon-4 pm at the Doubletree Resort by Hilton, Forum Ballroom, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-425-0700, mitzvahsandmoreaz.com

Aug. 27 Hebrew High in Scottsdale offers Hebrew for High School Credit with classes starting this night. Registration forms at: bjephoenix.org. Classes held at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 480-6348050, myras@bjephoenix.org

Aug. 31 Selichot refers to prayers of forgiveness and mercy. It is also the name of the service that takes place late at night on the Saturday preceding Rosh Hashanah. Most temples and synagogues will be holding special services.

Sept. 1 Tickets go on sale for the Media Making a Difference Film Series, a four-part film series designed to create a community conversation about bullying. The Last Bully: Stopping Epidemics of Violence. Sponsored by the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, in conjunction with The Aurora Foundation of Southern Arizona, The Loft Cinema and the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding. Films are October, December, February and March at The Loft Cinema or JCC Ballroom. Info: 502-2993000, tucsonjcc.org; tickets: aurorathelastbully.eventbrite.com

The Book Club of Congregation Beth Israel will discuss The Light Between Oceans, the best-selling Australian novel by M.L. Stedman. Join the discussion with Cantor Jaime Shpall at 7 pm at CBI, 10460 N. 56 St., Scottsdale. 480-951-0323, cbiaz. org

Sept. 13-14 Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement begins at sundown on the 13th. A day of fasting and prayer. Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. For service times, visit azjewishlife.com/calendar or synagogue websites. Deadline for 2014 Call to Artists – Fifth Annual Sculpture Exhibition. All submissions for the Tucson JCC Sculpture Garden 2014 exhibit must be submitted by 5 pm. Open to all artists. For eligibility and details on this 20-piece juried exhibit that will be open March 8, 2014-March 1, 2015, call 520-299-3000, or go to tucsonjcc.org/ arts/sculpture-garden/call-to-artists/

Sept. 18-25 Sukkot – The last of the three pilgrimage festivals has both historical and agricultural significance. Historically it commemorates the 40-year period when the Israelites were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, it’s the Fall Harvest Holiday, the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot means “booths” and refers to the sukkah or temporary dwelling used during the wandering.

Kever Avot is the custom of visiting the graveside of parents or close relatives and praying there. The theme of the prayers is peaceful eternal rest for the departed and an invocation for God’s aid to the living. Beth El Congregation is holding its memorial service at Beth El Cemetery located in the NW section of Greenwood Memorial Park, 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, at 9:30 am. Mt. Sinai Cemetery is holding its service at 10am at 24210 N. 68th St. in northeast Phoenix. Beth Israel’s service is 9:30 am at the Beth Israel cemetery at 305 S. 35th Ave., Phoenix.

Sept. 11- 22 Jeremy Jackrabbit Recycles the Can is a brand new puppet show based on the children’s book by local authors Sasha and Rodney Glassman. Presented by the 70 AUGUST 2013 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE

MeMbership iNCLuDes: Your own mini-website, photo’s, and blogging capabilities Link to your website for increased exposure and to increase traffic Connect locally or connect nationally with Jewish communities around the country Can be updated all year long

Also coming soon the inaugural

Arizona Jewish Life resource Guide ™

Sept. 21 The Road to Eden: Rock and Roll Sukkot, an original movie by Doug Passon, will be shown at the VOSJCC in Scottsdale. Preceeded by a concert by the band Eighteen, led by Dan Nichols, a nationally known Jewish musician. For time and prices, contact vosjcc.org

Sept. 24

Sept. 25-26

Sept. 8

the local interactive online directory website for local organizations, congregations and businesses.

Sept. 16

Sept. 3

Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year begins at sundown on Sept. 4. A time to begin introspection during the following 10 Days of Awe. Arizona boasts over 70 temples, synagogues and Chabad organizations holding services. See our online calendar at azjewishlife.com or visit synagogue websites. L’shanah tova!

™

Arizona Jewish Historical Society Book Club will be discussing Paper Children by local author Marcia Fine, with the author in attendance. 7 pm at Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver, Phoenix. RSVP: 602-241-7870 or azjhs@aol.com

Shanghai Ghetto, a documentary film about the German and Polish Jews who emigrated to Shanghai in 1939, is being shown at 7 pm at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. Martin Landau narrates this 2002 acclaimed film. RSVP to 602-241-7870 or azjhs@aol.com

Sept. 4-6

Jewish Life Directory Network

Sept. 12

Kever Avot services (see also Sept. 8) will be held at 10:30 am at the Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Rd in Tucson, with Rabbi Robert Eisen of Congregation Anshei Israel leading the service. Hebrew High regular Tuesday classes begin for eighth-graders through high-school seniors in Scottsdale. Register on line at bjephoenix.org. Classes held at VOSJCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. Information about West and East Valley locations: 480634-8050, myras@bjephoenix.org

Come join us!

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Jeremy learns from an assortment of desert creatures how he can reduce, reuse and recyle for a greener tomorrow! A fun and educational show featuring large rod puppets and illustrations by elementary school artists from throughout Maricopa County. 302 W. Latham St, Phoenix. Wed-Fri at 10 am, Sat at 10 am and 2 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $7-10. Reservations: 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org

Shemini Atzeret – literally means “the assembly of the eighth (day).” It is an extra day that we are asked to observe with some variations from Sukkot. Rabbinic literature explains: our Creator is like a host, who invites us as visitors for a limited time, but when the time comes for us to leave, He has enjoyed himself so much that He asks us to stay another day. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated as one.

Sept. 26-27 Simchat Torah – A joyous holiday celebrating the completion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. This holiday of “Rejoicing in the Torah” includes food and drink and dancing with the Torah.

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Go to azjewishlife.com. Scroll down to “Add an Event” on bottom right of the home page. Click there. Include location and contact information in Event Description box. Events can also be emailed to Janet.Arnold@azjewishlife.com

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