DECEMBER 2015
THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA
Hanukkah
Light It Up Baby!!
Israel Advocacy?
There's an App for That!
Hanukkah Gift Guide INSIDE!
OutofAfrica Six Profiles of Former South Africans Enriching Arizona (Pictured: Dr. Raun Melmed)
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 7
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Just because you’re too far to hear the ambulance sirens, doesn’t mean you’re too far to help.
When you support Magen David Adom, it’s like you’re sitting in the ambulance next to the driver, sharing in the mitzvah of saving lives. As Israelis face terror attacks and other emergencies, MDA medics are counting on you to ensure they have the equipment and training they need. As we celebrate Chanukah, please give the gift of life, and make your year-end tax-deductible donation today. AFMDA Western Region 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Toll-Free: 800.323.2371 western@afmda.org www.afmda.org l
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 9
Inside
Features
Inside December 2015/ Kislev-Tevet 5776 | Volume 4/Issue 3
28
COVER STORY South African Jews: Contributing to Arizona….……………………………………...18 Dr. Raun Melmed……………………………………………………………………………..19 Karen and Lionel Faitelson………………………..……………………………………...20 Leonard and Marcelle Joffe……………………….……………………………………...22 Barbara Becker……………………………………..……………………………………….23 Linda Zell…………………………………………….………………………………………..25 Jacqui Breger…………………………………………………………………………………26 UPFRONT Israel Advocacy? There’s an App for that……..………………………………………14 BUSINESS Ins & Outs………………………………………….………………………………………….16 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Book store is changing lives……………………………………………………………...28 Invisible Theatre finds Magic………..……………………………………………………32
FOOD Chef’s Corner: No fuss holiday treats…....…………………………………………….34 A Taste of Arizona: The Haymaker…...………………………………………………….36 HANUKKAH Public menorahs………………….…….…………………………………………………..46 Hanukkah Gift Guide…………………..…………………………………………………..50 Bring light into the world………………….…….…………………………………………53 Kindle Hanukkah spirit …………………..………………………………………………..54 Hanukkah on campus…………………….………………………………………………..56 HOME & GARDEN Gifts for the Home………………….……………………………………………………….58 Should you go solar?.........………..……..………………………………………………64
10 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
66
80
SENIORS Interviewer teams up with Smile on Seniors…………………………………………………..68 Helping generations run to health………..……..……………………………………..……….72 Runners Hall of Fame………………………………………………………………………………..74 Elder Rehab at the Tucson J………..……..……………………………………………...……….75 ISRAEL Rally marks 20th anniversary of Rabin death…………………………………………………76
JKids
JKids & Teens Events…………..…………………………………………………………………….38 Read like a Maccabee…….…………………………………………………………………………39 Polar Bear conundrum ……………………………………………………………………………..42
JLiving
VOSJCC unveils new youth wing….……………………………………………………………….79 Women’s Philanthropy….....……………………………………………………………………….80 The Pearl Society……………………………………………………………………………………..83 Faces & Places ………….……………………………………………………………………………84 Federation Notes…………………..…………………………………………………………………87 NowGen announces more grants…………………………………………………………………87 Previews ……………………….……………………………………………………………………….88 Calendar …….………………..……………………………………………………………………….89
Columns
34 Chef’s Corner by Lucia Schnitzer 36 A Taste of Arizona by A. Noshman 42 Family Time by Debra Rich Gettleman 53 To Life by Amy Hirshberg Lederman
COVER PHOTO: Dr. Raun Melmed
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Better Tomorrows are here for Those Suffering from COPD
By David Ebner Staff Writer
Recently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and shortly before his death on February 27th, 2015, Leonard Nimoy tweeted, “Not soon enough.” He was referring to his decision to quit smoking. Nimoy had quit 30 years before, but the damage was done. Nimoy told Pharrell Williams last year in an interview, “I flunked chemistry in high school.” Apparently, young Nimoy hadn’t fully grasped the long-term effects of smoking. He spent his final year of life urging people to stop smoking now, before it’s too late. The internationally beloved actor was 82 years old. COPD is the third-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer with 12 million people diagnosed and another 12 million undiagnosed. Mr. Nimoy is not the only celebrity to have developed COPD. Such entertainment icons as Johnny Carson, Dean Martin and Leonard Bernstein suffered from COPD, which played a roll in each of their deaths. Physicians prescribe bronchodilators to expand airways and allow more air into and out of the lungs. It’s common for COPD treatment plans to include supplemental oxygen to regulate diminishing blood-oxygen levels brought on by poor lung function. While these treatments
help, they don’t cure COPD. They manage symptoms. A stigma carried by smoking-related illnesses – that patients only have themselves to blame – has perhaps hampered research funding. But many started smoking as minors, lured by marketing targeted to children. A clinic in the Unites States is creating hope for people with COPD by developing a treatment using stem cells from the patient’s body. The Lung Institute (lunginstitute.com) has performed over 1500 treatments since 2013, harvesting stem cells through a minimally-invasive procedure, isolating them and returning them to the patient. The result can slow further degeneration and bring normal life within reach. Their 70 percent success rate and increased quality of life for their patients speak volumes. Nimoy took precious time to issue a warning - that with degenerative lung disease it’s impossible to know when enough damage has been done that the lungs will continue to degenerate. However, new advancements are in practice, and COPD may soon be on the decline. Regardless of the individual causes of lung disease, all deserve a chance to fight for better tomorrows. With innovative treatments like stem cell therapy, that hope has now become a reality for thousands.
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 11
Happy Hanukkah!
Two themes come to mind this month as I look over our stories – Hanukkah and people who have impacted this state.
Our cover stories this month profile six people or families who moved here from South Africa and are enriching our state. We profile three doctors – one a developmental pediatrician whose work on autism has helped families far beyond Arizona deal with this perplexing disorder; one an eye surgeon who has trained ophthalmologists around the world; and another a cardiologist who is involved in the cutting-edge field of cardiac electrophysiology. One woman isn’t a doctor, but her leadership at the Jewish Genetic Disease Center of Greater Phoenix will positively influence the health of future generations. Future generations are also the concern of the head of the Jewish Tuition Organization, who is helping ensure the next generation has a solid Jewish education. The final profile subject brings her passion for Judaism, education and art into her business and her life.
Happy Hanukkah
12 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
In fact, all those profiled have taken an active role in the state’s Jewish community. Turning to the upcoming holiday, Hanukkah seems to flow through much of this issue. We couldn’t confine our holiday coverage to just one section. Our JKids and Teens section includes Hanukkah books and a kids’ Hanukkah activity page. A college youth reflects on Hanukkah on campus. If you are looking for the perfect gift, be sure to check out our Hanukkah Gift Guide; you can also look in the Home & Garden section for gift ideas for the home. We also look at the public menorah lighting – both how the concept came about and where to find one. Columnist Amy Hirshberg Lederman writes about how we can each bring our own light into the world this holiday season. She shares eight ways to make a difference in the world, one for each night we light the menorah; but her suggestions can be followed every day of the year to make this a better world.
THE JEWISH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR ARIZONA
Publishers Robert Philip and Cindy Saltzman Advertising and Editorial Director Cindy Saltzman Editor-in-Chief Deborah Moon Contributing Editors Stevie Mack Leni Reiss Social Media Editor Debra Rich Gettleman Webmaster Karl Knelson Advertising Sales advertise@azjewishlife.com 602-538-2955 Art Director Philip Nerat Copy Editor Susan Moon Columnists Amy Hirshberg Lederman, A. Noshman, Lucia Schnitzer and Stuart Wachs Contributing Writers Rich Geller, Debra Rich Gettleman, Melissa Hirschl, Marisa Hoffman, Mary L. Holden, Abigail Klein Leichman and Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri How to reach us: 602-538-AZJL (2955) Advertise@azjewishlife.com Editor1@azjewishlife.com Publisher@azjewishlife.com
A Prince Hal Production (TGMR18) The content and opinions in Arizona Jewish Life do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers, staff or contractors. Articles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contractors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement of products or services.
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Upfront
Wanna Talk Israel? Check out this App
By Stevie Mack
Amir Give’on is a pretty smart guy. Just ask his classmates at Princeton, or at Cal Tech, or co-workers at NASA. He’s also passionate about Israel and connecting Israelis with Jewish Americans. Now he has used his entrepreneurial bent and his technical knowledge to help others be more savvy advocates for the Jewish homeland. With a background in mechanical engineering, Amir is one of those bright guys who may be just flat-out brilliant. This fellow, who once worked with the people who sent us to the moon, has developed an intriguing app – Talk Israel. Talk Israel launched in mid-September for iPhones and Android-based phones. The Talk Israel app acts as an aggregation and distribution channel for pre-existing content. It collects information about users’ preferences and then analyzes the data to provide people with the content they want most. Content delivery is based on an algorithm that recommends content, just like Pandora, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. “We provide each user with a personal touch,” says Amir. He says Talk Israel’s developers believe that advocates will share more if they get the content in areas of interest they care about. The goal of Talk Israel is to deal directly with Israel advocacy – to help users understand and reach beyond their basic ideas to provide content they can use to support their advocacy of Israel. It motivates and informs users to be better advocates. “Talk Israel is there to help advocates to reach outside their inner circle,” says Amir. “Talk Israel helps advocates reach beyond the base or boundaries.” Amir came to the United States from Israel in 1995. He started his education career at Princeton, left there to work for NASA and did postgraduate work at Cal Tech. He has a Ph.D. from Princeton in mechanical and aerospace engineering. At NASA he worked in the Jet Propulsion Lab for six years. In starting Talk Israel, he spent a year designing the algorithm 14 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
that is the foundation of the app. Part of that process is running tests and simulations – in essence test-driving the product. Since the launch in September, Amir and his team have been going strong and picking up speed as they work out the kinks. “We didn’t want to start too quickly,” says Amir. “We wanted to learn what users were looking for.” One part of the research behind the project involves conducting focus groups to increase passion and interest for certain parts of the app. These groups are beginning to define trends and what direction users are moving. Clearly, Talk Israel has taken the pulse of what its users want in the app. To date, they have a few thousand users, with about 20% of them returning to the app daily. But the future looks so bright that they are seeing good signs in their data, in where they want to go and what is at the end of the game. The app has done well in spite of little marketing to this point. “We didn’t want to throw marketing money at it until we knew what users liked,” says Amir. “This is our goal. We want it to be a collaboration of any organization about Israel advocacy.” Talk Israel’s three founders are forward thinkers and have a clear vision for their process. Amir works with Daphna Wegner, a former DreamWorks Animation programmer, and Gadi Rouache, an award-winning creative director. Talk Israel has received funding from the Israeli-American Council and the Milstein Family Foundation, a Los Angeles-based foundation that supports a diverse group of more than 60 pro-Israel organizations. IAC is the largest Israeli-American organization in the United States. According to its website (israeliamerican.org), the mission is to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens our next generations, the American Jewish community and the State of Israel. One of IAC’s goals is to build bridges between the Israeli-American and Jewish American communities in the United
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States. The group works to mobilize the community to respond to strategic causes that support U.S.-Israel related initiatives. Talk Israel seems like an asset that can promote both of those goals. “Talk Israel helps advocates reach beyond the base and boundaries,” says Amir. “Feeling that we are always talking to each other and agreeing with each other is the norm. Talk Israel is there to change that, to help advocates reach outside their inner circle.” Amir is proud of other parts of his life as well. On the personal side, he and his wife are expecting their first child in March. He is the founder and CEO of jewcer.com, a nonprofit crowd-funding program for Jewish initiatives. So far, jewcer.com has helped more than 300 projects raise more than $1.9 million.
While our breakthroughs in the past are numerous, it’s what we’re doing today and planning for tomorrow, that makes our Institute strong. At Weizmann, hundreds of the world’s top scientists, fueled by curiosity and fertile imaginations, collaborate to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges. For information visit WEIZMANN-USA.ORG or contact Andy Weissman: 909.913.1307, a.weissman@acwis.org The world needs our research. We need your support.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 15
acknowledge that challenge, and in response, (to) bolster and retain idealistic, creative and energetic professionals in the field.” Debbie Yunker Kail is the executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University in Tempe, where she has spent the last two years reinvigorating the Jewish student life experience. She works to advance the Hillel movement, sitting on Hillel International’s Measuring Excellence Program Core Team and the Ezra Fellowship Steering Committee. Before coming to ASU, Debbie spent seven years at Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania working with the staff to develop and implement a multi-tiered student engagement strategy. Debbie holds a B.A. in psychology from Emory University and an M.A. in higher education administration from New York University. She has studied at the Conservative Yeshiva and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and has completed the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and Weinberg Accelerate, Hillel’s executive training program. covenantfn.org | debbie@hillelasu.org | hillelasu.org
COHON FOUNDATION NAMES RABBI ABRAHAM COOPER 2015 HONOREE
Covenant Foundation Chair Eli Evans presents the Pomegranate Prize to Debbie Yunker Kail in Washington, DC, Nov. 9.
DEBBIE KAIL ONE OF FIVE TO RECEIVE 2015 POMEGRANATE PRIZE
Debbie Yunker Kail is one of five innovative and outstanding emerging Jewish educators to receive the The Covenant Foundation’s 2015 Pomegranate Prize. Debbie, the executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University in Tempe, was joined by recipients from other educational institutions across the country: Erica Belkin Allen, Baltimore; Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, New York; Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal, West Hills, CA; and Lea Winkler, Marblehead, MA. The Pomegranate Prize was established in 2011 and recognizes emerging leaders in Jewish education – those in the field for 10 years or fewer. Each Pomegranate Prize awardee receives $15,000 to generate new educational ventures and their own evolution as leaders in their communities and in Jewish education. In addition, over a three-year period and through foundation-sponsored events, recipients interact and engage with thought leaders and extraordinary educators from across the spectrum of Jewish life. “This prize reflects the vision of my father, Lester Crown, who believed that encouragement early on in a person’s career can make all the difference in their success,” says James Crown, president of Henry Crown and Company. The 2015 cohort joins an expanding network of up and coming Jewish educators – there are now 25 in the group. Together, they represent some of the most talented and creative young leaders working in the field today. “We are aware that within the field of Jewish education writ large, there is attrition happening,” says Harlene Appelman, executive director of The Covenant Foundation. “The Pomegranate Prize is our attempt to
The Cohon Memorial Foundation has named Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, as the winner of the 2015 Cohon Award. The award will be presented March 18, at Temple Emanu-el, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson. Each year, the Rabbi Samuel S. and A. Irma Cohon Memorial Foundation of Tucson selects honorees based on their contributions in one of four areas: unity, education/ information, creative arts and rescue. Previous winners have qualified in one area. For the first time, this year the winner qualifies in all four. The Wiesenthal Center is Rabbi Cooper’s headquarters, but his work takes him all over the world. Rabbi Cooper has established a unique record of outstanding service to Klal Yisrael, the total Jewish People, which includes his rescue efforts for Soviet Jewry in the 1970s; his nearly 30 years work with Simon Wiesenthal, z”l, himself; his creative efforts along with the Dean Rabbi Marvin Hier in establishing the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and now building a companion museum in Jerusalem; his informational and educational efforts coproducing live exhibitions and film documentaries on Anne Frank and other Holocaust subjects; his editorship of Response magazine; his editorials in leading newspapers in America, Europe and Asia; and his negotiations with heads of state and with U.N. officials. An ordained Orthodox rabbi, he fights for Jews – from the most secular to the most pious. Unity is clearly one of his goals. cohonaward.com
Business Ins & Outs welcomes submissions of news items. Send a brief writeup (up to 200 words including contact info) and photo to Arizona Jewish Life Editor at editor1@azjewishlife.com. 16 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
JEWISH ARIZONANS ON CAMPUS ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH
Rabbi Jordan Brumer, director of Jewish Arizonans on Campus, announced that Jennifer Starrett has joined the JAC team to increase awareness of programs and work with alumni and donors in developing new opportunities for growth. Jennifer comes with a background in marketing and sales, having spent the last seven years at Jewish News in Phoenix, where Jennifer worked with community leaders to advertise and market their programs. Jennifer joins JAC as director of outreach to increase JAC’s exposure on both Arizona State University and University of Arizona campuses, as well as increase awareness to alumni and donors about the successful and meaningful educational programing JAC offers to students. Jennifer will also work to expand j-LIVE Young Professionals’ programs. “I am excited to start working with Rabbi Brumer and the other JAC professionals, and I look forward to further developing their niche in the community,” Jennifer comments. JAC provides opportunities for the Jewish students to engage their timeless tradition in a modern world. Social and educational programs allow students to experience Judaism in a fun as well as meaningful way. 602-329-1786 | JACoutreach@gmail.com | myjac.org
ERIN SEARLE JOINS JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHOENIX DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Erin Searle has accepted a permanent position in development at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. She handles planning, allocations and community relations. Erin, the former director of the federation’s NowGen program, moved into the development position vacated by Lisa Kaplan in July. Erin works with lay leaders and community agencies on the annual allocation of federation funds. She looks forward to strengthening the overall Jewish community and its engagement in the work of the federation. “When Marty (Haberer, chief development officer) came on board, I was impressed with his depth of knowledge and experience, and I wanted to work with him to develop my skills in new areas,” says Erin. “I enjoy working with the community, our lay leaders and more directly seeing the impact of federation dollars.” Erin received her master’s from Arizona State University in nonprofit leadership and her bachelor’s in Judaic studies from University of Arizona. She spent five years working with Hillel at Hofstra University, the University of Denver and ASU. She joined the staff of the Valley of the Sun JCC in 2011 as director of adult services and cultural arts and moved over to federation as director of its NowGen program in 2013. In addition to her development duties, Erin has been overseeing the Valley of the Sun’s youth department. jewishphoenix.org | 480-634-4900
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Cover
South African Jews: Contributing to Arizona and the Jewish Community
Dr. Raun Melmed
Leonard and Marcelle Joffe
Leonard and Karen Faitelson
South African Jewish History microcosm of U.S. migrant experience excerpted by Deborah Moon
Originally from South Africa, Valley resident Rosemary Abrami periodically does presentations on South Africa and Jewish life in that country. The following historic summary is based largely on her presentation materials. South Africa was part of the British Commonwealth from the early 1800s until 1961, when it became a republic and an independent part of the Commonwealth. Few Jews had arrived in the region before the 1820s. Early migration patterns to South Africa mirror the experiences of Jews to North America, though on a smaller scale. Like many South African immigrants in the 1880s to early 20th century, Rosemary’s grandfather Samuel Epstein fled 18 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
the czar and pogroms when emigrating from Lithuania to South Africa at age 17. Initially, he went door to door on foot selling goods, then with a horse and cart; finally he and a cousin opened a little shop. Coal, diamond and gold mining were big in that era. Many Jewish immigrants of this era supplied the miners, rather than working as miners. In South Africa, the Jewish connection to the diamond industry flourished. The diamonds were mined in South Africa, cut in Brussels and sold in New York. Those in the first wave of Jewish immigration were primarily involved in trade and retail. But the next generation became doctors, lawyers, businessmen. Rosemary even has
an opera singer in her family. Many European Jews fled to South Africa as the Nazis rose to power in the 1930s. Following World War II, many surviving German and Austrian Jews arrived to begin new lives. Another wave of immigrants arrived in the 1960s-70s – this time Israeli Jews. South African Jews have been and continue to be ardent Zionists. Many made aliyah to Israel. “When I was a child, Granny had a JNF Blue Box by her telephone, and any time anyone made a call they had to put a “tickey” (small coin) in,” says Rosemary. “She bought hundreds if not thousands of trees.”
Dr. Raun Melmed: From international life to international reputation for his work in autism By Deborah Moon and Stevie Mack
Dr. Raun Melmed believes that differences between people need not divide us. As a developmental pediatrician, he has devoted his life to ensuring those with developmental disabilities are part of our society. Born in South Africa, Dr. Melmed is no stranger to how differences can divide people. But South Africa also provided him with this quote from Nelson Mandela: “We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us – it is in everyone.” In the introduction to his 2011 book, Autism Early Intervention: Fast Facts, Dr. Melmed writes, “Our goal is to honor the glory that is in every individual and to enhance his or her fullest potential.” He emphasizes the book is a resource guide intended to support, not replace, advice from medical professionals. “Parents need a road map – something that will help them understand what to expect and where to turn for assistance.” He also recognizes that the impacts of a child’s challenges are far reaching. In a 2015 book he co-authored with Maria Wheeler, M.Ed., he examines how autism affects grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Autism and the Extended Family: A Guide for Those Outside the Immediate Family Who Know and Love Someone with Autism helps families come to grips with how an autism diagnosis changes relationships within the family. His books draw on the relationships he has developed with the families of his patients.
While doctors were in high demand in the United States, Rosemary says it was difficult for most South Africans to get into America. Rosemary married an American, but it still took four years and $4,000 to get her citizenship. Leaving South Africa, you could only take personal items you had owned for at least three years, she says. The individuals and families featured on the following pages have a similar history. As they have built new lives in Arizona, they have also enriched our community with their professional skills and passion for Jewish life. To schedule a presentation on South Africa, contact Rosemary at abrami@cox.net or 623-546-8639 (after Dec. 6).
The Melmed Center provides a compassionate, state-of-theart approach to the assessment and treatment of behavioral, educational and developmental challenges in children and adults. While the Melmed Center addresses ADHD, other learning disabilities and early intervention programs, it is the work in autism and fragile X syndrome that stands out. Besides diagnosis and understanding specific medical needs, the Melmed Center specializes in compassion as they deal with the everyday challenges families see when caring for their children. “We see children and adults with developmental problems,” says Dr. Melmed. “We hold the family together as gently as possible. It is very difficult to hear, for the first time, that your child has autism.” Two of those mothers struggling to deal with this perplexing disorder inspired Dr. Melmed to create another institution to aid families dealing with developmental disabilities. In 1997 Dr. Melmed and those moms, Denise Resnick and Cindy Schneider, co-founded Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (autismcenter.org) as a virtual research center that, according to the center’s website, “not only answered questions about autism, but questioned the answers.” A year later SARRC opened its first facility, which at 1,800 square feet seemed ample, but the group outgrew that space in just 18 months. SARRC now has three centers to provide a lifetime of support, research treatment options and education for the public. “SARRC has been my life,” says Dr. Melmed. That life began half a world away. “Growing up in South Africa, I was born into a house of privilege,” he says. He had a rich Jewish upbringing. He went to Hebrew day school as a child, then Herzlia High School, a Jewish school with a top sporting program, a marching band and all the opportunities afforded to a young student. “Herzlia was a great educational experience,” says Dr. Melmed. But, while South Africa is where he grew up, medicine and his desire to work in the United States eventually ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 19
Cover brought him here, where his medical life has flourished. “I knew at a very early age that I wanted to work on children’s medical issues,” says Dr. Melmed. New York City is where he started his career in pediatric medicine. A couple of years there had him looking for a new challenge, new adventures. That attitude led to one of the most rewarding experiences of Dr. Melmed’s life when he got a chance to work with the Navajo at the Cienta Arizona Indian Reservation. “I loved it there,” he says. Bringing children’s medicine to a remote part of the country definitely had its appeal, and it was difficult for Dr. Melmed to move on. But move on he did when he returned to New York City, this time at the New York Brookdale Medical Center. The good doctor has always been a forward thinker, so working in New York was great for his career, but – in the grand scheme – he had bigger things on his mind. Those ideas started to come to fruition when he achieved his childhood goal of working at the Boston Children’s Hospital, where he received a fellowship. Boston Children’s Hospital is, arguably, the finest facility in the country for children’s medical care. It sits adjacent to the Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer facility, a partnership that allows the three facilities to combat many children’s diseases, especially cancer. “It was a dream come true for me to work there,” says Dr. Melmed. Later, Dr. Melmed moved his skills to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where he spent his time primarily on developmental pediatrics. There was something satisfying about working with families to try to identify and manage major health problems in their children while helping those families manage the care. All that experience, all that travel and all that passion led to the development of the Melmed Center in 1989. Obviously, Dr. Melmed has dedicated his life to the betterment of children and their families. He is recognized worldwide as a leader in his field. But just as impressive is the time he gives to the local Phoenix Jewish community. He is a participant in the Council for Jews with Special Needs in Phoenix, where they work to integrate children into synagogues and schools. In addition, he works with Lexis Preparatory Academy, serving children and adolescents with special needs and disorders. The goal is to make sure their problems are recognized and treated so they can go on to live productive lives. If you didn’t think Dr. Melmed was cool enough already, his work with the Friendship Circle, which pairs kids with special needs with appropriate role models, shows that this guy is a rock star. “There is a famous quote, ‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me?’ So, it is my lifelong dream to work with children, and I reached that goal,” he says. Dr. Melmed is doing amazing things with his skill set, his facility and his expertise. But it might never have happened if he hadn’t been willing to dream. A multitude of children and families in this world are grateful that he did. 20 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Faitelson excels as Chief of Cardiology at Tucson Medical Center By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
When Lionel Faitelson told his wife, Karen, about a job offer in the cutting-edge field of cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Arizona, her initial response was “There can’t be a single Jew within 50 miles of Tucson, Arizona. That’s a cowboy town! I am not raising my children where there are no Jews.” It was 1988 and the Faitelsons were living in Houston. They had moved to the United States five years earlier from Johannesburg, South Africa, and Lionel was completing his cardiology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine after a residency at Boston University Hospital. Lionel agreed that this was important and responded by saying, “Well, let me think. If there are Jews, there must be a JCC. Let me see if I can find a phone number for the JCC in Tucson.” Since there was no convenient way to look up information (the Internet was not yet a household word), he called 411 and asked for the phone number of the Jewish Community Center in Tucson. When the operator responded with “520-299-3000” he looked at Karen and said, “You see – there must be Jews in Tucson.” For the Faitelsons, that made all the difference. “Being a foreigner, you don’t have that much in common with local people when you first arrive, but for us, our Judaism has always been the point of connection with fellow Americans. … this community became our family,” Karen says. Karen and Lionel quickly became involved in the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Women’s Philanthropy and Next Generation Men’s Group, respectively. Since both of them were raised with a strong background in Jewish education in South Africa, it was important that their daughters had the same benefits, so they enrolled them in Congregation Anshei Israel’s preschool and kindergarten, followed by Tucson Hebrew Academy. Lionel was instrumental in helping to establish the University of Arizona’s arrhythmia surgery program and continued his practice of catheter ablation and insertion of implantable defibrillators. He opened his own cardiology practice in 1991 with Karen handling the business side for the first two years. The practice expanded into Tucson Heart Group with three other partners. Lionel, now 59, is currently chief of cardiology at Tucson Medical Center, where he serves on the medical executive committee. With an M.A. in teaching from Simmons College in Boston, Karen taught middle school math and science at Tucson Hebrew Academy from 1989-1991. After their second daughter, Ariella, was born she switched to a volunteer role on the board. She was recognized as THA’s Woman of Valor in 1994 and served as board president from 2003-2005. She also worked as director of Tucson’s Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning and
was honored as the federation’s Gary I. Sarver Young Woman of the Year in 1998. Nine years ago, she went back to school and earned an M.S. in counseling from the University of Phoenix. Karen, now 56, loves her work as a licensed counselor. Now their daughters are each off pursuing their own dreams. Danielle, 30, has an M.F.A. in acting from Columbia University and works as an actor and licensed real estate broker in New York City. Ariella, 24, has a bachelor of science in sociology and women’s studies from Emory University. She is working as a personal trainer and sports coach in Atlanta while applying for graduate school. Clearly, the move to Tucson paid off for the Faitelsons. Karen was born in Liverpool, England, to a British mother and South African father. The family moved to Johannesburg when she was still an infant. She attended King David School, a large Jewish day school system throughout South Africa, from first grade all the way through high school; together with Jewish camps and the Habonim youth movement, this formed a very central part of her youth and identity. She grew up with
Karen and Lionel quickly became involved in the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Women’s Philanthropy and Next Generation Men’s Group, respectively. Since both of them were raised with a strong background in Jewish education in South Africa, it was important that their daughters had the same benefits, so they enrolled them in Congregation Anshei Israel’s preschool and kindergarten, followed by Tucson Hebrew Academy.
a love of Jewish culture and Jewish music – a passion that she continues to pursue today while singing in the choir of Congregation Or Chadash and the Kol Shirah community choir, both directed by Cantor Janece Cohen. Lionel was raised in Benoni, about 17 miles east of Johannesburg, to a South African-born mother and Lithuanian father, who had immigrated to South Africa at the age of 16 in 1933. “He spoke five languages, but none of them included English or Afrikaans, so he had a very tough time,” says Lionel. Like Karen, Lionel grew up with a strong sense of Jewish identity. He was in the third graduating class of the Hillel School, which was modeled on the King David Schools, and was also involved in Habonim. While in medical school at the University of the Witwatersrand, he sang in the renowned Berea Synagogue choir. After finishing two years of compulsory military service as a physician in the South African army, Lionel says they began to think about emigrating. “In the early ’80s, the level of civil violence in the cities was beginning to increase. … So people in their 20s and 30s who had a degree in their hands – lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants – a lot of people left.” The initial transition was a little harder than they anticipated. Karen says that she was terribly homesick at synagogue on their first Yom Kippur in Boston. “I remember sobbing through the whole day. I just felt so disoriented and not really part of anything. Nothing was familiar. You go into the shul and you expect to feel the same feelings and familiarity, and there was just none of it. The songs were different, the music was different, the layout of the synagogue was different, the service, everything was just unfamiliar.” When Lionel finished his residency, they moved to Houston, where Karen has family. Her parents, both physicians, had emigrated there in 1979 with her three younger siblings when Texas was actively recruiting doctors to fill a shortage. Although they loved being near her family, they knew it wouldn’t be their permanent home. Despite Karen’s initial resistance, Tucson has ultimately been a wonderful environment for the Faitelsons to grow and thrive. “We all joke amongst our little South African community that it’s a very well kept-secret here,” says Karen. “If more South Africans had known about it, they probably would have flocked to Tucson in droves, because of the lifestyle, the climate and the incredible Jewish community.”
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Joffe family journeyed from Lithuania to South Africa to permanent home in Tucson
while Leonard completed his fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital. Searching for warmer weather, they lived in New Orleans for Wandering among the vestiges of Jewish life in the village of a year. When a professional opportunity opened up in Tucson, Zagare, Leonard and Marcelle Joffe pieced together the world they went to investigate. that his parents and her father had left behind when they fled “It was December and it was cold, and it was gray and it was Lithuania to start new lives in South Africa. dry,” Marcelle remembers. “But we came back in April, when “We saw the remains of the old buildings where the mikvah it was spring and it was beautiful and warm. And we bought a was, the matzah factory and the shul,” says Leonard. “My mother house.” Three months later, they moved in and Leonard became had left incredible memoirs, so we were able to find all of these the first Jewish South African doctor in Tucson. things. We almost certainly stood in the house that my mother They immediately connected with Tucson’s Jewish community, grew up in.” which they found to be Like so many Lithuexceedingly welcoming. anian Jews in the 1920s, The late Cantor Maurice Leonard’s parents left Falkow of Congregation Lithuania to escape the Anshei Israel even helped perils of pogroms, typhus their son study for his and rising anti-Semitism. bar mitzvah before their “My parents left their move with cassette tapes parents, knowing they and phone calls, so that would never see them he was prepared for his again,” he says. big day just two months Marcelle’s father was after their arrival. one of eight children who Marcelle became active escaped to South Africa in the Women’s Division as orphans, after their of the Jewish Federation parents died during a tyof Southern Arizona, and phus epidemic that swept over the years she served through their village. on the boards of Jewish That courage to leave Family and Children’s everything they knew not Services and the Tuconly saved their lives, but Joffe family from left: Steven, Hadine, Leonard, Marcelle and Lindy. son Jewish Community also opened up a world Center. of opportunities for their Leonard got involved children and grandchildren. with the Tucson Maimonides Society and served as synagogue Marcelle, 71, and Leonard, 73, contrast this exodus with their president of Anshei Israel. He was named the Jewish Federaown decision to emigrate from South Africa in the 1970s. Like tion’s Man of the Year in 1992. most Jews in South Africa, they led comfortable lives – Leonard Grateful for the lives they built for themselves, the Joffes had his own medical practice in Johannesburg – and it took a have made it a point to give back to the community. Marcelle different kind of courage to challenge the status quo of apartvolunteered with Angel Charity for Children, Inc. and the Pima heid. County Medical Society Auxiliary. Leonard served as president “You couldn’t become an activist because you’d be banned. You of the Arizona Ophthalmological Society and volunteered as an would lose your job at the hospital,” says Leonard. eye surgeon with Orbis International’s flying eye hospital. Orbis So, like their parents before them, they left everything they provides ophthalmic instruction and surgical expertise to develknew to start over in a new country. However, they departed not oping countries. As a retina specialist, he operated on patients under duress, but out of concern for their family’s future – and and trained ophthalmologists in China, Romania and Morocco, they had the comfort of knowing that they would see their parbut his most memorable trip was the one that took them to ents again. On June 6, 1976, just 10 days before the large-scale Lithuania in 1995 to trace their roots. Soweto student uprising began, the Joffes set out for America During that trip, while Leonard was in surgery, Marcelle with their three young children. visited the Jewish community center in Kaunus. “A little old “We’d never before set foot in America. It was like arriving in lady came in … and she carried a plate that was covered with a a new world,” Leonard says. They spent two years in Philadelphia napkin,” Marcelle says. “She’d heard that there were some people By Nancy Ben-Asher Ozeri
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from America coming to the JCC. I took the napkin off and started crying. Sitting on this plate were taiglach (small, honey-coated pastries) that she had made. They looked and smelled exactly like the taiglach that Leonard’s mother was very well known for baking.” “Like my mother came back and made them for us,” Leonard remembers. One of the things that Leonard and Marcelle are quick to point out about their move from South Africa to Arizona is the wealth of opportunities that have been open to their children here. All three (of them) attended University High School. Steven, 49, and Hadine, 47, both went to Harvard University and now live in Boston with successful careers in medicine. Steven is a pediatric oncologist and is vice chairman and head of the Division of Biomedical Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Hadine is a psychiatrist and is vice chair for research and director of
So, like their parents before them, they left everything they knew to start over in a new country. However, they departed not under duress, but out of concern for their family’s future – and they had the comfort of knowing that they would see their parents again. the Division of Women’s Mental Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Lindy, 46, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University, New York, and is a successful pediatric occupational therapist in San Francisco. The Joffes are proud grandparents of three boys and three girls, ranging in age from 3½ to 17. A visit with their grandchildren to a splash park in Boston inspired the Joffes to make a difference yet again. They brought the concept to the Tucson J, and, with financial support from Herk and Jill Rosenzweig and others, helped raise the $450,000 necessary to implement it, creating a playful water feature that attracts families year round. With an eye to the future they assisted in the campaign to raise money for the J’s recent capital campaign to ensure that the facility is able to expand and meet the community’s growing needs. Looking back at the path that brought them to Arizona, Leonard says, “We never had any regrets, and we have no intent of ever leaving Tucson.”
Barbara Becker unites Judaism, education and art By Mary L. Holden
Uitenhage. This small town is on the eastern side of the tip of South Africa. Its connection to Arizona is artist and teacher Barbara Cohen Becker. She was born there and lived in South Africa for 28 years before moving to Phoenix for the best reason in the world: Love. When visiting Phoenix for her brother’s wedding in 1982, she met her husband-to-be, Mathis Becker. Two years later, she “came to the States alone, with one suitcase, a one-way ticket and a three-month tourist visa.” With the help of Mathis and her brother’s father-in-law, Harry Adler, Barbara obtained legal immigration status and got a teaching job. “I always told myself that if things didn't work out in Phoenix, I would move to San Diego, where I had a first cousin.” But things worked. She and Mathis married three years later. As a second-generation South African Jew, Barbara’s personal history is compelling. “Both my parents were born in South Africa,” she says. “Their parents came from Europe. Both my dad's parents were from Lithuania. My mother's father grew up in Berlin, and her mother was from England.” Her father was born and raised in Cape Town, was very active in his shul and was often called on for minyan. He worked at a department store owned by his father and uncles until he joined the air force during World War II. Barbara’s mother was born in the town of Oudtshoorn, which then had a large Jewish community. Her mother’s father, Barbara’s grandfather, was instrumental in funding the first synagogue and Jewish day school there. The original synagogue is now a museum. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 23
Cover This grandfather owned an ostrich farm and made a good 1987 and on the board of directors since 2010. She also served living selling the ostrich feathers, which were fashionable during as vice president of education, vice president of personnel and is the early 1900s. He built a Victorian mansion named Mimosa currently president of the synagogue. Lodge that was known as one of the Ostrich Feather Palaces. She has also been involved in the Jewish Federation of Barbara says that four of these palaces remain today, and Mimo- Greater Phoenix. “When I first came to Phoenix, I was actively sa Lodge is a national monument. involved with the Jewish federation and participated in their World War II also impacted Barbara’s mother, who served in Young Women's Forum,” she says. “I was also part of a federathe army. She became an officer and instructor and was stationed tion mentoring program for two years with other young women on Robben Island. That’s the place where Nelson Mandela was and their mentors.” incarcerated for 27 years. Barbara took a break from teaching to raise two young daughAs the youngest in a large family, Barbara says her childhood ters, Stephanie, now 26, and Andrea, now 24, including involvein South Africa, along with her two older brothers, Roberto ment with Girl Scouts. Then she went back to teaching – this and Desmond, was pleasant. She remembers going on family time, art – at the Solomon Schechter Day School and Beth El picnics, outings to the river, and visits to tribal villages, farms Preschool. and beaches. Her father was an avid photographer and enjoyed She considers herself a teacher first, an artist second. “Even motor rallies. “We would drive to Port though I create a lot of art myself, I find it Elizabeth for the holidays to be with more rewarding to teach people how to do relatives. I remember spending a lot of it themselves,” she says. time under the long tables set up for Since 2010 she’s owned Art for Fun! Pesach, playing with toys, while the Studio and Gallery. She loves teaching art adults and older children participated in to adults and children. “I teach a variety the seder,” she says. of mediums including pottery, fused glass, “Uitenhage was a safe place to live,” mosaics, watercolor and acrylic painting, she adds. “As kids, we walked or rode painting on silk and drawing.” our bikes everywhere without adult Classes in fused glass are very popular. supervision. We had many friends in our Like diamonds – created by heat and then neighborhood, and we were always outcut – glass pieces are cut and then heatside playing, climbing trees and having fused together to form unique and colorful adventures.” creations. Scoring and cutting the glass After Barbara finished high school, pieces is as important to the process as the she went to a teachers’ training coldesign. After scoring, gentle pressure with lege in Cape Town and lived there for pliers breaks off a perfect piece with no four years after graduating. She taught jagged edges. It’s a smooth and satisfying hearing-impaired children for a year and transition from raw material to finished Mathis, Andrea, Stephanie and Barbara Beckthen taught first grade at a Jewish day product – as solid as it is fragile. er. Family photos courtesy of Barbara Becker school. When she moved to JohannesIn 2009 Barbara was commissioned to burg, she taught at a Jewish day school create a fused glass mural for the lobby of and also attended the University of the Beth El Congregation. Titled “Jerusalem Witwatersrand for graduate school. Her degree is in gifted and Wall,” it took nine months from conception to completion and remedial education. won second place in an international competition. Barbara dedBarbara was eager to take her first teaching job in the U.S. icated the work to her father, who became ill and passed away upon her arrival in Arizona. “Ever since I came to Phoenix, during production. I have been involved in Jewish education,” she says. “I taught Reflecting on her journey from South Africa to Arizona, at Valley Jewish Day School. When it closed, I worked as a Barbara expresses gratitude. “I am so grateful for the wonderful kindergarten teacher at Beth El Congregation. After one year, opportunities I have had in America. The support and love that I decided that Phoenix needed a Conservative day school. So I my family gives me, particularly my husband, has encouraged me contacted the Solomon Schechter movement in New York, got to do the things I love to do and to accomplish my goals.” their support and expertise, and I started the Solomon Schechter Barbara seems completely at home here, saying that she Day School in 1987, using space at Beth El. I nurtured the 15 “always had a very strong Jewish identity and being part of this founding students of the school and continued the growth of the community has allowed me to be who I am.” school, one grade at a time, for eight years.” Barbara has been a member of Beth El Congregation since Art for Fun! Studio and Gallery • 3508 N 7th St., Suite 115 S • Phoenix, AZ 85014 art4funstudio.com • 602-274-6441 24 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Linda Zell’s leadership helps Jewish Tuition Organization of Greater Phoenix soar week. Shabbat dinners were very important family events.” Linda moved with her family and all their belongings in the The word “education” was first used in the 1580s to mean year America celebrated its bicentennial. Their first stop was “to provide schooling.” In the year 1997, the first tax credit was Worcester, MA, where Howard’s cousins welcomed them. After given to provide schooling for children attending private schools a short time, they moved to Kingston, RI, so Howard could in America. attend the University of Rhode Island to earn a master’s degree Arizona was the first U.S. state to in pharmacy administration. That’s where provide such a tax credit. they stayed for the next 22 years – and welIt’s fortunate that Linda Zell was in comed their third child, daughter Lauren. Arizona in 1997 – and not still in Rhode While in Kingston, Linda was active in Island or South Africa – because she the Jewish community. “I ran a commuplayed an important part in the managenity religious school for 20 years, was vice ment of Jewish Tuition Organization of president of our shul, served on the bureau Greater Phoenix. She’s been its executive of Jewish Education as president of the director since 2005. school board, was area vice president of our Linda was born in Cape Town, the Zionist Federation and I served in many eldest of five children, to parents who roles in Hadassah, including president.” were also natives of that city. She rememAlthough they met many friends and bers living “a privileged life, with lots of were very involved in their community in household help, in a large home with lots Kingston, the Zells did not like winter. “All of family around.” Spending time with three of our children went to colleges in all four of her grandparents as well as her warm climates, and when the last one left aunts and uncles enriched her early years. Linda Zell home, we did too,” Linda says. “We moved She lived in Cape Town until she was 12, to Arizona at the end of 1997 and have then emigrated with her family to Israel, never looked back.” where she lived until 1967 when Africa Unlike in Rhode Island, the Zells found lured them back to Bulawayo, Rhodesia a community of South Africans in Arizona. (now Zimbabwe). Although they knew no one when they In 1968 Linda moved back to Cape relocated, the couple happened to meet Town to meet her fate – her husband, someone Linda went to school with in Howard, with whom she had a son, Ste1961 in Cape Town, which opened a new ven, and a daughter, Karin. She worked door in their social lives. for the Zionist Federation there and The Zells’ life in Arizona includes experienced another fated event. “David attending community events, especially Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister those put on by the Israel Center, Valley of of Israel, came to town, and I had the the Sun Jewish Community Center, Jewish honor of spending four or five days with Federation of Greater Phoenix and other him and his entourage.” Because she pro-Israel organizations. They are members was fluent in Hebrew and English, she of Hadassah (Howard is an associate), the was their liaison to the community. Also JCC, Congregation Or Tzion, AIPAC and on that visit, she met Professor Chrisothers. Linda says, “Involvement in the tian Barnard, the first heart transplant community is of utmost importance – to Linda and Howard Zell with surgeon (his patient was Jewish), because set an example for our children.” six of their grandchildren Ben-Gurion had asked to meet him. As for setting an example for children, The year 1975 found the Zell family Linda herself did that in spades. For years, traveling in South Africa, following a passport, tickets and boarding passes Howard as he served one year of compulsory service in the army stood in for Linda’s college degree. “I did not have the opporas a pharmacist. Of that era Linda says, “In every town we were tunity to go to university as a young girl, but when my children welcomed with open arms by the small Jewish communities. went, I decided it was time for me to do the same,” she says. “I They were very cohesive, strong Zionists (as most South African started in Rhode Island and finished at ASU, graduating at the Jews were) and traditional. Every little town had an Orthodox age of 50 one day before my youngest daughter who was at the synagogue where Friday night services were the highlight of the U of A. I am very proud of this accomplishment and thankful for By Mary L. Holden
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the support I had to do it.” The federation’s Bureau of Jewish Education hired Linda to market Jewish day schools in the Valley. “In the process of doing that, I found out about the private school tax credit program, which at the time was run on a very part-time basis by a federation staff person,” says Linda. She recognized its potential and asked to take on that responsibility on a part-time basis. After about a year, it evolved into a full-time position, and the day school marketing work reverted back to the schools. In the beginning, the tax credit tuition program was called Jewish Tuition Organization of Greater Phoenix 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Ste. 203E Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Office: 480-634-4926 Fax: 480-629-5147 info@jtophoenix.org jtophoenix.org
the Jewish Community Day School Scholarship Fund. After a couple of years it became the Jewish Tuition Organization of Greater Phoenix. In 2014, close to $4 million was raised by JTO to help more than 500 students attend seven Jewish day schools. Linda says, “I am extremely proud and passionate about this and hope to see it grow even more.” Now a grandmother of seven (five of whom live in Arizona), Linda’s life and work – to provide schooling and to uphold the value of education – is a legacy. And there are many beneficiaries.
Jewish Day Schools in the Valley of the Sun: Phoenix Hebrew Academy Pardes Jewish Day School Desert Jewish Academy, K-6 Shalom Montessori, K-6 Shearim Torah High School for Girls Torah Day School of Phoenix, K-8 Yeshiva High School of Arizona
Countless children benefit from Breger’s commitment to Jewish Genetic Disease Center By Stevie Mack
Some people might think winning the lottery would make all their dreams come true. In the case of Jacqui Breger, her family winning the “lottery” was not only good for her, but her good fortune has grown to benefit countless others. Jacqui, the executive director of the Jewish Genetic Disease Center of Greater Phoenix, dedicates her life to helping others through testing and documenting information directly related to disease control in the Jewish community. How she got there has as much to do with luck as with her kindhearted soul. Jacqui grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, as one of four children. Living in a predominantly Jewish area, she felt a genuine sense of affiliation in the close-knit religious community. “In school we were Jewish first and South African second,” says Jacqui. She grew up in Sandton, a suburb of Johannesburg that is the equivalent of Scottsdale in terms of its proximity to Phoenix. The South African Jewish community has a very close culture. Everyone knew each other. If you wanted to date someone, all you had to do was ask someone in the community. It was a certainty that someone close to you could hook you up. Every culture has its differences and its unique qualities, and Jacqui’s home in South Africa was no exception. While 90 to 95% of the Jewish community attended Orthodox synagogues, most of the community lived a very traditional lifestyle. Unlike Phoenix, the Jewish community tended to live in neighborhoods together. Jacqui attended the University of Cape Town, where she excelled in academics. By the time she finished school, she had 26 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
four degrees – in business strategy, financial accounting, marketing and statistics. Her parJacqui and Kevin Breger stand behind their chilents immigrated to the dren,from left, Chloe, Francki and Racquayla Breger. United States on an L1 visa, which is one of the harder processes to follow when entering the U.S. It was their hope that their four children would follow, and that is exactly what happened. “They had the foresight to think we would all want to come,” says Jacqui of her parent’s trek. “And they were right.” At the time, Jacqui was dating Kevin, who is now her husband. Kevin’s good fortune would change their lives forever when he won the immigration lottery, a lottery for people wanting to live in the United States. The U.S. government sponsors an annual Green Card Visa Lottery in which 55,000 people with unique backgrounds and educational aspirations, or those from “underrepresented countries,” get action on immigrating to America. Eligibility is related to family-based consideration and employment. The end result? The winners get to live and work in the United States permanently. Jacqui, who was engaged at the time her parents immigrated, came over in 1996, nine months after her parents. Her brother and her stepsister came with her. The last sibling, a brother, immigrated to the U.S. eight years after Jacqui and her husband arrived. Now the entire family lives and works in the United States. “I tease my husband all the time about how super lucky he is,”
quips Jacqui. “He wins everything.” Smart, dedicated and engaging, Jacqui used those skills to develop and open her own marketing firm three years after she got here. Miracles and Marvels, the company she founded, specializes in promoting service-oriented business. “I really love what I do,” she says. “I get to use all of my skills.” In addition to her marketing work, Jacqui is instrumental in developing programs for the Jewish Genetic Disease Center of Greater Phoenix. You can tell by talking to her that her work as executive director is a labor of love. The JGDC does a lot of positive things, but their most important mission is testing and informing the Jewish community about genetic disorders, markers, gene traits and mutations in specific diseases. Twice annually, the JDGC runs free testing programs for the community. They deal openly with screening for the most common diseases including Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis and Canavans to name only a few. Six months ago the center’s panel tested for 38 diseases; now that number has increased to 106. The goal is to get into the community to educate and instruct. If you are found to have a specific mutation, it doesn’t mean you cannot have healthy children. The JDGC can help you understand the risks your offspring have. If you marry someone with the same mutation, there is a 25% chance your child will have the disease and a 50% chance he or she will be a carrier. “I wanted to give something back,” Jacqui says when pressed about why she does her job. “It is good for the soul.” Since moving from South Africa, Jacqui and her family have become entrenched in the Phoenix Jewish community. She
started Mishpacha, an organization designed to get families and children involved with each other in the community. When she left, the organization changed to the Ruach Chapter, which spends more time working with and bringing women together. After she got pregnant, she got actively involved in preschool activities, and she was also the chair for the inaugural gala for Congregation Beth Tefillah. There was a time when she was everywhere. One intriguing coincidence involves Jacqui’s brother, Judd, who was attending Solomon Schechter Day School (which later became The King David School and has since closed). Judd thought his teacher looked familiar, so he asked her where he knew her from. Judd was stunned to find out that the teacher, Ruth Meyer, taught Jacqui, too, at Wennywood Primary back in South Africa. In another amazing coincidence, when Jacqui enrolled her daughter in preschool in Phoenix, her teacher was Ruth Meyer. “That is a pretty fascinating immigration story, isn’t it,” asks Jacqui, in what may be the understatement of the year. Her husband, Kevin, is a criminal defense attorney. Jacqui and Kevin have three daughters – Chloe, Francki and Racquayla – who look to follow in their mom’s footsteps. As a family, immigrating to the United States has worked out pretty well, and, by doing so, the Phoenix community has benefited from one of the weirdest lottery wins of all time. Asked what her legacy will be at the JGDC and beyond, Jacqui was matter-of-fact with her answer. “I hope, for years to come, we are preventing children from being born with genetic disorders,” she says.
GRAND OPENING!
Earn master points and play for 1/2 price at our special Grand Opening on January 11th & January 18th! ACBL sanctioned games 0-499 Master Points Friendly atmosphere
Light refreshments Automated Bridgemate terminals
ACBL Certified Instructor & Manager/Director: Maddy Bloom Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd. Corner of Sweetwater and Scottsdale Rd. For information and reservations, 480.483.7121 x 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org
COME TRY US OUT! 9:00 am - 11:30 am Supervised Play Learn and Practice: New players welcome under 20 master points. $10/pp (regular price) 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm Duplicate Game: 0-499 master points $9/pp (regular price)
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 27
Arts & Entertainment
Changing Hands owners, from left. Gail Shanks, Cindy Dach and Bob Sommer. Photo by Melissa Hirschl
Changing Hands, changing lives By Melissa Hirschl
Book-adoring Phoenix denizens who crave a warm, inviting ambiance to explore their favorite pastime, take heart. A touch of intoxication awaits at the Valley's two Changing Hands bookstores, one in Tempe (Guadalupe and McClintock) and one in Phoenix (Camelback and Third Avenue). Touting itself as being a socially responsible bookstore and gathering place, each store's monthly calendar is overflowing with an eclectic array of events, which are offered practically every night of the week: lectures, book signings, fundraisers, “tween” and children’s events, writing workshops, discussion groups and entertainment. The original Changing Hands resonated with the community when it opened its doors in April of 1974 in downtown Tempe. Its burgeoning popularity necessitated a move to a larger store on Mill Avenue after just two years, and the rest, as they say, is history. For the next 41 years, Changing Hands cemented its prestige in not just the local community but in far reaches of the country as well. Guest speakers have included Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama (when he was a senator) and President Jimmy Carter, who spoke for the third time last July and attracted 4,000 people who lined up in the rain around the shopping center. For guests that draw extra large crowds, the bookstore uses the Orpheum Theater downtown. Early December events (call stores for times) include: 28 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
• In Tempe on Dec. 2 author Landon Napoleon and Karen Perry will speak about Angels Three: The Karen Perry Story. The book discusses how Karen was able to move on after her three young children and their father died in a plane that crashed into Superstition Mountain in Arizona. • That same day the Phoenix store hosts Ruth McGregor in conversation with Linda Hirshman, author of Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World. • On Dec. 3 the Tempe store hosts a program for young adults. Author Jack Gantos speaks about The Trouble In Me, an autobiographical novel about a teen’s slide into trouble. • Jenny Lawson talks about her book Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things Dec. 7 at the Tempe store. The author explores her lifelong battle with mental illness in this hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety. The three Jewish owners, Bob Sommer, Gayle Shanks and Cindy Dach, have worked hard to create a stellar selection of new and used books, including about 100 Jewish-themed books by Jewish authors. “I have worked my way through many jobs, but working here is my ideal,” says Dach. “Marketing and promoting books is my biggest thrill. I love getting people excited about books as
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A&E
Author Tyler Oakey was at Changing Hands Oct. 27 to talk about his book Binge. The talk about this book popular with the teenage/young adult audience was part of the store's Halloween festival
well; it's a magical experience. I used to work in the garment up a notch. The store provides a veritable cornucopia of industry in New York, and sometimes clients would scream at enticing gifts for all occasions to provide an even more fun and me. Now, I just want to connect with books.” engaging experience. Shoppers can choose from sumptuousOn the other side of town, the newest Changing Hands is smelling lotions and potions, chimes, incense, pottery, teas, also building a loyal following. purses, jewelry, ceramics, CDs, magazines, tarot cards, and a “It's a year and a half old, and the urban version of our wide array of clever gifts and whimsical novelty items. Fresh Tempe store,” says Shanks. “It wasn't built to be a clone, but to bread smells wafting in from the Wildflower restaurant next complement the Tempe store, which is warm and comfortable door add to the sensory experience. with bright colors. This store has a more industrial flavor.” “About 10 years ago we realized the chains were rolling in, To honor the integrity of the structure, which was a steak and Amazon was becoming a giant gorilla,” says Shanks. “We house previously, the owners kept the original fireplaces, adobe needed to differentiate ourselves, and we wanted to create a walls, chandeliers and some old windows. They even created a one-stop shopping experience for holiday or birthday shopping cafe – the First Draft Book Bar, which serves coffee, beer, wine with something unique for everyone. We hired a great gift and light fare. buyer, and the gifts have become a huge part of our success. “We were incredibly welcomed by that neighborhood,” says When people come in our stores, we want their shoulders to Sommer. “They flooded drop four inches and in and have been coming relax.” in ever since.” The three owners Part of the magnetic concur that they love chemistry can be to see the community attributed to clever come together. Their events such as a recent vision came to life book and wine pairing of recently when nine the book The Organized cast members of the Mind by Daniel J. iconic “Days of Our Levitin, which was Lives” daytime drama aptly paired with a wine came to the store for a labeled Madness and book signing of Days Cures. of our Lives 50 Years. In addition to More than 1,000 people providing a passionate attended the event to staff at both stores, the have their books signed owners use a marketing and take posed pictures strategy aimed at taking of the stars. The children’s section of Changing Hands. Photos by Melissa Hirschl the shopping experience “The women who Changing Hands Tempe: 6428 S McClintock Dr. | 480-730-0205 Changing Hands Phoenix: 300 W Camelback | 602-274-0067 changinghands.com 30 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
came talked about how they formed friendships around the TV show,” says Sommer. “It was reminiscent of other events we had as well, when readers bonded over books they have read.” Adults aren't the only ones who take advantage of Changing Hand's myriad of activities and speakers. To further the philosophy of encouraging young readers, the store works closely with nearby Temple Emanuel at Hanukkah and Passover. Local events coordinator Pinna Joseph works with the educational director and rabbi, creating memorable experiences that include songs, stories and sometimes crafts. “It's typically preschool age to early grades,” explains Joseph. “Grandparents often attend as well. We also offer a book fair to the synagogue where they receive credit for their libraries. The kids love it, and they really enjoy themselves. The events are open to the whole community.” The owners all point proudly to the fact the store is closely aligned with the local National Public Radio station. A highlight of that relationship is bringing in someone from the station to fundraise, such as Diane Rehm, who this winter will speak at the Orpheum Theater. “We will do a joint event, and the station will make announcements,” says Sommer. “That's just one example of the close relationship between NPR and Changing Hands. We've been NPR sponsors as long as we've been in business. They are always looking to send business our way, and we try to support them. It's a symbiotic relationship.” Stop in at either store to meet the highly knowledgeable staff, pick their brains on what's hot or just sample the delightful gifts. Who knows? You might find a book that will change your life – or someone else's.
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ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 31
A&E
Looking for Magic at Invisible Theatre
Invisible Theatre continues its 45th anniversary season with a reading of “Looking for Magic,” a semi-autobiographical play about one family’s experiences with coming out and living with HIV/AIDS. This inspirational play written by Beverly King Pollock and directed by Fred Rodriguez will be presented on Dec. 1 in observance of World AIDS Day. “Looking for Magic” features Roger Owen, Jeffrey Baden, Morgan Fitch, Pat Fitch, Steve Wood, Sarah MacMillan and Ellie Vought. Beverly and husband, Mel, lost both of their sons to AIDS in the 1990s. “I had been auditing a playwriting course at the University of Pittsburgh before we flew to L.A. to take care of our precious son,” says Beverly. “To try to help me cope, I found myself looking at the strange, tragic scene before me as if it were a play, a drama unfolding in which I was one of the lead characters. It was a play I hated to end.” The play was originally produced by the Pitt Men’s Study, University of Pittsburgh. The play is dedicated to all who lost their battle to this insidious disease and to the brave families, friends and organizations that will not let them be forgotten. Beverly served as director of communications for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. She is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and studied playwriting at the University of Pittsburgh. Her column “Quoth the Maven,” which originated in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, has appeared in 15 cities in the United States and Canada. “It’s Business,” her first play, had professional staged readings at the Pittsburgh JCC. With Shirley Katz, she co-wrote short scenes for Pittsburgh organizations and co-hosted a daily radio show “Those Two” for “the average housewife and everyday, ordinary nuclear physicist.” The Pittsburgh Post Gazette honored her with the “Community Champion Award” because of her work in the AIDS community. As a tribute to her two sons who died of AIDS, Robert Beverly King Pollock in 1991 and Larry in 1995, she and her husband Mel (who passed away in 2008) founded Jews With AIDS in the Family (with the support of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and The Pittsburgh federation). Beverly has two daughters, Sally Bedrick and Susan Stein. Now 92 years old, Beverly is working on her memoirs, “Every Story Has a Story.” A conversation with Beverly King Pollock and reception will 32 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
follow the reading. World AIDS Day Tucson is held to honor and celebrate a community of people living with and to educate about HIV/ AIDS. Events like this one work to de-stigmatize HIV/AIDS in communities all over the world. The World AIDS Day Tucson committee is a group of community members and representatives from local nonprofits/businesses who are working to reduce new HIV infections and spread knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The Invisible Theatre of Tucson, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to producing quality theater and arts education experiences for all facets of the community in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists. IT takes its name from the invisible energy that flows between a performer and audience, creating the magic of theatre. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent OffBroadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and staged readings. Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen, Associate Artistic Director James Blair and PR Director Cathy Johnson, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. IT celebrates its 45th season with an even greater commitment to professionalism, artistic excellence, accessibility, freedom of expression, diverse programming and creative challenge – thus making the Invisible Theatre a very visible force in Tucson's cultural community.
READING & RECEPTION DECEMBER 24 | 9PM - 2AM WHAT: Arizona Premiere THURSDAY, of LOOKING FOR MAGIC WHO: Written by Beverly King Pollock LIVEWIRE - 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale 85251 WHERE: The Invisible Theatre, 1400 N. First Ave., Tucson Tickets on sale now @ mazelpalooza.org WHEN: 8 pm, Dec. 1 RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes with no intermission FOR COMPLIMENTARY TICKET: 520 882-9721 Questions? nowgen@jewishphoenix.org facebook.com/nowgenphx twitter / instagram: @nowgenphx
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 33
Food
NO BAKE, NO FUSS HOLIDAY TREATS
CORNER
By Lucia Schnitzer
Gooey S’Mores Bars Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace in Phoenix. The local coffee shop and marketplace opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer. She successfully manages her career, her growing family (four children), her personal well-being and the countless demands of the day. 34 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Now that Hanukkah is right around the corner, we start to take mental notes on all that needs to be done: clean all the menorahs, buy the candles and oil, write the gift list – all while threatening the kids to behave or else NO Hanukkah gifts (yes, I still do that and it still works!). Then there are the schools’ Hanukkah performances, the holiday parties and attending “The Nutcracker” for the hundredth time. Let’s face it, it’s a really crazy time of year for everyone and a favorite for most. I’m usually on it and try to have fun with the kids and create moments that really count with them, so time management is key. That’s why I love these easy, delicious recipes that you can literally whip up and serve in no time at all, or give them away as a tasty gift. Have fun making these treats and have a Happy Hanukkah!
Gooey S’Mores Bars
6 tablespoons butter 1 (10 oz.) bag mini marshmallows 1 (12 oz.) box mini graham crackers ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup mini marshmallows for topping ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips melted with ½ tsp avocado oil for drizzling on top (do this either over a double boiler or in the microwave) Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large pot over low to medium heat, melt butter with mini marshmallows. Don’t allow to burn. Stir frequently and melt gently until smooth. Take pot off of heat and stir in graham crackers. You can crunch up some if you like. Stir until mixture is totally combined. Transfer mixture to another bowl (this will help it cool faster). Wait a few minutes before stirring in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining marshmallows and gently press down. Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars and let cool completely. Let cool at room temperature (do not refrigerate). Slice up and enjoy!
Laili’s Cookie Rum Balls
2½ cups crushed vanilla wafers 2 tablespoons cocoa powder ½ cup sugar 1 cup chopped walnuts 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk ¼ cup rum 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the vanilla wafers, cocoa and sugar. Stir in the chopped walnuts, condensed milk and rum. Mix until well blended. Form dough into 2-inch balls and roll in confectioners’ sugar. Store in covered tin. Note: you can use any toppings for these rum balls: sprinkles, nuts, shredded coconut or drizzle chocolate over them.
Laili’s Cookie Rum Balls ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 35
Taste of A
Arizona
The Haymaker Restaurant Co. $$$
4717 E Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032 haymakeraz.com
By A. Noshman
I’m not an alcoholic, but I’ve never met a liquor I didn’t like. When I saw 100 different whiskeys featured on the menu of The Haymaker, well that was the last straw to send me on my way over. I did a little online research of the menu and thought the food looked good, but it was truly the whiskey offerings that made me go. One hundred whiskeys is a statement. It’s a passion, and I felt the calling. A friend had noticed this new restaurant out of the corner of her eye, and it dawned on me that I, too, had seen it while driving near Bell and Tatum. It’s sort of unassuming from the outside, and I really didn’t give it a second thought until she brought it up. Neither of us had been there, and she offered to drive. So off we went with visions of whiskey and what I imagined would be so-so bar food dancing in my head. We unexpectedly encountered friends inside who said they come to The Haymaker twice a week, sometimes for breakfast. This was reassuring; so was the fact that the place was full. The Haymaker, a family-owned establishment, recently opened this third location, and it is easy to see why. Business is good. With whiskey menu in hand, I selected my flights and then focused on food. 36 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Over the course of a couple of visits, here’s what we had:
Create Your Own Whiskey Flight
Like a Chinese menu of Scotch, you can choose from different columns, ranging from $3 to $9 per sample. I’m not exactly sure what I spent on my flight, but I did order four whiskeys, one from the middle and the rest from the top or near it, and I drank them in that order. I did my best to savor and take note, but because this is more of a food article than it is drink, let me just say that what I drank – Crown Royal Black, Eagle Rare, Angel’s Cut, Lock Stock and Barrel – all had their own characteristics of smokiness, sweetness, peat and smoothness. As you may have guessed, the Lock Stock and Barrel at $9 for the taste ($20 for a glass) was the best. This was fun but pricey. I also tried a cocktail at happy hour prices.
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Boneless Wings $9.50
4818 N. 7th St. Phoenix, Az. 85014
Tel: 602-285-1515
I prefer bone-in wings, which they have on the menu, but my friend does not, and since she picked the place I deferred. I also deferred to her choice of preparation, which was “Rhythm Hot.” It is a blend of their different styles like buffalo, BBQ, sweet chili and others with a kick. Served hot and fried to a golden crunch, these morsels were out of this world and a wonderful prelude to what was about to come. Next time though, and there will be a next time, we get the real wings.
Fax: 602-277-5760 Email: SegalsOneStop@gmail.com
Teriyaki Bistroloin Bowl $14
(Teriyaki-marinated and glazed bistro tenderloin served with grilled veggies on a bed of wild rice) Honestly, I ordered this because it was about as far from bar food as it could be, and I wanted to put this place through its paces. Surprisingly, this was perfectly prepared beef tenderloin, marinated, grilled and sliced. The meat was tender, the veggies had a sweet char from the grill, and the rice was nutty and flavorful. It was fun to eat the items separately as well as combined for different textures and flavors. Though the place has a bit of a corporate feel, it seems more likely to become a locals’ hangout. The Haymaker is family friendly with kids’ specials and senior specials. It’s not often you find a bar serving breakfast, which opens up a whole new horizon of mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. In boxing, a haymaker is a great big punch, often unexpected and one you didn’t see coming. If that’s what the owners were going for, they are right on the money. This place is a knockout.
Happy Chanukah from Our Family to Yours! -The Borensteins
Holiday Dinners & Specialties for Dine In or Take Out* • Housemade Original, Spinach & Sweet Potato Pancakes • Party & Gift Trays • Holiday Desserts • Custom Catering *See menus and gift card offer details at www.chompies.com
Get a FREE $10 Chompie’s Gift Card with the purchase of $50 in Chompie’s Gift Cards at www.chompies.com or at any Chompie’s.* Phx PV Mall Cactus/Tatum
602.710.2910
Scottsdale
Tempe
Chandler
480.860.0475
480.557.0700
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9301 E. Shea Blvd. 1160 E. University 3481 W. Frye Road
Chompie’s Valley-Wide Catering 480.348.CATR (2287) ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 37
Kids
& Teens too
A child-friendly resource for parents
Kids & Teen
EVENTS December ONGOING
Dec. 7-11
Provides afterschool programming ranging from sports to cooking and crafts to Israel culture for those K-8. Transportation from nearby schools available. 12701 N Scottsdale Road. 480-483-7121, ext. 1275, vosjcc.org.
entrance of the J at 5pm. 520-299-3000. Tucsonjcc.org.
Club J at the Valley of the Sun JCC
J-Care Afterschool Program at the Tucson JCC
Includes a variety of activities, help with homework or teens can hand in the youth lounge. Bus transportation available for kids K-12. 3800 E River Road. 520-299-3000, szorn@tucsonjcc.org or Tucsonjcc.org.
Friday Shabbat at Tucson JCC
Song and celebration every Friday in the Art Gallery at the J at 10 am. Shabbat and Me for babies and toddlers; Shabbat Scott for toddlers at 10:30 am; Preschool age at 11 am. 520-299-3000 orTucsonjcc.org.
J-Care at the J – East Valley JCC
Pick-ups from area schools for kids K-6. Includes homework club, cooking Israeli culture, dance, sports and much more. Early pick-ups from Kyrene on Wednesday early dismissal. EVJCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org.
Dec. 4
Hanukkah Factory and Potluck Dinner, 6-7:30 pm. Families with children of all ages. $3 reserved, $5 at the door. Bring a dairy dish for 10 people. Making Hanukkah menorahs from eclectic crafts. 520299-3000 or Tucsonjcc.org.
Dec. 5
Parents Night Out party for kids ages 4½ to 11. $20/
member; $25/non-member; $18/siblings. Dinner, themed programming and dessert field trip. 520-299-3000 or Tucsonjcc.org.
Dec. 6
Hanukkah at Whole Foods, 2955 W Ray Road, Chander, pre-
sented by East Valley JCC from 3 to 5 pm. PJ Library storytime and crafts at 3:15, JCC music specialist “Miss Eileen” leading a sing-along at 4, Hanukkah food tasting at 4:15 and menorah lighting at 5 pm. 480897-0588 or evjcc.org
Dec. 7
Hanukkah donuts and milk in the East Valley JCC lobby 9 am and dreidel spin-off at 11:30 am. 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org
38 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Hanukkah lighting song and celebration. Nightly at the front
Dec. 18-31
Winter Camp at the J. Programs for children ages 2-15. Field trips, themes, friendship projects and much more. Prices vary. 520-299-3000. Tucsonjcc.org.
Dec. 18-Jan. 4
Winter Camp for K-8th-graders at the East Valley JCC,
908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. hastj@evjcc.org, 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org
Dec. 19
Miracle of Lights at the Parade of Lights. Open to kids of
all ages. 6:30 pm. Come walk with our parade float exhibit at the famous Parade of Lights. 20-299-3000 or Tucsonjcc.org.
Kids Night Out. The J’s fun-filled kids nights allow parents to enjoy special time while their children have a fun with friends enjoying dinner, games, a movie and more! Grades K-5. 6-10 pm at VOSJCC. 480-4837121, ext. 1275, or youth@vosjcc.org.
Dec. 20
JCC Maccabi Games kick-off event. Kids 12-16 and their parents. Fun games in the gym, as well as learning about becoming part of Tucson J’s delegation in Columbus, OH, next July. 520-299-3000, sfrost@tucsonjcc.org or Tucsonjcc.org.
Dec. 21
Snow Day. Winter fun for children age 2 trhough 8th grade at the East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org
Dec. 21-24
Winter Camp for Preschoolers (ages 2-4) at the East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. pam@evjcc.org,
480-897-0588 or evjcc.org.
Dec.21-24, 28-31
Winter Camp at the J. Exciting experiences, fun activities, amazing field trips and more. Also offer sports, cheer and dance specialty camps. Fun will be had and memories will be made. vosjcc.org, 480634-4949 or youth@vosjcc.org
Read By Rich Geller
Perhaps more than any other Jewish holiday, Hanukkah (which begins at sundown Dec. 6 this year) calls on parents to deftly thread the needle between the spiritual and the secular. Is Hanukkah a tribute to the mighty deeds of our stalwart ancestors and G-d’s miracle of the oil? Or is it merely an orgy of consumerism, having devolved into little more than Jewish Christmas? The reality in 21st century America is that Hanukkah is a little of both, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact it’s probably what’s kept the Hanukkah story alive. For most of Jewish history, Hanukkah was a relatively minor festival, technically requiring little more than the lighting of the menorah and recitation of the blessing. However, in the years following the first world war, American Jews began to reinvent the holiday by borrowing from some of the more commercial aspects of Christmas. After decades of decline in observance, Hanukkah experienced an unprecedented resurgence in significance. As Jenna Weissman Joselit explains in The Wonders of America, “For much of its history, Hanukkah fared poorly in the New World, a victim of neglect.” However as a new consumer culture began to take root in the 20th century, Hanukkah began to emerge as a holiday on par with the American Christmas celebration. Madison Avenue, eager to capitalize on this new opportunity, wasted no time embracing it. The publishing industry noticed, too, and soon bookstore shelves were overflowing with books that taught the story of Hanukkah to young children.
like a Maccabee
The Hanukkah story is an epic tale of good versus evil. What we know of the story comes from the Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who chronicled the history of the Maccabees in his book The Jewish War. In the second-century BCE the Greek-Syrian King Antiochus IV ruled over the vast Seleucid empire, which included the province of Judea. Antiochus, in an attempt to Hellenize the Jews there, had outlawed Jewish worship throughout the province. The observance of both Shabbat and Kashrut, circumcisions and sacrifices to G-d at the Second Temple in Jerusalem were all forbidden under pain of death. The Syrian army looted the Temple and in the process extinguished the ner tamid or eternal light, desecrated and destroyed the Torah, sacrificed a pig on the Temple’s altar, and in a final insult dedicated the Temple to the Greek god Zeus. Then just when things seemed bleakest for the Jews, a hero arose who fought like an avenging angel of the Lord, a mighty warrior by the name of Judah “the Hammer” Maccabee. Judah gathered a ragtag band of misfits known as “Maccabees” to revolt against King Antiochus and his mighty army. Against all odds the Maccabees prevailed and defeated the king and his men. The defiled Temple was restored and dedicated (Hanukkah being the Hebrew word for dedication), and the meager single day’s supply of oil for the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted for eight. Since those ancient times Jews have commemorated the Festival of Lights with story, song and celebration. The story of Hanukkah is a celebration of the tenacity of the Jewish people. That Jews around the world continue to comARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 39
memorate a victory that occurred more than 2,000 years ago says a great deal about the Jewish soul and the veneration of memory. A powerful tale of resistance and redemption, the Hanukkah story must be handed down L’Dor VaDor, or from generation to generation. What better way to teach your children about Hanukkah than with the gift of books? Support your local bookstore and spend some Hanukkah gelt. There are so many great Hanukkah books out there, not to mention coloring books, sticker books and even Hanukkah-themed Mad Libs! By the way, Hanukkah Mad Libs are a great way to let your kids have some creative fun. Here are eight fun and fascinating Hanukkah books to read with your kids during Hanukkah, one for each night.
Hanukkah Reading List
1) Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky: Wonderfully told and beautifully illustrated, this stirring tale of independence and freedom is drawn from General George Washington’s personal recollection of meeting a Polish-Jewish soldier at Valley Forge in 1777. In this fictionalized account of a historical event, General Washington learns about Hanukkah from the soldier. Shifting between the time of the Maccabean Revolt and the American Revolution, the author draws wonderful parallels between the two conflicts. The book gains a heightened sense of realism by incorporating George Washington’s own writings as dialogue. As Washington explains to the Polish soldier over the glow of the Hanukkah lights, “The fight for liberty is an ancient one.”
2) The Golem’s Latkes by Eric Kimmel: Charming tale of golems gone wild written by Portland, OR, author Eric Kimmel. When the Rabbi of Prague must visit the emperor, he leaves it to his housemaid, Basha, to prepare the house for Hanukkah and make the latkes. The rabbi allows Basha to work with his golem, a mythical creature made of clay. “Mix, chop, peel, fry” is the golem’s constant refrain as he labors without cessation. The dull, yet seemingly satisfied expression on the face of the golem as the latkes pile up all around him and Basha’s acerbic wit and confident incompetence combine to make this book a true Hanukkah gem. 3) Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel: Yet another masterpiece from the undisputed king of children’s Hanukkah books. When Hanukkah is under attack by grumpy goblins, only Hershel of Ostropol can save the day. A mischievous trickster, Hershel employs cunning and guile to outwit the Hanukkah goblins and trick them into celebrating Hanukkah with him. A hero of Ukrainian folklore, Hershel of Ostropol was an actual historic figure who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 4) Runaway Dreidel by Leslea Newman: This whimsical parody of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” has a decidedly Old World shtetl feel to it. When a spinning dreidel runs amok through the neighborhood, chaos ensues as the entire town pursues the rogue top. Before long the village is turned upside down as children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all chase the runaway dreidel. This book will especially delight younger readers. 5) Hanukkah in Alaska by Barbara Brown: This charming tale of a young girl’s Hanukkah celebration that is crashed by an
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uninvited moose has a sweet, gentle rhythm to it. The shadowy illustrations of the moose and the eerie depiction of the snowy daytime darkness really help to convey what it is like to be a kid growing up in Alaska. The story ends with a display of the aurora borealis, G-d’s own festival of lights. 6) Hanukkah Hop by Erica Silverman: The warm, sunny images of happy Hanukkah revelers will surely break the winter chill. Fun rhymes and a retro tone come together in this Hanukkah jewel. The singsong rhythm of this book will have your little ones doing the Hanukkah Hop in no time. 7) The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser: This touching tale of a young girl reaching out to her lonely elderly neighbor and helping her share in the joy of Hanukkah teaches children the true spirit of the season. 8) A Different Light: The Hanukkah Book of Celebration edited by Noam Zion and Barbara Spectre: The definitive Hanukkah resource book for adults and children alike. This book bills itself as a “how-to guide to a creative candle-lighting ceremony: blessings, songs, stories, readings, games and cartoons to engage adults, teenagers and children on each of the eight nights.” There really is something for everyone, from a fascinating chapter on the history of Hanukkah, delicious recipes from across the Jewish diaspora, essays on modern-day Maccabees, writings by contemporary Jewish thinkers, and sections on the origins of both gelt and dreidels. There is even a FAQ with answers to some commonly asked Hanukkah questions, such as “Which is the correct direction for lighting the candles?” Richard Geller is a freelance writer. He lives in Portland with his wife and three children. His son Leo (age 9) contributed to this article.
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Campers in grades K-5 have two amazing weeks to choose from:
Winter Camp Week One: December 21 - 24, 9am-3:30 Week Two: December 28 - 31, 9am-3:30 Cheer & Dance Camp, Sports Camp or Traditional Camp All December 23 campers will enjoy an exciting field trip to the Circus School of Arizona!
Art Camp, Basketball & Sports Camp or Traditional Camp All December 30 campers will enjoy an exciting field trip to USA Skateland!
Through our partnership with Friendship Circle of Arizona, we are also offering a JCC Ometz winter camp. Contact Hannah for more information, hannah@fcaz.org.
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All campers will enjoy special “winter” activities throughout the week including indoor sledding, snowman races and playing in the snow!
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 41
Kids & Teens too
By Debra Rich Gettleman
Family Time
P, B and Jay
A few years ago when money was tight and we were scaling back on holiday gift giving, my insane husband, Mark, happened upon a giant inflatable polar bear playing “whack-a-mole” with two little penguins. Like any adoring husband, he thought, “I just have to spend the money and buy this inane decoration for my Jewish wife for Hanukkah.” I remember walking into the house and hearing this loud whirring noise, which turned out to be the pump he bought to blow up the whacking polar bear and penguins. This monstrosity was in the center courtyard of our house when I came home to Mark and our two boys standing there, beaming upon my arrival. “This is a joke, right?” I asked, looking at the giant arcade-like phenomenon. Then, realizing that it wasn’t, I tried to lighten up and smile as I queried about the cost of this newly acquired modern art. “We’re Jewish,” I said. “You do know that we don’t
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celebrate Christmas, and I’m really not OK with a huge Christmas display in the middle of our house.” In spite of the red and green holiday scarf and Santa hat adorning the polar bear, Mark argued that it really wasn’t related to Christmas at all and was merely a celebration of wintertime joy. “He’s beating two penguins,” I countered. “There really is no joy in this scenario.” Mark nicknamed the Antarctic birds “P and B,” and dubbed the big white Ursus “Jay.” While I acknowledged that the names were cute and clever, I couldn’t wait to rid my home of their presence. Finally, when the New Year rolled around, I insisted on packing up the polar trio and stuffing them into a cabinet in the garage. I admit I agreed to letting them come out again the following year. But truthfully, I had no intention of honoring that accord. Last year as the holiday season roared in I had a real heart-toheart with my husband. I told him how sweet it was that he had purchased such a unique gift for me the year before and that I couldn’t think of a single wife who had gotten as unusual a gift as I had received. But I felt very uncomfortable displaying the wondrous gift, as I was proud of our heritage and felt like Jewish people needn’t decorate their homes with Yuletide paraphernalia. He was slightly downhearted but understanding as he neatly packed up P, B and Jay and readied them for their journey to Goodwill. But then an idea came to me. We have a nearby neighborhood that goes all out at Christmas time. They create a magical winter wonderland and invite a steady stream of visitors to enjoy their extensive fantasyland. We go with the boys every year and had planned to drive through the Christmas oasis that very night. As our car slowly crept down the sugarplum-laden road, I readied my family to be on the lookout for a suitable home for P, B and Jay. We knew it the moment we saw it: one house on the street that was lit up brighter than all the others, with a slew of polar bears gleefully interacting with passersby. This was a home where our Arctic creatures would feel happy, chilled and welcomed as part of the family. We went home and wrote a deeply personal note explaining why we could no longer care for our beloved trio. Like despondent parents leaving their baby on a neighbor’s doorstep, we waited till the crowds dispersed and snuck back to leave our package and note at the front door of our new host’s home. We felt sad and our hearts were heavy as we said our final goodbyes and departed. We checked back a few nights later, but there was no sign of P, B and Jay. We wondered if they would ever see the light of Christmas again. It was a painful holiday season as we mourned their loss, all the while remembering the joy they had brought us the year before. I felt guilty and ashamed of giving them up. Perhaps the new family had too many mouths to feed already
and had simply tossed P, B and Jay onto a trash heap without ever even meeting them in full holiday inflatability. We grieved their loss for months, and when this holiday season arrived we all pretended that we had no expectations. I couldn’t actually bring myself to visit the magical street this year. I couldn’t face it if P, B and Jay weren’t there. At least I could live in denial if I stayed away from the street altogether. My eldest son, Levi, was bolder and insisted on facing off with reality. He went on an evening Christmas light excursion in search of our threesome. I could barely await his return. “Did you see them?” I asked with fervent anticipation. He looked at me with a stone-cold stare. Then he slowly raised his phone to my eyes. It was our trio! They were there! Front and center. P, B and Jay were alive and well and celebrating Christmas with their polar bear brethren in the most prominent spot on the front lawn of the house where we had left them. I was elated. Seriously. I mean, it was truly as if my beloved offspring had been given a second chance at life. I haven’t stopped smiling for weeks. And as we celebrate another year of light and joy, I realize that Hanukkah miracles are all around. You just have to look in the right places.
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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Chabad of Arizona Rabbi Dov Levertov took his two older boys, Tzemach and Yossi, to check the menorah at the state Capitol to be sure enough lights were lit during Hanukkah last year.
Hanukkah By Debra Rich Gettleman
46 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Public Menorahs: Symbol of religion or freedom of religion?
In the “no good deed goes unpunished” file, let’s talk about Hanukkah for a moment. Specifically, let’s talk about a group of folks so joyfully celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah that they’ve incited multiple Jewish communities, rabbis and the ACLU to sue them over their fervent commitment to publicly fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. “What?” you say. That’s inconceivable. How could anyone in this great country of religious freedom argue that lighting a Hanukkiyah is in any way unlawful? Well, it’s an issue that’s been in the news since 1974 when Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Avraham Shemtov lit the first public menorah in front of Independence Hall, where our country’s famed Liberty Bell is housed. That simply crafted 4-foot menorah has inspired thousands of public menorah lightings throughout the United States and abroad.
Today it’s almost commonplace to see hundreds or thousands of people attending public Hanukkah menorah lightings on the grounds of statehouses, monuments, capitols, even in front of the White House. Today it’s almost commonplace to see hundreds or thousands of people attending public Hanukkah menorah lightings on the grounds of statehouses, monuments, capitols, even in front of the White House. This idea of public lightings is credited to a line of American Chabad Houses, which
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bol of light’s victory over darkness, can be seen as a threat to religious freedom baffles many rabbis to this day. “When I put up the first public menorah (in Arizona), everyone came out against it,” says Rabbi Zalman Levertov, co-director of Chabad in Phoenix. “But every day many, many people came by with their families to show them the menorah. This is one of the most important lessons we can give to our children – to be proud of who they are and that they have no need to hide that.” In fact the public lighting of Hanukkah menorahs has created a deep sense of religious pride within the hearts of young and old alike. “For myself, as a youngster, and now for my children, Hanukkah is so much A Continuing Hanukkah Tradition – Last year more fun and celebratory,” says Chabad of more than 700 people came to see the Saguaro Arizona Rabbi Dov Levertov. “We have Hanukkah Menorah lighting after Arizona a menorah across from the State Capitol Jewish LIfe featured an article about the natural in downtown Phoenix … and when my phenomena at the home of ElenBett and Mel young boys come out of the car and look at Kline. This year the couple sold their home (and the giant menorah, their eyes twinkle with cactus) to a young Jewish family. Daron and excitement.” Danny Miller say they are excited to continue the A public menorah can have deep meaning tradition of the public lighting. All are invited to for adults. see the lights kindled every night of Hanukkah “Many adult Jews were brought up in at 6 pm (Friday at 5 pm) at 9802 N 46th St., countries and times where religious affiliaPhoenix. tion and practice were hidden,” says Rabbi Dov Levertov, noting our country was founded on principles of freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. “These adults have a revival of sorts in their Jewishness and observance when they partake in and experience these grand and public celebrations, something that was unheard of and even dangerous when they were young.” Chabad of Mesa Rabbi Laib Blotner concurs: “Public menorahs have played a major part in the popularity of Hanukkah over the last 30 years. The menorah campaign, initiated by Chabad, is but one component of Chabad’s goal of bringing Judaism ‘outward.’ I know many in my community, and in cities worldwide, who have become involved in the Jewish community as a result of attending a public menorah lighting. The public Your lightings have the ability to kindle (no pun intended) their participation in Judaism.” One Stop Shop Still, there are other arguments against public menorah One of the Largest lightings. Some rabbis believe that the mitzvah of lighting in the Valley the menorah should be done modestly and that the menorah should be placed by the entryway to one’s home to fulfill the mitzvah of spreading the Hanukkah miracle. Rabbi Lior EnFor more information, contact gelmann of Israel writes (as translated by Teddy Weinberger), Joan Neer at 602-971-1234 or “We put the candle in the entrance to the home to show that jneer@templechai.com the special light of the Jewish home succeeded in lighting up the darkness more than the brilliance and blasting of Greek culture.” While the idea of “publicizing” the Hanukkah miracle is certainly grounded in Jewish Talmudic text, the question of 4645 E. Marilyn Road how to do that is still hotly debated by communities and rabbis Phoenix, 85032 around the world. Rabbi Engelman continues, “When we publicize the Jewish spirit that valiantly stood against the spirit of
began seeking out public spaces for Hanukkah celebrations back in 1987 when Chabad Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson, z”l, came out with the first directive encouraging a global Hanukkah menorah campaign. But it hasn’t been an easy path. The American Jewish Congress, the ACLU, and various Jewish communities and civil municipalities across the United States have challenged those celebrations on the grounds that the mere presence of a menorah on public property violates the First Amendment right to maintain a separation of church and state. Lawsuits across the country were filed challenging the public celebrations, and in 1989 constitutional attorney Nathan Lewin argued the case on behalf of Chabad before the Supreme Court. His arguments centered on the idea that lighting a menorah on public grounds is a symbol of religious freedom and that this celebration of liberty does not in any way represent government endorsement of one religion over another. But even after a favorable Supreme Court outcome in 1989, the legality of public menorah lightings continues to be challenged across the country. With a mixture of rulings in appellate courts throughout the United States, the issue is far from over. The question of how something so positive like a menorah, the sym-
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48 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
the Greeks, when we advertise the victory of the world of faith over the world ruled by gods and laws of nature, we need to advertise in a precise way. Jewish gentleness was victorious; the spirit of the Jewish family triumphed over all the decrees that sought to defile the underpinnings of the Jewish family. It is not possible to advertise gentleness and purity with shouts; one cannot market pure values of home in the middle of a noisy street. Not by chance were candles chosen: A gentle light that does not blind, that does not try to force the eye to look at it.” Others argue that lighting these giant Hanukkiyot in public arenas fuels a shallow attempt to compete with the commercialism of Christmas. Rabbi Blotner disagrees: “I don’t believe at all that the public menorah commercializes the holiday. Rather, it gives Jews all over the world an opportunity to celebrate the holiday. The reality is that it is inevitable that people will make a comparison between Hanukkah and non-Jewish holidays. However, that should not stop us from celebrating our holiday.” So this year, as you light your family menorah, check out the glowing candles that burn publicly around the world all the way from Bangkok to Barcelona and California to Connecticut. While there may be disagreements about the practice, the Chabad public menorah campaign continues to grow and spread around the globe. “I sometimes wonder what Hanukkah would look like in America if not for the public displays,” says Rabbi Dov Levertov. “And what would world Jewry as a whole be like if not for the inspiration and growth spurred on by the Jewish pride of Hanukkah and the Chabad public menorahs.”
Temple Solel Gift Shop
“Unique Items For Your Lifecycle Events & Beyond”
We have unique and wonderful gifts, many from Israel, for all of your lifecycle events. Before you shop online, be sure to check us out. If we don’t have it in stock, we’re happy to order it for you. Gift Shop Hours
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Sunday:
10:00 am–1:00 pm 10:00 am–12:00 pm 1:00 pm–4:00 pm 9:00 am–12:00 pm
6805 E. McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 480.991.7414 www.templesolel.org
Capture the essence of the holidays with these special treatments.
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Each service comes with a gift of remembrance.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 49
Arizona Jewish Life’s Hanukkah
GIFT GUIDE Arizona Broadway Theatre
7701 W Paradise Lane Peoria, AZ 85382 623-776-8400 azbroadway.org This season, share the Arizona Broadway Theatre experience with your loved ones! An ABT gift card can be used for tickets, drinks, upgrades or desserts at any ABT performance. Exceptional theatre. Elegant dining.
Butterfly Wonderland
9500 E Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ, 85256 480-800-3000 butterflywonderland.com Butterfly Wonderland gift cards and annual or lifetime memberships are truly the gifts that keep on giving! Give your loved one a fun, educational and awe-inspiring experience that provides a lifetime of unforgettable memories!
bulthaup scottsdale
4175 North Goldwater Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-945-5500 bulthaupaz.com Bowl by John Pawson is a perfect, seamless hemisphere; no flatness disrupts the smooth curve of the profile base. Hidden detailing affects the way the bowl rests on a surface making the nature of its inner working remain magic. Black, white or off white. $1,360.
Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N Arizona Ave. Chandler, AZ 85225 480-782-2680 chandlercenter.org Zoppe, An Italian Family Circus Since 1842. Dec. 22-Jan. 3. Black Bear Group interprets one of China’s oldest art forms with dazzling acrobatics; Jose and Elizabeth Ayala bring Rolla bolla performances and gravity defying hair hanging. 50 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Children’s Museum Tucson | Oro Valley
200 S. Sixth Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701 11015 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 520-792-9985 | 520-297-8004 ChildrensMuseumTucson.org | CMOroValley.org Give the gift of Pure Joy! Membership gives families year-round joy of learning, discovery and play at either location, or both with a dual pass! Special events and discounts, too. Where imagination and learning connect!
Hanukah Gift Shop at Temple Beth Shalom 12202 N 101st Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351 623-977-3240 templebethshalomaz.org Temple Beth Shalom, Sun City, has a large assortment of unique and traditional Judaica including new items perfect for your Hanukkah at home or for gifting. Our Judaica items are the best in the West Valley.
Herberger Theater Center
222 E Monroe Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-252-8497 PlayhouseInfo.com or herbergertheater.org The producers of My Mother’s Italian My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy!, offer two new shows this season at the Herberger: Waist Watchers The Musical – Dec. 23-Jan. 24, 2016; and Becoming Dr. Ruth Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2016.
Desert Foothills Theater 34250 N 60th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85266 480-488-1981 dftheater.org
Give the gift of laughter with tickets to Avenue Q or the gift of rock-n-roll music with tickets to Smokey Joe’s Café or the gift of lifelong learning with a gift certificate to one of our theater classes!
Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 480-279-7194 higleycenter.org Jim Curry: Take Me Home – The Music of John Denver: 7:30 pm Jan. 9 at the Concert Hall. After Denver’s untimely death in 1997, CBS produced “Take Me Home, the John Denver Story” featuring Jim Curry singing.
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 51
Hanukkah Phoenix Festival of the Arts
Dec. 11-13 Hance Park, Second Street and Moreland Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-254-3100 phoenixfestivalofthearts.org With more than 100 art vendors, plus live performances, food trucks and a hands-on community mural – it’s the perfect time to connect with the community and shop for truly beautiful, one-of-akind Hanukkah gifts.
Mazel Tov Gifts
10211 N Scottsdale Road Scottsdale AZ 85253 480-922-0250 mazeltovgifts@gmail.com Mazel Tov Gifts is the only free-standing Jewish gift store in all of Arizona. We have all of your Judaic needs under one roof. We also have gifts for all occasions.
Temple Chai Judaica Shop
4645 E Marilyn Road Phoenix, AZ 95032 602-971-1234 Templechai.com Let the lights of Hanukkah light up someone’s home with love. A menorah is a gift that will last a lifetime. Over 60 to choose from – contemporary, whimsical, traditional, collectible and children’s. Contact Joan Jneer@templechai.com.
Temple Solel Gift Shop 6805 E McDonald Dr. Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 480-991-7414 templesolel.org.
We have unique and wonderful gifts, many from Israel, for all of your lifecycle events. Before you buy online, come in and check us out. If we don’t have it, we can get it!
Valley Youth Theatre
Wright’s at the Biltmore
Address: 2400 E. Missouri Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-381-7632 arizonabiltmore.com Join us at Wright’s for the 26th season of the Winemaker Dinner. The series combines innovative gourmet dining and acclaimed wines. Featured wines include Taittinger/ Domaine Carneros on Dec. 3 and Justin/ Landmark on Jan. 7.
525 N First St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-253-8100 vyt.com You Choose the SHOW, They Choose the DATE. See A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail and help Eeyore find where he left his tail. VYT's young people are motivated to achieve greatness in whatever they choose to do (see photo of Emma Stone as Eeyore in 2001).
52 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Hanukkah
To Life
Hanukkah – Bring Your Light into the World! By Amy Hirshberg Lederman
Hanukkah is a holiday with many names. Some call it the Festival of Lights, while others refer to it as the Feast of Rededication or the Holiday of Miracles. When I was growing up, my friends called it Jewish Christmas. But nothing could be further from the truth. Hanukkah, while deemed a minor Jewish holiday, is significant in that it teaches us to appreciate how different versions of the same story need not limit its credibility nor depreciate its value. Rather, we are given a chance to expand our understanding from the various lessons that each version teaches. The historical version of Hanukkah, recorded in the Book of Maccabees, chronicles that in 168 BCE, King Antiochus desecrated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and issued decrees prohibiting Jewish worship, circumcision and Shabbat observance. Mattathias the High Priest, along with his five, hardy Maccabean sons and a small group of Jewish insurgents, rose up and fought for three years against the Syrian army. On the 25th of Kislev, the Jews restored the Holy Temple and rededicated it to God. We learn from this version that through acts of defiance and resistance, the Jewish people can overcome oppression and live with dignity as Jews. Another version of the Hanukkah story is the quintessential assimilation story. It focuses on the internal conflict between Jews as they struggled to expand and define what practices were acceptable for Jews living within a foreign culture. In the first few centuries BCE, Hellenism and its social, economic and political influences encouraged many Jews to compromise and abandon Jewish rituals and practices. Some Jews attended the gymnasium, participating in nude sporting events, which often required reversals of circumcision. The Maccabean fight was not just against non-Jewish oppression, but against the highly assimilated Jews whose conduct threatened the continued existence of the Jewish people. Almost 400 years later, the rabbis of the Talmud gave the story yet a different spin. Their version doesn’t even mention the name Maccabee and the war against the Syrians or refer to the tensions of fighting against Greek assimilation. Rather, the rabbis focused on the role that faith in God played as the key to Jewish survival. We are taught that “a great miracle happened there” when a small cruse of oil lasted for eight days until more was found to keep the Temple’s menorah lit. The eight candles we light on our menorah remind us that we have survived over
time because of our faith in God’s saving grace and power. The significance of light itself is another aspect of the Hanukkah story. At the darkest, coldest and often bleakest time of the calendar year, Jews come together with family and friends to bring light, hope and joy into their homes. For eight consecutive nights, we add an additional candle, increasing our ability to fight against darkness and despair. It is written in Proverbs 20:27 that “the human spirit is God’s candle.” Our tradition teaches that each of us has the capacity to bring light and goodness, holiness and compassion, into the world. Through our thoughts, actions and relationships, through our efforts to restore balance, justice and dignity in the world, we have the power to illuminate and inspire, even in the darkest of times. The shamash is the special candle on the menorah that lights the other candles and is traditionally elevated. This year when you light the shamash, imagine for a moment that you have the power to become “God’s candle.” What would it mean to light up the world around you with hope and possibilities? What could you do to light up your world? Your efforts don’t have to be time consuming or expensive, but consider these eight small efforts that can make a world of difference and a difference in our world: • Show respect for others’ ideas, even when you disagree with them. • Laugh at yourself, but not at others. • Avoid harmful speech and gossip. • Tell someone you love them. • Donate food, clothing, time or money to organizations in need. • Visit a friend who is lonely or sick. • Say you’re sorry when you make a mistake. • Stay present to the blessings in your life and be grateful. When you light your candles this year, remember that Hanukkah is the only holiday when we wish each other “Chag Urim Sameach” – a joyous holiday of light!
Amy Hirshberg Lederman has written more than 300 columns and essays that have been published nationwide. amyhirshberglederman.com
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 53
Hanukkah
Young Adult
Last year’s menorah lighting at Westgate Entertainment District drew a large crowd.
Kindle Hanukkah spirit with these menorah lightings
By Stevie Mack
During “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah,” Chabad of Arizona will “come light the menorah” at several venues across the Valley and Tucson. When things kick off Dec. 6, the first night of Hanukkah, there will be several menorah lightings. The menorah will be kindled at 4:30 pm.in front of Sacks, at the Biltmore Shoppes, on the Center Lawn for the first night of the eight-day holiday. Also on Sunday, Dec. 6 Anthem at the Outlet Mall will be bathed in the light from a giant menorah. Chabad of Mesa will host the annual menorah lighting on Dec. 6 at Superstition Springs Mall. Food, including latkes and doughnuts, will be served. Nationally acclaimed illusionist Michael Paul will be performing to spice things up a bit. Paul, who has performed in Las Vegas and Off Broadway, will be a contestant on America’s Got Talent next season. The event begins at 5 pm. West Bolin Plaza, across from the State Capitol, will be the site of a menorah lighting on Dec. 8. The event will be followed up by a car menorah parade that will end at the Chabad Center of Phoenix. Sunday, Dec. 13 the Phoenix Suns annual Jewish Heritage Night brightens the holiday season. There will be an in-game menorah lighting on what promises to be a fun-filled night. For the sixth year, the Westgate Entertainment District in 54 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Glendale will host Chabad of Arizona to light a menorah as part of their winter wonderland. The event takes place on Dec. 13 on the final night of Hanukkah when all the candles will be lit. Congressman Trent Franks and the Mayor Jerry Weiers of Glendale plan to attend. The Grand Menorah lighting includes activities, raffles prizes, games for children and live entertainment. The event kicks off at 5 pm at Westgate, the entertainment district that hosts celebrations from all walks of life. In addition to the dining and nightlife offered at Westgate, the vibrant outdoor setting features a dancing water fountain and a jumping fountain for children. Hanukkah Wonderland comes to Tucson Dec. 6. Chabad Tucson organizes this annual Hanukah extravaganza with fun activities and food for all ages from 9:30 am to noon at Chabad Lubavitch of Tucson, 2443 E Fourth St., Tucson. For more information, call 520-881-7956 or visit ChabadTucson.com/ Wonderland.
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Hanukkah
Hanukkah on campus
What do you mean you don’t celebrate Christmas? By Marisa Hoffman
GETTING CREATIVE – Last year’s University of Arizona Hillel Hanukkah party was held in partnership with Chabad and JAC, Jewish Arizonans on Campus. This year, since Hanukkah falls during finals at Arizona State University and the last week of classes at UA, no events have yet been scheduled, but check the calendars on the Hillel websites for new events: hillelasu.org and arizona.hillel.org.
“So you’ve never had a Christmas tree? Or a big Christmas dinner? You never had that feeling on Christmas morning where everything was happy, and it was the best day of the year? You never believed in Santa Claus?” For 18 years, I was asked these and similar questions every year around the holidays. Now that I’m in college, the questions have become more profound – more educationally inspired. I get asked, “What exactly are you celebrating? What do latkes taste like? Am I pronouncing that correctly? How did the oil burn for eight nights?” I like these questions. On campus, I’ve noticed that people are much more open to learning about my culture, instead of just pointing out the things I was “missing out on.” In high school, I felt ostracized by fellow classmates and left out of the festivities. In college, I feel unique. I feel special knowing that I celebrate a holiday with a rich history and a shared heritage with my fellow Jews. I no longer feel left out or pushed away, I feel happy. I am excited to be a Jew during the holidays. I welcome the questions and “yes” – latkes are different than hash browns! Marisa Hoffman is a junior at the University of Arizona.
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Gifts for the Home
Two Plates Full has plenty of distinctive, fun pieces
By Stevie Mack
Terri Weisz has created a store full of wonderful items sure to brighten the home of anyone who receives a gift from there. Terri, who has owned and operated Two Plates Full in Scottsdale for 26 years, has fashioned a colorful, fun and whimsical store. Two Plates Full features crazy colors and items that would be considered functional art. While they have a few items from overseas, virtually all the cool things in her store are hand crafted in America. “The store is really pretty amazing,” says Terri. Terri grew up in Chicago where her family was active in their Jewish community. She and her brother grew up in an active Jewish family. Whether it was attending Jewish parties or sending her children to Jewish summer camp in Prescott, Judaism has always been present in Terri’s life. Recently her brother, George, accompanied a contingent of diplomats from Arizona to Israel. So when December rolls around, she gets into the Hanukkah spirit and helps her Jewish customers do the same. “We have a lot of customers who own traditional houses with traditional values,” says Terri. “But, when they come into my place, they aren’t afraid to think outside the box.” Being a master designer of very cool things, Terri is especially skilled at holiday design, which makes her one of Scottsdale’s most popular people during Hanukkah. She has great advice for those interested in decorating their home with a distinctive touch.
TWO PLATES FULL: 8877 N Scottsdale Road | 480-443-3241 | twoplatesfull.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 59
“Don’t feel you have to go out and get all Hanukkah stuff,” advises Terri. “Instead, mix it up and get fun items. Decorate your place with dreidels, cloth and stagger your things on different levels for a more appealing look.” She says she likes to take blue and white cloth, rip them into strips and tie them into colorful bundles for a splash of color. Gold and white are big colors this season too. They can be played up big or just casual. Either way, it works to brighten up your decorations. Two Full Plates started as a kitchen store, but as the big conglomerates started to cut into local business, Terri decided she needed to come up with something different, something bold, that really interests people. “Our store is unique in so many ways,” says Terri. “We definitely are different.” Different would be an understatement.
Being a master designer of very cool things, Terri is especially skilled at holiday design, which makes her one of Scottsdale’s most popular people during Hanukkah. When you walk into Two Plates Full, the colors in the store explode in front of you. The stuff featured in the store is, hip and, for the most part, things you would have trouble finding anywhere else. Have you ever seen an Airstream ice cooler? Well, you will if you walk into Two Plates Full. “We really work hard to buy funky, trendy stuff,” says Terri. Terri has four employees and a design girl who helps her display the items in the store. Also, she has a silent partner who, in all reality, isn’t all that silent. “My Mom is my partner,” says Terri with a laugh. 60 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Her customer base is mostly women, but she has a loyal following of men buyers. That is the one interesting element of the store – she has something for everyone. Additionally, she is active in the internet world, providing an awesome newsletter at twoplatesfull.com. But, where she really makes her internet mark is with her blog, blahblahrambleramble.com. Clearly, she has a voice and wants to be heard (see excerpt page 63). The real appeal of Two Plates Full is the store’s versatility. Nothing is too unique and it is especially so during the holiday season. In addition to December, March in the Valley is a popular time for the store too. Besides their staple customers, Two Plates Full caters to Spring Training visitors, car enthusiasts who travel her for Barrett Jackson, horse people who visit West World for different horse shows, and all the young people who come to Phoenix for spring break.
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Two Plates Full features a fun-filled event every month called Second Sunday Art Fest. On that day, they feature local artists to promote they local talent. Music and food are featured throughout the day as they bring food trucks to park outside in a festive atmosphere. Terri is proud of the heritage and legacy she has built with the store. Her kids grew up in the store – her daughter making change while her son built tunnels with empty boxes. The family is active in the community, whether it be donating decorations to different events or contributing their time and efforts to the Arizona Animal Welfare League. It is clear she has left her mark.
62 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
She takes great pride in the fact that her clientele is loyal. She believes the way her employees treat the customer is what keeps them coming back. “Our personalities are fun and engaging,” says Terri. “It separates us from other stores.” She laughs when she explains how items turn into store displays. “I am a shopaholic. So, if I don’t sell it, I put it on display.” It is those displays that make Two Plates Full different from all other stores.
Blogging on blahblahrambleramble.com The following two excerpts give a small taste of the energy in Terri’s blog and her store (as well as her propensity to channel e. e. cummings): • AND THIS IS BIG NEWS......Drinking 3 Glasses of Champagne a Week Is Good for Your Brain.....well ......back in the day.....my friend pam and i use to drink a bottle of asti every night after work when we were part of the team that opened the downtown chicago marriott......i should never have stopped.....i read this on facebook....a very reliable news source... :) .........its probably the bubbles that not only tickle your nose they tickle your brain....so i ran out to the grocery store and bought all the bottles of asti i could carry......but i forgot my wallet.....and then i couldnt find my car in the parking lot....now what was i writing about......oh ya......champagne...the bubbly...... saturday we will be serving a bit of the bubbly....just so you can remember why you came to two plates full...... shopping.......shopping......more shopping...... • and if you wake up monday and are feeling like you need a hug.....now this may be a one time only event..... or we may do it every time he comes in town......it’s give a hug...get a hug monday......yes this monday the 16th.... my little brother will be passing through town and will be giving free hugs....yes you heard me....free hugs on give a hug get a hug monday....he actually came up with the idea himself......there definitely is no question that he’s my brother .......but you must be 40 years old and older......i think it only makes sense that we have an age limit..... if you know what i mean.....after all for most of the time we are a G rated store......and no i haven’t dipped into the bubbly yet!!!!! i might have to challenge my other brother to come up with his own special day.....we are such a special family..... actually we are....if you’ve been coming to the store for a while chances are you’ve met my mom.....she’s a feisty little thing.....you would never guess that she’s turning 88 in a few months....oh i mean 29.....both my brothers are pretty wild and crazy.....well maybe more back in their college days at the Frat house down at u of a ......but they still come up with some pretty wild and crazy stuff.....and both my kids cassie and robbie have been raised in the fun and craziness of this family......and this store...... well i’ve really gone a.d.d. with this one.....so i’ll end with this THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON THIS WEEKEND.....WE HOPE A STOP AT TWO PLATES FULL IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST......
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www.stevansconsignment.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 63
Should you go A new website can answer that question by analyzing publicly available images of your home, neighborhood or region
By Abigail Klein Leichman Israel 21c
solar?
Like many other environment-conscious and cost-conscious homeowners, maybe you’re considering installing solar panels on your roof. Though the sun’s energy is free, the panels represent a significant capital expense. Will you break even, let alone save money, by switching from fossil fuels to solar power? Now there’s a website that can answer that question definitively, at no cost. Currently in private beta, SolView is an online system for automatic solar potential estimation for parties on each end of the process: the homeowner and the solar-panel provider. Using imagery from globally available services, SolView applies a special algorithm developed to identify regions, municipalities, neighborhoods and individual houses where a switch to solar makes sense. “The US and other places are experiencing a major rise in the number of solar installations and capacity,” says SolView founder Ofer Sadka. “Hundreds of thousands of new homes are having solar-energy systems installed, and that will dramatically rise over the next few years. Leading companies are trying to find the best 64 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
way to reach customers, and this is where SolView comes in with its unique technology.” The Israeli company was founded two years ago with a seed investment from Capital Nature alongside funding from the Office of the Chief Scientist in the Economy Ministry. “We’re part of the Israeli national renewable energy center in the Arava, and we’re now working with the world’s largest solar companies and making initial significant deals,” Sadka tells ISRAEL21c. “We’ve managed to create the backbone of this technology and bring it to a commercially viable stage.” How much will it cost and save? For homeowners, the SolView website pledges to provide “an unbiased, swift assessment process,” says Sadka, who has a computer engineering degree from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and an MBA from Tel Aviv University. “When considering solar, normally you approach an installer and they’ll send a professional to your house. It takes time, and you’re not sure it’s the best assessment [because the company has a vested interest]. SolView will tell you if you’re good for solar or not. We’re not trying to make a hard sale.” Nor is the answer simply “yes” or “no.” The website shows how it would look to have panels overlaid on your roof, and exactly how much they will cost you and save you, as well as the
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expected rate of return on investment. For installers, the service is similar but on a wider scale. “We can scan entire areas so they can identify the best potential customers and target their sales force in a much more intelligent way,” says Sadka. The private beta test focuses on this business-to-business aspect. “We have specific coverage areas in the US where the services are actually available,” Sadka says. “Our objective is to substantially increase our coverage in the US and also make it available anywhere in the world.” SolView is essentially an image-processing company, he explains. “The core technology has to do with analysis of imagery, and as we rely on standard available images we ultimately could
“We’re part of the Israeli national renewable energy center in the Arava, and we’re now working with the world’s largest solar companies and making initial significant deals. We’ve managed to create the backbone of this technology and bring it to a
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commercially viable stage.” – SolView founder Ofer Sadka
cater to customers worldwide. Businesses may be run differently in the UK and US, but the technology is the same.” Not only for sunny regions You might think that unless you live in a sunny southern state, solar panels could not possibly make sense. Sadka says that is a mistaken assumption. “Throughout the United States there can be regions in which solar is viable,” he states. “It’s not viable everywhere, but there are solar installation companies covering practically the entire country.” He estimates that up to 60% of areas surveyed will be found suitable. Often it’s not the geographic location that matters
most, but the positioning and architecture of the houses. The SolView site will reveal if your roof is not facing the right direction, if it’s not the right shape to accommodate panels or if dense tree cover doesn’t allow the sun’s rays to penetrate. Sadka says homeowners with a “green” agenda are not the only ones looking into solar energy. “The primary reason people are interested now is that it’s financially viable for anyone. That’s what’s driving this immense growth.” In many areas, the regional power authority will buy generated energy from homeowners to add to the energy grid through feed-in tariffs. Sadka explains that he previously worked in software imaging-processing companies. “At some point I wanted to do something more environmental, gearing my experience to causes I believe in. I decided that helping the world go toward renewable energy would harness my capabilities in a way that would be most productive.” And will Sadka’s own home benefit from solar panels? That’s a question for the future; for now, he lives in a high-rise building in central Israel. For more information, visit solview.com. Abigail Klein Leichman is a writer and associate editor at ISRAEL21c. Prior to moving to Israel in 2007, she was a specialty writer and copy editor at a daily newspaper in New Jersey and has freelanced for a variety of newspapers and periodicals since 1984.
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Avie Guttman
Seniors
Smile on Seniors teams with interviewer to create family legacies By Melissa Hirschl
Inside 68 Senior Interviewer creates legacies 71 SOS Programs 72 Generations run to health 74 Runners Hall of Fame 75 Elder Rehab
68 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Rabbi Levi Levertov of the Chabad Jewish Center of Phoenix knows a great thing when he sees one –and he saw one in Scottsdale resident Avie Guttman. The two met about a year ago and soon realized they could team up to make a lasting and powerful impact on the local Jewish senior community. As director of Chabad's local Smile on Seniors, Rabbi Levertov and his wife, Chani, provide Shabbat dinners, cocktail parties, Hanukkah parties, lectures and other gatherings for local Jewish seniors, as well as Shabbat and holiday programs at area senior living facilities. Avie’s Recorded Interview Program for seniors provided the perfect synchronicity. Rabbi Levertov provides a steady stream of seniors, and Avie provides a priceless service to them – the ability to leave a verbal legacy of their rich and varied lives.
Rabbi Levertov uses his technological wizardry to transform Avie's tapes to a USB drive for a computer or TV, creating a lasting memoir complete with a picture of the interviewee in front of a Jewish-themed background. As a long-time student of Kabbalah, Avie felt this project aligned with her spiritual path in life. “I wanted to do something meaningful and without cost. Kabbalah is about transforming yourself into a giver, emptying yourself of your ego and becoming a channel for blessings. It's all about being the ‘light.’ I truly believe the more kindness you give, the more you get back.” Avie says she believes her long-standing interest in books, history and biographies of people are what makes her so interested in people relating their life stories. Her sense of compassion, she says,
Avie’s Recorded Interview Program for seniors provided the perfect synchronicity. Rabbi Levertov provides a steady stream of seniors, and Avie provides a priceless service to them – the ability to leave a verbal legacy of their rich and varied lives. comes from being the baby of the family and surrounded by adults. “I also cared for my father, who was paralyzed. Now I want to give strangers what I would have given my own family if they were still around.” A typical hour-long session with Avie takes place at the Scottsdale and Shea Chabad library (and occasionally retirement homes and private homes) and is not only free, but available to any senior regardless of religious affiliation. In addition, the records are entirely confidential. “Not even the rabbi knows what's on the tapes,” says Avie. The recorded interviews always remain on Rabbi Levertov's computer, however, there is a new offer from Dr. Lawrence Bell at the Cutler Plotkin Historical Society in downtown Phoenix. He has offered to allow the interviewees to use his archives to save the recorded tapes. “When Avie proposed doing interviews, we knew this was something truly unique,” says Rabbi Levertov. “She had the background and a real passion for it. It's amazing to see someone who truly cares about the community do this kind of mitzvah. People sometimes think mitzvahs are mainly tied to money, but not in this case. This is a win-win situation. Avie feels empowered, as well as the seniors.” To achieve a memorable and engaging interview, Avie asks a variety of customized questions aimed at uncovering not only your personal history but your dreams, life lessons, passions, careers, grand loves, family, travels, hobbies, friends
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Seniors and philosophies. She relates that many people are skeptical before they grasp the total concept. “People ask if I'm going to write a book about them or if I'm a Ph.D. student,” she says. “Sometimes they think I'm going to give it to the newspaper, which of course will never happen. But they have every right to be concerned and I understand that.” Before embarking on becoming an interviewer, Avie had a colorful and creative life that set the stage for her Recorded Interview Program. An art history major and interior designer, she interviewed many people in her hometown of Santa Barbara, CA. These interviews were conducted through the Santa Barbara Historical Society. “My interviewees included directors, bank presidents, authors and even a spy,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. Little did she know it at the time, but her inter-
“My interviewees
included directors, bank presidents,
authors and even a spy.” – Avie Guttman
viewing skills would pave the way for writing a book. Ten years ago Avie was a docent at the Casa del Herrero Historical Home in Santa Barbara, which was built in the 1920s and included 12 acres of gardens. “The grandson of the renowned landscape artist Lockwood de Forrest mentioned to the director that he wanted a book created about his grandfather,” she says. “The director introduced him to me, and I spent a good deal of time doing interviews with him and taking pictures. I created the book, it got published and out of gratitude for being in this wonderful place for 14 years I donated the proceeds. The artist’s work is still being sold.” Now Avie spends most of her energy on her interviews. Her goal? “To interview every senior in Phoenix,” she says.
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Amber Creek Inn in Scottsdale— Now Accepting Residents!
Chani Levertov spends a moment with a senior who benefits from the Smile on Seniors program, and the senior’s daughter.
Smile on Seniors Upcoming Programs Tuesday, Dec. 1, 5-6 pm: Happy Hour Dec. 7-14: Hanukkah Programming (various locations) Friday, Dec. 18, 4:45 pm: Shabbat Dinner Friday, Jan. 15, 4:45 pm: Shabbat Dinner Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2 pm: Understanding Dementia and Communication Location: 2110 E Lincoln Dr., Phoenix For more information on Smile on Seniors activities: 602-492-7670 Interviews with Avie Guttman: 480656-0717 | avie@sosaz.org
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 71
Seniors
The 40th Annual Phoenix 10 K and Half Marathon includes runs for all ages and abilities, including the Mollen Mile benefitting the Mollen Foundation in its efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle in children that includes fitness, nutrition and self esteem through exercise programs and nutritional education.
Dr. Art Mollen:
Helping generations run to health
Dr. Art Mollen, who was the subject of Arizona Jewish Life’s October 2012 cover story, created the Phoenix 10K in 1976 with the goal of providing a community event that celebrated fitness and physical well-being. This year’s 40th anniversary event drew more than 5,000 runners on Nov. 1 at Cityscape in downtown Phoenix. Dr. Mollen, 70, started running 45 years ago as a senior in medical school and still runs today, albeit at a slower pace. He had never been a runner and would at most run 100 yards; nor had he dreamed of starting a marathon, but that all changed when he read an article by Dr. Dave Worthen about running the Boston Marathon. Dr. Mollen called Dr. Worthen and was in San Diego by the following weekend to run with his group, which was 72 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
the catalyst for Dr. Mollen’s decision to start the Arizona Marathon Society (AMF). It all started with a handful of Dr. Mollen’s patients, who met every Sunday at Doubletree Road and Tatum Boulevard. The group ran at a slow pace because it was about getting beginners started in healthy habits. Over a period of a year and a half, the group continued to meet every Sunday and grew to more than 400 people. With the increase of runners, Dr. Mollen decided the AMS should sponsor a run, and the first Phoenix 10K was born in 1976. It was held down 40th Street and Camelback Road on the picturesque canals by the North Bank Restaurant. The North Bank Restaurant, owned then by Bill Levine, became the run’s first major sponsor. Levine enlisted an Olympic gold
medalist marathon runner from the 1976 Olympics to help promote the race. Also persuaded to attend was Jesse Owens, an Olympic gold medalist who set three world records and won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Germany, and who happened to be living in Phoenix. Dr. Mollen says, “I remember at the first press conference, Jesse Owens, who was a sprinter, of course, said ‘anyone who runs more than 100 yards is crazy.’ ” Owens was inducted posthumously into the Arizona Runners Hall of Fame created by Dr. Mollen as part of the 3TV Phoenix 10K in 2011. The first race was expected to have 500 participants. More than 1,500 runners showed up! From that point on the iconic Phoenix 10K & Half Marathon took the lead in the Arizona running community and never looked back. For Dr. Mollen, the race was about the running community and his patients. He would meet with patients three times a week to run up to four miles with his patients. Nurses would be on hand to take blood pressure, monitor the patients and treat them for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr. Mollen decided to add a revolutionary cardiac division to the annual Phoenix run. This meant patients who had recently had a heart attack, heart surgery, or bypass would recover by training to run with the goal of participating in the run. Today training cardiac patients to exercise is called Cardiac Rehabilitation and is widely practiced, but back in the 1970s the common treatment for cardiac patients was complete bed rest for three weeks. Everyone thought it was crazy to train patients who had just had a heart attack to run. But Dr. Mollen was encouraged by Honolulu
cardiologist Dr. Jack Scaff, and Toronto cardiologist Dr. Terrence Kavanaugh, both of whom had a cardiac rehabilitation program. The first five years of the run the number of participants jumped from 1,500 to over 5,500. In 1981, Levine sold the North Bank Restaurant, and the AMS event became the New Times 10K sponsored by the Phoenix New Times. Longtime runner and race volunteer Harvey Beller became executive director. By 1986, 15,000 runners ran through Park Central Mall and down Central Avenue. “Soon, the New Times 10K began to compete against running events that were popping up throughout the year, but no flashy race will ever beat out the history of the Phoenix 10K,” says Beller. The Phoenix 10K has become a generational event. Runners from the first race still run in the 3TV Phoenix 10K today, and their children and their grandchildren also run. The Phoenix 10K runs in the Mollen family. Family members who have run include Dr. Mollen’s wife Paige; his children Brad, Jenny Biggs, Samantha and Chase; his son-in-law Jason Biggs; and his older sisters from out of state. His cousin Dr. Martin Mollen ran for the first several years, and his four children have run the race. To further support the community, the event has raised funds for various nonprofit organizations throughout the Valley over the past 40 years. Formerly known as the New Times 10K, the now 3TV Phoenix 10K offers several events including a half marathon to accommodate people of all ages and fitness levels.
ce n e i r e “Exp prings The S rence” diffe
3212 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 • 480-941-9026 www.thespringsofscottsdale.com ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 73
Seniors Arizona Runners Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Art Mollen and Lois Drinkwater
In 2011 Dr. Art Mollen created the Arizona Runners Hall of Fame to honor and memorialize the outstanding achievement and contributions of distinguished individuals to the running community of Arizona. This year Lois Drinkwater, 68, was one of the inductees. Lois competed in the 1968 Olympics while still a student at Phoenix Central High School in Arizona. She also represented the U.S. in an indoor dual against West Germany in 1969. She later attended Wooster College, running track there for their first team in the 1970 indoor season, and represented the Phoenix Track Club. Drinkwater won the 1968 AAU Indoors at 400 meters.
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74 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
She was second at that meet in 1969, and also placed second in 1968 in the 400 at both the AAU and Olympic Trials. Also inducted into the hall of fame this year were Lisa Aguilera, Harvey Beller and Dennis Poolheco. Previous years’ honorees who have been inducted “for their quintessential commitment to the health and well-being of the Arizona community” are: Susan Loken, Bruce Skinner, George Young, Kathy Gibbons Jackson (posthumously), William S. Levine, Ed Mendoza, Steve Scott, Sally Ann Whitney, Herman Frazier, Jesse Owens (posthumously), Lynn Nelson, David Barney, Fred Moore, Sally Meyerhoff (posthumously), Trina Painter and Dr. Tom Miller.
Elder Rehab at
Tucson J now enrolling
The Elder Rehab program returns to the Tucson Jewish Community Center beginning Jan. 25, 2016.
Elder rehab is a research-tested physical, mental and social stimulation program, developed by psychologist Sharon Arkin, assistant research scientist (ret.) at the University of Arizona Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. The Elder Rehab Program provides each participant with a University of Arizona intern or volunteer partner who conducts 10-12 weeks of twice-weekly, two-hour sessions of physical exercise and cognitive-linguistic exercises and games. This session offers an optional activity of reading stories to children at the Tucson J’s Early Childhood Education Center. Accompanying caregivers may use The J’s fitness facilities while their partner is in the program. Criteria for the Elder Rehab Program: age 50 or older; mild to moderate memory loss; ambulatory (walker or cane OK); continent (pads or Depends OK); transportation to and from the Tucson J; able to communicate; and accompanied by a responsible caregiver or family member. The program starts the week of Jan. 25 and the cost is $100 per participant. According to Elder Rehab Director Dr. Sharon Arkin, “There's a waiting list of bright, energetic University of Arizona students eager to be a ‘personal trainer’ and friend to an elderly participant. Former student volunteers and interns credit their Elder Rehab experience with helping them get into med school and other graduate programs. Five of last semester's interns had good-paying ‘companion’ jobs over the summer.” She adds, “Elder Rehab is a win-win situation for all concerned: exercise and mental and social stimulation for the memory-impaired participants, experience and academic credit for the student volunteers, and respite for the caregivers.” The Tucson J is located at 3800 E River Road, Tucson. For information and registration, contact the Tucson J at 520-299-3000 or visit tucsonjcc.org.
What does the Federation do? We help people. Your donation to the Federation makes an amazing difference in peoples lives by: ... taking care of Jews in need, building community and creating vibrant Jewish life. ... increasing understanding and support of Israel through education, experiential connections and a community voice. ... engaging with young adult Jews and enabling them to define Jewish family in ways they find meaningful. ... helping older adults remain active, healthy, and living independently in their communities longer.
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ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 75
Rally marks 20th anniversary of Rabin assassination
Story and photos courtesy of “Remembering the Murder, Fighting for Democracy�
Former President Bill Clinton addresses the 100,000 people who attended the Tel Aviv rally marking the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Clinton helped broker the 1993 Oslo interim peace talks between Rabin and late PLO leader Yasser Arafat. 76 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Story and photos courtesy of “Remembering the Murder, Fighting for Democracy”
The annual memorial rally marking the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin took place Oct. 31 in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv. This peace rally held at the site of the murder marked the 20th year since the former prime minister and defense minister was assassinated. Under the banner “Remembering the murder, fighting for democracy,” the rally was attended by an unprecedented 100,000 people from all ages and sectors of Israeli society. Speakers included former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. President Rivlin said, "We might be arguing about the right way, but we dream together about an Israel free of extremism and racism." Bill Clinton said, "Only you can decide that a future of peace is less dangerous to the state of Israel than a future of war." President Obama delivered a special video message to the participants and the Israeli public, saying, “Let's prove that we are opposing violence and extremism. Rabin's spirit and dream will never die." Tony Naser, head of the Arab division of the Noar Oved VeLomed youth movement, said, "I am moved and excited to think about the possibility that what's happening here, in this rally, Jews and Arabs, Orthodox and secular together, will become our day-to-day reality." Other speakers included Israeli leaders from different backgrounds, including Rabbi Yuval Cherlow; Sarah Rosenfeld,
mother of Malachi Rosenfeld, who was murdered in a terror act near Shviut Rachel; and Yitzhak Rabin’s grandson, Yonatan Ben-Artzi. There were powerful musical performances from a number of Israeli artists including Rita, Nisreen Kadry and Shai Ozeri. All speakers denounced acts of exclusion and terror in Israel such as those labeled "price tag" acts. There was a large presence of youth movement members in the crowd, and many of the speakers spoke directly to them, urging them to be the new generation to fight for democracy and against violence in Israel. The event was coordinated by a council composed of members of various movements and organizations, including Dror Israel, Bnei Akiva, Hashomer Hatzair, the Student Union and several American Jewish federations. All sponsoring organizations signed a declaration calling for a more democratic and inclusive society. The declaration concluded with this statement: Therefore, we the undersigned hereby call on all Bnei Yisrael and all parts of Israeli society to undertake our generations’ mission, with the understanding that Israel faces difficult historic and fateful decisions. These decisions can only be made through the democratic process and moral values. We seek to hold up the assassination of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin as a warning sign to Israeli society as we grapple with the decisions that are knocking at our door, and to commit that all disputes be decided through the democratic process. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 77
78 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Robert, z”l, and Judi Gottschalk
VOSJCC opens Bob Gottschalk Youth and Camping Wing By Debra Rich Gettleman
g n i v Li
Inside
79 Youth wing dedicated 81 Women’s Philanthropy 83 The Pearl Society 84 Faces & Places 87 Federation Notes 87 NowGen grants announced 88 Previews 89 Calendar
His full name was Robert Gottschalk. “But everyone knew him as Bob,” says his wife, Judi. Though Bob fell prey to lymphocytic leukemia in 2011, Judi is determined to keep his legacy alive for the future of kids in the Arizona Jewish community. Judi and her family have pledged an impressive gift of $150,000 to the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center to build the Bob Gottschalk Youth and Camping Wing. The wing will provide a safe and inclusive environment for young people and will encourage new Jewish leadership and enhance Jewish connections for children all across the Valley. The official opening party, a private celebration, for the Bob Gottschalk Youth and Camping Wing is Dec. 3. But the wing has been in use since the beginning of the school year with more than 120 children passing through the doors of the youth wing each week. From summer camps to after school programs, school's out days and holiday camps, kids night out and teen programs, the new youth wing expects to be buzzing with activity for many years to come. “Bob grew up in San Diego,” Judi shares. “He had three brothers and one sister, and they were all big fans of the JCC.” They all attended afterschool programs at the JCC and were very committed to being a part of the JCC and the Jewish community. “Bob was a gym rat,” she says with a laugh. “He loved the gym. He loved playing basketball and hanging out at the JCC.” Bob’s deepest friendships began at the JCC, and that’s why Judi and the Gottschalk family are thrilled to announce the opening of the Youth and Camping Wing at the VOSJCC this month. Bob was a camp counselor at the San Diego JCC and spent much of his spare time at the JCC, working out, playing basketball and coaching youth leagues. He got a degree in physical education at San Diego State and had aspirations to work with a JCC after college. At a post-graduation conference, he saw JCC job postings in Phoenix and New Orleans. “He told me to pick which city I wanted to go to,” Judi says. Her response at the time was, “I don’t even know where either of those two cities are.” Still she chose Phoenix. After coming to Arizona, having three sons, raising a family and developing a strong bond with the Jewish community, Judi is cementing her Arizona connection and celebrating Bob with this generous endowment. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 79
Bob worked as an assistant physical education director at the JCC. He went on to be the PE director and then became the assistant executive director. After eight years of JCC service, Bob attended Hebrew Union College with the hope of becoming a JCC executive director. But after some soul searching, Bob decided he didn’t want to leave Phoenix and was ready to embark on a more entrepreneurial path. Though his career took him in a different direction, Bob’s commitment to the JCC never waned. He served on the board of the JCC and as the president. “He loved to stick his nose into everyone’s business,” Judi jokingly recounts. “He couldn’t stay away. He couldn’t quit them, and they couldn’t get rid of him.” Whether he was counseling, coaching or acting as a trusted advisor, Bob believed in the JCC and its important and inclusive mission. Bob’s business career led him to the dry-cleaning business and then into the pharmaceutical industry. In 1999 he joined Health Care Dimensions, where he developed and marketed Silver Sneakers, a physical activity and socialization program for older adults, which, as the company’s chief sales executive, Bob helped build into a national brand. He retired in 2009 to focus on his health. “But he never stopped working,” Judi says. “He wanted something to get up for every day.” Bob launched Renewal Technologies in the midst of his serious health issues to bring to market the Laser Touch One, an FDA-approved pain relief device available to consumers without a prescription. Bob saw the Laser Touch One as an opportunity to connect millions of pain sufferers with a proven pain relief solution to help them regain active, healthy lifestyles and vastly improve their quality of life. Like his work and commitment to the JCC, Bob’s passion to improve lives was exhibited in everything he did. Whether in business, child rearing or as a leader in the community, Bob was committed to improving lives through hard work, physical activity and community connection. But it was Bob’s passion for the JCC that led Judi and her family to step in as the VOSJCC’s Youth and Camping Department was outgrowing its current space. “Bob believed that the JCC is a core component of a Jewish community,” says Judi. “No matter where you are on the continuum of Jewish belief, you can come to the center.” This sense of belonging to a community is of the utmost importance to the Gottschalk family, which is why they have created a space at the JCC to ensure the same opportunity for future Jewish children to connect to Jewish neighbors, friends and their community at large. “I believe it’s the obligation of the community to support this welcome haven,” says Judi. “It’s your home, even if you don’t need it. It’s our obligation and it’s so important to the infrastructure of Judaism.” “Bob had a deep belief that as a result of the facilities, programming, inclusive mission statement and the welcoming personnel, the JCC has been and will always be the most nonthreatening access point into Jewish life for members of our community,” says Judi. “The JCC was more than ‘just a place’ for Bob. It was his skin. He had the opportunity to come of age at the JCC, and our family’s vision is that (that) should be a reality for all Jewish youth going well into the future.”
80 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Women's Philanthropy Board Chair Julee Landau Shahon, left, and Director of Women's Philanthropy Robin Loeb
Women’s Philanthropy: Sharing the Passion
By Leni Reiss
The fabled Phoenix bird symbolizes renewal and represents the capacity for vision and intense inspiration. Much the same can be said of the revitalization taking place here in the Valley of the Sun at Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Robin Loeb, presently federation director of women’s philanthropy and donor relations, is best able to present a historical overview. Since the late 1980s, when she served here as BBYO director before taking a break to tend to her growing family, she has been deeply involved as a Jewish communal professional.
IN HER WORDS/ROBIN LOEB
Robin: “All organizations now are experiencing enormous transitions. But our work and mission never has changed. And in retrospect it is clear that women are the heart and soul – and hands on – of the Jewish world worldwide, not only local. “The overbearing caricature of the Jewish woman is ridiculous. The truth is that in the big picture, women carry on – on all fronts – to keep us together. Our mindset is to make things happen for the betterment of the Jewish people. Our mindset is to see what needs to be done and then do it. “Locally, we are coming full cycle, responding to the reaction of so many younger women’s reaction to technology. There is a renewed desire for the personal touch. Here at federation we actually are back to incorporating snail mail in a good way. Messages
go out on behalf of Women’s Philanthropy with congratulations, acknowledgements, condolences … we are ramping up personal phone calls and overall recognizing the need for connection. “It all boils down to ‘people to people.’ It’s our job to make the community aware of the big picture locally, nationally and internationally – to recognize that we all are a part of a world community as well as a local community. Of course education is critical. Our overriding charge is to reach out and engage as many people as possible, and we are on our way. “ Leading the effort to advance this goal is Shari Kanefsky, who moved to the Valley from Chicago in 1986 after having served there in major federation leadership roles. She and her husband, Irwin, soon connected with local leaders.
IN HER WORDS/SHARI KANEFSKY
“Irwin and I went as a couple – almost immediately – to connect with federation. It just made sense for us to seek an environment similar to the one we had left. It was a no-brainer. And I even knew some of the local lay leaders and professional staff through the national network. I wasn’t interested in starting over – but in joining in. I chaired a Lion of Judah event, served as president of women’s division, missions’ chair, general campaign chair, vice president of federation – and then I took a break. “Two years ago in 2013 I came back when Irwin and I agreed to serve as general campaign chairs – and it was during that time that I saw that the role of women, which traditionally had been so powerful, had been diluted. Maybe it was the years of economic downturn combined with diminished programming
across the board and the resultant reconstruction of federation. But what had been a major and powerful female presence when the campaign was most powerful had become diminished. “I really took it on myself to pitch to leadership and the professional staff how critical it would be to revitalize the women’s board, which had transitioned over the years from Women’s Division to Women’s Department to Women’s Philanthropy. With the blessings of the local staff and input from national leadership, I have been reaching out to a cross section of local women, one-on-one, to get them on board to meet with national leaders, including the national general chair of Jewish Federations of North America. We talked about how women can make a difference – that we have before and we can do it again. I didn’t have a title, so I took it upon myself to be a cheerleader and challenged these local women to round up others to spearhead the movement and create what now is our Women’s Philanthropy board. I am proud and happy to serve as advisor. “
ROBIN LOEB
“Shari deserves so much credit for her determination in putting back into place today’s version of all that worked so well for us in the past. A wonderful group of women are at the helm. WP Board Chair Julee Landau Shahon and WP Campaign Chair Sally Oscherwitz have taken on major roles.”
Shari Kanefsky, left, and Julee Landau Shahon
Women’s Philanthropy: 480-634-4900 ext. 1129 or 1111 | womensphilanthropy@jewishphoenix.org ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 81
JULEE LANDAU SHAHON AND SALLY OSCHERWITZ
Sally settled in the East Valley from Dallas in 1992. As is the case with Julee, she came from a rich family heritage of It is hard to resist the enthusiasm with Jewish involvement and commitment. An which Julee and Sally talk about their con“empty nester,” she soon became active nection with Women’s Philanthropy. on the boards of Tempe’s Temple Eman“I’m totally excited with the new faces, the uel, the East Valley Jewish Community new involvement,” Julee says. Moving from Center and federation. As this year’s WP Detroit to the Valley in 2001, “being single, campaign chair, she says she is inspired by not knowing a soul and coming from a family visits to organizations under the federarepresenting several generations of givers,” tion umbrella. “I am convinced we are on Julee says, “Federation and philanthropy are the right track to encourage more parin my blood, so federation seemed to me to ticipation and involvement. There are so be a great place to meet people.” many good things going on, and I am so Julee soon proved invaluable, and she happy to be a part of this wonderful orgaascended the leadership ladder with roles nization and (am) committed to sustain including chairman of an Israel mission, coand advance all the good things that are in chair of the 2010 Mega Event and chairman the works.” the 2010-2011 federation campaign. She On a personal level Sally says, “It is a presently is immersed in her post as WP pleasure to be meeting such great people, board chair. “Going forward, we are emphaSally Oscherwitz (to) spend time and work with them to sizing donor appreciation and acknowledging make a difference – here, nationally, in donor support. The idea is to not just ask for Israel and all over the world.” money but to share our passion for the work we do.” She reminds Valley women to mark their calendars for Friday, To that end Julee cites a reinstituted speakers’ series, a series March 4, when Jane Weitzman, philanthropist, fashion leader of mini-missions and the inauguration of TOV, Tikkun Olam and executive vice president of Stuart Weitzman, will share her Volunteers, affording women the opportunity to partner with Life-Legacy-JewishLife-3.604x4.937-Bleed-FINAL.pdf 1 10/19/2015 5:28:11 PM insights at the WP IGNITION! luncheon at the Hilton Scottlocal Jewish agencies. Education and outreach efforts will offer sdale Resort. the chance to see firsthand where the dollars go locally.
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The Pearl Society Introduced this year by Women’s Philanthropy, the Pearl Society recognizes women who contribute a minimum of $180 a year to the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix annual campaign. The Pearl Society necklace (pictured) can be purchased for $49, including an 18-inch chain. A Pearl Society recognition event is set for Dec. 10, with 6:30 pm check in at the Scottsdale showroom of Allstate Appliances, the WP platinum corporate sponsor. Space is limited; tickets are $18. Chef Lisa Rotmil, co-author of The Community Table, is the featured speaker. Register online at jewishphoenix.org.
Family Hanukkah Party Friday, December 11, 2015 6:30PM
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J Living
FACES & PLACES
PRIME SPEAKER – Meir Jolovitz with Elaine Hirsch of the Bureau of Jewish Education prior to his lecture at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus on “The Prime Ministers.” One in a series sponsored by the BJE, Jolovitz is exploring the legacies of leaders who shaped the State of Israel. A lecturer, speechwriter and Middle East analyst, Jolovitz has served in the past in several leadership roles here, nationally and in Israel for Jewish agencies and organizations. Photo by Leni Reiss MUSIC FEST – “Headliner” Mikey Pauker performs with Phoenix performer Ari Lesser, right, at the third annual Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest Nov. 1 in Phoenix before heading into the crowd after his performance. Photos by Hershl Weberman
HOMECOMING – Jerry Ross Barrish is “Plastic Man,” the subject of a film produced by former Phoenician Janis Plotkin, daughter of the late Rabbi Albert and Sylvia Plotkin. Barrish and Plotkin attended a screening of the documentary at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center on Nov. 5. The film tells the story of Barrish, the owner of a bail bond business, who has become a noted craftsman, assembling discarded plastic into whimsical, evocative and poignant human and animal figures. Jodi Meromi, below, who roomed with Plotkin at the University of Washington in Seattle, paid a surprise visit and is pictured with Plotkin. Photos by Leni Reiss
CAMPUS FUN – Jewish Arizonans on Campus from the University of Arizona got together on Nov. 3 to decorate mugs and socialize. JAC has students and programs at both Arizona State University and UA campuses as well as programs for young adults through jLIVE Arizona.
FAMILY FUN – Valley of the Sun President and CEO Stuart Wachs (center) tries his luck at Black Jack. Casino Night 2015 was chaired by Laurie Kline and Scott Weiss, as well as their spouses David Kline and Andi Weiss, in recognition of their brother. At right, honoree Gary Weiss, third from left, front row, poses with family members at Casino Night at the J, Saturday night, Oct. 17. Weiss, the 2015 Irv Shuman Award honoree, was recognized “for exemplifying the spirit of tzedakah through commitment, passion, service and leadership within the community.” More than 370 people attended the Western-themed gala that raised $135,000 to support youth scholarships and programs at the VOS JCC.
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SETH SPEAKS – Leni Reiss, contributing editor for Arizona Jewish Life, addresses “pressing issues” with Seth Rudetsky in his dressing room at Desert Foothills Theater prior to his one-man show on Oct. 25. The performance, “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show,” featured Rudetsky’s trademark “deconstructions” using his personal audio and video collection to break down performances from Broadway divas. It was the first Arizona apLINCOLN LECTURE – From left, Professor Hava Samuelson greets pearance for the popular radio host (SIriusXM On Broadway), Professor Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University and author of Lin- writer, actor, artistic producer and comedy writer. Proceeds coln and the Jews. Below are Robert and Shoshana Tanzer. Sarna, benefitted the theater, a division of the Foothills Community chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History Foundation. in Philadelphia, signs a copy of his book for Arizona State University student Rand Burke and his mother, Jacki Cohen. The Oct. 28 event at Congregation Beth Israel, was one in a series coordinated by Valley Beit Midrash. The Sarna appearance was cosponsored by ASU’s Center for Jewish Studies. Photos by Leni Reiss
PROFOUND LESSONS – Dr. Robert and Nancy Kravetz check in with Rabbi Arthur Kurzweil at the rabbi’s appearance at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale. Kurzweil, who was presented by Valley Beit Midrash, wrote the forwards for books by both Kravetzes. His topic on Nov. 4 was “20 Profound Lessons from Kabbalah That I Made Sure to Teach My Children.” Photo by Leni Reiss
MEGA CHALLAH BAKE – 250 women and girls gathered for the second Mega Challah Bake of Tucson, learning how to knead and braid challah on Thursday, October 22. Organized as part of the Shabbos Project by Chabad Tucson and the Tucson JCC, the event included a prayer for Israel, an inspirational video about Shabbat, joyous dancing and a challah and dip spread. Photo: Jeff Weber.
STIMULATING SESSION – Dr. Carl Hammerschlag, left, with Rabbi Steven Exler, was in the audience at Temple Chai on Oct. 26 when the rabbi led a discussion on “The Ultimate Sacrifice: Wrestling with the Binding of Isaac. Different Perspectives on Faith.” Attendees included several local rabbis. Rabbi Exler is one in a series of speakers brought to the Valley by Valley Beit Midrash. Photo by Leni Reiss
University of Arizona students take a selfie during the Mega Challah Bake of Tucson. ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 85
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MEANINGFUL MEGA EVENT – Michelle Mandell and Bob and Sara Silver on stage at the Orpheum Theater in Phoenix, site of the 2015 Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Mega Event on Nov. 12. The trio chaired the gala, which featured an appearance by actor, director, screenwriter and producer Zach Braff. Sheryl and Richard Quen were among the close to 1,000 attendees. Photos by Leni Reiss
AZ IN D.C. – Arizonans, from top below, were well represented at the annual Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly (GA) Nov. 8-10 in Washington, D.C. Tucsonians Tom Warne, Helaine Levy and Fran Katz were among those from Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. ASU Hillel Director Debbie Yunkel Kail, standing, with Jonathan Wasserman and Danielle Levi, Hillel student leaders at ASU in Tempe. Josh and Amanda Goldberg, newcomers from Ohio to the Valley, were two in the good-sized Phoenix contingent representing the NowGen group. Additional Phoenix/ Scottsdale Federation professionals and volunteers were, from left, Stuart Wachs, David Weiner, Michelle Mandell, Rob Adler and Marty Haberer. Photos by Leni Reiss
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PROUD PHILANTHROPIST—At the GA, Harold Grinspoon, whose foundation sponsors the PJ Library, sharing Jewish culture and values through quality children’s books, holds a copy of the article written about the foundation’s Life & Legacy program in Arizona Jewish Life to contributing editor Leni Reiss.
FEDERATION NOTES
Be the Light By Stuart Wachs
When I reflect on the Hanukkah story during this Season of Light, I am inspired by the perseverance of the Maccabees. Despite being outnumbered by the Syrians, the Maccabees defeated their enemy and remained true to the teachings of the Torah and the covenant made with G-d. They liberated Jerusalem and cleared the Holy Temple of idols. They built a new alter and were determined rededicate the temple. Though there was only enough pure oil to burn for one day, G-d rewarded their dedication with a miracle – the oil burned for eight days until more oil could be made. When we are determined – when we come together – we, too, are rewarded. It is through the collective impact of our giving and the infrastructure created by federation that Jews all over the world feel the light, hope and blessings of Hanukkah. As members of the Jewish community, we are responsible to ourselves and to each other. We are the light that gives hope to those in need – from victims of terrorists in Israel to Jews suffering in Ukraine. Through our values of tzedakah and tikkun olam, we build the vibrancy of our community and of Jewish communities in Israel and 70 countries throughout the world. As you light the candles on each of the eight days, I encourage you to reflect on your blessings and how you can be a light: for children who deserve a Jewish education; young adults who wish to engage with their community; seniors who want to maintain their independence and Jewish dignity; and for Jews who are suffering overseas. I encourage you to be a light for the community and for those who receive help from the federation. I ask you to make a year-end gift to the federation’s 2015 annual campaign. If you have already made a gift, I ask you to consider giving more. So many here in the Valley and around the world depend on us to be the light in their lives this holiday season. Thank you for your generosity and best wishes for a happy Hanukkah. Stuart Wachs is president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
Federation NowGen Giving Circle announces additional funds allocation The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix NowGen Giving Circle announces allocation of additional funds totaling $13,000. “Receiving an additional $13,000 was a blessing – it shows this community truly cares and wants to empower our community’s young Jewish adults to make a difference,” says Blaine Light who co-founded the NowGen Giving Circle. Local organizations received nearly 81% of the additional allocations, totaling $10,500. Among those that received grants were: BBYO, Council for Jews with Special Needs, Friendship Circle, Federation NowGen/Moishe House Collaborative, Jewish Free Loan, Taglit-Birthright Israel and Valley Beit Midrash. In addition to the above agencies, the American Joint Distribution Committee’s Entwine received $2,500 for its local programs. The circle made its inaugural funding grants at the end of August, allocating nearly $20,000 to programs within the Valley of the Sun, throughout the nation and in Israel. The NowGen Giving Circle is comprised of 11 young Jewish adults who want to give in a meaningful way. Members contribute a minimum of $500. The federation provides additional funding and guidance to the circle. “The NowGen Giving Circle is a prime example of enabling young adults to connect to philanthropy in a meaningful way and really see where and how their dollars are being used,” says Erin Searle, development associate, who handles planning, allocations and community relations for the federation. For more information on the next NowGen Giving Circle grant cycle, contact Erin Searle at esearle@jewishphoenix.org.
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JANUARY 31, 2016 | 9AM - 5PM ASU Memorial Union Building Early registration open through December 20, 2015
“Limmud ” means “learning” A day of Jewish experiences as diverse as our community.
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this project is sponsored by
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Jewish Women's Philanthropy Circle of Arizona
ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 87
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PREVIEWS
Start Me Up Applications due Jan. 15
Valley Beit Midrash, a collaborative organization that brings exciting new programs to the Greater Phoenix Jewish community, is taking applications for Cohort No. 3 for the Start Me Up! Fellowship. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2016. The Start Me Up! Program is a partnership that provides mentoring to young Jewish business minds. The program provides everything from mentorship to advice to critical analysis. The end game is to help develop inspiring leaders in the Greater Phoenix Jewish community. The application process is a simple one. Go online to Valley Beit Midrash (valleybeitmidrash.org ) and scroll down the home page to In the News—Click on “Application Available HERE” and fill out the application. It is 14 questions that need to be answered thoughtfully. Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash reviews all the applications. This is the third year of the program and, obviously, it has been a huge success. Todd Herzog, who participated in year one, is a promising singer/songwriter. As a direct result of his participation in Start Me Up!, Herzog has started the Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest. The third annual event just took
place Nov. 1 to rousing reviews. “This program is unique and special,” said A.J. Frost, who was part of the first cohort. He now serves as operations fellow of Valley Beit Midrash. “We are doing great things with it.” For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org or call 602-4453112,
Dr. Bell shares tales of Jewish Pioneers Dec. 11
Beth Ami Temple of Paradise Valley will feature renowned local historian Dr. Larry Bell Friday, Dec. 11. Dr. Bell will speak on “Jewish Pioneers of the Valley” in a lecture that starts at 7:30 pm. Born and raised in Phoenix, Dr. Bell has been an instrumental part of the Phoenix Jewish community for years. Additionally, he has been a vocal advocate for interfaith relations throughout the Valley, serving as vice president of the Arizona Interfaith Movement. For several years Dr. Bell has been the executive director of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, which helped restore Phoenix’s first synagogue. The restoration project turned the synagogue into the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, a museum and cultural center open to people of all faiths. His lecture will feature the history of Arizona Jews. Early Jewish pioneers in Arizona were not just shop owners and bankers, but cowboys, lawmen, ranchers and entertainers, who, back in the day, defied all stereotypes. Besides Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona Jewish settlers occupied Yuma, Bisbee, Prescott and Tombstone.
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“The presentation will cover the early history of Jews in Phoenix and some of the early pioneers who established our local Jewish community,” says Dr. Bell. The event is free but reservations are requested. For more information or to RSVP, contact: 602-956-0805 or bethamitemple@hotmail.com.
Brandies University on Wheels Jan. 7 at Tucson J The Tucson Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee and the Tucson Jewish Community Center present the University On Wheels program featuring a professor from Brandeis University. Tom Doherty, PhD, a professor of American studies and program chair at Brandeis University, with specific expertise in American film and culture, will speak on: "Jews, Nazis and Hollywood Cinema," based on his book, Hollywood and Hitler, 1933-1939. The event, which includes a continental breakfast, takes place 9-11 am, Jan. 7, 2016 at the "J" in the Heritage Room. Doherty will discuss the rise of the Third Reich, Tom Doherty which confronted Hollywood with an unwelcome set of economic, cinematic and moral problems – how to conduct business with the Nazis; whether to address or ignore Nazism in Hollywood movies; and the coverage of Hitler and his victims in the newsreels. During the 1930s, the image of the Nazis and the full meaning of Nazism came slowly to Hollywood, like a picture looking for a focus – fuzzy and dimly lit at first, clearer and more ominous as the decade wore on. Since Jews were Hitler ’s chosen victims and Jews were titans of Hollywood, the disproportionately Jewish backgrounds of the studio executives and the artists on the payroll shaded the approach to what could never be merely a business decision. A decade of prosperity and visibility for American Jews, the 1930s was also a decade of simmering anti-Semitism. Pro-Nazi outfits agitated openly for an American Reich. Should Hollywood’s Jews lie low – or stand tall and sound the alarm? Proceeds for this event will go towards the scholarship fund which helps send a Tucson student to Brandeis University. The cost is: $18 if reserved in advance and $22 at the door. RSVP by Jan. 4 to Arlene Zuckerman, zuck4@juno.com or 520-577-1457.
Art and Wine Festival to benefit Cancer network Thunderbird Artists, award-winning producer of juried fine art and wine festivals in Arizona, is gearing up for their celebration of sculptors from across the globe. The Sculpture and Wine Festival in Fountain Hills takes place, Jan. 15-17, 2016, at 16810 E Avenue of the Fountains, from 10 am to 5 pm daily. The Town of Fountain Hills incorporated in 1989 just northeast of Scottsdale and has the fourth largest fountain in the world escalating 560 feet, running 15 minutes every hour. Fountain Hills is a lovely backdrop for thousands of attendees, art lovers and collectors to gather, enjoy and purchase the works of premier, awardwinning and emerging sculptors. Thunderbird Artists is partnering with ICAN (International Cancer Advocacy Network), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Arizona nonprofit charity. ICAN’s mission is to extend life with the highest achievable quality of life for Stage IV cancer patients. ICAN (askican.org) will host the wine tasting and admission sales with the assistance of their dedicated volunteers from CVS Pharmacies. The wine tasting is $10, which provides a souvenir wine glass and six tasting tickets. Tastings are two-ounce pours and require 1, 2 or 3 tickets depending on the wine characteristics and quality. Additional wine tickets are $1. Festival admission is $3. Thunderbird Artists is donating 25% of all wine sales and 25% of admission ticket sales to ICAN For more information, call 480-837-5637.
DECEMBER CALENDAR Dec. 1 “Looking for Magic.” This inspirational play written by Beverly King Pollack is a semi-autographical story about one family’s experiences with HIV/AIDS. See page 74
Dec. 3 Valley Beit Midrash Panel: Reinvigorating Hanukkah. 7 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. $18 suggested donation. 60o2-445-3112 Prescott Center for the Performing Arts presents “Sylvia,” a modern, romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog. Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after 20-years of raising children in the suburbs. Greg has found a dog in the park – or the dog found him – bearing only the name “Sylvia” on the name tag. A street-smart mixture of lab and poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. Show runs through Dec. 20. 928-445-3286 Arizona PBS premieres new “Doc Martin” Series and Specials. The seventh season of the international hit series “Doc Martin” comes to Arizona in January, but Arizona PBS will provide a sneak preview at 8:30 pm. Shot on location in the picturesque seaside village of Port Isaac, the new season preview includes behind-the-scenes special “Doc Martin – Seven Grumpy Seasons”. azpbs.org
Dec. 4 J Holiday Boutique and Fair. 8 am to 4 pm Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Unique gift items, crafts, cookie decorating and kid’s art activities. Special oneday-only deals on membership, personal training, Pilates and more. 480-483-7121, ext. 1290, or membership@vosjcc.org
Dec. 5 Latkes & Vodkas at Congregation Anshe Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. Enjoy a variety of gourmet latkes and toppings, five different martini samplers and decadent dessert bar. Non-alcoholic beverages and a beer & wine cash bar available. Must be 21+. $18 per person with paid RSVP by Dec. 2; $25 per person at the door. , 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 503-745-5550
Dec. 6 Israel Center Hanukkah. 4 pm at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road. Free. 480-634-4900, ext. 1109, or shahare@vosjcc.org First night of Hanukkah menorah lightings. See page 48 “The real story” of Hanukkah: It involves events that resonate to this day – gross inequality and religious coercion. Join us for a special class where we will explore the texts/history behind this holiday, after which attendees are invited to stay and participate in our Religious School Hanukkah Family Workshop. 9:30 am at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 503-745-5550, ext. 225
Dec. 6-7 Modern Israel Symposium: Israel’s Place in the Changing Middle East features former Israeli ambassador Dr. Itamar Rabinovich, Professor Asher Sussare and other internatonal experts. In the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union at the ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 89
DECEMBER CALENDAR University of Arizona. Registration required: uafoundation.org/NetCommunity/events/2015sbsmodernisraelsymposiumdinner
Dec. 6-14 HANUKKAH: Light the first candle Sunday evening, Dec. 6. The holiday continues through Dec. 14, but the last candle on the Hanukkah menorah is lit the evening of Dec. 13. Continue a 10-year-old Hanukkah tradition: Come and help the new owners of the living Saguaro Hanukkah Menorah light this giant, natural menorah. Each night at 6 pm, except Friday at 5 pm. At the Miller’s home (formerly the Kline’s) at 9802 N 46th St., Phoenix.
Dec. 9 Cardoza Society Hanukkah Party at the Arizona Historical Society. 5:30 o 8 pm at 122 E Culver, Phoenix. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association for a Hanukkah celebration for Jewish legal professionals. Appetizers, beer, wine and networking. $18. RSVP by Dec. 2: jewishphoenix.org
Dec. 11 Annual Hanukkah Celebration of Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr at its new Shadow Rock campus, 12861 N Eighth Ave., Phoenix. Festivities begin with a pre-service nosh at 6 pm, followed by a short and festive Shabbat Service at 6:30 pm, and then dinner and activities for kids. 480414-5213 or congregationmerkaz.org
“Jewish Pioneers of the Valley.” See page 89 Dec. 6 Pre-Hanukkah Menorah Workshop. Chabad Family Hanukkah Party with Or Adam Congregaof the Northwest Valley partners with event tion for Humanistic Judaism (The Human Side host The Home Depot (6160 W Behrend Dr, of Judaism Beyond God). 6:30 pm at the Cutler Glendale) to give children chance to craft Plotkin Jewihs Heritage Center, 122 E. Culber St., Phoenix. 480-663-7788 or oradaminfo@ a menorah form supplies available at the store. No charge; Parents must accompany gmail.com children. RSVP: 602-375-2422 or info@ ichabad.org Dec. 12 Dec. 7 Hadassah Monday Afternoon Book Club. Repeats at 1 pm each Monday. For location arougheti@aol.com or 602-863-2240 Hadassah board installation and Hanukkah Party featuring homemade latkes, applesauce and doughnuts. 6:45 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. It’s Not Just Lunch – Hanukkah Celebration. Join us for a noon scrumptious lunch and celebrate Hanukkah in style while munching on potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Presented by Smile on Seniors at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 602-492-7670 or chani@sosaz.org VBM Lecture: Judaism & Islam: Some Historical & Halachic Perspectives” by Rabbi Dr. Marc Shapiro. 7 pm at Temple Chai, Phoenix. $18 suggested donation. 602-445-3112
Dec. 8 Hanukkah Sing-a-long for Terrific Tuesdays (seniors) at 11:30 am at the East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org
Arizona PBS hosts community event offering first-look at final season of “Downtown Abbey.” See the first hour of the final season three weeks before the Jan. 3 premiere when PBS hosts a “Big Sip” tea party at 12:30 pm at Arizona PBS Studio A on the ASU Downtown Campus, 555 N Central Ave., Phoenix. azpbs.org
Dec. 13 Jewish Heritage Night at the Phoenix Suns game. See page 48 Hanukkah menorah lighting at Westgate Entertainment District. See page 48 Instructional Pickleball Clinic. Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing racquet sports in the country. It is easy and fun for beginners, but can develop into a fast-paced game for more advanced players. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Free. 480-483-7121, ext. 1290, or membership@vosjcc.org
Dec. 15
Latkes, Vodkas, and Start-ups: A Chai-Tech Hanukkah Celebration offered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business and Professional Group. 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Uber Lung Institute Open House. Join us for our Open Phoenix, 201 E Washington St., 17th floor, House at the Scottsdale Lung Institute Clinic, Phoenix. Jewish engineering and technology 8377 E Hartford Dr., Ste120, Scottsdale. 855professionals enjoy networking and a pan434-9235 or lunginstitute.com/JewishLife el discussion regarding start-ups. Includes appetizers and cocktails. $18. RSVP by Dec. 8: jewishphoenix.org 90 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Let’s Design. Noon-1 pm. Learn everything you need to know about interior design from Bonnee Gruber IDS, IFDA. Topics change every month. Participants are encouraged to bring photos and floor plans 480-483-7121, ext. 1213, or harriet@vosjcc.org Let’s Knit. 1-3 pm at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join us in The J Café to share the pleasure of knitting and to help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We will teach you. Want to try the newest techniques? We will show you. 480-483-7121, ext. 1213, or harriet@vosjcc.org
Dec. 17 VBM presents The Uses & Misuses of Gentile Wisdom and Culture: On being a cosmopolitan, but not colonized minority. Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein leads this 7 pm program at Temple Chai, Phoenix. 602-445-3112
Dec. 18 Smile on Seniors Shabbat Dinner. 602-4927670
Dec. 21 Dan Fellner, a three-time Fulbright Scholar to Eastern Europe, will lecture about Jewish life in that region at 1 pm at Sun City’s Temple Beth Shalom, 12202 N. 101st, Sun City. His talk is made possible by the Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks program. Arizona Humanities is an independent nonprofit organization and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Free lecture; lunch before lecture is $8. RSVP by Dec. 14: call 623-977-3240 The Three Biggest Challenges Facing the Jewish World Today. Presented by Valley Beit Midrahs at 7 pm, at Temple Chia, Phoenix. 602-445-3112
Jan. 7 Brandies University on Wheels. See page 69
Jan. 11 Crystal Bridge at the J Grand Opening. ACBL sanctioned games. 9-11:30 am Supervided play; new players welcome. Noon-3:30 pm Duplicate games. 480-483-7121, ext. 1213
ADDING EVENTS:
To obtain a password to enter an event on our online calendar, go to the bottom right of our home page (AZJewishLife.com) and under “Quick Links,” click on Calendar Access Request.
From the Producers of MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH & I’M IN THERAPY!, RESPECT: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF WOMEN!, & YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP!
THE HIT MUSICAL COMEDY COMES TO PHOENIX!
DEC. 23, 2015 - JAN. 24, 2016
Philip Roger Roy and Dana Matthow present
Alan Jacobson’s
A delightful & fun musical about dieting, exercise & the age old “battle of the bulge” with parodies of hit songs in the tradition of Menopause The Musical®.
“The Audience Eats The Show Up!” - Miami Herald
“Be Prepared To Laugh Off A Few Pounds!” - BroadwayWorld.com
Show Times: Wed. 7PM, Thu. 2 & 7PM, Fri. 8PM, Sat. 2 & 8PM, Sun. 2 & 6PM
THE HIT NEW YORK DRAMEDY IS COMING TO PHOENIX! JANUARY 27 FEBRUARY 28, 2016 “Fascinating And Heartbreaking... Conveys Westheimer’s Surprising Dignity, Courage, And Resilience” — The New Yorker
g n i m Bcco uth Dr. R ermain
k St. G By Mar
“A Surprising, Eventful Biography. A Distinctive Sound, A Penchant for Humor & An Animated Personality!” You thought you knew everything there was to know about Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist! But did you know about her incredible journey fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a sniper, to her struggle as a single mother newly-arrived in America? This remarkable story is filled with the humor, honesty, and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth,” America’s most famous sex therapist. Wed. 7 PM, Thu. 2 & 7 PM, Fri. 8 PM, Sat. 2 & 8 PM, Sun. 2 PM
Starring Jane Ridley
222 E. Monroe, Phoenix, AZ 85004
PlayhouseInfo.com
Box Office: 602-252-8497 • Group Sales: 888-264-1788 ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE | DECEMBER 2015 91
92 DECEMBER 2015 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE